Nov. 25, 2009
Is there a form of eclectic and unschooling?
That describes me so well. I use My Father's World, Horizons, and Singapore Math.
Throw in the worksheets, tests, and field trips.
Then when I am doing something around the house, I am teaching them. With math, spelling history--I like it!
I use the teacher's guide very little, like an outline then I research to teach the kids.
We are focused on US History right now and I need someone to put my hair back in b/c I have pulled some out.
Overall, W is continuing his cursive--AWESOME!! Plus, we started multiplication today and adding 3 arguments.
Tomorrow we will focus on some Math and English and what they don't know we will do some cool crafts for Thanksgiving!!!
I
Sep. 30, 2009
Using the TV as a good lesson
I tired something new today. I introduced a 30 min TV Show that W likes and we went over
Who? When? Where? What? How?
This led to adjectives. Start with one character and explain . I told him to describe the person so detailed that I couldfind them if I sat down and saw the same show. He was genuinely excited! NEAT!!! Now for the not so neat, he had oppurtunity to play on a playground while S had ballet and he wished he was doing his English. This shyness is making me crazy. I don't remember being shy-ever.
Sep. 16, 2009
Links to know
http://www.all-about-spelling.com/spelling-activities.html
awesome activities!!
Write the spelling words on white paper with a white crayon. Paint the paper with watercolors and watch the words appear.
Type the spelling words on an "old-fashioned" typewriter.
Paint the spelling words with a paint brush.
Pour sand into a shallow box. Use your finger to write the words in the sand.
Use alphabet stamps to spell the words.
Cut out letters from a magazine and use them to spell words.
Use pipe cleaners or twist-ties to form the spelling words.
Make a slate out of a ziplock bag and shaving cream. Put a small amount of shaving cream in the bag, seal, and lay the bag flat on the table. Write the spelling words on the bag with your finger.
Use finger paint and your index finger to write the words on a large sheet of paper.
Write your words several times, each time using a different color of marker.
Dictate the words—and the correct spelling—into a tape recorder, and then listen to the tape and write the words.
Sep. 16, 2009
Another week at JA==9.14.09 and Tues 9.15.09
What's going on at JA?
Monday we had a main focus on History. The stories of Christopher Columbus, before that the Vikings.
There will be no spelling words this week. S needs to work on her phonics and handwriting and W is reviewing what he learned last year.
S had ballet today. She is a different person with her outfit on. I'm going to look up some music for her and teach her and W about the classics.
W is doing great. The kicker with him is to stop and listen. He never listens and it's making me crazy.
W made a 93 on his spelling test.
S made a 27.
She learns auditory learner so it seems right now.
We are hitting a few subjects this week, reviewing and focusing on getting established in different clubs. A Rec center is recd for HSers on Fridays and a library room on Wednesday so they can learn and socialize. we hit manners again and it is incredible. I need to find that link and post it.
So by Friday we will be finishing our 3rd week. I hope we will have t-shirts made soon too. I recd my bumper stickers today and YAY!
Sep. 10, 2009
Very undetailed week
I keep telling myself I will catch up. WHEN??? Here's the recap:
Monday 090709
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Science lesson on TV--how to make things
Christopher Columbus--1492
New spelling words
Math
Bible
Tuesday 090809
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PC skills
US History and geography
Manners
Bible
Home Ec
Math (S) adding 1s
Wednesday 090909
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spelling words
LA for S and W
Bible--Name on the name wall
Bible Verse
I will continue to review with my son (W) and build S a solid foundation for her learning. We end up with a 20 min Bible Lesson and no one wants stop learning and sharing, so I go with it. IMO, the Bible is the best instruction of life anyone could have. We will go day to day and one of us will mention Hey that reminds me about this devotion or that bible Verse or story. I was sorting yesterday and found the ASL signs for The Lord's Prayer. Since we are learning ASL now, I plan to teach NASL in November.
For 3 weeks, I will be teaching them the song God Bless America and its meaning. I hope to find some signs to help them learn it. I have found with my children that signing words helps them remember easier. We also like to trick my parents. My 4yo daughter will be on the phone with grandpaw and he will challenge her to spell something and when she says it outloud, I sign it to her and her grandpaw thought she was super smart and she laughs!!! She says "You silly grandpaw, Mom is using sign language to tell me.
Now to get Wilson out and about. It's past time.
Sep. 7, 2009
Our weekend is over
It's Labor Day, but I do plan on teaching them---I may change my mind though and sit and read a book. That would be nice!
We had school. Started with Science, a video...
more to come when I have time.
Sep. 5, 2009
Day 5--one week down
YAY!!! We made it thru our 1st week and will start having longer days and more activities.
What did we accomplish today?
Their 1st spelling test of the year. They both made a 100!!! I'm slowly remembering how to teach Kindergarten again. We discussed that we need to start praying about our Mission project too--Operation Christmas Child.
We started with Art. I asked them to draw a picture describing a very traumatic day in our lives. I introduced them to abstract art. Then I asked them to draw a pic of how they have felt this past week. It was an eye opener for me and they focused on their feelings and how we can put them on paper in the form of art when we can't find words.
