D's birthday is today. I won't say how old he is, but it's younger than I am. : )
Basically, what this means is we will be having meatloaf and scalloped potatoes for dinner, and a big pan of brownies in lieu of cake.
There, honey, you made it into my blog. I'm sure you're thrilled. LOL
I love you!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Christmas Break
We are well past halfway through our books. The girls (and I) need a break. We are sticking to the public school schedule for our break, and will be resuming classes on January 5, 2009.
Of course, little E goes on her own schedule, so whenever she asks to do school we will. C has to finish 3 or 4 pages in science. We're right in the middle of the atmosphere, and will finish that the first few days of next week. We also have a few chapters left to read aloud in "The Witch of Blackbird Pond". She is actually enjoying the story, and likes to tell me what terms in the book she already knows from U.S. History.
After Thanksgiving we ran into horrible problems with the way Abeka introduces and teaches grammar. As soon as we are financially able I will be buying Easy Grammar, and BJUP English 5 instead. EG teaches prepositional phrases first, so I think that will make things much less confusing. Not to mention there won't be any diagramming.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Of course, little E goes on her own schedule, so whenever she asks to do school we will. C has to finish 3 or 4 pages in science. We're right in the middle of the atmosphere, and will finish that the first few days of next week. We also have a few chapters left to read aloud in "The Witch of Blackbird Pond". She is actually enjoying the story, and likes to tell me what terms in the book she already knows from U.S. History.
After Thanksgiving we ran into horrible problems with the way Abeka introduces and teaches grammar. As soon as we are financially able I will be buying Easy Grammar, and BJUP English 5 instead. EG teaches prepositional phrases first, so I think that will make things much less confusing. Not to mention there won't be any diagramming.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving
Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, and a yummy dinner.
We only had school Monday and Tuesday this week. E didn't have to do any this week at all. She doesn't even realize it, but she has finished every speck of kindergarten work I could find, and is well into first grade now. There are a few curriculum I need to still buy her, but we have plenty. The rest is just icing. One thing I'd like to be able to buy her is "Moving Beyond the Page's" Pattern book for 5-7 year olds. If ever a child was addicted to math and patterns, E is, and it would be a fun addition to our schedule. However, at $90 for a semester, it will have to wait until after Christmas presents are bought.
Congrats my sweet E for working so hard, and learning so quickly. It's very bittersweet for me to realize you're already a first-grader.
Our main plan this week is to successfully make another great dinner. C will be getting lots of "home-ec". I feel at 10, she can make the deviled eggs, cherry fluff, and home-made cranberry sauce this year. (With my supervision, of course.) She and E can both help with pumpkin pie.
We have a 21 pound turkey this year. It will be just the 5 of us again, but last year 15 pounds didn't do it. Skinny-minny step-daughter eats 12 pounds by herself. : ) And yes, I said 5, not 6, of us. B(14) is once again not home due to her behavior issues.
We only had school Monday and Tuesday this week. E didn't have to do any this week at all. She doesn't even realize it, but she has finished every speck of kindergarten work I could find, and is well into first grade now. There are a few curriculum I need to still buy her, but we have plenty. The rest is just icing. One thing I'd like to be able to buy her is "Moving Beyond the Page's" Pattern book for 5-7 year olds. If ever a child was addicted to math and patterns, E is, and it would be a fun addition to our schedule. However, at $90 for a semester, it will have to wait until after Christmas presents are bought.
Congrats my sweet E for working so hard, and learning so quickly. It's very bittersweet for me to realize you're already a first-grader.
Our main plan this week is to successfully make another great dinner. C will be getting lots of "home-ec". I feel at 10, she can make the deviled eggs, cherry fluff, and home-made cranberry sauce this year. (With my supervision, of course.) She and E can both help with pumpkin pie.
We have a 21 pound turkey this year. It will be just the 5 of us again, but last year 15 pounds didn't do it. Skinny-minny step-daughter eats 12 pounds by herself. : ) And yes, I said 5, not 6, of us. B(14) is once again not home due to her behavior issues.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Things you'd only hear a homeschooled child say....
A few weeks ago C and E were in the yard playing. C came running in. "Mom! Mom! Get my science book! Hurry! There's an insect out by a dandelion, and I need to see if it's a honeybee drone, or an American Hoverfly!" We'd studied insects 2 months ago.
LOL
Last night in Mc Donald's, happily eating a cheeseburger...."Daddy, do you know how the state of Virginia got it's name?"
"Um, no."
"Well, because when Raleigh sent some people over to the New World to explore and look for a place to settle, they named the land Virginia after the Queen of England. Her name was really Queen Elizabeth I, but since she had never married, everyone called her 'the virgin queen'. Get it? VIRGIN queen...VIRGINIA?" This was 2 or 3 weeks after we had learned about it.
LOL again.
Overheard while playing Guitar Hero with her big sister....C happily explaining in great detail about the missing colony in Roanoke, and the settlement of Jamestown, and how it almost didn't last, either, until John Smith stepped up as leader, and told the settlers, "You don't work. You don't eat." Big sister, listening intently, and complaining that she had never heard that before, and how come C got to learn all the interesting stuff.
At least I don't have to issue out tests every week to see if she memorized material. She, quite obviously, is retaining what we read and discuss. Of course, I have the advantage of working one on one with my students, and exploring further anything they want, and I already KNOW she's learning.
LOL
Last night in Mc Donald's, happily eating a cheeseburger...."Daddy, do you know how the state of Virginia got it's name?"
"Um, no."
"Well, because when Raleigh sent some people over to the New World to explore and look for a place to settle, they named the land Virginia after the Queen of England. Her name was really Queen Elizabeth I, but since she had never married, everyone called her 'the virgin queen'. Get it? VIRGIN queen...VIRGINIA?" This was 2 or 3 weeks after we had learned about it.
LOL again.
Overheard while playing Guitar Hero with her big sister....C happily explaining in great detail about the missing colony in Roanoke, and the settlement of Jamestown, and how it almost didn't last, either, until John Smith stepped up as leader, and told the settlers, "You don't work. You don't eat." Big sister, listening intently, and complaining that she had never heard that before, and how come C got to learn all the interesting stuff.
At least I don't have to issue out tests every week to see if she memorized material. She, quite obviously, is retaining what we read and discuss. Of course, I have the advantage of working one on one with my students, and exploring further anything they want, and I already KNOW she's learning.
Where we stand for the year so far....4th grade
Well, C and I have finished Story of the World, Vol. 1. We both have enjoyed it; C loves it so much she is begging for Vol. 2. We are on Lesson 58 out of 120 in Saxon 54. Which means we have 62 lessons, 7 investigations, and 13 tests left. In US History and Geography we are about 1/3 of the way through the book. Currently we are studying the origins of the original 13 colonies, and early government under England. We've finished the New England colonies, and are moving on to the Middle and Southern colonies. We are taking a brief (2 weeks) break from Vocab, because it's just for extra practice, and C has informed me she doesn't like it. In science we are beginning Unit 3, about Light. Unit 1 was on insects and flowers, and believe it or not it was actually fun and interesting. (Who'd've thunk it? ) Unit 2 was THE LONGEST unit ever on mammals. Fortunately we both enjoyed that one too, and hopefully never have such a long unit again. I have no idea how Astronomy is going, because that is C and her dad's thing. : )
But the big news is.....Language Arts. Oh, the dreaded, horrid, Language Arts. 7 months ago when I began homeschooling C, she had had NO writing instruction whatsoever. She hated it. She knew virtually nothing. I can thank God she is a natural speller like me, and also seems to just naturally know how punctuation goes. However, the child couldn't write a decent sentence, let alone even know what a paragraph was. I was really dreading this year's English, because not only does she hate it....I love writing, and never had an issue with it, so it is very frustrating to me to see her struggle on what seems to me to be something she ought to just KNOW how to do.
We have actually covered almost half of the material in her 4th grade book. She has mainly done well, although we had a few issues on using encyclopedias, and I made her re-do the entire chapter. We did Units 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. You notice we skipped 4. That's because Unit 4 is all about writing reports. Written and oral book reports, and a written research paper. I knew she wasn't ready, and I knew I would probably just get angry and frustrated, even though the girl can't help no one had taught her. Finally, last week I could put it off no longer. I felt that since we were so far ahead in Language, that I could afford to devote an entire 4 weeks to this one unit. Actually, I had planned to allow 4 weeks soley for the research paper. We began the unit, and just went through each lesson. We came to the assignment: Write at least a 125 word paper about "George Washington Carver". I waited for her to balk. She didn't. She was very diligent about her work. She read an encyclopedia article, she took notes, making sure to put them in her own words. I assigned the rough draft. She spent 2 hours writing the rough draft. The only problems I found were the order was off, and there were 2 or 3 places I felt she needed to clarify a little more. I explained that someone who hadn't read anything about this man before wouldn't understand, and she had to write in a way that ANYONE would know what she meant. She went through and re-wrote the whole report, revising and adding/editing where I suggested. We went back through it. I found very few problems, and only had a few suggestions. Wednesday evening I fell asleep after dinner. I woke up. The house was silent. I found Daddy and E watching TV. C was in her room. A short while later, she emerged from her room, and shyly handed me her notebook. Of her own free will she had completed her final copy of her report while I had been sleeping. It was't even due yet. It was over 200 words long. I don't think I could have written it better. I found one error in the entire paper...she had left out the word "a" in a sentence.
I actually teared up. Who would have believed a few months ago my daughter could write so beautifully? She cried over paragraphs, and had no idea how to go about writing or researching. Who would have believed a 4th grader's report on an assigned topic would make me so emotional. Not only was it skillfully written, she finished it entirely on her own! It wasn't due yet; I wasn't pushing her because I know she hates writing. She said, "I wanted to surprise you, Mommy." Well, boy, did she! Even Daddy and 17 year-old sister were impressed. (I had her read it aloud to them.)
Big sister said, "Mom, there are seniors in high school who can't write this well! That's why I dropped out of journalism class....because I got so tired of the teacher making everyone learn to write paragraphs because they couldn't figure out how to write articles for the school paper." It was nice to hear that, because I know my pride was a result of loving my child, and knowing how hard she worked, and how far she has come. I might have been just a wee bit predjudiced. I gave her an "A" for her final grade on the report, and Daddy was offended. "WHY would you give her an A? That should be an A+" I said, "I don't give out A+'s in writing! There are so many ways to express things in writing, and so many opinions on what constitutes writing well, and A is the highest I will ever give."
Congratulations C. You made me so proud! I know you still don't LIKE writing, but don't ever tell me you CAN'T write! : )
But the big news is.....Language Arts. Oh, the dreaded, horrid, Language Arts. 7 months ago when I began homeschooling C, she had had NO writing instruction whatsoever. She hated it. She knew virtually nothing. I can thank God she is a natural speller like me, and also seems to just naturally know how punctuation goes. However, the child couldn't write a decent sentence, let alone even know what a paragraph was. I was really dreading this year's English, because not only does she hate it....I love writing, and never had an issue with it, so it is very frustrating to me to see her struggle on what seems to me to be something she ought to just KNOW how to do.
