The end of the school year, that is. :D
K&J finished their final tests in level 6 math on Tuesday. K breezed right through it but J seemed to struggle a bit. I walked him through a few problems to help refresh his memory, but it didn't seem to click. After the test he said he wants to do level 6 again in the fall for extra practice. As he says it, "I'm just not ready for 7th grade math, mom. I think I should work on this some more."
He looked so cute while he was expressing his thoughts on the subject of 6th vs. 7th grade math. When they start up again in September, we'll warm up with the basics and do some more review work from the end of the 6th grade book. Then we'll see where we need to go.
J also finished his grade 4 Vocab book and now only has English and Science to finish up this summer. K has English and Science to finish as well. K is a bit behind in Science so she'll need to double up on work to get caught up. Which doesn't seem to be a problem at all since she likes the SOS Science and usually works ahead anyway.
And that's that. As long as they keep working everyday we'll be ready for summer break by the first of August. That will give me time to collect next years workbooks and purchase the SOS discs I'll need for K, since she wants everything computerized, and a couple discs for J, since he really doesn't care either way.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
SOS
As the kids are working on their science lessons, I'm finding more and more errors. Like pigeons are extinct?
While we all like the computerized lessons, I'm wondering if there might be something better out there?
Summer is a good time for internet research. When I have internet, that is. :D
While we all like the computerized lessons, I'm wondering if there might be something better out there?
Summer is a good time for internet research. When I have internet, that is. :D
Saturday, June 14, 2008
short break
Our break has officially begun. The plan is to leave sometime Sunday to head north for the ProLife Festival. So the kids are off school during that time. Except to catch up on the science they haven't gotten done yet. Even with computerized work, we still get behind! Life happens.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Week in review
This week has been a whirlwind of activity! I can't believe it's Friday already :D
Monday was a field trip (see previous post)
Tuesday was a work day. The kids helped clean up the yard and do some cleaning and detailing on the trailers to get ready for June's road trip.
Wednesday was J's last ballgame. It was hard to get him to settle into his schoolwork he was so wound up for gametime. We managed to get most everything done. Just as we were getting ready to work on science my computer decided it didn't feel like working and changed it's settings back to factory. Effectively ending our schoolday, since I couldn't find any of my files! I had an extremely awful moment there....I actually came to tears for a bit, I was so frustrated. But then a deep breath and I grabbed a book to read and just waited for Chad to get home and fix everything for me like he always does. :D
Thursday was K's day to flake out on me. She just had no desire to do anything. So instead of fighting it out we went swimming. After some fun and relaxation we went back to the RV, had some lunch, and then got our work done. Computer was nice and tidy so we did some SOS. Unfortunately, we're a day behind and I can't figure out how to change the due dates. So, we're just going to pick up the slack over the weekend. (Yes - the kids actually agreed to it!)
Thursday night we volunteered at the ball field. They needed help with the coach-pitch tournament. Chad did the field maintenance and I did scorekeeping (in the book) and K&J did the electronic scoreboard, until they got bored and Chad had to take over. We signed up for one game, but no one showed for the 2nd game so we stayed and helped out. I think we're going to sign up for some more over the weekend.
Friday (today) I didn't even try to get them started on school work right away. Instead I asked if they wanted to go for a swim. I've never seen them move so quickly! We relaxed for a bit, swam 2 laps, and relaxed for a bit. When we got home we had lunch and got to work. K&J both did 2 quizzes and a project in Science. They're getting used to the SOS program, which is nice. J said he'd like all his work on the computer now. Good thing I have the summer to save up for those discs! :D
We're also working on a couple things in Geography: learning the States (and capitals, postal codes, major landforms, etc) and about Biomes. We've finished the general study of Deserts. Next week we'll study the American deserts.
We're sailing right along in math. Should be finishing up about the first week of June. I'm not sure if I'll have them start grade 7 math just yet. We might take a little break.
We're pushing our way through Ancient History. A lot of the timelines overlap, which can get confusing. Right now I'm hitting the major sections. It's difficult to decide sometimes what they should know and what can be skipped or just mentioned. A lot of the ancients will be covered again later when they are in HS, so we don't have to do a lot of detailed work right now. I hope to get us up to 400AD by the end of summer, since that will put us on track for the Middle Ages next school year.
