Ed-Com

Hi everyone,

Ed-Com was a success this year, as always. I am so proud of the kids and their hard work. For those of you not familiar with EdCom, its an educational communications platform for public and private schools in our county. Kids pick a topic at the beginning of their school year and research it until March where they give a presentation of their findings and learning. Its so awesome. This year there were over 700 kids presenting their projects. My goal and hope for next year is to see over 25 home school kids join us. Most parents were unaware it existed so they didn't participate. We are hoping to get the word out.

The children present their projects to a panel of 3 or more adults called "appraisers". They have rubrics where they can leave feedback and they always leave lots. They let the kids know where they can improve, such as more eye contact with their audience or to speak louder. But most of all they give LOTSSSS of positive feedback. They listen intently to every project in their room and praise the children so much. My kids always get nervous before the day rolls around and then leave the high school with nothing but smiles and confidence.

Kelly researched the Make-A-Wish foundation and Noah researched Binary Robotics. One thing that came out this year was interest in our education! A few appraisers actually asked when it was over to know more about homeschooling, they were excited. They praised us on how smart and confident our children were. Most people still believe home schooled children are shy, pale (from not going outside enough!, that one always cracks me up!), and socially unable to interact with their peers. When our kids went in confident and all smiles, with presentations beyond thier grade level, their peers were impressed. They even asked my husband why home schooled children seem "smarter". His answer is simple: they get more one on one time with their teacher and when they learn a topic they can move on, not wait for other students to catch up and when they need help they get it and don't move on until they have learned the subject!

The local newspaper even took our daughters picture. We love homeschooling and felt blessed that we were able to reach out to our community in such a positive way! Afterwards, Joshs mom and step-dad took us all out for lunch. We had a very nice visit. It was a nice day all around!!!

Everyone in the zoo is healthy. The sun is shining today, even though it snowed here yesterday, yuck! We are thankful for sunshine!!! Josh went back to work this week, we miss him already. Kloe is getting so tall. Josiah and Kloe look like twins more than the twins ever did!

Josiah joined Cubbies at church. He has a little vest and everything. He earned little patches I got iron on....He is growing up too fast, they all are... snif snif....

C-ya,

Andra