August 16, 2008 - Some Homeschool Goal Setting
Even though the main curriculum of our school is all planned out until probably next March, constant evaluation is a good thing. So I’ve been making some goals.
1. To incorporate Drawing with Children into our homeschool.
I’m not sure how to do this yet. I don’t even have a plan. But I really want to do this. Because my daughter is so artistic, I feel especially bound to help her grow in this area. I’ll share my plans as I come up with them. I will use Barb's blog and her Squidoo lens as a resource for sure!
2. At least one day a week our math lesson should be living math – games, hands-on, or real life problem solving.
We’ve done this for three weeks so far, and I’ve got to say that it’s a grand success in improving attitude if nothing else. (Mine and Sprite’s!) Playing games is simply fun. Time will tell if this style of math instruction is beneficial. I believe that it will be. By the way, I'm using Family Math for my game ideas.
3. Our study of Shakespeare must become more consistent.
Because my goal was one play per month, it’s falling to the wayside. Each week I think, “I’ll do it next week.” Then the month is gone and Shakespeare was ignored. To help myself out, I’ve printed the lovely templates I shared here and I’ll be sticking those into my planning book. (Can you believe that I made them and haven’t even used them yet ourselves? Ah.. good intentions!) For some reason a piece of paper that needs to be filled out is a good motivator/reminder for me. And I’m brainstorming other ways to become more consistent in this area. Maybe a big Shakespeare poster with a list of the plays that are in Nesbit’s and Lambs’ retellings? We can tick them off as we study them? I'm a box checker. And if that's what it takes to get me to follow through, then I'm willing to do it!
4. Give Sprite opportunities to work independently.
She enjoys that freedom, and she’s ready for some baby steps in that area. One easy area – all the fun websites that I want her to explore. I am trying something new next week. I made a lens just for her. It links lots of fun and interesting sites. One list is her “must visit” list. For those, she must leave a narration by way of a comment. The others are optional. My plan is to change that page for her each week as I find interesting things that supplement our studies or that are plain old fun! This will also provide more structure to her online time so that it’s not wasted on a lot of silly games. I’m not against silly games. But if she can spend some time learning, that’s good too!
Comments
August 16, 2008 - CM Planning
Posted by littlebearuk
Hi Jimmie,
Thanks for your comment. I thought I'd come over here and look at your planning goals. You've given me some more ideas too which is great! I've added you as a friend and I'll be visiting again! x Shoshana x
Edited by littlebearuk on August 16, 2008 at 5:17 AM
August 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
Love the idea of a lens just for Sprite. I do something similar but not near as fun. I just post the stuff in a file in favorites and the kids have to log in a notebook what they do and learn. A lens would surely be more fun. Great Idea! Now if I could just master doing a lens.
August 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
I love it! I have to look into Squidoo. I think giving her the links and narration back on the computer is so cool. I have to hurry up and work on my back to school bash.
Blessings,
Dawn
August 16, 2008 - You're so creative!
Posted by DreweLlyn
I love this idea! I may have to borrow it sometime. Right now I'm about to find out why Mt. Rushmore has only heads! :-)
August 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ddmcnair
Here is a site that has "Drawing with Children" planned out into 25 lessons. It says it should cover a year worth.
http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/dwclp.htm
Hope that helps you.
Donna
August 17, 2008 - Sketchbook Starts
Posted by SchoolinRhome
Since your daughter is artistic you might want to try what I just blogged about. It only takes a little preparation and then she can work independantly in her sketchbook all throughout the school year. I will be adding photos soon of our finished product as I am working on the jars now. Check it out here if interested
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SchoolinRhome/575587/
Have a fun school year!
SchoolinRHome
August 17, 2008 - Love the Lens idea
Posted by Anonymous
I have never heard of Squidoo. It would work perfect for my dd as well. I'm setting something up now as we speak. Thank you!
Tannis
August 17, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea for setting up a lens just for Sprite! I am going to follow your idea and do the same for Em! Thanks for the inspiration,
Sherry
http://educatingemme.blogspot.com
August 17, 2008 - Love reading your plans
Posted by Rachel at Keep the Way
I just love following your schooling!
Yes, we did get the package and are just so grateful. . . Jordan LOVED the meat snack, but mommy and daddy weren't brave enough to try the other one yet lol. I linked to your Lenses months ago but didn't realize until your post that your blog wasn't listed as well -- that has been corrected :-)
Thanks for everything!
Rachel
August 17, 2008 - lens
Posted by diabetesmommy
What a fabulous idea! I can never fit in those websites that I want her to explore. Now, I don't have to, imagine that. And, talk about learning opportunities here at my mom's...fantastic idea. Well, consider your idea stolen. I was up around 5 this morning and I made a simple one for Ging. (Sheesh, how I hate her little nickname, lol.)
You are an inspiration. Thank you.
Shannon
P.S. (edited)
Ohhh, and so you can see my first attempt (I need pictures)
http://www.squidoo.com/gingerssites
Edited by diabetesmommy on August 17, 2008 at 9:12 AM
August 19, 2008 - Thanks
Posted by Anonymous
Thanks for sharing, Jimmie. Family Math sounds like fun. I'll have to check it out. :)
Kysha
http://www.lovesschool.com
August 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by kimalita
we just started using Darwing With Children this year --- we are really enjoying it! I ought to use Barbs outline for it.
August 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Keri
I'm with you about the silly games.
I would love to find some truly educational games online. Until then... I would rather have the kids play with toys and use imaginations.
August 23, 2008 - Drawing with Children
Posted by Anonymous
Oh, I want to use Drawing with Children too... but haven't squeezed it in yet. Good luck!
Teacher of One
http://boysplusacademy.blogspot.com/
August 25, 2008 - Incorporating Drawing With Children
Posted by Anonymous
Probably the best way to get something in is to incorporate it with something else. Near the back of the book, there is a chapter on using monart in science, math, social studies, and language arts. Drawing a subject actually helps kids retain more about that subject. So for language arts, trace a blackline of one of the illustrations and then use monart guidelines to reproduce it. From there you can get really creative in how you add color or setting. This drawing can actually become a launching pad for a writing a story extension. Happy drawing.
Blessings,
Julie (Ms Julie's Art School)
http://msjuliesartschool.blogspot.com/
August 30, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lisaquing
Hi Jimmie,
I've given you a blog award!
Check it out here:
http://cornerstonehomelearning.blogspot.com/2008/08/awards.html
Thanks for your wonderful blog!
Lisa
September 1, 2008 - Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!
Posted by ichuzchrist
I so love your Shakespeare stuff! We are in the middle of learning "Romeo and Juliet" and this is perfect!!! You cannot know how much this is appreciated.
