* I originally wrote this in January, but apparently never hit "publish", so here goes*
So a quick recap of 2014:
March:
- Jason's business kicked off it's 2nd season
April:
- my employer announced that it will be closing the Kentucky location within the next 3 years and all jobs will be relocated. Mine specifically is going to Michigan.
May:
- Miss Jillian was born
- Miss Jena graduated from Kindergarten
- my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
July:
- we made a decision regarding both my job and Jena's education
August:
- after more than 10 years with my employer, I resigned my position
September:
- we began homeschooling Jena
October:
- our family's first trip to Disney World
- a trip to Chicago
November:
- Jason expands his business to include Christmas light installation (residential & commercial)
December:
- holidays (need I say more)
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Monday, March 17, 2014
Jena Schooling Update
You may remember the issues we’ve had with the local public
school regarding Jena’s age (she misses the cutoff by less than a week).
We were originally told that she would need to repeat
Kindergarten, strictly because of her age.
Well, it took three months and talking to nine members of
the administration, but we finally got word that as long as we produce a
certificate of completion from the Kindergarten program she’s currently in, the
will permit her to start first grade in the Fall after all.
We are still exploring the possibility of homeschooling, and
no decision has been made yet, but it’s nice to finally know that if we do
choose to send her to public school she will at least be able to progress to
the next grade.
She is doing exceptionally well in Kindergarten, and amazes
us regularly with her progress.
Jena is currently reading on a 3rd grade level, has finished her first chapter book, and informed me that all the books we have at home are “too easy”. So the search to expand her library at home is on.
Jena is currently reading on a 3rd grade level, has finished her first chapter book, and informed me that all the books we have at home are “too easy”. So the search to expand her library at home is on.
It’s my understanding that her math skills are currently at
an end of 1st / beginning of 2nd grade level. She adds
& subtracts numbers up to 100, does “carrying math” (ie. carry the 2…), and
is progressing in her understanding of money & time.
Handwriting is still her struggle point, but we have seen
huge improvements since the beginning of the school year.
And she’s such a little nerd. In a good way. She knows that
she will go to a different school next year (she’s currently in a private
preschool that ends after Kindergarten), and she knows it will either be the “big
kid school” or homeschool, and that Mommy & Daddy haven’t decided yet.
When I explained to her that she wouldn’t go to school this Summer, she was confused. See, she’s gone to preschool every year, including Summers, since she was two.
When I explained to her that she wouldn’t go to school this Summer, she was confused. See, she’s gone to preschool every year, including Summers, since she was two.
She asked if it were because of the baby. I told her yes,
since Mommy will be staying home from work after having the baby, Jena will
just stay home with us too.
{{ insert frowny face }}
She then asked why we couldn’t at least do homeschool during
the Summer, even if she were going to big kid school in August. Because she
likes school. And she likes work. And she doesn’t want to not go to school all
Summer.
And I love it.
I guess that’s all on her for now. Thanks for checking in!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Education Dilemma
So, I mentioned in my last post that the current dilemma is
what to do regarding Jena’s education for next year and beyond.
You see, we had always planned on sending her to the local public school, and I had even called talked to them prior to enrolling her in Kindergarten at her current school. Why did I call? Because she misses the cutoff for the school year by less than a week. But I wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any issues.
At that time I was assured that if she completed an accredited Kindergarten program, there would be no issues enrolling her in first grade the following year.
So a couple of months ago, due to several things that were going on, I met with her current teachers, then called the public school again.
Uh, no. They want her to repeat Kindergarten next year. Strictly because of her age. I explained that she will have completed an accredited Kindergarten program, that her current teachers think she will be more than ready to proceed to first grade both academically & socially, and offered to bring her in for whatever testing / evaluations they feel are necessary.
No.
Basically they really, really, REALLY don’t like to move kids out of the neat & tidy little box associated with their age.
It was explained to me that even if she did test into first grade, and they evaluated her to be socially ready, and IF they decided to then permit her to enter into first grade, they still would only allow her to attend half-day, because kids her age aren’t ready for a full day of school. According to them. Even though she's been in a full-day preschool since she was 2 years old. Oh, and schools across the country have full-day kindergarten. But, whatever.
Oh, and they’d charge us a tuition (yes, to a public school) as well.
You see, we had always planned on sending her to the local public school, and I had even called talked to them prior to enrolling her in Kindergarten at her current school. Why did I call? Because she misses the cutoff for the school year by less than a week. But I wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any issues.
At that time I was assured that if she completed an accredited Kindergarten program, there would be no issues enrolling her in first grade the following year.
So a couple of months ago, due to several things that were going on, I met with her current teachers, then called the public school again.
Uh, no. They want her to repeat Kindergarten next year. Strictly because of her age. I explained that she will have completed an accredited Kindergarten program, that her current teachers think she will be more than ready to proceed to first grade both academically & socially, and offered to bring her in for whatever testing / evaluations they feel are necessary.
No.
Basically they really, really, REALLY don’t like to move kids out of the neat & tidy little box associated with their age.
It was explained to me that even if she did test into first grade, and they evaluated her to be socially ready, and IF they decided to then permit her to enter into first grade, they still would only allow her to attend half-day, because kids her age aren’t ready for a full day of school. According to them. Even though she's been in a full-day preschool since she was 2 years old. Oh, and schools across the country have full-day kindergarten. But, whatever.
Oh, and they’d charge us a tuition (yes, to a public school) as well.
How she’s supposed to only attend half day first grade and
still progress along with the other students I have no idea. Or how that’s not
supposed to hurt her socially, as she leaves every day while her friends stay.
Or why they’re charging tuition to a public school. Or why her completing a
Kindergarten program, accredited, in the same state, isn’t good enough. I.
Don’t. Know.
Momma not happy.
Momma not happy.
Especially since I had previously called and been assured
there would be no problems. Apparently our definition of “issues” is different.
Hmph.
So, we may be able to get her into public school, but in
order to do so we will have to go before the school board and fight for it. And
quite frankly, even if we succeed in getting her in, I’m not sure I want my
child attending a school where the administration seems to think that all children should fit
into this tidy little box based solely on age. Or any other factor for that matter.
And did I mention the cost of after-school care?
If they permit her to attend full-time, it will eat up over
15% of my paycheck each month. Not bad. Pretty much expected.
If she only attends half-day, the after school programs in the area will cost us nearly 25% of my paycheck. Starting to hurt a little more.
If she only attends half-day, the after school programs in the area will cost us nearly 25% of my paycheck. Starting to hurt a little more.
But if the school charges us a tuition on top of that? We might
as well send her to private school.
So… we looked into that. Basically there’s only one private
school in the area who has a good academic reputation, doesn’t add too much
onto my daily commute, and we might be able to afford.
Except… private school tuition + after school care = nearly
75% of my paycheck.
At which point… why am I working?
So… we’re looking into homeschooling.
Seriously.
Right now it seems like the best option, except for that
minor losing-my-income thing. Because our last tax statement showed that I
bring home over 40% of our net income, plus provide all the benefits &
childcare. Not exactly chump change to lose.
Thus, the dilemma.
Currently we’ve pretty much ruled out private school because of the cost. So we’re actively looking into homeschool curriculums as well as area groups / co-ops for homeschoolers while at the same time moving forward with trying to get her into full-time first grade in the public school. We figure if we get her in we can always change our minds later if we see fit, but all decisions regarding enrollment have to be made by the end of the previous school year (so May-ish timing), so we’d better start now so we know if that’s even an option.
I'm pretty much adamant that she not be forced to repeat Kindergarten. Just knowing her as her parent, plus having her current teachers tell me that not only is she the most academically advanced of all the kindergartners, she's also one of the most mature students in the class, I honestly believe forcing her to repeat Kindergarten would be detrimental to her development both academically and socially. So that is pretty much our worst case, last choice, we can't figure out any other possible way option.
