Homeschool Evaluations are Done…..

The kids did well, The Artist did lots of talking as did the Peanut who wasn’t being evaluated. The teacher is great, we have seen the same one every year since The Ark was 6, he is now 12. She made some really great suggestions that we will incorporate:

• Challenge The Ark, he is a bit lazy and will do only what he has to.
• Stop pointing out that Ace is behind in math, it is not positive and probably stresses him out.
• Keep reading to all of the kids, as they will really benefit from it.
• Just keep working at it, homeschooling is difficult, and a process.
• Encourage the Artist to read to herself  daily
• Have the boys read for at least 20-30 minutes daily…..now to find a way to enforce that better.
• Have them write out goals for both long and short term, as they achieve one, cross it off and add a new one. We will start with 25 this fall, to be added to, working our way to 100.
  
• Stop worrying about where we are in the scheme of things and just work…..

A couple of things I mentioned was that I had a light bulb moment when I realized that my sons couldn’t write good paragraphs because they didn’t know how to write good sentences. So we will work on writing good sentences this fall and then good paragraphs next spring.

I have also come to realize that year round school is very difficult for us during the 6-7 weeks the boys are one swim team and in swim lessons. We get home after 11, hungry and tired, then their friends want to play and so do my sons. So our new schedule will be to go with short breaks until Swim Team starts , take off that time and then start back earlier than mid august, Swim Team is officially over Aug. 09 but we are still needing a break so, our new school year will begin on August 16. Giving the kids a break of 19 days to get themselves together for another school year.

As I type this the Artists is trying to read Harold and the Purple Crayon. There is nothing better than seeing the teacher and listening to her suggestions to motivate my kids. So for the next few days I will be cleaning, organizing and tweaking our homeschool schedule as well as tweaking our planning.

Getting ready for the evals.

We see the teacher in 2 weeks. We are almost ready, because i set up their binders at the beginning of the year and we just have to add to it all year, we tend to be fairly ready by this time of the year. The only thing missing? I haven’t scrapbooked their school photos for 2 years!!!! I was going to do a digital album but since I”m just learning how it takes me more time than to do it the old fashioned way. I also found about 20 photos that I had printed up and decided that I shouldn’t waste them. I uploaded photos to Walgreens last night to finish out most of the last two years or at least made a dent in them. I will be working on that for a few days, taking a break from school planning. So today will find me running to Michaels for glue dots and possibly a new scrapbook album. The sad thing? I decided to just work on the boys for the moment and if I have time I will start on the Artist’s album. I have a ton of photos that I have printed out of her and have to organize them and then upload the extra ones I want printed to add to her book. I hope that my kids appreciate this one day, preferably while I’m alive.

Two weeks until school starts.

We will be starting our new school year on August 17th. I’m going ot be spending the next two weeks planning and scheduling. I have The Ark’s reference book done but need to do the others, yet. Still trying to decide if I will make their student planners or if I will just go the easy route and buy them. Will be back with the finalized plans in a few days.

Planning

In spite of the fact that I’m supposed to be taking time off form doing schoolwork with the kids, I’ve been working bit by bit on planning for next year. My head keeps hearing ” fail to plan, plan to fail”. I truly want this year to be a wonderful year for us, even with all the chaos that is our lives right now.

So I’ve started gathering my forms for planning our year. my favorite resource is of course,  Donna Young . From her cd and at times website, I’ve printed off a school calendar, attendance forms, a course of study, a quarter planner and subject pages. Oh yes, I forgot, I printed off monthly calenders for the kids, we write short notes on them for an idea of what we did daily.

I also started printing off things for their history course, I did decide to only do half of MOH this year, thereby easing my workload, guilt and letting us really delve into the ancients. There is so much fun stuff to learn for that time period.

So once I get this moving I will post some photos of it for you to see.

The boys meeting with the Teacher.

