So after all of these years homeschooling I am finally going to give my kids tasks to complete over the summer. In past years I have left summer open to free reading and imaginative play. But the kids are at a peak learning time and I don't think it would benefit them any if I were to give them a break. They are still going to get plenty of play time in but with a little extra effort. Not to mention all the natural things they inquire about on their own.
This is a list of what they'll be accomplishing this summer:
All three:
Read The World of Augustus Cesar aloud
Calligraphy writing
Monkey:
We will continue with Rocket Phonics, he's made huge leaps of progress and I don't want to slow him down.
Finish up Singapore Math 1B
Work some more in Daily Language Lessons for The Well Trained Mind (he responds really well to this)
Bug & Frodo:
Finish Caesar's English, Paragraph Town and Building Poems (This kinda took a back burner and we never got through it as quickly as I wanted)
The Life of Fred Beginning Algebra
Aristotle Leads the Way, book and study guide
For the older two kids I just wrote out a 10 week schedule for the summer that begins this week. I figured that would give them some extra wiggle room for other activities. Their list is not set up daily but rather weekly. This way they have to manage their time to get the assignments done by the end of the week. With Monkey we'll just keep with our natural daily routine.
They also all have free choice for the books they want to read. This is a really nice treat for them. I usually have them choose 3 classic books for every other type of book they read. There are some interesting choices popping up!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Back in the Saddle
So I'm finally getting back to writing now things are slowing down. We are finishing up our last unit of our Epic adventure. We should be going to a Mosque and LACMA in the next week to finish up our study of Islam. It has been a very, very busy year full of ups and downs.
We have all learned a lot about all these great religions that shape the world. We have learned about real friendships as well as the heartache of losing friends. The kids have formed even closer bond with each other.
Looking back on this past year and seeing where we began and where things have taken us has been truly remarkable. I think the easiest way to do this is note the changes in each child separately.
Frodo is now a teenager. His transformation this year has been amazing. Physically he has grown six inches, several shoe sizes and when I look into his face he no longer looks like a boy but a young man. Of course he is happy that he is now only 1/2 inch shorter than his sister and is truly feeling for the first time in his life that he is the older brother. He has become assertive, more compassionate and his many interests have a definitive path. He has shown responsibility, honesty and a readiness to move onto the next level of academics. He also has very strong opinions about where he draws the line. He has also crafted very solid friendships with children of many ages and several adults. He has also become very protective of his siblings in a way that I have never seen him exhibit before. But best of all every ounce of his personality now comes shining through him with a confidence that just a few years ago I didn't think was possible.
My Bug has had the bumpiest road this year. She just turned 12 and stands only a few inches below me. She is still in the middle of transforming from little girl to young lady. Unfortunately from this we have had the roller coaster of emotions, self esteem and personality. But she has come out of the bumpiest of storms more confident, stronger and having a better understanding of herself. She has made mistakes that cost her, but most importantly truly learned from those mistakes and moved on even though she felt like her heart had been ripped out. I am proud of having a girl who speaks vehemently for what is right. But she has also shown wonderful leadership skills, been a wonderful friend when it was needed most and gotten over her terrible shyness. She is exploring the world around her and soaking in every part of it.
Last is my monkey. At 6 1/2 he just started to read this week. He is excited beyond belief! He also can instantly memorize anything he has heard which never ceases to amaze me. He has grown so much and has such an amazing physical mastery of his body that it astounds me. He is like a tornado where ever we go. A ball of so much energy that most people don't know what to think of him. We have learned that he only likes a few friends and too many people overwhelm him. He is teaching me not to take things too seriously but to recognize when he needs boundaries. Interestingly even though he is so physical he prefers to have girls as friends because of the way they tend to play. Also he's just so sensitive underneath his seemingly tough exterior. My next stop with him is working on his anxieties. He is very nervous around new people, situations and being away from me. So I'm working on a few things to help him along.
Now that I'm writing again I feel like I have soo much to say and can't quite get it all out. So until next time. :)
We have all learned a lot about all these great religions that shape the world. We have learned about real friendships as well as the heartache of losing friends. The kids have formed even closer bond with each other.
Looking back on this past year and seeing where we began and where things have taken us has been truly remarkable. I think the easiest way to do this is note the changes in each child separately.
Frodo is now a teenager. His transformation this year has been amazing. Physically he has grown six inches, several shoe sizes and when I look into his face he no longer looks like a boy but a young man. Of course he is happy that he is now only 1/2 inch shorter than his sister and is truly feeling for the first time in his life that he is the older brother. He has become assertive, more compassionate and his many interests have a definitive path. He has shown responsibility, honesty and a readiness to move onto the next level of academics. He also has very strong opinions about where he draws the line. He has also crafted very solid friendships with children of many ages and several adults. He has also become very protective of his siblings in a way that I have never seen him exhibit before. But best of all every ounce of his personality now comes shining through him with a confidence that just a few years ago I didn't think was possible.
My Bug has had the bumpiest road this year. She just turned 12 and stands only a few inches below me. She is still in the middle of transforming from little girl to young lady. Unfortunately from this we have had the roller coaster of emotions, self esteem and personality. But she has come out of the bumpiest of storms more confident, stronger and having a better understanding of herself. She has made mistakes that cost her, but most importantly truly learned from those mistakes and moved on even though she felt like her heart had been ripped out. I am proud of having a girl who speaks vehemently for what is right. But she has also shown wonderful leadership skills, been a wonderful friend when it was needed most and gotten over her terrible shyness. She is exploring the world around her and soaking in every part of it.