We have actually covered almost half of the material in her 4th grade book. She has mainly done well, although we had a few issues on using encyclopedias, and I made her re-do the entire chapter. We did Units 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. You notice we skipped 4. That's because Unit 4 is all about writing reports. Written and oral book reports, and a written research paper. I knew she wasn't ready, and I knew I would probably just get angry and frustrated, even though the girl can't help no one had taught her. Finally, last week I could put it off no longer. I felt that since we were so far ahead in Language, that I could afford to devote an entire 4 weeks to this one unit. Actually, I had planned to allow 4 weeks soley for the research paper. We began the unit, and just went through each lesson. We came to the assignment: Write at least a 125 word paper about "George Washington Carver". I waited for her to balk. She didn't. She was very diligent about her work. She read an encyclopedia article, she took notes, making sure to put them in her own words. I assigned the rough draft. She spent 2 hours writing the rough draft. The only problems I found were the order was off, and there were 2 or 3 places I felt she needed to clarify a little more. I explained that someone who hadn't read anything about this man before wouldn't understand, and she had to write in a way that ANYONE would know what she meant. She went through and re-wrote the whole report, revising and adding/editing where I suggested. We went back through it. I found very few problems, and only had a few suggestions. Wednesday evening I fell asleep after dinner. I woke up. The house was silent. I found Daddy and E watching TV. C was in her room. A short while later, she emerged from her room, and shyly handed me her notebook. Of her own free will she had completed her final copy of her report while I had been sleeping. It was't even due yet. It was over 200 words long. I don't think I could have written it better. I found one error in the entire paper...she had left out the word "a" in a sentence.
I actually teared up. Who would have believed a few months ago my daughter could write so beautifully? She cried over paragraphs, and had no idea how to go about writing or researching. Who would have believed a 4th grader's report on an assigned topic would make me so emotional. Not only was it skillfully written, she finished it entirely on her own! It wasn't due yet; I wasn't pushing her because I know she hates writing. She said, "I wanted to surprise you, Mommy." Well, boy, did she! Even Daddy and 17 year-old sister were impressed. (I had her read it aloud to them.)
Big sister said, "Mom, there are seniors in high school who can't write this well! That's why I dropped out of journalism class....because I got so tired of the teacher making everyone learn to write paragraphs because they couldn't figure out how to write articles for the school paper." It was nice to hear that, because I know my pride was a result of loving my child, and knowing how hard she worked, and how far she has come. I might have been just a wee bit predjudiced. I gave her an "A" for her final grade on the report, and Daddy was offended. "WHY would you give her an A? That should be an A+" I said, "I don't give out A+'s in writing! There are so many ways to express things in writing, and so many opinions on what constitutes writing well, and A is the highest I will ever give."
Congratulations C. You made me so proud! I know you still don't LIKE writing, but don't ever tell me you CAN'T write! : )
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Too busy to post
I know my blog can be deleted if I don't post every so often. I've been so busy, I just don't have time to post anything right now. The girls are all doing great in school (except a certain step-daughter). C is working on her very first report, and suprisingly she is doing far better than I expected. E will finish all her Kindergarten work within this month, and I've been working on gathering curriculum for first grade. That's all I have time for now. Hopefully next time I'm here I remember my password, and not have to spend 10 minutes trying different combinations of letters, symbols, and numbers to access this thing. : ) Hope everyone is doing well.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Happy Birthday C!
I've now been a Mommy ten years. C's birthday was this week. She didn't have to do any school or chores on the day, and we skipped Vocabulary for the entire week in honor of her being ten. She woke up, played Guitar Hero III (we own every one...I'm a bit addicted to it, and although this is supposed to be about C, I'll brag that I can pass every song on "Hard", and about 80% of them on "Expert".)After 2 hours of that she helped make her cake. This basically meant that I stood watch while she did everything but pour the batter in the cake pan, and pull the hot pan out of the oven. She then played Wii Sports with her little sister for almost 3 hours. We went outside for a bit to play, then back in for baths before Daddy got home early from work. Once here, we went to the State Park and hiked for an hour and a half. We got to see dozens of deer, several geese, a groundhog, and 5 swans. The swans thought we had food, and we got to within 3 feet of them. The girls each kept a beautiful feather for themselves. From the ground; we didn't pull them off the birds. : )
Then it was off to Taco Bell, C's choice for dinner. Everyone but Daddy enjoyed it; he hates Taco Bell. Then home to watch Survivor and open gifts. I wasn't able to afford much, but she enjoyed them. The most expensive gift was "Barbie as the Island Princess", which I found on sale for under $20, and was the thing she most asked for. I spent under $80, and managed to buy 13 things, so it looked like she had more.
The timing worked perfectly, because the VP debate was on at 8, and I had told her she had the entire day till then. Birthday or no I wasn't missing the debates. She actually watched about half an hour of it. She knows who's running, and the running mates, and actually will pay attention when they are on TV, but birthday presents called, and she didn't watch the whole thing.
Anyway, we had an awesome day, a nice break from school, and I thank God for the best ten years of my life! I never knew what love really was all about until I felt this little, tiny baby girl seconds after she was born. I've NEVER regretted having her or her sister, and although it's sad she's not so little anymore, I hope my daughters and I continue to be close, and that when they are all grown up they can be my best friends like my own dear mom was to me.
Happy Birthday C, and I love you and E more than anything or anyone in this world! I am so blessed.
Then it was off to Taco Bell, C's choice for dinner. Everyone but Daddy enjoyed it; he hates Taco Bell. Then home to watch Survivor and open gifts. I wasn't able to afford much, but she enjoyed them. The most expensive gift was "Barbie as the Island Princess", which I found on sale for under $20, and was the thing she most asked for. I spent under $80, and managed to buy 13 things, so it looked like she had more.
The timing worked perfectly, because the VP debate was on at 8, and I had told her she had the entire day till then. Birthday or no I wasn't missing the debates. She actually watched about half an hour of it. She knows who's running, and the running mates, and actually will pay attention when they are on TV, but birthday presents called, and she didn't watch the whole thing.
Anyway, we had an awesome day, a nice break from school, and I thank God for the best ten years of my life! I never knew what love really was all about until I felt this little, tiny baby girl seconds after she was born. I've NEVER regretted having her or her sister, and although it's sad she's not so little anymore, I hope my daughters and I continue to be close, and that when they are all grown up they can be my best friends like my own dear mom was to me.
Happy Birthday C, and I love you and E more than anything or anyone in this world! I am so blessed.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Crazy Week
Somehow I managed to get school done for C this week. We did Math every day, including Test 5, and an hour long investigation yesterday delving into area, squares, and sqare roots. She's finally into something a bit challenging. We've spent a LOT of time on her new chapter on "The Writing Process" in LA. Yesterday we spent almost 3 hours writing, editing, rewriting descriptive paragraphs. Writing is definitly her weak area. She hadn't had any writing instruction in ps, so we had to start from scratch last spring when I brought her home. We will take an easy day today after such a long lesson yesterday. She's doing fine in Vocab, and Ancient History. We began U.S. History Wednesday, and for the first time I heard a complaint of, "This is boring!" Maybe because I brought out a textbook instead of living books, and the internet. We've also managed to get Science in 3 days this week. (This is in addition to the year of Astronomy she is doing "for fun" with Dad.) Now that, to me, is boring! LOL We're in the first Unit of Abeka grade 5, and I have read more about bees, wasps, and other insects than I ever cared to or feel is necessary. She seems to like it, though, and is really remembering it. The book is very detailed and technical. I don't remember having so many things to learn and remember when I was a kid. It's actually a pretty tough class. Good thing I have planned for it to be a 2 year course, since she does the other science, too.
Ok, sounds like I did good, right? Well, that is about ALL I accomplished this week. Lots done for C, but poor little E (5) has done nothing. Well, she does her calander and weather graph each morning, she does 2-3 pages of phonics, one day we even did spelling and math. And one evening she read to me for an hour. And we began her geography books, where she colored a globe, and found and labeled N. and S. America. I feel as if I've abandoned the little one. She is so good, too. I spend hours reading, and talking with C, and poor E just quietly goes off on her own this week. : (
Part of the reason for this is because she is so far ahead, so I excuse myself on busy days by thinking she is over half a year ahead; she can miss a day. Part of it is because some days I have to choose....should I finally vaccuum, and get laundry done, or should I get some school in, and hope one of the 3 other able-bodied teens or hubby not only sees and complains about the dog-hair covered carpet, but actually does something about it?
Yesterday we started out great! I had vaccuuming done, dishes mainly done, a laundry started (just one for once), and was having the girls take early baths in the morning. (It was forecast to be thunderstormy in the afternoon, and they had not had baths the night before due to swimming) Just when I had E's bath done, and C was getting in tub, the high school called yet again about B(14). What a surprise.....her blood sugar was over 500 again, she had Moderate Ketones, and was puking in the halls. Clearly, ketoacidocis. For the second time in 7 days of school she was sent home. It's amazing she goes 3 months of summer with normal sugars, same schedule, no ketones.....perfectly fine, and as always, once she is out from under our thumb, and back in school this happens. I said point blank I could not get her immediately, at least until C was able to finish her bath. So hubby had to take off work to go get her, and missed 7 hours of pay. (He can leave, but once he does he is done for the day.)So, by the time B's sugar leveled out, we rid her of Ketones, and finished our daily lecture of "If you're going to eat, fine, but give yourself the insulin for it" it was 12:30. I ran to pay the sewer bill before the city shut off our water, bought 2 loaves of bread, came home and fixed late lunch for the girls. C finally began her school day at 1p.m., which is usually when we take out break, and are done with the exception of history and science. We finished at 8p.m.due to the lengthy writing assignment I mentioned above.
We finished yesterday with nothing done for E, and Mom had the worst headache I've had in months. Hubby was in a grouchy mood...probably because he hadn't seen much of me all day, and I was grouchy thinking, he was home 7 extra hours, and all he did was finally hang a map on the wall I'd been asking him to hang since the order came in a month ago. Oh...and play a total of 8 hours of Zelda on the Wii. Just when I thought I was done B wanted help with her Health, and A came home and said I'd told her I'd review her A&P vocab with her. Finally (this was at 9, 2 seconds after I got the younger 2 to bed, and was hoping for some quiet and dim lighting for my headache) hubby noticed I was having stress issues and reviewed the vocab with her. I thought I'd get right to sleep, but my head was throbbing, and it took quite a lot of tossing and turning before I finally fell asleep.
So, here I am....thankfully I DID get tons done yesterday, so basically only have dishes and school today. C has a much easier lesson plan today, 3 subjects I can just give her the assignments to work on, and hopefully have plenty of time to work with E for once this week. C has done 4 days of science, so if we don't get to it, fine. And right now they are both asleep, and will be for at least another 1/2 hour. Gives me time for another cup of coffee...