I handed them their work back for the week and they corrected their mistakes. I printed a sheet letting them know what sites we were going to focus on with PC SKILLS this year. I also handed out a sheet telling them how proud I was of them!! I asked what their favorite parts of the week were how we could change things next week. Below, I have the memo I typed to each of them.
S liked the Science experiement best.
W liked the US Notebook the best.
What do we need to change? Need more Art, and to make up stories aloud as a class. Recess, playdates, and snacktime were mentioned too.
Favorite subjects of W: Math, Science, Spelling, Spelling Test, Focus on their names and meanings
Favs of S: Math, SPelling (but not the test she said), Science, writing numbers, and their names' meanings.
We did a devo & discussed it and how we can learn from others' mistakes. To praise God for what we do have and not expect Him to give us all that we want. We need to focus on what we have.
W had an epiphany as I read from Joshua. He asked if he could share with the class what God had told him. It was like OK W, listen up.
He said I was told that I need to mind, to focus, and to believe! Our Bible time lasted longer than usual as I shared how God worked in my life. And how special the letters were that we had wrote to them.
We recapped the week and hit on the highlights and it was a good day!
Homework--W has a book to complete by Monday. No homework for S just yet.
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The first week of school!!!!!
You both did awesome!!! I hope you had fun AND learned something at the same time. Only 3 days until Labor Day! Only 7 days until Patriot day--in memory of 9/11. Only 18 days until Autumn Begins!
Use your imaginations. Put on your thinking caps and next week will be better!!!!
Love, Mrs Teacher
You can call me Mom!
I love you!
I'll update my lesson plans or see you on Monday!
Sep. 3, 2009
Day 4----I'm tired too
OK we got started late today. My little one had a fever off and on all night, so no sleep for me. Dh ended up sick and I am drained. I hope I'm not next. Children bounce back so easily.
We focused on Spelling words. Sarah focused on writing ( primarily numbers) while Wilson whizzed through math sheets. We learned about the Vikings and made a page for their USA notebooks. (I helped Sarah as she told me what to say.) I emphasized that their spelling test is tomorrow and can't wait to see their faces come test time. Wilson is good at this but he wasn't at 1st and I know Sarah won't be so they may be in for a surprise as I learn some spelling games for them to hope each other or themselves remember words.
I read more excerpts from Abigail's diary and now George Washington is in a field near there house for the winter. It really made me think. Some of those soldiers had no shoes, trousers, long-sleeve shirts and were in Valley Forge in PA. I can't imagine how many of them died for our freedom today. Who thinks of these small very musch taken for grantee things on July 4th?
We ended class with prayer with Gracie on our hearts and many other people. Despite a late start and a long night, they did wonderful, I was so impressed!!!
Sep. 2, 2009
Day 3 ----I'm ok, Yes, I am OK. Really, I'm OK!!!
Where to start? I'm tired. Life is overwhelming me and on top of that, I am Mrs Teacher. Yes, they call me that during school. My son started it and it has been passed down.
What have we accomplished today as of now?
Time of prayer and requests
Bible verse and devo with questions.
Spelling///Writing This is a huge subject for S as she is just now learning.
W-Math sheet review plus I made he check his answers and sure enough he made a 100. He is reading silently now as his sister finishes her math. Simple addition.
W is having "home ec" now as he has already read two books and Lil' S is diligently answering her math questions.
He returned and begun on his World map. When S finished her math, I already had her map for her. We all added the finishing touches to them. With this being my dd's 1st year, I could tell she was tired.
So we reviewed Spanish words we knew and their meanings and went to the kitchen to do a Science experiment. It was super cool! We were scientists for a day.
They are going to focus on their Spelling words tonight for homework.
Aug. 31, 2009
It has begun!
Today was Sarah's first day of Kindergarten and Wilson's 1st day of 2nd grade.
We started after lunch, my sleep is way off! I'm working on correcting that.
Wilson liked working in his USA notebook and Sarah liked how we discussed our names, as introductions with other people.
Wilson didn't like math b/c we had a communication problem.
Sarah didn't like the spelling for the same reason.
I told them it would take a few weeks to get into a routine that suits all of us and that tomorrow will be better.
I enjoyed giving the children letters from Kevin and myself explaining why we named them what we did. As I read Sarah's to her, Wilson had tears roll down his face. I asked if he was OK and he nodded yes, so I didn't bring more attn to him.
Tonight I asked him if he would tell me what made him so full of emotions in class today and he let me read the note his dad wrote. He said that note is what made him cry. It was sweet. I hope we are able to keep them until we pass away.
We did some spelling, manners, SS, Math, and handwriting. We didn't have what I would call a Bible lesson but it did refer back to the Bible over and over.
Overall, it was a good day! Thank You Lord!
Aug. 27, 2009
Is it really that time again?
That's what my calender says! This will be our 3rd year at Jericho Academy. My son will be in 2nd grade and we have a new student this year. My youngest daughter will join and begin Kindergarten.
Who's excited?
I am. Why? Because we will be studying US History. I know that my son is excited and it's contagious. My daughter is excited too. She is my ballerina as of August 25!
What to expect? Overall, I want them to do their best and I want to teach them to the best of my ability. Laziness is not allowed and unwelcome.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
