Friday, May 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
dress up for homeschool
No, not like getting all dressed up at all.
F got a new dress up outfit to be dressed like an girl in India. She came to class like that. Then G, who get pretty silly a lot came dressed in a banana costume. They were both eagerly invited to work with the calendar and say the Pledge Of Allegiance. Then class began.
F got right to work in her phonic book and after a little direction did two pages independently. In the meantime G had to face her dreaded math class. She had a bit of fun today as we continued to add three numbers, she found the puzzle in each one that made it possible rather than impossible.
But math went on...and on...and on....OK that is an exaggeration. She counts by tens just fine but has a huge block if counting by tens from 15 or 38 etc. So after finding some fun ways to do it she finally got it. IT was exciting. She got a big star stuck to her forehead. We then began to buy the banana. I marked her with a price tag and made a story that kept increasing the price by ten. SHE loved it and she did well.
I should have stopped there! We then went to do the book work and she did great until she had to add a quarter and a dime. WHAT ? We just spent the entire class time on this skill but when it got put to her in a different fashion she was stumped. I ended up congratulating her on a good class effort and said we were way past time and so we stopped math.
I would like to post all the fancy good parts of school and teaching but then I would not learn from it and I do not want those who read this to think that homeschooling is about great achievements all of the time. There are real hurdles to jump, real frustrations. I am so thankful to teach her math at home. I believe she would have been left in the dark and fake or fail her way through it. After all, just because a child does not achieve well in one class does not stop them from going into the next grade.
After math G worked independently in reading, phonics, language and writing. She is such a great learner overall.
F wanted the same fun attention in her class as well. F is nearing the end of the Kindergarten math book and I really thought we would be doing this Kindergarten thing for two years. NOT THE CASE! So I found a fun way for her to use the ruler and measure things. She began as a sour puss but quickly brightened up the room.
I continue to not be doing well in my health so I did not spend as much time to do the lessons overall. Still they did all core classes today.
They are making a garden with K in the backyard as well. I find this exciting, their yard has been the least of their concerns since they moved in. Now that K is a homemaker she is trying to make in nice overall and find pride in it. She was a paralegal before and found pride in a job well done. I know she will feel it as the yard becomes more home like as well.
F got a new dress up outfit to be dressed like an girl in India. She came to class like that. Then G, who get pretty silly a lot came dressed in a banana costume. They were both eagerly invited to work with the calendar and say the Pledge Of Allegiance. Then class began.
F got right to work in her phonic book and after a little direction did two pages independently. In the meantime G had to face her dreaded math class. She had a bit of fun today as we continued to add three numbers, she found the puzzle in each one that made it possible rather than impossible.
But math went on...and on...and on....OK that is an exaggeration. She counts by tens just fine but has a huge block if counting by tens from 15 or 38 etc. So after finding some fun ways to do it she finally got it. IT was exciting. She got a big star stuck to her forehead. We then began to buy the banana. I marked her with a price tag and made a story that kept increasing the price by ten. SHE loved it and she did well.
I should have stopped there! We then went to do the book work and she did great until she had to add a quarter and a dime. WHAT ? We just spent the entire class time on this skill but when it got put to her in a different fashion she was stumped. I ended up congratulating her on a good class effort and said we were way past time and so we stopped math.
I would like to post all the fancy good parts of school and teaching but then I would not learn from it and I do not want those who read this to think that homeschooling is about great achievements all of the time. There are real hurdles to jump, real frustrations. I am so thankful to teach her math at home. I believe she would have been left in the dark and fake or fail her way through it. After all, just because a child does not achieve well in one class does not stop them from going into the next grade.
After math G worked independently in reading, phonics, language and writing. She is such a great learner overall.
F wanted the same fun attention in her class as well. F is nearing the end of the Kindergarten math book and I really thought we would be doing this Kindergarten thing for two years. NOT THE CASE! So I found a fun way for her to use the ruler and measure things. She began as a sour puss but quickly brightened up the room.
I continue to not be doing well in my health so I did not spend as much time to do the lessons overall. Still they did all core classes today.
They are making a garden with K in the backyard as well. I find this exciting, their yard has been the least of their concerns since they moved in. Now that K is a homemaker she is trying to make in nice overall and find pride in it. She was a paralegal before and found pride in a job well done. I know she will feel it as the yard becomes more home like as well.
