tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42908658858942517132024-03-13T08:41:38.492-05:00Mrs. Kastner's KlassJamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-46902673508199043942020-08-20T09:05:00.001-05:002020-08-20T09:07:24.226-05:00Why homeschool As I sit here absorbing the news of school district after school district scrambling to decide their approach to this school year, and then many of them reversing or amending those decisions last minute, I have never felt more happy to be a homeschooling parent. I am happy to be the boss of our school year. I'm also grateful for all those extra minutes with these humans I made. So with gumby like flexibility, the Kastners are going to weather this pandemic right from the comfort of the place we've always been... schooling at home. I don't believe in telling other people what to do; however, if virtual school is being thrust upon you (for some of you at the last minute), could I please tell you something? It's not too late to homeschool. <div><br></div><div>With virtual school someone else sets the rules, curriculum, time frame, everything. If you homeschool, you are the boss. You pick the subjects and curriculum. You can choose to use the subjects and curriculum your public school was using, you can choose a different curriculum, you can make up your own! We have always used a mashup of many different curriculums: we love Abeka for language, science, and history, but Saxon is our math choice. I've found other things I like too: Apples for spelling and phonics review and Khan Academy for math support. I make up my own sometimes. For senior year, I create a literature course based on my child's interests. We've done military literature and graphic novels so far. You can go with free options or pricey options or anywhere in between. The choices are literally limitless, and YOU are the boss.</div><div><br></div><div>Homeschooling has been the hardest, best thing I have ever done. But what I have valued the absolute most is time. More minutes with these awesome humans I'm molding is something I will NEVER regret sacrificing for. If you can find a way I recommend figuring out how to get more minutes with your humans. You will love being the one there when a light bulb moment occurs. As long as your kids have to be home, why not be the one interacting with them instead of a teacher on a screen.</div><div><br></div><div>When Noah was approaching school age, we investigated virtual school. Ultimately we did not choose that route. The biggest reason we opted against virtual schooling was the rigorous specifications that would be imposed on us. We like to school all year long. The start and end of our school year is dependent more upon when we finish our coursework than a date on the calendar. Our school day never really starts or ends. Algebra at 8 p.m., math at a picnic table while on vacation, diagramming sentences on the driveway, these are all real things that happen in our homeschool. For me, the flexibility is one of the biggest reasons we continue to chose homeschool over virtual school. As I hear people lament about logging on to zoom meetings at specific times and enforcing teacher chosen assignments, it just occurs to me that homeschool would be a more flexible option. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm sure the thought of homeschooling sounds overwhelming, especially in the middle of a pandemic, at the last minute. But having done this for 13 years, I can with absolute certainty say you CAN do this. I know you can! I would be HAPPY to be a resource to you. The very first thing you would need to investigate is your state's regulations. Use this link:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://hslda.org/legal?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvvj5BRDkARIsAGD9vlIZUqw7u8Lf2aRQFsRkDh2FePdM7ccexiRoe8Q-J-B-pVpudAc3M5IaAubsEALw_wcB">State Homeschooling Regulations</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>Then please reach out to me if you want any advice, help, ideas about homeschooling. Wherever you land, good luck! And remember there is not a perfect option for this unprecedented situation we are facing. Find freedom in picking the flawed option that works best for YOUR familt.</div>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-84820702556284943672020-08-06T20:38:00.001-05:002020-08-06T20:40:15.247-05:00Research Projects: Note CardsIt's time to get down to the nitty gritty! Let's get ready to RESEARCH!<div><br></div><div>A few things before you start....</div><div><br></div><div>*only put one thought/idea on a card... </div><div>*write notes in your own words!</div><div>*if you are quoting a source, put the information in quotations on your note card</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7wqOzI-scJU/XyywrQBzyCI/AAAAAAAAdq0/sxF3n3mhJKsXYmd7AvBR086gaLGjy_JIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1596764331241028-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7wqOzI-scJU/XyywrQBzyCI/AAAAAAAAdq0/sxF3n3mhJKsXYmd7AvBR086gaLGjy_JIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1596764331241028-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>Just a few more things:</div><div><br></div><div>*you need A LOT more note cards than you think</div><div>*it's better to scrap some note cards when you start to write than to run out of research halfway through your rough draft</div><div>*not to be repetitive but USE YOUR OWN WORDS or quote it! Plagiarism does not look good on anyone.</div>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-39406013219090420482020-08-06T20:32:00.001-05:002020-08-06T20:32:17.752-05:00Research Projects: Bibliography CardsCite your source! When you write a research paper... heck! When you state a fact of ANY kind! It's important to give credit where credit is due. That's what your bibliography cards are for.<div><br></div><div>For our assignment, a minimum of one book, one magazine article, and one Internet source were required. Before doing any research we made our bibliography cards.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8DEJaZ6qtQg/XyyvIK8EsxI/AAAAAAAAdqU/cmgiLut0HYsw3pQJ-FShxZ2ZxDtwMMYnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1596763935339302-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8DEJaZ6qtQg/XyyvIK8EsxI/AAAAAAAAdqU/cmgiLut0HYsw3pQJ-FShxZ2ZxDtwMMYnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1596763935339302-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div></div><div>(I forgot to highlight the punctuation on the Internet card... 🤦🏼♀️)</div>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-22311411933713574862020-08-06T18:41:00.001-05:002020-08-06T19:01:50.214-05:00Research Projects: Preliminary OutlineOnce you pick a topic, the first thing you need is an outline.... a road map for your paper. This first outline is your preliminary outline. Easy on the details... HEAVY on the organization.<div><br></div><div>A couple of points:</div><div><br></div><div>*Roman Numerals... then capital letters... don't need to go any farther than that right now.</div><div>*K.I.S.S. - keep it simple silly.... we're using just a few words for each point... really just skimming the top of the subjects</div><div>*it's a good idea to do this one in pencil so you can make changes as you research (but I'm too in love with blue ink to use pencil 😉)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-phozBF5Oivg/XyyVC0oROzI/AAAAAAAAdqA/ejU1XwZZqscTgHZjg0DBi7u1s02VPVUUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1596757257915485-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-phozBF5Oivg/XyyVC0oROzI/AAAAAAAAdqA/ejU1XwZZqscTgHZjg0DBi7u1s02VPVUUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1596757257915485-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-18212779001481010312020-07-28T06:31:00.001-05:002020-08-06T18:46:49.569-05:00Research Projects: Plan It!It's research project time! Yesterday we started with planning our projects. Our first task was narrowing down a topic.