Community Learning

This past week I’ve been somewhat occupied with listening in to the unschooling summit.  The sessions have been extremely helpful although much of what has been discussed is a reminder of why and how we homeschool.  There is a week remaining if anyone is interested in checking it out.

The summit  has also really reaffirmed what now seems as second nature to our family which is planning our studies around community events and other local educational opportunities.   This week I took it step further and we did some prep work ahead of time in anticipation of the community events.  The girls and I had already planned on studying insects in order to earn a Girl Scout badge and patch because of the Butterfly Live! exhibit which opened this week at the botanical gardens.   There were tropical and native butterfly species included in the exhibit this year.

Another fantastic family event which we planned for was the Celebration of Indian Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  Before the event the girls and I went online to the National Geographic Kids facts and videos about India and researched the country through library resources.  The hands-on program was terrific as the children investigated Indian architecture, henna, textile art, Rangoli(ancient Indian folk art created with rice flour and flowers), and completed a royal riches gallery hunt for really cool prizes.  This is really such a great alternative to exposing our children to other countries and cultures since we are unable at this point in our lives to actually travel there.

It was also a joy to see other Muslim families enjoying the event.  Alhamdulillah, I am starting to see more and more Muslim homeschoolers as well getting out into the community and taking advantage of these open events.   Our local community has so much to offer and we have always been welcomed with open arms.

Enjoying Every Moment

It isn’t often that my husband and I get time alone together.   It was a blessing today when my mother-in-law stopped by for a short time to entertain the children, so we could reconnect.  Somehow, we ended up a park we had never before explored and I was really impressed.  I savored every single moment we had together by being extremely conscious of our environment.  We absorbed the sounds of the trickling water, the birds singing, and squirrels scurrying.  We were also really careful to beware of snakes as we discovered a snake skeleton in the rocks.  Of course thoughts of the children were always present and my husband kept mentioning that they would love this park.  Insha Allah, I am grateful for those moments today.  We really needed time to reconnect with each other as well as Allah.

Weekend Roundup

Yahya’s school camping trip was this weekend in Virginia Beach.  His father and grandfather accompanied him, so I guess it was a male bonding experience.  My father-in-law loves outdoor cooking and he came more than prepared to “burn.”  They feasted on beets, cannied yams, cucumbers, and beans.  Of course, seafood (fish and oysters) was also on the menu as after all they were at the beach.  After viewing the pictures, it makes me want to try it out even more now.  Especially, if my father-in-law comes along and does all the cooking!

While they were away, I did manage to get a little weekly planning accomplished.  Hannah and Jamilah have left over writing assignments from last week.  By the way, it seems like this is often the case in our house.  Writing assignments seem to get dragged out.  They both finished up their spelling curriculum, so I had them write a story using the words they spelled incorrectly this year.  This is an idea I borrowed from my mother, a former English teacher.  They also have been reviewing grammar through playing games at this Grammar Blast website.  They have a few more writing assignments to complete for the end of the year evaluation, so I want them to focus on the actual writing for the remainder of the year. 

We are also doing a unit study on insects and fortunately I have found that I can easily integrate Girl Scout badges into these unit studies and tweak it for the younger children.  Here is an example of an insect study and a fish study. 

With only a little over two weeks remaining before the girls evaluation, I still need to actually gather all of the required materials and organize their binders.  I have been recording as they completed  reading books and listened to audio books, so that part is finished.  I also  typed up a list of monthly activities in which they participated as well as a list of curriculum and other resources.  Insha Allah, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Here Come the Girl Scouts

First, let me start by saying what a positive experience we have had this year with Girl Scouts.  I am so grateful to have been part of such a great group of Muslim women and girls this year.  Being involved in this organization has really encouraged me to keep my head up no matter how difficult the trials were this year.  I also think my girls benefitted from the socialization, unity, inspiration, and so much more.

So, when I found an easy biography about the founder, Juliette Gordon Low,  called Here Come the Girls Scouts!, my children wanted to read it over and over.  I also thought it was very inspiring as it focused on how a group of women as well as the power of one person can make the world a better place.   “To get on in the world, to give anything and get anything out of it, each girl has got to do her part.”

This book has come into our house in perfect timing.  An important part of Girl Scout is camping out.  To be honest, even though I love spending time outside, I have never been very interested in camping out.  Seeing my girls out there and giving it a try is really changing how I feel about it though.  Finally, this quote from the book has made me realize that camping out is something I must try in order to fully benefit from the healing of nature.  ” To get the full benefit of actual contact with Nature it is absolutely necessary to camp out where every breath of heaven can reach you and all wild things are within easy reach.” 

After reading this,  I thought to myself, “How can I truly be a Girl Scout if I won’t camp out?”  I have given birth naturally to 7 children!  Surely, camping out can’t be that difficult.  So, now my intention is to give it a go and see what happens, insha Allah.  Anyone else open to trying it?  We really can do anything if with Allah’s help if we set our minds to it.

Book Cover Art

Several months ago, the little girls painted artwork for my father-in-law on old book covers.  We also painted old pencils and glued them around the edges as the frame.  Apparently, they were a bit hit with my in-laws because my sister-in-law also requested one.  So, this time I thought we should take advantage of the opportunity to create more for other family members around the state and around the country. 

We started out with old book covers, covered them with gesso (a primer), and painted them.  After they dried, we used Modge Podge as a finish and glued on colored craft sticks as a frame.  I found that the old pencils were more difficult to paint, so I decided to make it easy on myself this time.  We also finger crocheted some hemp and attached it in order to enable the paintings to be hung on the wall.

I think they make nice gifts, don’t you?

Juniors’ Camp Out

Despite a rainstorm and a bit cooler weather, Hannah and Jamilah were thrilled to experience their first camping trip with their father this weekend.  As a family, we have traveled to Belle Isle State Park several times over the years, yet this was the girls’ first campout.  Since the park was offering a Junior Girl Scout programs (Gardening and Flowers), my husband offered to make it a father-daughter date complete with camping. 

In addition to earning their Girl Scout badges, they were blessed to catch a glimpse of many wildlife species including wild turkeys, wild rabbits, tree frogs, snakes, ospreys, bald eagles, and groundhogs.

 

This park is considered one of Virginia’s best kept secrets and is relatively quiet and serene.  While the girls attended the program, my husband had some surreal time to himself in the canoe.  It was medicine for the soul, maashaa Allah.  We are both hoping and praying that we can go and experience this as couple in the near future.

The Discoveries That Keep Me Going

Homeschooling is hard.  There is no doubt about it, but it is the little precious moments that make it all worthwhile and keeps me motivated day after day to continue this journey with them.  For us a perfect example of these memorable moments are finding wildlife in our yard. Today was an excellent day for critter spottings, maashaa Allah.   First Isa and I stood several feet away from a crow which landed right on our railing and then processed to eat the children’s left over lunch droppings.  He was so thrilled and started imitating the crow’s caws.  Later in the day, Jennah came running inside excitedly to tell me that she had found a lizard (a five lined skink) in the back.  Finally, the girls discovered a male black widow spider hanging around the woodpile. 

This is truly what makes it all worthwhile.  Just to see the excitement on their faces and yearning to learn more about their seemingly small discoveries.  Today was a good homeschooling day, maashaa Allah.