Monday Q&A | Stuffed Animals, Homeschooling, and Bread Machines
Every Monday, I answer a few of the questions that my readers send me. If you have a question you'd like me to answer in a future Q&A post, just leave me a comment here or email me (thefrugalgirl [at] gmail [dot] com) and put Q&A in the subject line. I look forward to hearing from you!
So most weeks, I see in your grocery pics some furry friends. This week I think I saw a stuffed turtle? Are those part of your grocery purchases or are they your children's friends that get to be in the picture? Just curious.... Also I was curious whether or not you included personal/paper goods (Toilet paper, toothpaste, etc.) in your grocery budget. thanks for your blog! I love it!
-Jessica
One of these days, I WILL get that FAQ page up, and these two questions will be on it. But I've slacked mightily on that, so I'll answer these questions here. 😉 I apologize to those of you who already know the answers!
The stuffed animals all belong to my children and are not new purchases. Heaven only knows we don't need any more stuffed animals in our house (though my kids would bring home new ones from Goodwill each week if I let them!). The stuffed animal in the groceries tradition started when Joshua snuck a little stuffed spider into a grocery picture, and it's sort of taken off from there.
And yep, my grocery budget includes cleaning supplies, personal products, and paper goods, though I try to use a minimal amount of those.
I was reading about home schooling on your web site. I have a few questions:
Do home school students take the same test that public school students take? Do you give your children a report card?
How do you balance mom/ teaching?
How do parents decide what text books or curriculum they are going to teach? Where do they get the resources?
When a home schooled student is applying to college, what do they have to show? Is the college process different for them?
-DJ
I'm just going to answer these one by one so that my replies aren't too difficult to follow. 🙂
Do home school students take the same tests that public school students take? Do you give your children a report card?
Requirements for homeschooling vary state by state. In my state, the law simply requires that we provide regular instruction in the subjects that public schoolers would be studying, and the county requires that we either present a portfolio directly to them or to a certified umbrella group (I go the umbrella group route). So nope, we don't take the same tests public schoolers do.
I don't give my kids report cards because I don't find it to be necessary. In public schools, report cards are partly for the purpose of reporting to the parents how well (or not well) the child is doing, and since I'm here all the time, I know how my kids are doing! 🙂 And since I have plenty of one-on-one time with my kids, they're also pretty up-to-date on how they're doing.
How do you balance mom/ teaching?
Well, I think they're one and the same, actually. When I teach, I am Mom and when I am Mom, I am teaching. It's one of the things I like about homeschooling...that I can train my children as I teach them.
Homeschooling is generally less formal than people imagine. When we homeschool, I'm just me and I relate to my kids like I do when we're not doing school.
How do parents decide what text books or curriculum they are going to teach? Where do they get the resources?
That varies parent to parent. Some homeschoolers do a program thru the public schools and in that case, they get their materials from the school.
I make my curriculum choices based on my own experience as a homeschooled student and on recommendations from other homeschoolers. I buy most of my schoolbooks on half.com, Ebay, or Amazon which saves me piles of money!
When a home schooled student is applying to college, what do they have to show? Is the college process different for them?
Most homeschoolers rely on their SAT scores when applying to colleges, though some have diplomas from their umbrella/oversight groups. Also, in my area many homeschoolers start attending our community college during their high school years which means that they can graduate with a two-year degree shortly after high school. I don't have any personal experience with that, but I imagine a 2-year degree with a good GPA would make it easier to get into a 4-year school.
I know scads of homeschool graduates that have attended a variety of different colleges without a problem. 30 years ago it might have been difficult to get into a college with a homeschool education but that is happily not the case now.
Regarding your last question, I think that homeschooling generally does a good job of preparing students for college. Most homeschoolers are already used to studying on their own, and just generally managing their educations fairly independently, and that makes college much easier.
I am not much of a bread baker, but I do own a bread machine. I was wondering if you knew how your recipes might work in a bread machine. If you haven't used one, do you know if any of your other readers have used your recipes in a bread machine?
