Well. We should have more school days in here. I see that 5 days have gone by, and only 3 were 'school' days. Well. I guess we need to chalk it up to weather. It has, after all, snowed almost as much as it didn't this week. I don't know how other people find it, but with DH home, life is different. And with 2 snow days this week, the whole week was a bit off.
We're at lesson 69 in Saxon Math. That's more than halfway, as it ought to be by this time of year. The trouble is, we're starting to get more wrong answers than we used to. We've been cruising along, not used to getting more than 2 answers wrong on the 'Mixed Practice', and all of a sudden, we hit a wall. Up to 8 wrong! I have heard that about Saxon. I think they said something about the kids not really understanding the concepts, but I can't agree with that. I think they know what they are supposed to do. I think it's a matter of slowing them down so they do it right. Our latest technique for that, instituted recently, is that all problems done incorrectly must be done again.
The sad thing about the snow days we had this week is that it isn't like they could even go out and enjoy it. I think they are sick to death of snow anyway, and it was freezing, and you couldn't build anything out of it. Oh well. This coming Monday we are going to go sledding in the afternoon after orchestra. I'll bring hot chocolate (or maybe we'll splurge and get white hot chocolate from Dunkin'!) and we'll try to enjoy the season without reason.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Day 99a
Homeschoolers are odd. At least, they are in my house. Tonight, almost at bedtime, DH decided to play with the kids. It went from a few Aikido moves from the kids' earlier class to roughhousing to Mathy Slappy.
I think the name speaks for itself, but in case it's more odd than I think, let me explain. Steve calls out a math problem, counts to 3 in his head with his hand up in the air, itching to 'slap' the kid he asked the problem. It's hard to think under that sort of pressure! Now, before you think that my husband is an insane child-slapper, let me tell you that he never hit them hard, it was all in fun.
But the question is, who else would play this game? And at 9:30 at night? I can't imagine. Actually, I'm not sure I can imagine anyone doing it. I can say that the kids enjoyed it and so did Steve. Who knows if that game will be played again or not, but I'm sure we'll think of something else just as crazy.
I think the name speaks for itself, but in case it's more odd than I think, let me explain. Steve calls out a math problem, counts to 3 in his head with his hand up in the air, itching to 'slap' the kid he asked the problem. It's hard to think under that sort of pressure! Now, before you think that my husband is an insane child-slapper, let me tell you that he never hit them hard, it was all in fun.
But the question is, who else would play this game? And at 9:30 at night? I can't imagine. Actually, I'm not sure I can imagine anyone doing it. I can say that the kids enjoyed it and so did Steve. Who knows if that game will be played again or not, but I'm sure we'll think of something else just as crazy.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Day 96,97,98,99
These days time is flying by. I also have a headcold and we are working on getting our bedroom painted (it's been 10 years this month, and it was with flat paint-yuck!)
We did have a major blow-out this week, and we have been considering school for next year. There are a few good reasons to think about it, not the least of which would be an extra paycheck. I decided to make a list of the pros and cons of sending Luke and Emily to school. I put on the list everything I could think of, then I turned it out to the kids, and told them to add whatever they thought would be relevant. I even made it like a bar graph (each reason has only one line, and pro and con are next to each other going up the page).
I was a little hesitant about letting them add their own pros and cons, but I think it was a good idea. As it turns out, homeschooling is winning out 11-5 so far. I'll keep the list going for a while just so I can be sure, but homeschooling may be in my future for next year. One advantage of doing this list is that I can see where I'm having trouble, and where the kids might need something changed too. One thing that came up in the pro column was "Be away from each other a while". I can understand that one. But now that it's been written down it seems more real and I can deal with it, and we can make some adjustments to our schedule to allow for some differently structured time.
