Look at the new peeps in our house!

We got the call Thursday that our new peeps had arrived at the post office. Chickens in the mail? Yep, we received the cutest fuzzy chicks from mypetchicken.com that Z~girl had ordered and paid for with her own money months ago. Let me say...she has been counting the days since she ordered them! It was overnight delivery and when we opened the box at the post office to check out the cheeping box I think it was the first time the peeps had really "seen" each other. They promptly began pecking each other. I remember when we got our other chickens last year Z and I being mortified that one of the chicks kept pecking all the other chicks in the eye. I guess if something moves chicks will peck at it!

I must add that normally you are not supposed to handle newborn chicks a lot and if you do you need to wash your hands well before and after. They also have to have some antibiotic drops in their water for the first little bit to make sure that they do not have any diseases. I took the opportunity to do some individual photos though as Z transferred them to their temporary "crib". Words cannot describe how cute they are and so fun to watch!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It seems like when the weather gets nice we automatically go into un-school mode...which is evidenced by our week of chicks and hiking. 

Sports are also back into the schedule of events which A~man loves for the social aspect and Z~girl loves for the sport itself. She is very competitive to say the least. 

A~man didn't get a whole lot of sit down work done this week. Not because of him but because of how the week went. Z~girl has a very driven personality and likes to get her school work done early. She has us wake her up at 6:50 am every morning so she can do her school work. (I can barely pry my eyes open at that time!) She did her school work every day except the day she did her volunteer work. (which I totally count as "school") 

I have to do a brag as the last year or so my duo do not get along very well most days...sadly. They used to be the best of friends but I am sure with the cognitive difference between them growing they are at completely different levels/interests. 

Later in the week I had been doing my online work, we ate lunch and I was about to help A~man do his school work including his vocabulary game that I had scheduled. Z said "How about I help him with his school work and you go take a nap?" I'm serious here folks, she said that. After I was able to get the stunned look off my face I decided -YES I am going to go take a nap!

They were just finishing up his school work when I got up from nap. They were getting along. Afterwards, she decided to take him outside (I haven't let him be outside without us alone since he ran away).They were out there for at least an hour watching the chickens and talking. (I was looking outside periodically) I so wish I would have taken a picture of that but instead I bottled up that wonderful memory in my head to remember on the days that aren't quite as wonderful between the two. Later, Z even said how much fun she had with A~man...the positive reinforcement from her went a long way for him. 

I am so completely blessed!

Don't Compare

As I gear up for a busy week of Geography club, working on our matchbox swaps, and also doing our art curriculum I thought it would be the perfect time to revisit a blog post I did over at Time4Learning last year.

Most parents know not to compare their children to one another as each child is an individual with different challenges and different strengths. The same holds true with your own family's homeschool. There is not one correct way to homeschool in my opinion. Each child most likely has a different personality and learning style from their siblings and the parent/s that teach that child also have things that they are good at and things that are more difficult for them.

We have been homeschooling for 7+ years and I wish that I had known early on not to compare how we do things with other families. I guess the exception would be when asking input or advice of another family that may have gone through something similar. Both my husband and I have had a few people over the years make comments like "I'm sure you do a lot more with your children than we do." How would they know this? They don't. Somehow they have gotten a preconceived notion from observing us.

I've also gotten the comment many times, "I could never homeschool a child with special needs, I do not know how you do it." In reality, I think most people could do it if they thought it was the only way their child could get an appropriate education. Which was the case for us. They usually do not see the occasional bad days we have where we are just doing our best to deal with behaviors and doctor appointments. Honestly some days are survival mode, LOL. We pretty much homeschool year round for this very reason. This allows a day off from educational lessons when other special need issues arise, as they often can. It also allows for a spontaneous trip when we all need a break, rather than when most people take a break. (summer)

Yet, I have done the same thing comparing our homeschool to others! I will see a family with many children (I just have two) and I will think silently, that the mom must possess extra super powers that I do not have. I admit I have been a bit jealous of families that do not have to deal with special needs challenges even though I wouldn't trade it for the world. I'm also sometimes envious of some of my friends that are talented at teaching co-op classes, scout groups, and group activities in their home, as that is not where my talent is.

All of this is what makes homeschooling so ideal! We learn our children's learning styles and our own teaching styles. We are able to let our children actively pursue their own interests and talents without being burdened by typical public school hours. After awhile we figure out what works best for our own individual families and adapt when changes need to be made. When we are involved in group activities with friends we can combine our talents with other families and share our talents with them.