Monday, May 9, 2011
What APS has stolen from me the past three days
APS is the short for my autoimmune syndrome. It has flared and my blood has been too thick. When that happens I feel like a drunk. I am slow to think, my coordination is off. It is an overwhelming weakness that akes over my body that the effort to talk is too great. When I do talk my speech is a mess. It takes so much effort even right now as I challenge myself to type. I cannot begin to tell you how many times all ready I have had to backspace as my letters jumble around.
These past three days I was unable to teach the girls. I was unable to attend my paid job on Sat. and Sun. As a nurse I would never want to put my clients in jeopardy and even if I could have phyiscally made it to work I would not have been on my mental ability thus rendering me too dangerous during this time.
Normally, I manage to keep my INR in range and do well but sometimes it just suddenly plummets for no reason.
I endure extreme pain all over with intermittent sharp pain that shoot thgough me. At times I feel like I need air but there is none to find. I have had several brief episodes of double vision and two episodes of blindness in one eye. It makes me feel sick and dizzy yet I must overcome. I know God carries me in these times and there is not excuse other than God's will why I continue on each day.
So I hope that tomorrow I will once again be able to teach the girls. I hope I can have a clear head and drive to the doctor's office. I hope this flare is over when I awake.
What does this have to do with the education of G and F. Everything! I push through to help them make new memories of life every day. Ultimately that is my goal each day. I know who precious each day is and I want to be sure they have many memories to pass on to their children. I know APS is attacking my memory as well so every now and then, when it is a really great one, I plead with God to let me keep that one.
Good night.
These past three days I was unable to teach the girls. I was unable to attend my paid job on Sat. and Sun. As a nurse I would never want to put my clients in jeopardy and even if I could have phyiscally made it to work I would not have been on my mental ability thus rendering me too dangerous during this time.
Normally, I manage to keep my INR in range and do well but sometimes it just suddenly plummets for no reason.
I endure extreme pain all over with intermittent sharp pain that shoot thgough me. At times I feel like I need air but there is none to find. I have had several brief episodes of double vision and two episodes of blindness in one eye. It makes me feel sick and dizzy yet I must overcome. I know God carries me in these times and there is not excuse other than God's will why I continue on each day.
So I hope that tomorrow I will once again be able to teach the girls. I hope I can have a clear head and drive to the doctor's office. I hope this flare is over when I awake.
What does this have to do with the education of G and F. Everything! I push through to help them make new memories of life every day. Ultimately that is my goal each day. I know who precious each day is and I want to be sure they have many memories to pass on to their children. I know APS is attacking my memory as well so every now and then, when it is a really great one, I plead with God to let me keep that one.
Good night.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Baby is growing
Today was a joyous day for our family. K is off of bedrest but on light duty mothering. I know, we can all get a good laugh at that one. Fortunately, I am able to help her a lot.
Today they could not see any more signs of the clot or separation of the placenta and found a growing baby with a heartbeat of 183 bpm.
We know that this is great news and we find hope in it. We also put our trust to God and will not worry about this soul. God all ready knows His plan and we can only hope it is the same as our desires.
G and F are excited to get a bit of mommy back. I do believe it was a challenge for all three of them.
We had not choice today but to take the girls with us to the doctor office but there is a large common area just outside of the office and so of course I took out lessons and we went to work on one of the table. I expected questions but did not find any asked. I guess it was clear that there was real learning taking place.
I have decided we got a bit stagnated so i am going to us a lapbook lesson for our plant study. They seem to enjoy creating these.
Today they could not see any more signs of the clot or separation of the placenta and found a growing baby with a heartbeat of 183 bpm.
We know that this is great news and we find hope in it. We also put our trust to God and will not worry about this soul. God all ready knows His plan and we can only hope it is the same as our desires.
G and F are excited to get a bit of mommy back. I do believe it was a challenge for all three of them.
We had not choice today but to take the girls with us to the doctor office but there is a large common area just outside of the office and so of course I took out lessons and we went to work on one of the table. I expected questions but did not find any asked. I guess it was clear that there was real learning taking place.
I have decided we got a bit stagnated so i am going to us a lapbook lesson for our plant study. They seem to enjoy creating these.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wordless Wednesday Birthday Celebrations This Past Weekend
G turned seven and did a roller skate party.
