Homeschooling

My 6 and 8 year olds started learning keyboarding a few weeks ago - typing to us old folks.  We are using a computer Typing program called "Typing Instructor for Kids".  Children learn to type by traveling around Typer Island and playing games, going through easy-to-follow lessons and speed drills.  The boys LOVE this.  They hardly noticed they were learning.   I had to force them to quit playing and at the end of the first session they had each memorized the home row keys and were touch typing at better than 90% accuracy.  The program lets them know their WPM (words per minute) and their accuracy after each game or lesson.  The kids get so excited when they improve, and there's a little bit of competition going on.  We've issued a challenge to some of our good friends at home who got the same program to learn to type this year - "Race you to the Castle!"  To get to the castle and take control of the island you have to progress through all 5 of the different areas on the island.  Then, to gain access to the fortress you must pass a speed drill and prove that you can type more than 15 words per minute.
 
I offered Instant messenging as an incentive to the boys to stick with it.  Once they learn all the keys they will earn the privilege to get online and chat with their friends, as long as they use the correct form.  No hunting and pecking!  I must say, I am very impressed with how quickly they've learned where the keys are and I really like this program.  At this point, after about 3 weeks, they know where all of the letters are and they're about to start on the numbers.  They are typing some of their school work (Bible verses and a few journal entries).  They've also started e-mailing some of their friends.  If you're looking to teach a younger child to type I highly recommend this program.  It doesn't cost much - about $15.  You can't go wrong.  Try it!{mos_fb_discuss:27}

{gallery}piano{/gallery}Our artsy child - the actor - also loves to play the piano.  It's like a release valve for him.  When he gets frustrated with his math (which happens frequently) I can bribe him to finish with the promise of playing piano next.  He loves it and all you have to do is watch him play to see it.  It's like the music moves through his whole body.  He patiently tries to figure out how to play new pieces and then excitedly calls us to hear him when he gets them figured out.  It's so beautiful to me, and naturally I hated to take that from him.  So once again I set out in search of a way to allow him continue to play piano on the road.  My answer - Skype.

Read more: Piano Lessons on the Road

Missoula Children's Theater is a theater in Montana that sends out traveling actors/directors in pairs all over the country to help children put on plays from start to finish in just a week.  They are incredible!  Our youngest son first auditioned last year and was selected to be a chameleon in Robinson Crusoe.  He had a blast.  The next year he auditioned and was awarded the part of a pumpkin in Cinderella.  Missoula has helped him develop a love for theater that I never could have given him.  The directors are positive and playful, but they're all about business.  They only have a week to go from nothing to a full performance with about 60 kids - lights, make-up, costumes, singing and dancing, and memorized lines.  What they accomplish with the kids always amazes me. 

Our little man didn't know it, but I checked Missoula's website where the tour schedule is posted about 6 months in advance.  I looked for Missoula stops near places where we'd be for at least 2 weeks so that he'd have time to participate.  I found 2.  The first was near New York City and the second near St. Louis.  After a little more research I found that the show near NYC had been cancelled (bummer, how cool would that have been?)  so our only hope was St. Louis.  I called the person in charge of coordinating the tour and the show to ask permission for him to audition with the other children in the area.  She agreed, provided that we'd consider speaking about what we're doing!  Now our budding actor has an opportunity to do something on the road that he loved to do at home (and even if he doesn't get a part, it's still a great learning experience).  I love that!  {mos_fb_discuss:27}

Scouting has been a part of our weekly routine for the past couple of years.  We have been blessed with a wonderful troop at home (Troop 439 Rocks!), but now that we're on the road many people think that the boys will have to quit.  Not so.  A little known program called "Lone Scouts" allows the boys to continue progressing on the road.  Here's more information...

Read more: Scouts On The Road Can Be "Lone Scouts"