Today was day 3 of school. So far, I do feel it is going well. I do need to figure out a way to become more organized. I'm not doing a terrible job but I could definately use a lesson or two in organizing. Things do go rather smoothly and the kids seem to actively participate, but I would like to come up with more activities that interest them and relate to the lessons I am teaching. I am sure, in time, I will figure out a way to do that!
Yesterday, they worked on math, english(creative writing), computer skills, history(read their history novels) and science. Today they worked on math, science, health and history(watched a PBS movie). Once again, they had reading time and read their history books. For their computer skills lesson, I had each child create their own online blog. I will use thei blog as a way for them to improve their typing and writing skills.
Yesterday we attended a parent meeting with the homeschool group we belong to. Once again, I am sooo happy with our decision to homeschool the older kids. I think the kids will gain a lot from the experiences they will have attending the 3 classes they are taking through our homeschool group.
The kids online charter school classes will begin in September. I am looking forward to the things they will learn while taking those classes as well! Since each child is taking a computer course, they will each recieve a netbook computer! What a great bonus for our family! This will make taking the online classes MUCH easier. :)
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I Did It! Day One is Down!
Today we began homeschooling. All in all, I think it went very well! The kids seemed attententive and completed the assignments I asked them to complete.
Today consisted of:
Math: workbooks and review of basic facts for each child's level. K's(15 y/o) math class won't begin until the 7th and J's(12 y/o) curriculum is not here yet. In the meantime, we will work on basics and get them ready for this year's math courses.
English/Spelling/Language Arts: Today I handed both kids a dictionary. I asked them to find 15 words they didn't know how to spell and/or didn't know the definition of. I asked them to write each word and it's definition down on a piece of paper. After they created their lists, I asked them to put the words into sentences. They seemed to enjoy the hunt and learning new words. :)
Health: Today we talked about life expectancies and ways we can stay healthy not only physically, but also psychologicially and socially. We shared ideas on how we can remain healthy as well as how we can IMPROVE our individual health. It was a very good discussion and both kids participated. It felt GREAT to sit and discuss such important things with my children. Both kids took great notes and wrote down some key ideas too.
Independant Reading: Both kids read their required reading for their history classes. Their history class doesn't start for a few more weeks and the plan is for both kids to be finished with their books by the time their classes begin.
History: Earlier this week, I went to the library and checked out some history videos. I choose videos that would help prepare each kid for their upcoming history class. Today's video was on the US Constitution. Both kids took notes and shared the notes with me once they were finished watching the video.
Since we still have a couple more weeks before some of their classes start, we are easing into a routine. My plan is to get a more established routine by the time their other classes begin. Eventually, they will both have a science class, a history class and a Shakespeare class. K will be taking 2 computer classes and J will be taking a computer lit class. J takes figure skating lessons and would also like to take an art class. All in good time. So far, I feel we are off to a GREAT start. I am looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. :)
Today consisted of:
Math: workbooks and review of basic facts for each child's level. K's(15 y/o) math class won't begin until the 7th and J's(12 y/o) curriculum is not here yet. In the meantime, we will work on basics and get them ready for this year's math courses.
English/Spelling/Language Arts: Today I handed both kids a dictionary. I asked them to find 15 words they didn't know how to spell and/or didn't know the definition of. I asked them to write each word and it's definition down on a piece of paper. After they created their lists, I asked them to put the words into sentences. They seemed to enjoy the hunt and learning new words. :)
Health: Today we talked about life expectancies and ways we can stay healthy not only physically, but also psychologicially and socially. We shared ideas on how we can remain healthy as well as how we can IMPROVE our individual health. It was a very good discussion and both kids participated. It felt GREAT to sit and discuss such important things with my children. Both kids took great notes and wrote down some key ideas too.
Independant Reading: Both kids read their required reading for their history classes. Their history class doesn't start for a few more weeks and the plan is for both kids to be finished with their books by the time their classes begin.