So that’s where we are right now with that. As always, thanks for checking in!
Thus, the dilemma.
Currently we’ve pretty much ruled out private school because of the cost. So we’re actively looking into homeschool curriculums as well as area groups / co-ops for homeschoolers while at the same time moving forward with trying to get her into full-time first grade in the public school. We figure if we get her in we can always change our minds later if we see fit, but all decisions regarding enrollment have to be made by the end of the previous school year (so May-ish timing), so we’d better start now so we know if that’s even an option.
I'm pretty much adamant that she not be forced to repeat Kindergarten. Just knowing her as her parent, plus having her current teachers tell me that not only is she the most academically advanced of all the kindergartners, she's also one of the most mature students in the class, I honestly believe forcing her to repeat Kindergarten would be detrimental to her development both academically and socially. So that is pretty much our worst case, last choice, we can't figure out any other possible way option.
So that’s where we are right now with that. As always, thanks for checking in!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Jena's Turn!
And now it’s Jena’s turn!
Jena is doing as awesome as ever.
She is happily halfway thru Kindergarten, and is doing very well. We are blessed that she is currently in a setting where the teachers strive to meet each kid at their ability.
While Jena started the year already reading at a 2nd grade level, her best friend started the year not even knowing the letters of the alphabet (long story). It’s interesting to see such a difference in two best friends, and how the teachers reacted to it and adjusted the lessons & homework so that each child could progress at their level.
Jena is doing as awesome as ever.
She is happily halfway thru Kindergarten, and is doing very well. We are blessed that she is currently in a setting where the teachers strive to meet each kid at their ability.
While Jena started the year already reading at a 2nd grade level, her best friend started the year not even knowing the letters of the alphabet (long story). It’s interesting to see such a difference in two best friends, and how the teachers reacted to it and adjusted the lessons & homework so that each child could progress at their level.
Unfortunately she is currently at a preschool, and
Kindergarten is the last level. She will graduate in May. The current dilemma
is what to do about her schooling for next year (and beyond), but that could
easily be another post in and of itself.
She is excited to be a big sister, and was really hoping for it to be a girl so she could have a little sister. She talks regularly about what it will be like having a little sister, and naming ways she can help. I know there will be an adjustment period for all of us, but I really think she will be a great big sister and am so excited to see her in that role.
Currently she loves all things Barbie, and this has for the most part taken over for her love of Disney Princesses.
She still likes her princesses, but the obsession is definitely Barbie now.
So that’s about it on my Jena for now. As always, thanks for checking in!
She is excited to be a big sister, and was really hoping for it to be a girl so she could have a little sister. She talks regularly about what it will be like having a little sister, and naming ways she can help. I know there will be an adjustment period for all of us, but I really think she will be a great big sister and am so excited to see her in that role.
Currently she loves all things Barbie, and this has for the most part taken over for her love of Disney Princesses.
She still likes her princesses, but the obsession is definitely Barbie now.
So that’s about it on my Jena for now. As always, thanks for checking in!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Ramble
Ramble:
I don't really have a blog post put together, but I hate that my blog has set un-updated for so long, so here's some ramblings.
We got Ashes her puppy shots last weekend at a shot clinic held by a local rescue. Discounted shots, and $$ goes to help a rescue? Yes, please.
We also bought some flea treatment, because of course, now that we bring old dog and little dog in for the cold, NOW they have fleas. Which means the cats now have fleas too. Aaaagh!
We had a bad infestation of fleas at our old house. So I may or may not tend to over-react if I see so much as a speck of dirt that might possibly resemble a flea. Just sayin'.
Luckily we appear to have caught it early, and we're going into Winter, so we're hoping a one-month treatment will knock it out.
Ashes is roughly 30+ lbs now, at just 4 months of age. And her paws are still disproportionately large. Can't wait to see how big she gets.
Old dog (Buddy) is definitely less tolerant of the cold. We now bring him in if it gets below 50 degrees. The good(?) news is that his hearing appears to be going as well, so he's not as gun-shy as he used to be. You know, because he can't hear them as well.
Molly is getting more friendly. Lately she's taken to finding me when I first get up in the morning and go to the bathroom. She literally runs to the bathroom and rubs my legs while I'm peeing. Hope that wasn't TMI. Not sure why she's picked that time to want affection, but it's kinda nice to have a friendly kitty good morning routine.
There are multiple co-workers who are sick right now, but who keep coming to work. And I don't mean a tiny little cough sick. I mean hacking all day, runny nose, red eyes, visited the on-site clinic sick.
Now, this bothers me usually. Why spread the germs? Why would you do that? Go home. Rest.
And our company provides really generous sick leave. So take a day. Or two. Or five. Go home. Get your germs outta here!
But now that I'm pregnant (momma bear about protecting this tiny baby) and pregnant (can't take any medicine if I get your illness) I'm a getting more & more upset that they're not taking off. As in, not one of them has missed so much as one day. Grr!
Jena is doing really well in Kindergarten. She knows all of the sight words they're doing right now, so her teacher has altered the assignment so that instead of practicing reading her sight words every night, she's to practice writing the sight words every night.
By the way, I don't know why they teach sight words anyway. But that's a whole 'nother post.
Okie dokie. I gotta get going now. I'll try to write a real post as soon as I can.
As always, thanks for checking in!
I don't really have a blog post put together, but I hate that my blog has set un-updated for so long, so here's some ramblings.
We got Ashes her puppy shots last weekend at a shot clinic held by a local rescue. Discounted shots, and $$ goes to help a rescue? Yes, please.
We also bought some flea treatment, because of course, now that we bring old dog and little dog in for the cold, NOW they have fleas. Which means the cats now have fleas too. Aaaagh!
We had a bad infestation of fleas at our old house. So I may or may not tend to over-react if I see so much as a speck of dirt that might possibly resemble a flea. Just sayin'.
Luckily we appear to have caught it early, and we're going into Winter, so we're hoping a one-month treatment will knock it out.
Ashes is roughly 30+ lbs now, at just 4 months of age. And her paws are still disproportionately large. Can't wait to see how big she gets.
Old dog (Buddy) is definitely less tolerant of the cold. We now bring him in if it gets below 50 degrees. The good(?) news is that his hearing appears to be going as well, so he's not as gun-shy as he used to be. You know, because he can't hear them as well.
Molly is getting more friendly. Lately she's taken to finding me when I first get up in the morning and go to the bathroom. She literally runs to the bathroom and rubs my legs while I'm peeing. Hope that wasn't TMI. Not sure why she's picked that time to want affection, but it's kinda nice to have a friendly kitty good morning routine.
There are multiple co-workers who are sick right now, but who keep coming to work. And I don't mean a tiny little cough sick. I mean hacking all day, runny nose, red eyes, visited the on-site clinic sick.
Now, this bothers me usually. Why spread the germs? Why would you do that? Go home. Rest.
And our company provides really generous sick leave. So take a day. Or two. Or five. Go home. Get your germs outta here!
But now that I'm pregnant (momma bear about protecting this tiny baby) and pregnant (can't take any medicine if I get your illness) I'm a getting more & more upset that they're not taking off. As in, not one of them has missed so much as one day. Grr!
Jena is doing really well in Kindergarten. She knows all of the sight words they're doing right now, so her teacher has altered the assignment so that instead of practicing reading her sight words every night, she's to practice writing the sight words every night.
By the way, I don't know why they teach sight words anyway. But that's a whole 'nother post.
Okie dokie. I gotta get going now. I'll try to write a real post as soon as I can.
As always, thanks for checking in!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Saturday, December 15, 2012
There are no winners here
 |
| source |
At the same time, there is something to say.
What do you say when there are no words?
***********************************
When I heard the news, I cried. Then I wanted to get my Jena, before realizing my parents were watching her yesterday. Safe, visiting a Christmas display in Cincinnati, they may not even know the news. I refrained from calling. No need to destroy their afternoon.
