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Tina P.
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Joined: June 28 2005
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| Posted: June 20 2006 at 11:55pm | IP Logged
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OK, as promised, I told you all I would post some REAL learnign as a result of our travels.  I don't know whether my kids have soaked up all the history from the places we've been, but I sure have. Since my kids were old enough to actually grasp a little more than their immediate world, we took them to places that might spur them to be interested in the world around them. This all started in Alabama. We took them to the zoo to discover animals from different continents. I'm sure you've all done the same. We took them to U.S.S. Alabama, to the art museum, and to the Rosa Parks museum.
Our move to Germany took us further back in history and broadened our horizons. I didn't realize that Napoleon stomped through Germany knocking down all the castles he could find! Maybe I should have?  We were able to visit Heidelburg castle and town, the Landstuhl castle (one of the unfortunate Napoleon victims), and have a baby.  Our stay in Germany lasted only six months.
Then we moved to England. This was yet another eye-opener. We went to Leeds castle, London several times(and of all things I missed seeing Big Ben), and Warwick castle where Ethelfleda ~ prior to William the Conqueror ~ built a small stone structure that still remains on the grounds. We visited tons of historic homes that belong to earls, dukes, and lords, some of which have vast land holdings and are impeccably kept. We learned that some English people have a more sympathetic view of King Henry the VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, and so many others than we do.
While we were in England, we tooka trip to Garmisch, in the Bavarian Alps. There we learned about crazy King Ludwig. I have more research to do on him, as this was only a quick visit for us. But had I not been there, I would never have known this person existed. Besides this, we were able to be in an Olympic city.
I can now decipher whether the author who cites the places I've lived has been to Germany or England. Authenticity, even in fiction, has become so much more important to me. My children's world is enlarging by leaps and bounds.
Now we live in Utah in another Olympic city. We have plenty to keep us learning here, as well.
Now for some questions. How do you balance running around with and spending money on your kids so that they can experience and learn about something with staying home and getting chores and seatwork completed? I'm sorry I'm such a stick-in-the-mud, but I like to be able to feel like my kids accomplished something during the day. Do you have a set amount of field trips per year? For someone like me who doesn't plan because frankly, I don't know what my kids will be interested from one subject to the next, that's going to be difficult, if not impossible. Do some of you just plan to go somewhere depending upon your children's interests once a month? I'd love to hear how you all sort this out.
God bless,
__________________
Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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aussieannie
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Joined: May 21 2006
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| Posted: June 21 2006 at 4:13am | IP Logged
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WOW Tina! I have nothing to add that is constructive to what you are asking about - just loved reading where you have been and the experiences your family has shared! Just lovely.
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Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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Leonie
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| Posted: June 21 2006 at 7:07pm | IP Logged
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Tina,
I loved hearing about your travels! That is what I love about moving - although our work related travels have only been in Australia - nothing overseas. 
Now we have no littlies our outings are more flexible and spontaneous. But I rememebr one year in particular, when I was expecting son number 5, we chose two days per week as our outings days - and planned some excursions to fit in with our themes or went to homeschool groups or took a walk to the park for nature study. Included a linrary and grocery trip on one day.Worked for us at that stage in our lvies.
__________________
Leonie in Sydney
Living Without School
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: June 22 2006 at 8:08am | IP Logged
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What wonderful experiences you all had on your travels! We would love to see some castles! Maybe someday..
We are in a field trip co-op with 12 other families. Each mom plans a field trip once a month. We aim for the first Friday of the month, fairly close by, free or low cost, and open to all ages. On the surface, a group of 13 families sounds huge. I was extremely concerned that my kids could not pay attention, BUT usually not everyone shows up, some families have only 2 or 3 kids, many of the kids are older, and some are able to leave littles at home. All field trips have been to places like restaraunts, farming/ranching, taxidermist. I insist that my children stay close to me and not around their friends.
I had hoped to add one field trip per month on our own to this schedule, focusing on the zoo, museums, nature preserves, etc., but my energy level and nap schedules didn't allow for this. We did add some field trips, but not once per month. Too keep the costs down, we try to take advantage of "Homeschool day at ______" events or buy year long passes. We consider these outings special, and spend most of our days at home unless we have outside lessons (sports, music).
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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marihalojen
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| Posted: June 23 2006 at 6:47am | IP Logged
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Tina,
What wonderful field trips you've taken! If your children are anything like my dd they will remember way more than you've ever expected and it'll pop out at the oddest times. Marianna even insists she remembers our last trip to England when she was 4, and while she doesn't recall the history of the castles she knows they are real places where a little girl can run on gorgeous lawns and pluck tiny daisies and scamper all over a castle peeking out of funny shaped windows where arrows once flew.
Travel always trumps school for me. It always has. My sisters and I were pulled out of school for vacations so often when I was a kid that Mom finally pulled us out permanently. Hurray for Homeschooling!
Being out West, everything is so much further apart than in Europe or the East Coast. Have you considered CarSchooling?
__________________
~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Travels and learning
