INTERVIEW WITH DEANNA

 

Registered Student from 2002 to 2013.

Attended the River Valley Public School from kindergarten till the end of grade 2.

A traditional home education student with Families Learning Together September 2005 till June 2013.

I interviewed Deanna on June 13, 2013 using the graduation interview format shared by Wes Beach at his website - http://www2.cruzio.com/~beachhi/graduation.html.

“There is no graduation from education.” ~Greg Denning

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1. Why do you want to be done with high school? Why do you think you will be successful even though you haven't done all the usual courses associated with high school learning?

   I want to be done with school because realistically I know what I need and when I need to know more, I will learn it then (referencing book / academic learning).

   It is my belief that all the classes a person is suppose to take in high school are BS, and one does not need them unless the person wants to become a scientist or a doctor or whatever. I don't need the book learning that is required in public school for everyday life.

2. What are your plans for the next few years? You don't have to have everything planned out; just tell me what plans you do have, even if they are very vague.

   I plan to move out, maybe move to Red Deer. I want to get married and have kids... be a stay at home mom. I want to get into breeding dogs as a hobby. I would like to get a pig again. And I plan to get piercings and tattoos.

3. Do you feel you know your own capabilities well? Are you confident in yourself? Are you reasonably certain you can follow through with the plans you talked about in the previous question?

   I think I know my capabilities pretty well. At work I am confident and with my group of friends I am confident, although I do still have a shy side. I also aware that in new situations that I get very nervous but with time and experience become comfortable and confident. I am the type of person who knows what I want and I have the gusto to follow and pursue what I want.

4. Why do you think you deserve a diploma? What do you think your diploma should be based on?

   I do not care about getting a diploma. To me a diploma is a “shiny” piece of paper , but in the end it is still just a piece of paper.

5. Tell me about your past educational experiences.

   I went to public school, finishing grade 2. Then I was home schooled. I have done some other learning experiences including – a week long art course at Red Deer College, work experience at the vet's office, dog training and experience with Liz at the Red Deer dog show.

5a. What are some of your favorite home school experiences / moments?

When we took the writing classes with author Sigmund Brouwer. The themed fair's that Lori Desrosiers hosted every fall – I loved making the boards for them. And that time you played classical music to help us with math but instead we made up great stories to match the music.

6. What skills do you think you possess? Of course there is the typical math and reading. But what about researching necessary information, dealing with people, setting up opportunities for yourself? Tell me about any special skills you have.

   I like to research things. Like the other day I wanted to know more about Rottweilers and Auntie Tracy gave me questions to figure out the answers to. It was fun.

   I think I am a nurturing person. I like to stand up for people – root for the underdog.

   I am good at communicating via writing but not that great in conversation.

   I am a good listener.

   I am computer literate.

   I am good at multitasking.

   I am great at remembering numbers.

   I like working through conflict, not ignoring it and hoping it will go away like some people I know.

   I love planning and organizing.

   I am pretty good at problem solving.

   I am okay working in small groups but find that too many people overwhelm me.

   I am not good at being flexible with plans. I like plans to be set in stone or to follow a predictable pattern.

7. What are some of your passions?

I have been told I am a passionate person but that I hide that part of myself in large social situations but that in a more personal setting, it is very obvious.

I am very interested in animals, poetry, writing, kids (I hope to adopt one day), and self expression (using clothes and make up to make a statement).

8. List any life experiences that have enabled you to grow into a more mature, wiser and accomplished person.

   My whole life has been an experience that has made me grow into the person that I am. My crappy life and relationship experiences these past 2 years have changed me. I find that my opinions have changed a lot in this same time period, due to new people in my life. I now find myself being openly different where as the previous version of myself felt different from everyone else but I didn't express it openly. And because of my journey to this point in my life, I find that I am more accepting of different viewpoints (like those who are emo, punk, Scientologists, gay, etc), those people who are considered outside the cultural norm.

Anything else you would like to include?

~ I love to do paperwork. I think I would like to do some kind of desk job.

~ If I had been in public school, I think I would have like 2 classes the most – English and Social Studies, because you get to read things and then express your opinion in written form.