My mind wandered to the children. A freakin' KINDERGARTEN classroom, for pete's sake. Four- and five- year olds. WHY?!?
And then I realize, there is no reason. There cannot be any reason. I've heard people mention insanity. Mental Illness. Demon possession. And I understand why. Because there cannot be any reason for anyone to do this. Ever.
I pictured Jena's preschool. Thank goodness her classroom is towards the end of the hallway. Thank goodness for security measures taken at the school. And then I feel guilty for being glad her class isn't at the front of the school. Because what about those kids? And I also realize that Sandy Hook Elementary had security measures in place as well. Similar to many schools. And I realize that if someone wants to commit that kind of carnage, there is little that a security system will do to stop them.
I thought about the teachers at Sandy Hook. Those brave teachers and administrators, doing what they could to protect the children. We don't give our teachers enough credit for the work they do, but rarely do we also realize what they would do, should tragedy strike. Thank your child's teacher next time you see them.
And then I dared to think about the parents. The panicked parents. I cannot truly grasp the kind of terror that must have gripped each and every parent as they rushed to their babies. A terror that is either relieved when your child is in your arms, and immediately replaced with survivors' guilt, or is replaced by a grief no person should ever experience. There are no winners here.
And the children. The poor, terrified children. To think that the last few moments of your child's life were filled with such horror... and then the surviving students. What an impact this will have on their lives. Their view of school, of humanity in general, forever changed by this day.
Now to the first responders: police, SWAT, fire, EMTs/medics, probably more. I imagine my own Jason responding to the scene. I have to think it would change him, maybe forever. There will be some that will not return to this career. They all will forever carry those heinous images in their minds. Thank a first responder at your next opportunity. They do what the rest of us could or would not. They go in when the rest of us are trying desperately to get out.
Lastly, my mind turns to the shooter. I cannot rejoice at a life lost, any life lost. But I can be grateful that he cannot do it again. His family must be devastated. To deal with the grief of losing mother & son in one day is difficult enough, but to deal with it in this fashion, facing interrogations, media speculations, public scrutiny, all while trying to make sense of it yourself... I cannot imagine how difficult this is for them.
Last night Jena got a little bit spoiled. She doesn't know it, doesn't know why. In exchange for doing one tiny little chore she should have done anyway, I let her stay up "as late as Mommy". I let her play on the computer for hours. And then I let her sleep in my bed. Three things I never let her do. As much for me as it was for her.
Tonight we will take her to see the Elves at a local Christmas display. We will have dinner with family, then enjoy a little holiday spirit. I will do my best to pretend nothing bad happened. Not because I have become "desensitized to violence", as one of my friends suggested of anyone who moves on quickly from such a day, but I will do it for my child. At four years old my daughter has no need to know what happened today. And so I will go thru the next few days as if nothing happened, as if nothing is wrong, as if my mind weren't wandering to that horrific incident time and time again. I will hold back the tears as best I can. I will be forever grateful for my daughter.
And should she overhear anything, from anyone, about what happened, I pray that God would give me the words.
****************************
Dear God,
Lord, we come to You today and ask that You be with the people of Newtown. We ask that You comfort all those directly and indirectly involved with the shooting. We don't understand why these things happen, nor how anyone could ever be comforted in such tragedy, but we do trust in You to do the impossible. Hold them close in their time of need.
Lord I also ask that You guide all of our minds, especially those in law enforcement and education, to find in this a way to protect our children in the future. Let this be used as a learning experience, let some tiny bit of good come from this.
Father, there are not enough words, not the right words, to express what we are all feeling, even thinking. But You know our minds and our hearts. Hear our unspoken.
Amen
Sunday, March 11, 2012
"new" Math, "new" Reading
One of Jason's co-workers was struggling to help his son in school. Apparently there is yet another "New Math".
The son does not understand how to do it. The dad has read the textbooks, met with the teacher, googled the subject, and watched YouTube videos explaining the new "easier" method. He still struggles to explain it to his son.
Finally, frustrated with yet another bad grade, he scheduled a conference with his son's teacher and informed her that he would be teaching his son "Old Math" - in other words, the basic arithmetic behind the math, what the math means - instead of this "New Math". And he fully expected that as long as the answer was correct, she would not mark his son down for it.
His son is doing much better now.
*********************************
My niece was in first grade, and was struggling to learn to read, really struggling. This puzzled my sister, as my niece is very bright, and had been doing very well during her preschool-aged years while they were teaching her at home.
When they finally met with the teacher about it, they discovered the school only taught sight-reading, not phonics. In other words, children are taught to read by learning to identify what words look like, but are not taught what sounds letters make, how to sound words out, etc.
This explained why my niece knew words like "lady", but could not for the life of her figure out what the word "ladybug" was. It looked different.
My sister started working on her phonics skills at home - as well as my mom & I when we would see her - within a couple of months she not only caught up to the reading level of her fellow students, she surpassed it.
Now, more than five years later, she continues to be an avid reader, reading well above her grade level.
******************************
Stories like these make me very nervous about sending Jena to school in a few years.
I mean no offense if you are a fan of "New Math" or "Sight Reading", but hear me out, 'kay?
There is nothing wrong with learning new ways of doing things, or new ways of teaching things. None at all. Not everyone learns in the same way, so it is important for teachers to be able to adapt.
I have no problem with the concept of these ideas as tools, or options, to learning. Alternatives to help someone struggling, or shortcuts to be taught after the basics have been mastered.
The problem I have, is the way I have seen them implemented in the classroom, teaching them as alternatives to learning the basics.
If a child never learns the basics of math, of what addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division actually mean... then what have you really taught them?
If a child never learns what letters sound like in our language, how to sound words out... then how will they progress to more difficult words in the future? how will they learn other languages as they get older?
New concepts on teaching are fine... for the exception that is having difficulty grasping the traditional methods. But using them as shortcuts instead of teaching the mass of students the very basics of what they are actually doing, the root of their education... not okay in my book.
And lest we think this is a new problem, an example from my childhood....
I was in 2nd grade, and we were learning multiplication. I received my first bad grade, and the teacher called a conference with my parents. I don't remember the entire thing, but I do remember that somewhere during that meeting, they realized that I was struggling with memorization. So right there, during the conference, my teacher taught me that 2 x 3 is the same as 2 + 2 + 2. She taught me what multiplication was.
My grades went back up immediately. I was slower than my classmates for sure, but now I got it, now I could do the work because I knew what I was doing.
Ends up, I don't memorize things well. Didn't then, don't now. I struggled in high school, remembering formulas for chemistry & physics. I struggled in college, memorizin dates for history. For me, rote memorization of facts does not work. My brain does not work that way.
I struggled in pretty much any class that required me to memorize a list of anything.
And... now this took me till my late 20s to realize... there's nothing wrong with that.
What is wrong is our educational system thinking that if a child who is otherwise doing very well cannot memorize a list of facts, they must not be working hard enough, or must not be "getting it".
Getting what? You didn't teach me anything. You asked me to memorize a list. That isn't teaching.
On the occasions that I had a teacher gifted and patient and understanding enough to sit down with me and explain what I was actually supposed to be doing, instead of asking me to memorize lists? My grades improved every time. Every. Single. Time.
I still don't have my times tables memorized. But I can do multiplication in my head faster than most people who did.
I still don't know the years of the Civil War. But I can put it in context of what happened in our country, and abroad, before, during, and after the War.
In the end, which is more important for a student? Understanding their world, understanding what they are actually doing? or learning to take shortcuts so they can spit out the right answer?
As for me and my child... there will be no "New Math" in our house. No "Sight Reading". I will be that parent if need be, but my child will learn the basics of her world, she will learn the basics before she moves on to the shortcuts, and she will do the work before she learns to skip the work.
