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JeniferS
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| Posted: Feb 14 2008 at 11:36pm | IP Logged
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Hello everyone,
I'm new to the forum and new to the idea of the Real Learning/CM philosophy. We pulled my son out of first grade back in October and have been working for the past few months to rediscover the sweet child who loved to learn. It has gotten better, but it is still often a battle to get him to sit down and do any sort of work.
I originally ordered different programs thinking that I would be an eclectic teacher not really following any particular philosophy...that was until I found Elizabeth's book. I read through it and everything suddenly clicked for me and has revolutionized our homeschool.
I think the biggest thing for us is the idea that I am freed from forcing my son to write down all of his ideas. It has turned out that he is lacking many fine-motor skills required for writing which explains why he diskliked writing so much but because as a "retired" schoolteacher, I thought he had to write, I would almost force him to. Now, with the narrating, I feel that it has freed us up in so many ways, especially while he begins some occupational therapy for his hand & writing skills.
We've done so many things wrong over the past two years....sending our gifted yet sensitive son to public school, spending more time on the computer than playing with our children, and not going to Mass as regularly as we once did. I want to rediscover our family and pull us back together. I feel like my son is angry much of the time (although no where near as much as when he was in public school) and that it is my fault (over the past two years, I've had a part-time photography business and been on the computer way too much) and that he doesn't feel as important in my life as he should.
Anyways, I'm sorry this is a soul-spilling book. But, I really want to say that I am so grateful for God leading me to Elizabeth's book and to this board. Since switching to a more gentle teaching, I've already seen a change in my son (although it can still be a battle to get him to settle down to listen to a story or narrate).
I look forward to getting to know all of you. I already have so many of your blogs bookmarked and have been following them for inspiration for a couple weeks now. Our blog is:
The Way We Learn
Thank you.
Jenifer, mom to Harrison (age 7) and Olivia (age 5)
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Sarah M
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Joined: Jan 06 2008
Location: Washington
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| Posted: Feb 14 2008 at 11:41pm | IP Logged
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Welcome, Jenifer! I'm so glad you had the courage to make changes in your family for the better. My prayers are with you as you embark on this delighful journey of living a learning lifestyle with your children. The support from the women here has been such an encouragement to me- I hope you find this place as warm and welcoming as I do.
Blessings on your family!
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MaryM
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| Posted: Feb 14 2008 at 11:55pm | IP Logged
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This is actually a pretty nice place to spill your soul.  Welcome and I hope you find the support and encouragement you need here - I sure do. I visited your blog and it looks like some very fun and wonderful learning going on there - especially in science. You have noeo science in your side bar. There have been members asking about that program here. If you are using it your input would be very appreciated.
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Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
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JeniferS
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| Posted: Feb 15 2008 at 12:12am | IP Logged
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Thank you, Sarah. I really do feel like I will need your prayers and I try to relocate my spiritual self.
Mary, thank you for your comments and for the heads-up on the science thread. I just went over there and posted.
Jenifer
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Mary G
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| Posted: Feb 15 2008 at 7:37am | IP Logged
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Jenifer,
Welcome, welcome, welcome -- I too think the Elizabeth's book speaks to me about how I want my home learning adventure to evolve. Whether or not we get there is a whole 'nother matter!
Never feel bad about "baring your soul" to us -- I've been doing that here for the past years and never regretted the help, advice and "smacks upside the heads" I've needed over those same years. 
Good luck, God bless and jump right in to posting!
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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lapazfarm
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Joined: July 21 2005
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| Posted: Feb 15 2008 at 7:47am | IP Logged
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Welcome, Jenifer! So glad you could join us!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Anneof 5
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| Posted: Feb 16 2008 at 3:56pm | IP Logged
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Welcome! You have come to the right place and there are many wonderful ladies with ideas on this board!
I was most interested to learn about the ways you are helping your son learn without paper and pencil. I have an 8yo son who also has fine motor difficulties, is in OT for sensory processing disorder and even though OT has helped a lot, he still struggles with the writing part and it takes forever to get anything finished. I am a former teacher, too, and even after many years of homeschooling, I still have trouble "thinking outside the box" of how I did things in a classroom. I am especially thinking about Math. We haven't done much narrating yet but maybe I should give that another try. His OT says he needs to write but maybe not in every subject, every day. It is just really overwhelming and exhausting for him (and me too!)
