Señora Gose's Homeschool Spanish Blog (aka "Seriously, Suzanne")

One of the biggest perks of learning Spanish with See it and Say it, is that every  new Spanish word you learn is already meaningful. The photos give a stark visual, and typically SOME sort of reaction in the student's brain, creating a sort of connection to the sound of the word that just reading it doesn't. Some students imagine an item when they read a word, but some don't - the photos help to make the absorption process that much faster, more efficient, and thus more effective for long term memory.So - what does that have to do with...

I know. Every one wants to know the letters in Spanish. And I think that's a normal desire.   But I say SKIP IT.  Spending time looking at, studying the sounds, memorizing and practicing the letters in the Spanish alphabet is not only NOT useful, but it's a detriment to learning how to speak. Truly!Here are a few reasons I've heard from other curriculum writers:"Letters are the building blocks of a language.""Knowing the sounds of a new language is the stepping stone to sound native.""Being confident in the written word translates to being confident in speaking."The thing is, your four year old...

I'm a Charlotte Mason-ish homeschool momma, and one of the areas I've regularly failed in is "mother culture." I love the idea, and I absolutely enjoyed all the activities, handicrafts, and creations the children did over the years. I dyed the wool, made the book marks, sculpted, whittled, carved, painted, built, and sketched! But it was always FOR the children. For the children. follow the children. let the children lead. And I was pretty good at being involved, not just watch, not just take pictures... but that wasn't really the point. The point was for the MOTHER to just do...

From learning Spanish, homeschooling, parenting, even to cleaning house there are ALWAYS frustrations in life.... I mean, being young and single even had frustrations. I've noticed a new development in my life - I'm not sure if it's wisdom, experience, middle-age, a personality flaw, or just luck, so listen up! I've developed a REALLY good knack for turning frustration situations into WINS. It's kind of awesome. You can do it, too.Three easy steps: (Let's call it the three step pivot.) STEP ONE) RECOGNIZE that you are legitimately frustrated, and identify the cause. (This is SORT of a two part step.) Maybe...

"What are you scared of?" The number of times my brothers, parents, friends and even my children asked me that question over my lifetime... Often, I didn't have an answer. But truly, there are some legitimate fears we have as mothers, daughters and friends, and yes, some of those fears have been realized. It was not nothing, it came to pass. I was afraid of it, and it HAPPENED.  "But did you die?" Ok... no, I didn't die. But the word "gutted" comes to mind. I feared something BIG, it DID happen, and I was gutted.  How do YOU deal with...