Standardized testing

I am a bit confused on this issue. The test tell one how your student compares to same age, same grade students. I do not recall it telling me exactly where my child struggled or if there were inconsistencies in a specific area. I do recall telling my own children not to stress over them at all and that I knew where their strengths and weakness was already. The test say more about how a school is doing rather than a student.

So today I read that the state of Vermont has agreed to discuss the options of testing with homeschoolers before they decide how to confirm that learning is taking place.  I live in Illinois, and so far we do not even register with the state.  I know that learning is taking place in our home. Some is above the current school level and some is right along with it.  As a matter of fact it is possible that G is a bit below level in Math but we will continue all summer with a math program.

I wonder who will bear the burden of cost should that happen in Illinois. The state owes our local schools millions of dollars already.

Well, just a thought.

I have been at the other blog site as I like how to work my page so much better but once again it has its troubles. I think I will keep both for now, had not been here in a while.

not posting much here

i am still tossed.  i am not putting much here as I like how my www.homeschoolblogger.com/grannyteacher page works so much better.....except for the times they are down and i cannot get on.

Some photos of our year so far

 So here are a few pictures of our homeschool experience this year. It is the first year we have done this and sadly we cannot capture every moment or that-- OH I GET IT  --moment we enjoy.   I may never get my other blog over here so at least the pictures are here and I can move on.
  

 

G is inside of a bubble


 

Trip to Giant City State Park in Southern Illinois. Nature center and lots of history. Here they put their hands on the corner of the stones in the lodge that the CCC workers did diligently by hand


 

Walking Stone Fort trail




CLiffs past the stone wall



F comes to class dressed up as a puppy. AND still did her work

 

On of the items that struck the eye of F and the Art Museum




G liked this piece of Contemporary art as it was "real"

   

G did not enjoy much of the contemporary art as this one was "NOT REAL" and she enjoys art about real things





F has a ballet class in a co-op program they call "Master's Lyceum"




F is following her fish that she put in the pond as it travels downstrem, part of the Magic House in St. Louis




St Louis Art Museum




Touch topic of solar system as we prepare for a Solar Eclipse. Only to miss it due to cloudy skies.




G and F (grades 1st and K)




Watercolor paints done on the first day of school




Just because I like this!











Final result and it was a bit hit at Great Grandma's house





G and F making bread for Thanksgiving Feast





It has to rise more again





Still more bread





Kneading time before making the loaf



OK so the old blog site is down AGAIN.

I had dual posted for a while but then kept up better at the homeschoolblogger site as I liked my page and how it all works so much nicer. I try to get on it and again it is not available. Sure I know it is free to me but if one is going to offer a service like that then keep it up or tell me I need to pay a fee to help keep it up. Enough said.
When I can get back on I will copy and paste again the other post and keep it up here instead I suppose.  I sure with I knew how to import and export.

First time for G and F to see the art museum

Blogging at Monkey Joe's

So today K went with her dear friend to try to walk in the friend's labor after a MD appointment. That meant it was just me. WOW I do not recall how we did so well with just one teacher but I sure missed K today. I know the girls are getting a lot more done and improved understanding having nearly 1:1 attention all during lesson time.

SO how, you ask, did I end up at Monkey Joe's and blogging?  We it is winter here in Southern Illinois and the girls clearly need some good activity time. So we will have a PE afternoon jumping in the structures and sliding down slides, climbing up inflatable walls.  They were looking forward to coming but have never been here with there are few children and lets face it, G does not have anyone her age here as there are all still in school.  It is a treat for them, this place is a 45 minute drive from home and although we are now in the "big" city I might be able to stop by the parent-teacher tool store and see what tickles my fancy today.

I class we are still struggling with the fact that G has an immediate stress and --can't do it-- feel to her math.  She had new addition family added today and felt like she could not do it right away....told her of course not that is why it is new. Now get the hair out of your face, stop squirming in the desk, look at the board and the problem and say it with me.  WHAT?  I can't heare you, as a matter of fact the only one who heard you was the Lord.  Let's look again at the magic of math.  HAhahaha she just does not take to this well.

F took a little advantage of the fact that I was teaching two at one time today.  No worry she is way ahead so far anyway. One day will not make a difference. I just wish she was not such the manipulator that she can be. I must say it is getting better.

So that is all for today. yesterday they got to paint and tomorrow is the Art Museum. G plans to take her painting and donate it to the museum. We will see how they respond.

Eager beginning to new semester

I was so shocked. It is hard to put into words. I was concerned about their ability to kick right into gear after a two week break.  Now I feel foolish for doubting their seriousness about success in school.
F, the 4 year old, sat down right away and said  "come on, let's begin class".  G, the 6 year old, moaned at having to begin class with he math lessons but she had already sat back in her recliner (in the reading corner) and read half of a Little Bear book independently before the Pledge was done.
Math is G's least favorite as she lacks confidence in it but she scores very well when test time comes.  F is really progressing in the K5 A Beka curriculum and she was little eager beaver today.
We began the first lesson at 0955 and finished every lesson by 1145. Headed to lunch in the kitchen then off to the Monday Bowling activity.  Finished by 1515 and headed home again. It was a day filled with fun all the way around. I honestly believe they enjoyed the lessons as much as the bowling today.
The most fun of the day was G's excitement to write 2011 on her papers today.  The calendar made lots of changes this morning as the season changed to winter while we were on break, the month to January and finally the year as well.  Plans of extra-curricular activities this month will include a field trip to THE CITY MUSEUM in St. Louis, the return of Home-school Monday at the Magic House, also in St. Louis and this month a new home-school program at the St. Louis Science Center begins as well.
Future field trips will include the Butterfly House in Chesterfield, Missouri and a trip to the Botanical Gardens as spring arrives. Ha ha, spring is a whole three months away but I am a planner.
Art projects seem to be on the mind of the girls as they received some new classroom paint and paint brushes for Christmas.  They also liked the beading sets that I found on clearance and want to know when they do that.  I had to laugh at them today very openly and ask them if they think all we plan to do are projects. I only got one smart face look and the other one ignored my comment.
So all in all, the idea I had that we would be in full swing by Wednesday is tossed out the window.  They hit the ground running.  Gosh this is fun!!!!!