History: Earlier this week, I went to the library and checked out some history videos. I choose videos that would help prepare each kid for their upcoming history class. Today's video was on the US Constitution. Both kids took notes and shared the notes with me once they were finished watching the video.
Since we still have a couple more weeks before some of their classes start, we are easing into a routine. My plan is to get a more established routine by the time their other classes begin. Eventually, they will both have a science class, a history class and a Shakespeare class. K will be taking 2 computer classes and J will be taking a computer lit class. J takes figure skating lessons and would also like to take an art class. All in good time. So far, I feel we are off to a GREAT start. I am looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. :)
Sunday, August 22, 2010
And so it Begins...
This week, we will officially begin our homeschooling. My youngest child(9) starts school on Wednesday and so I plan to start working with my 2 homeschoolers that same day. Their classes with the homeschool group won't start until after Labor Day, but they both have required reading they have to read prior to the first day of class. My oldest son(almost 15) is currently reading "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and my daughter(12)will begin reading "Red Scarf Girl" this week. My son will be studying the Civil War for the first half of the school year. My daughter will be learning about the constitution. I've been re-reading their reading lists and I am impressed by the amount of information they will be learning in each class. They will each be doing quite a bit of reading this school year and I honestly feel that is a very GOOD thing. I'm excited to get my hands on their course books to see what kind of information is in those as well.
This week, we will ease into our schedule. I will establish a routine and hopefully they will follow this routine and do what is needed to complete their assignments. My daughter is very excited to begin her home-learning program. So much so, she's already done a few pages in her language arts book! My son seems to be excited as well. I am proud of him for getting half way through "Uncle Tom's Cabin" eventhough I know it is not a book he would normally choose to read. :) It's been fun to hear him tell us what is happening in the book and what he thinks about it! I hope his sister will show the same excitement when reading her book. :)
This week, we will ease into our schedule. I will establish a routine and hopefully they will follow this routine and do what is needed to complete their assignments. My daughter is very excited to begin her home-learning program. So much so, she's already done a few pages in her language arts book! My son seems to be excited as well. I am proud of him for getting half way through "Uncle Tom's Cabin" eventhough I know it is not a book he would normally choose to read. :) It's been fun to hear him tell us what is happening in the book and what he thinks about it! I hope his sister will show the same excitement when reading her book. :)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Beauty of Being in the Drivers Seat
This past week, I have been reviewing some of the curriculum I have recieved. I cannot believe how interesting a text book can be! I don't remember ever reading a textbook and actually ENJOYING it. :) It's been fun and most certainly educational, reading the kids books. So far, I am really enjoying the "The Rainbow" curriculum by "Begnnings Publishing". My kids will be using "The Rainbow" as their science curriculum. I love how simple and fun they make science. "The Rainbow" is a hands on science course and I feel it will be a prefect fit for both of my children. They will be taking a class through the homeschool group, but I am looking forward to learning right along with them!
http://beginningspublishing.com/version2/rainbow.htm
While at the thrift store last week, I came accross a health textbook and bought it(I couldn't resist 2.99!). It is a Discovery Health book and I think it was written for high school students. It was published in 2007, so it has current topics and relevent information in the book. I plan to use this book to help me teach the kids health. The beauty of me being their teacher, is that I can pick and choose what I want to teach them. I find this textbook to be very informative and helpful, but since it is geared more towards high school aged kids, I will modify some lessons to be age appropriate for my 12 year old. I love that I can pick and choose topics I feel are important for my childen to learn. I will likely use this book as a guide. It will help to give me ideas of what type of topics to teach for health.
Math has never been a topic I have enjoyed. That is, except for my 9th grade year of school. I had a GREAT teacher that year and I thrived in math. For the 1st time, I actually ENJOYED and did well in math. After a year of A's and B's, I moved into 10th grade excited and ready to learn more! Then it happened...I got a horrible teacher who did not want to help me and actually told me: "We'll cover it at the END of the year." Nice. The problem with math is that EVERYTHING ties in together! You miss ONE step and suddenly you are off track! That is what I believe happened to me. I am not dumb... I just got lost in translation, so to speak! So, to avoid this same thing happening to my kids, I am back tracking a bit with each of them. My oldest son(almost 15) will be taking math through the online charter school. The math course will "test" the student and assess their level. After that, the course will cater to their level and gradually become harder as they improve. I also plan to supplement this program with my own curriculum.
