Homeschool on the Run!

For some reason we haven’t managed to get to NYC to see the International Films for kids.  I love them, especially the creative little short films.  Visiting the website is the next best thing. They have so many short films on their site that you can watch for free.  They also have great DVD recommendations of movies that you can get through Netflix.   Ponyo, a new Japanese animated film is coming out soon, from the maker of Totoro.  It looks fantastic. 

Here is a sweet little film if you have 10 minutes. It is a Danish short film about a little boy going on a camping trip. His parents are arguing and he has an encounter with a large animal that is very moving.

July 30th, 2009 | Category: Family | Comments (1)

One of the benefits of homeschooling is being able to choose not only the curriculum but the manner it is implemented.  I can choose a method that nurtures the mind, body and spirit.  I can also help them to resolve any negativity and habits that adversely impacts all of the above.

When organizing lessons and curriculum, these are a few things I keep in mind.

* Honing observation skills

• I like to show children the intricate details of things that they see in their environment, especially plants, animals and landforms but also building materials, bridges, houses and things they interact with on a day to day basis.  This allows them to get a feel for a quality of a thing and differentiates things. They pay more attention to details and create more detailed concepts, intuitively understanding the functions of the make up of their environment. They develop more meaningful relationships to things. “It’s all in the details”

* Practice body awareness and control of movement

• Children desire to master control of movement.  They need to coordinate the mind and body together.  There are myriads of everyday activities that require this, but also games, yoga, building, drawing, sculpting, tai chi, and music to name a few.

* Practice keeping the mind still

•  This year I am including some breath work and meditation in the curriculum.

* Organize experiences where children are in touch with nature

• I believe spending time in nature is extremely important to integrate and practice the above skills. I wish my children to find themselves feeling awe and wonder. I encourage the children to immerse themselves in the first snowfall, watch sun sets, look at the beautiful symmetry found in nature, photograph beautiful things, notice the magic of light, watch experts in their fields, be involved in peak experiences (mental/physical/spiritual), watch amazing accomplishments of human kind, birthing of new life…all things of this nature.
• Organizing activities that combine all of these practices such as silent nature walks or orienteering, photographing nature and playing in streams are wonderful activities to include in daily life.

My dream is to build a log path, part log stepping stones, fallen logs, narrow platforms and such irregular natural structures that form a path through the woods.  The child would have to negotiate each step, balancing and placing feet safely negotiating the path, continuously almost rhythmically.  As children would go single file, this way of traveling through nature would integrate the mind, body and spirit in a satisfying way.  I have been wanting to do this now for 6 years.

July 30th, 2009 | Category: Family | Comments (4)

I have fallen in love with the Avon Theatre in Stamford, CT.  It is a beautifully restored Art Deco theatre playing foreign and cult films.  It is nestled in a street lined with little restaurants and cafes, shops AND you can park right out front.

I have missed foreign films since I moved out of NYC, 6 years ago.  I get my Netflix films every now and again but it is not the same as going to the movies in a gorgeous little theatre.  There is a divine looking French restaurant 2 doors down with a very reasonable early bird prix-fixe.

I am going to see this little love story when it comes out next week.  It’s called 500 Days of Summer.  I think anyone in CT would settle for 50 days of summer this year!

July 29th, 2009 | Category: Family | Comments (1)

Today I had a doctor’s appointment with my ob gyn, just a routine visit.  While I was in a compromising position (with my legs needing a good wax!), he looked me directly in the eye and asked: so how is the weight going?

Well, I said, probably slowly creeping up, if the truth must be known.

I have been trying to avoid this truth all year, but especially since the summer approached.

He made me get on the scale. (Ugh)

4 pound increase from the last visit.  Not terrible.  I thought.

Ob/gyn: This seems to have been a trend of yours for a while now that you should think about reversing.

Apparently 90 percent of his patients have gained weight in these stressful economic times, a little hypothesis he’s working on. He assured me that I wasn’t alone…

Yes! I looked him directly in the eye.

Ob gyn: OK, yes, I too have been struggling but I did work out this morning.  It is not an easy thing.

Patient: Maybe we just need more incentive.

Ob gyn: What would you suggest?

Patient: How about a bet?

So I bet my ob gyn that he couldn’t lose 5 pounds in 6 months.  He’s a man.  Reverse psychology!

On the way home I thought about the bet idea and now have 2 girlfriends that will give me $100 bucks each if I lose 20 pound in 6 months.  Of course I have to give them $100 bucks too if they lose it…but hey…whatever works!

July 28th, 2009 | Category: Family | Comments (3)