Ok, sounds like I did good, right? Well, that is about ALL I accomplished this week. Lots done for C, but poor little E (5) has done nothing. Well, she does her calander and weather graph each morning, she does 2-3 pages of phonics, one day we even did spelling and math. And one evening she read to me for an hour. And we began her geography books, where she colored a globe, and found and labeled N. and S. America. I feel as if I've abandoned the little one. She is so good, too. I spend hours reading, and talking with C, and poor E just quietly goes off on her own this week. : (
Part of the reason for this is because she is so far ahead, so I excuse myself on busy days by thinking she is over half a year ahead; she can miss a day. Part of it is because some days I have to choose....should I finally vaccuum, and get laundry done, or should I get some school in, and hope one of the 3 other able-bodied teens or hubby not only sees and complains about the dog-hair covered carpet, but actually does something about it?
Yesterday we started out great! I had vaccuuming done, dishes mainly done, a laundry started (just one for once), and was having the girls take early baths in the morning. (It was forecast to be thunderstormy in the afternoon, and they had not had baths the night before due to swimming) Just when I had E's bath done, and C was getting in tub, the high school called yet again about B(14). What a surprise.....her blood sugar was over 500 again, she had Moderate Ketones, and was puking in the halls. Clearly, ketoacidocis. For the second time in 7 days of school she was sent home. It's amazing she goes 3 months of summer with normal sugars, same schedule, no ketones.....perfectly fine, and as always, once she is out from under our thumb, and back in school this happens. I said point blank I could not get her immediately, at least until C was able to finish her bath. So hubby had to take off work to go get her, and missed 7 hours of pay. (He can leave, but once he does he is done for the day.)So, by the time B's sugar leveled out, we rid her of Ketones, and finished our daily lecture of "If you're going to eat, fine, but give yourself the insulin for it" it was 12:30. I ran to pay the sewer bill before the city shut off our water, bought 2 loaves of bread, came home and fixed late lunch for the girls. C finally began her school day at 1p.m., which is usually when we take out break, and are done with the exception of history and science. We finished at 8p.m.due to the lengthy writing assignment I mentioned above.
We finished yesterday with nothing done for E, and Mom had the worst headache I've had in months. Hubby was in a grouchy mood...probably because he hadn't seen much of me all day, and I was grouchy thinking, he was home 7 extra hours, and all he did was finally hang a map on the wall I'd been asking him to hang since the order came in a month ago. Oh...and play a total of 8 hours of Zelda on the Wii. Just when I thought I was done B wanted help with her Health, and A came home and said I'd told her I'd review her A&P vocab with her. Finally (this was at 9, 2 seconds after I got the younger 2 to bed, and was hoping for some quiet and dim lighting for my headache) hubby noticed I was having stress issues and reviewed the vocab with her. I thought I'd get right to sleep, but my head was throbbing, and it took quite a lot of tossing and turning before I finally fell asleep.
So, here I am....thankfully I DID get tons done yesterday, so basically only have dishes and school today. C has a much easier lesson plan today, 3 subjects I can just give her the assignments to work on, and hopefully have plenty of time to work with E for once this week. C has done 4 days of science, so if we don't get to it, fine. And right now they are both asleep, and will be for at least another 1/2 hour. Gives me time for another cup of coffee...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Labor Day Weekend
What a long weekend. Friday we attended a rally to save our State Park. Our lovely governor has decided our budget is so in debt that he is closing 11 State parks, over 30 Historical sites, and 300 positions in our states Dept. of Children and Families. This park is the ONLY local place we have to go to enjoy fishing, hiking, trails, wildlife, camping, canoeing, a National scenic river, and just general natural beauty and peace. Our local state representative was there, and is introducing new legislature to have the land deeded back to our county. Our county is the one who donated the land to the state in the first place! I'm sure with all the red tape, it will be years before we can enjoy this beautiful area again. They plan to gate every road, and anyone "trespassing" on the soon-to-be-vacant, unused land will be subject to arrest.
Sunday we all went to a fair and festival about 30 miles from here. It featured free sweetcorn, which our family was happy to partake of. Even C ate 2 whole ears...that's more than her normal vegetable allotment for a year. : ) It was very hot, but we all had fun. The prices for rides was ridiculous. $1.25 for one ticket, and each ride cost either 3 or 4 tickets, so we could only afford to let the girls choose 2 rides each. The food was ridiculous too, but it always is in those places. Good thing we filled up on free corn first.
Yesterday the schools were all closed, but not here. C did 2 math lessons, some vocab, and then asked for history, so we did that too. Last night she asked Dad to do some Astronomy, so they worked on that while E read to me for an hour. She read so well, and so fast that I wanted to record it. She got shy when anyone else came to listen, so I decided not to. It would be neat to have a video I could post on here. C is a great reader now, but she sure wasn't reading that well on her own till 1st grade. I can't believe I've successfully taught a child to read.
The rest of our weekend was spent arguing with our oldest dd17 and her fiance. They insist on getting married the week after she graduates high school, and no amount of talking will change their mind. His parents are very encouraging, and see nothing wrong with it. They took A shopping Saturday to try on and choose her wedding gown. We don't have a problem with the boy. he is a great, responsible, hard working, kid. The problem is they are both just children! We would like A to be able to make it on her own...get a job, a car, pay bills, take some classes at college, get an apartment and find out how hard it is to just take care of yourself, let alone another person. If she can prove herself for a year at least, we might be more open to a wedding. However, as they will both be over 18 next June, legally we can't stop them. I informed them both that we simply do not have money for a wedding, so if they persist in this she had better get a job (we've been working on THAT lost cause for 2 years) to help pay for the wedding, the reception, and the honeymoon. And that's only the first week of marriage.
All in all it was a good weekend. Even the hours of trying to talk sense into 2 teenagers heads....maybe they will think about it a little.
Sunday we all went to a fair and festival about 30 miles from here. It featured free sweetcorn, which our family was happy to partake of. Even C ate 2 whole ears...that's more than her normal vegetable allotment for a year. : ) It was very hot, but we all had fun. The prices for rides was ridiculous. $1.25 for one ticket, and each ride cost either 3 or 4 tickets, so we could only afford to let the girls choose 2 rides each. The food was ridiculous too, but it always is in those places. Good thing we filled up on free corn first.
Yesterday the schools were all closed, but not here. C did 2 math lessons, some vocab, and then asked for history, so we did that too. Last night she asked Dad to do some Astronomy, so they worked on that while E read to me for an hour. She read so well, and so fast that I wanted to record it. She got shy when anyone else came to listen, so I decided not to. It would be neat to have a video I could post on here. C is a great reader now, but she sure wasn't reading that well on her own till 1st grade. I can't believe I've successfully taught a child to read.
The rest of our weekend was spent arguing with our oldest dd17 and her fiance. They insist on getting married the week after she graduates high school, and no amount of talking will change their mind. His parents are very encouraging, and see nothing wrong with it. They took A shopping Saturday to try on and choose her wedding gown. We don't have a problem with the boy. he is a great, responsible, hard working, kid. The problem is they are both just children! We would like A to be able to make it on her own...get a job, a car, pay bills, take some classes at college, get an apartment and find out how hard it is to just take care of yourself, let alone another person. If she can prove herself for a year at least, we might be more open to a wedding. However, as they will both be over 18 next June, legally we can't stop them. I informed them both that we simply do not have money for a wedding, so if they persist in this she had better get a job (we've been working on THAT lost cause for 2 years) to help pay for the wedding, the reception, and the honeymoon. And that's only the first week of marriage.
All in all it was a good weekend. Even the hours of trying to talk sense into 2 teenagers heads....maybe they will think about it a little.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Olympics, cheap workbooks, and the past month in general.
I just don't update like I should. My intentions were to post here once a week. I never seem to have the time or inclination. My blog is so boring compared to some.
C and E are still doing well. I'm amazed at how quickly we complete a school day. I can't imagine how bored C must have been in ps. Math....still whizzing through. LA...she mostly whizzes through, unless she has a writing assignment. She's not a great writer, and doesn't like it. She did surprise me yesterday. She had to write a letter to a make believe friend in India, telling this friend about Christmas. She had the letter done, in correct form, and very well written in 5 minutes. I was very surprised, and it was her best written assignment yet. She still begs to do history/geography every day, even on weekends. We are slowing down now, because we've reached the rise of the Roman Empire, and it's pretty fascinating stuff for both of us, so we are adding in lots of extras outside her history book.
About 2 weeks ago I found some really cool workbooks at the Dollar Tree. 4 Science ones for C, and 4 Math and 1 Phonics/Reading one for E. Since they were just for fun, and not part of our curriculum, I handed them to the girls to do as they felt like it. C had hers all 4 done in 2 days. E had the math ones done, about 1 per day. The phonics one was 60 pages long, so it took her a whopping 2 days on that one alone. I told hubby maybe I should just hand them all their schoolbooks, and see how long they take to finish those. LOL
C loved, LOVED the Olympics! It was on all day at our house for the past 2 weeks. Her favorite sports were swimming and gymnastics, but she watched it all, every sport, every country. If something came on after her bedtime she knew who was competing, and asked me first thing in the morning to check online to find out scores. She either has a crush on Michael Phelps, or just really admired his record setting in swimming. She learned to average while the teams did qualifying rounds. She tallied the scores, divided them by the number of competitors, and tried to get the team score before the judges posted it. She watched so much swimming she learned to do the dolphin kick in our pool. I can't believe I work and work on teaching her proper swimming, and she learns one of the hardest strokes from watching TV. LOL She's impressive at it, too. very quick and graceful. I can't do it at all. I look like a whale having a seizure when I try.
Hope everyone reading this is doing great. : )
C and E are still doing well. I'm amazed at how quickly we complete a school day. I can't imagine how bored C must have been in ps. Math....still whizzing through. LA...she mostly whizzes through, unless she has a writing assignment. She's not a great writer, and doesn't like it. She did surprise me yesterday. She had to write a letter to a make believe friend in India, telling this friend about Christmas. She had the letter done, in correct form, and very well written in 5 minutes. I was very surprised, and it was her best written assignment yet. She still begs to do history/geography every day, even on weekends. We are slowing down now, because we've reached the rise of the Roman Empire, and it's pretty fascinating stuff for both of us, so we are adding in lots of extras outside her history book.
About 2 weeks ago I found some really cool workbooks at the Dollar Tree. 4 Science ones for C, and 4 Math and 1 Phonics/Reading one for E. Since they were just for fun, and not part of our curriculum, I handed them to the girls to do as they felt like it. C had hers all 4 done in 2 days. E had the math ones done, about 1 per day. The phonics one was 60 pages long, so it took her a whopping 2 days on that one alone. I told hubby maybe I should just hand them all their schoolbooks, and see how long they take to finish those. LOL
C loved, LOVED the Olympics! It was on all day at our house for the past 2 weeks. Her favorite sports were swimming and gymnastics, but she watched it all, every sport, every country. If something came on after her bedtime she knew who was competing, and asked me first thing in the morning to check online to find out scores. She either has a crush on Michael Phelps, or just really admired his record setting in swimming. She learned to average while the teams did qualifying rounds. She tallied the scores, divided them by the number of competitors, and tried to get the team score before the judges posted it. She watched so much swimming she learned to do the dolphin kick in our pool. I can't believe I work and work on teaching her proper swimming, and she learns one of the hardest strokes from watching TV. LOL She's impressive at it, too. very quick and graceful. I can't do it at all. I look like a whale having a seizure when I try.
