McKay Gardens Lakeside Preserve

School on Saturday?

If an educational experience falls on a Saturday, the answer is YES!!! 

This Saturaday, we took a field trip to McKay Gardens Lakeside Preserve, located in Lake Alfred, Florida. 

In 1917, the MacKay Family of Scotland came to Lake Alfred and built a great estate on the north shore of Lake Rochelle. The home and gardens were designed by Robert Morely, a botanist from England. The MacKay Family hosted many events and cutural activities at the estate, often bringing in harpists, concert pianists and other well known musicians.

Here is a link to beautiful historical pictures.





Here is our pictures, and what it looks like today.

Construction has begun!

Spencer comes up with some really great ideas...

Most of his ideas require a lot of time and hard work.

His newest idea is making a stop motion picture movie. 

He has researched it.

He learned about lighting, backdrops and props (and momma who took 3 years of Drama class in High School- is VERY proud).

He has also written the script. Actually, multiple scripts (oh yes, he is already planning on making more than one).

Now comes the hard work! 

Let The Construction Begin!!!!

Side walk is approved!

Back of Boys' Toy House.

Front of Boys Toy House, complete with balcony.

Life Lesson -Shopping with Women!

Some lessons in life are priceless.

 Yes, he had to learn at an early age...

That he would be very board

Shopping with WOMEN! 

My Mom and my niece wanted to go shopping and have lunch. Girls day out.

However, Spencer wanted to go.

sooooo

It goes a little something like this...

(Interview with Spencer AFTER the shopping spree)

Me - So Spencer, what did you do today?

Spencer- I went shopping with my Grandma and my cousin Jacqueline.  I am not going to lie, I dove off into "Spencer's World" (phrase for daydreaming).

Me- What did they shop for? 

Spencer- Mainly clothing and shoes for Jacqueline. 

Me- Did they talk about girlie stuff? 

Spencer- Just clothing and how it would look on Jaqueline.

Me- So you only went shopping? 

Spencer- No, we also had lunch at Mimi's Cafe'. (A fabulous jazz restaurant with good food)

Me-  What did you eat?

Spencer- I had mini corn dogs and french fries. 

Me- What to drink?  

Spencer- Lemon-aide. AND for dessert, I ate Jacqueline's french fries, she said she could not eat anymore.  

Me- Did you have fun? 

Spencer- Yes.

Me- Even though you were board?

Spencer- yea, but I was only board when they were talking about shirts and shoes. 

 Me-If you could pick the place where you could spend with MamMaw and Jacqueline, where would it be?

Spencer- Real or Fake?

Me- Real.

Spencer- The Beach (that's my BOY!). Can I also telly ou the Fictional place?

Me- :) sure.

Spencer- In a starship with anti gravity generator plus  a jacuzzi in every room.  Oh, and do you have anymore questions?

Me- let me think...

***5 minutes later***

Spencer- Can you think fast? 

Me- depends on the topic. 

Spencer- well if you don't hurry up and think, I am going to press play. ( paused show on TV).

Me- One more question. If MamMaw and Jacqueline were going shopping next week and asked you to go, what would you say? 

Spencer- [insert big eyes and jaw drop] I'll pass......

The End!   

 

 

    

 

 

No School Today Pass

Just like in the real world (which is what school is to prepare you for) when you have a full time job, you get "sick days" or "mental days" based on the  number of hours you accumulate. 

In the state of Florida, you are required to keep an attendance log,  But there is no set hours or days. 
In tradition Public School (which my son has attended 3) 186 days or 1116 hours of  "school" per year.
Home school is much different that traditional public school.    Especially in this Unschool house!
Our School year starts in Jan. and ends in December.  Yep, we school year round.  We take vacations, and breaks as needed.  Our average day is 5 hours of instruction which includes (but not limited to) cooking (GREAT math skills), building (following instructions), gardening (Physical education + science), shopping (math, comparison, and budgeting) , record keeping (savings, spending, science, and history ((timelines)). We also hit the books for math, chemistry, and American History).  English involves communication and a BLOG!!!!   Blogs are no easy task and includes research, writing, and editing.  In two years he has written 144 posts, with almost 50,000 views, and 61 followers.  Most of his writing are video game, cartoon, or movie based. ALL are his interests, and THAT is how we roll!

We do NOT test (only at end of year per Florida law, he must be assessed, and has to prove "Progress"). So, how do I know he is learning?  EASY!!!!! We use The Protégé Effect.
To learn more about The Protégé Effect, click on this link  http://ideas.time.com/2011/11/30/the-protege-effect/ I must admit, he would make an EXCELLENT professor one day if he ever decided that is the career he wants to go into.  I don't want to admit it, but he remembers more than I do! 

Our homeschool days can run 5-12 hours a day. Life is just full of learning!  I do give him credit for anything over 5 hours a day. Before anyone thinks I am overloading my child, know this... He does it to himself, because HE LOVES TO LEARN- and THAT is how "School" should be.  For every 3 days he goes over a normal 5 hour day, he is granted a pass. This pass allows him to take a sick day, a mental day, or just a fun day (although he has never used it for "fun" it is still an option). 

Today is one of those days. He used it as a mental day, because his heart was breaking over the death of one of his Oscar fish, Johnny.

