The Homeschool Witch

New Year - New Adventures

2012-01-04T07:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all of my readers!

Yes, I know I am a few days late, but this year has already started with a bang - moving into the directions I want to go and that in the fast lane. The intention of moving this blog into a larger network for pagan, interfaith and secular homeschooling families and parents has began with the connection and take over of HomeSchoolWeek yesterday. We are now on Twitter and Facebook, you can find us here:

http://www.facebook.com/HomeSchoolWeek

and here:

https://twitter.com/#!/HomeSchoolWeek

Plans are to post on both homeschooling and parenting information daily, and more Pagan homeschooling related activities and news on this blog at least twice a week.

As my husbands time off moves to it's end we are all ready to get back into the saddle of learning, teaching, sharing and exploring. There is so much to learn and to do, and I am looking forward to taking you along on our journey.

Much love and many blessings!

Peanut Wreath

2011-09-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

Peanut - Wreath

You will need
a few branches that are long enough to bend into a circle
a glue gun
a string or a straw to tie the branches together
old, stale peanuts (they stick better)

with the branches create a circular shape, tie them together
with your hot glue gun, glue the peanuts in place (use a low temperature glue gun
if possible, and if you are working with younger kids! Safety first)
let the wreath dry thoroughly before hanging it up

Variation - you can use any type of nuts or acorns or a mixture of them to make this wreath, or you can also add some plastic mini pumpkins that can be found in the craft/dollar store around this time of the year.

Have fun, and blessed be peace!

Mabon - Fall Craft Ideas - Leaf Star

2011-09-06T15:15:00.000-07:00

Material:

You will need:
4 craft sticks, a bunch of small dried and pressed leaves (you do not have to use just red ones)
Glue, a string or ribbon to hang the leaf star with

Collect the leaves about a week ahead of time, so that they can be dried and flattened within the pages of heave books, for about a week

Glue the craft sticks together so that they form a star (see pictures). Now tie a ribbon or string of your choice to one of the sticks. After the craft stick star is completely dry, glue the leaves onto the sticks on both sides. Let the leaf star dry completely and you are done!

Matt Damon's Speech on Education

2011-08-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

“I flew overnight from Vancouver to be with you today. I landed in New York a few hours ago and caught a flight down here because I needed to tell you all in person that I think you’re awesome.

I was raised by a teacher. My mother is a professor of early childhood education. And from the time I went to kindergarten through my senior year in high school, I went to public schools. I wouldn’t trade that education and experience for anything.

I had incredible teachers. As I look at my life today, the things I value most about myself — my imagination, my love of acting, my passion for writing, my love of learning, my curiosity — all come from how I was parented and taught.

And none of these qualities that I’ve just mentioned — none of these qualities that I prize so deeply, that have brought me so much joy, that have brought me so much professional success — none of these qualities that make me who I am … can be tested.

I said before that I had incredible teachers. And that’s true. But it’s more than that. My teachers were EMPOWERED to teach me. Their time wasn’t taken up with a bunch of test prep — this silly drill and kill nonsense that any serious person knows doesn’t promote real learning. No, my teachers were free to approach me and every other kid in that classroom like an individual puzzle. They took so much care in figuring out who we were and how to best make the lessons resonate with each of us. They were empowered to unlock our potential. They were allowed to be teachers.

Now don’t get me wrong. I did have a brush with standardized tests at one point. I remember because my mom went to the principal’s office and said, ‘My kid ain’t taking that. It’s stupid, it won’t tell you anything and it’ll just make him nervous.’ That was in the ’70s when you could talk like that.

I shudder to think that these tests are being used today to control where funding goes.

I don’t know where I would be today if my teachers’ job security was based on how I performed on some standardized test. If their very survival as teachers was based on whether I actually fell in love with the process of learning but rather if I could fill in the right bubble on a test. If they had to spend most of their time desperately drilling us and less time encouraging creativity and original ideas; less time knowing who we were, seeing our strengths and helping us realize our talents.

I honestly don’t know where I’d be today if that was the type of education I had. I sure as hell wouldn’t be here. I do know that.

This has been a horrible decade for teachers. I can’t imagine how demoralized you must feel. But I came here today to deliver an important message to you: As I get older, I appreciate more and more the teachers that I had growing up. And I’m not alone. There are millions of people just like me.

So the next time you’re feeling down, or exhausted, or unappreciated, or at the end of your rope; the next time you turn on the TV and see yourself called “overpaid;” the next time you encounter some simple-minded, punitive policy that’s been driven into your life by some corporate reformer who has literally never taught anyone anything. … Please know that there are millions of us behind you. You have an army of regular people standing right behind you, and our appreciation for what you do is so deeply felt. We love you, we thank you and we will always have your back.”

