That was fun!!!

Have you been here?

BrainPop.com   &  Brainpopjr.com

My kids are HUGE computer people. Who can blame them? Brady and I live our lifes, both professionally and personally, on the computer. Between our 2 laptops, 2 desktops, iphone and blackberry, we live via the internet in our home.


We are also a TJed family. We are trying hard to control the information they come in contact with, allow them to explore and learn at their own pace and surround them with the classics. For me this doesn't just mean books, though that is a HUGE part of it. We have spent the last 6 months building up a library of classics. Some of our favorites include Legos, blocks, Megaformers, Chess, Yahtzee, and many others. We play SpinUSA, read the Little House series and the Boxcar Children, cook, clean house and play outside.


But one constant remains, the desire to get on the computer. Don't get me wrong, there are some GREAT educational sites out there. The problem has been many are "too boring" or it's too easy for them to get led off to a place that is not so educational. What starts as building a city quickly becomes chasing bad guys around that city and shooting them. (Yes, I have 2 boys)


So yesterday during a meeting with our ES (educational supervisor) she mentioned a site she uses with her kids. Brainpop.com. We quickly looked it up and signed up for a trial membership. I LOVE IT!!!! Our new house rule is if you are on the computer, you are either blogging or on BrainPop. They can learn anything they want. There are cartoon videos for EVERY topic imaginable. Katrina is into health and diet and spent an hour learning about oral hygiene. Tyler spent time studing Benjamin Franklin because he's been reading about him in 39 Clues and Carter, last I checked was watching a movie about "The Twilight Zone" of the ocean. Apparently it's a real thing.  While showing them around the site this morning I even learned some things about JFK that I didn't know. Not only does it have videos but it has quizes, activities, experienments and games to go with each topic. And with each topic is a list of related topics.

I enjoy homeschooling the kids. Everyday brings new challenges, but it is exciting and VERY rewarding. I was afraid it would be a nightmare. That not having several hours away from them everyday would drive me nuts, VERY QUICKLY. But I was wrong. The more time we spend together, the more I learn about them and TJed, the better we all get along and enjoy eachothers company.