9.22.2009

A Tour of Our Classroom

Ever wonder what homeschooling looks like in action? I thought I'd share just a glimpse of our day. This is it. Raw. With children flying and climbing and a completely unairbrushed (and unprepared to be captured) teacher.

this is what a homeschooling mom looks like

1. Like most teachers, I'm sure, my feet get tired. I got smart the other day and decided to move a bar stool into the middle of our classroom (a.k.a. kitchen), pull out a drawer, and put my feet up. Like the ragged hem on my jeans? Yes, all my pants are too long.

2. Reading: the final Spiderwick book. We all enjoyed them. The books are much better than the movie. Just ask Avery. Her assignment today was to write a paragraph about why she liked the books better than the movie.

3. Aidan, not my most attentive student. He can't stay in his seat for long (unless he's working on math, in which case he'll sit for about ten pages worth - his choice). I have no idea what he's telling me in this picture, though by the look on my face, it must be something I find incredulous.

4. A cup of chai tea. Did I tell you I gave up coffee?

5. Another book to read after we finish Spiderwick. Probably historical fiction. Covering Social Studies with a novel is just our cup of chai tea.

6. Hair unbrushed. It's probably been in and out of a ponytail a dozen times already. Avery and Aidan probably have unbrushed hair, too.

7. Dirty dishes, including the blender which we use to make smoothies almost every day for our mid morning snack.

8. Avery on the counter. This is where she prefers to be.

9. Smudges on appliances. Why oh why did I choose stainless steel appliances? Perhaps for science we should take a swab of our smudge and grow it on a petri dish. Who knows what organisms are lurking on our appliances?

10. Whoops! There is no 10. But maybe you see a 10 somewhere. Care to share?

Thanks for visiting our one room schoolhouse!

36 comments:

  1. I'm just curious...what time do you start your school day? Does it vary from day-to-day or do you try to stay on a loose schedule?

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  2. I always admire good un/homeschoolers. I never have had enough nerve to actually go through with it-- even though I know there are so many good reasons to choose homeschooling. Happy learning.

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  3. Well unbrushed hair or no you look beautiful! I also admire your homeschooling. At this I think I'd fail. Keep it up super mom!

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  4. okay, that is one classroom that sounds like a ton of fun with a way cool teacher!! any openings?

    gave up coffee~ so impressive. I am actually beginning to not like it so much. Down to just one cup in the morning. Chia tea is a good replacement.

    let me know what I need to do to enroll in your school.

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  5. I think #10 should be a line drawn between your and Aidan's eyes, showing the utter connection between the two of you, even if just for a moment. One of the best parts of homeschooling.

    I laughed when I saw Avery on the counter. That's Lily's favorite spot too! Must be a girl thing.

    I'll have you know that my stainless appliances are spotless. But that's only because I just wiped them down--I have guests coming tomorrow. ;-)

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  6. #10-One incredibly beautiful mom doing the best for her kids. You amaze and awe me. And best of all...I still like you lots! Thanks for this awesome peek into your day. (I may be e-mailing you with some angst/questions.) xo

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  7. just wait until tomorrows classroom, that tour will be
    a w e s o m e!
    canNOT wait to see you!!!!
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox

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  8. just wait until tomorrows classroom, that tour will be
    a w e s o m e!
    canNOT wait to see you!!!!
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox

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  9. What a great picture! Love it. Now I will think of you when I am having moments like these during our homeschooling day!
    P.S. For Aidan, you might check out a book called How to Get Your Child off the Refrigerator and Onto Learning. It's full of great tips for working with a wiggly child (a.k.a. a BOY!)

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  10. oh molly! your always making such fabulous posts! and just look at that incredible banner!!! isn't it great to be learning alongside our kids at home! i was so happy to read this post xo

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  11. hehe, awesome post. annabel prefers to be on the floor or on the back of the couch, or upside down

    white cabinets are a PITA to keep clean, too.

