Measuring Up

Does mom measure up?

In order to be in compliance with the homeschooling regulations for the state of Pennsylvania, our children need to take standardized tests when they are in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades. Some people might find this to be too much regulation but I like the idea of knowing how the boys are doing. Our evaluator does the testing for a small fee. I like the fact that she uses the Woodcock Johnson Achievement test because it is an out-of-level test and gives me a better picture of where they are in their education.

Even though I like the idea of having them tested, I usually do some worrying before we go. My mind starts throwing out possible issues...

"What if they haven't made any significant progress?"

"What if our evaluator tells me that I'm failing as their teacher?"

"What if they embarrass me by misbehaving instead of taking the test seriously?"

These questions get added to the multitude of mommy worries that have plagued me from day one of homeschooling.

"Am I crazy to pull these kids out of school?"

"Will they grow up to be weird unsocialized homeschoolers?"

"What if they can't get into a good college because we homeschooled?"

"Will they have any friends?"

As the years have gone by, and my confidence has grown, I can usually toss aside my concerns quickly. I look at the successful homeschoolers I have met on our journey and realize we are on a good path. The boys are happy, healthy, and have friends, even though they are homeschoolers. But for some reason, the testing puts more fear in my heart than any other worry. Test results are just so final. They take the test and then you have those results, in black and white, judging you.

Once we had a date for the testing, I starting thinking about the boys' areas of weakness. JT has been struggling with his math work this year. EM is especially challenged by grammar and composition. I spent a day or two helping them brush up on their writing technique so they would be ready for that portion of the testing. Other than that, there was little I could do. Cramming wasn't going to work for this kind of a test.

When it was all over and our evaluator sat down with me to go over their results, it turned out I had no cause for worry. Both boys did extremely well in all areas of testing. JT and EM both made progress since the last time they took their tests. EM made the most dramatic improvement in the passage comprehension portion of the test. He has become a voracious reader in the last two years and it definitely showed in his results.

I know it's easy to worry when you step outside the traditional way of doing things. You can't always see where you stand because there aren't as many standards to see. This week I learned that we're doing just fine.

We passed the test.

Back to the Grindstone

box o' fun

Monday was our first day back to schooling after our extended Christmas holiday. As usual, I didn't start any serious planning until Sunday night. We still managed to pull off a pretty exciting week thanks to chemistry. I bought this chemistry set over the summer and we've slowly been working on some of the experiments. This week we made our way through the rest of the experiment manual and even added a few ideas of our own. Chemistry is not my first love in science so I had a lot to learn too.

be prepared

When JT walked into the classroom today and spotted the fire extinguisher I had brought in from the kitchen, he said, "You know it's going to be a fun day of school when Mom brings a fire extinguisher to class!" I was pretty sure I was only being extra cautious, but I thought it just might be a good idea to have it on hand. We forgot to take it in the garage the day we cooked up a little iron sulfide, so I wanted to do things right this time.

tools of the trade

We spread our chemistry lessons out over three days this week. Each day we did a few of the experiments in the booklet, finishing today with electrochemical experiments. I've enjoyed using this kit because it came with almost everything we needed. Even though we are finished with this particular booklet, we will continue our chemistry using another book I found at a used book sale, as well as experiments we have found online.

When I was originally planning our science for this school year, I had hoped to complete the chemistry unit before Christmas break and start botany when we returned to our studies. Now it looks like we might just spend most of the year on chemistry. The boys both enjoy the experimenting and they seem to be getting a lot out of the unit. This week JT was making good application of the knowledge he picked up from earlier in the week to predict the results in yesterday's experiments. I think he has a deeper understanding of some of what we have been doing than I do. Maybe I should let him start teaching me...

...but I might still keep that extinguisher handy.

