Getting started again...

Am I the only parent that feels like getting going in the new school year is like trying to get a train moving by pushing it myself? That's at least how it's felt for me this year. Trying to get everything organized and tutors lined up and so on and so on. I know I always start out the year enthusiastically, and then seem to lose steam rapidly, because it feels like hurry up and wait, trying to get classes and schedules all lined up. I know eventually it will start moving along smoothly and gain speed and then I'll be wondering where the school year went. I love the new Paragon, I think it's a great new system. Anyone else happy with the change? It just takes a little getting used to, I'm still working on getting used to it, but I love it and hope it works great not only for us parents but also for our hard working RCs, who have their work more than cut out for them. I'd love to hear from more parents, should any drop in to our blog. Encouragment is always welcome, as well as ideas to help motivate our kids and inspire them and help them to love learning. Please feel free to jump in and post something. Have a great school year!

A Fun Read

We just finished reading a cute story that was fun and inspiring to boot. It's called "Frindle" by Andrew Clements. It's a story about a 5th Grade student who starts out as a smooth talking boy who thinks he's figured out how to distract his teachers and avoid extra homework. He meets his match in his new 5th Grade Language Arts teacher, who inspires and challenges him. He's full of new ideas, some of which turn the town upside down and changes things for everyone. This is a great story I think everyone will enjoy. I know my son and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Happy Reading and have a great school year!

Summer is zooming by and Vision has been very busy!

Hello Visionaries!

Well, it sounds like our school staff has been super busy getting ready for the new school year. We are getting an new program to help us with documentation and communications, and I've heard is going to make life easier for us. I hope that's true and I look forward to getting a chance to look at the new program.

This blog was set up to help parents and any other interested Vision members, (staff or RC's, etc.) communicate with each other. My hope in starting it was to help parents get to know one another and give us a place to freely talk about anything we want to, whether it's to recommend good resources for educational opportunities, or just organize time for our students to get together for some socializing or down-time in between lessons.

Please feel free to post comments or questions, or make recommendations that you found helpful in your daily life as home schoolers. I hope this blog will catch on and become a great resource for all of our Visionaries :) I like that nickname, I think it's catchy, what do you think? Like I said this is for the parents, I hope you will take the time if you have a minute or two, to share whatever you like. We had a suggestion for a forum, and if anyone knows the difference between a forum and a blog, we can look into switching, we just need input! What can we do to make this work? Looking forward to a new school year. Have a terrific year! Hope to hear from you soon!

Where did the summer go?

Well, the school year has started. Where did the summer go? I'm looking for more physcial ed opportunities for my teenage son. He's not had much chance to participate in organized games/sports. He would like to perhaps learn some of the martial arts, does anyone know of any good classes for karate, jujitsu, anything along those lines? We're not really looking to get into the philosphy, just the skill and physical discipline. Something physically demanding would be good, for exercise purposes. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Unfortunately being in Vision I don't know of any p.e. opportunities. Any help or recommendations would be valued.

Thanks so much! Have a great year!

Cute Read

My son and I just finished reading "The Tale of Despereaux"... something we determined to read prior to seeing the film. I was very delighted to hear my son say that he enjoyed the movie, however, he actually liked the book better! What a great thing to hear... It's a cute story, written by the author of "Because of Winn-Dixie." I recommend this as a light, enjoyable read. Even for your older kids, my son is a teen and he still enjoyed it. I actually used it to help him get through dish washing duty, making the work enjoyable as well as being read to. Jim Trelease highly recommends reading to your kids, however, sometimes, it's hard to find time to sit down and read together, so reading while washing made both things enjoyable.

Enjoy your summer!

Anyone Up For Summer Activities? Or Just Communicating?

Hello Vision Parents and Students!

Summer is coming and sometimes it can be a challenge to find quality things for kids to do. I'm a parent of a Vision student and would love to meet more Vision parents, and make friends and have an opportunity for my son to make some friends with other Vision students. That's why I started this blog. If anyone is interested in sharing ideas, activities, outings that we might be able to get our kids together in, or just great thoughts or ideas, for fun or even educational opportunities, please feel free to join this blog. I am hoping to perhaps even get some feedback on some of the educational options available to our Vision students. What are some of the better experiences you've had with classes and educators? Who or what do you recommend? Are there any classes, or teachers that your kids have loved and learned a lot from? Do you know any great websites for kids, that are safe, fun and educational? I hope there might be some other parents out there that might be willing to share from their home schooling experiences. I look forward to hearing from everyone! My hope is this can be a pleasant place for parents to give their input and share their ideas, successes and struggles. I hope you'll join me.

Happy Summer!
~Pamela~