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  12. Those black and white legging barely peeking out behind you make me smile. I used to LOVE the counter too. Such a view of the rest of the world. :)

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  13. Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart, that's for sure! I enjoy scaring the UPS man when he appears at the front door and we're in the middle of some messy science experiment and I'm all dolled up in the homeschooling ensemble of sweats and a t-shirt :)

    It may not be glamorous but it's the best thing we ever did!!

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  14. 10- Some of the bluest most beautiful eyes ever!

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  15. 10:44 am?

    Great post, I see these picture posts from time to time at different blogs and am always left smiling. Thank you for sharing.

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  16. Looks like a wonderful school day!

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  17. now why was i thinking you weren't homeschooling anymore? odd. didn't someone go public for a while? thanks for sharing this view+explanations. it's given me some insight into a real homeschool experience. and it looks darn appealing. i gather you're getting a lot out of it too.

    oh, and your acorn caps were a big hit once again. they were an obvious gift for the "seasons round exchange" i just participated in.

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  18. Thank you for the glimpse. Way cool school. =) Keep up the fab work!

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  19. Our classroom all week has been on a mattress that our daughter dragged into her bedroom. It's got that cozy feel, wedged between her bed and the bookcases.

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  20. Looks like the perfect classroom to me--I think number 10 is the clock on the stove!

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  21. I thought #10 was Aidan's hand on your stool. He is and always will be that kind of "close" to you.
    Love
    Dad

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  22. L.O.V.E. it. Life is real. Learning is living. No sugar-coating or standardized testing for me! Thanks for sharing! Now I need to get to bed, so I can do my own version in the morning... or something like it. ;)

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  23. Ah fabulous! Looks like the perfect schoolroom to me!!

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  24. Looks oh-so familiar to me. We are all over the place grabbing bits of learning as the come. Definitely don't have brushed hair and some days you may find us in our pjs at 3pm

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  25. Had to laugh! This is a treasure. You managed to capture how kinetic homeschooling is. How lucky we are to live in homes where the kids are a blur of action even when (especially when) they are learning. And the expression on your face! How lucky we are to hear every inspired tidbit out of our children's mouths -- while making ourselves comfortable of course.

    Made my day! Thank you!

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  26. Molly this is great! Got me thinking about where we spend most of our time...
    Funny that as a classroom teacher I used to pull out my draw and put my feet up when I was alone!

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  27. #10 = Love. I think this is so beautiful. I have a huge admiration for homeschooling. If we had kids I'd strongly consider it. I know in my heart, it would have been so much better for me, as a kid..

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  28. What a creative way to share insights into your life! Loved it ~ Especially your bare feet up on the drawer!

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  29. Lovely! The kitchen is a good spot for learning.

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  30. aah! that is a sigh of relief! i have seen so many with organized school rooms and we operate out of the kitchen too. isn't it amazing what bar stools can opt in for?

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  31. ahhhh. the beauty of homeschooling. i love.

    and i'd like to know more about no. 7

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  32. Wonderful - and so like my own home-school-room! And attire. And un-brushed hair...

    (we liked the Spiderwick books more than the movie, too...WAY more!)

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  33. Sweet! I LOVE IT! :) Thanks...this is just yet another reminded to chill out and just have fun learning together! :)

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  34. I just love your version of homeschooling in the kitchen. Not kids with workbooks seated at the table...but on the counter, running around, listening to mom read. A lovely picture of homeschooling life.

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  35. Loving your list of 10! I was looking at the Spiderwick books the other day and wondering if they would fit nicely in our library.

    I'm wondering if your Aidan is your number 2 child? I was having a conversation with a friend the other day and we were discussing our most distracted child which happens to be, for both of us, child number 2 ...other people tell us we aren't alone....hmmm...

    Chai tea is lovely :) and you are very brave for giving up coffee.

    Please tell me there are some redeeming qualities about stainless steel?? They were on our list of future purchases.

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  36. this is great! i'll be homeschooling in a couple of years. nervous. you know, a little olive oil on a paper towel works wonders for stainless steel smudges. :-)

    molly/pink.goldfish on flickr.

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