I have to admit I was very upset about the idea of the kids going to school, of my 'failure' as a homeschool parent, of changing our entire lives. For most of this year, if the subject came up, I got quite emotional. However, having discussed it with the kids and husband realistically, I can say that I feel better about it. I don't exactly know why, but now I feel more like if it happens, it happens. I got to have them home and sheltered and, in some ways, better educated for much longer than most.
Anyway, we're still homeschooling for now, and already I find myself finding things for next year. I'm willing to bet that in the face of the list, homeschooling is indeed in my future. So much for an extra paycheck! :)
We did have a major blow-out this week, and we have been considering school for next year. There are a few good reasons to think about it, not the least of which would be an extra paycheck. I decided to make a list of the pros and cons of sending Luke and Emily to school. I put on the list everything I could think of, then I turned it out to the kids, and told them to add whatever they thought would be relevant. I even made it like a bar graph (each reason has only one line, and pro and con are next to each other going up the page).
I was a little hesitant about letting them add their own pros and cons, but I think it was a good idea. As it turns out, homeschooling is winning out 11-5 so far. I'll keep the list going for a while just so I can be sure, but homeschooling may be in my future for next year. One advantage of doing this list is that I can see where I'm having trouble, and where the kids might need something changed too. One thing that came up in the pro column was "Be away from each other a while". I can understand that one. But now that it's been written down it seems more real and I can deal with it, and we can make some adjustments to our schedule to allow for some differently structured time.
I have to admit I was very upset about the idea of the kids going to school, of my 'failure' as a homeschool parent, of changing our entire lives. For most of this year, if the subject came up, I got quite emotional. However, having discussed it with the kids and husband realistically, I can say that I feel better about it. I don't exactly know why, but now I feel more like if it happens, it happens. I got to have them home and sheltered and, in some ways, better educated for much longer than most.
Anyway, we're still homeschooling for now, and already I find myself finding things for next year. I'm willing to bet that in the face of the list, homeschooling is indeed in my future. So much for an extra paycheck! :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Day 95
Today, we had a reasonable day. We went to orchestra, which went better than I expected, and we stayed afterwards for a while to let the kids play.
In the afternoon, we read a chapter from A Little History of the World. We then worked on our history timeline scroll at the same time, adding the historical events as we read them in the form of words, pictures, whatever worked.
The history timeline scroll is 55 feet long, is kept rolled up on either end so we can open up to the time period we are working on. It starts at the beginning of history (Mesopotamia) and goes to the modern day, with one inch being equal to one century until close to modern day, then each inch equals one decade.
The idea for this timeline is not something I made up. I got it and a whole history curriculum which we loosely follow called Mosaic curriculum. It has a poetry component that we whipped through pretty fast, but my guys love poetry, so that got read fast. We did get the textbook that goes with it (we already had A Little History). Luke loves the text, The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History (Usborne Internet Linked), since it is internet linked and up to date. It goes to a lot of sites with games, pictures, puzzles, and lots of info.
It may not have been our most productive day, but it wasn't a bad one, and that counts for something!
In the afternoon, we read a chapter from A Little History of the World. We then worked on our history timeline scroll at the same time, adding the historical events as we read them in the form of words, pictures, whatever worked.
The history timeline scroll is 55 feet long, is kept rolled up on either end so we can open up to the time period we are working on. It starts at the beginning of history (Mesopotamia) and goes to the modern day, with one inch being equal to one century until close to modern day, then each inch equals one decade.
The idea for this timeline is not something I made up. I got it and a whole history curriculum which we loosely follow called Mosaic curriculum. It has a poetry component that we whipped through pretty fast, but my guys love poetry, so that got read fast. We did get the textbook that goes with it (we already had A Little History). Luke loves the text, The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History (Usborne Internet Linked), since it is internet linked and up to date. It goes to a lot of sites with games, pictures, puzzles, and lots of info.
It may not have been our most productive day, but it wasn't a bad one, and that counts for something!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Day 91,92, 93, 94
The harder I try, the behinder I get.