Hope everyone reading this is doing great. : )
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Summer school update
Story of turtle below.
Less than a month before the other kids go back to ps. We have been schooling off and on through the summer. 2 or 3 days/week, 2 hours each day for dd9, and maybe an hour each day for dd5.
C and I had a goal of the first 20 Math lessons, plus the investigations and tests that accompany them. We met that goal last week, and now are on "Math break". When we return full time to school I need a compass for her lessons. Since when do 4th graders use compasses?!?
C and I also had a goal to finsish 2 chapters in her LA book. We are only about 2/3 of the way through that goal. Sentence structure and Capitalization is boring, so we both tend to spend most of our "school time" on Math or History/Geography.
History...well, we are both LOVING Ancient times. She asks for us to do that almost daily. I am learning as much as she is. I don't remember learning any of this in school. We are over halfway through the book, and we spend about an hour each day that we do it.
We have done no formal science, but I have found out LIFE is science. Things always seem to come up. An example: 2 days ago a large snapping turtle appears in our driveway. This led to observing the turtle, calling the Humane Society and having them come pick up the turtle (after interrogating them as to their intentions after getting the turtle), watching how they captured the angry, jumping, snapping, and hissing (yes, they hiss) creature, and then spending an hour or two researching snapping turtles online. Both girls drew their own snappping turtle, and C added a list of interesting facts on her page. E was able to just tell me the facts. Then E and I read 2 stories in Aesop's Fables that had to do with turtles. I have seen plenty of turtles in my life fishing and camping, but never one in our own driveway that needed to be removed to a safe location. And for any of you concerned about what happened to it, my husband was getting a load of gravel down at the pit, and actually spoke to the Humane Society guys while they released the turtle in the beautiful, wild area around the old gravel pits and lakes. So he is much better off.
Back to the update. E has finished 50 out of 100 lessons in Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. (cheesy name, not-too-bad book) She is about 1/3 through 1st grade phonics, almost halfway through her K math book, and is averaging a 100% in spelling. She is working on memorizing the Pledge of Allegiance. (unlike a certain presidential nominee...oh, wait! That's a different blog)
E loves "playing" with the globe, and can locate the equator, the continents, the Oceans, and Hawaii. She also knows the difference between the North and South poles, and knows by name the Pacific Ocean. She can tell me tons of information about Africa, it's people, it's animals, and it's major features, such as rainforests, deserts, and savannah's. She knows the Sahara is the largest desert in the world, and where it is. She knows the Nile is the longest river in the world, and can point it out, too.
I have a short unit study prepared for both girls featuring the Olympics, since it's almost time for them to begin. C and I are already studying ancient Greece, so it works out great, and I didn't even plan it that way.
Hope everyone is having a good summer.
Last curriculum is ordered! : )
I'm so excited! We homeschool moms agree the most exciting part of homeschooling is the curriculum....all the curriculum. Well, I've had a list made for months of the last few things I hoped to buy for the upcoming year. I've diligently read and re-read my RR catalog. (Rainbow Resource for all you non-hsers.)All 1258 pages. I've checked my list way more than twice. Finally I am caught up enough in my bills that I placed my order. The total was almost $200, and my wonderous husband merely said, "So? If that's what you need or want then buy it."
I am most excited about: Books 1,2, and 3 of Explode the Code for dd5, and also a 3 book geography series for her. For dd9 I am excited about Wordly Wise 3000, a vocab program. She doesn't need spelling, so I opted for a highly praised, challenging vocab book this year. I am anxious about a Critical Thinking book for dd9. This book alone cost $28, and it appears to be very challenging. I think it will be fun, though, and something different than the "read, answer questions, quiz, forget-about-it" schoolbooks she was accustomed to in ps. She will have to THINK.
The rest was 2 books for me, several books for dd9 to hopefuly enjoy reading, and incidentals such as laminated maps, charts, and educational games for both girls.
It will be shipped within one week, so within 10-14 days I shall have a huge box.
I am most excited about: Books 1,2, and 3 of Explode the Code for dd5, and also a 3 book geography series for her. For dd9 I am excited about Wordly Wise 3000, a vocab program. She doesn't need spelling, so I opted for a highly praised, challenging vocab book this year. I am anxious about a Critical Thinking book for dd9. This book alone cost $28, and it appears to be very challenging. I think it will be fun, though, and something different than the "read, answer questions, quiz, forget-about-it" schoolbooks she was accustomed to in ps. She will have to THINK.
The rest was 2 books for me, several books for dd9 to hopefuly enjoy reading, and incidentals such as laminated maps, charts, and educational games for both girls.
It will be shipped within one week, so within 10-14 days I shall have a huge box.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
It's been awhile...
I suppose I should update this.
C finished her softball season the past weekend. Her team finished in second place overall, 3rd place in tournaments. Not as well as her first year, but better than last year. We have the awards ceremony this coming weekend.
My husband lost his job 2 weeks ago. He starts a new one today. I pray this one works out. The other one wasn't actually a bad job. The best thing about the new one is that although he loses $1/hour, he doesn't have to drive an hour one way to get there. With the price of gas so high, $4.09/gal, the $40 each week he loses, won't even be noticed, with him only filling up every week or two, instead of 2-3 times a week. He's bummed about being "low man on the ladder", instead of the man with top seniority.
Daughter,5, has taken to swimming like a fish. I bought her "floaties" again this year, but she only wore them the first day in our pool. 5 seems to be the magic age for her learning the "big-girl" skills. Bike riding, reading, and swimming.
We are going on a shopping spree soon. Our 14 year old is a recipient of the Make-A-Wish foundation. We originally had planed to go on a trip to Disney 2 years ago. We couldn't figure out how to afford boarding our 8 dogs, 2 cats, and rabbit. Then B began getting into trouble at school and home, and we have spent the past 2 years dealing with all sorts of counseling, court, school meetings, etc for her. She finally decided she wants to get the shopping wish granted, which will be easier on all of us. I'm not sure of the budget yet, but in August or September, we will be picked up by limo, driven to several stores of her choosing, and have lunch/dinner out, all free for us. Her shopping list included: new bedding and a dresser, a computer, a TV, books, clothes, games, CD's, etc. I'm not so sure about the computer, but I have a feeling she will be allowed to get it. We just made sure she knew she wouldn't be allowed internet in her room. Her sisters each will get $50 spending money so they don't feel left out. It sounds like a long, tiring day, but sort of fun, too. B will be thrilled if she gets all the things she put on her list, and I will be thrilled if she just gets the dresser and new bedding!
There isn't a whole lot going on other than that. C and I still working a couple of days each week on Math, LA, and History. History and Math are both of our favorites. She's averaging A's in everything, as always. She and E are attending Vacation Bible School this week. I haven't been doing much school with E. I'm not worried. She is over half way through Kindergarten, but wouldn't even be allowed to start for another month in public school.
C finished her softball season the past weekend. Her team finished in second place overall, 3rd place in tournaments. Not as well as her first year, but better than last year. We have the awards ceremony this coming weekend.
My husband lost his job 2 weeks ago. He starts a new one today. I pray this one works out. The other one wasn't actually a bad job. The best thing about the new one is that although he loses $1/hour, he doesn't have to drive an hour one way to get there. With the price of gas so high, $4.09/gal, the $40 each week he loses, won't even be noticed, with him only filling up every week or two, instead of 2-3 times a week. He's bummed about being "low man on the ladder", instead of the man with top seniority.
Daughter,5, has taken to swimming like a fish. I bought her "floaties" again this year, but she only wore them the first day in our pool. 5 seems to be the magic age for her learning the "big-girl" skills. Bike riding, reading, and swimming.
We are going on a shopping spree soon. Our 14 year old is a recipient of the Make-A-Wish foundation. We originally had planed to go on a trip to Disney 2 years ago. We couldn't figure out how to afford boarding our 8 dogs, 2 cats, and rabbit. Then B began getting into trouble at school and home, and we have spent the past 2 years dealing with all sorts of counseling, court, school meetings, etc for her. She finally decided she wants to get the shopping wish granted, which will be easier on all of us. I'm not sure of the budget yet, but in August or September, we will be picked up by limo, driven to several stores of her choosing, and have lunch/dinner out, all free for us. Her shopping list included: new bedding and a dresser, a computer, a TV, books, clothes, games, CD's, etc. I'm not so sure about the computer, but I have a feeling she will be allowed to get it. We just made sure she knew she wouldn't be allowed internet in her room. Her sisters each will get $50 spending money so they don't feel left out. It sounds like a long, tiring day, but sort of fun, too. B will be thrilled if she gets all the things she put on her list, and I will be thrilled if she just gets the dresser and new bedding!
There isn't a whole lot going on other than that. C and I still working a couple of days each week on Math, LA, and History. History and Math are both of our favorites. She's averaging A's in everything, as always. She and E are attending Vacation Bible School this week. I haven't been doing much school with E. I'm not worried. She is over half way through Kindergarten, but wouldn't even be allowed to start for another month in public school.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Softball
C's coach has been switching her positions around to see where she works best. She was tired of third base. She did well there, but she requested a change. What she really wants is to be pitcher, and she has been working hard at it. She's actually not bad pitching, but another place she likes and is good at is catcher. Ugh! You couldn't pay me to put all that extra gear on in the hot, humid midwest, and spend the inning squatting on my poor old knees.
The coach actually called us the other day about C. He is impressed with her, and she is one of the two best players on the team. She has NEVER struck out in 3 years. She has NEVER had to sit the inning out in the dugout. She is good at getting opponents out. He wants us to look into getting her individualized coaching from a softball coach at the local Catholic high school. That man trains younger girls who show a special talent for softball. I am getting the information from C's current coach, and will contact the man. I hope we can come up with some money. He isn't cheap, but C has 2 big passions in her life, and softball is one of them. And she really is very good. She sure doesn't get that ability from me! LOL
This wouldn't happen in public school
Saturday afternoon. We have half an hour before the softball game. (Yes, we actually managed to get a few in between storms and rain) Kids have been playing outside and helping with our back yard all day. C wanders into my room and says, "Mommy, I'm bored. Can we maybe do some math?" I was tired, and didn't really want to. I said, "Well are you sure that's what you want to do? I was letting you have a two week break." C replies sadly, "Oh. Okay. Well if you don't want me doing math it's okay."
What was I thinking? Why should I turn her down? Isn't that the cool thing about homeschooling? I can teach her what I want, when I want, and we can spend as much or as little time on things as we want.
I said, "For a kid that hates math, you sure seem to excel at it. It was your highest grade for 3rd grade, and you do each lesson so quickly." She said, "Well, I like it when YOU teach it Mommy." So we did math. : )
What was I thinking? Why should I turn her down? Isn't that the cool thing about homeschooling? I can teach her what I want, when I want, and we can spend as much or as little time on things as we want.
