Gail Nelson Just kidding. If you know me, you know that not only am I a huge proponent of the arts, in all their forms, but that I also play and teach multiple instruments. The arts, whether or not you actualy participate in some fashion, are part of our human heritage. They show the extremes of beauty … Read more Fine arts? Who needs them? | Editor’s Note
I love games. All sorts, really. Board games are a particular favorite, and the twins have inherited my love of them. During those cold winter days, sometimes you just don’t want to go outside, so we play games. We have a few criteria for deciding whether to keep or donate a game, and they are: … Read more Games | A Few of Our Favorite Things…
Why does our family homeschool? So we can customize the twins’ learning. To that end, we choose a variety of learning opportunities; some of which are considered extracurricular activities – art and music are the biggest in this category. However, I do not see them as “extracurricular,” I see them as part of who we … Read more Extra-Curriculars Aren’t “Extra”
When we started homeschooling, we had a lofty goal: To teach them everything the school wouldn’t or couldn’t. As time went on, we realized that there were many things that school would not have taught them. We also saw that, because there are so many things to see, explore, and learn about in this world, … Read more Teach the Kids EVERYTHING? It’s Not Possible!
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. Thomas Edison Why would any of us welcome failure – and then call it a friend?! I do though. I mean, mostly. Failing at something only means, to me, that I have more to learn. Life would be awfully boring if there weren’t more to learn. But our … Read more Failure: It’s My Best Friend
There are dozens of books on different types of journaling habits, procedures, etc. I have a confession: I have not read a single one of them. That’s right, not one! Just to be a rebel without a cause… I’m never going to read one either! It isn’t that I do not read – I do … Read more How I Journal, and Why
Music, Art and Science? Can You Really Make Them Work Together? There seems to be a disconnect in the world – between and the idea that if you are “mathy” or “sciency”you cannot be creative, and the reality of how science and the arts are truly interconnected. Many often believe that science and the arts … Read more Are Science, Music, and Music Really Interconnected?
Sometime before we moved, a student’s father recommended this book. He and his wife are teachers, and both are of the opinion that all students are not alike, I really respected both of them. I miss that family! Now that we’re finally getting settled, and I have a little more time to read all those … Read more The Self-Driven Child | Book Review
During a visit to Half Price Books, my husband, David, stumbled across this book, The Fundamentals of Drawing: A complete professional course for artists, by Barrington Barber. I am not known for my skill in drawing, but both my husband and one of the twins are quite good. We checked out, having not picked up … Read more The Fundamentals of Drawing | Review
Many people dislike squash in general – whether it’s zucchini or pumpkin, acorn squash or delicata, there’s just something about it they love to hate. Spaghetti squash is different though. With its very mild flavor, it takes on the flavor of pretty much whatever you mix with it. It’s called spaghetti squash because the flesh, … Read more Spaghetti Squash | The Versatile Winter Squash