-Nancy
This is one of those times when I'm really glad that I have a bunch of helpful readers. I'm just about completely clueless about bread machines because I've never used one!
For the record, though,I am not against bread machines. I've seen how they can be useful tools for some families and I think that's great. Not everyone has to make bread by hand (or by Kitchen-Aid!).
(see also: You don't have to make yogurt.)
So, my answer is that I don't have an answer! I haven't the faintest idea how to convert a recipe for a bread machine, but I am positive that one or many of my readers will have some helpful conversion advice for you.
Readers, have at it! Share your bread machine smarts. And of course any of you that want to chime in on the homeschooling questions can feel free to do so.
I have a machine and use it only for the "work" in bread making. I use any bread recipe with great success. However, I do not use the machine for baking in. I don't like the texture or taste when baked in the machine so I let the dough rise a final time after forming in a loaf pan and then bake in the oven. I am such a messy baker and this helps keep my mess down to a minimum.
ITA. I use my dough cycle almost exclusively in my bread machine and then just form the bread, rolls as the recipe states after the dough is made.
I used to use a bread machine, but it died on me, so I started using Kristin's method of KitchenAid/by hand and I now prefer it. It seems to turn out a lighter, softer loaf than the bread machine ever did. I once tried the Sandwich bread recipe in the bread machine and it was an awful failure. I have never tried any of the other recipes recipes on here in the bread machine though so, sorry I can't give any better advice 🙂
I gave away my bread machine a few years ago. Not only does it take up a lot of space, but it over works the dough, comes out kinda tough and has this weirdo crust! I'd probably say it's cheaper to make dough without a bread machine (no electricity used to kneed it with just my hands!).
I found this article, which just states there's some math involved in converting. Doesn't seem too hard: http://www.grit.com/Food/Convert-Your-Handmade-Recipes-for-Use-with-Bread-Machines.aspx
I have a bread machine that I mostly use for the "hard work" and mostly oven bake the dough. Didn't "buy into" having to have the big fancy model. Mine is supposed to be able to make jam and quickbreads, but I don't see the point of trying. One of the first things I did was to join a bread machine list group and learned everything I could. I have a notebook full of recipe ideas with tweaks and tips.
(oh, and instead of buying the company's machine cover, I bought a 4-slice toaster cover on sale in the color that I wanted. It fits and keeps the dust off.
I have and use my breadmaker alot. I often make dough in it and bake the bread/buns etc in the oven. But I do bake the bread in the breadmaker on occasion and it turns out quite well. I have a bread machine recipe book I use, but I've also adapted a lot of Kristen's recipes for it. The order in which ingredients go in depends on your breadmaker, but really if you're starting it right away (mine has a delay timer too) it doesn't make much difference. Out of habit, I put in liquid, salt, fat, sugar then flour, with yeast on top.
Mine makes a 1, 1 1/2 or 2 lb loaf.
Generally: 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 cups of flour/grains is a 1 lb loaf
3 1/4 to 3 1/2 cups is 1.5 lb loaf
and 4 cups is a 2 lb loaf.
Some of Kristen's recipes use more flour and I don't generally use those, unless I can easily divide the recipe! Hopefully that helps...
Yes, that's exactly the kind of thing I was looking for! Thank you.
Glad to help! I love your baking posts, and read your blog daily by the way...I get so much out of it, and it's nice to finally have contributed a little bit back.
Hi there,
I am really confused by this comment (although that might be because I am based in the UK, so please bear with me):
"in my area many homeschoolers start attending our community college during their high school years which means that they can graduate with a two-year degree shortly after high school. I don't have any personal experience with that, but I imagine a 2-year degree with a good GPA would make it easier to get into a 4-year school".
I'm confused about a few things, because here we go to college/university to get a degree; it's simply not possible to get a degree at school. So I'm wondering if our "degrees" are the same?
In (high) school and sixth form colleges we gain formal qualifications at ages 16 and 18, after which compulsory school age ends (it used to be at 16 until very recently which I think typically correlates to a high school graduation in the US).