**************************
aside - Jena could recognize the word "stop" (from stop signs) at about 18 months. But no, I didn't tell people she could read. Soon though, as we're working on our phonics and at 3 yrs old she's learning to sound words out.
**************************
I am so that parent. Her teachers are either gonna love me or hate me. I don't see much of a middle ground here, do you?
**************************
this post inspired by this post
The son does not understand how to do it. The dad has read the textbooks, met with the teacher, googled the subject, and watched YouTube videos explaining the new "easier" method. He still struggles to explain it to his son.
Finally, frustrated with yet another bad grade, he scheduled a conference with his son's teacher and informed her that he would be teaching his son "Old Math" - in other words, the basic arithmetic behind the math, what the math means - instead of this "New Math". And he fully expected that as long as the answer was correct, she would not mark his son down for it.
His son is doing much better now.
*********************************
My niece was in first grade, and was struggling to learn to read, really struggling. This puzzled my sister, as my niece is very bright, and had been doing very well during her preschool-aged years while they were teaching her at home.
When they finally met with the teacher about it, they discovered the school only taught sight-reading, not phonics. In other words, children are taught to read by learning to identify what words look like, but are not taught what sounds letters make, how to sound words out, etc.
This explained why my niece knew words like "lady", but could not for the life of her figure out what the word "ladybug" was. It looked different.
My sister started working on her phonics skills at home - as well as my mom & I when we would see her - within a couple of months she not only caught up to the reading level of her fellow students, she surpassed it.
Now, more than five years later, she continues to be an avid reader, reading well above her grade level.
******************************
Stories like these make me very nervous about sending Jena to school in a few years.
I mean no offense if you are a fan of "New Math" or "Sight Reading", but hear me out, 'kay?
There is nothing wrong with learning new ways of doing things, or new ways of teaching things. None at all. Not everyone learns in the same way, so it is important for teachers to be able to adapt.
I have no problem with the concept of these ideas as tools, or options, to learning. Alternatives to help someone struggling, or shortcuts to be taught after the basics have been mastered.
The problem I have, is the way I have seen them implemented in the classroom, teaching them as alternatives to learning the basics.
If a child never learns the basics of math, of what addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division actually mean... then what have you really taught them?
If a child never learns what letters sound like in our language, how to sound words out... then how will they progress to more difficult words in the future? how will they learn other languages as they get older?
New concepts on teaching are fine... for the exception that is having difficulty grasping the traditional methods. But using them as shortcuts instead of teaching the mass of students the very basics of what they are actually doing, the root of their education... not okay in my book.
And lest we think this is a new problem, an example from my childhood....
I was in 2nd grade, and we were learning multiplication. I received my first bad grade, and the teacher called a conference with my parents. I don't remember the entire thing, but I do remember that somewhere during that meeting, they realized that I was struggling with memorization. So right there, during the conference, my teacher taught me that 2 x 3 is the same as 2 + 2 + 2. She taught me what multiplication was.
My grades went back up immediately. I was slower than my classmates for sure, but now I got it, now I could do the work because I knew what I was doing.
Ends up, I don't memorize things well. Didn't then, don't now. I struggled in high school, remembering formulas for chemistry & physics. I struggled in college, memorizin dates for history. For me, rote memorization of facts does not work. My brain does not work that way.
I struggled in pretty much any class that required me to memorize a list of anything.
And... now this took me till my late 20s to realize... there's nothing wrong with that.
What is wrong is our educational system thinking that if a child who is otherwise doing very well cannot memorize a list of facts, they must not be working hard enough, or must not be "getting it".
Getting what? You didn't teach me anything. You asked me to memorize a list. That isn't teaching.
On the occasions that I had a teacher gifted and patient and understanding enough to sit down with me and explain what I was actually supposed to be doing, instead of asking me to memorize lists? My grades improved every time. Every. Single. Time.
I still don't have my times tables memorized. But I can do multiplication in my head faster than most people who did.
I still don't know the years of the Civil War. But I can put it in context of what happened in our country, and abroad, before, during, and after the War.
In the end, which is more important for a student? Understanding their world, understanding what they are actually doing? or learning to take shortcuts so they can spit out the right answer?
As for me and my child... there will be no "New Math" in our house. No "Sight Reading". I will be that parent if need be, but my child will learn the basics of her world, she will learn the basics before she moves on to the shortcuts, and she will do the work before she learns to skip the work.
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aside - Jena could recognize the word "stop" (from stop signs) at about 18 months. But no, I didn't tell people she could read. Soon though, as we're working on our phonics and at 3 yrs old she's learning to sound words out.
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I am so that parent. Her teachers are either gonna love me or hate me. I don't see much of a middle ground here, do you?
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this post inspired by this post
Monday, December 26, 2011
Well Hello, Cold-Air-Induced-Cough-Variant-Asthma...
... or whatever it is you actually are.
But cold air induced, cough variant asthma is the best diagnosis any doctor, other person, or internet has ever given me. Suggested by a co-worker, I spent way-too-much time trying to find information on the internet. There wasn't much. But it's a much better fit than the "I don't know" that most doctors have given me.
Every winter I have severe coughing fits. Severe as in people who aren't familiar with them will ask me (seriously) if I need them to call for help, or if I am dying.
For me, they are just a part of life. See, I had my first major coughing fit when I was nine months old. I was hospitalized for it, before given a diagnosis of bronchitis, a diagnosis that would follow me for the rest of my life, but that I no longer believe to be accurate.
These fits start right about the first cold spell of the year, and end with the last. I mean, I don't have them every single day of the winter, but... enough.
The longest run that I remember was the year in my early 20s when they started in September and lasted thru March. That was a rough year.
And this happening-during-the-winter thing resulted in me being wrongly diagnosed with an allergy to "furnace dust" (whatever that is) for several years when I was a child. Although I see why it sorta made sense - they started about the time the furnace had to be turned on, and stopped right about the time it got warm enough to turn it off.
During my school days I usually ended up missing at least a week-ish of school during the winter months, but it was really more due to exhaustion than the actual coughing, as to get any sleep at all I have to sleep sitting up, which isn't truly restful, and after doing that for weeks... well, something's gotta give.
And that's where I found myself about a month ago. In the middle of my first coughing fit spell of the year, I spent four of the five nights sleeping sitting up in the recliner. And ready to pass out by mid-afternoon. It's exhausting.
But I digress. I do continue to work (in [many] years past school), as my parents came to realize early on that whatever this is, doesn't appear to be contagious, as no one, no one, around me has ever gotten it, including family or close friends. Ever.
And since I went to the same fairly small school for K thru 12, it means that the staff was fairly familiar too, so no one ever tried to send me home. At least not that I recall.
What it does mean though, is that throughout the winter months, if I happen to catch so much as a sniffle, I'm done for. For weeks. So yes, I am that person that gets really annoyed when people come to work snotting all over telephones and door handles. Because your minor cold will set me back for weeks.
Anywho... asthma does run in my family. Like, the normal kind anyway. So the asthma thing does kinda make sense. And having had pleurosy twice during frigid winter months and being told that my lungs are sensitive to cold air and I should make sure I'm breathing through a scarf when walking in freezing temperatures... well, that seems to back up the cold-air-induced thing. And clearly it would have to be cough-variant, as the only sort of wheezing involved is when the coughing fit lasts so long that I am sucking in air to fill my lungs back up.
Random, but have you ever coughed so hard that your body bends into itself, so when the coughs repeat you almost look like you're having some weird seizure? No? Just me? Moving on then...
Oh, and while advice is appreciated, because I understand their good intentions, telling me to take cough syrup or Nyquil... well, I mean... c'mon, do you seriously think that in 34 years I never thought of that? The fact is that cough suppressants of any type have minimal, if any, effect. Honestly I'm better off taking a sleeping pill to get some rest, than trying to contain the cough at all.