<div><br><div>I gave them 3 large index cards. Two of the cards had a topic on the front. I gave them a few minutes to jot down as much as they knew about those topics on the back of the card. This was our brainstorming.</div><div><br></div><div>Then we talked about the three types of sources they would need to have:</div><div><br></div><div>-book</div><div>-magazine/newspaper</div><div>-Internet</div><div><br></div><div>Finally we talked about needing a topic that was not too broad or too narrow, and a topic that they knew enough about to start, but also one they would like to know more about.</div><div><br></div><div>Assignment for tomorrow:<br><div><br></div><div>*choose and brainstorm a 3rd topic</div><div>*think about sources</div><div>*rank your topic cards </div></div></div>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-26744306819486467142018-09-01T07:19:00.001-05:002020-07-27T20:23:11.807-05:00Lessons from a homeschool graduation<p dir="ltr">Even though I am a teacher by training, this journey called homeschooling has been FRAUGHT with worry... self-doubt... and fear. I worry constantly if I'm giving my kids a good enough education. I worry if they will get in to college. I wonder if I'm making a huge mistake. And I do worry about that QUINTESSENTIAL homeschooling dilemma: will they be properly equipped to socialize with other people. These students were my most important students. My success or failure with these ones mattered the most.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Yesterday was Noah's last day. He graduated! by homeschooling... and I realized.... this child is PERFECTLY equipped for the future he has chosen. For the future that has been his desire since he was 10 years old. He is perfectly ready to "yes sir" and push up and salute his way through basic training. He is ready to SERVE this country in an honorable and dedicated manner. I know in my heart this child will be a BEAST in the Army. And guess what??? God knew all along that this was his next step. When I was worrying and wondering about ACTs, portfolios, admissions interviews.... God was sitting there whispering "trust me"... because none of those things were THIS child's future. He aced his ASVAB. He is KILLING his physical fitness requirements. He is dotting every i and crossing every t the Army puts in front of him.</p>
<p dir="ltr">I think my biggest takeaway from the past year is the fact that it was OK that I didn't know the end game because God did. I didn't have to worry about college or SATs or even careers. My job was to obey God. He told me to homeschool these children. I just needed to be as faithful as possible in the teaching and loving and every day molding and then leave the outcome in His hands. I knew this... but now I really KNOW this. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Mommas out there... homeschoolers... will you TRY to believe me... every changed diaper... wiped nose... sticky kiss... learned math fact... memorized Bible verse... they matter... do them faithfully, but let God worry about orchestrating all those things into an amazing human being. Also will someone please remind me of this with the next three???</p>
JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-10133439415132426602014-06-19T11:13:00.003-05:002014-06-19T11:14:13.049-05:00Confessions of a homeschooling failure.....I cry nearly <b>EVERY</b>, <b>SINGLE </b>day of homeschooling. I'm not lying. I'm not exaggerating. This is the <b>SINGLE </b>most <b>DIFFICULT </b>thing I have ever done. Juggling a job, a sick husband, caring for an old lady all while trying to homeschool 4 children... it breaks me <b>EACH </b>and <b>EVERY </b>day. Somewhere around the 17th, "Mom can I skip number ____?" and the 14th, "Hannah is sitting at MY desk!" I fall apart... a hot, mad mess of tears and snot (can you guess that's exactly the posture from which I am writing THIS blog?) Many days this happens <b>WELL </b>before noon, and more often than not it is accompanied or more likely preceded by my very best "<b>YOU WON'T LIKE ME WHEN I'M ANGRY</b>" impression of The Hulk.<br />
<br />
Most sane people would ask, then <b>WHY </b>do you do it? <b>WHY </b>do you put yourself through constantly feeling like a failure? <b>WHY </b>do you deal with the never-ending worry that you are missing some component of your children's education? <b>WHY </b>do you open yourself up to the frequent criticism of others who believe in "real school"? <b>WHY </b>do you <b>FIGHT </b>and <b>CRY </b>and <b>SCRATCH </b>and <b>CLAW </b>your way through each and every difficult day?<br />
<br />
The only answer I have:<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BECAUSE IT IS WORTH EVERY SINGLE TEAR!</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
1. I honestly <b>LIKE </b>the people my children are becoming because they are homeschooled. They are kind, empathetic, interested in others and becoming quite <b>WELL </b>equipped to interact in this world.<br />
<br />
2. I love that my children are learning while keeping a <b>DEEP </b>interest in learning. One of my favorite parts of homeschooling is that it doesn't deaden my children to the wonder of learning. They become the kind of people who <b>WANT </b>to know how to spell things correctly or what is the right way to use this word or that word. They are <b>EAGER </b>to learn new things which is <b>NOT </b>the same as being <b>EAGER </b>to do their lesson (I'm starting to preach to myself here: <i>Jami! Do not DESPAIR that they don't WANT to do 36 math problems! Their desire to LEARN is more important than that!</i>)<br />
<br />
So now that the veil is off and this post is revealed for what it really is: a desperate attempt to get myself back on track after a meltdown that found me with my forehead plastered to my desk calendar.... I'm going to lift up my head, brush off that paper clip stuck to my forehead and give a little cheer for all of us homeschooling failures out there:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*You can <b>DO </b>this!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*Even when you're failing a little you're succeeding at <b>SO </b>much!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*This most difficult thing you've ever done is the <b>BEST </b>thing you will <b>EVER </b>do!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*Now get your head off your desk calendar and get back to <b>HOMESCHOOLING</b>! </span><br />
<br />
(That's what I'm going to do.)JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-30873452485335260152012-07-12T15:20:00.000-05:002012-07-12T15:20:46.928-05:00Summer... Summer... Summertime....As previously confessed here on this blog, we do <b>NOT </b>take a real summer break. In Mrs. Kastner's Klass we just keep plugging along almost ALL summer, occasionally taking a few weeks off in August. "Sooooooo," you might ask, "what do you <b>DO </b>all summer then?"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki_r4iaZQmI/T_8v5b6r8nI/AAAAAAAAAcM/XqsLzLXwfRc/s1600/7-12-12+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ki_r4iaZQmI/T_8v5b6r8nI/AAAAAAAAAcM/XqsLzLXwfRc/s320/7-12-12+116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Math</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">1. </span><b style="background-color: white;">Math</b><span style="background-color: white;">: We finish our math curriculum. Some homeschoolers just get through as much of the book as they can in a school year. I</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"> <b>(the QUINTESSENTIAL penny-pincher)</b> </span><span style="background-color: white;">prefer to work cover-to-cover, getting EVERY cent out of the curriculum I purchased. So we finish our math books. Often I allow them to take off on their own working at their own pace once summer comes.</span><b style="background-color: white;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Noah POUNDS it trying to finish because he knows that means more time to play Xbox once he finishes Math. Jeremiah just takes his time. Elijah has to be forcibly encouraged to do ANYTHING even Math which he is GREAT at.)