I said, "For a kid that hates math, you sure seem to excel at it. It was your highest grade for 3rd grade, and you do each lesson so quickly." She said, "Well, I like it when YOU teach it Mommy." So we did math. : )
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Rain, Rain, Go Away
I would just like it to be known that I'd like to see some softball this year! We haven't been able to have a softball game in 9 days. Out of the past 4 games, all 4 have been rained out and rescheduled. C is supposed to have one at 4:00 this afternoon (rescheduled from last Sunday), and it is pouring again! The softball fields are flooded, our yard is flooded, everything is flooded! We have had severe thunderstorms and/or tornadoes every day this week.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Very Busy Lately
Whew! I was beginning to think I'd never get back to time enough to write entries in a blog. Here's what all we have been up to the past week or two:
1.)Friday before Memorial day weekend. Shadow, the black lab, still very sick and losing weight, so we took him to the vet. She had no ideas.
2.)Saturday-Monday, Memorial Day. Dog continues vommitting and having diarrhea, still refusing to eat. By Monday he is so weak I'm thinking he will just waste away and die. He only moves to follow me from place to place. I call our vet's emergency on-call. This vet says she can't do anything, and to call the vet school at a nearby University. They will be glad to see Shadow....for a base fee of $800-$1,000. Can't afford that, so no help for Shadow. Husband and I spend Monday scrubbing carpet.
3.)Last Tuesday the vet was finally open here, and I took poor Shadow in to get barium X-rays. This was an all-day procedure. (and a $200 one at that) The good news is we finally found out why he is sick: he didn't have a blockage, as we'd suspected, but he HAD had one sometime prior, and it had been so large his large colon was distended and "stretched" to 4 times normal. Peristalsys was not working because the bowel was so distended. The bad news is that the vet said there is nothing to do for this. Hopefully his body will heal on it's own and learn to adapt, but only time will tell. His weight had plummetted from 49 pounds to 40 pounds. That's 20% of his body gone when he should be growing!
This was our 8th grader's last day of school, so had to run across town to pick up all her diabetic supplies from the school. I've spent far too much of this year at that school having conferenes with the dean, the principal, the social worker....glad this time was my last trip over there.
This was ALSO the first day of softball for C. She lost her first game 8-6.
4.) Last Wednesday I woke up at 5:30 in the morning to the poor dog laying in his crate covered in liquid stool. Covered! Poor thing couldn't help it, but what a wonderous day that was! Me, in nightgown in the front yard with a hose and a disgusting crate...dog in back yard with disgusting crust. After coffee-ing myself up I got dog clean in the shower in the basement. This was quite an ordeal for the dog AND me, but by 8a.m. we had survived and were clean. I figured Shadow would never speak to me again, but he still follows me everywhere. He really is my Shadow.
Wednesday was also E's last day of pre-K at public school. I was almost sad that it was over because she is my youngest and growing up so fast! She is so social; I have to find something for her to get involved in with other children.
C's second softball game; her team won 17-3! It was a very short game.
5.)Thursday I FINALLY got some formal schooling in with C. We had a good day. She did Math, History, Reading, Language Arts, Science, and a Reading quiz. She is getting all A's, except in Reading, which is a 90.9%. I gave her the option of officially ending 3rd grade with those grades, or going a few more days to bring the Reading grade up. She opted to get the grade up because she is a perfectionist, and doesn't like anything less than A's. Wonder where she gets that....? ;)
6.) C and I only did History, which we actually do for fun, and she read 2 of her library books Friday. She gets credit for these, as long as she can tell me about the books, so that I know she understood them.
Her softball game was cancelled due to thunderstorms and tornado warnings all around.
7.) The weekend. Hmmmm...we didn't really do anything in particular. I caught up on a lot of laundry and cleaning. Hubby mowed the lawn, we went to the store, he spent several hours playing softball with C, and working on pitching with her. Her game Sunday was canceled due to more thunderstorms. Her coach called, and spoke with me about getting her into more intensive softball training. She is the best player on her team, and he wondered if she would be interested. Besides animals, her passion is softball, so YES, we are interested. I knew she was good last year, and she is this year, too, but it was good to have that phone call from a coach to verify that I wasn't being a biased parent.
Saturday evening the dog began to eat. He hasn't wanted to eat anything for over 2 weeks. By Sunday he seemed to be making up for lost time. He ate. And ate. And ATE! He hasn't vommitted since last Monday, and his stools are getting a little better. I imagine HE knows better than I when he is well enough to handle food, so I allowed him to eat when he was hungry. He ate every 1-2 hours Sunday. I'm so happy he is feeling better!
8.) Monday I averaged out the girls' grades again, and C had raised her grade to a 95% in Reading. I had been trying to decide if it would be cheating if I gave her extra credit for something, but I didn't have to! She spent a lot of time reading last week and over the weekend, so with all that it really helped.
I issued E and C's report cards. They both got straight A's, and were promoted. E to Kindergarten (even though she's been doing that since January) and C to 4th grade. They were more excited with their grades and promotions here than I would have thought. They were jumping up and down screaming because they are now officially in a higher grade. I am going to go broke, though. They get $1.00 for each A, and any child in our house that gets straight A's gets an $5.00 bonus. I owe C $11, and E $12! E has an extra dollar because she had an extra class in "Critical Thinking" that C didn't have. Music, Art, Handwriting, and P.E. don't count. I debated on Bible, and decided to count it because C works hard to understand that and read it, and they both work together in their Bible study workbook. It's just as much a class as Math or Science, and it is a class that they NEED to have for life. If you don't know and learn the Word, when it's time to account, God isn't going to care you got an A in Math; He will care how you lived your life and treated others.
9.) Yesterday. Oh yesterday was a lovely day. Ha! Our oldest daughter woke us up at 1:30 to tell us B had run away again. (She left notes again)I figured where she went, and checked the phone. I was correct. We called the police, who finally showed up 2 hours later, and made another report. B has quite a lot of police reports for someone that turned 14 only 2 months ago. The police went and got her and brought her back home. Her friend's mother had actually come and picked her up at 11:15. What kind of parent would just pick up a mentally ill, diabetic young girl after curfew without talking to a parent?!? The house was pitch dark. It was obvious we weren't awake! B took 2 huge bags of clothes with her and flat out told the woman she was running away. She gave her usual "My Daddy beats me" saga, and added to it that we only allow her bread and water. The woman told the police she figured it would be okay with us. Oh, okay. Yeah, that's great. Come get our daughter in the middle of the night without even letting us know or asking. I would NEVER allow one of my children's friends to come over here or leave with us without first speaking to a parent. and if they gave a little teen-age drama-queen story of abuse I would call the police. Either it's made up, or there really is abuse, so I should let the proper people know to get help for the child. NOT just take her, and whisk her off to drop her at ANOTHER girls house. This third girls mother didn't even know B or us.
Thanks to B I was up from 1:30a.m. yesterday; she was brought home about 5:30a.m. By this time we were under thunderstorm attack again, so I stayed up. I tried to sleep, but the thunder and dogs whining kept me awake. Hubby got back to sleep until 11:00. He didn't have to work due to the rain. We had thunderstorms off and on all day yesterday, and by bedtime last night there were tornado warnings all over around us. C's softball game was cancelled again because of the weather....three games in a row now! I stayed out on the couch watching tornado warnings until midnight last night. I NEVER stay up that late...especially when I've been up 23 hours.
I made it up by my usual 5:30 today, though, and here I am. Now I've caught up on all the basics here. All the girls, except B are doing great. The dog is doing great. I haven't weighed him, but his ribs and hipbones aren't sticking out anymore. I'm doing great...for a woman with a total of 8 hours sleep in the past 48 hours. : ) Hope amyone reading this is doing well, also.
1.)Friday before Memorial day weekend. Shadow, the black lab, still very sick and losing weight, so we took him to the vet. She had no ideas.
2.)Saturday-Monday, Memorial Day. Dog continues vommitting and having diarrhea, still refusing to eat. By Monday he is so weak I'm thinking he will just waste away and die. He only moves to follow me from place to place. I call our vet's emergency on-call. This vet says she can't do anything, and to call the vet school at a nearby University. They will be glad to see Shadow....for a base fee of $800-$1,000. Can't afford that, so no help for Shadow. Husband and I spend Monday scrubbing carpet.
3.)Last Tuesday the vet was finally open here, and I took poor Shadow in to get barium X-rays. This was an all-day procedure. (and a $200 one at that) The good news is we finally found out why he is sick: he didn't have a blockage, as we'd suspected, but he HAD had one sometime prior, and it had been so large his large colon was distended and "stretched" to 4 times normal. Peristalsys was not working because the bowel was so distended. The bad news is that the vet said there is nothing to do for this. Hopefully his body will heal on it's own and learn to adapt, but only time will tell. His weight had plummetted from 49 pounds to 40 pounds. That's 20% of his body gone when he should be growing!
This was our 8th grader's last day of school, so had to run across town to pick up all her diabetic supplies from the school. I've spent far too much of this year at that school having conferenes with the dean, the principal, the social worker....glad this time was my last trip over there.
This was ALSO the first day of softball for C. She lost her first game 8-6.
4.) Last Wednesday I woke up at 5:30 in the morning to the poor dog laying in his crate covered in liquid stool. Covered! Poor thing couldn't help it, but what a wonderous day that was! Me, in nightgown in the front yard with a hose and a disgusting crate...dog in back yard with disgusting crust. After coffee-ing myself up I got dog clean in the shower in the basement. This was quite an ordeal for the dog AND me, but by 8a.m. we had survived and were clean. I figured Shadow would never speak to me again, but he still follows me everywhere. He really is my Shadow.
Wednesday was also E's last day of pre-K at public school. I was almost sad that it was over because she is my youngest and growing up so fast! She is so social; I have to find something for her to get involved in with other children.
C's second softball game; her team won 17-3! It was a very short game.
5.)Thursday I FINALLY got some formal schooling in with C. We had a good day. She did Math, History, Reading, Language Arts, Science, and a Reading quiz. She is getting all A's, except in Reading, which is a 90.9%. I gave her the option of officially ending 3rd grade with those grades, or going a few more days to bring the Reading grade up. She opted to get the grade up because she is a perfectionist, and doesn't like anything less than A's. Wonder where she gets that....? ;)
6.) C and I only did History, which we actually do for fun, and she read 2 of her library books Friday. She gets credit for these, as long as she can tell me about the books, so that I know she understood them.
Her softball game was cancelled due to thunderstorms and tornado warnings all around.
7.) The weekend. Hmmmm...we didn't really do anything in particular. I caught up on a lot of laundry and cleaning. Hubby mowed the lawn, we went to the store, he spent several hours playing softball with C, and working on pitching with her. Her game Sunday was canceled due to more thunderstorms. Her coach called, and spoke with me about getting her into more intensive softball training. She is the best player on her team, and he wondered if she would be interested. Besides animals, her passion is softball, so YES, we are interested. I knew she was good last year, and she is this year, too, but it was good to have that phone call from a coach to verify that I wasn't being a biased parent.
Saturday evening the dog began to eat. He hasn't wanted to eat anything for over 2 weeks. By Sunday he seemed to be making up for lost time. He ate. And ate. And ATE! He hasn't vommitted since last Monday, and his stools are getting a little better. I imagine HE knows better than I when he is well enough to handle food, so I allowed him to eat when he was hungry. He ate every 1-2 hours Sunday. I'm so happy he is feeling better!
