What a nice holiday. I will clap myself on the back and say the food was good. I tried to make everyone's favourites. I hope everyone had a wonderful one with family and friends. My inlaws were here. It was a nice visit, though it had some tense days. Schooling was of course brought up, and that set the tone for the week. Nothing was mentioned aloud of our eating, but the whispering was there, and that was annoying. I held my tongue for once. I really miss being around the rest of our family during the holidays. It's a large and loud family. Things are fun and interesting!
I realized today that I have to plan the school week. I completely forgot. I'm happy I filed away the last week of school before holiday vacation. I'm happy with our progress, so there are no real complaints. This will possibly be a review week.
Today I also reorganized my kitchen. The cupboards should flow much nicer now. Of course I went to the wrong one at least three times already. Next I need to organize the guest room and office closets. They bug me.
On that note, a good friend of mine had her baby on Thanksgiving. What a surprise. I am very happy for her. It's bitter-sweet and maybe that's wrong, but it's how I feel. I wonder if I shall ever get past that.
Showing posts with label home school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home school. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Yer Blues
I like the Beatles, guess that explains the title. But I am feeling a bit blue. Perhaps I'm just tired. The school year is going well, at least I think so. My husband is teaching the two days that I work, and I think that's great. He and the boys are learning how to school and do whatever it is boys do.
I like my job. The people are nice. Because it's a low cost vet clinic, I don't feel like I robbed someone, when I leave work. I meet quite the array of interesting people.
Co op is going wonderful. We haven't been able to meet with our TWIGGS co op at all this year. They meet on the same day that we have classes at our other co op, and the field trips are on days that I work. It's a little disappointing but there's not much I can do about it. I am very happy with our curriculum this year. Phonics Road 2 is excellent so far, as is Singapore math. We've done a unit study on weather-we have quite the little meteorologist, and will be starting a unit on rocks. The little guy is doing a little more letter work. My husband is a little frustrated that he doesn't know all the letters yet, but he'll be fine. I didn't teach our oldest to read until a little after he turned 5. And we are slowly going through the history timeline. The boys are both enjoying Egypt currently, and being mummies!
I like my job. The people are nice. Because it's a low cost vet clinic, I don't feel like I robbed someone, when I leave work. I meet quite the array of interesting people.
Co op is going wonderful. We haven't been able to meet with our TWIGGS co op at all this year. They meet on the same day that we have classes at our other co op, and the field trips are on days that I work. It's a little disappointing but there's not much I can do about it. I am very happy with our curriculum this year. Phonics Road 2 is excellent so far, as is Singapore math. We've done a unit study on weather-we have quite the little meteorologist, and will be starting a unit on rocks. The little guy is doing a little more letter work. My husband is a little frustrated that he doesn't know all the letters yet, but he'll be fine. I didn't teach our oldest to read until a little after he turned 5. And we are slowly going through the history timeline. The boys are both enjoying Egypt currently, and being mummies!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The school year is getting started
We've joined a new co op. It's called TWIGGS. We actually went to a few of their open play dates last spring, and enjoyed ourselves. So this year we submitted an application. It's nice in that they take applications yearly, so that they can weed out the folks who never participated the year before, or moved away. It keeps the group small enough that the families get to know each other, yet large enough where there is a variety of activities. We have a beach play date coming up next week.
We also have orientation with the co op we were in last spring. Our boys are both taking an art class and book club, and then Superman is taking a herp class.
This year we are also officially registered as homeschoolers. This past week I printed up some review work to go over, and we've done a few worksheets. Just slowly getting back into our school pattern. We'll be doing a little more this year, and it looks like it may be busier with field trips. I am also working part time, so it's going to be an adjustment, but I'm confident everything will work out.
We also have orientation with the co op we were in last spring. Our boys are both taking an art class and book club, and then Superman is taking a herp class.
This year we are also officially registered as homeschoolers. This past week I printed up some review work to go over, and we've done a few worksheets. Just slowly getting back into our school pattern. We'll be doing a little more this year, and it looks like it may be busier with field trips. I am also working part time, so it's going to be an adjustment, but I'm confident everything will work out.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Play and nature
I'm a huge fan of play. That said, we limit tv greatly-it's a weekend morning thing, and no real video game play-but good old fashioned, use your imagination, go outside and play, play.
Being a home school family, allows us a lot of play time. And, most of the public schools in my area do not have recess. A lot of schools across the US do not have recess. Play is so important to a child's development. To expect a 6 year old to sit still in a class all day, is to me, ridiculous. And that's the age of most first graders. Even as adults, we take a break of our work. Those of us who lead active lifestyles, are healthier and happier. So why do we want to take play away from our kids?
