Jeneric Jeneralities ~ by JenIG
August 16th, 2008
The Right Now

I think it would be a great idea if somebody took the time to put together a resource compiling a list of materials specifically for the three types of homeschoolers – The Very Structured Teacher, The Sort of Structured Teacher, and The Very Lazy Teacher.  And then there would be a list to refer to with resources conducive to personal approaches. 

I’m sure there would be crossovers, but I would definitely include Explode the Code, AVKO’s Sequential Spelling, Bright Ideas Press Mystery of History, Jeannie Fulbright’s science books and Mike Venezia’s “Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists” set in the Very Lazy Teacher category because those books have made it possible for me to teach without wanting to chuck everything out the window and run away from home.

 

You’ll notice I didn’t list any math resources to include in the Very Lazy Teacher category.  I don’t think there are any.  You either have to not be lazy, or not teach math.  I take the latter approach. 

 

In other news, tonight we’ll have a gaggle of Canadians who we’re hosting for the evening.  My friend Rachel and her four sisters are taking a road trip and we’re one of the pit stops.  That will be fun.  Rachel is also the copy editor for Home School Enrichment –speaking of which, I think their new issue should be coming out pretty soon.

 

Lastly, I’ve really been enjoying Julie Park’s blog – it’s worth checking out.

 

Oh, but before I go, and this is for my own benefit so I can read back on it, last night (early evening) I had one of those times that get seared into memory.  When my girls were little (nine, four and three) I have this very distinct memory of being downstairs in the living room and watching all three twirling around and dancing in white fluffy dresses.  They were singing daintily, “Princess dance, it’s the princess dance, we are doing… the princess dance”.  At the time, even, I knew I’d always remember it because it filled me with awe of being a mom and caused me to realize moments like these would soon be gone – and they do go *so* quickly. My girls will never be nine, four and three ever again.

 

Anyhow, last night in the evening I was outside watching Geoff work on the riding mower and then he drove off to test it and my three boys started performing for me.  They had me pick out a tree for them and then they’d shimmy up like little orangutans.  They were all grinning at me, looking for approval and then swinging down and awaiting orders for a new tree to climb.  And then I told them to race, so all three darted off – eleven, eight and five tearing toward the apple tree– and little James was trying like mad to keep up, and Bo kept slowing down so Dippy could get ahead.  And I thought to myself.  “I will only have this right now 

But I get to keep that memory forever.

August 16th, 2008 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 27 Comments

27 Responses to ' The Right Now '

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  1. Melissa said,

    on August 16th, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    Teaching Textbooks fits into the lazy teacher category, but it also fits into the expensive category.

  2. Jblieu said,

    on August 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    <i<“You either have to not be lazy, or not teach math. I take the latter approach. “
    I have to disagree – I consider myself quite lazy and that is why I always used Saxon once they hit 3rd or 4th grade. Unlike other curriculum written as though there was an actual teacher who knew something teaching, this one was written to the student, with the (in my case correct) assumption that the person teaching knew zippo about the subject. I will always be a fan of Saxon – it was the only thing I was ever sure I did right in my homeschooling endeavors.

  3. Jen said,

    on August 16th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

    I’m with Melissa…we LOVE Teaching Textbooks. Even though it is a bit pricey, it can all be reused with subsequent children. We’ve used geometry and Alg 2, and this yr are adding in Math 5, 7, and precalc. And here’s the kicker–they enjoy math again!

  4. Jen said,

    on August 16th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    PS–I love your ‘memory moments’. I often have that feeling myself–just gripped by the fact that things will never be the same as they are right here and now. sniff!

  5. Heather said,

    on August 16th, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    I love watching my girls play. I too sit there and think…”wow. I hope I remember this moment when they get older…cause it’s going by too quickly.” They are so precious and only little once. I just want to hang onto it as long as I can.

  6. Sandy said,

    on August 16th, 2008 at 7:25 pm

    I have to concur on Teaching Textbooks. Worth every penny. I predict they will put Saxon out of business. And this is coming from someone who uses or has used four out of your five lazy teacher resources. Though I prefer the description ‘hasn’t yet lost her homeschooling mind’ to ‘lazy’.

  7. Maria said,

    on August 16th, 2008 at 9:23 pm

    Our memopries are so precious. I don’t know if you’ve heard but I am in RI visiting my dad and stayomg with my sister. I drove with my 5 kids and we arrived here at 2AM. This is a very special trip and one we will never forget. I will catch up with you once I return.
    I hope you and your Canadian friends have a lovley time.

    Love,
    Maria
    ps – I am a lazy teacher and we always do math.

  8. Crystal said,

    on August 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Awww, I love the princess dance. I just witnessed that tonight from my 2 year old and thought the same thing!

  9. Marsha said,

    on August 17th, 2008 at 12:00 am

    That Bo is SO sweet. :sniff:

    Hey, today is Dash’s birthday! He turned 9 years old. That’s halfway to an adult. I have a little anxiety over the whole ordeal. I am definitely cherishing these moments… the NOW. But is sure is fun to look ahead and think of the young men that they will be. Did I mention the anxiety? I also feel like the clock is counting down and I have done little to prepare my lamps– my children!

    I’m so thankful that I don’t have to do this alone and that God’s grace covers A LOT.

    Oh and I’m lazy when it comes to teaching math. That is why I totally love Math-U-See. I have yet to teach a lesson. If they don’t understand something, they just watch the lesson on DVD again!

  10. jess said,

    on August 17th, 2008 at 2:01 am

    and to think, i haven’t even GOT kids yet to have memories of. I’m so excited for my next 20 years.

  11. Charley said,

    on August 17th, 2008 at 7:06 am

    See, I said you were raising Olympians!!! You ‘n Geoff have some quality rugrats.