This week was a struggle. I did indeed get my quarterly written, but I have to mail it tomorrow as this turned into the week of sickness. I was first, for a change, but I don't think it helps any. It struck in the evening on Wednesday and got worse as time went on. By the next morning, the worst was over, but I still was not back to normal, and I was exhausted besides.
Today, I'm quite a bit better, and even thought to be a little creative with the math lesson and not just have them draw thie polygons, but got the geoboards, which we haven't used in a long time, and had the kids make the shapes on them.
This was a good idea, and it seemed to make a large part of the lesson go more smoothly, but we hit a wall with Luke at the second half. He started to complain that he wasn't feeling good. Like the caring, loving mom I am, I forced him to continue until it became quite clear that he wasn't pretending or faking. The kid didn't feel good. So, while Emily went to Nana's house to help Grandpa dig a path through the snow to the birdfeeder, Luke stayed home, didn't complain about not getting to go, and then fell asleep. I think sleeping was probably the best thing he could have done, and while he is still sick now and had a fever, he was still able to eat some dinner and take some meds which I was not able to do at all when I was sick.
At this point, I don't even remember what we did for school other than math. It has been snowing so much here in the Hudson Valley that it seems like most days are spent stuck in the house (although the kids did go out most every day to play or help). I never loved winter, but I don't think I minded it as much as I do now. Season of slippery ice, snow and sickness.
It feels like it's too early to be wishing for spring, but here I am, doing it anyway. I want to sit outside and feel the sun on my face, and a warm breeze. I want to hear the buzz of insects and to start a nature journal with the kids and go, oh, ANYWHERE...
This week was a struggle. I did indeed get my quarterly written, but I have to mail it tomorrow as this turned into the week of sickness. I was first, for a change, but I don't think it helps any. It struck in the evening on Wednesday and got worse as time went on. By the next morning, the worst was over, but I still was not back to normal, and I was exhausted besides.
Today, I'm quite a bit better, and even thought to be a little creative with the math lesson and not just have them draw thie polygons, but got the geoboards, which we haven't used in a long time, and had the kids make the shapes on them.
This was a good idea, and it seemed to make a large part of the lesson go more smoothly, but we hit a wall with Luke at the second half. He started to complain that he wasn't feeling good. Like the caring, loving mom I am, I forced him to continue until it became quite clear that he wasn't pretending or faking. The kid didn't feel good. So, while Emily went to Nana's house to help Grandpa dig a path through the snow to the birdfeeder, Luke stayed home, didn't complain about not getting to go, and then fell asleep. I think sleeping was probably the best thing he could have done, and while he is still sick now and had a fever, he was still able to eat some dinner and take some meds which I was not able to do at all when I was sick.
At this point, I don't even remember what we did for school other than math. It has been snowing so much here in the Hudson Valley that it seems like most days are spent stuck in the house (although the kids did go out most every day to play or help). I never loved winter, but I don't think I minded it as much as I do now. Season of slippery ice, snow and sickness.
It feels like it's too early to be wishing for spring, but here I am, doing it anyway. I want to sit outside and feel the sun on my face, and a warm breeze. I want to hear the buzz of insects and to start a nature journal with the kids and go, oh, ANYWHERE...
Monday, January 17, 2011
Day 89, 90
So yesterday turned into a bit of a 'work' day for the kids, though I doubt that they would see it that way. We made our last thank-you cards from Christmas, and then they designed t-shirts.
I should say that the only reason I had the stuff out for the t-shirt project is because we are getting a jump on spring cleaning (or maybe we're late for last year's, but anyway...) so the cabinets in our dining room which have hitherto been full of much junk and craft odds and ends are now half actual dining/kitchen stuff, and half craft odds and ends.
The kids ended up making dinosaur t-shirts as their grandfather gave them a huge bag of plastic dinosaurs the night before. There's nothing like running with a theme.