Being a home school family, allows us a lot of play time. And, most of the public schools in my area do not have recess. A lot of schools across the US do not have recess. Play is so important to a child's development. To expect a 6 year old to sit still in a class all day, is to me, ridiculous. And that's the age of most first graders. Even as adults, we take a break of our work. Those of us who lead active lifestyles, are healthier and happier. So why do we want to take play away from our kids?
Batcave
Puddles are just too much fun
The off-beaten path
Along with play and exploring, our boys love nature.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Homeschool catch up & family
Whew, I need to catch up. I was pretty much off the pc for awhile. We had some family in for a few weeks last month. Our cousin brought her mom down with her, so that was a huge surprise. It was very nice to see them.
Then some of my in-laws came for a visit. They rented a beach house near us. In all, it was a lot less stressful than I thought it would be. Both women are former teachers, though one was an elementary teacher. When they visited last summer, they were very against home school. I'm sure they still are. But, after looking at our Phonics Road, math and some of the things we have gone over, as well as just observation, the former elem teacher, was impressed. She mentioned that what we are doing is good for right now. We talked briefly about what we would do with our little guy if we had to place him in school. Would he be bored? How far ahead would he be? Things like that. And, my husband is coming around a little more. He said we would continue with home school for now, though he'd have questions later on. I am happy, but sad because it is causing friction between him and his folks.
Anyhow, on to my review. Last was week 16, and if you count the weeks, you'll see we took a small break. I think I took 2 weeks to cover one of those weeks, and then with family here...But, that's the great thing about home school. We can go at our own pace. And considering we are technically kindergarten....
Then some of my in-laws came for a visit. They rented a beach house near us. In all, it was a lot less stressful than I thought it would be. Both women are former teachers, though one was an elementary teacher. When they visited last summer, they were very against home school. I'm sure they still are. But, after looking at our Phonics Road, math and some of the things we have gone over, as well as just observation, the former elem teacher, was impressed. She mentioned that what we are doing is good for right now. We talked briefly about what we would do with our little guy if we had to place him in school. Would he be bored? How far ahead would he be? Things like that. And, my husband is coming around a little more. He said we would continue with home school for now, though he'd have questions later on. I am happy, but sad because it is causing friction between him and his folks.
Anyhow, on to my review. Last was week 16, and if you count the weeks, you'll see we took a small break. I think I took 2 weeks to cover one of those weeks, and then with family here...But, that's the great thing about home school. We can go at our own pace. And considering we are technically kindergarten....
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Home school week and organization
It was a pretty good week. We still worked on the basic math, but ventured into some three dimensional shapes. We went around the house pointing out different cubes, spheres, cuboids, cones and cylinders. Then Superman started thinking of things outside the house that matched the shapes. He enjoys doing shapes and they're easy enough. I think we'll incorporate some of the shape learning into arts/crafts. On Valentines day the math was an add and color the correct sums, to form a picture of a heart. The Batman had his own paper that was color matching to the number, instead of adding.
Math home work from co op
We officially covered compound words this week. He knew what they were already, but phonics road covers it and we finally reached it. Just a sheet that has one word + one word = combined word. I pulled some sentence worksheets out to do, to break up making up one each day. The comprehension story was about pets, which Superman seemed to enjoy illustrating.
Week 16 words, some sentences and a worksheet
An illustrated sheet from the story and some compound words
I found some very cool science workbooks, by accident. I checked one out of the library, intending to flip through, check it out, and copy anything I liked. It turns out there is a small series. Gifted and Talented Science workbooks. They seem like a nice addition to any science curriculum. We also found some nature series books at Target. They are a level 2, so grade 1-3. We of course got 3 bug ones. A few of the words are a little above my guy, but I'm amazed he knows most of them, as well as comprehends the material. He excitedly was telling me that yellow jackets live underground, and some type of caterpillar had stingers. I am so happy he enjoys reading.
Reading a super hero book.
This week I also started to tackle the extra home school supplies that I have. I don't know how I ended up with so much.