Math for my daughter will begin with some text books I found at the thrift store until I recieve the math program I have chosen to use for her. The program I want to use with her this year is called. "Math U See".
http://www.mathusee.com/homeschool.php
Again, this is a hands on program that uses manipulatives to teach math. I am back tracking a bit with her as well. Multiplication has been hard for her. Because of that, division is harder for her. She understands HOW to do it but because her math facts aren't as solid as they should be, she struggles with being able to do them quickly and with confidence. So, we will work on a variety of math this school year. I feel by backing up a bit, she will end up being a more confident math student. I also feel without the pressures of being in the traditional classroom, she will learn that math can be fun and might possibly ENJOY it this year! By the end of the year, she will be where she needs to be. :)
My son's history class will cover the Civil War the first semester. One of the books of required reading is "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I bought it the other day and look forward to seeing what he thinks of the book. Hopefully it will spark some interesting discussions around our home. I am hoping he will enjoy the book and that it won't be too "painful" getting him to read it. He is starting the book now since he needs to be prepared to discuss the book when his class starts in a few weeks. :)
This is an exciting(but sometimes scary!) journey. I love being in the drivers seat and being able to be more directly involved in their education. I like being able to cater more towards their interests. I am also looking forward to dusting the cob webs of my own mind and learning new stuff too! I think homeschool will not only be good for my children, but for their parents as well.
http://beginningspublishing.com/version2/rainbow.htm
While at the thrift store last week, I came accross a health textbook and bought it(I couldn't resist 2.99!). It is a Discovery Health book and I think it was written for high school students. It was published in 2007, so it has current topics and relevent information in the book. I plan to use this book to help me teach the kids health. The beauty of me being their teacher, is that I can pick and choose what I want to teach them. I find this textbook to be very informative and helpful, but since it is geared more towards high school aged kids, I will modify some lessons to be age appropriate for my 12 year old. I love that I can pick and choose topics I feel are important for my childen to learn. I will likely use this book as a guide. It will help to give me ideas of what type of topics to teach for health.
Math has never been a topic I have enjoyed. That is, except for my 9th grade year of school. I had a GREAT teacher that year and I thrived in math. For the 1st time, I actually ENJOYED and did well in math. After a year of A's and B's, I moved into 10th grade excited and ready to learn more! Then it happened...I got a horrible teacher who did not want to help me and actually told me: "We'll cover it at the END of the year." Nice. The problem with math is that EVERYTHING ties in together! You miss ONE step and suddenly you are off track! That is what I believe happened to me. I am not dumb... I just got lost in translation, so to speak! So, to avoid this same thing happening to my kids, I am back tracking a bit with each of them. My oldest son(almost 15) will be taking math through the online charter school. The math course will "test" the student and assess their level. After that, the course will cater to their level and gradually become harder as they improve. I also plan to supplement this program with my own curriculum.
Math for my daughter will begin with some text books I found at the thrift store until I recieve the math program I have chosen to use for her. The program I want to use with her this year is called. "Math U See".
http://www.mathusee.com/homeschool.php
Again, this is a hands on program that uses manipulatives to teach math. I am back tracking a bit with her as well. Multiplication has been hard for her. Because of that, division is harder for her. She understands HOW to do it but because her math facts aren't as solid as they should be, she struggles with being able to do them quickly and with confidence. So, we will work on a variety of math this school year. I feel by backing up a bit, she will end up being a more confident math student. I also feel without the pressures of being in the traditional classroom, she will learn that math can be fun and might possibly ENJOY it this year! By the end of the year, she will be where she needs to be. :)
My son's history class will cover the Civil War the first semester. One of the books of required reading is "Uncle Tom's Cabin". I bought it the other day and look forward to seeing what he thinks of the book. Hopefully it will spark some interesting discussions around our home. I am hoping he will enjoy the book and that it won't be too "painful" getting him to read it. He is starting the book now since he needs to be prepared to discuss the book when his class starts in a few weeks. :)
This is an exciting(but sometimes scary!) journey. I love being in the drivers seat and being able to be more directly involved in their education. I like being able to cater more towards their interests. I am also looking forward to dusting the cob webs of my own mind and learning new stuff too! I think homeschool will not only be good for my children, but for their parents as well.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Why Homeschool?