Transitions

our lucky number

Last night we had a special ceremony in our home. Earlier in the day, JT celebrated his 13th birthday with our entire family. When the extended family had gone home, my husband presented a special gift to him, a replica of Orcrist, Thorin Oakenshield's sword. This event had been planned for the last few years, ever since my husband read John Eldredge's book, The Way of the Wild Heart.

in the box

In his book, Eldredge discusses the challenges of the six stages in a man's life that he calls: beloved son, ranger, warrior, lover, king, and sage. He also explores the role of a father in a boy's transition to manhood. He places the beginning of the ranger stage around age 12 or 13, early adolescence. The question that becomes the drive for this stage is, "Do I have what it takes?" On the way to manhood, boys need to know that they can make it on their own. They need to know that their parents, especially their fathers, believe they have what it takes to be a man.

beautifully crafted hilt

Now that JT is entering the ranger stage, we wanted to acknowledge this transition. My husband spent a few days thinking through what he wanted to say when he gave the sword to JT. We made it into a solemn event and he addressed JT with these words:

Your father gave you this gift believing in your ability to take it seriously.
It is not the toy of a child.
It is the symbol of a man.
This sword means your father's confidence in your strength and character.
You are no longer a child, but you are still my beloved son.
I will still take care of you until you can take care of yourself, because it is the responsibility of the stronger to help the weaker,
whether literally or figuratively. I expect you to do the same for those younger and weaker than you.
This sword means your father's confidence in your ability to serve others and grow stronger in that ability.
This sword should make you think of Thorin Oakenshield, for obvious reasons.
Thorin had a big dream, and was committed to his plan.
Though a dwarf, his size was never a factor in his success or failure.
To accomplish it, he did whatever it took to see it through.
He gained the help of family and friends.
Thorin used his strengths and talents.
He had many flaws as well, but one very important strength he shows towards the end of the story, is his ability to admit his mistakes.
As a young man, you will learn to make manly decisions. Some decisions can not be undone, much like the actions of a sword.
This sword is a symbol of commitment to your Creator's plan and your accountability for your mistakes. 

sword in hand

When some think of the measure of manhood, they may think of physical strength or worldly success. While those things may make a man's life more rewarding in some ways, I think the defining characteristic of a man is found in his confidence in himself through his faith in God. No matter what we do, JT is on his way down the pathway that leads to adulthood. He will make mistakes on the way, but with the proper guidance, I'm hoping he can use those mistakes to build his confidence in his own ability to succeed.


And more than anything, I'm very thankful that he has a father of excellent character to show him the way.

Celebration and Relaxation

We are continuing to enjoy our break from schooling for the holidays. Some time in the next few days, I know I am going to need to work out some plans for the new year. But for now, I'm just trying to relax.

Exploring Creative Outlets

mountain fortress

EM has just completed his fourth class at our local YMCA Art Center. He usually wants to take the pottery classes, but this month there were not enough students for that class and instead he ended up in an abstract expression class. He wasn't sure if he would like it, but after the first class, he was sold.

He was allowed to work with some tools I tend to shy away from at home, things like hot glue guns and sharp knives. 

EM is a people-pleaser, so he is more inclined to work hard just to make an instructor happy, where JT never worries about whether anyone approves of his behavior or work. These opposite personality traits generally result in EM doing more organized events and JT sticking with independent projects. Remember the piano lesson difficulties?

gargoyle

EM's pottery instructor is great with kids. He has all the patience in the world. EM is always excited to go to his classes. After the last session ended he gave a small piece, a cat, to the teacher because he knew he liked cats. It's nice to see my kids finding adults that they can look up to as mentors. One of the things that can be lacking in a homeschooling child's life is the opportunity to find that one teacher who fills the role of mentor.

The house that EM built.

I'm not saying that I think a child can't find a mentor if they aren't seeing teachers every day. I believe mentors can be found in many places, not just schools. I have worked to place my boys in situations that allow them to participate in activities where multiple age groups are involved so they can see people that have already succeeded in something they are starting to explore. JT's drum lessons and EM's art lessons are just two of those opportunities. Upward basketball, scouts, and church functions have been other places we have looked for those relationships.

future mobile

I know that even though my children have looked at me and their dad as their prime role models for years, it is important to expand their vision to those outside of our family. My goals for life may not match what the boys see as important. How will they know that unless I allow them to find other inspiration? It will only be through seeing how others deal with challenges in life that they will be able to make well thought out goals for their own futures.

 As always, I try to remind myself that as a parent, I'm trying to work myself out of a job. My primary role is to get these boys ready to handle life on their own when they leave home. They will have a better chance at success if they have many mentors to give them advice when they encounter difficulties along that path to success.

Garage Chemistry

improvising

A month ago a package arrived at our home from Home Science Tools. The  box had a few warning labels on the side. I sat down and studied the instructions for the various contents. I spent extra time reading the directions for the alcohol burner to avoid any potential disasters. Then I put off actually using these new items because I didn't feel like I was ready to dive into full-blown chemistry. This week we took the plunge.

