Thursday, February 26, 2015

Great Day for Goschoolers!

Happy One Month B-day to the Goschoolers site! It was one month ago, after preparing a speech on field trips, that I had the idea to launch Goschoolers. Once I articulated all the benefits my children received from being up and doing, and made a list of all the neat things we had been able to do, I became convinced I needed to find a way to include more families. Thanks for stopping by!

Our one month accomplishments include 2 Goschool outings - one to a dress rehearsal of Little Women, the Musical, and the other to the State Capitol while the Legislature was in session. We were even given a private lunch with a House Representative! (Hint: If you missed hearing about these, JOIN to the right!)

We have added 45 families and look forward to adding more! It makes arranging groups SO much easier for me when I can call a venue and say, "I have about 45 families who may be interested in a visit. May we come?" Thank you for being that critical mass!

This month we have also added a Destination Review NOT done by me! That is fantastic, and I hope to add many more! Even if you've only been to the destinations or events already reviewed here, we would LOVE your perspective! And if you are a member, please contact me when YOU have an adventure to arrange! Thank you too, for your comments and suggestions. We look forward to making this site an even better resource for families who want to goschool!

Please help us grow by inviting your friends and family to join us! Membership will always be free, you never have to contribute a field trip or review, you can unsubscribe at any time, and I will do my best to only send out emails when a new adventure has been planned. You don't even need to homeschool to be a goschooler- just passionate about learning and adventuring as a family! So help me spread the word!

My goal is to have at least one Goschool outing each month! If you haven't already, join now so you don't miss out!

Thanks, and happy adventuring!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Inspiration for the Week: Begin Where You Are

“But here we are - that is a great fact, and, if we will tarry a little longer we may come to learn 
that here is best. See to it only that thyself is here - 
and art and nature, hope and dread, friends, angels, and the Supreme Being 
shall not be absent from the chamber where thou sittest.”

~ from essay, “Heroism,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I call that wonderful news! We don't need to go anywhere special to learn a great deal. We don't need memberships, or money, or the right car, or better behaved children, or even the "right ageed" children. We can begin where we are and have an adventure. Now.

Though my family loves field trips, we have also discovered we can learn so much from the comfort of our own home. And much of what we discover is how we come to desire to see and experience more.

So where are you today? What are you curious about? What are your dreams? And what are the realities that influence what you can and cannot do? We don't have to wait for any of this to change to have a great adventure. Tarry a moment in the now and learn all it has to teach. You will find what you know expand, and so will your curiosities and dreams. Ah, the great circle of learning has begun!

Monday, February 9, 2015

Inspiration for the Week: Party Over Here

NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN'T RECIEVED YOUR EMAIL ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND LITTLE WOMEN, BE SURE YOU HAVE CONFIRMED SIGNING UP, CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER, and if it still doesn't come, EMAIL steffaniecaspeerson@gmail.com.

A brief departure from the lofty notes of great minds... How 'bout a party, anyone?!

After all, what IS a party anyway but themed food and activities for fun with friends? Sounds like a great learning opportunity to me! You can have a book-themed party, or a country themed party. A history themed party. Even a math or science themed party! And your party will be someone else's Goschooling event!

We have yet to throw our Upelly-ah. We learned about that holiday while studying Scotland and felt convinced we needed to have the family around the corner who served in Scotland over while our neighborhood bagpiper serenaded the burning of paper viking ships to represent old, cast off habits. Before we chowed down on Shepherds Pie and shortbread. Now doesn't that sound fun? 

Two of our now long-running traditional favorites are our Scripture Hero Party (held around Halloween where everyone dresses as their favorite character and tells or acts out a portion of their story while onlookers guess who the hero is) and our Saint Patrick's Day party (where we feast on Irish Fare, plan a scavenger hunt while the kids prep a play of their own creation involving mischievous leprechauns, and generally have a great time chugging root beer straight from the bottles).

You can learn about ancient Greek and Roman Gods for Valentine's Day. Study China for Chinese New Year (Feb 19 this year) or even the moon as it's based on a lunar calendar. Beef up St. Pat's parties with new learning about Ireland or the origins of leprechauns. OR have an Ides of March toga party and learn about the fall of Roman democracy. OR... I could go on and on, but you get the idea.

The best part is that as you involve your kids in the planning and pulling off of the party, not only will they be engaged learners, but the learning will STICK!

So have fun, and help your friends and family discover the joys of Goschooling right in the comfort and hospitality of YOUR home!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Inspiration for the Week: Try Discovery Mode

"We should come home from far, from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character."
~ from Walden Pond by Henry David Thoreau


Lofty though it sounds, if you are blessed to have little children around, daily discoveries and adventures are a certainty if you open your mind, heart, and most importantly, schedule! These adventures are easy because there is so much that is NEW to a child. An obvious example: a trip to the doctor or dentist is it's own adventure and peril!

We adults are constantly in "task" mode, but finding daily discovery can be as simple as moving into "discovery" mode. Sure, you might be at the Library to find age appropriate material for your beginning reader, but there are probably areas of the library you've never been to and that your child doesn't know about. Even your regular grocery store is an exciting challenge if you put the kids in charge of finding the items and having them lead YOU around, instead of "getting the shopping DONE" (task mode) with kids in tow.

This week, shift all of your to-do's to to-discover's and see what adventures, perils, and discoveries are to be had for you and your kids!

Remember to join Goschoolers (to the right) for timely heads-up's on activities, events, and Goschoolers exclusives! And invite your friends to join us too!