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Erin
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It seems for the last few years the 'fun' activities; creative arts, nature walks even read alouds don't or only spasmodically happen here. And yet to me they are the real part of homeschooling, the nurturing part, the part that not only feeds the children's souls but mine. I have these activities planned for the afternoons but they always get pushed aside. The children have other plans or I'm burnt out by lunch. I've tried making Fridays our day but then I do nothing. So any suggestions?
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Erin
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Paula in MN
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Why not do them first thing in the morning?
After Religion, of course... 
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 Paula
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Mary G
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Erin,
You could also try getting another homeschool family to commit to one day a week ... not Friday, but maybe an odd day like Tuesdays ... and then you have to do it else you'll let the other family down!
I agree with Paula ... if you truly want to commit the time, do it once a week in the morning ... or get them started on something in the afternoon before dinner prep ... or during read-aloud time in the evening.
Once creative time becomes a habit, you won't need to schedule it anymore ... it will happen organically!
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MaryG
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KauaiCatholic
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so ... does that really work, in the morning? I am in the same boat as Erin. this semester I am scheduling creative elements so they doesn't get overlooked (Tuesdays for nature walks and fine arts Fridays), but was still going to try for the afternoon. I'm worried we won't get back to the "basics" if we start with the "fun," but Erin's right, that real stuff is pretty important so it probably should get priority ...
sorry ... didn't mean to highjack. just in the same place and curious. I'll certainly give mornings a try if you experienced moms say it'll work.
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Viviane
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lapazfarm
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It definitely works in the mornings and is a great way to start the day. Read-alouds especially are a wonderful gentle way to gather in the mornings. I highly recommend it.
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Theresa
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Erin
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Vivane
Hijack away, I'm so pleased to know I'm not the only one. (Misery loves company   ) seriously perhaps we could support one another, be accountable??
Well I posted this morning at breakfast and you ladies answered straight away  just in time for lessons. So we started with our read aloud; you know we used to do that way back when. (Older ones started their work, they had 'stolen' the read aloud and finished days ago.) It was nice to start that way and I feel so good to have at least one chapter read for the day
We will have to start ON TIME to fit it in smoothly. I'm wondering about doing some art at morning tea time, but then that's when I run out and throw some washing on the line and the children jump on the trampoline. Any ideas there? I did wonder about a nature walk then too.
Well morning tea break over, must get back.
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Willa
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I definitely start with read-alouds. There was one time in our lives when we'd do our nature walk before breakfast....
I am pretty sure arts and crafts before basics wouldn't work for us, but I do have the children sometimes have a short "free drawing" time to get their hands connected with their brains before we start the day.
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Erin
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Willa
Thanks for the reminder, I am kidding myself if I think I can get my children back to academics after creativity, that is the interested ones. I tried to encourage board games as legit lessons earlier in the year and that is all they wanted to do. Nothing wrong with that in many ways, but some of their other skills still lack.
The nature walk is a thought.
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JennGM
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I get similar feelings with nature study and creative arts, but read-alouds are a must for us.
Here are some thoughts on my mind, where I've been trying to figure this out for myself:
1) Can you peg a read-aloud during a meal? What about bedtime reading? Many a time I plan our read-aloud for bedtime. And does it have to be out of a book? For now, how about some books on audio?
2) Which read-alouds are you thinking? If the read-aloud is tied to another subject (i.e., the liturgical year, so picture book of saint of the day, or historical figure studying, current events) it might be more motivating to get it done.
3) Can you do nature study with some friends? If you plan with some other family and have a set time, I find it happens more often than winging it on my own. Or peg it with another subject. MacBeth had so many wonderful suggestions of tying math into the out-of-doors; math can be combined with nature study. Or if you're doing physical exercise, tie it in with your nature study (a walk after lunch?) I'm only giving ideas that I'm considering doing myself.
4) Can you get your older children to help in planning and implementing? I have found when the children take initiative and do some planning and helping do the projects, it does get done.
5) Is some of the falling through the cracks because there isn't planning of materials or what to do (I'm thinking the arts stuff) until that day? Can you brainstorm ahead of time and gather materials? Then write it on the calendar and have your daughter remind you and urge you on.
6) Sometimes the child/children's enthusiasm help me with motivation. Once I've mentioned we're doing something, I'm committed! I usually can't back out unless some unavoidable outside events happen.
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lapazfarm
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This is just me, but I always get so sad when I see art and nature forever pushed to the back of our days.It happens here sometimes and when it does, I wonder what message I am sending my kids. Is it that we have no time for beauty in our lives? I sure hope not.
When I find that happening around here, I know it is time to stop and re-evaluate our days and what we are doing with them. Art and nature should be "core" not "electives." Because without beauty, what is the point of all of the rest of it?
Thankfully, though I sometimes forget and slide back into the old "electives" mentality,it doesn't happen as often as it used to. When I listed my tentative school plans back in the "what's everyone doing" thread I didn't list much art and nature study. Not because it isn't important, but because it is a given.It happens daily, or nearly so. At least as often as math and reading.