8.) Monday I averaged out the girls' grades again, and C had raised her grade to a 95% in Reading. I had been trying to decide if it would be cheating if I gave her extra credit for something, but I didn't have to! She spent a lot of time reading last week and over the weekend, so with all that it really helped.
I issued E and C's report cards. They both got straight A's, and were promoted. E to Kindergarten (even though she's been doing that since January) and C to 4th grade. They were more excited with their grades and promotions here than I would have thought. They were jumping up and down screaming because they are now officially in a higher grade. I am going to go broke, though. They get $1.00 for each A, and any child in our house that gets straight A's gets an $5.00 bonus. I owe C $11, and E $12! E has an extra dollar because she had an extra class in "Critical Thinking" that C didn't have. Music, Art, Handwriting, and P.E. don't count. I debated on Bible, and decided to count it because C works hard to understand that and read it, and they both work together in their Bible study workbook. It's just as much a class as Math or Science, and it is a class that they NEED to have for life. If you don't know and learn the Word, when it's time to account, God isn't going to care you got an A in Math; He will care how you lived your life and treated others.
9.) Yesterday. Oh yesterday was a lovely day. Ha! Our oldest daughter woke us up at 1:30 to tell us B had run away again. (She left notes again)I figured where she went, and checked the phone. I was correct. We called the police, who finally showed up 2 hours later, and made another report. B has quite a lot of police reports for someone that turned 14 only 2 months ago. The police went and got her and brought her back home. Her friend's mother had actually come and picked her up at 11:15. What kind of parent would just pick up a mentally ill, diabetic young girl after curfew without talking to a parent?!? The house was pitch dark. It was obvious we weren't awake! B took 2 huge bags of clothes with her and flat out told the woman she was running away. She gave her usual "My Daddy beats me" saga, and added to it that we only allow her bread and water. The woman told the police she figured it would be okay with us. Oh, okay. Yeah, that's great. Come get our daughter in the middle of the night without even letting us know or asking. I would NEVER allow one of my children's friends to come over here or leave with us without first speaking to a parent. and if they gave a little teen-age drama-queen story of abuse I would call the police. Either it's made up, or there really is abuse, so I should let the proper people know to get help for the child. NOT just take her, and whisk her off to drop her at ANOTHER girls house. This third girls mother didn't even know B or us.
Thanks to B I was up from 1:30a.m. yesterday; she was brought home about 5:30a.m. By this time we were under thunderstorm attack again, so I stayed up. I tried to sleep, but the thunder and dogs whining kept me awake. Hubby got back to sleep until 11:00. He didn't have to work due to the rain. We had thunderstorms off and on all day yesterday, and by bedtime last night there were tornado warnings all over around us. C's softball game was cancelled again because of the weather....three games in a row now! I stayed out on the couch watching tornado warnings until midnight last night. I NEVER stay up that late...especially when I've been up 23 hours.
I made it up by my usual 5:30 today, though, and here I am. Now I've caught up on all the basics here. All the girls, except B are doing great. The dog is doing great. I haven't weighed him, but his ribs and hipbones aren't sticking out anymore. I'm doing great...for a woman with a total of 8 hours sleep in the past 48 hours. : ) Hope amyone reading this is doing well, also.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Science and History
After learning about ancient Egyptian farming methods the girls decided our local river was The Nile, and the surrounding "farmland" needed irrigating, so they built canals.
Just a Rant about a few Things
Two incidences have had me angry this week.
The first incident: 14 year old graduated 8th grade public school Wednesday. Why should this anger me? It angers me because she did not deserve to pass to the next grade or attend a graduation. She has done nothing all year. I know because I have so many conversations with her teachers, her dean, her assistant principal, and her social worker. She averaged a 37% in English the third nine weeks, and a 33% this quarter. Her school sends out weekly "what your child is failing this week" letters. I have one for every week this semester. Out of 4 core subjects (Pre-Algebra, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science) she has consistently been failing a minimum of three. This is in addition to Band and P.E., which she also is failing. She returned to school Monday after her suspension. I spent hours last week attempting to help her make up some of her work. She didn't turn it in. She threw it in her locker, and was a smart-alek to the teachers when they asked for it. So....even though she was failing 5 out of 6 total classes BEFORE her suspension, and got zero's for the 6 school days she missed, she graduated. Her highest grade was a D- in Pre-Algebra. She was quite angry with us when we weren't gushing over her "accomplishments". Oh well! I feel she didn't accomplish anything this year other than to drive the middle school staff as batty as possible so they would get her out of their hair! Oh, and they accomplished sending off another "successful" student to high school next year, and thus get their state funding for another student well-taught....
The other incident that has me upset involved my 9 year old. She was invited to a friend's house to play yesterday. They have been friends for several years, so off she went. When she came back home she was noticably subdued, so I asked if she had fun. "Not really", she replied. "There were some bigger kids there, and they were mean." The older girl is a friend of our 14 year old,(the graduate) and insisted on arguing with a 9 year old. She called my daughter, "gay" and a "wimp" and a "loser" because my 9 year old wouldn't fight her. WHY in the hell would a 9 year old want to fight at all, let alone with a much older girl? She was arguing with her over where big sister was. This girl insited she was at a boot camp for "bad" girls, and C kept trying to tell her, "No, she isn't. She's right down the street at home." The older girl repeatedly threatened C, and C was unsure how to handle it. Where were the parents during all this? Inside on the phone the whole time. Luckily the bigger girl didn't actually get physical.
I explained that with a sister like C has, she will have to deal with people saying things all her life. I know. I went through it all my life due to an older sister's issues. (a sister that left home before I was even born, for crying out loud!) The best thing to say is, "I am not my sister. I can not control what she does or has done. I don't like to fight because fighting is for people too ignorant to use words."
From now in, C may see her friends, but not at that home anymore. If they want to play, they can come here. I have kicked plenty of children out of our yard in my years as a mom, and I have never felt the slightest bit guilty for it. If you can't be civil, and follow the rules, you can get out. If I wanted my daughters to be bullied I would have left them in public school. If I wanted them to graduate with failing grades, and no education...I would have left them in public school.
The first incident: 14 year old graduated 8th grade public school Wednesday. Why should this anger me? It angers me because she did not deserve to pass to the next grade or attend a graduation. She has done nothing all year. I know because I have so many conversations with her teachers, her dean, her assistant principal, and her social worker. She averaged a 37% in English the third nine weeks, and a 33% this quarter. Her school sends out weekly "what your child is failing this week" letters. I have one for every week this semester. Out of 4 core subjects (Pre-Algebra, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science) she has consistently been failing a minimum of three. This is in addition to Band and P.E., which she also is failing. She returned to school Monday after her suspension. I spent hours last week attempting to help her make up some of her work. She didn't turn it in. She threw it in her locker, and was a smart-alek to the teachers when they asked for it. So....even though she was failing 5 out of 6 total classes BEFORE her suspension, and got zero's for the 6 school days she missed, she graduated. Her highest grade was a D- in Pre-Algebra. She was quite angry with us when we weren't gushing over her "accomplishments". Oh well! I feel she didn't accomplish anything this year other than to drive the middle school staff as batty as possible so they would get her out of their hair! Oh, and they accomplished sending off another "successful" student to high school next year, and thus get their state funding for another student well-taught....
The other incident that has me upset involved my 9 year old. She was invited to a friend's house to play yesterday. They have been friends for several years, so off she went. When she came back home she was noticably subdued, so I asked if she had fun. "Not really", she replied. "There were some bigger kids there, and they were mean." The older girl is a friend of our 14 year old,(the graduate) and insisted on arguing with a 9 year old. She called my daughter, "gay" and a "wimp" and a "loser" because my 9 year old wouldn't fight her. WHY in the hell would a 9 year old want to fight at all, let alone with a much older girl? She was arguing with her over where big sister was. This girl insited she was at a boot camp for "bad" girls, and C kept trying to tell her, "No, she isn't. She's right down the street at home." The older girl repeatedly threatened C, and C was unsure how to handle it. Where were the parents during all this? Inside on the phone the whole time. Luckily the bigger girl didn't actually get physical.
I explained that with a sister like C has, she will have to deal with people saying things all her life. I know. I went through it all my life due to an older sister's issues. (a sister that left home before I was even born, for crying out loud!) The best thing to say is, "I am not my sister. I can not control what she does or has done. I don't like to fight because fighting is for people too ignorant to use words."
From now in, C may see her friends, but not at that home anymore. If they want to play, they can come here. I have kicked plenty of children out of our yard in my years as a mom, and I have never felt the slightest bit guilty for it. If you can't be civil, and follow the rules, you can get out. If I wanted my daughters to be bullied I would have left them in public school. If I wanted them to graduate with failing grades, and no education...I would have left them in public school.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Amazing Coincidence
I frequent an online homeschooling forum. One of the women on there made a few comments through the months leading me to believe she lived near where I grew up. That in itself, is amazing, because I grew up in a very tiny farm community. No one has ever heard of it unless they live within 20 miles of that town. She never gave any specifics; I just had a feeling. I made a half joking comment to her yesterday, and we decided to e-mail each other. Lo and behold, she lived very near that little town, had actually been there that day, and attends church in the even smaller town 5 miles away that I moved to after high school. I don't personally know this woman, but we have many mutual friends. I really do find that an amazing coincidence: I joined the online forum because of the excellent curriculum reviews and advice on the site. There are thousands of women there from all parts of our world. I never would have dreamt that I would meet someone on the internet that is from the area I spent 24 years of my life in!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Not a Productive Week
This week was crazy. It began with 14 year old step-daughter managing to get suspended until the 19th, so she is home for ten days straight. That meant me having to run across town to her school every two days to pick up her homework. She has not done a thing all quarter, as usual, so is failing 5 out of 6 subjects, and in danger of failing 8th grade. I informed her she WILL do her work here at home, and not be sleeping all day. This was fine in theory, but in reality she drove me crazy. She accomplished quite a bit, and hopefully enough to pass, but she needed me to walk her through every single assignment. She and I spent tons of time revising, researching more material, and finishing her report on Edgar Allan Poe. It actually turned out to be a good report. We spent quite a bit of time with me trying to teach her 6 years of WWII in one day. Maybe if she had paid attention in school she would have a clue! She did well, but I had to "hold her hand" more than I do the younger two! With B taking up all that time, I schlepped on poor C!
We also had our newest dog, Shadow, neutered Thurdsay. I had to have him to the vet at 7:00a.m., and pick him up Friday. We waited 40 minutes to pick him up. His pain medicine makes him nauseaous. He threw up most of the afternoon/evening yesterday, so several clean-ups, and one carpet shampoo were unexpectedly thrown in my day.
I guess E's week wasn't bad; we finished two of her books, so she currently has 3 to work in. We did school 5 out of the past 6 days. E is only 5, and we get tons done in about 45 minutes-an hour. Most of E's work is done near bedtime. She gets wound-up in the evenings, and school-work gives her something fun to do, while keeping her and C seperated. Much quieter than no school. : )
C, however, accomplished virtually nothing. As posted earlier, she did complete her 3rd grade Math final exam with an A+. Wednesday she did flash cards and wrote a beautiful essay for her sister (A...17) as a birthday present. Her writing is improving. Thursday we finally got back to History; it had been 6 days. We also did math orally together....a page of think and solve problems, and we began on dividing with a remainder. That could have waited until next year, but we have been doing division basic facts anyway, and it came up with one of our word problems, so we just went to the first lesson in our extra textbook, and discussed remainders, and worked through 30 simple problems together. Friday we did only History. I can truly blame the poor dog for this, though. Luckily C's official year is complete, and we are just killing time with review, and the "fun" subjects for a few weeks until our official summer term begins.
