Fiber Friday : Wonderful Woolfest 2012

I should have taken pictures of all the pretty shops and lovelies at the Winter Woolfest 2012 in Wamego.  This was the first time I was able to go.  I was either sick or there was something close to a blizzard happening.  Not this time! Even better I had a ride thanks to a member of  Knit Lawrence.  And a few other knitters came along as well, so double the fun.

I got some fiber, merino/targhee roving and some local rambouillet fleece, and a spinner's control card. Later in the afternoon we had some coffee then  we stopped at a thrift store and I got a few more the things.  The brown swing top bottle will be for simple sugar for mixed drinks or herbed vinegars.  The photo frames for a photo of course.  The tin now stores my wire and beading tools so now things fit better in the tin that holds beads and jewelry making findings. 

There were several free classes or demonstrations to choose from.  I got to watch Nikol Lohr from Yarn School make batts again.  I needed some reminders so I know how to use my drum carder.



I also learned how to do a moebius cast on created by Cat Bordi.  So I can knit a moebius cowl for Jade.  She geeks out about the moebius.

All in all a good day.  I recommend going if you have the time.  Woolfest is often the 1st Saturday in January. So keep your eyes peeled on the Wicked Stitch  for details.

Getting Started Homeschooling

Hey all you folks who come to see what I have been doing with fiber I regret I've been too busy doing stuff with fiber and spending time with my family to blog. Right now, I'm taking the time to post something about homeschooling because I've been getting lots of questions and need a one stop place to send new hoemschoolers. So new homeschoolers in Kansas and those contacting me locally in Lawrence. Here you go! If you knit, spin and like to cook you might like my blog too. Maybe I'll be around more often this year and maybe not.

So first off, If your kids have been in school you will need to formally withdrawal them in writing. If they haven't ever been in school then you don't have to worry about that. So starting reading:)

Homeschooling in Kansas - How to homeschool in Kansas

Join a local list or two:

Lawrence Area Homeschool Network Yahoo List (LAHN) is a secular, inclusive homeschooling group to support families and encourage homeschooling in Lawrence, Kansas and surrounding areas. LAHN values diversity and requests participants to be considerate to all people and faiths. Our common bond is homeschooling. Most of our meetings will be social in nature, although members are encouraged to share their skills through classes, activities or organizing field trips. This list is pretty quiet these but I assure you we are a friendly bunch and even more so in person. We currently meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. I started this list and group about 7 years ago. I'm not as active in facilitation stuff as I was. I still got to group twice a week.

Topeka Area Homeschool Network Yahoo List (TAHN) We are a secular inclusive homeschooling group whose main focus is facilitating social activities in the Topeka, Kansas Area. We value tolerance, acceptance and respect for individuals regardless of age, race or religion. We recognize and celebrate diversity. Members use a variety of methods to homeschool their children. We recognize learning happens at all ages in a variety of ways and that there is not one right way to homeschool.

So you've dealt with the legal issues and joined a local group. Now what? First you breath. Then start reading anything you can get your hands on about learning and homeschooling. The more you read about homeschooling the better questions you can ask so you can get the help you are looking for. Watch your kids and observe how they learn.

Some good books to read

My top 5 at least it was about 10 years ago!

Learning all the time -John C. Holt

Child's Work: Taking Children's Choices Seriously - Nancy Wallace (might be out of print)

Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense - David Guterson

Homeschooling Book of Answers - Linda Dobson

Deschooling Our Lives - Matt Hern

Meeting Children’s Unique Learning Needs:

Punished By Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A's, Praise, and Other Bribes-Alfie Kohn

In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's Multiple Intelligences - Thomas Armstrong

Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences-Howard Gardner

Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century - Howard Gardner

Dumbing Us Down: Curriculum of Compulsory Education - John Taylor Gatto

Better Than School: One Family's Declaration of Independence – Nancy Wallace

Christian Unschooling : Growing Your Children in the Freedom of Christ-Teri J. Brown, Elissa M. Wahl

The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom-Mary Griffith

Homeschooling for Excellence-David Colfax, Micki Colfax

And the Skylark Sings with Me-David H. Albert

The Unschooling Handbook : How to Use the Whole World As Your Child's Classroom-Mary Griffith

Homeschooling for Excellence-David Colfax, Micki Colfax

And the Skylark Sings with Me-David H. Albert

Homeschoolers' College Admissions Handbook: Preparing Your 12- to 18-Year-Old for a Smooth Transition-Cafi Cohen, Linda Dobson

The Teenage Liberation Handbook: How to Quit School and Get a Real Life and Education-Grace Llewellyn

Real Lives: Eleven Teenagers Who Don't Go to School-Grace Llewellyn

If school was a bad experience you may need some time to deschool. Deschooling gives your time decompress from the stress of school and move to the kind of learning you want to do with your kids. Having kids home full time takes some adjustment if your kids have been in school for a while.

While you deschool don't worry about curriculum. Spend time with your kids and learn about homeschooling.

What kind of homeschooling will you do? Eclectic, classical, school at home, unschooling.

Ann Zeise has a fantastic website to get you started here.

My family unschools. I'm inspired by things found on here and here. You can find other posts I've written about unschooling on my blog as well here.

Let me know if this is helpful and anything else you think I might add. Mostly this is the basics to get you started.

Okay the formatting sucks for the book list - formatting is better.