(Via the Washington Post)

Fall Dough Nuts

2011-08-01T07:13:00.000-07:00

You will need:

Chocolate Frosting or Peanut Butter
Donuts

Crumbled Toffee
Pretzel

Frost a third or so of a plain or glazed doughnut hole with chocolate frosting or peanut butter.
Roll the frosted top in crumbled toffee (look for it in the baking section of grocery stores), then add a small piece of a pretzel for the stem.

So simple yet so much fun!

Source: http://familyfun.go.com/autumn/fall-recipes/fall-snacks-appetizers/acorn-dough-nuts-684919/

Sunflower Craft With Corn

2011-07-29T04:55:00.000-07:00

This sunflower craft is a lot of fun to do with smaller kids during the fall/Lughnasadh time.

You will need:

Sunflower seeds, dried corn (use plain non-popped popcorn for best results), glue, card board, scissors

1. Pre-cut shapes of sunflowers for your little ones, you can let your older children do this step themselves, one per child.

2.Then begin by applying glue to the center of the sunflower shape, and glue the sunflower seeds onto it.

3. Finish the project by applying more glue and adding the corn - done!

Fresh Flower Lei for the Summer Solstice

2011-06-20T04:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a cute craft idea I have come across, while getting ready for our Litha celebration.

While this particular craft calls for orchids, the more economical thought is to use fresh flowers that you can get locally, or to use plastic flowers, you can get at any discount store - just make sure they are big enough!

You also will need a sturdy string - not wool - and a needle thick enough to pierce whichever flower-version you choose. Cross stick yarn works well with plastic flowers, use a thick needle.

To make your own leis you will need:
loose orchids or other fresh flower blooms
lei needle
lei string

For neck leis use 90" of string and about 50 loose orchids. For head leis take the head measurement and add 8". Then double that for the length of the string and use about 25 loose orchids. For wrist/ankle leis use 16" of string and about 10-15 loose orchids.

To make the leis first remove the stems from the orchids. Fold the string in the middle so there is an even amount on either side. Hook lei string onto lei needle in the middle. Hold the needle close to the sharp end and stick needle through the orchid throat and out through the butt end of orchid. Pull the orchid onto the needle and repeat the process. Slide the orchids down the needle as you add them. This allows you to maintain control of the lei needle and arrange the orchids. Once you have several orchids arranged on the lei needle then slide the group of orchids down onto the lei string. Continue to string the flowers until there is about 2 inches on each end to tie the lei. Neck leis can be tied closed once completed. Head, wrist, and ankle leis should be tied at the time they are going to be worn. Once your lei is complete proudly wear your fresh flower lei or give it to your sweetie!

Craft Source: http://www.alohafriends.com/game9.html

Build Your Own Stonehenge

2011-06-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

Build Your Own Stonehenge Activity

http://fun.familyeducation.com/outdoor-games/winter/35028.html

Time: 1 to 2 hours

Type of Activity: Science

Materials needed:

Center stake for reference point.
50 feet of rope.
20 to 30 marker stones or small stakes.
A compass.

Here's a unique way to celebrate the solstice: Build your own Stonehenge . As you might know, Stonehenge is one of the oldest (4,000+ years) and best known astronomical calendar sites in the world. You can recreate it without going through the bother of lugging 25 to 50 ton slabs of rock around the neighborhood. All you'll need is a bit of ambition, and a location offering an unobstructed view of the eastern or western horizon. Locations offering a 360º horizon view are ideal (and rare).

What to do

The first thing you'll need to do is create a viewing circle. Anchor a reference stake at the center point of the circle and place your compass on top of it. Find due north and place a marker at 50 feet north of the center. Repeat the process for east, west and south. (The rope is used as a guide to insure that all markers are equidistant from the center stake.) Again, using the rope as a guide, place a small marker stone every few feet around the perimeter of your circle. The center of the circle now becomes your fixed reference point and the westward facing perimeter is where you'll be placing the sunset markers.

The calendar can be started at any time, but the solstice sunsets are the most fun. Mark the point of sunset with a pole, stake or other (not easily moved) marker. Tag the marker with the date of sunset.

Repeat the process every seven days or so. Over the weeks and months you'll note that the sun appears to "walk" faster at some times of the year than others. When you've finished (in a year's time) you'll have a working astronomical calendar and an excuse to invite friends and classmates over to the house to check the date.