B and I spent the day together to honor his turning twelve on May 5th. We did a celebration that included a day of local history.
You can google the Creole House for a tid bit of history near my own backyard
B and I spent the day together to honor his turning twelve on May 5th. We did a celebration that included a day of local history.
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| this is a reinactment of an actual skirmish between a small group of union soldiers and a band of confederate that took place in Prarie Du Rocher, Illinois in 1864 (about twenty five minutes from where I live now) |
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| the confederates attempt to head to the Mississippi River bluffs to take cover and fight back. |
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
It is done~
Not a miracle or life changing event but today we purchased all our curriculum for next year. They have decided to stick with a 100% A Beka home school curriculum. The task as been completed and payment via their new flex pay will permit a payment again on June 10 and July 10. Then the books will ship and we will have them in plenty of time to get ready for the next school year.
Now for the reflecting aspect of this. G will officially be a second grade student and F will be officially in first grade. We did not begin this year expecting F to complete the entire Kindergarten program in one year. After all, we only began playing school with the books but it quickly became a real school schedule for her and off she went. Based on Illinois school laws F will not be able to begin kindergarten in the public school until Fall of 2013. It was never our intention to begin her so soon and we do not push it upon her. As a matter of fact, F, has had several moment that she has gotten up and walked away proclaiming to be finished. We recall her true age and let that fact go, it is not like it is a weekly event or we would need to redirect.
Tonight G and F are spending the night with me. It has been a while since they both have done that. They use to get that opportunity all the time but now that K is a home-maker and not a paralegal I have discovered less nights with them. I expect that to change in the summer as we will all spend time around the pool.
I have concluded that the math book does a lot of repeat, repeat work and it is the book that makes math a boring subject. Today I tried to get excited about math to foster excitement in G for the same; it worked for a moment but then I was not as patient as I needed to be. When she began looking to the ceiling for an answer and not at my face for direction or the problem for an understanding, well lets just say, we stopped and prayer together at that time. We offered thanks for the wonderment of math and asked for a patient and calm teacher. I have discovered that talking to the Lord together in rough times has a way of calming me and capturing the girls' attention to how they may impact my responses. Prayer even in young ones creates a self-reflection much of the time.
We looked at the second grade math and have concluded that we will begin the year with CLEP style test until we find the area she will need to produce new material. We do plan to keep math going all summer or until she has completed all lessons in the plan book. For that reason she will not need the forty something lessons that review what may be forgotten during summer break.
I have fallen short of fun activities and I hope that K comes off of bedrest after her ultrasound on May 5th. We would like to take a trip to the St. L:Louis Butterfly House and a lesson on insects. So much I have in my mind but little of me left at the end of the day right now.
Tomorrow I will post pics of my two grandchildren birthday celebration that I took vacation from my job for. I rarely take or need a vacation at my job. I do work only two 12 hour shifts per week so most times it is not necessary to take a vacation.
I hope you enjoy them.
Now for the reflecting aspect of this. G will officially be a second grade student and F will be officially in first grade. We did not begin this year expecting F to complete the entire Kindergarten program in one year. After all, we only began playing school with the books but it quickly became a real school schedule for her and off she went. Based on Illinois school laws F will not be able to begin kindergarten in the public school until Fall of 2013. It was never our intention to begin her so soon and we do not push it upon her. As a matter of fact, F, has had several moment that she has gotten up and walked away proclaiming to be finished. We recall her true age and let that fact go, it is not like it is a weekly event or we would need to redirect.
Tonight G and F are spending the night with me. It has been a while since they both have done that. They use to get that opportunity all the time but now that K is a home-maker and not a paralegal I have discovered less nights with them. I expect that to change in the summer as we will all spend time around the pool.
I have concluded that the math book does a lot of repeat, repeat work and it is the book that makes math a boring subject. Today I tried to get excited about math to foster excitement in G for the same; it worked for a moment but then I was not as patient as I needed to be. When she began looking to the ceiling for an answer and not at my face for direction or the problem for an understanding, well lets just say, we stopped and prayer together at that time. We offered thanks for the wonderment of math and asked for a patient and calm teacher. I have discovered that talking to the Lord together in rough times has a way of calming me and capturing the girls' attention to how they may impact my responses. Prayer even in young ones creates a self-reflection much of the time.