English and Vocabulary are going well. They are both almost finished with vocab. English will take us a little longer - most of the summer in fact.
I could wish they'd put a little more effort into their spelling words. I'm going to try some new ideas next week and see what happens.
All in all, it's been a good week. Only a couple hiccups. :D And they never last long!
Monday was a field trip (see previous post)
Tuesday was a work day. The kids helped clean up the yard and do some cleaning and detailing on the trailers to get ready for June's road trip.
Wednesday was J's last ballgame. It was hard to get him to settle into his schoolwork he was so wound up for gametime. We managed to get most everything done. Just as we were getting ready to work on science my computer decided it didn't feel like working and changed it's settings back to factory. Effectively ending our schoolday, since I couldn't find any of my files! I had an extremely awful moment there....I actually came to tears for a bit, I was so frustrated. But then a deep breath and I grabbed a book to read and just waited for Chad to get home and fix everything for me like he always does. :D
Thursday was K's day to flake out on me. She just had no desire to do anything. So instead of fighting it out we went swimming. After some fun and relaxation we went back to the RV, had some lunch, and then got our work done. Computer was nice and tidy so we did some SOS. Unfortunately, we're a day behind and I can't figure out how to change the due dates. So, we're just going to pick up the slack over the weekend. (Yes - the kids actually agreed to it!)
Thursday night we volunteered at the ball field. They needed help with the coach-pitch tournament. Chad did the field maintenance and I did scorekeeping (in the book) and K&J did the electronic scoreboard, until they got bored and Chad had to take over. We signed up for one game, but no one showed for the 2nd game so we stayed and helped out. I think we're going to sign up for some more over the weekend.
Friday (today) I didn't even try to get them started on school work right away. Instead I asked if they wanted to go for a swim. I've never seen them move so quickly! We relaxed for a bit, swam 2 laps, and relaxed for a bit. When we got home we had lunch and got to work. K&J both did 2 quizzes and a project in Science. They're getting used to the SOS program, which is nice. J said he'd like all his work on the computer now. Good thing I have the summer to save up for those discs! :D
We're also working on a couple things in Geography: learning the States (and capitals, postal codes, major landforms, etc) and about Biomes. We've finished the general study of Deserts. Next week we'll study the American deserts.
We're sailing right along in math. Should be finishing up about the first week of June. I'm not sure if I'll have them start grade 7 math just yet. We might take a little break.
We're pushing our way through Ancient History. A lot of the timelines overlap, which can get confusing. Right now I'm hitting the major sections. It's difficult to decide sometimes what they should know and what can be skipped or just mentioned. A lot of the ancients will be covered again later when they are in HS, so we don't have to do a lot of detailed work right now. I hope to get us up to 400AD by the end of summer, since that will put us on track for the Middle Ages next school year.
English and Vocabulary are going well. They are both almost finished with vocab. English will take us a little longer - most of the summer in fact.
I could wish they'd put a little more effort into their spelling words. I'm going to try some new ideas next week and see what happens.
All in all, it's been a good week. Only a couple hiccups. :D And they never last long!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Field Trip!
Alas, no photography allowed :(
Today we went to the Orlando Museum of Art. J's been wanting to go for some time and we finally got around to it.
Boy was it disappointing. They've got nothing on Chicago!
J was so mad. He didn't want to see art he could make himself! (his words) He wanted to see the old stuff! (as in really old, where the artist is dead, OLD) I kind of had to chuckle. I did explain that some of the works here were by artists that had passed away some time ago. But he wasn't interested in landscapes, and he said the portraits were creepy. Their eyes follow you around! So what does he think OLD art is, I wonder? :P
We did get to see an exhibit of Norman Rockwell. I loved every bit of it! I really enjoyed seeing his orginal full-sized works and then the covers of the magazines as they chose what to publish. Fascinating stuff, and a little saddening when you realize how much power the media has when it comes to what we actually get to see.