I was discouraged over our lack of school this week. But all I have to do is look in my box of finished work, and in C's binder. We HAVE accomplished more than I thought we would in 4 months times. Several completed books (the box has room for only one more), and her writing skills have dramatically improved from even just 6 weeks ago.
I hope we get A LOT more work done next week.
We also had our newest dog, Shadow, neutered Thurdsay. I had to have him to the vet at 7:00a.m., and pick him up Friday. We waited 40 minutes to pick him up. His pain medicine makes him nauseaous. He threw up most of the afternoon/evening yesterday, so several clean-ups, and one carpet shampoo were unexpectedly thrown in my day.
I guess E's week wasn't bad; we finished two of her books, so she currently has 3 to work in. We did school 5 out of the past 6 days. E is only 5, and we get tons done in about 45 minutes-an hour. Most of E's work is done near bedtime. She gets wound-up in the evenings, and school-work gives her something fun to do, while keeping her and C seperated. Much quieter than no school. : )
C, however, accomplished virtually nothing. As posted earlier, she did complete her 3rd grade Math final exam with an A+. Wednesday she did flash cards and wrote a beautiful essay for her sister (A...17) as a birthday present. Her writing is improving. Thursday we finally got back to History; it had been 6 days. We also did math orally together....a page of think and solve problems, and we began on dividing with a remainder. That could have waited until next year, but we have been doing division basic facts anyway, and it came up with one of our word problems, so we just went to the first lesson in our extra textbook, and discussed remainders, and worked through 30 simple problems together. Friday we did only History. I can truly blame the poor dog for this, though. Luckily C's official year is complete, and we are just killing time with review, and the "fun" subjects for a few weeks until our official summer term begins.
I was discouraged over our lack of school this week. But all I have to do is look in my box of finished work, and in C's binder. We HAVE accomplished more than I thought we would in 4 months times. Several completed books (the box has room for only one more), and her writing skills have dramatically improved from even just 6 weeks ago.
I hope we get A LOT more work done next week.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Finished with 3rd Grade Math and Phonics K!
C officially finished math for the year yesterday. She only had a few pages left in her book, and all of it was repetitious. I decided to offer her the final exam. I made her a deal that if she got an A+ she could be done with school for the day and play Guitar Hero. C chose to try it, and and an hour later proudly earned the right to play hookie the remainder of the day. Awesome job! The child who hated math in public school was now asking when we could begin 4th grade so she could "get ahead". She finished 3rd grade grammar a week or two ago, and basically is doing all 4th grade level studies now, with the exception of writing.
E also finished her Kindergarten level Phonics book yesterday, and only has 2 pages left in her Critical Thinking book. She loves her workbooks, so will be moving on to 1st grade Phonics within a few days. She is also in the midst of several other books, but her favorite is "Number Skills K" We usually do at least 4 pages a day in it. She is reading, spelling, and sounding out basic CVC words well now as well as knowing many sight words such as "a, the, you, little", etc...)
Both girls will work 2-3 days/week through the summer, so we don't have to waste a month in the fall reviewing. This also will give us some lee-way for taking time off for field trips or sick days through the typical school year.
E also finished her Kindergarten level Phonics book yesterday, and only has 2 pages left in her Critical Thinking book. She loves her workbooks, so will be moving on to 1st grade Phonics within a few days. She is also in the midst of several other books, but her favorite is "Number Skills K" We usually do at least 4 pages a day in it. She is reading, spelling, and sounding out basic CVC words well now as well as knowing many sight words such as "a, the, you, little", etc...)
Both girls will work 2-3 days/week through the summer, so we don't have to waste a month in the fall reviewing. This also will give us some lee-way for taking time off for field trips or sick days through the typical school year.
Friday, May 2, 2008
First Month Complete
Wow! It actually seems like longer than a month, maybe because I've been doing this all along. Up until a month ago I was homeschooling after school, and on weekends. Now I don't waste 40 minutes per day dropping off and picking up my daughter, and she doesn't waste six hours sitting at a desk daydreaming while the rest of the class catches up.
We've had a good first official month. The hardest part has been in my realization that a third grader had virtually NO writing skills. I clearly recall many writing assignments in my own third grade, but here and now they just haven't gotten to that. I began assigning my daughter essay type writings. She composed very sloppy "list" type papers with atrocious grammer. I explained she needed to write in paragraph form. She drew lines and labeled them "Paragraph 1, paragraph 2". So, instead of typical 3rd/4th grade assignments, we have gone back to 2nd grade for writing. We began with the very basics of topic sentences, and supporting details. We learned about indenting, which she had never heard of before. We have also been learning proper grammer. She knew simple nouns and verbs, but had no idea what "plural" meant, or "possessive", or common versus proper, or any other gramatical terms, such as adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, or conjunctions. We have touched on each of these for a brief introduction, and next year we will have full units on each grammer concept, and much more in the way of writing skills. Her paragraphs are not great, by any means, but they have improved considerably from what they were a month ago. There is so much to good writing; neatness, punctuation, form, grammar, spelling, and a natural flow. Luckily, my daughter shares my spelling ability. We both just seem to know how things should be spelled, so I promised her no spelling for 4th grade.
She has gone from hating math, to it being her favorite subject. I am so glad, because after reading, math is foremost in importance to me. I think her opinion changed when she realized that you do not have to sit for an hour covering old concepts. She has learned much in 30 days, and each lesson plus homework takes her on average 10 minutes. The longest one was about 30 minutes, but it was actually quite difficult. This particular assignment involved locating 2 numbers on a chart, one 4 digits, and multiplying them, and then adding or subtracting a third 4 digit number to that. She long ago mastered all multiplication facts from 0x0 to 12x12, and has now completed basic division facts, too. I find it interesting to watch her do problems in her head; I always hated showing my work as a student, and she does, too. I understand the neccessity of it, though.
An interesting side note on math. Our oldest daughter (17 in two weeks) applied for a job. The application involved a test of her abilities. She came out furious because they asked several fraction questions, and she didn't know how to figure them. We asked what she meant, and she gave the example of, "1 1/3 + 1 1/3" She said she didn't know, so just guessed. Little Miss Nine Year Old said, "Isn't that just 2 2/3?" Boy was our high school junior mad when we informed little sis that she was right! I'd say, "LOL" right here, but actually it is pathetic. That's a simple problem, and she is almost out of high school, and hasn't learned simple addition of fractions! Yep, public schools are great....
We have also spent time on reading comprehension, science, history, and geography. Geography is, by far all of our favorites. We save it till afternoon so the five year old can be included. She gets really excited about "playing with the globe". We finished up our Map Skills, and have begun an in-depth study of Africa. Our first choice was North America, since it is familiar, and we will be studying U.S. History all year for 4th grade. The company I like didn't have the North America books, so we decided on Africa, instead, as it is where civilization began.
For science we have been working through a worktext, with short, simple lessons. We have ended up with several impromptu projects, however. With all the earthquakes, both here, and where the girls' adored uncle lives, we have learned quite a bit about quakes, tectonic plates, and seismic and volcanic activity. We also ended up having a fun day with magnets and their properties. Who knew? LOL Our most interesting science activity resulted from a day at the park. We found a skeleton, complete with teeth, so spent about 4 hours on forensic science. First we spent quite awhile studying the remains. We decided it was a young animal, due to the teeth....no tartar buidup, no decay, but not a baby, because these were full-size teeth. The rib-cage and pelvis were interesting. It couldn't have been a large animal because of the short spinal column. We guessed a dog, more specifically a pug, because of the size, and the shape of the skull. After much googling of mammal skeletons, we proved our hypothosis correct! Don't worry! The girls did not ever touch it, and it was not gruesome at all. It was actually very cool.
I can't stop writing without keeping folks updated on my youngests' accomplishments this month. Technically she is in pre-K, but she works at K level here at home. She has gained the all important skill of blending and sounding out words, both in reading and spelling! This is huge, because she now has all she needs to read! She already wrote all lowercase and uppercase letters well, but until the past few weeks, hadn't quite grasped the concept of actually blending them together. We will continue working on reading skills for many years, but she actually can read well, now! Little One's other MAJOR accomplishment just two weeks ago was taking the training wheels off her bike. She had no problems what-so-ever. Much to our surprise, she took right off on two wheels, although she needs to work on her turns still. This girl is smart AND catches on quickly. I'll have to be careful not to push her too hard. She tested at the age of 4 into 1st grade math. I originally thought to start her there, but have decided for the next few months to concentrate on her reading, and bought a kindergarten math curriculum, just to keep math fresh, and review with her. Whenever we finish that we will go right into first grade math, which I've had for 5 months now.
It's been a good month. I am SO thankful I pulled my daughter out of the public school. Her stress is gone, and she sleeps all night, now. I feel better because I see how much she is learning, and I'm not forcing a miserable, crying child go somewhere where people hurt her physically and verbally. I have had a day or two that I've thought I wasn't doing a good job, but overall I know I have, and after only 30 days I can't expect to undo 6 years of public school damage. (2 years of pre-K, K, 1st, 2nd, and most of 3rd.)
We've had a good first official month. The hardest part has been in my realization that a third grader had virtually NO writing skills. I clearly recall many writing assignments in my own third grade, but here and now they just haven't gotten to that. I began assigning my daughter essay type writings. She composed very sloppy "list" type papers with atrocious grammer. I explained she needed to write in paragraph form. She drew lines and labeled them "Paragraph 1, paragraph 2". So, instead of typical 3rd/4th grade assignments, we have gone back to 2nd grade for writing. We began with the very basics of topic sentences, and supporting details. We learned about indenting, which she had never heard of before. We have also been learning proper grammer. She knew simple nouns and verbs, but had no idea what "plural" meant, or "possessive", or common versus proper, or any other gramatical terms, such as adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, or conjunctions. We have touched on each of these for a brief introduction, and next year we will have full units on each grammer concept, and much more in the way of writing skills. Her paragraphs are not great, by any means, but they have improved considerably from what they were a month ago. There is so much to good writing; neatness, punctuation, form, grammar, spelling, and a natural flow. Luckily, my daughter shares my spelling ability. We both just seem to know how things should be spelled, so I promised her no spelling for 4th grade.
She has gone from hating math, to it being her favorite subject. I am so glad, because after reading, math is foremost in importance to me. I think her opinion changed when she realized that you do not have to sit for an hour covering old concepts. She has learned much in 30 days, and each lesson plus homework takes her on average 10 minutes. The longest one was about 30 minutes, but it was actually quite difficult. This particular assignment involved locating 2 numbers on a chart, one 4 digits, and multiplying them, and then adding or subtracting a third 4 digit number to that. She long ago mastered all multiplication facts from 0x0 to 12x12, and has now completed basic division facts, too. I find it interesting to watch her do problems in her head; I always hated showing my work as a student, and she does, too. I understand the neccessity of it, though.