We looked at the second grade math and have concluded that we will begin the year with CLEP style test until we find the area she will need to produce new material. We do plan to keep math going all summer or until she has completed all lessons in the plan book. For that reason she will not need the forty something lessons that review what may be forgotten during summer break.
I have fallen short of fun activities and I hope that K comes off of bedrest after her ultrasound on May 5th. We would like to take a trip to the St. L:Louis Butterfly House and a lesson on insects. So much I have in my mind but little of me left at the end of the day right now.
Tomorrow I will post pics of my two grandchildren birthday celebration that I took vacation from my job for. I rarely take or need a vacation at my job. I do work only two 12 hour shifts per week so most times it is not necessary to take a vacation.
I hope you enjoy them.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Setting a date for the last day of school
Today I showed G how much book work was left to be completed by the end of this month. It was clear to her that math would be a year long class but she is also pleased that she will get a break from the rest of the subjects.
We discussed doing math while spending the day around our pool. She did not seem to upset with the news. She could clearly see that she was not going to be able to rush through the lessons. I must say though that I think they drag some lessons on and on. Math has not been my subject to teach and K has been following the lesson plan to the T. Now that K is on bedrest upstairs I am modifying it to my teaching style.
I also gave up on a spelling class. It seems that it was to much of a requirement on the lifestyle of this unique family to complete as I would want. Therefore, I decided some time ago that I could do spelling during the summer a bit and it would reinforce the phonics that we all ready know. NEXT year it WILL not be that way. I am going to get firm about the matter with both the students and the parents.
Tomorrow we will go to a material display and purchase the curriculum for next year. They offered free shipping in April but you could not do the flex pay system unless you went to a display. A few months ago we wanted to complete this tasks before the known price increase but just did not have the funds prepared to do so. This means we will pay more overall but the value in my opinion is great.
In Illinois you must attend for 176 days which was slated for May 19th However, we ended up with some unexpected time away so we will have formal lessons until May 27.
On Saturday G had a birthday party and one friend stayed overnight. It was the first time she has finally had a friend to arrange this with. She enjoyed her day very much.
F has really been making progress but today she was a stinker. Fought me all day with every lesson until I finally suggested the nap. I know neither girl got enough sleep with the busy weekend. G was also clearly tired, her eyes showed it. So she went to her room to rest and read. She began Charlotte's Web but I have not seen her yet to know how she is enjoying it.
I will post some photos soon as my blog is looking boring.
I continue to have therapy on my left shoulder and today the ortho injected the joint. WOW that smarts and has me in a lot of pain today. I will continue doing therapy and see him at the end of May.
We discussed doing math while spending the day around our pool. She did not seem to upset with the news. She could clearly see that she was not going to be able to rush through the lessons. I must say though that I think they drag some lessons on and on. Math has not been my subject to teach and K has been following the lesson plan to the T. Now that K is on bedrest upstairs I am modifying it to my teaching style.
I also gave up on a spelling class. It seems that it was to much of a requirement on the lifestyle of this unique family to complete as I would want. Therefore, I decided some time ago that I could do spelling during the summer a bit and it would reinforce the phonics that we all ready know. NEXT year it WILL not be that way. I am going to get firm about the matter with both the students and the parents.
Tomorrow we will go to a material display and purchase the curriculum for next year. They offered free shipping in April but you could not do the flex pay system unless you went to a display. A few months ago we wanted to complete this tasks before the known price increase but just did not have the funds prepared to do so. This means we will pay more overall but the value in my opinion is great.
In Illinois you must attend for 176 days which was slated for May 19th However, we ended up with some unexpected time away so we will have formal lessons until May 27.
On Saturday G had a birthday party and one friend stayed overnight. It was the first time she has finally had a friend to arrange this with. She enjoyed her day very much.
F has really been making progress but today she was a stinker. Fought me all day with every lesson until I finally suggested the nap. I know neither girl got enough sleep with the busy weekend. G was also clearly tired, her eyes showed it. So she went to her room to rest and read. She began Charlotte's Web but I have not seen her yet to know how she is enjoying it.
I will post some photos soon as my blog is looking boring.
I continue to have therapy on my left shoulder and today the ortho injected the joint. WOW that smarts and has me in a lot of pain today. I will continue doing therapy and see him at the end of May.
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