Non-construction alternatives

Photo-op: Take a snapshot of the western skyline and tape it to the wall by a western facing window. With a felt tip marker draw an arrow on the photo corresponding to the point of sunset and note the date. Repeat the process.

Window marks: (This takes two people.) Standing at the same point in the room of a western facing window, have the other person make a small mark on the glass where the sun sets. Note the date and repeat the process on a weekly basis.

How it works

The principle behind an astronomical calendar is simple. The apparent rising and setting horizon point of the sun changes with each passing day. The different points correspond to different days of the year.

At minimum, an astronomical calendar only requires a fixed reference point for viewing and another fixed reference point marking the position of the rising and/or setting sun on the horizon.

In the Northern Hemisphere, if you were to watch a time-lapse movie of a year's worth of sunsets, you would notice that the sun appears to "walk" back and forth across the western horizon. The winter solstice marks the southern limit of the sun's journey and the summer solstice is the northern boundary. Closer examination would reveal that, with the exception of the two solstice extremes, every other point on the horizon is crossed twice during the course of the year. Once on the southern march and again on the northern return.

At the time of the winter and summer solstices, (around December 22 and June 22) the sun is directly overhead at either the Tropic of Cancer (summer) or the Tropic of Capricorn (winter). In the Northern Hemisphere these dates mark the beginnings of summer and winter and the days of the longest and shortest hours of daylight.

Pagan Kids Crafts:

2011-06-14T08:05:00.001-07:00

Someone on Facebook asked what kind of Pagan themed crafts one can do with their kids, specifically for a pre-teen.

I loved the question, because as a parent we all have been in those moments, where our kids want to be entertained, and our creative juices are taking a leave of absence.

The following is a list I compiled from the answers as well as various internet sites:

Altar cloths: teach your kids how to sew or crochet (that might make a great summer project)
runes: make runes with your kids, by either getting into wood burning (for the more crafty and older kids) or painting glass beads with acrylic paint
make wreaths of various kinds, depending upon the sabbat, or esbat
work with essential oils - why not take this opportunity to teach your kids about the properties of oils and make some blends together
Candle making: introduce them to candle making. If you have not done so yourself, there are beginner sets available in most well-stocked craft-stores which come with all supplies and instructions needed.
Leather work: leather is such a great material to work with, and you can begin by making small bags or pouches with them - again, there are beginner sets available
Tarot/Divination boxes: why not paint boxes to keep your divination supplies, runes or tarot cards in as a project? Wooden trinket boxes are widely available and you can also repaint some used cigar boxes, or any other boxes you can find in garage sales/thrift shops.

If you are looking for a great little group to have conversation with, visit us on facebook at Pagan Homeschooling! see you there!

Blessed Be Peace!

Some Homeschool Humor

2011-06-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

You Must Be Homeschooled If...
1. Someone asks what grade you're in and you're not sure.
2. You sometimes go to school in your pajamas.
3. You sleep till 9:00 am on school days, but get up early on Sundays.
4. Your favorite author is Jane Austen (girls) or Robert Louis Stevenson (boys).
5. Your birthday is an official school holiday.
6. You don't get to stay home from school when you're sick.
7. Your favorite activity is reading.
8. You know what a unit study is.
9. You have attempted to teach yourself physics.
10. You know the scientific names of dinosaurs from A to Z.
11. Watching a movie means you'll have to write a report comparing the film to the book.
12. You dress up as historical or literary characters for Halloween.
13. You exchange e-mail Valentines with your homeschool pen pals.
14. You can get science credit for going to the dentist or doctor.
15. You go to the park for P.E.
16. You check out at least ten books every time you visit the library.
17. You get books and science kits for your birthday.
18. Your board games all have names like "Bookworm", "Scrabble", "S'math", "Game of Knowledge", and "Name The State".
19. Your home library is arranged in Dewey Decimal order.
20. Your favorite place to study is outside, under a tree.
21. You memorize math formulas and Latin root words for fun.
22. You never get nervous on the first day of school.
23. The only bully you ever run into is your big brother.
24. You are unaware of the current fads, fashions, and slang terms.
25. You have no idea what rock bands are currently popular.
26. You don't have to worry about forgetting your lunch or your schoolbooks.
27. You don't have to remember a locker combination, just your computer password.
28. There are only nine students in your class - but all of them are your brothers and sisters.
29. Your school bus is a nine-passenger van.
30. You can get extra credit for cleaning your room.

Source: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/hshumor.html

End of School-Year Or Is It?