If you or anyone else has ideas to offer in this area I would love to hear about them, either on the board or PM me. Thanks so much and again, Welcome!
Anne
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JeniferS
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| Posted: Feb 17 2008 at 11:31pm | IP Logged
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Anne,
We are going to a business called Scribble 2 Script. It was started by two occupational therapists who saw the connection between lack of fine-motor skills and poor penmanship. So, we will probably get more attention paid to the handwriting than your son will with his therapist.
We've only done one session so far and they seemed to spend about 30 minutes on the OT and 15 minutes on handwriting. She is going to be reteaching him correct formation of the letters. She only wants us to do handwriting for 5 minutes a day. She said, he can take as many days as he needs to finish a practice page as long as he takes his time and writes perfect letters during those 5 minutes. I'm not sure if she'll have us do any of the hand/shoulder exercises at home.
We've also had him evaluated for a vision tracking problem and will be starting vision therapy this week, too.
I hope this helps a little.
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: Feb 18 2008 at 9:47am | IP Logged
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JeniferS wrote:
We've done so many things wrong over the past two years.... |
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Oh, those poor first children! I think many of us can look back at parenting our first child and say what you said! When I think of the stress I put my son and myself through that first year of homeschooling(kindergarten of all things!), it makes me cringe. My point is, don't look back, look forward. Be glad for coming to these realizations while you kids are still really young.
Welcome to the forum! It is a great place to be. 
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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KerryK
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| Posted: Feb 18 2008 at 10:18am | IP Logged
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Hi Jennifer,
Your post really touched me because it reminded me of last year when I pulled my fourth grade ds out of school. He had begun to hate school and was becoming a very angry person in general. I had been distracted by my own teaching job and by a difficult pregnancy, and let the situation go on for too long. I'm happy to say that now, a year later, our boy has regained his happy, spirited demeanor and once again is loving learning. I don't post here that often, but I do read a lot in the forums and on the blogs of these wonderful ladies. Their ideas have really made a difference in our life.
I stopped by your blog and saw that you are using story of the world with your first grader - we are using it too, and having a lot of fun this year with it!
__________________
Kerry
Mom to
Matthew (10)
Mary (6)
New baby Samuel 2/26/07!
and 9 angels in heaven
The Eyes of My Heart
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Willa
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| Posted: Feb 18 2008 at 12:29pm | IP Logged
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Welcome to the list, Jenifer. You have a beautiful blog. A couple of my kids have some fine motor issues too so it is interesting to hear your perspective.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: Feb 18 2008 at 1:48pm | IP Logged
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Welcome Jennifer!!!
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Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
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Elena
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| Posted: Feb 18 2008 at 7:11pm | IP Logged
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Welcome Jennifer,
Remember we all have to start somewhere! Looks like you are on the right path now.
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Elena
Wife to Peter, mom of many!
My Domestic Church
One Day at a Time
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pixilated_momma
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| Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 2:25pm | IP Logged
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Welcome, Jennifer!
It sounds like you've got the perfect map set for Lent ... all those wonderful things you want to do in getting your family more to Mass, bringing your child home, etc.  I'm very excited for you and for all the wonderful things you'll love and learn in homeschooling. (And, uhm, yes, there are hard days, too, but those are all survive-able, thanks to places like, well, here.  )
The best tip for homeschooling has been: relax. I've learned it here. With a 7 year old, 5 year old and 2 year old, I've had to pace myself for the long haul. As DH says, "Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint." Awesome that you've learned this already. It took me a while!
(I'm pretty new here, too, but am trying to get to know everyone.... or at least, you know, SOME people, LOL.)
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Veronica Maria
Paper Dali, my art blog
Sometimes Bailey, my creativity blog
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JeniferS
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| Posted: Feb 19 2008 at 5:33pm | IP Logged
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Thank you all so much for making me feel so welcome!
I cannot say what a Godsend real learning and the CM philosophy is to us at this time in our lives. With Harrison's vision therapy and handwriting issues I feel really feel like this education philosophy is a gift.
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