We also ran across an early "coffee mug" made by the Anasazi of Colorado. Made between 900 and 1000 AD, they were in really great shape. I love the black/white designs.
After the art museum we popped into the science museum just across the street. They were changing out exhibits so there wasn't anything new to check out. We popped into the hurricane simulator and then went over and uncovered some fossils from the dinosaurs. We were having fun until one of the docents came over and began a lecture on how the earth is 65 million years old and the dinosaurs blah, blah, blah, blah...
We listened politely for about half an hour. He did have some really fascinating stories to tell about Dinosaur Sue and Dinosaur Stan. But when he drifted off into the extinction by meteor thing and started in on the whole 65 million thing again I just couldn't take it anymore. At some point I mentioned that we didn't believe that and that was that. You could tell he really wanted to try to convince us that science was right and the Bible was wrong. But we just smiled and changed the subject and asked some questions to keep the topic elsewhere. Eventually it was time to go and we headed out to grab some lunch.
On the way out Chad asked the kids how old the earth is. J looks up and shakes his head, "well it isn't 65 million years that's for sure". Enough said.
Next week: Museum of Salvador Dali! ooohhh! I hope they allow photos!
Today we went to the Orlando Museum of Art. J's been wanting to go for some time and we finally got around to it.
Boy was it disappointing. They've got nothing on Chicago!
J was so mad. He didn't want to see art he could make himself! (his words) He wanted to see the old stuff! (as in really old, where the artist is dead, OLD) I kind of had to chuckle. I did explain that some of the works here were by artists that had passed away some time ago. But he wasn't interested in landscapes, and he said the portraits were creepy. Their eyes follow you around! So what does he think OLD art is, I wonder? :P
We did get to see an exhibit of Norman Rockwell. I loved every bit of it! I really enjoyed seeing his orginal full-sized works and then the covers of the magazines as they chose what to publish. Fascinating stuff, and a little saddening when you realize how much power the media has when it comes to what we actually get to see.
We also ran across an early "coffee mug" made by the Anasazi of Colorado. Made between 900 and 1000 AD, they were in really great shape. I love the black/white designs.
After the art museum we popped into the science museum just across the street. They were changing out exhibits so there wasn't anything new to check out. We popped into the hurricane simulator and then went over and uncovered some fossils from the dinosaurs. We were having fun until one of the docents came over and began a lecture on how the earth is 65 million years old and the dinosaurs blah, blah, blah, blah...
We listened politely for about half an hour. He did have some really fascinating stories to tell about Dinosaur Sue and Dinosaur Stan. But when he drifted off into the extinction by meteor thing and started in on the whole 65 million thing again I just couldn't take it anymore. At some point I mentioned that we didn't believe that and that was that. You could tell he really wanted to try to convince us that science was right and the Bible was wrong. But we just smiled and changed the subject and asked some questions to keep the topic elsewhere. Eventually it was time to go and we headed out to grab some lunch.
On the way out Chad asked the kids how old the earth is. J looks up and shakes his head, "well it isn't 65 million years that's for sure". Enough said.
Next week: Museum of Salvador Dali! ooohhh! I hope they allow photos!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Making Progress!
It is always a wonderful feeling when you know you are accomplishing something. I am almost giddy at the thought. We've been working so hard this year, I thought we'd never get everything done, but last night I came to realize that we've surpassed my expectations!
K has almost completed all of her 6th grade level work! It's only April! And J has finished all but his English in 4th grade level work!
When did this happen?
I'm so excited to see how much they've accomplished. And they are excited to realize that their hard work is paying off. K is looking forward to an early summer vacation and J can't believe he's actually skipping a grade! (All the other kids his age will be starting 4th grade in the fall, but he's almost finished!)
Admittedly, there are a few areas I feel we are lacking. And I will concentrate on those as we finish up the school year.
I have a difficult time teaching Sciences so I will be looking for some new ideas and options to help on that front. The kids aren't as excited about History as Mom, so I need to spark some interest there. And who really likes studying Government? We'll give that a go this next month, covering some of the basics and looking into the political news for the presidential race, and checking out the whole process. I'm not excited about that, but I think I can put a good face on it! :D
I'd also like to spend some more time in the classics. It's so difficult in today's plugged-in world to get them wrapped up in a good book. And finding really good childrens' literature is difficult at best. I really struggle to find reading materials that pull them in and get them excited about reading everyday.