Has there ever been a time you have compared your homeschool to another family and not felt up to par?

Movies Based on Literature

It is true without fail, well at least in my opinion, that the book is always better than the movie. There are so many details in a book that make it difficult to incorporate it all into a movie that is only an hour or two long. Despite this, I think there is a great value in allowing children to view these kinds of movies, after reading the book if they are able to. What about children with learning challenges or dyslexia? Movies allow them to experience at least part of the joy of a good literary piece. Plays based on books are also an excellent way to help children experience literature.

For children that have read the book it may help to engage them in the story even more and help with analytical thinking skills. They can compare and contrast the differences between the book and the movie adaption. They can see how their interpretation or view point of the book, may be different than the film makers.

As you know, in my homeschool I have two students. Z~girl is an avid reader that reads constantly and goes through books rapidly. My son has taken many years to be able to read and he reads slowly. Often during the whole process of figuring out what each word says, the story's meaning can get lost along the way. Yet he very much enjoys a good story and likes to be read to.

 Movies are one way that I am able to bring enjoyment to both of my children and let my son enjoy some of the same stories his sister loves. It is an activity that they can both do together and benefit from. My son is still learning about literature, and watching it on the TV (Netflix or videos from the library) is a way he can experience it at his own cognitive level. When we watch a movie he constantly is asking questions about the characters and the plot trying to understand what is going on. (which most of the time is a good thing!)

Here is a list of movies, based on books that I have compiled that a person can find on Netflix. The first one I am going to recommend is Alabama Moon by Watt Key which is a newer book. If you would like to read a review for this particular book there is one at Homeschoolliterature.com. There are also literature-based word lists for many classic books to go along with the books and movie!

Lord of the Rings trilogy
Ann of Green Gables
Gone with the Wind
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Wizard of Oz
Lassie Come Home
Great Expectations
Sense and Sensibility
The Black Stallion
The Secret Garden
Where the Red Fern Grows

Of course this is just a list of a dozen possibilities and there are many more available on Netflix. Also, do not forget about your public library. I know there are many movies in our library that are based on literature.

Do you use movies based on books in your homeschool? What are some of your family's favorite movies?

Do Over Days

I originally posted this last year on my work blog at Time4Learning.com but I decided that on occasion I would post some of my favorites from the past over here. 

Have you heard of them? These types of homeschool days are something that over the years our family has implemented, especially when having to deal with special need issues.

 Particularly in the past when my son was much younger as he had great difficulty controlling his words and actions. Basically, he often would not think things through before doing something. When this happened repetitively, which was often the case, something had to change in the day.

My daughter too, especially when she was younger, has had to have a restart to her day when attitudes and words have gotten sassy.

But wait! I cannot forget myself. Years ago I had severe PMS issues that would cause my normally calm demeanor to be short tempered. Children are not the only ones that may need a restart to their day.

What did we do? Sometimes I would suggest we start our day over or one of the kids would say they needed a do over. A little bit of grace goes a long way in turning a terrible, horrible, not good day around. If there were days when we did not do this and instead muddled through, the day usually ended up being completely unproductive and quite honestly draining.

Typically we would go to a quiet place alone (the key) and either read quietly, play quietly, or take a short nap. After a certain amount of time we would come back together and if needed apologize and ask forgiveness. Usually hugging would be involved too. If it was a homeschool day I would try to pick a fun activity like reading a book to them, doing some art together, or exploring our yard to give the day a fresh and positive restart.

Do any of your homeschool days ever need a do over?

I wish I could tell you...

....that our Christmas festivities have gone as smoothly as Thanksgiving's did. They have not. The excitement is doubled with having grandma and grandpa living nearby. (within 20 minutes!) I think we are fortunate as it is not exactly food related. It is schedule related, which I guess ties into meal times but it is beyond that.

With Prader-Willi Syndrome routine is very important. I try to keep to a concrete routine as much as I can but my brain doesn't work that way. I cannot plan out every minute of each day and definitely cannot plan it out for the week. That makes it sound like I do not have routine but for me it works like this- get dressed, breakfast, schoolwork, lunch, and quiet time. This all happens but not with an exact time. After we have a "quiet alone time" our schedule is looser to arrange for errands, interest led schoolwork, field trips, music lessons, and in the spring and fall, sports.

