Mount Vernon Homeschoolers

Editor Speaks

Happy Father's Day June 17

Grist Mill Park Play Group

4-H Track and Field

4-H Host Families

Vacation

Gardening News

Future Plans

Newsletter #18 Old Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Homeschoolers

June 2001, Newsletter #18 Mount Vernon Homeschoolers Editor: Suzanne
Student editor: Kathy

I've offered to meet people to talk to them about homeschooling. In this part of the country, as compared to really down south in Oklahoma or Texas or Ohio or Florida, it's not easier to meet people. Suspect the weather has something to do with it. We aren't used to smiles or friendliness in these colder climes. Don't be worried. If it's 11:30 at Merrifield Flower Center and four kids are yelling about the great slime, it's homeschoolers. You can't be shy. Come over.

Say hello.

When Mount Vernon homeschoolers started getting together, we were two Moms, then five Moms and some Dads. We used to have a support and discussion group. Now, that was fun to get together with both parents, the children playing and there were issues to deal with. We would talk for hours.

In this newsletter, some ideas will be presented.

Take them or leave them.

We enjoyed some great activities with Christian homeschoolers in the past, and picked up some wonderful ideas like the Book-It Program. We are not secular or Christian, but we do keep open minds. And, we will talk about our experience. Share our pathos. Tell you what worked and what didn't.

In fact, I am contemplating a classical education where we do Science and prove classical ideas next year. Newton will have some kids in the tree. Read the classics, live the classics. It depends on what my children want for their education.

Mount Vernon homeschoolers number thirty families. We aren't together for any one event, but we would be a big group. And, I for one will stay friends with other homeschoolers and support ideas and welcome interaction.

This year we had some great ideas from the Moms and the children. That included Co-Operative Learning Center from Carol. We attended Kennedy Center and got prices that were affordable and saw memorable performances.

Terry's Dance Center came through with offerings. Brownie Girl Scouts started. 4-H marched in parade with costumes sewn in the group. A field trip group started, and we saw other areas start up groups in Springfield and Reston.

We used to talk about socialization, but our kids have been together and played so well, they never worried. They socialized. Thanks to the caring Moms who support events and show up (even if it's solo).

Grist Mill Play Group Each Wednesday at 1-4 P.M. Bring drinks and snacks, bubbles, balls, and babies and kids of all ages. The teens dance in the grass, the crowd moves to the stream, and please leave the frogs and animal life there, boys. I found the snake skin in my newspaper later and it was too thrilling. Good playground. Fields to run in. Friendly, smiling faces. Good dynamics on the playground.

4-H June 12 Field and track events at Fort Hunt Park Pavilion 10-1.

Last year we had paper plate toss. Boiled egg in a wooden spoon race. Trash can/ball throw and pillow case 3 legged race. We could add Frisbee throwing, relay team race and some shorter dashes for brothers and sisters. Skateboards, roller skates, helmets,protective gear, drinks,snacks and bring enough to share. Some times we fire up the grill and cook hot dogs. Basketball, baseball, soccer. We have ages 6 monthss to 15 years and the competition is more fun than serious. We have a chart and stars for those who try events and we will cheer all contestants. Ft. Hunt has bathrooms, playground and an old battlement that needs to be attended with parent supervision.

4-H is also looking for Host families for Japanese students age 8-18 for a 30 day visit in August. There is some paper work and they still had a need for twelve year old children. If anyone is interested please e-mail Suzanne.

Vacation Adventure E-Mail your adventures and we can make a log of our travels. We will be attending a Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary. Promised the kids to drive over to a Buffalo ranch. Congratulations to the Grand-Parents and see you all soon. We are starting to want to road trip.

Gardening News! Found a dead mole in the yard. Thanks, boys. The lawn crew gleaned my morning glories and yanked the last raspberry bush. We grew grass in the flower pot and it has a spiky nice look with the lilies .We really like the new wave petunias. The new rose garden hasn't all come out. Checked with the complaint line and they recommend Vitamin B. Yes, pour it on. The roses will pop up gleefully. sunning about a quart low myself on the Vitamin B. Boys carried hundreds of pounds of manure, pine mulch and potting soil. We all dug for hours. Hope you all are planting and growing, too.

June / 2001

4
Bagels and Books, 10:00 a.m.

6
Play Group, Grist Mill Park, 1:00 p.m.

12
Track and Field event, 4-H Club, 10:00 a.m., Ft. Hunt

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Play Group, Grist Mill Park, 1:00 p.m.

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Play Group, Grist Mill Park, 1:00 p.m.

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Book Chat, Sherwood Library, 4:00 p.m.

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Play Group, Grist Mill Park, 1:00 p.m.

Last year, we filled every day except Friday with things to do with home school and community. We taught at Sunday School, and ran ourselves ragged. Until Mom got sick and ended up in bed. We got out our workbooks and made cardboard wings and tried Algebra and some books with yellow covers that insult us with what dummies know. We had some ideas that never panned out, the Co-operative Baby sitting for one. That idea had merit. We also had support group and that was fun to sit and talk as a group about issues and that has worth for newbies. We also had Writing Club for the younger crowd at Sherwood Library. Orph was music tutored on Thursday by age group. Play Group on Wednesday. 4-H every two weeks on Tuesday. Violin. Co-operative learning center on Thursday. Then, it changed to Wednesday. We overbooked and crashed literally and burned figuratively.

Like to contemplate an offering of tutored services in math. Or someone who remembers algebra. It's been a few years. Use it or lose it means I lost it back in the 90's.

Lisa N. and I are thinking about turning 4-H into an Adventure Club. Skate, hike, ride a horse, clean a stream, float down a river, kayak, hike the Appalachian trail, attend Congress, go to the Smithsonian. Let us know if you prefer 4-H as it is with experiments in science, (we almost followed the book on activities). We always think we are not conforming, but we really did sewing, habitat, bird feeders, and when I looked at the material, we learned orienteering. If the leader could remember hands, hearts, health and help, we might be picture perfect 4-H people. We sure have fun at it.

When we talk to Co-operative learning center is there room for Odyssey of the Mind, public speaking, math club by age, history, writing two groups, physics, chemistry, art, movie making, drama study. Or, should we keep those subjects home? Is it the choice of the parents or the will of our children to succeed. We have ninth graders coming up.

Can we find the community center for swimming group? For basketball, or soccer or jump into the already in place in the community Gunston soccer league. Sports day was outstanding. We went to a rec center and participated in games that broke a sweat.

Homeschooling usually is school at home. Or, unschool. Or, get on the road and find your school? Do we want all the outside activity. Let's talk to one another when we meet and see what the priority is in our family unit. We could look at a community service for our teens.

Said enough. Have to get back to some Terrance Conlan books. Had the girls look at them and they cleaned their room and finally put the Holly Hobbie toy box on the front porch. Oh, joy. I spoke on the utter joy of clutterliness and they garbage bagged some size 10 dresses with the price tags still on them. It is getting deep on the porch with cast offs.

Peace Play June 10 at Mount Vernon at 1:00P.M.
Firefly Fun Hang a white sheet with a light behind it and look at all the bugs that show up in your backyard.
Alex issues a challenge, Can you grow a watermelon or a pumpkin. He wants you to try to do it with him.
Happy Summer Fun!