These exam results at 18 help secure a place at university (or higher ed colleges which are considered second tier) to study for an undergraduate degree, which takes 3 or 4 years for normal subjects, or 5+ for medicine. Some students (less than in the USA) also choose to go on to study for Master degrees or PhD's. And then some years later a very small minority would do MBA's, typically whilst working and in their 30's mainly.
So is your degree really a degree, or more like our exams we take at 18? (A Levels) I'm simply curious.
Here, students normally stay in high school until they're 18, at which point they go to 4 year universities if they wish (though we use the term "school" to refer to both high school and college).
However, in my area at least, high schoolers can take courses at the community college (which is a 2 year university) and they count as both high school and as college credit.
So a student who graduates with a 2 year degree from this local college will only have to spend 2 years at the 4 year school, assuming the credits from the local college transfer. This saves money (the community college is way less expensive than most 4 year school, and the student can live at home with the parents) and time, and it's a great way to get a student's feet wet in the college experience.
So yes, the college degrees I was referring to are the same as what you refer to as a university degree. And the formal exams you were referring to at age 18 are probably analogous to our SAT tests, which are standardized tests that high schoolers take.
I hope that clears things up a bit!
Thank you 🙂 and what a great, flexible system you have.
Assuming a student was intelligent and appealing to the best universities, could they do 2 years at a community college and then transfer to (for example) an Ivy league university, or does this simply not happen in practice? Perhaps you don't know and it's not like we're planning on doing any study in the US as very expensive international students (although I do have a very cute, currently only 5 years old American nephew who has nothing to do with this curiosity :)!)
Carmen - I taught in the UK and I teach now in the US - I'd generally say no that the credits wouldn't transfer from a community college to an ivy league school because many schools near where I live won't accept that college credits from the community colleges even if they are no where near ivy league unless they are already associated with the community college.
The two year degree that can be earned in high school and count for college credit would be an associates degree (I don't remember hearing a UK equivalent, but it could be something like a college course). There isn't the distinction between college/university here as much as the UK, they are pretty much used interchangeably.
The SAT's/ACT's are not anything like AS and A2 exams that are taken for the 6th form courses, I don't think there is an equivalent.
It is amazing how being an international student can cost so much money! I wanted to do a course while living in the UK and couldn't afford to even with full tim work 🙁
Thanks Jessica and very sorry to hear that you couldn't do the course you wanted to. I know it is ridiculously expensive to be an international student since my husband was almost in that situation (but again didn't due to cost.)
Just a quick note on the state of California, where I live. Many students do 2 years at a VERY cheap and affordable 2 year community or "Jr. College" and then apply to the Cal State University System or the UC system (Berkeley, UCLA, et al). It is my understanding that the big UC's, (which operate for many Californians and out-of-staters kind of on the level of the bigger name schools) are required to set aside a certain number of openings for these transfers from 2 year colleges. So, for instance, my wonderful young neighbor completed 2 years very cheaply at a local community college, while working full time, before transferring up to Berkeley to complete his undergrad work, and continuing on for Masters level. My daughter's boyfriend spend 2 years living at home and completing Jr. College before transferring to UC San Diego. This is very common where I live (Southern Cal).
The caveat, as mentioned above, is about transferring credits -- have to make sure that Jr. College credits are accepted. I'm guessing Harvard might turn up their collective noses at an associates degrees from Jr. College -- but the UC sure doesn't! And they are also home to some of the great minds and talents of our day. No disrespect to the Crimson, by the way -- great respect for our premier institution! But -- there are about a million ways to get an education, and they don't all involve taking out a second mortgage. Hope this helps!
Like priskill, in Virginia the state schools I think are required to accept community college students. It's a great way to get into UVA!
DO learn the order that things go into the machine. Mine is also liquids (including oil and eggs) sugar, salt, flour. Yeast in a little well on top of the flour. Sugar helps feed and activate the yeast. Do NOT put the salt in near the yeast as salt acts as a 'leash' for yeast. And if you add spice, keep it away from the yeast 'well.'
