Schooling at HOME?

As a mother that home schooled my kids for at least half of their education. My advice to all would be... Get out of the box! Learning doesn't come from a prefabricated curriculum completely. While it's nice to have worksheets to practice in the early years, you don't have to have a strict schedule to follow. Relax, explore and encourage the kids to ask questions. If you don't know the answer don't worry!! 

This moment will be your greatest chance to teach them how to learn. Find the answer together, learn something new with your child. You will be amazed at the outcome! {For both of you}.  Everything around you is an opportunity to learn. Watching the technicians at Les Schwab fix a flat tire, or how the cable guy hooks things up on the back of your TV/Entertainment center. Ever went crabbing? Take a hike and research the plants you see. Bird watching. . . . So many ways!

Scroll through our suggested links for some ideas on Science, social studies and Government. Captain Planet, Save the Frogs. Find a few contests. Look for things like the World Water Monitoring event, or earth day activities for some real hands on experiences. 

And read. Read a book out loud, together or quietly in a comfortable spot. Talk about what you read. Teach your children how to describe and explain what their reading. Comprehension is the key to understanding what your reading. Share their excitement over the adventures they read about. Encourage them to draw pictures, act out their favorite scenes in the book. Create a play, just as many good books have become movies. 

Teach them how to think and learn for themselves and you will have taught them the key to a successful future. 

Share your ideas, send me the links to awesome sites you find, so I can add them to our list. Let me know how it's going and always feel free to ask questions. 

Now for those that are interested we're creating a

 Writing Contest

2020 the year to remember for sure! Our children have been impacted hard, losing out on their education, missing friendships, and all around changes and the unknown. Parents left shouldering the responsibility of educating their own children. Many left in the dark, lost not knowing what to do or how to do it. When will it end? What will the new normal look like? How do the kids feel about it all?

Between now and December 1st, the kids can be working on their submissions.  Currently working on prizes and guidelines. The one or two things we know for sure is ~ 

 The topic will be ~ 2021 a New Normal ...

and the Age groups

5-7 yrs

8-10 yrs

11-13 yrs

14-16 yrs

17-19 yrs

This is the children's chance to express themselves and how they feel about everything that's happened from the outbreak of the virus to the closing of schools. What do they think or hope the future will look like? The children are the future for all of us. How the pandemic has affected them is important and this is a great way to share, learn and practice good writing skills. 

Most importantly something to have fun while doing!!!! 

#school, #homeschool, #learning, #teachyourchildathome

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay safe and Happy Trails.

Duck Details

If you were here back in the spring, You will remember that I wasn't sure I had received 'pairs' of ducks. As it turns out all 3 sets are mated pairs.

However, I've learned a few things along the way...

• All male ducks have some green in their head, it doesn't always show up easily, but you can see it in the light or up close.
• Also, The tail has a couple little feathers that curl up on the males, this is where the term 'duck tail' comes from in reference to one's hair., having that little flip curl. And it is incredibly cute on a duck.
• Pairs have to be kept separated or you will end up with mixed matched couples and the boys like to fight! 
• I was told, that it's better to have 3-4 females to 1 male, rather than 1-1.
• Chickens eat duck eggs!! The ducks and chickens must be separate. I have one female duck that became very sad when they were with the chickens...

So, I've had to build and buy a few fences and houses and it's been a challenge keeping the horse from helping out. 

I originally had the mini mare in the same paddock as the ducks and chickens. She quickly figured out she could fit into the chicken shelters and there was an abundance of hay and grain in there. 

So I had to rotate horses and put a different horse in with the ducks and chickens. Now this one only likes the ducks water and will disturb them for a drink only if it's clean. {Which it seldom is, even though we change it daily }

Now for the cool news.

Meet Daffy and Daisy. 

They are Gray spotted Runners.

Can you see the eggs?

They have 5 in their nest!

I'm not collecting the duck eggs, to see if they will nest. It might be too late this year due to the cold coming. We'll see. The eggs are about the same size as the chicken eggs, but they are longer just a bit and slender. Almost an off white. I know Daffy is very protective of the nest and always checks on them through out the day. 

I'm hoping Howard and Precious and Lil Duck and One Duck will be able to start nesting soon. Still setting up their yards and making their houses secure from predators.

I have to get all the ducks and chickens secure before I try moving away from the barn, since I won't be here at night. My landlord will keep an eye out, but it's just not the same. I worry about my babies and would feel horrible if anything happened to any of them.

#chickens, #ducks, #raisingpoultry

Blessed by God

Life's good @ the Bright side of the Barn

Thanks for stopping by

Until next time, Stay safe and Happy Trails.