Without the holidays or special occasions like birthdays he seems to be okay with our schedule of events. When I have attempted to exactly plan out our week with him knowing every extra activity things tend to go badly. He will perseverate on the special events, which drives us all batty, and as we all know "things change". We have had vehicle issues the last 6 months so that has caused us to miss some events we would normally go to. We have had a lot of at home time which I do not mind, but A~man is more social than I am. ;) Plus, at times field trip dates change or have to be cancelled for various reasons.  I do see some progress in his thinking as I will say to him "things change" and he will repeat it to me and we are able to talk about the whys of how things change.

Consequently we have had a few REALLY big meltdowns in December. Like knocking my sliding laundry room door off it's track meltdowns. He hasn't been aggressive with us thankfully but we have had a few icky times. It does make me appreciate that this behavior isn't a norm for him anymore. It used to be for a few years. (and I was physically hurt a few times) Now? Once he calms down he feels remorse and apologizes. He has been doing this for a year when he gets out of control almost every time with absolutely no prompting. He asks for forgiveness which breaks my heart in two as I know he cannot help so much of it. What's a mom to do but freely give the grace needed plus a good supply of hugs for good measure?

Today my daughter asked if we had to do school work this week. *ahem* (in the past I say what days we have off during the holidays) I told her, when A~man was not within earshot that if she wanted to she could have the week off, but that A~man would be doing his work except for Christmas Eve and day. With his special needs and learning disabilities his day goes so much smoother if a part of his day is focused on homeschool help and as much routine as I am capable of. Now if it would only stop raining long enough for us to go see an awesome local light display!

Here are some photos I took today of A~man at his finest. Loving on our wonderful dog!

Totally rocking his pink PWS awareness shirt!!! (my boy LOVES pink :)

These gentle moments are ones I treasure!

Back To School (warning...possibly offensive to some)

I keep seeing this photo pop up on my Facebook with certain friends and relatives posting it as their children go back to school. I must say, I am not amused. While I must admit that I would very much enjoy an occasional break from my kids, I consider it an honor to stay home and teach them. In saying that I am not implying that my days are easy and that my children are perfectly behaved. Especially NOT Mondays. What is it about Mondays? Oh and mornings in general typically do not start well until after breakfast. 

How do my days start? EVERY morning the same questions. Mom, what are we doing for breakfast? These are the words I hear before my eyes even pop open from the A~man. It's as if one morning he thinks that perhaps we will not eat breakfast. I guess that's the Prader-Willi Syndrome talking. He doesn't just ask it once, he asks it over and over until he sees what we are having. I have thought about doing a menu calendar, (showing him what he is having the next day) but so far I am just not that organized!

Z~girl in the morning? Well she is following in her mama's footsteps as when I was her age, it was best just not to talk to me before 10 am....(sometimes that is how I am now...shhhhhh!)

But still, I feel blessed being able to have my children at home teaching them. Do I think everyone in the world should homeschool? Not at all. I do like that we live in a country that allows us the freedom to choose how we educate our children and I also know there are a lot of excellent schools out there. But to celebrate the fact that they are not with you just seems sort of sad to me. 

I know of a couple fellow homeschool mamas that have either finished up their last year of homeschooling or are starting their last year. I cannot even imagine what that must be like. It makes me want to slow down and even on the difficult days enjoy this time with my duo as the days pass by so fast.

I must confess, this morning I have gotten a late start to beginning our lessons. I consider this a perk of homeschooling though as in our home some of the best learning takes place after 10 AM. After this mama has had her second cup of coffee that is..... Our day today will be filled with lessons, Lego, and some free puzzle games. Oh and Coffee. Lots of coffee!

The Winter Blahhhhs

January and February are my least favorite months of the year. My fathers birthday and the day he died was in January plus my father in law's birthday was this month. (he passed the same year my father did) February? Instead of the month of LOVE I remember having a miscarriage on Valentines day 20 years ago.  I can't begin to explain the pain that caused plus the years and years of infertility that followed. This is minor compared to all that but I also REALLY miss snow. Yes, we get it on occasion here in WNC but this is the second year it seems to be skipping us. It was at least 60 here today. It just doesn't feel right. I NEED some cold weather even if it is just for a month. Depression just seems to sink into my heart this time of year. Did I mention I believe I have plantar fasciitis so I can't even do my normal walking in this sunny weather??!!