So today we met with our favorite teacher to go over our school year with the boys. We have always used her and love her so much, she can’t quit until my kids are grown!!!! I’m not sure I’ve told her that yet though

As always she was impressed with how much we did this year. In spite of all the personal chaos going on in our lives for the last 10 months. My personal opinion of our year is both positive and negative. We truly did do a great deal of work, the boys were exposed to a great deal and a few things did stay with them. On the negative side of things, we were very stressed out, didn’t really enjoy our days, forgot much of what we covered and we didn’t have as much to show for everything we did do. After awhile the boys didn’t want to write or color or document anything of what we read for school. We took field trips but didn’t document them at all.

The teacher~ Diane, suggested we go back to writing one or two words on our daily calendar, we talked about how I’m concerned about the boys decoding abilities and she suggested using sequential spelling so we will be switching to this and see if that helps us. A plus is that both boys can do it at the same time. Another suggestion she had was only focusing on a few things this year until we get to some sort of mastery. Giving us a much needed reprieve from trying to do it all and then suffering from major guilt because we didn’t get it all accomplished. So I have some major thinking to do. We are taking off for the month of July to regroup. I’m hoping to take a trip to visit friends in Va and NC in early Aug. providing we have the funds, giving us a much needed break from the stress here. She also suggested covering something only once a month! I’m thinking that poetry might be that once a month thing.  We are supposed to go back to the Ancients in history using MOH this fall but I’m seriously thinking of covering it over a two year period and really taking the time to delve deeper into it. Plus we have so many great fiction books that go with this time period that it would be a shame not to be able to read them.

She told me in front of the boys that the only thing she really requires on a daily basis is reading!!! Yea!!! Diane!!! So with that in mind, the boys won’t be allowed to not read daily and I can use her as my reason. I know evil mom, but we do what we must. Another suggestion was to go back to requiring the boys to write a bit more. She wants the Ark to write at least 1 paragraph with a topic sentence 3 supporting sentences and a closing sentence. At whatever frequency I decide, while Ace is to start learning that process this upcoming year.

So, my tentative plan is focusing on reading, writing, spelling, math on a daily basis, with a much reduced history and science. One thing I’m not sure I’m ready to let go is the boys Latin studies, I really want them to learn it, so that might be on our daily list. Another item I want is daily drawing, I think the boys like to draw and I want to encourage them in it. My only problem is that they don’t want to have any instruction, just draw. I would like to see their drawing improve.ONe thing I did this year was i had a self evaluation and had the boys look at it, the Ark filled his out and it was interesting to see what he felt he did. I think we will do one at the end of each semester to help evaluate us and hopefully keep us on track. Another thing Diane suggested was to make sure I write down our goals so I don’t forget them and freak out mid year. Which I definitely plan to do.

She loved our lapbooks but suggested that we only do a few minibooks and that the boys be able to pick out the minibooks that they want to do, so that they each are invested in what they are learning and giving them each a different look to their work but still learning about the same subject.

So that is the end of the year evaluation. We have some educational videos that we borrowed, I want the boys to watch and then notebook what they feel is important. So in August when we start again I will have a 6th grader, 3rd grader, 1st. grader and a preschooler.  I need to make up certificates for them.

Check back for the schedule….

Box day 1

Yesterday, our box from Rainbow Resource Center came and the kids were excited. The Ark immediately had to look at the prepared slides in the microscope, Ace went for Zoo 1 by Jeannie Fulbright and was able to read some of it on his own. He is excited to do Zoology, but he must finish Astronomy first. I love what I’ve seen in the Mystery of History. I will be looking through everything in more detail after my finals on May 07. Our Sonlight box is due to arrive tomorrow sometime. We probably won’t get the books from amazon until next week or even the week after, I spent way less there and they are taking the longest to get it out. *sigh*.

In the meantime we are working on our schoolwork and putting things into our portfolios to show our favorite evaluator this summer. I still need to order the math curriculum but I am waiting for the boys furniture and then will transfer the money for both all at once.