Today we had orchestra. We didn't just have regular orchestra, we had super-long, blow-out-your-lips orchestra. I have to say, it was really good for me to play for so concentrated an amount of time, but I wouldn't want to do it all the time. The kids were troopers, actually, though I hear they gave up towards the end. No one could blame the trumpet player, but the violinist claimed boredom. Not really an acceptable reason to stop playing. But it was nice that they also got to play outside for a while, and Emily and I got to sing with her old chorus group which we are hoping we can fit into our schedule this semester.
While it does make our Wednesdays rather hectic, we'll have three days a week that are relatively unscheduled as far as outside activities.
We were/are hoping to get our planning meeting done this Wednesday for our group (which is the activity we will need to cut down to make chorus fit) but I'm not so sure the weather will cooperate. All we can do is wait and see!
Tomorrow, other than regular school stuff, I'll have to get to my second quarterly! Hooray!
I should say that the only reason I had the stuff out for the t-shirt project is because we are getting a jump on spring cleaning (or maybe we're late for last year's, but anyway...) so the cabinets in our dining room which have hitherto been full of much junk and craft odds and ends are now half actual dining/kitchen stuff, and half craft odds and ends.
The kids ended up making dinosaur t-shirts as their grandfather gave them a huge bag of plastic dinosaurs the night before. There's nothing like running with a theme.
Today we had orchestra. We didn't just have regular orchestra, we had super-long, blow-out-your-lips orchestra. I have to say, it was really good for me to play for so concentrated an amount of time, but I wouldn't want to do it all the time. The kids were troopers, actually, though I hear they gave up towards the end. No one could blame the trumpet player, but the violinist claimed boredom. Not really an acceptable reason to stop playing. But it was nice that they also got to play outside for a while, and Emily and I got to sing with her old chorus group which we are hoping we can fit into our schedule this semester.
While it does make our Wednesdays rather hectic, we'll have three days a week that are relatively unscheduled as far as outside activities.
We were/are hoping to get our planning meeting done this Wednesday for our group (which is the activity we will need to cut down to make chorus fit) but I'm not so sure the weather will cooperate. All we can do is wait and see!
Tomorrow, other than regular school stuff, I'll have to get to my second quarterly! Hooray!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Day 88
This was a relatively quiet day, of which we need more. The new strict phase netted me a math test, a math lesson, writing, a craft, Aikido attendance, and music practice, all with limited trouble! Staying the course is my issue, and I'm determined. What I need to do is remember to look back in my archives when I get off course and things go haywire. Hey, future-self! Don't mess around! Get back to being strict and kind!
Anyway, we just got the What Your Fourth Grader Needs to Know: Fundamentals of A Good Fourth-Grade Education (The Core Knowledge Series). We've got the Core knowledge sequence: Content guidelines for grades K-8 outline for all the grades as that's what we use for planning the school year (letter of intent and all that), but for some reason I delayed getting the book itself this year. It gives me a secure feeling knowing that all the things we do on our own are underlain with the foundation of these books. It really makes me feel that we are covering all the bases. The series was actually aimed at educators in schools as well as those who home school. If I recall correctly, they were hoping to create a complete curriculum that could result in well-educated children regardless of what school they were in (ie low or high income, etc.).
Really, this is a stress reducer for me. That's cool.
Anyway, we just got the What Your Fourth Grader Needs to Know: Fundamentals of A Good Fourth-Grade Education (The Core Knowledge Series). We've got the Core knowledge sequence: Content guidelines for grades K-8 outline for all the grades as that's what we use for planning the school year (letter of intent and all that), but for some reason I delayed getting the book itself this year. It gives me a secure feeling knowing that all the things we do on our own are underlain with the foundation of these books. It really makes me feel that we are covering all the bases. The series was actually aimed at educators in schools as well as those who home school. If I recall correctly, they were hoping to create a complete curriculum that could result in well-educated children regardless of what school they were in (ie low or high income, etc.).
Really, this is a stress reducer for me. That's cool.
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