Okay, after reading that paragraph the following song pops into my head so excuse me while I get over myself. < I LOVED HEE HAW WHEN I WAS A CHILD>

On a more positive note both A and Z (and C the hubby) are all doing well! Company is coming in a couple days...that's good and bad as NO the house is not where I want it. A and Z are doing awesome after an almost month long break where they only did some light "schooling". Z in particular is loving her art curriculum and also some new Go Fish art cards she got for Christmas. I love that we both share a love for learning about art! With homeschooling special needs sometimes progress is slow or comes to a halt but I'm happy to say that A~man's reading has had another leap the last couple of months. We have been using Reading Kingdom in addition to Time4Learning and he is doing so well and I can tell he is so proud of himself!

One thing that I would like to start with both...something I have been wanting to do for the last year, is get a creative writing tutor. I feel like this year writing is one of the areas that we are lacking. As creative as both kids are though, I'm sure we will get back up to speed with writing. This school year really is going well and speeding by way too fast!

So I guess, since I cannot currently go hiking in these beautiful mountains I live in, I should sit on the deck and soak up the sun. Maybe I should start planning out our garden for the year that I hope will be much bigger! I should add that the end of February symbolizes new beginnings to me. We were blessed with A~man the last weekend in Feb....we were granted guardianship 5 years later on that same date!

Please send me some snow this way though, before spring!

It's that time of year again!

A couple of weeks ago both A~man and hubby came down with a nasty cold. I honestly thought I had escaped it using every remedy imaginable- essential oils, vitamin C, garlic, chicken soup, YOU NAME IT! Last week it decided that there would be no escape from our home and it hit me like a brick. I'm congested, losing my voice, exhausted and it sounds like I may cough up a lung at any minute. I am so thankful that for the most part our shopping was almost finished before I got sick. Also, the presents that I made for the kids were finished before the cold hit except for one I HOPE to complete tomorrow. Of course there is so much more I wanted to do before Christmas day but right now I am resigned to the fact that I will be doing well to finish wrapping the presents and preparing a simple meal for the big day.

                                                                           

I love Christmas time, honestly I do, but it is so stressful for a child with special needs. Add in a child with multiple special needs and the stress multiplies. A~man was so hyped up yesterday. Hyped beyond his normal hyper self. This time of year everywhere you go food is involved and this is so hard on someone with Prader-willi syndrome. Add in the crowds, Santa helpers walking around, shopping, presents, changing the house around for decorations and that can throw someone with autism in a whirlwind. Heck, that can send the mom,dad, and sister of someone with special needs into that same whirlwind!

                                                        

 The night before we are hoping to go to a Christmas Eve service at our church followed by stopping by a friends house that is having a drop in party...but that all depends on how tomorrow goes. It all depends too on if I am still sick! Before bed we will have our Jesus birthday cake. We are going to try our best to keep things simple on the big day. First we will open presents, then I will make a brunch.(haven't decided what yet EEEK!) Weather permitting, we will hopefully go for a hike in the afternoon followed by dinner. We go so much more basic than the holiday meals I had growing up! We will have ham, green beans, sweet potatoes, rolls and maybe a veggie tray. I haven't decided on dessert yet but I will make a pie. That's it. Growing up it seemed like there was food EVERYWHERE, and people ate all day long! (no exaggeration!) That is a tradition we had to definitely change. 

Originally I planned on taking the rest of December off until after the New Year but Z~girl had an awesome point that she would rather have a bit of extra time off when grandma and grandpa come the middle of January. So we will start back with our paragraph writing and homeschool math the day after Christmas! I hope to do a post in the next couple of days but in case I run out of time (hahah) I want to wish all of you a very Merry CHRISTmas!! No gift since that night can compare with the reason we celebrate this day.

This school year is off to a great start!

Just this last week it dawned on me that after this next year we will be halfway through our homeschool journey. How can that be? Our first year started when A~man was halfway through his kindergarten year and we realized that homeschooling would be a better solution to me having the teachers call me to come pick him up everyday. Not to mention the three hour time out he had in his final classroom. Yes, a child with ADHD, autism and Prader-Willi was put in timeout for 3 hours. Z~girl joined our homeschool that following fall as she attended a preschool the spring that we started homeschooling. Homeschooling a child with learning disabilities has not for the faint of heart but I honestly would not have changed a thing!