J has opted for a new fiction series based on the Bioncle series. K has taken an interest in non-fiction books about animals, insects, and snakes. She is one interesting girl. J has no interest in slimey things. But at least he doesn't mind the dirt now! :D
I'm finding a new interest in clean-living. I've been reading clean eating books and reading articles about vegan lifestyles. I'm becomming more "earth conscious", I guess, because I find myself thinking in a whole new way: eating foods closer to the earth; using my feet or bicycle to get around rather than the car; using cloth bags to transport books/groceries rather than paper or plastic. And I find myself constantly thinking about how I can reuse an item I may have previously thrown away without another thought! It is a truely eye-opening experience!
So we are all learning new and exciting things this month. I hope the cycle continues! There are so many wonderful things out there waiting to be discovered!
I'm ready for the journey :D
K has almost completed all of her 6th grade level work! It's only April! And J has finished all but his English in 4th grade level work!
When did this happen?
I'm so excited to see how much they've accomplished. And they are excited to realize that their hard work is paying off. K is looking forward to an early summer vacation and J can't believe he's actually skipping a grade! (All the other kids his age will be starting 4th grade in the fall, but he's almost finished!)
Admittedly, there are a few areas I feel we are lacking. And I will concentrate on those as we finish up the school year.
I have a difficult time teaching Sciences so I will be looking for some new ideas and options to help on that front. The kids aren't as excited about History as Mom, so I need to spark some interest there. And who really likes studying Government? We'll give that a go this next month, covering some of the basics and looking into the political news for the presidential race, and checking out the whole process. I'm not excited about that, but I think I can put a good face on it! :D
I'd also like to spend some more time in the classics. It's so difficult in today's plugged-in world to get them wrapped up in a good book. And finding really good childrens' literature is difficult at best. I really struggle to find reading materials that pull them in and get them excited about reading everyday.
J has opted for a new fiction series based on the Bioncle series. K has taken an interest in non-fiction books about animals, insects, and snakes. She is one interesting girl. J has no interest in slimey things. But at least he doesn't mind the dirt now! :D
I'm finding a new interest in clean-living. I've been reading clean eating books and reading articles about vegan lifestyles. I'm becomming more "earth conscious", I guess, because I find myself thinking in a whole new way: eating foods closer to the earth; using my feet or bicycle to get around rather than the car; using cloth bags to transport books/groceries rather than paper or plastic. And I find myself constantly thinking about how I can reuse an item I may have previously thrown away without another thought! It is a truely eye-opening experience!
So we are all learning new and exciting things this month. I hope the cycle continues! There are so many wonderful things out there waiting to be discovered!
I'm ready for the journey :D
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Early Vacation
It wasn't supposed to be now. But that's how it worked out.
Last week we were on our own as Dad had to fly to Michigan to be with family. At the last minute there was no way we could all go. So while he was gone all week we just chilled out and relaxed.
This week we're still in no-school mode. Dad's new work schedule doesn't make this easy.
K asked me tonight to give her some spelling words tomorrow. She wants some super hard, long words! I wonder why? :D
J has no interest in learning anything. He just wants to play video games and baseball.
So I think I'll get school going again at the end of the week when Dad goes to work. We'll start with some reading time and maybe some crafts. I really want to do a study of Egypt. We'll see what happens. No pressure. :D
Last week we were on our own as Dad had to fly to Michigan to be with family. At the last minute there was no way we could all go. So while he was gone all week we just chilled out and relaxed.
This week we're still in no-school mode. Dad's new work schedule doesn't make this easy.
K asked me tonight to give her some spelling words tomorrow. She wants some super hard, long words! I wonder why? :D
J has no interest in learning anything. He just wants to play video games and baseball.
So I think I'll get school going again at the end of the week when Dad goes to work. We'll start with some reading time and maybe some crafts. I really want to do a study of Egypt. We'll see what happens. No pressure. :D
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