  12. Deedeeuk said,

    on August 17th, 2008 at 1:38 pm

    Lazy Math? That’s easy!! Math U See! It is so easy in fact that my then 6 year old fired me from even trying to teach it after just one month! He said that Mr Demme explained things better on the DVD and couldn’t he just watch that instead? No problem! I’m not that sadistic that I insist on teaching math when they prefer to learn from the DVD! (and learn it better that way too, I might add!)

  13. Angela said,

    on August 17th, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    ~ Stopping by to say “Hi” and to let you know I’m s-l-o-w-l-y (one.stinking.post.at.a.time) moving to my old Blogger site.

    LOVE Explode the Code!

    Blessings ~
    http://www.trustingdaily.blogspot.com


  14. on August 17th, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    I am so happy to read your Lazy Teacher list! I have been and will continue to use all that you have listed here!!! Moving to your “neck of the woods” makes me feel a whole lot better to see the “list”! So being a “Lazy Teacher”, can I just claim it as “unschooling”?? Maybe just the math portion (although, we do use saxon!).

  15. Lori said,

    on August 17th, 2008 at 10:41 pm

    Hi, my daughter Tessa and Coie read one another’s blogs and I happened to only have one of my children home tonight who is sucked into a movie so here I am blog surfing and have really enjoyed reading yours.
    Love your sense of humor and thoughts on your family.
    I am a single mom (divorced after 15 years of marriage) and the Lord has been making it possible for me to continue homeschooling after the divorce. It has been amazing…
    The avenue He provided is college for me. The financial aide gives us more money than if I went off to some low pay job that would make me a stranger to my kids.
    Anyway, just saying “Hi”.
    Lori
    my blog-
    http://lissilulu.blogspot.com

  16. Connie said,

    on August 18th, 2008 at 1:00 am

    No princesses here… just orangutans. 🙂 And, lots of fun memories, too.

    You forgot Economics! I bought “Biblical Economics in Comics” by Vic Lockman this summer at our homeschool conference and I’m really excited about it!

    And, “speaking” of learning by cartoons, try “Vocabulary Cartoons” by Sam, Max and Bryan Burchers. My son even reads ahead because they are so funny!

    Now, if there was only a math comic book! Then I could move up the ladder to the Very Lazy Teacher category and be able to fully enjoy my box of chocolates guilt-free. 😉


  17. on August 19th, 2008 at 8:23 am

    Thanks SO much for having us! We had a great time. I wish we’d had more time to visit … story of this entire trip! I so enjoyed meeting all of you at last. Blessings!

  18. Nancy B. said,

    on August 19th, 2008 at 10:16 am

    Hi Jen!
    I love that idea and highly resemble that remark—just not admitting which remark. 🙂

    I’ve had a few of those “right now” moments lately too and I wish they would go on forever. Our kids grow up so fast it makes my head spin, at least that is a pretty good excuse for my spinning head, don’tcha think?

    Hopefully Curry Farm will be one of our pit stops one of these days.

    Love you tons!
    Nancy

  19. Karen said,

    on August 19th, 2008 at 11:36 am

    Hey Jen, I have a question that has absolutely nothing to do with your post. What’s the difference between Rosetta Stone Level 1 and Rosetta Stone Level 1 homeschool version? ~K


  20. on August 19th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    Oh, I could have posted that whole first part.

    Gayle <—- Very Lazy Teacher Extrodinaire


  21. on August 19th, 2008 at 1:55 pm

    In fact, I am so lazy that I didn’t even want to click around to see HOW (not IF) I misspelled “extraordinaire”….ok, I THINK that’s right.

  22. Angela said,

    on August 19th, 2008 at 2:23 pm

    Hey again ~ As far as I’m concerned Teaching Textbooks falls under the “My-kids-are-passing-me-up-F-A-S-T” catagory! 🙂

    We switched over since Horizons stops at 6th grade. Though my kids were ahead by comparison, it has still been SO nice for someone else to do the teaching & grading after all those years.

    FYI: We LOVE Horizons and our (now) 1st grader will work through it until she makes the transfer.

  23. jenig said,

    on August 19th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

    Karen… the difference is that you get more stuff with the homeschool version, but for the same price. grading tools, pdf worksheets, tests, etc. : )

    Gayle, I’da never even noticed that you spelled it wrong. I’m a lazy reader.

  24. Anissa said,

    on August 19th, 2008 at 4:31 pm

    Hi Jen. Mel told me that you’d moved over here and I just popped over to say hello! Hope things are going well in TN for you all. If you have a minute drop me an email and we can catch up!

    Anissa

  25. Becky said,

    on August 19th, 2008 at 10:21 pm

    have you ever read the book “let me hold you longer” by karen kingsbury? aww, such a sad/sweet reminder to hold on to our children’s lasts. we remember all their firsts but do we hold on to all those lasts? wahhh … i’m a big baby!!!(as evidenced by how sad i am that my baby is 2.)

  26. jess said,

    on August 20th, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    blog, blog, blog!

    hey hockey turned out to be a winner. i never sweat so much in my life though. gross. I’m going to call you later. Probably around 4 (my time), if you’re able to talk (just for a little bit).

  27. Latte said,

    on August 26th, 2008 at 7:12 am

    Oh yes I love mystery of history. It’s the only permanent curriculum I have(meaning every child will use it at every age), one subject down…10-15 to go! We homeschool year round too, I really can’t see us doing it any other way, were huge slackers/do it our wayers and homeschooling year round gives way to loads of impromptu moments and good ole fun/lazy times!

    Well I’m off to go research the Apologia science books, I have heard loads of good stuff about them and my son says…SAYS he wants to be an entomologist…which means loads of science work for me-ahem I mean for him, so I need some books that will make that easy! Thanks for spreading the news on what you use!

    Latte

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