But, in reality, the fact is that I am blessed. Oh sure, this really sucks. But at the same time, like I mentioned before, for me it's really just a way of life. The only time it really sucks is when people stare at me, or when it truly interrupts others' lives, like my family.
But luckily my husband and my daughter both sleep like rocks. So that's not really an issue most of the time. And all of my family, and friends who have been around long enough, realize what it is and how to ignore it because no, I am not gonna die. And most of my co-workers have been there long enough to realize that not only am I not contagious, it sounds worse than it is, and no, I am not gonna die.
So, for the most part, it is simply an annoyance for me for a few months of the year. And an occasional embarrassment, when I come across someone who is not familiar with my condition (whatever it actually is).
The only thing I do worry about is FireGirl. It appears that she has inherited this condition (whatever it really is). The good thing is that for her, it appears to be much better controlled when we keep the temp in the house at least 72 degrees during the winter months. Which is much warmer than we did before she came along, and raises our heating bill a bit, but well worth it.
Of course, that only adds to the cold-air-induced theory, doesn't it?
So that's that. And now you know a little bit more about me. Thanks for checking in.
But cold air induced, cough variant asthma is the best diagnosis any doctor, other person, or internet has ever given me. Suggested by a co-worker, I spent way-too-much time trying to find information on the internet. There wasn't much. But it's a much better fit than the "I don't know" that most doctors have given me.
Every winter I have severe coughing fits. Severe as in people who aren't familiar with them will ask me (seriously) if I need them to call for help, or if I am dying.
For me, they are just a part of life. See, I had my first major coughing fit when I was nine months old. I was hospitalized for it, before given a diagnosis of bronchitis, a diagnosis that would follow me for the rest of my life, but that I no longer believe to be accurate.
These fits start right about the first cold spell of the year, and end with the last. I mean, I don't have them every single day of the winter, but... enough.
The longest run that I remember was the year in my early 20s when they started in September and lasted thru March. That was a rough year.
And this happening-during-the-winter thing resulted in me being wrongly diagnosed with an allergy to "furnace dust" (whatever that is) for several years when I was a child. Although I see why it sorta made sense - they started about the time the furnace had to be turned on, and stopped right about the time it got warm enough to turn it off.
During my school days I usually ended up missing at least a week-ish of school during the winter months, but it was really more due to exhaustion than the actual coughing, as to get any sleep at all I have to sleep sitting up, which isn't truly restful, and after doing that for weeks... well, something's gotta give.
And that's where I found myself about a month ago. In the middle of my first coughing fit spell of the year, I spent four of the five nights sleeping sitting up in the recliner. And ready to pass out by mid-afternoon. It's exhausting.
But I digress. I do continue to work (in [many] years past school), as my parents came to realize early on that whatever this is, doesn't appear to be contagious, as no one, no one, around me has ever gotten it, including family or close friends. Ever.
And since I went to the same fairly small school for K thru 12, it means that the staff was fairly familiar too, so no one ever tried to send me home. At least not that I recall.
What it does mean though, is that throughout the winter months, if I happen to catch so much as a sniffle, I'm done for. For weeks. So yes, I am that person that gets really annoyed when people come to work snotting all over telephones and door handles. Because your minor cold will set me back for weeks.
Anywho... asthma does run in my family. Like, the normal kind anyway. So the asthma thing does kinda make sense. And having had pleurosy twice during frigid winter months and being told that my lungs are sensitive to cold air and I should make sure I'm breathing through a scarf when walking in freezing temperatures... well, that seems to back up the cold-air-induced thing. And clearly it would have to be cough-variant, as the only sort of wheezing involved is when the coughing fit lasts so long that I am sucking in air to fill my lungs back up.
Random, but have you ever coughed so hard that your body bends into itself, so when the coughs repeat you almost look like you're having some weird seizure? No? Just me? Moving on then...
Oh, and while advice is appreciated, because I understand their good intentions, telling me to take cough syrup or Nyquil... well, I mean... c'mon, do you seriously think that in 34 years I never thought of that? The fact is that cough suppressants of any type have minimal, if any, effect. Honestly I'm better off taking a sleeping pill to get some rest, than trying to contain the cough at all.
But, in reality, the fact is that I am blessed. Oh sure, this really sucks. But at the same time, like I mentioned before, for me it's really just a way of life. The only time it really sucks is when people stare at me, or when it truly interrupts others' lives, like my family.
But luckily my husband and my daughter both sleep like rocks. So that's not really an issue most of the time. And all of my family, and friends who have been around long enough, realize what it is and how to ignore it because no, I am not gonna die. And most of my co-workers have been there long enough to realize that not only am I not contagious, it sounds worse than it is, and no, I am not gonna die.
So, for the most part, it is simply an annoyance for me for a few months of the year. And an occasional embarrassment, when I come across someone who is not familiar with my condition (whatever it actually is).
The only thing I do worry about is FireGirl. It appears that she has inherited this condition (whatever it really is). The good thing is that for her, it appears to be much better controlled when we keep the temp in the house at least 72 degrees during the winter months. Which is much warmer than we did before she came along, and raises our heating bill a bit, but well worth it.
Of course, that only adds to the cold-air-induced theory, doesn't it?
So that's that. And now you know a little bit more about me. Thanks for checking in.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Not Just Another Blog Challenge #17 - A Little Known Fact
A little known fact about me, something very few people know, especially in blog world, is...
I used to breed mice.
Yep. Like the furry little rodents.
In high school I took Agricultural Science, and needed a project. Not living on a farm, I was somewhat limited in my choices. So breeding mice it was.
I started with a black & white male named "Mickey", and a brown female named "Minnie".
I bred them for color combinations, and sold the litters to local pet stores.
And then after a few years and being done breeding them, I just kept a few as pets.
And then in college, I decided I wanted one again. So I got another mouse.
Their lifespan is only 3-4 years, and that's if they don't get sick or anything, so you tend to go thru a lot of them over time.
They actually make great pets, although if not handled regularly they can get a little bite-y.
Mickey was so tame I'd let him wander around my bedroom, and he would come when I called him. Most of them I would get out and let them climb on me as I went about my daily business at home, read a book, did homework, watched TV, whatever
Not like all of them at once or anything. Just one or two at a time. As much as I like mice, all of them at once is a little... weird. And hard to manage.
I still have a soft spot for all things mousey, and cringe a little when Tucker does his job in ridding our house of the vermin.
See, I even just cringed a little just calling them "vermin".
So, there ya go. Little known fact about Jodi.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Angela's African Adventures
This is my dear friend Angela with me at her going away party.
Angela & I have been friends since we were 10 years old. She is one of my oldest and dearest friends.
So where was she going?
She was leaving to teach at a school in Kenya. For three years.
She's there now.
I am so proud of her for following God's calling in her life. Of taking this enormous leap of faith and stepping into the unknown to do what she believed He was asking of her.
I am proud of her for giving of herself to others so unselfishly.
I ask that you pray for her as she continues her journey in Africa.
If you'd like to follow her story, you can read her blog here.
If you're interested in supporting her, thru prayers or thru financial giving, there are more details here.
"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." -- Galations 5:13
Thursday, August 11, 2011
What are you trying to prove ??
A while back, Nota wrote a great post entitled Walking Away from the Proving Grounds.
I love this post.
Why? Because I think it's something every single one of us can relate to.
Oh, sure, Nota's post is specifically about running. And Lord knows I'm not a runner.
But as a young musician I once cancelled my audition for the conservatory the day before, because I realized I didn't need to prove myself to anyone.
While most people in my real life know that I play the trumpet, what relatively few know is that I used to be quite good.
I trained my entire junior high & high school years for a career in music. Classical music, specifically.
My family hadlimited no funds to really support my endeavour, so I saved my allowances to pay for private lessons. I bought my own books, did my own research. And practiced. I spent God-knows-how-many hours practicing in our basement. Lord, did I practice.
