Conference Notes

Notes from HOTM Day 5

- August 3, 2008 - TheKytiKat

This day of notes is really long! I got Alot out of each session.

Session #1 Teacher Math – Maria Miller

  • Math book is just one tool to teach math.
  • Usual goal is something like – we want to finish the book. Other goals are master multiplication, count to 100, addition, etc. Ultimate goal is to be able to navigate life (taxes, credit cards, loans, budgeting).
  • Study about Americans reducing credit card usage
  • Another goal is to teach deductive and logical reasoning.
  • That a student will see some beauty in math
  • kids need to understand fractions and decimals and ratios and percentages to understand credit cards and finances and science and so much more!
  • Curriculm is just a tool, don’t be a slave to the book!
  • There are many tools. whiteboard, rulers, manipulative, software, online games, workbooks. Start with just the basics, and you can add to it as needed.
  • Basic tools – something to write on (whiteboard/blackboard/paper), book (curriculum), Manipulatives (but don’t go overboard! sometimes pictures are just fine!), Geometry tools (ruler, protracter, scales, compass).
  • Re; Curricula – different people will need different things. some like colors, some don’t. some want tests, some don’t. try curricula reviews
  • Don’t be afraid to skip pages!! or even skip exercises!
  • try some virtual manipulatives
  • It needs to make sense! They need the “why” something works the way it does! 84×7 is 7×4 and 7×80, not 7×8. It’s important to understand this!
  • the “how” may be easy. the “why” may take much longer to understand.
  • if the student doesn’t get the “why” they will have a hard time applying it in life.
  • Spiraling is not bad itself. It’s good to review. but don’t get sucked into the “they get it again next year, they don’t have to understand it here.” there needs to be a balance between spiral and mastery
  • watch your own attitude! your attitude will transfer to your child!
  • check out Maria’s Four habits of highly effective math teaching

Session #2: Faith Foward – passing values to the next generation

  • Acts17:26-28 tells us that God put our kids in our care intentionally.
  • eph 2:10 – we r God’s workmanship. our job as parents is to help our kids find what God has called them to do.
  • Christianity is not inherited. It’s a choice.
  • Josh McDowells – Last Christian Generation.
  • 84% say christian, 6out of 10 say worship God. 96% of born again adults, and 98% of born again youngun’ don’t live lives that reflect Christ.
  • much of what our young people believe is being distorted by the godless culture we live in.
  • We can take a stand and make a difference!
  • We must develop a relationship with our kids in our own relationship with God. We need to model a thriving Christian walk.
  • Rule minus relationship equals rebellion.
  • Bible study – Falling in Love with Jesus by ______ & Kathy Tricoli.
  • zeph. 3:17 – God delights in & sings over me. Wow.
  • ******* I missed ALOT! Silly kids wanted lunch *S* **********
  • U R the biggest influence in your child’s life.
  • The Shema – Duet 6:4-9
  • email for a 6 week bible study – angela @ refreshmysoul .com
  • her site – http://refreshmysoul.com/rmsportal/
  • Dianne @ Bunny Trails sent me a list of the references THanks!!!
  • 1. Relationship with God
    Acts 17:26-28 Zeph 3:17 Is 62:5b John 3:16 2 Peter 3:92. God’s Word
    Psalm 119:9-11 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Hebrews 4:12 Is 55:10-11 3. Live it Out – Walk the Talk 2 Timothy 1:5 Deut 6:4-9
  • Great Book – Parenting with Scripture
  • try doing some activities with the scriptures – act it out or something

