Reading, writing, and drawing stories »
Thanks to Kiki’s latest passion for GoT and the project it inspired, we’ve had a very rich summer practicing many different aspects of literacy and storytelling.
education
“King of Swords” The Genesis »
Inspired by the last season of GoT, 11-year-old Joaquin embarks a new filmmaking project; our most complex so far, rich in preparation and new skills.
Meeting my Teachers »
Reminder to self in preparation for volunteering in a Special Ed class. I’ve learned for nine years from one child, and hope to learn from many more.
Officially in School »
Our month trial at school has ended and don’t you dare take this away from Joaquin. He LOVES his school and everybody in it, and as far as I can see this community has embraced him and is organically nurturing him.
The Joy of Teaching Joaquin »
Celebrating Joaquin’s math abilities and more than that: his passion and joy for learning. Teaching him is such a privilege!
Unfolding wings of independence »
In 5 months, ten-year-old Joaquin built up the strength to unfold his wings and joyfully fly out of his baby nest all the way to school. This is how it happened.
Manifesting a school for us »
I sent this clear desire out to the ether and the Universe connected me immediately with Otto Specht School. Everything lined up perfectly for a visit which gave Joaquin much to perceive and take a giant leap.
Back in the Path of Light »
For the last 15 months I’ve ventured the path of fixing. Whatever was accomplished, I got lost, burned out, and finally collapsed. It took weeks in the dark and a slap by the system to remember and center around what I learned at the beginning of my journey. Here we go again…
3rd Grade Report »
3rd Grade at home was a year of literacy, developmental discoveries, and foundational breakthroughs. This video summarizes it all.
The storms off the beaten path »
My path parenting and educating a special child is completely out of the mould, and the uncertainty about its results brings recurring fear and stress which I must fight to continue walking.
Cheat Sheet (found in the middle of the last labyrinth) »
Turning fear into love in action. Years ago I learned and lived this to gracefully navigate out of the limitations of autism. Now APD has come to give me one more way to learn it.
Auditory Bombardment Day 21 »
A video of one of our daily sessions designed to practice individual and integrated auditory/verbal skills and to expand Joaquin’s bank of familiar concepts.
A tiny bit of curriculum »
Thanks to RPM, structured academic activities are seeping into our lives. We are doing lessons on different topics capitalizing on Kiki’s open learning channels.
“La Pandilla Salvaje” to the Rescue »
RPM in bedtime reading has engaged Joaquin with the story told in the children’s book series “La Pandilla Salvaje”. He’s finally listening, following the plot, and of course loving the characters in this outstanding story.
A Story from the Trenches »
In the road less traveled criticism hurts because I’m still walking blindly, finding my way as I go, and there’s no promise of a happy ending. Thank God for the messages that come to support me and assure me: I’m not alone.
What does he learn at home? »
In defense of self-directed learning at home, this is a sample of the life skills and functional abilities my eight-year-old is acquiring while pursuing his interests.
An Unschooled Life: Learning Does Creep In »
Sometimes I worry, and then I get evidence that learning is inevitable and it develops in meaningful and memorable stories tied to real experiences from life.
Nurturing Conscious Independence »
Two weeks ago, Joaquin decided that he wants to be the chef of our home; he wants to make his own lunch, his own way. I decided to support his independence with some structure: Only one time a week, he can make his own “rogue” lunch. I make my own with him. I deal with […]