</span> </b><span style="background-color: white;">Once they are done with their Math books that is one less school task they have to complete each day </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><b>(until fall comes and bring a brand new book... hee hee hee!)</b></span><span style="background-color: white;">. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rBEaL6K3m4/T_8v0adW-kI/AAAAAAAAAcE/mdX1apHtg3E/s1600/7-12-12+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9rBEaL6K3m4/T_8v0adW-kI/AAAAAAAAAcE/mdX1apHtg3E/s320/7-12-12+115.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">2. </span><b style="background-color: white;">Reading: </b><span style="background-color: white;">We always have to keep on reading. This year I started a summer reading program. I gave the older two boys a "Summer Reading List" filled with classic books I had recently stocked my library with </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><b>(from the $1 section at Target! OHHHHH do I get GREAT deals there!)</b></span><span style="background-color: white;">. They both just finished Oliver Twist and are now independently taking on The Jungle Book </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><b>(Noah)</b> </span><span style="background-color: white;">and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer</span><b style="background-color: white;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Jeremiah)</span></b><span style="background-color: white;">. I gave Elijah and Hannah blank lists to fill in a specified number of books they read this summer. I will admit that I had to offer a monetary reward </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><b>(well actually it is Gamestop $$$ for the boys and Barbie $$$ for the princess)</b></span><span style="background-color: white;">, but for the FIRST time ever, I have caught BOTH of my older boys doing the Jami/Jodi </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><b>(walking around the house while still reading a book)</b></span><span style="background-color: white;">. I welled up with a tear in my good eye!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSsE0vdFoCU/T_8v9SIml2I/AAAAAAAAAcU/b1Bc8QFL0us/s1600/7-12-12+118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSsE0vdFoCU/T_8v9SIml2I/AAAAAAAAAcU/b1Bc8QFL0us/s320/7-12-12+118.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun Fonix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">3. </span><b style="background-color: white;">Mechanics</b><span style="background-color: white;">: This is what I call the bare bones things they need to keep up on in the summer. All my kids pretty much ROCK at math; therefore, this is typically something in the language arts family. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><b>(The irony of this fact is NOT lost on me.... the former Grammar Teacher with the English minor.... but my boys just do NOT enjoy reading, spelling, grammar, etc... <i>*sigh*</i>) </b></span><span style="background-color: white;">This</span><span style="background-color: white;"> summer Noah and Jeremiah are pounding away at some spelling while Elijah and Hannah are doing some phonics work.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">4. </span><b>Bible</b><span style="background-color: white;">: We never stop teaching the Word either. We are currently reviewing several passages of scripture we have memorized over the past few years while we take a walk through the Bible. In fact last week, I found a GREAT book for this purpose.... before we were just kinda doing it on our own... this book helped us get a framework to work from.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvK7AZWOd0U/T_8wBJ-HQAI/AAAAAAAAAcc/l0c3mbRrU9k/s1600/7-12-12+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvK7AZWOd0U/T_8wBJ-HQAI/AAAAAAAAAcc/l0c3mbRrU9k/s320/7-12-12+119.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">5. <b>Martial Arts</b>: John is still working to start his Christian Martial Arts ministry <a href="http://www.risingsonsmartialarts.com/home">Rising Sons Martial Arts</a>. He is using a form of Martial Arts called, Christjitsu. Our 4 kiddos and 1 neighbor kid are his cornerstones. They haven't done Christjitsu since before we went to Georgia as they train outdoors and the heat has been pretty dangerous lately, but typically they do Christjitsu 2x per week.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">6. <b>FUN STUFF</b>: We keep on learning through fun stuff in the summer too. Our trip to Georgia to see my brother graduate from basic training was FILLED with learning adventures: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">*first airplane ride for Elijah & Hannah</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">*first terminal train and monorail ride for many </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">*first getting separated in the airport and watching mommy BREAKDOWN in front of tons of people as well</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">*the graduation ceremony was CHOCK FULL of history and instruction</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dNQ_b2Kk0l8/T_8w4nhtftI/AAAAAAAAAco/BVC57vG29DQ/s1600/kastner+kids+and+seth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dNQ_b2Kk0l8/T_8w4nhtftI/AAAAAAAAAco/BVC57vG29DQ/s320/kastner+kids+and+seth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Tanisha & Dustin took the kids to the Zoo. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBVufN5jGek/T_8xOFMPMEI/AAAAAAAAAcw/Cw4i9iZYkkI/s1600/7-12-12+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBVufN5jGek/T_8xOFMPMEI/AAAAAAAAAcw/Cw4i9iZYkkI/s320/7-12-12+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AqL6bPXgavE/T_8xWaY26EI/AAAAAAAAAc4/Lq_jtJi72Jg/s1600/7-12-12+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AqL6bPXgavE/T_8xWaY26EI/AAAAAAAAAc4/Lq_jtJi72Jg/s320/7-12-12+041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">We are also SOON planning trips to the museum and the domes now that mommy finally got her new driver's license </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(worst DMV photo EVER! I'd rather go to jail then show a cop my ID!)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
So anyways.... before you start feeling too bad for those poor Kastner Kids who have to go to school ALL summer long, remember that a lot of what they do in the summer is FUN too<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <b>(yesterday I read on FB: reading is like dreaming with your eyes open!)</b></span><b> </b>and don't forget that all year long the Kastner Kids get to go to school in their pajamas!<br />
<br />
Stay cool everybody!
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-57582794664802456842012-04-16T11:11:00.001-05:002012-04-16T11:28:10.872-05:00Flavors....I've been doing a lot of thinking about homeschooling lately. A few months ago, due to an open enrollment/school choice opportunity, we REALLY prayed hard about putting the kids in traditional school. Recently I've faced some challenges to my homeschooling choice. Because of that I wanted to take a second to share a little of my philosophy on education. It is CLOSELY tied to my philosophy on choosing a church, determining your convictions, living ALL of life!<br />
<br />
See as a former teacher, I believe I have a unique perspective on homeschooling. I'm sure to some I am a bit of enigma... "Why in the world did you spend time and money getting a degree in teaching only to choose NOT to send your children into the traditional educational system????" <br />
<br />