~ I find that I am different than a lot of other teens because of my experience of home education. I find that I have better work ethic and a better grasp of life knowledge.

~ I have thought enviously about what it could have been like if I had lived in the city and gone to public school --- I would have been able to see my friends daily and could have went to parties and such. But I also realize and appreciate how I was raised and the life I do have.

~ I crave social interaction. In my dream world, I would like to be able to have lots of money so that I could have the social life that I want for the next year and a half instead of feeling the need and the pressure to step into an adult role sooner than I want to or feel that I should have to.

** Who do you look up to (people you know in person and people you may not know but admire because of their work in life, etc)?

~ I look up to my friend Caralyn because even though her life is hell, that when life pushes and she pushes back! I envy how she is not scared to go after what she wants and that she is not shy.

~ A person that I look up to that I don't know personally is Onision. I like him because he is not afraid to share his opinion and doesn't care what others think about him or his opinion. I like that he is making a life outside all of the BS. (http://www.youtube.com/speaks ) (http://youtube.wikia.com/wiki/Onision )

~ I look up to and envy my brother Jordan. Life does not seem hard for him. I realize that this is only my perception of him. I like how he has his life together and how he has accepted adulthood. I like what he has done and accomplished at his age and I hope to do the same in my own life.

Home Education Report for CHRISTOPHER

 

June 12, 2013

Christopher has been living with us for a year now. We were granted guardianship of him at the end of October 2012. We chose home education for him to provide for him a steady and predictable environment for him to live and learn in with the hopes of helping him overcome some of his obstacles he was experiencing the the public school setting.

When Christopher was first here, he presented himself as one who did not like to learn or to read, and thought of himself and not very smart. He was having trouble socially – interacting with other kids and adults as well. He was needy with kids own age (wanting attention and to control the interaction with other kids). He was also struggling at controlling his anger. He would to turn to anger when a situation did not go his way or as a way to manipulate people. He also was turning the anger towards himself (saying things like - “I am stupid!”, “I should just run away.”, “Maybe I should just kill myself.”)

So our approach to this home school year was less about academics and more about helping Christopher become a steadier, happier, and a well adjusted kid. And I am happy to report he has made many improvements this past year.

He is interacting, in groups of children without incidents of anger and control. He is able to control his anger in situations that previously would have had him flying off the handle. He will go and play by himself in his room or outside (something he would not do in the beginning). He loves to read! He loves to learn. He is more positive about himself now. He does sometimes revert to previous thoughts/behaviors if he gets disciplined for something, but this doesn't happen very often anymore.

So I am happy to report that it has been a very successful year. Our relaxed approach to learning and steady and predictable parenting style has helped Christopher become a typical 8 year old boy – full of energy and enthusiasm.

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Academic Report:

Reading: Christopher has improved by leaps and bounds in reading. I remember when I first took him to the library last summer – he complained about how boring and babyish books were. He wasn't interested in anything I tried to share with him. Compare that to today where just yesterday I returned 30 books to the library for him. When I first started him on reading, he would only read the beginner reader type books (Steps 2 and 3). Now he is reading chapter books by the dozen... plus anything else that crosses his path (food labels, newspapers, magazines, and more). Reading is one of his “go to” independent activities.

Arithmetic: Christopher has been working his way through Teaching Textbooks 3. (http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Math3.htm) He really likes doing math on the computer with this program.

Some things I have observed about Christopher when it comes to math:

• he relies heavily on manipulatives to find answers (fingers, drawing counters)

• he does not commit math facts to memory

• he does not retain the lessons for very long. For this reason a program like TT3 is great for him because it provides constant review.

We have also used card games, flash cards, iPad apps and more to help with math learning in a different format.

Writing: Christopher did not do much writing this year. He does print very well. His spelling is very good for his age. He has trouble with wanting his writing to be perfect which then halts the desire to get words and thoughts down on paper. I just recently went to hear Julie Bogart from 'Bravewriter' (http://www.bravewriter.com/ ) speak and I now have some great ideas and tools to help Christopher become a writer in the coming years.

