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She Perceived Her Life as Challenging

After touring Woodlawn, “Despite her privileged status and her power over enslaved domestic workers, she perceived her life as challenging.” In my opinion, rather than meeting someone’s perception of their personal challenges with judgment, we need to respond with empathy. It makes sense that she thought her life was challenging. It was challenging! She had seven children die young. She had many financial challenges. She faced heartache and loss. Were there other people around her who also had challenging lives?
One minute to read

Patience as an Ingredient

I love the title of this section of a breadmaking book, Flour Power: “Patience as an Ingredient” Certainly sourdough requires patience! I also found her honesty refreshing as she reflected on her breadmaking journey. “There is a real danger to tying your worth to how the bread comes out any given day and that it’s harsh to make fun of people who like sandwich bread. I learned that having extreme values can be lonely.
One minute to read

Enjoying the Textbook

When I was in Junior High, my father helped write a Real Estate textbook. I was honored when he asked me if I would review the math problems and see if there were any errors. For me, it was the ultimate compliment: he thought I knew enough that I could be trusted to get the right solutions! Now, as a homeschooling parent, I pay special attention to textbooks. Many friends are surprised when I tell them I actually buy a standard textbook and use that to teach math.
2 minutes to read

FAA Hazardous Attitudes

What are the most hazardous attitudes in homeschooling? Perhaps we can better understand those after considering what the Federal Aviation Administration has identified as hazardous attitudes for pilots. They explain: 80% of all aviation accidents are related to human factors with the majority of accidents occur during landing and takeoff. The concept was introduced by the airline industry over 25 years ago to help decrease accidents caused by human factors….The results are clear: pilots who receive “[this]” training made 10-50% fewer judgment errors.
3 minutes to read

The Ultimate Tool

There are some tools that profess to be the ultimate tool–the thing that could do everything. While reading this library book about kettlebell workouts, I laughed at all that sandpaper could do to fix the handle. “Sandpaper is used for finishing touches to make the handles exactly as you like them to feel. If they are too rough, you can smooth them. If they are too smooth, you can rought them up a bit so you can find a better grip.
One minute to read

Your Family Wants You To Work Safely

While hiking in New River Gorge this summer, we saw this sign at the abandoned mine site of Kaymoor. A reminder to be safe. I found myself wondering, “Why do we need a reminder? Are we forgetting safety?” According to the National Park Service , which maintains the Kaymoor site, The mine site of Kaymoor One was once one of the most successful and highest producing mines in New River Gorge.
3 minutes to read

Invasive Problems

Do we actually have a problem? I have seen signs warning about the spotted lantern fly since 2019. This insect can be very damaging to agriculture. It wasn’t until September when I first saw just how invasive the lantern fly can be. While in Antietam National Battlefield, we went up into an observation tower. The ceiling was covered with lantern flies and they landed all over us. Unlike a housefly or a mosquito, they seemed to land without any attention to detail.
2 minutes to read

William Mckinley Presidential Library

William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States, is memorialized in a monument and museum in Canton, Ohio. Perhaps, like me, you struggle to remember any important facts about this president. Here are a few things I learned. McKinley served from March 4, 1897, until his assassination on September 14, 1901. Under McKinley’s leadership, the United States became one of the world’s colonial powers. After the Paris Peace Treaty was signed in 1898, the United States obtained Puerto Rico, Guam, and—for $20 million—the Philippine Islands.
3 minutes to read

Getting Started With Kindergarten

So, you’re interested in homeschooling your five-year-old? Here are a few ideas to consider. Homeschooling is not about choosing a curriculum. Homeschooling is about paying attention to your individual child and noticing what they need now while also anticipating what they will need in the future. Listen to the questions your child asks and allow that to be your guide. Consider not signing up for too many things outside of the house.
3 minutes to read

Math in Public Places

Here’s what is working for me right now: doing math in public places. Homeschoolers don’t need to do all the academics at home. One of my children has built up some fear and anxiety about math. Taking this child into a public place to do math is our key to success. Being away from home means the child is more committed to completing the one hour of study (since getting home is an “event” that involves a car ride.
One minute to read
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