Day 180 plus

So here we are at the end of the school year.  It's taken me a while to post this.  I guess I'm almost sad about the end of 4th grade.  Thus do we enter the murky waters of  >shudder<  Middle School.  On the other hand, we can now relax and go through summer playing math games (Timez Attack), swimming for  Phys Ed, trying to learn Spanish, and reading about Medieval Times as the kids wanted to. 

I was pondering what to write about for the last post for One Year of Homeschooling.  In the past week or so we've done things worth posting about. 
We went on a hike to Table Rock on Father's Day and saw a Black snake winding his way on the side of a rock.  We had a truly nice time with perfect weather and even tempers. 
We went on an airport tour that was super fantastic, and I plan on taking them back for another in a few years.  We got a private bus that took us to a hangar for a tour and to the snow removal equipment housed in old Cold War hangars (snow removal equipment for an airstrip is very impressive, by the way).  The bus also took us to the end of the runway where we watched a plane land, then drove down the length of the runway after it!  It was most cool.
I could have written about the end-of-year test, the CAT test from Seton that we do every year.  I fret and I fret, positive that this is the year that they are going to fail math completely, only to be so very pleasantly surprised when they both score in the high 90's for both English and Math.
I could have written about catching crayfish in the creek, or swimming in pools, or going to fireworks, or picnics, or any number of things.

The trouble is that the schooling doesn't just "end".  Officially, the kids think they are off the hook and done for the year.  The truth of the matter is that we are teaching all the time, and they are learning from us, from all the books that they devour like junk food, from all they see and do.  I don't define myself as an unschooler, but it's starting to look like I am one just the same.
Today I prepared my 4th quarterly (ok, late, yes) and put everything in it to complete paperwork for 4th grade.  I also put in it my Letter of Intent.  On to another year of homeschooling!

Giving them a helping hand (before freaking out, look at the horizon).

Day 178, 179

We finished the testing!  It took a couple of days (maybe more), but we finally got it all done.  Out of 100 questions, Luke got 4 wrong, and Emily got 3 wrong.  This is not the end of the story, however.  This was the CAT test from Seton.  The way it's graded is they are compared to all the other kids (including school kids) who take the test, and for each section they are given a rating.  The more kids did well, the lower the overall rating will be.  The scale is 1-10, and when the kids were younger, they got 8s and 9s on sections where I knew they had gotten all the questions right.  The reason is the grade is an average, and most of the kids got a lot of the answers right, so it brings down the score.  If half the kids scored 17 questions right in a 20 question section, that means they would score a 5.
I'm just happy to report to Luke and Emily that they scored 97 and 96%, and have officially passed 4th grade.  I'll be closing with my last of the 180 days next, and then who knows?  We still have a lot to do.  I didn't even mention the tour of the Sewage Treatment plant we took last Friday, or the Zoology picnic we have on Thursday, or the Airport tour coming up, the end-of-year picnic for our own group with crafts and water fun, or...

Day 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177

Somehow life has gotten away from me again, but we have, as usual, been busy busy busy.
We did indeed go to Brooks Dairy Farm, where we stood at the business end of the cows, dodging the *ahem* excrement, and the kids loved climbing all over the hay.  Everyone who wanted to got a chance to milk a cow, and we learned how raw milk is gotten from cow to container.  A very nice farm and really nice people. 

There were a few days taken by test prep, which we are still working on, a little at a time.  We did plant the farm, but I haven't taken pictures yet.  It seems to be going well!  We also had some "house" work going on, so things were slowed down for that.  We had a holiday weekend in there as well! 

We did manage another writing assignment, and I think this one went better than the last.  I'd like to make it a regular weekly thing, and my mom actually is doing it with me to "help" her comprehension as well.  I think she found it an interesting exercise.  We did the Father and His Sons, another Aesop fable, but I think it's time to  move on and maybe try some non-fiction next. 

We also went on a hike to Bonticou Crag in Mohonk Preserve.  It is beautiful, but I'm not fond of the rock scramble part.  The kids like most of it, but a spot or two are sort of tricky.  I think next time DH can take the kids up the front, and I'll meet them around the other way.

Well, ok, this photo might have been rigged...

We had an end-of-year gathering for orchestra this past monday, a playdate tuesday, a playdate wednesday, and a dentist appointment today. 
There were other things accomplished, but it's been an odd couple of weeks. 

At any rate, we have at least decided on some things that will get done in the summer:  math drills, music practice, Spanish and Medieval Times.  Heck, it'll be great!  We'll build a trebuchet and a castle, throw in some swimming, barbecues and a trip, and that's summer!

