Search This Blog

Monday, May 27, 2019

Introverts/Extroverts need social skills


It's important that people stop getting social skills mixed up with introvert/extrovert. There's a lot of extroverts who have awful people skills, and just because they like being around people doesn't fix that.

Being an introvert doesn't make you a hermit.

Being an extrovert doesn't make you the life of the party.

I'm married to an introvert who has wonderful people skills, but after a long day with people he really really needs alone time.

 Just so we're clear, being an introvert means that you get energy from being alone and being an extrovert means you get energy from being with people, AND THAT IS IT.

Being an introvert does not mean that you don't like people, it just means that you need to take a rest afterwards. Comparing being an introvert to not liking people is the same as saying you don't like hiking because it makes you tired. If you don't like hiking you don't like hiking. I like hiking, but I still need to take a rest afterwards.

 Stop blaming not liking people on being an introvert and just own the fact that you don't like people. And that's okay, you can own that fact. I don't like dogs. It took me many conversations with dog people thinking that I had no soul, but I I have finally owned that fact that I am not a dog person.

 Being an extrovert does not mean that you have magical social skills. Just because I like being around people doesn't mean that I am totally good at it (seriously, just ask my friends). Stop using introversion as an excuse for having bad social skills.

 All people have to work on their social skills!!!

I am married to a hardcore introvert who has worked for many years on his social skills and how to relate to people. He likes being around people, but he definitely needs much more of a break from people than I ever do as an extrovert.

 So to wrap this up, let's review.

#1 Being an extrovert does not mean that you're super great at talking to people all the time and that you have great people skills. Being an extrovert does not make you shallow or  unable to talk about deep subjects. It doesn't even make you outgoing or comfortable around all people, it just means that you get energy from being with people.

#2 Being an introvert is not an excuse for being rude or not working on your social skills. Being an introvert doesn't make you shy, or deeper than other people. There are some introverts who process out loud. I'm married to an outgoing charismatic introvert. Being an introvert just means that you need to rest after spending time 

Friday, May 17, 2019

Writing Prompts for Kids


We use writing prompts in our workboxes and during our summer routine. Our summer routine is 10 to 15 minutes of structured educational activity a day. Keeping this simple low pressure routine last summer reduced the amount of back-to-school whining when fall came around. It also helped reduce a lot of Summer slide.  Once a week we have "Writing Wednesday" where my children pick a writing prompt from a jar and write a half page.

 

WRITING PROMPTS

 Write about the day in the life of an inanimate object in your house. Must be written from the point of view of the object.


 If I live to be a hundred years old...


Last week I found a secret passage in my closet...


When I open my own restaurant...


Yesterday I was magically transported into my favorite TV show......


 My time machine is ready...


Hello, my name is the Sun.... (write from the point of view of the Sun)


Hello, my name is the Moon... (write from the point of view of the Moon)


It was a dark and stormy night...


 In my secret lair.....


If I had $1,000 I would buy.....


I found a genie lamp and my first wish is.....


The monkeys escaped their cage at the zoo....


You will never believe what I found in the swimming pool.


If I had a superpower it would be...


This morning I woke up with a mermaid tail...

 

 

Monday, May 6, 2019

Indiana County Map & Scavenger Hunt



We are finishing our My Father's World Exploration to 1850s with a state report. We chose our home state of Indiana.  I wanted to add more real-life state geography to help better orient my kids when we travel to see family. Children are inherently egocentric and they learn best when something relates to their own life, so we chose to map counties where people we know live.



I printed a free Indiana County map online, then made a list of counties where our family and friends live, or where my husband and I grew up. Have your children make a KEY on the side of their map, then find the counties!


The family and friends model was effective because it is meaningful to my kids, but if you don't have family or friends who live around the state, find your own county, then look up counties for sites and attractions:
  • Places you have visited with your kids
  • Indiana Dunes
  • Battle of Tippecanoe
  • Battle of Corydon (Civil War battle)
  • State Parks or parks you have visited
  • Famous Colleges (Notre Dame, Indiana University, Purdue, etc)

HOW TO HOMESCHOOL IN INDIANA