By all means I had nowhere near the book knowledge of classical music, music history, etc. as many of my student-colleagues. But I was good.
Quite frankly, I was darn good.
My teenage years I practiced daily, performed several times a month, and had the privilege to perform in several different states around the country.
I became known.
In certain circles, anyway.
You know, when you meet someone completely new, in a totally different, non-musical environment, and they cock their head and say "hey, aren't you that trumpet chick?"
Why yes, Iam was.
I loved it. I loved music. I loved making music.
But I digress.
As I progressed, thenatural normal society- and- education- imposed progress is to compete. In ensembles. By yourself. Against others. Against yourself. You allow others to judge you. You allow experts to judge your performance.
You prove yourself. To the experts. To your colleagues. To yourself.
And that's what I did. And I did well at the competitions. Somewhere in my parents' home are the trophies and badges and ribbons to prove it.
But sometime during my senior year of high school, as I was desparately saving every penny (it was not uncommon for me to pay my tudor in change, bless his heart) to pay for lessons to prepare for my conservatory auditions... well, somewhere in there... I had an epiphany.
My audience loved my music.
Do you know, in marching band, I once had a woman tell me that my solo was so moving it made her cry? A chick in a marching band uniform standing on a football field played so beautifully it made her cry?!?
I was regularly told how people were moved to tears. That I gave them chills. That I was blessing them. That they were touched by my performance.
So why then... did I care... if some judge, any judge, any expert... thought I was good at all? Why did I care if I was marked down, yet again, for my embouchre, which was never what it "should" be? And really, why was I still seeking a career in music, if as an amateur, a teenager even, I could invoke such a reaction from my audience?
I fought a philosophical war with myself for weeks. This is what I had prepared my whole life to do. This was all I knew. If I didn't allow this judging to continue, and enter school for music... then... what would I do?!?
But I already had my answer. And when it came down to pressure time, the night before my audition, I called and cancelled.
After I graduated from high school, I stopped playing for two months. I never intended to stop altogether. Just needed a sabbatical, of sorts.
Eventually (and a long story of how it happened later), I joined my university marching band, and played to my heart's content.
And then basketball band. And then concert band.
And then I took so many music courses that by the time I graduated I was fairly close to having my minor in music.
But mostly, I just enjoyed being a band nerd.
Because I liked making music. And when it came to the music part of band, I no longer had anything to prove.
*********************
So that's probably my biggest single story of walking away from the proving grounds. Of realizing that I don't always have to prove something.
There is balance in there though. I am not nearly the musician I was when I was proving myself to the world. And there is beauty in that achievement.
I think the most difficult part of any journey is finding that balance. Of proving yourself, and enjoying the moment, enjoying the accomplishment. Of jumping in when you're ready (and sometimes when you're not), and walking away when you sense that that part of your life is over.
We all prove ourselves in different ways. I still sometimes find myself struggling to prove myself as a wife & mother. Mostly to myself, but somewhat to others.
And with the variety of supervisors I've had at work lately, I've found myself in the unsavory position of having to re-prove myself in the workplace, repeatedly, over the past several months.
We all do it. It's part of life. And like any journey, sometimes it's about knowing when to get on the highway, and when to take that off-ramp to the next destination.
I love this post.
Why? Because I think it's something every single one of us can relate to.
Oh, sure, Nota's post is specifically about running. And Lord knows I'm not a runner.
But as a young musician I once cancelled my audition for the conservatory the day before, because I realized I didn't need to prove myself to anyone.
While most people in my real life know that I play the trumpet, what relatively few know is that I used to be quite good.
I trained my entire junior high & high school years for a career in music. Classical music, specifically.
My family had
By all means I had nowhere near the book knowledge of classical music, music history, etc. as many of my student-colleagues. But I was good.
Quite frankly, I was darn good.
My teenage years I practiced daily, performed several times a month, and had the privilege to perform in several different states around the country.
I became known.
In certain circles, anyway.
You know, when you meet someone completely new, in a totally different, non-musical environment, and they cock their head and say "hey, aren't you that trumpet chick?"
Why yes, I
I loved it. I love
But I digress.
As I progressed, the
You prove yourself. To the experts. To your colleagues. To yourself.
And that's what I did. And I did well at the competitions. Somewhere in my parents' home are the trophies and badges and ribbons to prove it.
But sometime during my senior year of high school, as I was desparately saving every penny (it was not uncommon for me to pay my tudor in change, bless his heart) to pay for lessons to prepare for my conservatory auditions... well, somewhere in there... I had an epiphany.
My audience loved my music.
Do you know, in marching band, I once had a woman tell me that my solo was so moving it made her cry? A chick in a marching band uniform standing on a football field played so beautifully it made her cry?!?
I was regularly told how people were moved to tears. That I gave them chills. That I was blessing them. That they were touched by my performance.
So why then... did I care... if some judge, any judge, any expert... thought I was good at all? Why did I care if I was marked down, yet again, for my embouchre, which was never what it "should" be? And really, why was I still seeking a career in music, if as an amateur, a teenager even, I could invoke such a reaction from my audience?
I fought a philosophical war with myself for weeks. This is what I had prepared my whole life to do. This was all I knew. If I didn't allow this judging to continue, and enter school for music... then... what would I do?!?
But I already had my answer. And when it came down to pressure time, the night before my audition, I called and cancelled.
After I graduated from high school, I stopped playing for two months. I never intended to stop altogether. Just needed a sabbatical, of sorts.
Eventually (and a long story of how it happened later), I joined my university marching band, and played to my heart's content.
And then basketball band. And then concert band.
And then I took so many music courses that by the time I graduated I was fairly close to having my minor in music.
But mostly, I just enjoyed being a band nerd.
Because I like
*********************
So that's probably my biggest single story of walking away from the proving grounds. Of realizing that I don't always have to prove something.
There is balance in there though. I am not nearly the musician I was when I was proving myself to the world. And there is beauty in that achievement.
I think the most difficult part of any journey is finding that balance. Of proving yourself, and enjoying the moment, enjoying the accomplishment. Of jumping in when you're ready (and sometimes when you're not), and walking away when you sense that that part of your life is over.
We all prove ourselves in different ways. I still sometimes find myself struggling to prove myself as a wife & mother. Mostly to myself, but somewhat to others.
And with the variety of supervisors I've had at work lately, I've found myself in the unsavory position of having to re-prove myself in the workplace, repeatedly, over the past several months.
We all do it. It's part of life. And like any journey, sometimes it's about knowing when to get on the highway, and when to take that off-ramp to the next destination.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Friday Fragments
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FireGirl starts her new "school" in June, going three full days per week.
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She is totally excited about starting her new school.
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I'm excited about not having to pack her lunch anymore.
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Did I mention I can't believe how big she's getting? Where did my baby go?
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Potty training is going slowly. Very slowly.
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I am in desperate need of a vacation.
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I can't find my camera.
I remember taking it out of my purse, and setting it down in a very specific spot so I would know where to find it.... and I have no idea where that was. Ugh.
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I'm seriously considering getting Lasik surgery. But it scares the beejesus out of me.
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FireMan cooked dinner this past Monday. And it was yummy.
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FireMan's a much better cook than I.
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I have no idea what we're doing this weekend. Nope, not even on Mothers' Day.
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Happy Mothers' Day to all the mommies out there!
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Thursday, March 10, 2011
TBP #6 - Cars I've Driven
The first car I drove was a 1979 Plymouth Volare.
I was 16-years-old, and my school district had cut busing as a cost reduction effort. It was my Grandma's car, but she could no longer drive, so my dad bought it from her for me to drive.
It eventually died on me in a Taco Bell parking lot, an hour away from home, while my parents were out of town & my brother was away at college.
I ended up walking three blocks to the church and calling one of my cousins, who drove me home. My parents came back after they got home, and had it towed to a junkyard.