And that's only some of it. I have some curriculum on the office bookshelf that I'd like to resell. I took all these workbooks and papers, and ended up with this-
Two piles for the Batman-a prek/k one and a first grade one. A current pile of various things for Superman, and a third grade pile. Another pile got the trash, and the final pile is going to a friend-extras that I had. I'm actually glad I have these extra workbooks. Now I just have to file away the extra books in the file cabinet. I spent a long time looking for the curriculum I wanted to use, and actually changed a few. But on days I'm looking for something extra, or we're having a light day, I can pull a worksheet or two from one of these books for my guy to do. They also work for summer work, since I believe in year round schooling. Especially for the lower grades. Too much information is forgotten over the summer. We school a few weeks on and a week off. I admit, I was a bit more scattered until I read Susan Wise, "Well Trained Mind". It makes sense to me, so we are following the path, until/unless it doesn't work out for us.
Math home work from co op
We officially covered compound words this week. He knew what they were already, but phonics road covers it and we finally reached it. Just a sheet that has one word + one word = combined word. I pulled some sentence worksheets out to do, to break up making up one each day. The comprehension story was about pets, which Superman seemed to enjoy illustrating.
Week 16 words, some sentences and a worksheet
I found some very cool science workbooks, by accident. I checked one out of the library, intending to flip through, check it out, and copy anything I liked. It turns out there is a small series. Gifted and Talented Science workbooks. They seem like a nice addition to any science curriculum. We also found some nature series books at Target. They are a level 2, so grade 1-3. We of course got 3 bug ones. A few of the words are a little above my guy, but I'm amazed he knows most of them, as well as comprehends the material. He excitedly was telling me that yellow jackets live underground, and some type of caterpillar had stingers. I am so happy he enjoys reading.
Reading a super hero book.
This week I also started to tackle the extra home school supplies that I have. I don't know how I ended up with so much.
And that's only some of it. I have some curriculum on the office bookshelf that I'd like to resell. I took all these workbooks and papers, and ended up with this-
Two piles for the Batman-a prek/k one and a first grade one. A current pile of various things for Superman, and a third grade pile. Another pile got the trash, and the final pile is going to a friend-extras that I had. I'm actually glad I have these extra workbooks. Now I just have to file away the extra books in the file cabinet. I spent a long time looking for the curriculum I wanted to use, and actually changed a few. But on days I'm looking for something extra, or we're having a light day, I can pull a worksheet or two from one of these books for my guy to do. They also work for summer work, since I believe in year round schooling. Especially for the lower grades. Too much information is forgotten over the summer. We school a few weeks on and a week off. I admit, I was a bit more scattered until I read Susan Wise, "Well Trained Mind". It makes sense to me, so we are following the path, until/unless it doesn't work out for us.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Home school co op starts
We had a light week for schooling. Both kids had colds, but the nice thing about home school, is that we are home! No missed work. No make up assignments. No absent marks. And though ill enough to have been taken out of school, the little guy was well enough to do some work.
We started our comprehension stories from Phonics Road. It was, "The little red hen". He had to read the page, then illustrated what he read. By Friday, he had his own five page, illustrated book. It's a nice way to see if the kids understand what they are reading. He'll be doing a weekly book now until the end of the school year. Along with the comprehension, there are still new spelling words for the week, and review of spelling rules, along with some other new things like compound words-which we will be doing next week.
We did a little math review of addition and subtraction this week.
Thursday was the first day of our local home school co op classes! The kids were well enough to go, and I figured we could leave if they started to feel sick. Wow! So many families were at the co op. And we didn't even see half of them, since they were taking other classes. We singed up for four classes-math bootcamp, science, music and art. Everything went well. Both the science and art classes are very cool. The science teacher had a bunch of neat animals for the kids to see and learn about. In the art class they did wet on wet painting.
In all, the day went pretty well. The sun came out and started to dry off the play ground, which was good, since I was going in and out of the classes with my youngest. I'll be better prepared for him next week, on things to do.
Now of course, the cold in my youngest has progressed to a nice wet cough. The eldest still has a slight dry cough, but since my youngest had a very odd cough back in December for 2 weeks, I figure some of the cilia in his lungs was probably effected, hence he is showing more coughing symptoms than his brother. All is good though. I'm mainly using high dose Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), along with Borion's cough syrup and cold calm.
We started our comprehension stories from Phonics Road. It was, "The little red hen". He had to read the page, then illustrated what he read. By Friday, he had his own five page, illustrated book. It's a nice way to see if the kids understand what they are reading. He'll be doing a weekly book now until the end of the school year. Along with the comprehension, there are still new spelling words for the week, and review of spelling rules, along with some other new things like compound words-which we will be doing next week.
We did a little math review of addition and subtraction this week.