We started back with official "school" in August and having a morning routine has helped the behaviors of both kids so much. We are pretty flexible/eclectic homeschoolers in the afternoon but having the morning planned out seems to equal us having a good start to the day. This year we have started using SpellingCity a lot more and I recently discovered a teaching resource page with all kinds of teaching ideas I plan on utilizing!

This is the 4th  year that we have been in a geography club, although I'm not sure what country we are going to do yet. Each month a family does a presentation on a selected country. In the past we have done Australia, Madagascar, and Dennark. It's a fun learning event plus great fun socializing with friends! We also have violin, P.E., soccer, special needs baseball, and a possible running club forming. Last year we were in a 4H lego club but we are trying to decide on remaining in that club. Oh and have I mentioned? Tomorrow we are getting a chicken coop! I have wanted chickens FOREVER. Phew...we have a lot going on and hopefully we won't have to weed any of the activities out but we may if it proves to be too busy. I treasure our times at home most of all.

What extra activities do you all participate in?

Prader-willi syndrome/weight management

(here's a photo of the A~man from 4-H Lego club :)

Just this week the A~man had his annual physical. I was a little nervous about how his weight would do on the charts as I know this last month he has gotten into the pantry more than normal and has gained at least 3 pounds. What I think he does is get into the kitchen during the daytime, at the rare time he is unsupervised  and things are not locked up, and stashes it in his room for when we are all asleep. Also when hubby and I are downstairs in the evenings watching a movie we have caught him in the kitchen when he was supposedly getting up to use the bathroom. At night we have to REALLY check the kitchen to make sure nothing is left out as this last month he grabbed a huge bag of tortillas...and ate them all. (not sure he ate them all at once but he admittedly had a belly ache) In the past something like that wouldn't have been a food he would target so we are learning no food is safe. A lot of people when they observe how we micromanage his food in a restaurant or monitor him around food at a homeschool event really look at us funny as he really is slim looking. In fact at the Drs. office it turned out his BMI was at 75% and before that over the years it has been at 90%.

Fortunately we have very few issues when we go out to eat or go to events with food as he knows we will help him make some good choices. In fact I think him knowing exactly what he will be having, with no chance of talking us into more is comforting to him. No hope of getting more somehow is reassuring to him. He is also better behaved at restaurants than a lot of kids I see. (of course there is the occasional moment)

(I'm stealing this from the PWSA website)

Appetite Disorder

Hypothalamic dysfunction is thought to be the cause of the disordered appetite/satiety function characteristic of PWS. Compulsive eating and obsession with food usually begin before age 6. The urge to eat is physiological and overwhelming; it is difficult to control and requires constant vigilance.

Weight Management Challenge

Compounding the pressure of excessive appetite is a decreased calorie utilization in those with PWS (typically 1,000-1,200 kcal per day for adults), due to low muscle mass and inactivity. A balanced, low-calorie diet with vitamin and calcium supplementation is recommended. Regular weigh-ins and periodic diet review are needed. The best meal and snack plan is one the family or caregiver is able to apply routinely and consistently. Weight control depends on external food restriction and may require locking the kitchen and food storage areas. Daily exercise (at least 30 minutes) also is essential for weight control and health.

To date, no medication or surgical intervention has been found that would eliminate the need for strict dieting and supervision around food. GH treatment, because it increases muscle mass and function, may allow a higher daily calorie level.

A~man hasn't been on growth hormone in a few years but this fall we will be going back to the endocrinologist to see if it might be a good idea to go back on. I hesitate to though, as he is growing tall, (almost 5'4"!) and has really good endurance. We try to walk almost every day with him 3-4 miles. I hope that the habit of walking will be one he takes into adulthood as just something that needs to be done everyday. Most of the time now he does it very willingly.

School is going well for A~man. I think his behaviors have improved since starting back with school work. We tend to be a pretty "spur of the moment" family but the routine we do have in the morning seems to set a good path for his day. (and ours!) Most of his schoolwork in the morning is his online curriculum or online learning games like "sentence match". We are also trying out a really cool online reading program through The Old Schoolhouse Magazine that I will share about soon! Our afternoons lately have been outside. Z~is making a nature book about mushrooms and A~man is making one about trees.  I look forward to our 7th year homeschooling! (well technically it's been 6 and a half years ;)

Using Workboxes

The way our family homeschools could definitely be described as eclectic homeschooling. I've tried to concentrate on different homeschool styles like classical homeschooling, but always end up having to mix things up a bit. Also,what I use for my 10 year old typically developing child often doesn't work with my 12 year old son that learns differently. With him I usually have to approach a subject or concept several different ways before it fully sinks in.