Session #3 Scrapbooking your hs life

  • Check out Kelli Crowe’s video Tutorials! there are 4.
  • you can’t document everything!!!
  • try to decorate with your kid’s projects and art.
  • Construction paper doesn’t do well in direct sunlight
  • one drawer per kid’s desk for artwork. when it gets full, decide what to keep and toss.
  • binder system – idea from 2ps – use a big binder to keep memories.
  • Don’t get hung up on the details.
  • don’t sweat what others think. Scrapbooks are for you.
  • Use acid free page protectors – all different sizes OR make sure the paper you give them will fit in the sizes you have.
  • construcion paper isn’t acid free. Spray it with a “make it acid free” thing first!
  • use cardstock & journal pens.
  • use stickers. Art work into page protector. little bit of journalling on the sticker.
  • Keep it simple! If it’s too complicated, we won’t do it.
  • if the art is too small, use photo corners and put it onto properly sized cardstock. add some journalling (who what ) and your good!
  • take pictures of projects that are too big to save.
  • doesn’t have to be fancy!
  • Use magazines for inspiration. the layouts are cool.
  • Done is better then nothing.
  • Acid free is important because over time the acids in the paper, glue or items will break down your photos and art work.
  • How to handle photo backlog – I did this for my Mom and for myself: I start making stacks, by year, on a big table. After I get all the photos into years, I remove all the stacks from the table and put them into sandwich bags. I take 1 year at a time and do the same thing again…this time seperating the photos into months (as best I can). There will be some photos you just have to guess as to where they go. I put these photos into photo boxes.
  • Kelli’s 2ps gallery

I talked about digi-scrapping in the conference, here are some places to check out for help with geting started digital scrapping

Session #5: Surviving the Homeschool Fog – Dawn and SprittiBee

  • Burnout is nature’s way of telling you, you’ve been going through the motions your soul has departed; you’re a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker. – Sam Keen
  • Crying – you gotta let it out somehow.
  • can also be exhibited as grumpiness or anger with the kids.
  • sometimes can be caused by unrealistic expectations. or too many outside activities. Prayerlessness. Failing to maintain parental authority.
  • Everyone has a breaking point. Recognize that.
  • God isn’t going to punish your humanity. He knows your limits better then you do.
  • Prevent burnout with Prayer.
  • Make sure your schedule is realistic. We often understand other’s limits better then ourselves. Don’t get discouraged when your kids roll their eyes.
  • Learn to say no, and remove distractions from the school area.
  • Prayer is an act of dedication. Admits that you can’t do it on your own strength. Act of co-operation. instead of our proggie, we’re getting with God’s proggie.
  • Don’t feel bad about failing one day/week. Even Elijah ran away from the king instead of trusting God to protect him
  • Location to revelation…God meets you wherever you’re at…ask Him for help about EVERYTHING
  • Snatching Scripture. place Bibles in locations around your house, and when you find a few minutes, read something!
  • Check out SprittiBee’s Brain!
  • Check out The Organized Homeschooler by Vicki Caruana
  • check these out – Printables
  • Read Todd Wilson’s Lies Homeschooling Mom’s Believe.
  • Mom’s mind needs to be in the right place. Pray!

Session #8 Q & A for Learning Disablities.

  • Find some helpful links on Darnelle’s blog!
  • God’s blessing and calling is on this homeschool movement.
  • This is a high-calling, a ministry. This is not a decision to take lightly. He has entrusted us with these children. He doesn’t want us to be fearful and doubtful.
  • You are not “just a mom.” You are the person God handpicked to take care of these children. Your personality, your strengths, your weaknesses. He gave them to you. You are enough.
  • Things will happen, and that’s just life. God hasn’t called us to be fearful, Christ died to give us freedom.
  • You are the expert on your child.
  • Pray
  • do not marry the label with the kid. they don’t always fit. Don’t let doctors tell you that you don’t know anything.
  • some kids need time to let things sink in.
  • Boys, esp younger, tend to make more noises than words. Girls are opposite.
  • Schools are bound by what’s best for the group. Don’t get sucked into that mentality.
  • How do I teach __insert disorder/challenge here____? 1. don’t get married to the label. sometimes they help, but sometimes they don’t. 2. Check out their diet. Check the stuff they are eating everyday, wheat, dairy, sugar, certain dyes, gluten. Sometimes they have to go. If you have a kid who is struggling, try changing the diet. Try adding a small snack in morning afternoon. maybe it’s a blood sugar thing. 3. Get their vision checked!! 4. Go back to the beginning. Once things are fixed, check the basics! make sure they actually know the sounds and letters. 5. Make sure they are hearing you. Get their hearing checked. Talk to them often & ask lots of questions. 6. Pray. Ask God for guidance. 7. Stay the course. These steps may take time. Stick with it.

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