And perhaps it was a mistake not to be more explicit. As a "veteran" homeschooler I worry about the impressions I leave on new homeschoolers, especially. Perhaps I should be more up-front about the priority and amount of time we spend with these gentle, beautiful things because I'm not sure many homeschoolers even realize that this is an option. We all know that math, reading, writing, etc are givens in a homeschool setting. But how many of us actually put "spending time with nature" and "creating art" on equal footing with those core subjects?
Now, I hope no one thinks I am being critical because that is not my intent AT ALL. I know how hard it is to fit in everything we need to fit in and I know we are all doing our very best for our children.Just teaching them all to read is a monumental accomplishment in its own right. It is just that the priority of beauty in our days is something I wonder about from time to time and this thread sparked that thought and I wanted to share. (Maybe this post actually belongs in another thread, philosophy of homeschooling, perhaps?)
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Theresa
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KauaiCatholic
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wow. Theresa, you always post such thought-provoking comments (in addition to the comforting ones, which I also enjoy ).
so much to ponder and ask ... I'm too tired to get into it now but I hope someone else does, either here or in a new post ... great stuff to consider ... later ... 
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Viviane
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Willa
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lapazfarm wrote:
| Art and nature should be "core" not "electives." Because without beauty, what is the point of all of the rest of it? |
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Time for beauty -- I like that.
Subjects like reading and arithmetic are "tools" because they help us access the real things, but the real things are more directly to do with beauty, aren't they? Hmmm.
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JennGM
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Great point, Theresa. 
Erin, what do you mean by creative arts? Do you mean art appreciation? Learning how to use different art media? Or do you just mean crafty stuff?
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Maryan
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Erin, here's a peak at our day:
1. Being male dominated, our days in general run like this: activity/lesson, snack, outside. (repeat, repeat, repeat). Our outside time sometimes is sports and sometimes checking out bugs, flowers, whatever. Occasionally I'll be intentional and have them take notebooks and pencils. It's too much work to get all five of us out or a nature walk regularly, so we stick to our yard full of weeds, bugs,...
2. Every morning at breakfast, my dh puts on a classical CD on repeat. I would never remember to play one. Because of my dh's consistency, the result is that my 6 yo could play name that composer with the classical station the other day. (Not that "name that tune" is the goal).
3. Read alouds are everyday right after lunch in the living room. And then we all nap or read quietly depending upon age. I have one long couch, two loveseats and a floor for them to spread out and read or rest. And like Jenn, sometimes we save some for bedtime. Although, summer bedtimes are so late, that we skip stories in favor of being outside.
4. Arts and crafts supplies are left out. They use them as they see fit. 
5. Art appreciation is my weakness. We have a bunch of prints around, but I'm remiss in switching these.
6. Mary Chris started a nature club based on Alice's book. We did that every Monday last year.
Great points Theresa.
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ekbell
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I find that the best method for getting to fun stuff for my family is to tell my children my plans or write my plans where the children will see them.
If I tell my children that we will do something on Friday or after the seatwork is done, they will remind me!
One daughter is particularly good at reminding me about read-alouds. :-)
I just need to refrain from brushing them off because of housework. I'm working on saying that I will be with them as soon as my current task is done and then following through.
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Maryan
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That's true. If I post things on a calendar or our bulletin board... my kids won't let me forget it especially if it's fun!
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lapazfarm
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I thought I would come back and offer some practical tips on how to do art and nature throughout your day. Or at least explain how it happens here. (Please note that nothing here is ever written in stone, so what we do one day is not necessarily what we will do the next or ever again. But perhaps it is. You never know.)
Anyway, a few ideas:
I've blogged before about how I will sometimes set out an art activity at night (often on a tray) and the kids will wake up to find it ready and waiting for them in the morning. Sometimes they want to do it first thing, and sometimes it just sits there waiting and tempting them until they are ready later in the day, when they need a break or the artsy mood strikes.
After morning work, pack a lunch, head outside for a picnic and bring a read-aloud, a workbook, a novel, whatever. Come back in an hour having fed body and soul. Get back to work with renewed vigor.
If an art project is particularly long and involved, I sometimes break it up into several days, working on it a little bit each day.Gives us something to look forward to without gobbling up an entire day.
I also sometimes save big projects for the end of the day when I can get them started and then walk away and do what I need to do (dinner prep, perhaps?) while they work away as long as the spirit moves them.
A ten minute soak in the sun does wonders for the attitude, especially if you have seasonal affective tendencies like me.Makes sense that it would help the kiddos, too, so if attitudes are flaring, get them outside for a little sunbath.Expose skin. Soak up the sun and crank out that yummy vitamin D. Ahhh!!!Now I can conquer that history chapter!
Take narrations while walking around the neighborhood or through the woods or just about anywhere but inside. Good discussions, good exercise to boot!
Go to the beach (forest, lake, meadow, whatever)early before it gets hot. Come back in and do math inside in the heat of the day. I have found that if we go out often enough then the kids are happy to leave after only an hour or so (knowing they'll be back tomorrow). If we don't go often, then they want to spend the the whole day and I cannot easily drag them back in to the table.The key is to go out often so it can be short and sweet.