I 'do' mine as "wets," half the dry (flour, etc), salt/sugar/spice, remaining flour, yeast on top. If I'm making pizza or breadstick dough, I put parmesan, oregano and garlic powder in as part of the salt/sugar/spice level.
First of all, I would like to commend you for answering questions about homeschooling. You do it so well. Very simple and non judgemental. I dislike homeschooling questions, especially "Why?" My standard answer is "That's what's best for my family" or "What specifically do you want to know?" Seriously, do they want me to go on for hours on why I homeschool? 🙂
Second, some of these questions make me sad. When did we become a nation that needs to send our children away at a very early age; a lot of preschools start at age 2 now, in order to learn? Just 2 generations ago my grandparents learned while doing. Want economics? Then balance the books at the store. Oh, that's math too. Social skills? great the customers and treat them well. Science? Grow a garden or farm. etc. Home education, as my friend in England calls it, is a whole different way of thinking. Being a mom and teaching my kids IS one in the same thing as you stated.
For example, My daughter invited one of her public school friends to our homeschool geography night. All kids were handed a piece of paper to take notes and write down an interesting fact about each country. First thing this girl did was write her name on the paper. Not many of the other children did. This is what she was taught in public school. Next, her brain shut down and she didn't write anything else on the paper. This puzzled me. My daughter had a blast, learned about different countries and ate food representative of each country. As I continued to be puzzled a NON homeschooler pointed out what she thought happened. The friend is programmed to think that learning takes place between the hours of 8:30 and 3, in a school building, by a teacher out of a textbook. NOT on a Saturday night, by a bunch of kids, from whatever resources they wanted, in a church basement. When the friend gets together outside of school hours with her classmates it is for an ice cream social, dance, skate or sport event. It is NOT for learning. Wow! Light bulb moment. I had never considered myself that different that those that sent their kids to school. Even when our homeschool group gets together at a play ground, just for fun. One kid usually has a bug catching net and something will be caught and then some other child will produce a book and they will collectively try to figure out what moth it is or what butterfly it will become. Some might even have a measuring tool or notebook. I hope this answers the question as to why we don't need curriculum, report cards, tests, and certified teachers. Although we have access to all of the above. Home education, at least in my house, is not school at home.
'Your' way of educating sounds fantastic.
My kids are in (a very carefully chosen!) public school though and I do hope they are not as you describe, although I know there is some truth in what you are saying. I rather suspect that it is simply about people becoming their environment, not a conscious anti-learning stance from those whose kids go to school.
My girls are 8 and 10. They would have loved your lesson and made notes, although bear in mind that note taking is not appealing to the vast majority of people (I hold my hand up), but is helped ENORMOUSLY by coloured pens & pencils, as well as drawings to make the piece of work visually appealing. (Yes, they've learn the importance of that in school!) Sounds like a mind map would have been a good idea.
"First thing this girl did was write her name on the paper. Not many of the other children did. This is what she was taught in public school. "
This is what kids are taught to do in public school. My son chose to do his entire math packet this summer--voluntarily--and he wrote his name on every single page...too funny! It's all in how you're raised and what you're used to. My son probably would not have taken notes--again, because that's not what he's used to. But he knows the routine in his public school, is pulling almost straight A's and is learning a lot! He did an entire unit in school on different countries, and they had a potluck international lunch. He learned a lot and had a great time! Again, it's all what you're used to 🙂
I think it's dangerous to make that kind of generalization about "homeschoolers" vs. "public-schoolers" based on this one experience. Maybe the little girl was too nervous or shy to participate. Also, I would be very hesitant to call "dance, skate, or sport events" the opposite of learning. EVERYTHING is learning, as you have pointed out.
Also, it's extremely frusterating to me to keep reading how homeschooling parents imply that children who are mainstreamed are not being educated or made to be curious about the world (regarding, for example, your bug-catching example). I was always incredibly curious about the world around me. Much of that, I admit, is how I was raised outside of school. However, I don't think I was put at any disadvantage because I was mainstreamed.