The best analogy I can come up with is: ice cream. My philosophy on choosing the right church for your family, determining what convictions you will hold to, living your life, making the correct educational choice for your children.... they all come back to ice cream.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Owowu5OCJ0/T4xIle02jmI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/S7sKYK00M_I/s1600/Ice-Cream-Cones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Owowu5OCJ0/T4xIle02jmI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/S7sKYK00M_I/s320/Ice-Cream-Cones.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The reason there are so many different flavors of ice cream is because there are so many different "flavors" of people. Not everyone likes chocolate... not everyone likes nuts in their ice cream... not everyone likes fruity ice cream.... therefore a MYRIAD of flavors exist so we can all be happy.<br />
<br />
This fits churchs: not everyone likes raising their hands in worship... not everyone likes the American Idol worship experience... not everyone likes quiet and reserved... therefore a MYRIAD of denominations exist so we can all be happy.<br />
<br />
It also fits education. I believe that as parents it is OUR job to evaluate all of the educational opportunities available to us and choose the best fit for our children and our family. There are a MYRIAD of educational choices: public school, private school, religious school, military school, virtual schooling, homeschooling so we can all be happy. <br />
<br />
I really and TRULY do NOT believe that EVERYONE should homeschool. I believe that as the world's best experts on Noah, Jeremiah, Elijah, and Hannah Kastner, John and Jami Kastner are charged with the responsibility of evaluating all the choices available and determining what is the best educational option for those 4 children. For right NOW, actually for the 2012 - 2013 school year as well... homeschooling is the best option for the Kastner children. Only God knows what the future brings for them.<br />
<br />
I challenge ANYONE who might read this blog to open your mind and evaluate ALL of the options available for your child/children. Then make a prayerful decision based upon what is best for YOUR child and family. God bless!JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-24096049518783763962011-10-20T07:07:00.000-05:002011-10-20T07:07:16.222-05:00Benefits of homeschoolingThere are so many benefits to homeschooling. Some are solid, backed up by fact. Some are fuzzy, warm intangibles. But all combine to make homeschooling a valid (and in my humble opinion), superior educational choice.<br />
<br />
1.<b> Small student-teacher ratio </b>-- Even in VERY large homeschooling families, the student-teacher ratio is MUCH smaller than in the average traditional school. According to the <a href="http://nces.ed.gov/">IES National Center for Educational Statistics</a> in this nation's schools, the average student-teacher ratio in 2009 - 2010 was 15.38 students to 1 teacher. The student-teacher ratio in the Kastner household -- 4 to 1. The Kastner children are getting nearly four times more teacher attention at home than they would in a traditional school. This means that they cannot get off task as much. They cannot daydream and zone out. They cannot write a note instead of listening to their math lesson. They cannot sneak a novel inside their science textbook and read during science class (YUPS! this book nerd DID that!) Bare bones: they get MORE time from their teacher, which I believe translates into higher quality education.<br />
<br />
2. <b>Individualized curriculum</b> -- In a traditional school, the curriculum is standardized by a curriculum committee that dependent upon your district could take into consideration the needs of all children in a given grade for your entire school, district or even state. This makes some people very comfortable... knowing that all fourth graders in this school, district or state are learning ______________. However, this mom doesn't want her kids getting a one-size-fits-all education. One size DOESN'T fit all in this house. Noah is very interested in history, studying wars, and learning about weapons. Jeremiah has such a strong creative bone... devising stories, role playing, and pretending are all his forte. Elijah is a math WHIZ! He LOVES a great math lesson. Hannah just loves everything about Kindergarten so it is hard to say what her "leanings" are towards. By intimately knowing these children, I am able to individualize their curriculum so that while Noah is researching Pearl Harbor (HIS chosen research paper topic by the way) he doesn't even realize he is learning to research, form sentences properly, make an outline, organize a research paper. He is so excited to learn about Pearl Harbor I can sneak in all sorts of English lessons. And when something EXCITING happens around here I can use it as a learning experience. Most importantly I am able to incorporate our faith and our morals into every single lesson I teach. We start each morning by pledging our allegiance to our country, our Savior and the Word. We rattle through the books of the Bible next. We memorize LARGE portions of scripture. Every subject is taught from a Biblical worldview. Being able to individualize our curriculum choices to our family and our children delivers a superior educational experience for them.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Flexibility</b> -- This one is a little more intangible, and it has been touched on in previous blogs. Homeschooling allows the flexibility to decide what will be taught, when it will be taught, where it will be taught. A homeschooling schedule allows children to go to dentist appointments without missing instructional time. It allows parents to take off on educational tangents that interest THEIR children. It allows learning to take place at home, in the car, even on vacation. Many homeschooling families educate year round. We in the Kastner household do an abbreviated schedule in the summers and around holidays, but we have VERY few times of complete and total abstaining from school. The flexibility of homeschooling allows me to give my children not only MORE educational time but higher quality time as well.<br />
<br />
4. <b>Learning Struggles</b> -- There is no teacher in this world who loves Noah, Jeremiah, Elijah and Hannah as much as I do. [Please note that I say this as a teacher who LOVED her students as if they were her own. I CARED about those children A LOT, but still I know that there is NO WAY I cared about any of them more than their mom did.] There is no person in this world who is more committed to their educational success. There is no one who will more doggedly pursue solutions to their struggle, who will more passionately run after the tools needed to make them succeed, who will work as hard as I will work to make sure that these four children grow into functioning adults who love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and being. This being said, I don't believe I am an island. I employ the instructors at the TAG Center to teach my children swim lessons because they have an expertise in it. I will likely outsource other parts of their education as well: foreign language, musical instruments, geometry (AH! I hated geometry! Thank you Bob Miller and Mr. Welborn... I would have NEVER made it through geometry without YOU!) My point is with ME on the case these children will get through their learning struggles because it is INTENSELY important to me that they do. The fact that the teacher is the mom works to a child's advantage providing them with an intensely devoted educational program that helps them navigate the tough parts of their education.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying all of YOU have to choose to homeschool. I'm just laying out the benefits of homeschooling as I see them.... I welcome your thoughts, realizing that if non-homeschoolers stumble upon this blog, it could become a bit hot in here.<br />
<br />
