Science for Boys

We have had some trouble coming up with a science curriculum that my son enjoys. If it were up to him, it would be science experiments every day. And while I know hands-on exploration is perfect for him, sometimes we need to just sit down and read and learn a few facts, too.

He is quite bored with his current curriculum. It's not bad; it's just that it is a little light on kinesthetic discovery. Instead, we have worked a new program into our curriculum that allows him a day out (for 2 1/2 hours) per week to meet with other kids his age and get his hands dirty.

He is taking the Junior Master Gardener class at our local zoo, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden. The program curriculum was developed by Texas A&M University through the help of some enthusiastic master gardeners who wanted gardening to come alive for the younger generation. If you don't see a class in your area, you can "grow" your own. The JMG web site provides details.

Living in the country, I am hopeful some of my son's newfound knowledge and gardening skills will come in handy this spring and summer when it is time for planting flowers and vegetables. He is very enthusiastic about the class, as the group is responsible for planting and maintaining a portion of the Botanical Garden's beds. There are many girls in the program, too, but I see that my son is enthusiastic to get dirt on his hands and face (and pants and shirt and....you get the picture).

His Level One class is geared toward 3rd-5th graders, but there is a Level Two class for older students. If they complete all projects, they will receive a graduation certificate at the end of the semester.

I am not paid a dime by the JMG program, but I highly recommend it as a supplement for one semester of a homeschool science curriculum.

Love,
TCB

My Dictionary

My Dictionary

Do I sound a little attached to a Book of Words? I've always loved words and loved reading. And this may sound a little nerdy...ok, very nerdy...but I got this beautiful (once new) unabridged dictionary for Christmas. When I was in kindergarten. (Are you laughing?)

*sigh* It has so many pictures inside to illustrate the thousands of words it contains. I used to just read it for the fun of learning new things. And before you preconceive any notions about me, let me say that I am pretty well adjusted in spite of this nerdy state of mind.

It is well worn. The packing tape seems to hold it in shape enough to get by. I guess I don't have to say that this book is roughly 35 years old.

In homeschooling my son, I have yet to teach him about dictionary.com (gasp from the audience). That's really an easy site to use, and I didn't want him to rely on the easiest method of searching for words and definitions. I am teaching him how to use the good, old-fashioned printed dictionary (although he has an age appropriate version with all the words created in the last 10 years due to the internet).

I think one of my new favorites is the email sign-up for the "Word of the Day" on the home page of dictionary.com. Perfect for any word lover. Might I recommend it for homeschooling your child?

I'd love to hear about any cool sites you know focused on words and how we use them.

Until later,

TCB



World's Messiest Office

World's Messiest Office

I think I may have the world's most unorganized office. It's my home office - for bill paying, designing lesson plans for homeschooling, grading papers, blogging, and surfing the internet. It's also my work office - for writing articles (and a book), corresponding and working with public relations clients, and managing two businesses' books and marketing initiatives.

My issue is lack of time. Am I sure? Yes, because the rest of my house doesn't look nearly this bad!

What happens? There is always something to do, someone waiting on something. And I always choose to do that over clean my office.

As you can see, there are files on the floor. I'm ashamed to say some of these may be up to three years old.

I'm always looking for ideas to straighten up this mess. Hit me with them!

Just don't expect much from me until I get past tax season!

Love,
TCB (from my embarrassing office - yes, I'm sitting here now)

Handy Kitchen Tip

If you’re like me, I’m always looking for handy tips that make my life easier and my chores faster. Here’s one I’m sure I read about somewhere years ago, but for the life of me I can’t remember where.

When washing dishes that have food particles clinging on them, like scrambled eggs or grated cheese, first rinse the dish in cool or cold water before washing it. Submerging it straight into hot water “cooks” the food onto the pan, making cleanup a lot tougher. I used this tip twice today – after breakfast’s scrambled eggs and to clean my food processor bowl after grating cheese for supper’s casserole.

Less elbow grease and less time=a happy Country Belle.

Happy cleaning (an oxymoron?).

'Til next time.

TCB

Funny Things Kids Say

When you’re a (semi) stay-at-home mom like me who begins homeschooling at some point, you spend LOTS of time with your children. More time than anyone else, to be sure. And you hear some HILARIOUS things along the way out of the mouths of your babies. Thankfully, my husband and I (OK, mostly my husband – but I did contribute) wrote down some of these entertaining and sometimes side-splitting expressions.

We’ll never forget our then 5-year-old son saying, “Mom, I don’t want to wear flannel to school. Flannel is for pictures and fancy restaurants.” Reckon we’ve raised a country boy?

I’ve always required a neatly made bed before the day starts, even when we started homeschooling. I knew if I didn’t make my son take care of it first thing in the morning, it would fall to me later in the day. And I REALLY don’t need anything else to do.

It’s probably no surprise he often rebelled at bed-making, faking illness or complaining to try and get out of the job. I remember once he said, “Ouch, ouch, ouch. I do NOT like making up this bed! It is hurtful in every way.” I think it mostly hurt his laziness bone.

We laugh at our funny children. It makes doing the hard things – like taking away their privileges or punishing them when they misbehave – a little easier along the way.

Hey, sometimes they just look funny.

Love,
TCB

What I'm Reading Now

I'll admit I'm a book-a-holic. Usually, I can be found juggling several books at once. If I'm not reading a book, then you know I must be SO BUSY I'M READY TO SHOOT MYSELF.

Thought I'd tell you what I'm reading in January and February, in case it is something you don't know about.

(1) "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I'm only a few chapters into this one, but the overall theme is teaching Christians who want to be wholehearted for God how to shed their lukewarm ways. One point that stood out to me so far is about how we so often come to prayer with our laundry list of "please help-me's." In Revelation Chapter 4 we get a brief picture of the God we pray to. Chan prompts us to think about how great and majestic He is before we even bother to open our mouths with our prayers. This book has a great web site with short chapter videos, too - http://www.crazylovebook.com

(2) "The Social Media Bible" by Lon Safko & David Brake. Need I say more? Thought I'd learn a little more about the social media fun ride. This big honkin' book is very comprehensive, providing a background to web technology's beginnings. It may be a little basic for those who have been playing in the social arena for a while, but it does serve as a great resource book since it has an expansive index. It is helpful reading for those who want to marry their social media work with marketing endeavors.

(3) "Modern Essentials: A Contemporary Guide to the Therapeutic Use of Essential Oils" by Abundant Health LLC. This is a very reader-friendly medicinal resource book about how to use essential oils to treat common ailments. I have used this book effectively in conjunction with some of my essential oils to relieve stomachache, toothache, and sinus congestion. The book is even great because it lets you know when an essential oil is safe or not to use on children and if you're preggers.

Happy reading!
TCB

Reminiscing

I just have one thing to say today....

**sigh**
I miss those days.

Soon I swear he'll be growing his own real-life goatee.

I'll try not to cry.
TCB