Writing in cursive was high on Christopher's priority list for grade 3, so he has been working through the “Hand Writing Without Tears” workbook. ( http://shopping.hwtears.com/product/CH/HWT )

He has done some copywork lessons, and he likes to leave me notes on where he is going on the farm.

Learning opportunities experienced this past year:

• Simple and Motorized Machines Lego class

• Introduction to Art class at the Sundre Library

• Ceramics painting with Hot Pots studio

• Minecraft of the iPad

• Personal tour of The Guzoo

• Building with lego (another one of his 'go to' independent activities)

• Working on the ranch with Uncle Wes

• Fire Safety concert in Red Deer

• Watching TV programs such as “How It's Made”, “The Dog Whisperer”, and some of the PBS educational kids shows

• Reading Eggspress Website

• Movies (Dolphine Tale, Where the Red Fern Grows, Bridge to Teribithia, The Hobbitt, Big Miracle, Nim's Island, etc)

• Community Choir Concerts (Spring and Christmas)

• Home School Plays (Tumbleweeds and Shakespeare Comes to Calamity Creek)

• Trapping moles

• Games (Rush Hour, Battleship, War, ...)

• Watched the complete Magic School Bus Series

• Built a bird house

• Watched “March of the Penguins”

• Reads “Owl Magazine” -- a gift subscription from friends

• Participating in “Little Passports”, a geography program. ( http://www.littlepassports.com/ )

• Strewing --- I leave interesting things for him to discover. ( http://christopherjas.blogspot.ca/2012/12/more-information-about-strewing.html )

• iPad learning apps

• Learning activity task cards

• Sword fighting training with Jordan

• Lots of bike riding with his new bike

• Book series he likes to read – Geronimo Stilton and Magic Tree House

Home Education Report for DEANNA

 

June 12, 2013

Deanna is finishing up her final year as a registered home school student. She has decided instead to pursue employment and a variety of learning experiences that may come her way in the future, but no longer wants to be a full time student.

Deanna is a very creative and passionate person which shines in her pursuit of art, poetry, animals, people and friendships.

This past year has included many life learning experiences that are in her areas of interest:

• She attended a week long art course at the Red Deer College last August called Summerscapes.

• She worked at our local vets office as a volunteer for February, March and April.

• She volunteered with Liz T. at the Red Deer Dog Show.

• She was a member of the Sundre Community Choir and performed at the Christmas concert here in Sundre as well as the Festival of Trees in Red Deer.

• She performed with her dad recently at the Senior's Tea here in Sundre.

• She has become a member of the medieval group Knighthaven in Red Deer.

• She writes poetry all the time.

• She has temporarily closed the door on her ownership of animals. She found homes for all her pets in the fall so she could pursue a job in town.

• She passed the learners licence test. And hopes to get her drivers licence in September.

• She put together a resume for herself. She completed three job interviews and successfully landed a job in the paint department at our local Home Hardware.

• She is passionate about human rights.

• She continues to work on the family ranch as well, helping out mostly with calving season which continues to be her favorite season of all.

• She loves to write. She keeps a blog and journals on a regular basis.

• She attended a Medieval Feast called Pillage the Village in Olds. A fundraiser for the Olds public library.

• She has read a variety of books for school and for pleasure. She mostly uses the internet for pursuing the topics she is interested in.

NOTE: I plan to do an interview with her like I did with Jordan when he decided he was done with his formal education years. I will forward it to you when it has been completed.

Loving the Hard to Like --- We know about loving our friends and our enemies, but what about the people in-between?

Read the post here -- http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/whole-life/loving-hard

Sound bites from the article:

1. “Love does not mean you are filled with warm, fuzzy feelings. It is not a big purple dinosaur dispensing free hugs and sing-along songs. True love goes against our very nature.”
2. “The real challenge of love is that it requires us to be selfless when we are all selfish by nature. Love, then, is a defiance of our own instinct.”
3. “What love does is a direct result of what love is.”
4. “Love is not a feeling—it is an act of valuing others as much as we value ourselves.”