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Helen
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Trying to homeschool CM style for spring -- any suggestions on how to keep the kids outside for four hours a day? 
TIA
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Ave Maria!
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Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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lapazfarm
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I'll tell you, if you tell me how to drag mine back in! LOL! 
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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pipandpuddy
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Some of the things we do are gardening and play outside games. Like Theresa, I have a hard time getting mine back in the house. I live in the tropics though, and we're able to be outside year round. Karen
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KackyK
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How much sidewalk/concrete/driveway do you have? That could make a great chalkboard! And my oldest dd, who isn't like her brothers who'd just play all day outside, just enjoys sitting outside with her books and doing the inside school outside. I don't know how outdoorsy your crew is, but maybe just start with doing your usual routine outside then I'm sure (as my dd always eventually does too) they'll put their books down and will be ready to do non-book stuff too!
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KackyK
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Helen
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| Posted: April 08 2008 at 2:41pm | IP Logged
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Karen, I bet living in the tropics does help to get the kids outside Sounds great.
Theresa you live in a more moderate climate too -- I guess you don't have a moderate climate anymore. I don't think Alaska would be described as moderate.
I guess I was forgetting how chilly it still is for us.
Today we've been outside and I think it is rather nice but the thermometer only reads 46 degrees. The sun is shining and that helps it to feel warmer. (The kids are out in short sleeves and complaining about the heat!)
Thanks KackyK for reminding me of chalk on the driveway -- all the kids love it. Are your children young as well? I think having the new baby hinders my getting out and keeping the other children out.
Today I also remembered a few ideas posted at this board, at least I think it was here.
Macbeth suggested rain coats to make sure every day is an outdoor day. Elizabeth suggested eating meals outside.
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Ave Maria!
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: April 08 2008 at 2:47pm | IP Logged
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I ditto, ditto, ditto the sidewalk chalk. 
Also, water sprinkler and bubbles.
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Cay Gibson
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KackyK
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Actually it is my older dc (12 and 11) who love the sidewalk chalk. It tends to become their art lesson. They try a bunch of caricatures and other cartoony type drawings. Lots of times though they make the little dc lay down and draw around them and they have fun filling them in!
Oh and you are right about eating outdoors, my kids love it...till the bees come!
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KackyK
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Donna Marie
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AH! it is 62 here today!!
We have been taking the kids to different parks after our seat work was done. All the hiking and "looking for signs of spring" has generated many more plans for outside experiences. We plan on doing our larger meal at lunchtime and picnicing dinner some days.
(I really need to get out walking to get in shape for this baby so I am all for as much exercise, fresh air and sunshine as possible!)
And one wonderful side benefit from doing this has been the fact that Dad can join us on his way home from work! He is great in the woods and around water and will be doing some kind of stream study with the kids some time soon...and of course fishing  I am grateful for the longer days!
God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc +one more due 10/08!
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Lisbet
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Well Helen, when I went to see what was keeping 4 of my children outside and occupied for three hours straight this afternoon, I discovered a 4 foot deep hole, and broom stick, and a rubber mallet.
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KackyK
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| Posted: April 08 2008 at 4:33pm | IP Logged
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Yes! Hole digging!
I have a friend with 6 boys who during their WWI unit study, had a whole series of trenches in her backyard. She became nervous they would collapse on them. But you know what, they loved filling them back up as digging in them in the first place.
Also, this same friend takes her boys for "marches" around the neighborhood...they'd much rather go for a march than a walk
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KackyK
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Willa
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Helen wrote:
Trying to homeschool CM style for spring -- any suggestions on how to keep the kids outside for four hours a day?
TIA |
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Charlotte Mason says go out with them. Yes, it's hard when you have tiny ones -- I know from experience!
I find that if I go out with them for a little while and have some time with them, they are sometimes more willing to stay out there once I have to go back in.
Going somewhere sometimes helps -- spread a blanket on the ground and keep a home base and let the children explore. We spent a good deal of time on our local beach last year (very quiet during the week) and much time on high school campuses when my olders had seasonal sports.
Send them out on scavenger hunts or on vaguely learning-related projects like finding this or studying that or digging this or making that -- sometimes more fun than seatwork for them.
Outside narrations? Have them stage a battle or play pioneers? Just brainstorming now.
Sometimes I "assign" the older ones a smaller child to take outside -- or clear them out of the house so I can clean up. They'd rather be outside than inside helping me clean
And finally, this isn't something my family has really done much, but a lot of families I know have invested in outside play equipment -- trampolines, playsets, scooters, basketball hoop, whatever fits your family culture and budget and comfort level.
Gardens and yard work and outside laundry lines make for work outdoors for parents and children too!
I keep editing this, but wanted to add that it's still cold here too -- lots of muddy icy snow everywhere -- not too fun to go out into. I am looking forward to when it's warm and nice again.
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Willa
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Helen
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KackyK wrote:
Yes! Hole digging!
I have a friend with 6 boys who during their WWI unit study, had a whole series of trenches in her backyard. She became nervous they would collapse on them. But you know what, they loved filling them back up as digging in them in the first place.
Also, this same friend takes her boys for "marches" around the neighborhood...they'd much rather go for a march than a walk |
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Too funny -- but what a great idea!
Lisbet wrote:
| Well Helen, when I went to see what was keeping 4 of my children outside and occupied for three hours straight this afternoon, I discovered a 4 foot deep hole, and broom stick, and a rubber mallet. |
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You guys crack me up
Thanks Willa for the brainstorming.
I think I'll print this thread and put it into my homeschool binder.
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Ave Maria!
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Mary Vitamin & Castle of the Immaculate
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lapazfarm
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Helen wrote:
Theresa you live in a more moderate climate too -- I guess you don't have a moderate climate anymore. I don't think Alaska would be described as moderate.
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Umm, no,I wouldn't describe Alaska as moderate. For anything!LOL!
And you are right, I am spoiled by the moderate climate here. Not sure I would give you the same answer if it were cold out. In fact, I may just show up here next winter asking the very same question!LOL!
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Theresa
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chicken lady
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Helen I know it is hard right now with the wee one, but a blanket and mom out side reading children gardening books is a huge hit. Such as Sunflower houses and Roots, Shoots BUckets and Boots both by Susan Lovejoy. Sorry I am not linking, I am feeling lazy
The hole is a great idea, just set aside one area they can create a mess with. Add water, pine cones, and a few sticks.....viola...you will be trying to figure out how to get them back inside.
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marihalojen
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Helen, Mother's Day is coming up. A great early present would be an outdoor rocking chair for Mom. You'll be much happier with your new dear little one in a rocking chair than on a blanket!
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chicken lady
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Oh yes Mothers day is coming, now is a wonderful time for the children to plan a Mary garden. And do go for the chair as Jennifer suggested
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Helen
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| Posted: April 09 2008 at 8:14pm | IP Logged
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marihalojen wrote:
| Helen, Mother's Day is coming up. A great early present would be an outdoor rocking chair for Mom. You'll be much happier with your new dear little one in a rocking chair than on a blanket! |
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Love it!
Great idea
Thanks Jennifer
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Ave Maria!
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