Thursday was the first day of our local home school co op classes! The kids were well enough to go, and I figured we could leave if they started to feel sick. Wow! So many families were at the co op. And we didn't even see half of them, since they were taking other classes. We singed up for four classes-math bootcamp, science, music and art. Everything went well. Both the science and art classes are very cool. The science teacher had a bunch of neat animals for the kids to see and learn about. In the art class they did wet on wet painting.
In all, the day went pretty well. The sun came out and started to dry off the play ground, which was good, since I was going in and out of the classes with my youngest. I'll be better prepared for him next week, on things to do.
Now of course, the cold in my youngest has progressed to a nice wet cough. The eldest still has a slight dry cough, but since my youngest had a very odd cough back in December for 2 weeks, I figure some of the cilia in his lungs was probably effected, hence he is showing more coughing symptoms than his brother. All is good though. I'm mainly using high dose Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), along with Borion's cough syrup and cold calm.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Happy New Year
Well, that's a bit late, and I've already grumbled this year, but Happy New Year, anyhow.
I typed up the Kindergarten requirements for my state, and made a snazzy chart, so I could check off what we have completed, with notes on where we stand. I really dislike categorizing my kids, but for home school sake, I need to have some type of reference point.
I'm pretty excited this year so far. Co op classes start next month, and we are taking some neat ones. Ds is excited to learn, "Rock and Roll", and have fun in art class. The class is Montessori/Waldorf based, and they do some neat things, like using beeswax and felting. We are doing pretty well in our basics too. Once again, kudos to the Phonics Road program. It's amazing what he knows, and we are only half way through it.
Dh has quit smoking! That's the most exciting news here. It's been one week, and I couldn't be more proud of him. He had cold laser treatment, and I'm giving him a bunch of herbs to help. He was only grumpy the first day, so I'd say they are helping-a lot! We are spending more time together, and I really enjoy it. I have noticed the kids are not as clingy to him, as they used to be. They are definitely enjoying him more. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this is a permanent thing.
On the news front, I swear, nutrition and vaccines are being attacked more than ever right now. I honestly feel it's based out of fear that the government is realized there are a growing number of people out there, who just won't stand for their crap. We will grow our own food. We will have our organic farms. We will not inject poison or take poison into our bodies.
My New Year resolution, if I'm to have one. Successfully have a garden this year. And become a worm farmer.
I typed up the Kindergarten requirements for my state, and made a snazzy chart, so I could check off what we have completed, with notes on where we stand. I really dislike categorizing my kids, but for home school sake, I need to have some type of reference point.
I'm pretty excited this year so far. Co op classes start next month, and we are taking some neat ones. Ds is excited to learn, "Rock and Roll", and have fun in art class. The class is Montessori/Waldorf based, and they do some neat things, like using beeswax and felting. We are doing pretty well in our basics too. Once again, kudos to the Phonics Road program. It's amazing what he knows, and we are only half way through it.
Dh has quit smoking! That's the most exciting news here. It's been one week, and I couldn't be more proud of him. He had cold laser treatment, and I'm giving him a bunch of herbs to help. He was only grumpy the first day, so I'd say they are helping-a lot! We are spending more time together, and I really enjoy it. I have noticed the kids are not as clingy to him, as they used to be. They are definitely enjoying him more. I'm keeping my fingers crossed this is a permanent thing.
On the news front, I swear, nutrition and vaccines are being attacked more than ever right now. I honestly feel it's based out of fear that the government is realized there are a growing number of people out there, who just won't stand for their crap. We will grow our own food. We will have our organic farms. We will not inject poison or take poison into our bodies.
My New Year resolution, if I'm to have one. Successfully have a garden this year. And become a worm farmer.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
What Children Learn
I just wanted to share this poem today. I'm having one of those burned out mom days, where my brain feels fried. I read about Tetnus over coffee this morning, but the day was pretty much all kid stuff. School, library, play, lunch, then co op. By dinner I think we were all burned out. And it seems everyone I know has either had a baby last month, or having one this month. While I am happy, it also hurts. I'm having a tough time keeping things sorted out, in a way, as the holiday approaches. But since my day was mainly about the kids, it made me think of this poem.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.
Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte
Friday, November 12, 2010
A Week of Adventures
How adventurous can we make our days?
I have five days. Five days that include schoolwork, housework, wife, mom, errands, phone calls, dogs, cooking meals (most from scratch), and in there somewhere, I have to find time for me, and for Play.
What is play?
Well, it's making dough and getting flour everywhere. It's sitting on the floor and playing a game, coloring with the boys, or even playing cars. It's throwing ball with dad after dinner. It's learning to let some things slide, so the boys grow up knowing, that regardless of what needed to be done, mom and dad still had time for the fun stuff.