RIP Johnny 

 

 

Do Unschoolers have a Substitute Teacher?

Yes.

Yes we do.

Sometimes the Principal is the Substitute teacher.

Let me personally tell you, he is the BEST !

Meet Substitute Dave. He is teaching Spencer how to build  his first Robot.

Meet G.O.E ~ Pronounced "Gu-ee" (Galactic Operations Elite) ~ Spencer named him.

Physical Education

Razor Style 

Last but not least, Spencer had  to watch a documentary on Netflix about his Idol, Stan Lee.  He learned a few new things he did not know about Stan Lee. He did a blog post on him a few days ago, after already studying about him.
Spencer said if he ever got to meet Stan Lee, he would probably pass out.  :D

Hitting the Books!

Back to the
BOOKS! 

Our school is based on learning experiences, but sometimes even the real world, adults have to hit the books too. We have taxes, checkbooks, and even when we make purchases, sign a legal agreement,  or vote, it is good to research it.

Even though we unschool, we still hit the books. 

The Savings Book

First, I had Spencer add up all our coupons that we used at the store.
Then, I had him add the coupon saving to the in store savings. After that I had Spencer minus the total savings from the total grocery bill. This gives him a visual on why clipping coupons and money saving, checking store adds for deals, shopping around for price (best deal) and quality.  After saving $22.76... I mean that is 1/2 the cost of a video game! 

Speaking of being able to shop and compare (The FREEDOM to do so), our next BACK TO THE BOOKS is good old, American History. 

I purchased this books along with many others at a home school used book sale. Total price at sale $110. Retail value $880.

Because I am trying to get my picky eater to eat more food, He is reading all sorts of COOKBOOKS. Yesterday was Betty Crocker. today is Mexican Food.  Anything that he wants to try or wants to cook, I have him book mark it. It makes great Math class, and let's admit...YOU HAVE TO EAT.

Last, but not least, his favorite subject of the day is writing his Blog Post. 

We attempted Spanish, but he said the workbook I gave him was "for little kids". Hmmm....never thought I'd have to look for a hard one.  Kids. :D

 

Math- Funfetti Style

No better way to have fun doing Math!!!!

What do you get when you add ...
a pouch of four (from the box)
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup of water
Mix well
pour into pan
bake at 350 degrees
and after cooled add Vanilla icing with SPRINKLES
????????????????????

Chef Spencer

http://spencersday2011.blogspot.com/2013/01/marvel-avengers-battle-for-earth.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SpencersDay+%28Spencer%27s+Day%29



  

Following Directions and then some...

   How to teach following directions, especially to a kid who can not handle two step directions is no easy task.  He is a visual kid, and auditory directions are improbable. Have no clue what I am talking about? Here is an example.

           "Would you please go to your room, get your dirty clothes, and bring them here."

3 steps.
15 minutes later I go to his room, and he has been sidetracked by something he saw, and forgot all about what he was suppose to be doing.
Yet, as soon as he see's me, "Oh, my clothes!!" (visual I declare!)

   Thanks to Christmas, Spencer got loads of things that require directions.  Thanks Uncle Erik and Aunt Tabitha, MamMaw and PapPaw! Spencer got Lego stuff, Mega Block stuff, create your own Robot and Roller coaster (made by K-Nex ((and thank you Spencer for correcting how I spelled K-Nex)). 

   So far he has completed 5 Mega Blocks sets (the largest being 894 pieces!). I have to admit, I almost passed out when I saw how many pieces was in that box! All I am thinking is missing pieces and meltdowns, but NOPE!  Some of the pieces needed assistance and I even had a hard time. Mega Blocks are like Lego's with bendable joints, You can also mix them. Although, that will probably never happen in this house because once these babies are built, they get added to the "museum" (toys you look at, not play with). We are running out of space!!!!!!   The K-Nex Roller coaster was a bit tougher to assemble. A good toy for someone who has good muscles in their fingers. This one required much more assistance,  but became a family project (working as a team). Four days later, many hours and sweat (ok, just joking about the sweat) it is complete! Now Spencer wants to use play dough to stick on the cart so his mini figures can go for a ride.  Can you say "Yaaaaaaay" to imaginative play?!?!?!?! These moments are few and far between!
   I was seriously how impressed my son was following directions AND was able to stay focused (something else quiet hard in this house!).

   So, all in all, it worked out great! I thought it was teaching "following directions", but it also teaching so much more! He stayed focused, built some muscles, and is actually playing with his toys!

I am starting this blog to keep a journal of our daily UNSCHOOL adventures.  You can share my ideas, or share your with me! I love feedback! We are always open to others' ideas!

Our homeschool adventure begins like this.
3 Public Schools, 1 Charter School, 1 Private School = NOTHING!
Being the stubborn person I am, I finally said "I can not do any worse! What have I got to loose by home education? If THEY can not do it, I WILL.", and so I did.  Trust me, I had no idea how, or even if I could. It is no easy task, and it is not for wimps.

We are now on year 2 of homeschool. My son (was diagnosed with Autism, ADHD in 2006) and we both  WISH I had done it sooner. He has excelled more than I ever thought imaginable, and yes, I AM A BRAGGING MOM.

My son actually has his own blog. He started his 2 years before me (April 2013 will be two years anyways).  :D

http://spencersday2011.blogspot.com/

Stacey