Notes from the homeschool conference

Susan Wise Bauer:
-checklist of subjects instead of schedules
-education as part of life, not as something to be gotten over with; create life long learner
-make books central- books as treats and rewards, go to the library
-get control of "screen time"- teach to use in moderation; token system
-off duty time for mom, alone time
-focus on individual interests
-solutions for meltdowns: sandwich, nap, shower
-graduate debt free from college- don't be seduced by name brand colleges, don't let kids get in debt
-don't let your kids go to college before they are emotionally mature and ready
-stop worrying about everything. kids will think you're mad. smile at your kids.
-praise your kids daily praise quotient
-act on your gut feeling. don't expect your kids to tell you if something is not right
-sing, or act happy so kids know everything is ok

Goff:
www.princessacademies.com
-teach kids to shop thriftly and how to do food storage, finances, practical things
-teach work ethic
-be inspired by books (Queen Victoria wrote in her journal, make your own journal)
- learn about ancestors- william bradford
-we don't know what our kids are going to be up against, give them the skills to face challenges
-prepare mind, hands and heart
-give them a small snippet to get them curious to want to learn more
-read about inspiring men and women

Amott:
http://www.tjed.org/
lemi.org
amlesideonline.org
michaelolaf.net
let child help pick curriculum
unit studies- theme (penguins- math, science, etc about penguins)
lap book and notebooks- keep a notebook about a theme
fiveinarow.com read a book and do studies based on that book in each subject
books- childhood of famous americans series
danika amott mommadana2@gmail.com

Peck:
http://www.teachingselfgovernment.com/
stop and think of a plan before discipline
-governing your own behaviors
-don't label our child- be careful
-say say "you've chosen" or "you've earned" insted of dishing out punishments
self-government is being able to determine cause and effet of any situation, possess the knowledge to control what happens to them
-make a list of things to change and work on them
Family government:
1. family activities- at least once a week. plan ahead to build anticipation
2. acceptance- make home safest place to make mistakes. "I'm glad you did that here with me instead of..."
3. love and mercy- pray to love and have spirit of love when you don't feel it and are mad; mercy instead of justice sometimes
4. trust- believe that every person was born with a desire to do good; give them the benefit of the doubt that they had good intentions; opposite of trust is force
-not raising perfect kids, raising kids to have solid relationships with God and family and know their direction in life
5. family economy- work is an antidote to bad character- do chores as consequences
6. family meetings- have a time limit (20 min.), take turns leading, don't point fingers "I've noticed that...."

seek first to understand and then be understood
problem solving exercises- sodas- talk about what if situations before there is a problem

4 basic rules_
follow instructions, accepting a no answer, accepting consequences and disagreeing appropriately

praise- praise 6-10 times for 1 criticism
preteach-teach before the situation come up
corrective teaching- speak with kindness and love; describing instead of reacting (I noticed your room is messy. I asked you to clean it but you are playing instead.... What you should have done was.... Since you chose.... Let's practice follow instructions 3 times.... Now I know you are great at follow directions! Next time I know you'll do great!"
-Sometimes a hug is needed

Susan Wise Bauer:
-where is it that I am trying to go? goal of education? To know what he/she thinks and believes and can defend it with words; goal- to be able to find info, evaluate it and form an opinion
-some things not fun, but self discipline and maturity is the ability to do something immediately difficult to do something pleasureable later

elementary grades- literature- ask what happened instead of why. memorizing and drill not critical thinking at this stage. it's ok to memorize something they don't understand
K-5 repetition; starting 5th or 6th grade change to critical thinking; wants to know why they are doing it; allow disagreement; may i make an appeal means i really want to sit down and discuss it

Allison Smith:
ways to teach:
text outlines
unit studies
internet
co-ops
community classes
local businesses and apprenticeships
field trips to local businesses
performances and exhibits
college classes
board games
music to help memorize (Singin' Smart)
summer camps

Time-- it's when THEY need it

Bartlett:
http://www.havekids-willtravel.com/
http://www.jewettstreet.com/
5lessons.com
thewinonline.com
homeexchange.com

yourgameguru.com