Nov. 6, 2007 School Update
This was an old post that got saved as a draft rather than added to the blog - I only put it on now because of the links - these sites are great - check them out if you haven't yet.
School is going well here. I've been very pleased with Spell to Write and Read and can see improvement in both the Duke and Princess. They seem to like the program and I can tell it is challenging them. The Duke actually did some voluntary writing last night at church. (We had a speaker from Answers in Genesis and it was wonderful - you should check them out if you haven't yet.) Anyway, he wrote letters to me, his Daddy, the Pastor, and the guest speaker! I can see that this program really causes them to think and figure out how to spell. We are still using Ambleside Online
and enjoying it. |
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Jan. 12, 2007 Our Homeschool Schedule
We had a busy month of December. Our Christmas was wonderful. We got to visit with my brother, his girlfriend, and my precious nephew. I really enjoyed spending that time with them. The kids had a great Christmas and we even got a family membership to the pool and gym! We have dived back into school full throttle now and things are going well.
I have made one minor change in our homeschool that has made a tremendous difference. Each morning I write on a white write board all the morning's activities, their individual assignments, and the Daily Oral Language and Analogy for the day. It looks like this: 1) Bible and Breakfast 2)Dress, Make Bed, Brush Teeth 3) Table time (this is where we go over our memory verse, hymn, Spanish and I give instruction on their individual assignments.) Under this list I have each child's name written with their independent work underneath. Like this.
7 Year old :Math Phonics Sheet Handwriting Violin Problem of the day
5 Year Old: Math Phonics Sheet Handwriting Problem of the Day
3 year old: Shapes Pasting Blocks Color (We vary these activities daily - Like one day he had to build me a building with blocks and come get me to take a picture of it.)
While they are working independently I am spending time with each child individually working on Reading and Phonics
Under that I write the Oral Language and Analogy for them to figure out, write down, and turn in. (Some days we just do it together on the board.)
Next we have lunch. During lunch we review their memory verse (I tell them it's their meal ticket and they can't eat unless they try to say it ;) I will also read them a poem, ask them questions in Spanish, and talk about our Artist. We just finished studying Jan Vermeer and now we are looking at Giotto Di Bondone's works. Mostly we just look at the picture - try to describe it without looking at it etc.. Sometimes I will get a short bio. on the artist and read it to them.
After lunch we finish up anything left undone - and then I do our AO readings (History, Literature, Science, Geography ) and narrations with my 7 year old. I aim for 2 a day. Sometimes we get in more - sometimes less. He loves Shakespeare!!!! This is really a relaxed time as he enjoys all the books on the AO list and he is learning so much from these books - Did I mention we just love the Charlotte Mason method and Ambleside Online?
Free time from then on!
Having the independent work written on the board has really helped. They can see it, mark it off, and move on to the next thing on the list without disturbing me while I'm in a reading lesson with their sibling. It was a minor change but it has made a HUGE difference. We still have to work on that habit of attention though. It seems that it is easy for them to get distracted. I find myself saying "What do you have to do next?" "What are you working on now?" "Are you all finished?" etc... It will improve with time - I know!
We are still flexible because some days the schedule has to be altered. Like on Tuesday's when we have homeschool swim in the mornings, or on Friday's when Daddy is home and spending time with him is the most important thing. On those days I have still been using the board but things are just done at a much more leisurely pace. Flexibility is very important in life! |
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Dec. 6, 2006 Schooling in December
With Christmas just around the corner little minds are wondering and life is busy, so school is becoming difficult to finish. The Ambleside Online group always takes Dec. off of school and then goes the whole month of June. I had originally planned to take 3 weeks at Christmas for a nice break from the normal school schedule to do baking, activities etc.. Well, guilt crept in and I began thinking "I'd better keep on with the schedule and just do a 1 week break for Christmas." Until I got this poem from a friend on e-mail.
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the home,
Children were still studying for their test on Rome.
Mom was planning, she had just an hour,
To teach 'one more lesson' before their night shower.
A whole week of vacation, the children were thrilled,
But Mom saw the lesson plans, and the blocks were still filled.
"Can I stop for a day, much less a whole week?"
Just the thought of time off made me shudder and shriek!
Would they remember anything, would they fall behind?
"Lord, I need your help, just give me a sign!!!"
Then out on the sidewalk, I saw my four boys,
And I heard them say, "it's not about toys."
To the neighborhood kids, they explained Jesus' birth,
And how through Jesus, not toys, we gain our worth.
At that point, math and spelling and learning to write,
Meant little to me as I had lost the sight
Of what teaching at home was truly about.
Then I sat at my desk and began to pout.
The pouts turned to sobs, "Lord what have I done?
It's not about grades, but to follow your Son!"
"Please guide me and show me my job is to teach,
and turn them to you, and of Jesus I'll preach."
Now we'll put away books and not open them 'til later,
We'll focus on Jesus, our Lord and Creator.
It's His day and so we will all celebrate,
I'll never mention the words "behind" or "we're late".
So, Thank You, Lord, for blessing me,
With such a great husband and family.
Now homeschooling moms, TURN OUT THE SCHOOL LIGHT!
And, "Happy Christmas To All And To All A Good Night!"
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy
family all wrapped up in each other.--
It was just what I needed to read! I'm not going to use the words "behind" or "we're late." We are learning so much more than what is in the books anyway. I actually heard one of my kids use the phrase "Christmas is not all about toys!" I know they are getting it so I need to relax and enjoy the season without the guilt. We are going to take those 3 weeks off like I had planned and until then the schedule will be light! Hey that means this is the last week of school until next year!!! We have a Homeschool Christmas party tomorrow to celebrate!
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