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My second car was a 1993 Chevy Corsica
My parents had recently bought a new car, and the Volare had died, so this became "my" car to drive. I eventually ended up buying it from my parents and it actually became my first car.
It was a great car, but was totalled in an auto accident in 2002. Yes, the same accident in which I was injured. Luckily for me, the "totalling" was mostly external damage. The passenger side mirror was ripped off, and the passenger side back seat door would no longer open. The driver side rear door was bent in so far that there was a gap between the top of the door and the car's frame. We stuffed plastic into the crack and duct-taped all along the door opening (classy, I know). But I was poor, and now fighting with the insurance company over mounting medical bills. So I did what I had to do.
I actually drove it totalled for nearly another year until it became so unreliable that I no longer felt safe. And that's when I bought:
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a 2000 Toyota Corolla
This was the first car I ever bought on my own. I remember we'd been looking at cars for three days, but when I sat in this one, I actually got giddy. It was my car. It had to be.
Bought it using the Toyota Certified Used program, which was great. The warranty provided under that program has saved me literally thousands of dollars in repairs / part replacements. (no matter what make of car you buy, if you're buying used I highly recommended buying thru their used warrantly program, whatever it may be. it was seriously a lifesaver for me)
We still own this car. It is nearing 200,000 miles and still running fine. FireMan is the primary driver now, because...
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Whoever has FireGirl drives the 2007 Toyota RAV4
When we found out we were pregnant, FireMan decided to trade in his Toyota Tundra for something more practical for a family (cue the "awwwwwwww.............").
I have to say, I miss the truck, but at the same time I love my RAV.
Also - this is the first car we bought together, and the only vehicle we own that has both of our names on the title.
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FireMan also has a 1994 Ford Econoline
It's primary use is for the business. In fact, he's installed tool boxes along the walls in the back, and it also holds his pump-testing equipment.
Currently it is a personal vehicle, but we are seriously considering having it licensed and insured as a business vehicle within the year. There are pros & cons to both ways of doing it, so... final decision hasn't been made yet.
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Wanna play along?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
TBP #4 - where I live (what makes it special)
Well, I'm gonna focus specifically on our new home.
We live in a rural area in Northern Kentucky, but are still close to everything we need. We are four miles from the center of town, nine miles from the interstate, and 10 miles from the largest city in the county, which is actually pretty big (ie. plenty of shopping, restaurants, hospitals, etc).
We have over five acres of partially wooded land, and our house sits over 400 feet off the road.
It's a major renovation (still in progress), which has it's difficulties, but lets us make it exactly what we want it to be.
Should we choose to send FireGirl to public school, the district we live in is ranked very well, plus has tons of extra-curricular activities, including numerous programs in the fine arts.
Besides the rural setting, the land, and being so far off the road (an extra bonus when you have a young child), I love that we have so much wildlife. Our property is filled with various birds, raccoons, squirrels (red & gray) and best of all... deer.
The pictures below are kinda blurry (I was in a hurry & shooting thru a window), but this is what I saw out our bedroom window one January morning as I was getting ready to leave for work.
From November thru January deer regularly greeted us in our front yard & driveway. We'd pull in, and have to stop for the deer standing on our driveway. Or we'd stop just to watch the ones in the yard.
Love. It.
And... it's ours. Mine & FireMan's. The first house we bought together. Hopefully the last. Our plan is that this will be our "forever home".
We live in a rural area in Northern Kentucky, but are still close to everything we need. We are four miles from the center of town, nine miles from the interstate, and 10 miles from the largest city in the county, which is actually pretty big (ie. plenty of shopping, restaurants, hospitals, etc).
We have over five acres of partially wooded land, and our house sits over 400 feet off the road.
It's a major renovation (still in progress), which has it's difficulties, but lets us make it exactly what we want it to be.
Should we choose to send FireGirl to public school, the district we live in is ranked very well, plus has tons of extra-curricular activities, including numerous programs in the fine arts.
Besides the rural setting, the land, and being so far off the road (an extra bonus when you have a young child), I love that we have so much wildlife. Our property is filled with various birds, raccoons, squirrels (red & gray) and best of all... deer.
The pictures below are kinda blurry (I was in a hurry & shooting thru a window), but this is what I saw out our bedroom window one January morning as I was getting ready to leave for work.
 |
| there were five all together that morning. Five. {{happy sigh}} |
From November thru January deer regularly greeted us in our front yard & driveway. We'd pull in, and have to stop for the deer standing on our driveway. Or we'd stop just to watch the ones in the yard.
Love. It.
And... it's ours. Mine & FireMan's. The first house we bought together. Hopefully the last. Our plan is that this will be our "forever home".
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To play along with the blog challenge, click on the link below:
Monday, January 31, 2011
Found a New Blog to Love
Well, I love it anyway. In that, super-annoying, I-wish-I-didn't-work-outside-the-home-so-I-could-actually-have-time-to-do-some-of-this-stuff sorta way.
It's a homeschooling blog. And before any homeschooling haters tune out, just keep reading, 'kay?
I don't remember how I found it. I manage to stumble across about 2-3 new blogs a week, most of which I decide aren't worth my time. When I found this one I was intrigued, as FireMan & I are keeping homeschooling an option for FireGirl, but didn't have time to really read it yet. So I bookmarked it for later.
When I finally had time to check it out, I found lots of cool stuff. Educational crafts for little ones, some of which FireGirl can do now. Recommendations on educational toys and other educational tools & items. Ideas.
Stuff that I love. Things that I want to do with FireGirl. So I kept it bookmarked, with the idea that when I know FireGirl & I will have significant free time (what's that?) together, I'll plan to do one of the educational crafts or activities.
As of yet, that time has not emerged, but I'm not giving up just yet.
I'm also considering sending the link to a couple of friends who provide in-home daycare. I figure if not now, then eventually they'll be looking for new ideas for activities, right? Just timid because I don't want to step on any toes, especially considering one of these friends is currently watching FireGirl part-time.
Anywho... that's one of my new blog loves. Hope you find some value in it too!
It's a homeschooling blog. And before any homeschooling haters tune out, just keep reading, 'kay?
I don't remember how I found it. I manage to stumble across about 2-3 new blogs a week, most of which I decide aren't worth my time. When I found this one I was intrigued, as FireMan & I are keeping homeschooling an option for FireGirl, but didn't have time to really read it yet. So I bookmarked it for later.
When I finally had time to check it out, I found lots of cool stuff. Educational crafts for little ones, some of which FireGirl can do now. Recommendations on educational toys and other educational tools & items. Ideas.
Stuff that I love. Things that I want to do with FireGirl. So I kept it bookmarked, with the idea that when I know FireGirl & I will have significant free time (what's that?) together, I'll plan to do one of the educational crafts or activities.
As of yet, that time has not emerged, but I'm not giving up just yet.
I'm also considering sending the link to a couple of friends who provide in-home daycare. I figure if not now, then eventually they'll be looking for new ideas for activities, right? Just timid because I don't want to step on any toes, especially considering one of these friends is currently watching FireGirl part-time.
Anywho... that's one of my new blog loves. Hope you find some value in it too!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
{{slowly climbs on soapbox}}
I don't think any parent should have to choose between putting their child thru what they consider to be an unacceptable medical risk, or enrolling them in school.
We, as the parents of Jena, chose for her to not have two vaccines, and to delay others. This is based on our own research of each individual vaccine.
Why look at each one individually? Because they're all different, that's why. They each have different benefits, including rates of protection, and different risks, including side effects and rates of side effects. So it doesn't make sense to look at all of them together, as if you can make one generalized decision.
Think about it.
If my doctor wants to prescribe Augmentin to me, as an antibiotic, would I object? No. It's reasonably effective, and I have no known reactions to it.