2011-06-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today was the last day of school for the kids in our area. As I watched the children and parents of our small community walk by our home this morning, I saw the deeper smile on their faces, the pep in their step. Remembering how I felt on the last day of school before summer, it warmed my heart to see those little ones exited.

Then after a few weeks reality sets in.

Long summer breaks are fun for the first few weeks.But sleeping in, playing video games all day, and going to the pool in all odd hours gets old after a while, the structure of a school day missing, boredom sets in.

As a homeschooling parent, I am used to having the kids around all the time, and they are used to me. We know each others quirks and when to leave each other alone - that goes for the kids too - they know when to give their siblings space. But in a home where the time spent together is limited, being faced with such an access amount of time is challenging, and tiring, for parents and children alike. Sibling rivalries occur, and frustration mounts.

I encourage parents who school their kids in the public or private school system to check out some homeschooling sites to help with creating possible activities, some help in organizing and maybe even using this time to sneak in some extra school lessons along the way.

Here are some sites to try out:

http://www.paganmoonbeams.com - a great monthly magazine for those little pagans (and not so little ones)

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/ a huge site with enough info to keep you busy for hours - and some homeschooling humor!

http://www.home-school.com/ Extensive site with some Christian themes for my christian friends!

http://homeschoolingadventures.com Lots of links to many great sites - it will take hours to get through all of this stuff

If you have any more interesting homeschooling sites - secular or not, I would like to hear from you! Please leave a comment below, and I will add your recommendation to my database.

May you all be blessed!

Word Search - Gods and Goddesses

2011-05-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a little word search. Have fun!

Y E A U P J U R Y E V D H Z E

R O V N L H E Q N B X A E B R

U L K C U T B B K S K O R T Q

C G L V E A T H E N A G M W K

R T J M N Y F B E T F E E M K

E U E C E P Y V Q C L U S J Y

M D U M O V A H Z M A N P P F

D R D Q U Z H Y T N P T O S T

Y T J C G C E U E I I A E S S

N K D N K X M I Z K P L E I J

R O D S H Z K R L O R X S W X

A L S F Y Q L I L U O I R B S

M K L V O F F L G I H W N T P

W J S I A A O S X C T R J H Y

L A R O L F R U P P F P A W W

APOLLO ATHENA DEMETER

FAUNA FLORA HECATE

HERMES ISIS MERCURY

THOR

Solution:

APOLLO(12,9,SW) ATHENA(6,4,E) DEMETER(2,7,NE) FAUNA(7,5,NW) FLORA(6,15,W) HECATE(8,4,SE) HERMES(13,1,S) ISIS(12,12,NE) MERCURY(1,7,N) THOR(11,14,N)

May Pole - The Mini-Version

2011-04-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my kids and I made a miniature version of a maypole, not only to honor Beltane, but to share with them a part of my heritage, as I grew up in Bavaria, in which rural parts the tradition of putting up a large maypole is still alive and practiced today.

As I grew up, my cousin and I used to practice singing songs for this occasion - I wish that I would have kept the sheet music from back then, but we were pre-teens, keeping momentous where not our priority.

Back to now, and our mini maypole.

Creating this maypole was fairly simple, cheap, and lots of fun.

We used a clay flower pot ( you can use any flower pot that has a hole on the bottom)

a dowel that fit snugly into the hole of the flower pot - using a hot glue gun to secure the dowel in place, instead of fitting it into the hole is also an option, but I happened to find one, that fit perfectly into the pot.

Glass beads, rocks or sand to fill the pot and secure the pole.

plastic flowers (this maypole is outside, so I did want something that will last at least a few days)

and ribbon, depending on the size of the pole - you will need enough ribbon to tie each strand on the top, and long enough that it will go the entire length of the pole, maybe even reach the floor.

After we secured the dowel in the flowerpot, we filled the pot to the top with glass beads. We used really colorful ones, to correspond with the flowers we choose.

Next, we tied ribbons around the top of the dowel, securing them tightly, and glued a little daisy, that we had left over from another project to the front.

The flowers were then arranged in the flowerpot, stuck securely into the glass beads, all the way around the pole.

Simple, isn't it?

You can get creative and paint the flower pot first, or even the pole (I like the look of natural wood, the best, personally, lol).

Use the time of creating this pole together to talk about your practice and personal belief, as well as experiences about Beltane. You can also put on some fierce or traditional music, and practice dancing around it!

Have fun!

Blessed Be!

P.S.

For creative pagan, wiccan and new age products and ideas, visit us at http://www.hecates-corner.com .