Use art as narration.(paint me a picture of Laura's house on the Prairie, sketch me the setting of Poe's Raven, etc)
Wear out that picnic blanket! Write outside. Read poetry outside. Do math outside. Act out stories outside. Science outside? But of course!
Jenn made a good point about making sure you have all the proper materials for a project ahead of time. Art won't get done if you are missing one item for every project in your arsenal.
Getting outside is much easier if you have your bags already packed. We keep our beach bag stocked and our snorkeling gear ready to go at all times. If that isn't an option, try packing up (water bottles, snacks, towels, nature journals, whatever) the night before so you can just grab and go.
Think of kayaks, mountain bikes, and snow shoes as school supplies.
Be sure to schedule some totally outside days with no agenda. Everyone needs a break now and then. Even you.
Is this helpful at all?
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Theresa
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Meredith
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lapazfarm wrote:
Go to the beach (forest, lake, meadow, whatever)early before it gets hot. Come back in and do math inside in the heat of the day. I have found that if we go out often enough then the kids are happy to leave after only an hour or so (knowing they'll be back tomorrow). If we don't go often, then they want to spend the the whole day and I cannot easily drag them back in to the table.The key is to go out often so it can be short and sweet. |
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I have found this to be so true, especially now that we are near the water again, if it happens that we get to the beach/park/hike a couple of times a week even, it's much easier to get back inside without alot of grumbling!
lapazfarm wrote:
Wear out that picnic blanket! Write outside. Read poetry outside. Do math outside. Act out stories outside. Science outside? But of course! |
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We are doing this already and it makes SUCH a big difference in attitudes
lapazfarm wrote:
Getting outside is much easier if you have your bags already packed. We keep our beach bag stocked and our snorkeling gear ready to go at all times. If that isn't an option, try packing up (water bottles, snacks, towels, nature journals, whatever) the night before so you can just grab and go. |
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I have been doing this all summer. I have the large sized canvas tote from Lands End and they have been our staple grab and go bag for the pool or beach. I have all the towels folded and slipped in along with swimming masks or goggles at the bottom. Everyone wears their beach or pool gear and upon returning home the towels go directly into the washer/dryer and folded right back in to the bag ready to go for the next excursion. There has been no needless hunting for towels or the disappointment of a delayed trip because we're awaiting soaked or dirty towels in the dryer. This works for us in the winter too when we head to the indoor pool
lapazfarm wrote:
Think of kayaks, mountain bikes, and snow shoes as school supplies.
Be sure to schedule some totally outside days with no agenda. Everyone needs a break now and then. Even you.
Is this helpful at all? |
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Are you kidding, you rock lady 
Hugs!
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SuzanneG
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lapazfarm wrote:
| I also sometimes save big projects for the end of the day when I can get them started and then walk away and do what I need to do (dinner prep, perhaps?) while they work away as long as the spirit moves them. |
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That 4-5pm time slot tends to be annoying for everyone anyway, so it may as well be some fun project or whatever.......We do this a lot, esp. in the summer when we are eating outside all the time....cuz I don't need the dining room table for dinner, so it just stays messy all the time June-Sept.....someone's project is always there and I don't care.
**What about Afternoon Quiet Time in the afternoon being outside....weather permitting. Beach chairs, hammocks, sheets, tables....they can work, read, puzzles, games outside. They start SEEING things that happen around them....and they are being quiet and observant and notice things on their own....the observation happens because there is a LOT happening in our yard.
Sometimes, they can really kick it into gear in the am, if they know we'll go for a walk......we get dressed, chores, grab a granola bar, water and head out for a walk.
And, with a few exceptions, nature walks and little outings aren't longer than 1 hour....door-to-door....anything longer than that requires another level of organization on my part that I know I wouldn't have energy for on a regular basis. We grab sweatshirts, the backpack for baby, the tote and head out. No water bottles, no food, no diapers, etc....there are emergency supplies in the car of course We don't stay long. Just enough for a change and fun. With lots of littles, this is important for us.
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Becky Parker
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I'm madly taking notes here. I think I'll just print the whole thing. These are great ideas!
I have never thought of the quiet time outside idea! (Unless of course we are camping!) My kids generally do not like quiet time. When I tell them we'll do it outside they'll be thrilled!
Any suggestions for a grab and go lunch? This is usually what stumps me. I think I make it too involved. I need to think more simply.
This whole thread is such an inspiration. One of my goals this year was to incorporate more art and more nature study. For the art, one thing that I think is helping me is to simplify. I had some pretty grandiose plans, but I realized I had to go with what I can do without much preparation or skill and let some of the other stuff go for now. So, the kids will all get a sketch journal and we will concentrate on drawing this year. I've got quite a few drawing books and I thought I'd put them in the middle of the table and they can draw every morning while I read to them. Maybe I'll include colored pencils, pastels, crayons, etc. so they can experiment with color too.
I think by simplifying the art, we will actually DO it. My grand plans for awesome projects often don't get done.
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Need Self Discipline Help - Creative Arts