Have a GREAT day everyone!JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-66514638448842456612011-10-15T10:07:00.002-05:002011-10-15T11:03:41.774-05:00Asphalt ProjectThere are SO many different reasons I love homeschooling, but one of them is FOR SURE this... I want my kids to learn to be LEARNERS. All of their life I want them to keep on learning. I love to turn everyday things into lessons because I want them to be the kind of people who see lessons EVERYWHERE.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UF4y1bVMD9I/TpmsT2j4h7I/AAAAAAAAAU0/QUxxbZf5Dgg/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UF4y1bVMD9I/TpmsT2j4h7I/AAAAAAAAAU0/QUxxbZf5Dgg/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Yesterday we got a new driveway! If you want to read about it in proper order do it like this:</div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://mylifeasalesson.blogspot.com/2009/09/hill.html">The Hill</a></div><div><a href="http://mylifeasalesson.blogspot.com/2011/10/great-day-to-wake-up.html">A great day to wake up</a></div><div><a href="http://mylifeasalesson.blogspot.com/2011/10/driveway.html">Driveway</a></div><div><br />
</div><div>It was such an exciting experience for our family and on Friday morning I decided to turn it into a project... [we're still in the midst of that... final versions expected some time next week] Our project is CHOCK full of lessons, subjects, and experiences. By the time we are done, it will have included scientific hypotheses, creative writing, careful observation, photography, English, research, picture selection, caption writing and portfolio assembly. This project is the definition of AWESOME! </div><div><br />
</div><div>We started around the kitchen table. We discussed our hypotheses of what we would see, hear, smell and touch during this project. [We discussed the fact that while taste is our fifth sense, we wouldn't really taste anything in this project.... yet STILL at the end of the day the kids BEGGED me to let them taste the driveway... NO! I didn't let them! I'm not THAT crazy!]</div><div><br />
</div><div>When we finished our conjectures we waited for the men. Every time a truck came down our road the kids RAN to the window. The excitement was so thick you could feel it. The kids wrote their blogs about what this driveway would mean for our family as they waited. </div><div><br />
</div><div>When they arrived the kids ran outside clipboards in hand to begin checking off the items on their lists of things they would hear, see, smell and touch.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mYNxmmc8TM/TpmRP7EmhaI/AAAAAAAAAUc/4mDGQB5OzWs/s1600/2011-10-14+10.43.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9mYNxmmc8TM/TpmRP7EmhaI/AAAAAAAAAUc/4mDGQB5OzWs/s320/2011-10-14+10.43.31.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><br />
</div><div>We took turns taking pictures of the event.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvUkklAJgDU/TpmQpA02b8I/AAAAAAAAAUM/mGxmDC0SFhk/s1600/2011-10-14+10.40.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UvUkklAJgDU/TpmQpA02b8I/AAAAAAAAAUM/mGxmDC0SFhk/s320/2011-10-14+10.40.14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b60o0pajhuQ/TpmQ-LyBLvI/AAAAAAAAAUU/05yeXPFdEqg/s1600/2011-10-14+10.41.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b60o0pajhuQ/TpmQ-LyBLvI/AAAAAAAAAUU/05yeXPFdEqg/s320/2011-10-14+10.41.19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aclTI5L2M0c/TpmReus5SOI/AAAAAAAAAUk/gMMgfHsnpxU/s1600/2011-10-14+10.50.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aclTI5L2M0c/TpmReus5SOI/AAAAAAAAAUk/gMMgfHsnpxU/s320/2011-10-14+10.50.42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>After at least a good hour of observation, we headed inside where we started writing out our observations. What we heard, smelled, and felt. We took time later in the day to go and FEEL the driveway, which ended with them barrel rolling down the driveway as the landlord arrived to check it out.<br />
<br />
Today we are finishing up our writing, choosing pictures, sending them to be printed, and then starts the portfolio assembly. We plan to send one completed portfolio to our landlord so he can take part in the fun too!<br />
<br />
And here's the best part.... the kids hardly realize that I snuck in grammar, science, creative writing, photography, and a myriad of other lessons! woohoo! That's what I call a homeschooling victory!</div>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-60961562371744284832011-10-13T07:57:00.000-05:002011-10-13T07:57:17.866-05:00Fall Vocational BreakThis week we took a short Fall Vocational Break... It was inspired by our NEED for John to finish up the bedroom he is remodeling for his niece, but it turned out to be a different kind of "school." See that's one of the things I love MOST about homeschooling! The classroom NEVER closes! Here are the vocational courses completed this week during our "break" from school:<br />
<br />
Noah... Having a Job 101... Noah arose at 6 a.m. each day of "break" and headed off to work with dad. He worked a full day, hanging, mudding, sanding (and other things I can't begin to understand) drywall. He measured, cut and nailed. He worked HARD! The first day he slept all the way home in the van.<br />
<br />
Jeremiah.. Big Brother 101... Jeremiah typically gets to hang out in the background. Being ultra responsible and reliable, doing his thing, but not having as much on his shoulders because he is second in line. This week, he learned how to be THE big brother. He stepped up and took Noah's place while he was off working away and it was a great learning experience for Jeremiah.<br />
<br />
Elijah... Prayer 101... Elijah's vocational course was COMPLETELY unintentional... instigated by waking a little too early... he went on a prayer walk with me... it was DIVINE seriously it WAS... as we walked I would tell him what/who I was praying for and then we would walk in silence a little, each praying silently to ourselves... when I told him I was praying for him, he asked, "For what?" I said I was praying that he would love Jesus all the days of his life. He said, "I'm gonna mom! I'm gonna be a pastor you know." with a little exasperation in his voice, like how could I NOT know that??? (baby book moment... hope I remember to write that in there when I find his baby book)<br />
<br />
Hannah... Princess 101... seriously is there any other course for this one? She did step it up a bit in the area of chores... REALLY loves getting the chance to do other people's chores, but refuses to do her own... true princess material.<br />
<br />
So Fall Vocation Break was a SUCCESS with some intended and some unintentional victories... I'm glad we did it, but I'm also glad that today is BACK TO SCHOOL for the Kastners!JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-58303218507485532202011-09-28T08:40:00.000-05:002011-09-28T08:42:13.159-05:00Wanna know Wednesday....I wanna know what you think... I'm redesigning my blogs... having a ton of fun... give me some feedback please! <br />
<br />
It's really not that difficult:<br />
<br />
see where it says 0 comments??? [it ALWAYS says 0 comments!!!!] click on that... type your comment... choose whether to comment publically (if you have a Google ID) or privately... your comment won't show up immediately... I have to approve it... that's so WHACK jobs can't put inappropriate things here (trust me! that HAS happened on my other blog... it is NOT a pretty site!) and VOILA! you have made me a happy camper!<br />
<br />
Looking forward to your thoughts!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>one more thing... FOLLOW this blog! see that thingy over to the right? it says "Follow by Email"??? enter your e-mail address in there... confirm your choice via the e-mail you receive and you TOO can receive AUTOMATED updates whenever I post! You know you WANNA do it!</b></span>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-8983956865604188272011-09-22T07:13:00.000-05:002011-09-22T07:13:41.941-05:00my life as a lesson: I need a computer geek...<a href="http://jamilynnkastner.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-need-computer-geek.html?spref=bl">my life as a lesson: I need a computer geek...</a>: This post is atypical for my site... It is a help wanted ad. I need a computer geek BAD. WANTED : Computer Geek Experience : none necessar...JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-23497331781132186132011-09-19T01:34:00.000-05:002013-07-12T08:00:28.600-05:00Reasons why we homeschool<a href="http://www.examiner.com/parenting-in-milwaukee/reasons-why-we-homeschool">Reasons why we homeschool</a>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-30207577047242977052011-09-19T01:30:00.000-05:002013-07-12T08:00:50.985-05:00Common misconceptions about homeschooling<div>
