VOCS Parent Seminar

Valley Oaks Charter School (VOCS) presented an awesome parent seminar this year. I love gathering new ideas and the resource teachers taught me so much! A couple of the teachers were concerned because I am an "old hand" at homeschooling that I wouldn't get much out of it. Actually, I think I was able to get even more because I was able to see immediately where I could fit the information into my day.
I have been debating going back to work boxes for my younger children and so I took a class taught by Mrs. Roberts. She is fantastic and understands the need for chocolate at about 2 pm! I first learned about workboxes from the Heart of Wisdom website. Mrs. Roberts taught about the system from the original developer. How many times do I need to learn to go to the original? There were some important things that I wasn't doing (like removing the boxes when he was done each box) that I think would make a huge difference with Chaz. I did tweak the system !
I also learned about a way cool 4 "room" diorama that folds up into a "book"!!! All the lapbooking and binder stuff I can use to make this awesome project. Two of my kids literally gasped with excitement when they saw the project. Even my son who hates writing was intrigued when I showed him the electoboard that one student incorporated into his project. Anytime electricity is involved his eyes light up!
I will do a whole other post on the classes on writing-they really got me determined to do a much better job teaching the kids writing. I was amazed at how much they were able to teach me in just one hour!
Overall, the experience got me focused and excited to jump into school. It also made me realize just how much fun hands on activities are- 'cause I loved doing the projects myself and having them to bring home!!!

Sharkzilla!

Check out the coolness of Bakersfield on Discovery Channel!
(details from the Buena Vista Museum website)
AUGUST 13th, 14th and 18th Discovery Channel Shark week will air the episode Sharkzilla! Sharkzilla is the recreation of the largest shark that ever lived the Megalodon! You will see footage filmed at BVMNH and Sharktooth hill areas. Check you local TV guide for the air time for your area.
Would you like to dig fossils? Then Join the museum team on a Paleontological Dig Oct 19th, 20th, and 21st at the Ernst Quarries. Choose a one day, two or a three day Dig. Half day options available too. All attendees must be BVMNH members*. To reserve a space call 661-324-6350 or email buenavistamuseum@gmail.com

Planning the Coming Year

It's always exciting to start planning the new school year, but this year I felt like I was behind because of the very busy summer, then I remember My Way. My Way is different than anyone elses way and works best for me and my family. I encourage everyone to find their own way that is unique and fits them. My Way consists of identifying what unit studies I will cover each month, and then going to the library and finding wonderful books about the people and places and things that I want my kids to learn about. I use textbooks for science and math (which I chose last year) and so I am done planning for the "year." I only have to worry about planning for the current month. An hour and a half searching in the library and I am done. Now I just set the books out on the livingroom table, and my wonderful bookworm kids will do the rest. I will have them make some index cards on the people they read about, and will help my youngest  read through the simpler books, and then have a group discussion. Some bee will  settle in my bonnet while we are reading and talking and it will turn into a project, a collage, a trip to the river, an on-line search, or a boat  ride. Something will occur to us that will seem just right for this unit. Til then, I have some good books to read.....

Hart Park-Northeast Bakersfield

From times past:
a favorite autumn activity-leaf jumping
very favorite, rock skipping on the Kern

Can you see the rock?

From this week:

Geese crossing There are a variety of water fowl. OK we use it as a great excuse not to eat our bread crusts: "I am saving them for the ducks!" gets the kids (ok and me) out of the driest bites.

Plenty of room to roam.

My little guy thinks these ants are too huge!

Hart park is one of our favorite picnic destinations. It is the largest park that I know of in Bakersfield and has everything my kids love: animals, water, many playstructures, trees, plenty of room to run, and did I mention water? Whether at the lake or exploring the marsh, or skipping rocks on the river, somehow my kids love the opportunity to get wet. No, I don't let them swim in the water, there have been too many reports of drowning in the Kern river to risk that, but there is this cool little backwater area formed by sandbars that is perfect for kids

and parents. We love it. Unless it is a major holiday, it is usually pretty empty.

Buena Vista Museum in Bakersfield

The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History is just a little museum in downtown Bakersfield, but it is the perfect size for taking small children to. Actually, it is the perfect size for taking myself to, too. It has a wide variety of science exhibits, but not so big as to overwhelm or to totally exhaust you. It is unfortunate that they have lost their major exhibit of the fossils from Shark Tooth hill when the owners asked for them back so they could sell them. Hopefully they will be able to raise enough money to bid on them when they come up for auction in Dec. Downstairs is my favorite part, a basement full of hands-on activities for the kids. I think that is the best way for kids to learn about science.

One room is filled with examples from the different kingdoms in the scientific classification.

The explore-it zone has several microscopes and slides.

Very cool for homeschoolers is the "Human Body and How It Works" section with the diagrams and hands on life size models.

Bakersfield has a very active rock club and rock hounds and they have donated a variety of beautiful and interesting samples for the earth science section.

Ever want to see a life-size model of a hut used by Native Americans in Kern County? It is right here.

I use letter of the week with my younger children, so this being "D" week, we just had to come to the museum to see the dinasour exhibits and murals.

The museum has a well selected African mammmal section, including a lifesize elephant head.

We will have to visit again when we come to the letter "L".

Not pictured is the section with North American Mammals, and a section on sharks.

Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

Some Things to do in Kern County

Murrays Family Farm
www.murryfamilyfarms.com
Indian Point Ostrich Ranch in Tehachapi
www.Indianpointranch.com



Hiking and camping on Nuooah Nature trail.
Tehachapi Mountain Park. (661)868-7000
Located eight miles southwest of Tehachapi on Water Canyon Road. Elevation ranges form 5,500 to 7,000 feet. Some campsites with horse corrals, cabin facilities for large groups.

Brite Valley Aquatic Recreation Area (661)822-3228 Brite Lake -day use only fee is $5 per vehicle per day, boat launching $3 per boat per day, day use and boat launching $8 per day. Over nignt cxamping is also available.