Day 167, 168

Monday we had another concert with Orchestra.  This was at Golden Hill, and though we were late, I have to say that I noticed a big difference between this old age home and the other one we have performed at.  The people here were so much more responsive.  I know that's a good thing, but I can't help feeling bad for the people at the other one.  Does the quality of care make such a difference, or is it just a matter of certain types of people going to one versus the other?
Anyway, we finished in plenty of time to go have lunch at McD's, our fav of late with the dollar menu and all, and on to Aikido.
We then went home and worked on a new project.  I had downloaded some MP3s from the Institute for Excellence in Writing web page, and one was about Reaching the Reluctant Writer.  The speaker went through the process of actually giving young students something to write about.  He said that students most often have trouble with what to write, since they are young and, honestly, don't have the experience to draw on that us older folk have.  His solution is to take something that is at or below their reading level, and pick it apart sentence by sentence to make an outline.  For each sentence, the student is allowed 3 (4 if older) words.  Pull three words to help them remember the gist of the sentence.  For instance, in The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog, I might choose "fox", "jumped" and "dog".  The student then can rewrite (or recite) the story back, changing it being ok: The crazy fox jumped high over the dumb dog.  You still get the idea.  The speaker suggested Aesop's fables, and so we did one.  Title words and symbols/quick pics are free, so don't count as part of the three words.  The kids really got into it, and it was neat to see how the stories came out differently.  We will definitely do this again, and maybe after a time or two will even try some non-fiction.

Tuesday.  I'm pooped.  Not sure how the kids are still awake at 11:02pm.  This morning we did some test prep Math, then we were off to buy plants for the veggie garden with Nana and Grandpa.  I ended up buying more than I expected, as usual, but I think it was worth it.  Got some flowers that the kids planted in the front garden and the back garden.  Got all the veggies and we planted them today too.  Tomatoes, bush beans, snap peas, lettuce, watermelon, cucumbers, pickling cukes, zucchini, and probably something I forgot as well.  Luke helped Nana with her bed, while Emily helped me with ours.  Grandpa and I had prepped the beds earlier, which made things a lot easier today.  I was really psyched to see how engaged the kids got with digging and planting and watering.  Now if we can keep the enthusiasm through weeding, I'd really be amazed!  :)  I'll post some pictures if the plants are still there tomorrow and I can snap a shot. 

Tonight, the kids went to the web site Hooda Math.  Lately I think they prefer it to the annoying and ad-driven Poptropica.  I am sure they find the least 'educational' type game they can find, but I think it's still better than most game sites.  They do have some serious math type stuff, but I'm just glad they can find a site we all like, and it still has them screaming with laughter. 

Ok, reading over all we've done in the past two days has made me more tired.  Tomorrow, Dancd, Dairy Farm Field trip, Aikido, and a fracking discussion at UCCC from 6-8.  Busy busy!

Day 166

Went to the First (Annual?) Knowledge (K)Night up in Kingston today.  Emily was singing with the chorus, and it was nice to hear her and everyone else sounding quite good!

After the chorus sang many an amusing note, it was time for the Spelling Bee.  Luke and Emily both not only participated, but did quite well, staying in until about the last 5 kids.  After that, we looked at exhibits and chatted until it was time for the quiz show.  The kids were set up in teams, and had to answer trivia questions.  Luke and Emily were a team, and tied for first with another team. 

It was a very nice afternoon, and we followed it up with pizza for dinner.  Yay!

Day 164, 165

Thursday

Physicals for the kids today and general errands.  Got Emily's bloodwork done.  She's a real trooper about it and the lab we go to now is really fast, which is wonderful.  I don't think she'd be more anxious about it having to wait, just bored.
We did manage to get time in for math, but it took way too long to do a math test.  Emily got a 90 (I'm surprised) and Luke got an 80 (I'm even more surprised).  Attitudes could be better, and we'll be working on that in the coming weeks and aaaaaaalll summer.

Friday

Last Zoo program at Forsyth today.  I think the kids enjoyed it.  I know they have reports to do that they have to turn in by June 15th, but that's all I know.  Is this what it's like when they go to school?  How frustrating!!  Maybe I'm too hands-on, but it's driving me crazy because I've not known when it was due and if they should be working on it, and now it's due June 15th, but what is it?  They are completely unconcerned, and would likely not do anything. 
We then get to math.  They can do it, but evidently not without a lot of yelling.  Well, I'm going to try not to in future, but deal them out some consequences that may be tough to deal with.  Sigh.  It will get better.  It has to.  I have the year-end tests that need doing, so it WILL.  Actually, I think both the kids look forward to the testing.  I don't understand it, but hopefully they'll do well.  Thinking about trying it towards the end of next week.  Or maybe the week after...

Day 161, 162, 163

Monday
Orchestra and Aikido, but thankfully dh came and took Emily to Aikido.  Luke got a cold over the weekend, and he's pretty miserable.  Didn't participate in Orchestra, which I can understand.  Who can play the trumpet when their nose is clogged and runny, and they have a tissue permanently installed on their upper lip?  Poor kid.

Tuesday
Holy mackerels, we actually got some work done.  I can't believe it.  We did not one, but TWO activities from our Science Sleuth book, and over time got 1 or 2 math lessons done and 6-8 pages of English.  Worked in some picking up of rooms and painting (adding a tree to my son's dino room.  Still needs work, but it's better).  Moved some furniture so that Emily can sleep even without a rat cage in her room, and had the kids empty the dishwasher.  Wow, we CAN get work done!

Wednesday
Usual busy day.  I'm getting the cold, so I have a sore throat now.  This after I went to dance and held people's hands.  Yikes!  We were supposed to have a Dairy Farm Tour, but its been raining so much that it's all mud there.  It's been postponed to next week.  Emily had chorus, but she was only allowed to go after she finished her math lesson, which she did only a little bit late.  The real trick, I know, is staying firm and being a bit stern.  There's nothing else for it.  However, the math lesson was a tricky one, and I think everyone got it in the end.  Yay!