Just stumbled on some articles I wrote about homeschooling... Thought I'd post them on this forum in case you haven't read them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/parenting-in-milwaukee/common-misconceptions-about-homeschooling">Common misconceptions about homeschooling</a>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-5511267686496836822011-09-16T19:48:00.000-05:002011-09-16T19:48:59.138-05:00National Play-doh DayOne of my biggest goals this year is to make school more <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">FUN</span></b>! Since I work (TWO JOBS) from home and homeschool... life here often turns into something that resembles boot camp dipped in concentration camp. I mean business! ALL of the TIME! Well this year my goal is to throw a little bit of <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">FUN </span></b>into my business! Sooooooooooo...<br />
<br />
Today we celebrated National Play-doh Day (all I have to say is my transformation into my mother is now complete... henceforth, I will answer to the name Kathi Haugh as well as my given name.)<br />
<br />
You all know how I feel about Pay-doh right??? I like to call it Satan's-doh... Does that give you a hint? <br />
<br />
But actually our Play-doh party turned out just fine. We had a BLAST! Of course because we're homeschoolers we had to turn it into a lesson... we MADE the play-doh from scratch... complete with food coloring so it would be colorful.<br />
<br />
It was very orderly and as crafts go... not too messy. Fun was had by all! See for yourself:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGQjhNShaLs/TnPsKJNetHI/AAAAAAAAAME/P468kVekfFU/s1600/2011-09-16+12.58.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RGQjhNShaLs/TnPsKJNetHI/AAAAAAAAAME/P468kVekfFU/s320/2011-09-16+12.58.55.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMANfFip15E/TnPsWFcFB1I/AAAAAAAAAMI/yppy72KCUS4/s1600/2011-09-16+12.59.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lMANfFip15E/TnPsWFcFB1I/AAAAAAAAAMI/yppy72KCUS4/s320/2011-09-16+12.59.04.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3KFts1NYQI/TnPsbBEGUrI/AAAAAAAAAMM/ikRHyOAJlGQ/s1600/2011-09-16+12.59.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3KFts1NYQI/TnPsbBEGUrI/AAAAAAAAAMM/ikRHyOAJlGQ/s320/2011-09-16+12.59.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivbh-3xrORQ/TnPsgbC83uI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/Pso33DqhDD4/s1600/2011-09-16+12.59.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivbh-3xrORQ/TnPsgbC83uI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/Pso33DqhDD4/s320/2011-09-16+12.59.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7OmCNzUfGo/TnPsk5et0qI/AAAAAAAAAMU/hddQmDf-JvU/s1600/2011-09-16+12.59.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7OmCNzUfGo/TnPsk5et0qI/AAAAAAAAAMU/hddQmDf-JvU/s320/2011-09-16+12.59.43.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djSGwPHcX5Q/TnPsqquW-jI/AAAAAAAAAMY/i3io0oEaY14/s1600/2011-09-16+13.00.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-djSGwPHcX5Q/TnPsqquW-jI/AAAAAAAAAMY/i3io0oEaY14/s320/2011-09-16+13.00.02.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLGtKmnrDbc/TnPsvBQuZ_I/AAAAAAAAAMc/JqwxKqc6b8g/s1600/2011-09-16+13.00.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLGtKmnrDbc/TnPsvBQuZ_I/AAAAAAAAAMc/JqwxKqc6b8g/s320/2011-09-16+13.00.13.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-6C6BE_Ya0/TnPs0pfC-wI/AAAAAAAAAMg/Fdmo16Sl75g/s1600/2011-09-16+13.00.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-6C6BE_Ya0/TnPs0pfC-wI/AAAAAAAAAMg/Fdmo16Sl75g/s320/2011-09-16+13.00.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCOVJ1uc4L4/TnPs531p_xI/AAAAAAAAAMk/-PXmjqJWe-c/s1600/2011-09-16+13.00.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jCOVJ1uc4L4/TnPs531p_xI/AAAAAAAAAMk/-PXmjqJWe-c/s320/2011-09-16+13.00.29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXSfp40oWCU/TnPs-yOGquI/AAAAAAAAAMo/nf-0pfwDuPo/s1600/2011-09-16+13.00.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXSfp40oWCU/TnPs-yOGquI/AAAAAAAAAMo/nf-0pfwDuPo/s320/2011-09-16+13.00.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3dcOGlAw5k/TnPtDFUFOnI/AAAAAAAAAMs/7QKPmZ1wwOM/s1600/2011-09-16+13.00.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3dcOGlAw5k/TnPtDFUFOnI/AAAAAAAAAMs/7QKPmZ1wwOM/s320/2011-09-16+13.00.57.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtU8uLO--uA/TnPtIMmLsGI/AAAAAAAAAMw/rBzIHtXH7jE/s1600/2011-09-16+13.01.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtU8uLO--uA/TnPtIMmLsGI/AAAAAAAAAMw/rBzIHtXH7jE/s320/2011-09-16+13.01.05.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPWJgrGgcP0/TnPtM1JNoxI/AAAAAAAAAM0/VfVPIDHsZ6Y/s1600/2011-09-16+13.01.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BPWJgrGgcP0/TnPtM1JNoxI/AAAAAAAAAM0/VfVPIDHsZ6Y/s320/2011-09-16+13.01.20.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWM0AF0hnTg/TnPtRAB5fLI/AAAAAAAAAM4/yra9tPXqnxY/s1600/2011-09-16+13.01.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWM0AF0hnTg/TnPtRAB5fLI/AAAAAAAAAM4/yra9tPXqnxY/s320/2011-09-16+13.01.30.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHur7jwIw-g/TnPtVrE-tgI/AAAAAAAAAM8/mE1jE8gUrFk/s1600/2011-09-16+13.01.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iHur7jwIw-g/TnPtVrE-tgI/AAAAAAAAAM8/mE1jE8gUrFk/s320/2011-09-16+13.01.49.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5STnhWWM5I/TnPtaJFTCnI/AAAAAAAAANA/tDfo4ZtOFRc/s1600/2011-09-16+13.02.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5STnhWWM5I/TnPtaJFTCnI/AAAAAAAAANA/tDfo4ZtOFRc/s320/2011-09-16+13.02.00.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1YqMpZ44pA/TnPtfDbWlcI/AAAAAAAAANE/G8FBPqne1ss/s1600/2011-09-16+13.02.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1YqMpZ44pA/TnPtfDbWlcI/AAAAAAAAANE/G8FBPqne1ss/s320/2011-09-16+13.02.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0vcMxhL5Wo/TnPtj_S-5-I/AAAAAAAAANI/LRGSh-5xXyo/s1600/2011-09-16+13.02.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y0vcMxhL5Wo/TnPtj_S-5-I/AAAAAAAAANI/LRGSh-5xXyo/s320/2011-09-16+13.02.21.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S45t3A6XY2s/TnPtoQqR1gI/AAAAAAAAANM/PJZSyCkk9sU/s1600/2011-09-16+13.02.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S45t3A6XY2s/TnPtoQqR1gI/AAAAAAAAANM/PJZSyCkk9sU/s320/2011-09-16+13.02.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcsxz54_29I/TnPtteymffI/AAAAAAAAANQ/_TwtnkBSUu0/s1600/2011-09-16+13.02.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wcsxz54_29I/TnPtteymffI/AAAAAAAAANQ/_TwtnkBSUu0/s320/2011-09-16+13.02.50.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgFuvzdrEn4/TnPtyvHRoUI/AAAAAAAAANU/AWRYI9KKxeI/s1600/2011-09-16+13.05.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sgFuvzdrEn4/TnPtyvHRoUI/AAAAAAAAANU/AWRYI9KKxeI/s320/2011-09-16+13.05.34.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKJi7DnjWq8/TnPt3HSaeZI/AAAAAAAAANY/Zq_2TX9HdjI/s1600/2011-09-16+16.43.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cKJi7DnjWq8/TnPt3HSaeZI/AAAAAAAAANY/Zq_2TX9HdjI/s320/2011-09-16+16.43.35.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play-doh party TUCKERED her out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-47489805700572916722011-09-09T23:38:00.000-05:002011-09-09T23:38:20.657-05:00First week recapDid ya miss me? PHEW! That first week hit me HARD, but it is going GREAT! I actually stayed on top of my MRA workload, kept current with all our lesson plans, almost met my writing quota and threw in a surprise trip to Hartford during the middle of the first day of school to get two tires replaced after I ran into a curb, breaking a steel belt in my back tire. We had a busy but GREAT week!<br />