Go ahead, try to pull those off

Our first goal was to study the difference between a physical change and a chemical change. We combined a mixture of 3 parts sulfur to 5 parts iron filings. When these two items are combined into a mixture, it is easy to separate them into their individual components by passing a magnet over the mixture. Note to self: Next time do not use favorite magnet to do this. (I can't believe I actually have a 'favorite' magnet.)


Next we placed our mixture into a metal lid and placed it over the alcohol

professional lab equipment

burner. The lid got incredibly hot very quickly! Good thing I brought my tongs out from the kitchen, right? The reason we decided to set up our little lab in the garage was to avoid fumes in the house. We could open the big doors and let the air flow through. About the time the mixture started to smoke I said to the boys, "I guess it might have been a good idea to bring the fire extinguisher out here." Maybe next time.

brimstone

Now things really started getting exciting. EM said, "That stinks!" and promptly ran out of the garage. JT stuck around to see what would happen. A few moments after the flames died down and the newly formed compound started to cool, we removed it from the burner and let it reach a safe temperature. Notice we used a piece of slate under the burner. The directions said to use a non-combustible surface. I looked all around the house for something I could put on the table that I wouldn't mind ruining and found nothing. When we got outside, I saw the pile of slate I have for my garden. Perfect solution.

new compound

Our new compound, iron sulfide, had the magnetic properties of the original iron filings, but could no longer be separated from the sulfur. Even when we crushed up a bit and looked at it under the microscope, we could not see the separate iron particles. It was now one new compound instead of two. Energy was given out when new bonds formed. The flames were a pretty good indication of that.  A perfect example of a chemical change.


Cleaning up was fairly easy. JT wanted to keep the iron sulfide, in case we ever need it, so we put it in a small labeled storage container. The excess alcohol was returned to its original container and the tongs were thoroughly scrubbed.

Overall, the experiment went very well. No one was burned. No one succumbed to toxic fumes. Everyone wore their safety goggles. And we all learned something about chemistry.

I just hope the neighbors don't start wondering what we are doing with a chemistry lab set up in our garage...

Pizza Day

call me

A local homeschooling mom arranged for our MeetUp group to have a tour at Papa John's. I was on the fence about going for a few reasons. Our recent conversion to mostly organic foods makes most restaurant food off-limits, EM doesn't really like pizza anyway, and the tour started at 10am. In the morning. I do not like activities that start in the morning. That is MY time for lounging around the house and getting a slow start to the day. But I decided I was being silly and made everyone get up and go make pizza.

veggie toppings

Our group consisted of 17 kids and 6 adults. When we arrived, EM realized one of the adults was his Kindergarten teacher. She was there with her grandsons who homeschool. EM had a chance to catch up and tell her how he's doing. One of the grandsons had been in his class for Kindergarten, so it was nice for him to have that reconnection. We had a short tour of the store, learned how the pizza ordering process works, and then the real fun began. Each child got to make their own pizza. JT chose mostly veggie toppings, EM tried some bacon.

pizza goes in this side

The kids all managed to line up, despite jokes I've heard about homeschoolers who don't know how to do that. Everyone was quiet and respectful while the manager explained the process. The kids chatted a bit with each other while they waited their turns to make their lunch. Then everyone sat down at the tables to enjoy the fruit of their labors. Socialization success!

Sometimes I find myself avoiding the local homeschooling activities. It's not necessarily that I don't want to get together with the other families, it's just that I have so many things I want to do and I can't do everything and stay sane. I have to say no fairly often or we'd be running ragged all the time. Some people like that frantic pace in their lives. I'm not one of them. The boys aren't really into that kind of lifestyle either. Maybe when they are older, but I don't really see it happening. We are content to live at a slower pace.

finished pizza comes out here

I think as parents in America we are made to feel inferior if our kids aren't running from one activity to the next all day long. Being out of the school system helps avoid that a little bit because we don't get fliers announcing sports try-outs and other activities sent home in backpacks. But the temptation is still there. When friends ask what sports the boys participate in and I say, "JT is no longer doing any sport and EM will do Upward basketball this year," it might sound like nothing compared to the kid who plays every sport offered through the school and participates in every other league out there. I think it's enough of a sport to send the kids running around the backyard, jumping into the giant pile of leaves they made, or soon, sledding down and hiking back up the hill.

We are perfectly happy with our backyard...

 and an occasional pizza party.