It just seems to me that homeschooling parents are extremely defensive. I understand this, as homeschooling is a minority in our educational system. It is just quite off-putting to people (like me) who honestly would have no problem with it, was it not for the constant putting-down of the current public school system that has turned out many a well educated person. To each their own.
Ooh yes, I think that when homeschoolers go on the offensive, it's damaging to our cause. As I've mentioned before, I much prefer to talk about why I enjoy homeschooling and about the ways I think it benefits our children and our family than to criticize the public schools.
I also totally agree about parenting being the key...no matter the schooling environment or method, the parents are the part that makes the biggest difference in the child's education. I think this is in large part why homeschooling works...usually parents that take on homeschooling are the type of parents who encourage learning and who want to be involved.
I never mind homeschooling questions as long as they're not posed in an insulting way (and I definitely didn't think these were). I'm actually grateful for the opportunity to share about homeschooling and about what it is and isn't. Thankfully, almost all of the interactions I've had with people about homeschooling have been positive. 🙂
It does crack me up sometimes how formal people think homeschooling is, like it's public school, except at home. A lot of the things at public school just aren't necessary at home when the parents are the teachers.
For most recipes that do not call for a bread machine, I just use the dough function. And I love the homeschooling information on this site. I want to homeschool my daughter when she gets a little older.
Hi Kristen! I have a question for you, perhaps for a future Q&A if you have a chance to respond 🙂 Do you have any meals/recipes you would recommend that are affordable and easy to make/transport that would be good for taking to people? (Also, we don't eat or buy very much meat, so anything vegetarian would also be helpful!) Right now, it's just me and my husband, so I've become very accustomed to cooking for two and the idea for cooking for an entire family is really intimidating to me! But we'd like to be taking more meals to families in our church in need, outside of pasta and salad. I thought you might have some good suggestions up your sleeve! Thanks 🙂
Hi carmen@lifeblessons! I thought I'd pipe in here with some ideas I have for veggie dinners for potlucks and take-alongs. Something that has been a HUGE hit with our friends is yogurt dip - we make homemade yogurt (which you don't have to do, but make sure you get plain if you buy it), add mint or basil or dill or something other herb like that, chop up veggies for dipping, and voila!
Another one I found to be a great is an avocado (sorry, Kristen, we know how you feel about avocados) cream cheese roll up. You take avocado, cream cheese, onions, a bit of yogurt (the original recipe might've called for mayo, but I don't like mayo), maybe some other things like tomatoes or veggies or maybe not, whatever, spread it on a tortilla, roll it up, and slice it into pinwheels. These keep fine, but they do turn brown, so beware if looks matter.
Homemade hummus is also cheap, easy, fast, and easy to customize.
Another one, less cheap, but good for meat people, is "tofubq." I feel like I've written about this one before - but cook onion/garlic in some oil, add tofu, cook some more, add bbq sauce, cook till hot, serve on toasted burger buns, optional cheese. Yum.
Have fun!
I do have a few comments about the community college thing. I did a program called Running Start when I was in high school which is where juniors or seniors in high school have the opportunity to take some college classes and earn college AND high school credit simultaneously. You can do full-time Running Start for those two years and earn an associates degree, I didn't do this though.
You're right, there were many home-schooled kids taking those classes with me.
The thing that I wanted to discuss is this part "I imagine a 2-year degree with a good GPA would make it easier to get into a 4-year school."
That's not strictly true. Students (at least in my state, I think everywhere) with ANY college credit (even if it's Running Start and they don't have a degree) are considered transfer students when applying to a four year university. Universities have different policies regarding transfer and freshman students. My school has a MUCH smaller cap on transfers than on freshmen. Another school I applied to wasn't accepting transfers AT ALL for three years.
I think Running Start (and programs like it) is great and I wouldn't change the fact that I did it, but it did cause several complications when going to university. But the fact that I'm finishing a year early and saving $25,000 is worth it, though 🙂