<br />
I don't want to jinx anything but I really feel like we have turned some odd kinda corner attitudinally<i> (it's a Jamism... deal with it!)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Noah</b>---- will always vocalize his dislike for school (however, I feel some of that is remnants from the icky traditional schooling experience he had and I am hopeful that every year it will dissipate a little more.) He is not "thrilled" about school on the outside, but my teacher's eye can see that he is a little different. His blogs are MUCH more verbose. He is VERY engaged in his math. While we haven't yet started social studies, I can tell he is excited... he is studying the weapons from historical wars this year and that is RIGHT up his alley.<br />
<br />
<b>Jeremiah</b>... he REALLY loves school. He loves the Bible. He loves AWANA. He loves just about everything. He has such a sweet teachable heart and does some of the most amazing things. Today, he and Elijah got into trouble. I really don't know what it was as I was doing laundry and daddy was handling the situation. I came into the living room to hear him saying, "Dad I want to take Elijah's punishment." John said, "Jeremiah why do you want to do that?" Crying, Jeremiah said, "Dad, I just don't want Elijah to have to be sad." I don't know why I was lucky enough to have that angel straight from Heaven dropped in my lap, but I am GLAD to be blessed with the teaching and the raising of him.<br />
<br />
Elijah... He LOVES school. He LOVES school. HE LOVES SCHOOL! He is SO excited to finally have his own e-mail and be blogging. He begs me thirty times a day to let him check his e-mail. He loves being in THIRD GRADE! He is so glad he gets to start learning cursive this year. He is also RACING along by leaps and bounds in his reading, doing great in math and excelling in his penmanship. His year is DEFINITELY off to a good start.<br />
<br />
<b>Hannah</b>... oh dear Hannah. What a kindergartner! Like none I've had before. It is like God said, "Jami, you toughed it out through trying to get three little boys to sit still and learn crud for the past three years, now I give you---- <b><i>A GIRL</i></b>!" She is excited not only to be in school "like her brothers." She is very well suited for school tasks. She likes reading. She loves learning. She is fine with sitting still. The only thing is once in a GREAT while (<i>okay FINE! three times per subject AT LEAST</i>) I have to fight her tiny little will. We have a bit of a mother/daughter conflict going on, but with a little support from Daddy and a <strike>tiny little will </strike> stubborn as a mule will of my own, we are making it just fine thank you.<br />
<br />
Today was such a blessing! Our homeschooling neighbors were unable to do recess, so to make up for that we took an impromptu trip to Hartford for lunch and the park (I have REALLY got to get them to the park more often. I literally think that was the first time since we MOVED that we've been to a park! that's in TWO YEARS! yikes!) anywho a picnic lunch, playing at the park, beautiful sunshiny day... were a PERFECT way to end the first week of school.<br />
<br />
Forward HO! We are on to next week!JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-48390510044024839202011-09-06T21:10:00.001-05:002011-09-06T21:36:42.349-05:00The First Day of School Eve<div>Tonight we had a First Day of School Eve party. It was F-U-N.. FUN! We started with a "Great Things About Homeschooling" scavenger hunt which ended with a First Day of School present (pencils, erasers and sharpeners). We had cake to celebrate and ended with prayer for a great week of school. It was a fun way to build the excitement for the first day. <br />
We spent the earlier part of the day building the excitement as well... we woke up on time to practice our morning routine. We cleaned and filled our desks. We got binders ready. <br />
Noah... is not AT ALL excited about the start of school. Noah loves to hate school. Jeremiah, Elijah and Hannah are very excited. Elijah and Hannah have been begging me ALL day to start school today ***so cute***. <br />
So tomorrow is the big day! And we are READY! now if I could just get them to fall asleep tonight!</div>JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-15686725264970465052011-09-01T21:55:00.000-05:002011-09-01T21:55:14.194-05:00Wanna know Wednesday....[Sorta... I missed Wednesday! I had SUCH a stressful day yesterday!!!! And today too! So one day late, here is my Wanna know Wednesday....]<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When does school start?</span></b><br />
<br />
For the Kastner Family... school starts the Wednesday after Labor Day. When I taught at <a href="http://h.c.s./">H.C.S.</a>, I absolutely ADORED the idea of having the Tuesday after Labor Day off before school starts. Therefore, when we started homeschooling, that was the model we adopted. (Well except for the year John had<a href="http://jamilynnkastner.blogspot.com/search/label/brain%20surgery"> brain surgery</a>... that year we had brain surgery the Tuesday after Labor Day so school did NOT start the Wednesday after Labor Day.)<br />
<br />
As the years have passed, I have developed more reasons for placing our "First Day of School" on that day. Like:<br />
<br />
In my experience, going "back to school" is not much fun for homeschooled kids... no new school clothes... no seeing your friends after a long summer apart.... no new teacher, new class, new room... it is all the SAME... therefore, it is my belief that a SHORT first week of school is good for not-too-thrilled-about-going-back-to-school children and the parents who have to teach them :)<br />
<br />
Soooooo <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">when does school start</span></b> for you?JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-28111016225535351162011-08-28T21:26:00.000-05:002011-08-28T21:26:33.304-05:00SUCH a DORK!I full well know what a dork I am... No one in their RIGHT mind should get THIS excited about school supplies, curriculum, lesson plans.... However this time of year ALWAYS takes me back.... to a time when I got paid to do what I love to do... See right now<br />
<br />
1. I have one job where I get paid... period.<br />
2. I have another job where I get paid to do what I like to do...<br />
3. and I have one job where I don't get paid to do what I love to do...<br />
<br />
But when I was a teacher, I got to do what I LOVED to do. I got to plan lessons, impart knowledge, see that light bulb of comprehension go on above a child's head.... and I got PAID (although not very much) to do it! AWESOME! This time of year always takes me back a little!<br />
<br />
Alas, I digress...<br />
<br />
I know how dorky it is to get THIS excited about things like this:<br />
<br />
*two weeks ago I bought expensive zipper binders for the boys. <img alt="Mead Pro Platinum Heavy Duty Zipper Binder, 1-1/2"" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21A8TKdpm7L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /><br />
I searched and searched for JUST the right ones. I needed a 3-ring binder part for their dividers (can I get a WITNESS??? who was in my 6th grade class? remember the BINDERS???? my kids do them too!!!!) I also needed file sections for 1.) work to be completed 2.) work to be graded 3.) work to be filed. I found them... paid $10 each for them (nearly puked at the price but rationalized, "They should last more than one year, right???") this was a BIG purchase for me and I hemmed and hawed and loved EVERY minute of picking those binders!<br />
<br />
*at least once a week ALL SUMMER LONG I visit the A Beka site...<br />
<br />
<img alt="157244" src="http://www.abeka.com/BookImages/157244.jpg" /><br />