Last is my monkey. At 6 1/2 he just started to read this week. He is excited beyond belief! He also can instantly memorize anything he has heard which never ceases to amaze me. He has grown so much and has such an amazing physical mastery of his body that it astounds me. He is like a tornado where ever we go. A ball of so much energy that most people don't know what to think of him. We have learned that he only likes a few friends and too many people overwhelm him. He is teaching me not to take things too seriously but to recognize when he needs boundaries. Interestingly even though he is so physical he prefers to have girls as friends because of the way they tend to play. Also he's just so sensitive underneath his seemingly tough exterior. My next stop with him is working on his anxieties. He is very nervous around new people, situations and being away from me. So I'm working on a few things to help him along.
Now that I'm writing again I feel like I have soo much to say and can't quite get it all out. So until next time. :)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Just Missing It
Yesterday was such a lovely day for schooling. Even though there were other things going on we got so much done by deciding not to leave the house. Frodo took a math test for me and Bug did a lesson. Monkey finished his handwriting and math book. Then he used his new math supplies freely. Frodo wrote an essay response to some questions about the Taj Mahal. While Bug finally got caught up with her lessons and went to see Madagascar 2 with her friend. Then we just read until dinner time. I really miss the freedom of not having anywhere to be or anything to do and just reading. Even Monkey sat with us in the quiet living room flipping through his books.
Of course the reason our day was forced to be so restful was because I wasn't feeling great. But there is always something to slow your life down just when you need it.
Today we went on a field trip to the planetarium. It was really great. The professor gave the kids so much more information than I could have hoped. He was also so engaging, the kids (and adults) really loved him. I will admit I had to close my eyes during the rollercoaster effect, I guess I'm just not that young anymore!
After the planetarium we headed to a Borders nearby because Michael Phelps was there doing a book signing. Sadly by the time we got there the line was so long that the workers told us they doubted we would get in. We had several very hungry children between us all and ended up deciding it wasn't worth chancing it. The really sad thing was that the kids couldn't even get a glimpse of him because the store kinda barricaded the area where he was signing books so no one could see him. Oh well, maybe next time.
Of course the reason our day was forced to be so restful was because I wasn't feeling great. But there is always something to slow your life down just when you need it.
Today we went on a field trip to the planetarium. It was really great. The professor gave the kids so much more information than I could have hoped. He was also so engaging, the kids (and adults) really loved him. I will admit I had to close my eyes during the rollercoaster effect, I guess I'm just not that young anymore!
After the planetarium we headed to a Borders nearby because Michael Phelps was there doing a book signing. Sadly by the time we got there the line was so long that the workers told us they doubted we would get in. We had several very hungry children between us all and ended up deciding it wasn't worth chancing it. The really sad thing was that the kids couldn't even get a glimpse of him because the store kinda barricaded the area where he was signing books so no one could see him. Oh well, maybe next time.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Petty Party
I will start with the good then do a bit of a rant on a situation that is really bothering right now. First I cut all my hair and donated 12 inches! I love my hair shorter, its so much easier for me!
The older two kids had Shakespeare yesterday which is always wonderful. They also got their parts. Bug is Katherine in Love's Labour Lost and Frodo will be Launcelot in The Merchant of Venice. Frodo is soo excited, he's very good friend will be Gobo and the two of them will be quite the comedy duo. Even the teacher yesterday said, "Well I guess I asked for this". They kids also did math and played at a friends house for the afternoon. Our friend has an acre of land ( a rarity in Southern Cali.) so all the kids always have a blast!
I am so mad about what is going on in our homeschool group right now. It was such a wonderful group in the beginning but now one of the leaders has become very narcissistic. She has contradicted herself on many occasions, started picking off those who show her any kind of opposition, and done things that are just plain unethical. The final straw for me today was kicking someone out of the group for nothing other than her own personal agenda and then without talking to the other group leader removing her as a leader and saying that she can do what ever she wants, its her group. This just leaves a really bad taste in my mouth and makes me feel unsafe in such a terrible environment.
So then this poses the question "Do I really need a group?" I have a good network of close friends that we see regularly. Some of them are talking about setting up an informal group of their own. But really, there must be something in the water around here that leaves people with the need for world domination. This is the third HS group I have been in that something like this has happened. I have some decisions to make, but I am tired of standing back and letting the pieces fall where they will, people with control issues need to stop trying to control the masses. SO do I need a group, no not really. I guess the only thing holding me back is the comfort of having a "group" but I just don't really think its necessary anymore.
Thanks for listening to my little rant. :)
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Huge Thanks!
We just got our graphic in! This is the poster that we will have up in our school room. I owe a gigantic thank you to my dear friend Kozispoon for making this for us. Thank you Kozi!!! We love it!!!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Is This Better?
Since a friend privately told me what a god awful picture I posted of myself, here is a better one. It's not the best but it was after all at the end of a very long day. But this is for my self esteem of course!
The sale today was wonderful. The kids sold out of everything they made, they were ecstatic! In the afternoon we went to our history group meeting. It is a Story of The World Group and we are about to finish book one. Bug was able to compare what Jesus was teaching to the teachings of Gandhi to the group. I was so pleased that she got the message of peace. The kids played driedel at the end of their discussion. This evening we decorated our Christmas Tree. We are certainly feeling very festive!
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