A few months ago, I began discussing the option of homeschooling with my husband. We were a little more then frustrated with our oldest son's school and their lack of follow-through. We had contacted our 8th grade son's school counselor in the fall. We asked for a meeting and we asked if he had any suggestions of things we could do to help our son's grades improve. I wanted a meeting with his team(core) teachers. I wanted to "pick their brains" and come up with a plan to help our son learn to be more organized. I wanted to work as a team to help our child succeed. A few months passed by and I heard NOTHING from the school. Meanwhile, we were doing the best we could to help our son improve his grades. At one point, we required he have every teacher sign his assignment log. We thought things were improving until our son told us that some teachers were refusing to sign his book. That was the straw that broke the camel's back. Here we are, a few months later, getting ready to embark on a new journey... the homeschool journey. This school year, I will be homeschooling my oldest son(almost 15) and my daughter(12). Our youngest son(9), will remain in public school for this school year. If things go well, we will be homeschooling all 3kids by next fall.
Ever since we made the decision to homeschool, we have recieved a lot of questions. Most people want to know why I think homeschooling will be different from traditional school. They also want to know how I plan to do this. My answers:
Why? We are all individuals. Because we are individuals, we all learn differently. The public school system expects children to fit inside a box...a box they must create in order to teach so many children. I don't blame the teachers... most teachers I know have gone into teaching for the right reasons... they love to teach kids! My children have had some wonderful teachers during their public school years. In fact, most of their elementary teachers have been great. I am not pulling my children out because of the teachers, I am pulling them out because I don't feel the system works for them. Some children have no problem fitting inside "the box". Other kids need more... I feel my children are in that catagory. My oldest son used to love school. He was like a sponge waiting to soak up new information. Then, sometime after about 4th grade, things began to change. My goal this school year is to inspire him and get him excited about learning! He will be learning subjects that interest him in addition to core subjcts he needs to get a well rounded education.
How: I think part of the beauty of homeschooling is being able to cater to your child and his or her specific interests or learning style. We are choosing topics my children find interesting and we are using resources available to us. We've found an online charter school and we have joined a local homeschool group. My children will take some online classes and some classes through the local homeschool group. I have so much to learn and as a family, we will learn how to navigate the homeschool world together.
Ever since we made the decision to homeschool, we have recieved a lot of questions. Most people want to know why I think homeschooling will be different from traditional school. They also want to know how I plan to do this. My answers:
Why? We are all individuals. Because we are individuals, we all learn differently. The public school system expects children to fit inside a box...a box they must create in order to teach so many children. I don't blame the teachers... most teachers I know have gone into teaching for the right reasons... they love to teach kids! My children have had some wonderful teachers during their public school years. In fact, most of their elementary teachers have been great. I am not pulling my children out because of the teachers, I am pulling them out because I don't feel the system works for them. Some children have no problem fitting inside "the box". Other kids need more... I feel my children are in that catagory. My oldest son used to love school. He was like a sponge waiting to soak up new information. Then, sometime after about 4th grade, things began to change. My goal this school year is to inspire him and get him excited about learning! He will be learning subjects that interest him in addition to core subjcts he needs to get a well rounded education.
How: I think part of the beauty of homeschooling is being able to cater to your child and his or her specific interests or learning style. We are choosing topics my children find interesting and we are using resources available to us. We've found an online charter school and we have joined a local homeschool group. My children will take some online classes and some classes through the local homeschool group. I have so much to learn and as a family, we will learn how to navigate the homeschool world together.
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