<br />
refill my shopping cart with the books I'm gonna buy... Then hop on over to ChristianBook.com to virtually shop for our math curriculum.... <br />
<img alt="Saxon Math 3, Student Work Kit & Fact Cards - " src="http://g.christianbook.com/g/product/8/83212.gif" /><br />
Tomorrow I get to click PURCHASE on my orders. I'm seriously so excited I'm not sure how I'll sleep tonight!<br />
<br />
*I wait with anxious anticipation of the first day of "traditional" school then I wait a few more days... and I CHARGE to Walmart list in hand and snatch up all the clearance school supplies I can fit in my cart. LOVE IT! Can't wait for it! <br />
<br />
Also, first week of school planning is under way!!!! It's gonna be a first week of school CELEBRATION like the Kastners have never seen before!<br />
<br />
1. Each child gets to pick a favorite meal to be consumed during the first week.<br />
2. The first day we have a CAKE to celebrate.<br />
3. Fireworks! Last year we did FIREWORKS to celebrate the end of the first day of school... think we'll do those again.<br />
4. Presents!!!! We're having presents this year!'<br />
(I'm sure there will be more hoopla! I have over a week still to come up with more crazy ideas! so stay tuned)<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">9 MORE DAYS!!!!!!</span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-34512119868793035022011-08-25T20:39:00.000-05:002011-08-25T20:39:03.528-05:00It's coming!!!!!!The beginning of the school year is RAPIDLY approaching! In fact, so rapidly I haven't finished purchasing supplies!!!! I'm so excited and ready for the year. <br />
<br />
Here's a sneak peek:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">*Hannah's in Kindergarten!!!!!</span><br />
*brand new (EXPENSIVE) binder system<br />
*History of War (Noah's social studies... he's gonna LOVE it!)<br />
*Science by Dad (crazy MythBusters style science experiments... the MESSIER the better!)<br />
*<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2027&version=NIV">Psalm 27</a>... that's our first memorization this year... good stuff. You should READ it!<br />
*Family Reading... 1st novel: Pilgrim's Progress<br />
<br />
and....<br />
<br />
DRUMROLL....<br />
<br />
*I really TRULY hope to blog BETTER about homeschooling! This poor site is my most neglected blog. <br />
<br />
So get to swimming Kastner kids! the end of summer approaches!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QS69sJmjExA/Tlb4vnHzy_I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/8u7jSox4GC4/s1600/248441_10150283487540645_605285644_9544565_6387167_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QS69sJmjExA/Tlb4vnHzy_I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/8u7jSox4GC4/s320/248441_10150283487540645_605285644_9544565_6387167_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-69976236622481168542011-03-23T08:24:00.000-05:002011-03-23T09:22:40.041-05:00Wanna know Wednesday...Team sports... what are you doing about them? <br />
<br />
Jeremiah has been BUGGING me forever to find a basketball team for him to play on. I have been googling for three straight days. WOW! I cannot find much in my area! However, here are a few tidbits I picked up:<br />
<br />
1. According to WIAA bylaws, homeschool children canNOT play on Varsity public school teams. (This was a shocking revelation to me as I had always been under the understanding that they could, but NOPES they cannot compete at the Varsity level.)<br />
<br />
2. Dodge County does NOT have many rec leagues! GRRRRRRR! I found a soccer program out of <a href="http://www.flywaysoccer.org/">Brownsville </a>that also includes kids from <a href="http://www.flywaysoccer.com/">Mayville </a>(the Mayville branch's link is broken right now) and <a href="http://www.mayvillesports.com/">little league</a> in Mayville (which we are just a few days too late to sign up for), but both seem so OFFICIAL! I don't want my child on the fast track to the big leagues... I just want him to have a chance to experience these sports and see if he wants to pursue them any more.<br />
<br />
3. <a href="http://www.wchsaeagles.com/sports/">Washington County Home School Athletics</a> seems GREAT! (WOW! do I wish they had one of these in Dodge County!) They have a few middle school and pretty many high school teams. However, they give preference to athletes who live within a 20 mile radius of West Bend, and we don't. Also I can't get a reply to my request for information from them. Finally, they don't have a cheer team, which we all know is an IMPORTANT factor in this household.<br />
<br />
4. <a href="http://www.mtcacougars.com/">Mountain Top Christian Academy</a> will allow my children to play on their teams; however, at some point (when they are a little older) they require the participants to take one PE class through their school to be a part of their athletic program. (I'm not thinking that will happen for us... kinda defeats the purpose of HOMEschooling in my opinion.) <br />
<br />
Sooooooooooooooooo I'm trying to start a team.... I know! I know! I need another thing to do just like I need another hole in my head! But Jeremiah REALLY wants to play! BAD! I wrote a proposal for a basketball team/cheer squad and submitted it to the Program Director at the TAG Center. Wouldn't it be IDEAL if my kiddos could have a team just 10 - 15 minutes away???? If you live near "ish" to Mayville and would have an interest in Boys' Bball and/or Girls' Cheer, shoot me an e-mail and I'll keep you posted on the status.<br />
<br />
So finally to the Wanna Know part! I wanna know what you're doing for TEAM SPORTS? What you've found? What you've tried? What you've heard about? Even if it is outside MY area, SHARE because<br />
<br />
1. it might give me an idea.<br />
2. it might give someone else in your area an idea.<br />
<br />
[On an aside, John's has been teaching our children martial arts for a LONG time, and he is now trying to get certified in a new type of martial arts called Christjitsu. We're hoping he will actually be taking that public and teaching it to others outside our family soon. If you're interested in that, let me know and I'll have him keep you posted on it.]JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-42921270611628418382011-02-02T11:24:00.003-06:002011-02-02T11:24:27.425-06:00Wanna know Wednesday...Are you having a snow day today? I just wanna know.JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290865885894251713.post-7813713711000637682011-01-27T09:43:00.000-06:002013-07-12T08:01:38.655-05:00The beat goes on....I love that <b>homeschooling is flexible</b>... I love that we can homeschool at the hospital or homeschool at Oma's or homeschool at night. I love that WE set our schedule... birthdays are school holidays for us... vacations don't require us to do a bunch of makeup work... And I also LOVE that:<br />
<br />
The beat goes on!!! I looked outside my front window to see snow falling. It's accumulating pretty well out here. But guess what? I don't have to worry. I don't have to think CRUD! What am I going to do if the kids get sent home early from school? I don't have to find child care for an unexpected snow day or schedule an extra day because we had too many snow days. I love that I can look out at the snow falling and not change a THING about my schedule... the beat goes on... In fact... I'm actually assigning MORE work due to the snowy conditions! The only change I'm making to our schedule today is: I'm going to assign some snow time during free time today... I'm going to endure the stress of dressing 4 children in snow clothes: boots, snow pants, hats, mittens, and scarves (just so Hannah can have to pee after 3 minutes in the snow) because we are homeschooled and sledding and snowballs and snow play are VALUABLE skills to learn in this teacher's mind.<br />
<br />
Happy snowy day everyone! Hope you have a great one!JamiLynnKastnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08541213618248452665noreply@blogger.com0