An interesting side note on math. Our oldest daughter (17 in two weeks) applied for a job. The application involved a test of her abilities. She came out furious because they asked several fraction questions, and she didn't know how to figure them. We asked what she meant, and she gave the example of, "1 1/3 + 1 1/3" She said she didn't know, so just guessed. Little Miss Nine Year Old said, "Isn't that just 2 2/3?" Boy was our high school junior mad when we informed little sis that she was right! I'd say, "LOL" right here, but actually it is pathetic. That's a simple problem, and she is almost out of high school, and hasn't learned simple addition of fractions! Yep, public schools are great....
We have also spent time on reading comprehension, science, history, and geography. Geography is, by far all of our favorites. We save it till afternoon so the five year old can be included. She gets really excited about "playing with the globe". We finished up our Map Skills, and have begun an in-depth study of Africa. Our first choice was North America, since it is familiar, and we will be studying U.S. History all year for 4th grade. The company I like didn't have the North America books, so we decided on Africa, instead, as it is where civilization began.
For science we have been working through a worktext, with short, simple lessons. We have ended up with several impromptu projects, however. With all the earthquakes, both here, and where the girls' adored uncle lives, we have learned quite a bit about quakes, tectonic plates, and seismic and volcanic activity. We also ended up having a fun day with magnets and their properties. Who knew? LOL Our most interesting science activity resulted from a day at the park. We found a skeleton, complete with teeth, so spent about 4 hours on forensic science. First we spent quite awhile studying the remains. We decided it was a young animal, due to the teeth....no tartar buidup, no decay, but not a baby, because these were full-size teeth. The rib-cage and pelvis were interesting. It couldn't have been a large animal because of the short spinal column. We guessed a dog, more specifically a pug, because of the size, and the shape of the skull. After much googling of mammal skeletons, we proved our hypothosis correct! Don't worry! The girls did not ever touch it, and it was not gruesome at all. It was actually very cool.
I can't stop writing without keeping folks updated on my youngests' accomplishments this month. Technically she is in pre-K, but she works at K level here at home. She has gained the all important skill of blending and sounding out words, both in reading and spelling! This is huge, because she now has all she needs to read! She already wrote all lowercase and uppercase letters well, but until the past few weeks, hadn't quite grasped the concept of actually blending them together. We will continue working on reading skills for many years, but she actually can read well, now! Little One's other MAJOR accomplishment just two weeks ago was taking the training wheels off her bike. She had no problems what-so-ever. Much to our surprise, she took right off on two wheels, although she needs to work on her turns still. This girl is smart AND catches on quickly. I'll have to be careful not to push her too hard. She tested at the age of 4 into 1st grade math. I originally thought to start her there, but have decided for the next few months to concentrate on her reading, and bought a kindergarten math curriculum, just to keep math fresh, and review with her. Whenever we finish that we will go right into first grade math, which I've had for 5 months now.
It's been a good month. I am SO thankful I pulled my daughter out of the public school. Her stress is gone, and she sleeps all night, now. I feel better because I see how much she is learning, and I'm not forcing a miserable, crying child go somewhere where people hurt her physically and verbally. I have had a day or two that I've thought I wasn't doing a good job, but overall I know I have, and after only 30 days I can't expect to undo 6 years of public school damage. (2 years of pre-K, K, 1st, 2nd, and most of 3rd.)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Earthquakes
I've got earthquakes on the brain the past several days. First, I've been reading the "Left Behind" series, in which one of the seals opened is a massive world-wide earthquake. Not even two weeks ago, we had a moderate earthquake here, which is rare. I've only felt one other one, back when I was a teenager. Then my brother tells me his area has been having literally hundreds of small quakes per day. Every so often they have a moderate one, but they all feel strong to him because he is two miles away from the epicenter. I've been worrying for him, and have been checking out the USGS website several times per day to make sure they haven't had "the big one", as seismologists are predicting. Last night I had a dream that my daughters and I were at Wal-Green's, and a huge earthquake occurred right here. That isn't likely, but it just goes to show that they've been on my mind too much lately.
The positive out of all this earthquake worrying is that my daughter and I have been learning a lot about them. We are learning about the layers of the earth, plate tectonics, fault lines, the different types of quakes, and volcanic activity. So lots of impromptu science lessons.
The positive out of all this earthquake worrying is that my daughter and I have been learning a lot about them. We are learning about the layers of the earth, plate tectonics, fault lines, the different types of quakes, and volcanic activity. So lots of impromptu science lessons.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Why we Homeschool
Welcome to Homefree Academy, a private, Christian homeschool. I am the mother of 4 girls. Two are step, that live full time with us, and I've raised for the past eleven years. The younger two are mine by birth. The two oldest attend public high school. I have "after-schooled" my two youngest since they could understand verbal language. I recently removed my 9 year old from public school due to safety issues, and the district holding her back in her education. Our 5 year old currently spends two hours a day in a local pre-K program, but has completed about half her Kindergarten year at home. Once her pre-K year is finished in a month I hope to never have my daughters in public school again.
I am proud of my daughters' accomplishments during their public school years. The older one has consistently been on the Honor Roll, and usually the high Honor Roll, too. The little one is the only one in her pre-K class able to read, spell, tell time, count money, and add. I have no illusions, though, as to where they learned. The reason the little one can read is due to the time she and I spend, while in her class, the other children are busy learning colors and shapes (something most children are capable of learning at 18-24 months), and counting to ten. The reason my 9 year old knows states and capitols, and double digit multiplication, and division, while the rest of her old class was working on simple addition and subtraction, is because I let her interest lead me. She asks to learn; I take the time to show her. For two years her public school teachers told her to, "sit still, you can't move ahead of the rest of the class. Find something quiet to do while I teach the ones who didn't get these concepts in first grade."
Personal views of my husband and I also came into this decision, as we are tired of the government removing God from everything related to education. Our country was founded in Christianity. It is ridiculous to remove God from The Pledge, allow a moment of silence...yet not prayer, to not even mention Christmas for fear of offending those with differing beliefs. I'm not offended if someone else views the world other than how I see it. Let us be free to have our beliefs, too.
Our country is equated with freedom. But, little by little, the freedom is being removed. The government is trying to cleanse the minds of our children, and rule what and when and how they are taught. They think "socialization" consists of sitting at a desk for 6 hours with 20 others that just happen to be the same age, being spoon-fed only what basic facts they need to pass on state standardized tests. They are doing their best to turn our country into a communist state.
Our government thinks socialization is having kids that should be 2 grades ahead beating on their younger classmates, and calling little girls who get good grades B-words, and C-words, and WE are supposed to feel sorry for THEM because they have it so bad, and WE are racist if we try to obtain a teacher or principal's help. It's not our fault the ones that speak this way, and act this way are of a different race. Maybe someone should teach them that they would earn respect if they gave a little. Principal says,"That's just the way kids these days are. Deal with it."
I don't think so. I didn't have children to force them to deal with being cussed at, called names, and beaten on just because they are polite, quiet, and good students. If I worked at a job outside the home, and even once someone spoke to me in that way, or laid a hand on me, that person would be fired. It would be called assault. Grown-up don't have to deal with it. It is wrong to force children to. It is abuse!
We can see on an almost weekly basis what happens when we put children into this atmosphere, and than leave them to "deal with it". It doesn't even make headlines anymore when a child who has suffered abuse at the hands of classmates for years on end finally cracks, and begins killing those classmates. School shootings are so commonplace now that they only make national headlines if there are a great number of students killed. No one even thinks twice that schools have metal detectors, and full time police officers. In our particular district, the middle schools and the high school have failed to meet "AYP" for five years straight, now. We really do have two full time policemen at our high school, and one at each middle school. All the political correctness is really paying off, huh? And "No Child Left Behind"...that's working out well, too.
This is the tip of the iceburg, so to speak. These are the main reason we chose to remove our daughters from a dangerous situation, and bring them home, where they can be "Homefree". Free to learn. Free of abuse. Free of prejudice. And most of all, Free to just be little girls.
I am proud of my daughters' accomplishments during their public school years. The older one has consistently been on the Honor Roll, and usually the high Honor Roll, too. The little one is the only one in her pre-K class able to read, spell, tell time, count money, and add. I have no illusions, though, as to where they learned. The reason the little one can read is due to the time she and I spend, while in her class, the other children are busy learning colors and shapes (something most children are capable of learning at 18-24 months), and counting to ten. The reason my 9 year old knows states and capitols, and double digit multiplication, and division, while the rest of her old class was working on simple addition and subtraction, is because I let her interest lead me. She asks to learn; I take the time to show her. For two years her public school teachers told her to, "sit still, you can't move ahead of the rest of the class. Find something quiet to do while I teach the ones who didn't get these concepts in first grade."
Personal views of my husband and I also came into this decision, as we are tired of the government removing God from everything related to education. Our country was founded in Christianity. It is ridiculous to remove God from The Pledge, allow a moment of silence...yet not prayer, to not even mention Christmas for fear of offending those with differing beliefs. I'm not offended if someone else views the world other than how I see it. Let us be free to have our beliefs, too.
Our country is equated with freedom. But, little by little, the freedom is being removed. The government is trying to cleanse the minds of our children, and rule what and when and how they are taught. They think "socialization" consists of sitting at a desk for 6 hours with 20 others that just happen to be the same age, being spoon-fed only what basic facts they need to pass on state standardized tests. They are doing their best to turn our country into a communist state.
Our government thinks socialization is having kids that should be 2 grades ahead beating on their younger classmates, and calling little girls who get good grades B-words, and C-words, and WE are supposed to feel sorry for THEM because they have it so bad, and WE are racist if we try to obtain a teacher or principal's help. It's not our fault the ones that speak this way, and act this way are of a different race. Maybe someone should teach them that they would earn respect if they gave a little. Principal says,"That's just the way kids these days are. Deal with it."
I don't think so. I didn't have children to force them to deal with being cussed at, called names, and beaten on just because they are polite, quiet, and good students. If I worked at a job outside the home, and even once someone spoke to me in that way, or laid a hand on me, that person would be fired. It would be called assault. Grown-up don't have to deal with it. It is wrong to force children to. It is abuse!
We can see on an almost weekly basis what happens when we put children into this atmosphere, and than leave them to "deal with it". It doesn't even make headlines anymore when a child who has suffered abuse at the hands of classmates for years on end finally cracks, and begins killing those classmates. School shootings are so commonplace now that they only make national headlines if there are a great number of students killed. No one even thinks twice that schools have metal detectors, and full time police officers. In our particular district, the middle schools and the high school have failed to meet "AYP" for five years straight, now. We really do have two full time policemen at our high school, and one at each middle school. All the political correctness is really paying off, huh? And "No Child Left Behind"...that's working out well, too.
This is the tip of the iceburg, so to speak. These are the main reason we chose to remove our daughters from a dangerous situation, and bring them home, where they can be "Homefree". Free to learn. Free of abuse. Free of prejudice. And most of all, Free to just be little girls.
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