Years ago we did a workbox system. I had about 8 plastic shoe boxes filled for each child with different learning activities in each box. Some of the activities could be done independently and others needed my assistance. I'm thinking about going back to that system next fall. A big part of our curriculum comes from using Time4Learning so there would be a computer card maybe listing how many things they were to pick while using the computer. In another box could include a Time4Learning worksheet to go with what they were learning on the computer. In the past I also included crafts,puzzles,stationary to write a letter,tangrams,books that I wanted them to read a chapter in, and fine motor activities especially for my son.

Here is a workbox photo I "borrowed" from the web. This is similar to the way we did it when our homeschool room was in the basement. I'm thinking about moving things down there again now that we have wireless but, we will see. It's so dark in our basement that we always end up migrating up to our sunny upstairs!

With workboxes you are able to use various curriculum and sort of mesh it together and make it work. I really like the idea of combining their computer work with more hands on activities. It worked really well years ago and I cannot remember why we stopped doing it that way. The only thing I can think of is that it could be really time consuming loading up the boxes each evening or morning.  I'm going to be brainstorming ways to simplify it so check back as I will share my ideas. I welcome anyone else that uses workboxes ideas too!

What type of homeschooler are you?

When we began our homeschool journey (it's been 6 years this month woohoo!) I tried to follow a very structured course of action with all that we did. We took our son out of public school a little over halfway through his kindergarten year and at the time my daughter was in preschool in the morning so that made it easy to work with my son in the mornings. This really helped in getting him caught up in some areas that he wasn't being taught at school but was capable of. The next fall I started homeschooling both of them. I really wanted to try classical homeschooling. Also I wanted to buy a boxed set of certain subjects to simplify things but instead it complicated things for me as I had to do a lot of prep work. Having a child with a  learning disability requires a lot of extra time with physical therapy,occupational therapy, and a lot of specialized doctors. Add in the fact that a child with special needs requires a lot of extra time period. I'm not complaining (ask anyone that knows me) but that is a fact.

If I had to put a type on us I would say we are eclectic homeschoolers. I always start each year out with a plan of action still but often a few months into it I have to switch my approach, even if we are learning the same goals, to something different. A good example would be that for years I have used a certain series of math curriculum that focusses on one skill alone at a time until it is mastered. This worked well with both children for several years but a month ago we were able to try out a different math curriculum that focusses on a wider range of math skills at one time. Guess what? For now it is a great fit!

Another hurdle I have encountered that has gotten bigger this year is that it is pretty much impossible to teach both kids simultaneously. I have to work with them one on one.  It seems to be working itself into a groove though that works for our family. In the last four months my 10 year old daughter has started doing a lot of her work on her own. She likes to wake up early  (before me I'm a night owl;) and independently does her Time4Learning school work. She gets it done a lot easier also as normally her brother sleeps later than she does so the house is completely quiet for her. So then I get up and get breakfast for everyone (sometimes she cooks as she likes to make breakfast) and then I sit down to do A~man's computer work with him. Meanwhile she either reads, crochets, or writes letters to family and friends. I like our online curriculum as it covers pretty much everything but in the afternoon we often do a lot of hands on activities like using our Lego education kits or get books from the library to back up our T4L stuff. Right now A~man is studying about Eskimos/inuits and Z~girl is studying about the Incas and Aztecs.

Another thing we like to do is field trips! Last week hubby took both children with our homeschool group to see a play about the underground railroad. I was disappointed not to go but I was sick and didn't want to share cooties. We go to several plays a year and lots of other learning adventures with our friends. Girl Scouts also has opened up such a learning opportunity over the years as we have a wonderfully creative leader.

So that is how we approach our learning adventure! I must say things rariliy get boring in our home with this approach. Sometimes I do find myself envious of my friends that are classical homeschoolers or those that have a neat and orderly way of doing things. We tried one year having a room JUST for school...but it just didn't work for us. I guess that is the neat thing about homeschooling, tailoring it to meet your own families needs!