What if my doctor wanted to prescribe Illosone, as an antibiotic, to me? It's also an antibiotic, right? Well, yes, it is. But as an infant it almost killed me. So guess what, I'm gonna object, and refuse.
Kind of a simplistic example, but I think you get my point. Just because all vaccines are lumped together in a group called "immunizations" doesn't mean they're all equally effective, or equally safe. Therefore, it is wise that we look at them individually.
So... back to my point...
The only "legal" objections to not vaccinating your children for school, at least in my state, are religious (but this is a blanket exemption for all vaccines, and doesn't pertain to us), or medical (which does individualize, but essentially requires your child to have a pre-existing condition).
Which means that no matter how much I believe a particular vaccine is not right for my child, I have to choose between the medical risks, or enrolling them in school.
And I don't think a parent should have to make that decision. More importantly, I don't think our government should force those decisions on parents. Or anyone.
Now, before someone says "well, if you don't vaccinate then other parents will have to choose between the risks of being around your unvaccinated child or sending their kid to school" - I want to point out that if their child is vaccinated... if vaccines are so awesomely awesome that you felt it was worth the risk to give your child that vaccine... then why are you worried? Your vaccinated child should be perfectly safe, right? Isn't that why you got the vaccine? The only children in real "danger" would be those who were unvaccinated. And if that's not the case, if you're not so convinced that a vaccine will protect your child from the disease, then I must ask: why were you willing to put your child at risk for the side effects if you didn't believe it would work?Ugh.
I just finished re-reading the package insert for one of the vaccines. I'm literally sick to my stomach now.
Listen, I am not anti-vaccine. I understand that vaccines serve a purpose and there are benefits to getting vaccines. I'm not anti-medication or anti-doctor.
What I am is anti-government-telling-me-what-is-best-for-my-child.
I am anti-no-one-can-tell-me-the-long-term-ramifications-of-this-vaccine-because-hasn't-been-out-that-long (and I'm planning on Jena living past her teenage years, so...).
I am anti-someone-else-telling-me-what-to-do-without-the-willingness-or-capability-to-provide-(what I consider) reasonable-proof-to-back-it-up.
And I am sick to my stomach. We believe it is best for Jena to attend school, including the private (but still-required-to-meet-gov't-regulations-about-vaccines) preschool she just started. We also believe it is best for her to not get these two vaccines. We are intelligent, well-educated parents who have done our research and have reached these conclusions based on what is best for our daughter.
I am still trying to figure out how the government even has the right to make such stipulations to begin with. In fact, I'm pretty sure they don't. I just don't know what to do about it.
Blech.
We, as the parents of Jena, chose for her to not have two vaccines, and to delay others. This is based on our own research of each individual vaccine.
Why look at each one individually? Because they're all different, that's why. They each have different benefits, including rates of protection, and different risks, including side effects and rates of side effects. So it doesn't make sense to look at all of them together, as if you can make one generalized decision.
Think about it.
If my doctor wants to prescribe Augmentin to me, as an antibiotic, would I object? No. It's reasonably effective, and I have no known reactions to it.
What if my doctor wanted to prescribe Illosone, as an antibiotic, to me? It's also an antibiotic, right? Well, yes, it is. But as an infant it almost killed me. So guess what, I'm gonna object, and refuse.
Kind of a simplistic example, but I think you get my point. Just because all vaccines are lumped together in a group called "immunizations" doesn't mean they're all equally effective, or equally safe. Therefore, it is wise that we look at them individually.
So... back to my point...
The only "legal" objections to not vaccinating your children for school, at least in my state, are religious (but this is a blanket exemption for all vaccines, and doesn't pertain to us), or medical (which does individualize, but essentially requires your child to have a pre-existing condition).
Which means that no matter how much I believe a particular vaccine is not right for my child, I have to choose between the medical risks, or enrolling them in school.
And I don't think a parent should have to make that decision. More importantly, I don't think our government should force those decisions on parents. Or anyone.
Now, before someone says "well, if you don't vaccinate then other parents will have to choose between the risks of being around your unvaccinated child or sending their kid to school" - I want to point out that if their child is vaccinated... if vaccines are so awesomely awesome that you felt it was worth the risk to give your child that vaccine... then why are you worried? Your vaccinated child should be perfectly safe, right? Isn't that why you got the vaccine? The only children in real "danger" would be those who were unvaccinated. And if that's not the case, if you're not so convinced that a vaccine will protect your child from the disease, then I must ask: why were you willing to put your child at risk for the side effects if you didn't believe it would work?Ugh.
I just finished re-reading the package insert for one of the vaccines. I'm literally sick to my stomach now.
Listen, I am not anti-vaccine. I understand that vaccines serve a purpose and there are benefits to getting vaccines. I'm not anti-medication or anti-doctor.
What I am is anti-government-telling-me-what-is-best-for-my-child.
I am anti-no-one-can-tell-me-the-long-term-ramifications-of-this-vaccine-because-hasn't-been-out-that-long (and I'm planning on Jena living past her teenage years, so...).
I am anti-someone-else-telling-me-what-to-do-without-the-willingness-or-capability-to-provide-(what I consider) reasonable-proof-to-back-it-up.
And I am sick to my stomach. We believe it is best for Jena to attend school, including the private (but still-required-to-meet-gov't-regulations-about-vaccines) preschool she just started. We also believe it is best for her to not get these two vaccines. We are intelligent, well-educated parents who have done our research and have reached these conclusions based on what is best for our daughter.
I am still trying to figure out how the government even has the right to make such stipulations to begin with. In fact, I'm pretty sure they don't. I just don't know what to do about it.
Blech.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday Fragments
I'm tired. This week, while exciting, has been exhausting. And I can't imagine how tired FireMan must be.
****
I miss running water. Peeing in a bucket and going to the gym to take a shower is getting old. Here's hoping we get the water line connected soon.
****
Family is awesome. Especially my brother, who is letting us stay at his house (when we stay), even though he & I have never really been close at all. But that's what family does, right? You love each other, and are there for each other when you need it.
****
Speaking of... looking forward to a hot shower & a working toilet tonight.
****
Realized I never submitted FireGirl's immunization records to the preschool. Picked them up from the pediatrician today. Hoping the school doesn't flip out because she's never had her HepB or or Chicken Pox vaccine. Would still rather not do either (but not as passionate about it as when she was itty bitty)
Continue to hear not-very-encouraging stories from parents whose children are in the public school system in our area. I've always been a supporter of public education, but more-and-more am beginning to feel concern over whether or not that will be best for FireGirl when the time comes.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Potential
*disclaimer* this post is speaking specifically to professonal aspirations. Has nothing to do with family.
Do any of us ever live up to our potential?
Sometimes I wonder if I could have done something more with my life. Professionally speaking. Okay, well, I know I could have. But am I somehow not living up to my potential by not? Should I have gone into another profession?
I used to be smart. I say that candidly, because I don't always feel so bright nowadays. But back when I was in school, yeah, I was the schizzle. Not that I ever really felt that way. But looking back on test scores, grades, etc. - yea, I was pretty awesome.
Then came college. I was an undeclared major for 2+ years before deciding on History. Why history, you ask? Because I didn't know what to do, and in my 2nd year of undergrad, a professor told me my papers were equal to or better than what his grad students were doing. Funny, because as I progressed with my History degree my GPA was consistently less than stellar. But obviously that professor saw some potential, thought that I was above my class. So it was still there then.
Then I graduated. And I fumbled. I am in my 30s, and I still don't know what I want to do with my life (professionally speaking). I know I'm not really happy in my current job, but I don't know where I want to go. And I haven't felt challenged intellectually in a long time. Which probably has led to the downfall of my brainpower.
What should I have done? Should I have been a doctor? lawyer? engineer? nurse? veterinarian? professional musician? teacher?
Or is this right where I'm supposed to be? Am I supposed to be an under-utilized support staff?
Do any of us ever live up to our full potential? Are we supposed to?
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