We had a great week. Besides the busted lip incident and the 2 some what large holes in the back yard-courtesy of the malamutes.
I have five days. Five days that include schoolwork, housework, wife, mom, errands, phone calls, dogs, cooking meals (most from scratch), and in there somewhere, I have to find time for me, and for Play.
What is play?
Well, it's making dough and getting flour everywhere. It's sitting on the floor and playing a game, coloring with the boys, or even playing cars. It's throwing ball with dad after dinner. It's learning to let some things slide, so the boys grow up knowing, that regardless of what needed to be done, mom and dad still had time for the fun stuff.
We had a great week. Besides the busted lip incident and the 2 some what large holes in the back yard-courtesy of the malamutes.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Kindness and Beauty
How is neighbor defined? Is it the person next door? Is it the family down the street? A stranger who does a kind deed? Or all of those?
We were at the farmer market-they have a section of produce where you can fill a bag for $1.00-that's a lot of produce! There was a woman there choosing what she wanted, and after greeting her, told her that she was very pretty. I felt obligated (what today's world has done to us), to quickly clarify that I meant it as a compliment, nothing more. She replies to me, "You tell me I am pretty, that is how I take it. You are being honest, it is from the heart." We struck up a conversation about cooking, and I figured I was finished, so turned to go away. She tells me, "No, no, fill the bag to the top, look at mine. Learn from your neighbor.", and she proceeded to toss me 2 more peppers, some limes and lemons-ones she had chosen for herself. I realized how beautiful this woman was-from the inside. Too often we see people of greed, selfishness and the ugliness of their soul just shows clean through.
Now, I home school our kids. At least this year we are. I've met some wonderful families near us. Some of those moms have offered me text and materials, until I was able to purchase my own. As most of these moms have been home schooling for many years now. For anyone who home schools, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say looking at curriculum can be quite overwhelming. The cost alone on some of the programs is daunting enough some times, (though still cheaper than a private school). It's kind of frustrating when you miss the home school convention and miss out at looking at all the very cool stuff! The kindness of these families is just awesome. How many people hand over a curriculum that may cost a pretty penny, or took some time finding at a decent cost, for you to view? Trust that you will return it, and in the same condition? I have to say, I have never met a network like home school families. Everyone I have met, has been welcoming and I feel very fortunate to both learn from those who have been on the road awhile, and also finding my way with other new families.
Now, we try to give back. There's some saying about if you give away things in a selfless act, the good deed returns to you. I believe that. Yes, we sell what we can, to help our own finances, but we donate as well. Our boys are learning to be selfless and donate. That, is clutter off my soul.
We were at the farmer market-they have a section of produce where you can fill a bag for $1.00-that's a lot of produce! There was a woman there choosing what she wanted, and after greeting her, told her that she was very pretty. I felt obligated (what today's world has done to us), to quickly clarify that I meant it as a compliment, nothing more. She replies to me, "You tell me I am pretty, that is how I take it. You are being honest, it is from the heart." We struck up a conversation about cooking, and I figured I was finished, so turned to go away. She tells me, "No, no, fill the bag to the top, look at mine. Learn from your neighbor.", and she proceeded to toss me 2 more peppers, some limes and lemons-ones she had chosen for herself. I realized how beautiful this woman was-from the inside. Too often we see people of greed, selfishness and the ugliness of their soul just shows clean through.
Now, I home school our kids. At least this year we are. I've met some wonderful families near us. Some of those moms have offered me text and materials, until I was able to purchase my own. As most of these moms have been home schooling for many years now. For anyone who home schools, you'll know what I'm talking about when I say looking at curriculum can be quite overwhelming. The cost alone on some of the programs is daunting enough some times, (though still cheaper than a private school). It's kind of frustrating when you miss the home school convention and miss out at looking at all the very cool stuff! The kindness of these families is just awesome. How many people hand over a curriculum that may cost a pretty penny, or took some time finding at a decent cost, for you to view? Trust that you will return it, and in the same condition? I have to say, I have never met a network like home school families. Everyone I have met, has been welcoming and I feel very fortunate to both learn from those who have been on the road awhile, and also finding my way with other new families.
Now, we try to give back. There's some saying about if you give away things in a selfless act, the good deed returns to you. I believe that. Yes, we sell what we can, to help our own finances, but we donate as well. Our boys are learning to be selfless and donate. That, is clutter off my soul.
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