The power of children

I think the most ridiculous question about homeschooling is socialization. So, does everyone asking that really think that homeschooling means you sit IN YOUR HOME? It is absurd to me that adults actually can't be more creative then that. Or that they can't see that school is NOT socialization. Is that what the school system produces, adults lacking any imagination about this?

This is a typical day for Scout. This day is filled with boys and girls ranging from 5-15 years old as well as adults. They work side by side with each other and the adults. Together they plan, problem solve, work as a team, have fun, look out for each other, celebrate each other and take care of a pony. This is real world socialization, this is a typical day in the life of our unschooler.

 She arrives, surveys the scene, prepares for her first barrel race of the season.

 We brought friends, they love horses too. They were here to learn about barrel racing and help Scout and Tonto. Because that's how home-schooled kids are. They help each other, boys and girls, younger or older, they play and work together. They accept each other for who they are, they don't bully.

 

Tonto gets unloaded from the trailer.

 

Friends work together to get Tonto ready for her race.

 

Scout wants to do so much all by herself now, such a big girl.

 

 Everyone pitches in and helps out.

 

Scout has been REALLY wanting to braid Tonto's mane and tail. While I was registering, Tava step's up and gets it done with Scout. That's right, a 14 year old girl takes the time to do something nice for a 5 year old girl...homeschool kids!

SS

 

 Waiting for the race to start

 

Behind the scene's 15 year old Hannah is the team photographer today. That is her passion so I hand off the camera. The awesome photo's from this blog entry are all taken by her! 

We learn the barrel patterns before heading to the ring.

 

 

 

It turns out there are not any club members on site to help run the show. We need a gate keeper and several helpers to set up and take down the props between each race. These amazing kids step up and take on the task. Without them the show would have been a disaster!

 Off they go, Scout and Tonto!!!

 

 

 

When the show is over, we all go home, together...

 

LIFE IS GOOD!!

 

 

The arts in nature

Our summer Thursdays are glorious! Music, art and creative play amidst the forest with dogs, chickens and horses surrounding the whole scene!

Learning guitar in the sandbox!!! 

Percussion instruments and voice come alive!!

Sponge shape printing...

Continuing work on the alphabet hand prints...

Then finish up the day with fun in the pond!!

Life in our nature school is GOOD!

Moonlight paddle

Last night we explored Shawme Pond, a place we drive by almost everyday but had never learned of its hidden secrets! The list of wildlife sightings is long! 2 otter ( on separate ponds), 3 great blue herron ( mostly flying around us, looking for a night roost) , king fishers, red winged black birds, bull frogs, dragonflys, wildflower garden, swans with signets, Canadian geese, bunny, quartz rocks. 

When we got to the far, hidden end of the pond we discovered a fish ladder.

Then we notice a take out.....must explore!

There was a beautiful wildflower garden at the top. 

We followed all the trails and discovered old trees, an old foundation, another pond and a geocache!

The sun was setting and we headed back to the yaks.

For a full moonlit paddle back to the launch!

ArtKids - nature loom and alphabet hand prints

A short entry today. The kids started 2 big projects that will take a few sessions to finish.

They started learning to weave on the giant garden loom. Fabric scraps, colorful yarn, ferns and flowers. I will continue to photograph their progress as it gets more filled in!

We have 4 boards, with space for each letter of the alphabet. The children are making hand prints and then turning it into something that begins with each letter......this one is G green, brilliant. 

B bunny and C cherry tree

T tree

We have lots more letters to go, stay tuned!

4th of July Art

Today's art included repurposing, creativity, painting, nature, whittling, history. 

They started with rectangles of a repurposed white dress. Using red, white and blue paint they decorated their flags.

While the flags dry they hunt for sticks to use as flag poles.

Then they learn knife handling skills and whittle the bark away.

Strips of patriotic cloth are ripped into strings to tie the flags to the sticks. 

They now have beautiful flags to take to the parades!