Oh my goodness

We are part way through our school year and working steadily if a bit behind still. This week we spent time working on the Louisiana Purchase, Harriet Tubman, French Revolution as well as Simon Bolivar and the revolution of South America. I think before we move on we will do a few projects on the above subjects. Probably coloring pages, lapbooking, some mapwork etc. I did get movies from the library on many of the subjects even a cartoon of Harriet Tubman.
The boys watched the inauguration, even though I dislike Obama, I’m glad that we have finally elected a black president. Although I’m not naive enough to believe that racism is dead in our society. They will do some lapbooking on that as well. Noah even wrote a paragraph for me of things he saw on tv.

Since tax time is close, I need to research our curriculum for next year. I feel like Ace and the Princess need more hands on with their math, so we will be switching to MUS until they are older. The Ark will also be taking a year off from Saxon to do MUS until he really understands the concepts of fractions. We are only going to be using the readers and the read alouds from Sonlight next year. For science we will study Zoology 1. History is going to be a bit rough, as The Ark has already done SOW 1 and we are back to ancient history. So he will be using Mystery of History and the others will be using SOW1. We have lots of great books to supplement, so that will be fun. We love our history. Ace will be staying on with First Lang. Lessons, but for 3rd grade and the Princess will be starting with FLL gr. 1. The Ark is probably going to be using Shurley Grammar but I’m not sure what grade as of yet, it only goes to 7th grade and he is weak there so I might use 5th grade next year to give him an extra year with it. We will still be using Artistic Pursuits for art as well as adding in Harmony Fine Arts. I’m looking into Bagpipe lessons for the Ark. hmmm gotta find those numbers again. if we can afford them he will take them, he really wants to learn how to play. I’m kind of looking forward to a bit of a change with our schooling, it has been a bit dry lately. I think we need a few more projects or hands on thing to liven us up.

Ace received his bible today, in our lutheran church when the children hit 2nd grade they receive a bible in front of the congregation. Yesterday he went to a brief fun day and learned more about the bible he would be getting and spent time with the other 2nd graders. The Ark has played 4 basketball games and his team has won 3 lost 1. So we are quite proud of all of them and the coach for all their hardwork.

Well that is all for now. I will keep you posted on any events.

The Portfolio's

I have been busy working on the boys portfolio’s this past week, as well as their scrapbooks. I have one more page to scrapbook for Adrien and I need to start on Noah’s scrapbook. I will probably start on that shortly. But first I thought I would share how I do their portfolio’s.

First~ I get a binder and add page protectors in it.

Second~ I print out subject dividers from Donna Young and put them in the binder. I then print out the reference book that I make for each child, as well as calendars of the months and the whole school year with the holiday’s marked off.

Third~ I add a copy of the list of textbooks and curriculum outline that I send into the Board of Education. I also put in the letter from the Board of Ed. excusing us from public education. This way if anyone shows up at my door I can find it easily.

Fourth~ I then add tests, copywork, history pages, science experiments, stories that they wrote, awards, plays that they went to, nature hikes usually have a pamphlet so they go into a protector.

Fifth~ when we get ready to see the teacher I take their scrapbook, binder and any workbooks that they have worked in during the year. Since i do this all year long it only takes a few hours to put together. Except for the scrapbooking~ that take me quite a few hours but I love to scrapbook and it is a gift from me to my children. Something that I do for them from my heart. I know that they already appreciate my efforts. You should see them look at their books all the time. I’ve been asked many times why don’t I let the kids do them ? My reply is always the same~ they may do a scrapbook of their own if they chose with other photos but the school pictures are for me to do for them. Think of it as something you would put into a hope chest or something special like a quilt or afghan you might make for your child. So now i”m off to do what I love~ Scrapbook for my children.

Starting the Portfolio's

Since we are moving in a few weeks I’m trying to get things into the boys portfolio so that in May i’m not a crazy woman trying to find their work for the teacher. We may be behind in our school as far as book work but I’m amazed at all we have done since last June. Here is a brief synopsis.

1. June 2007~ Noah went to camp, boys took swimming lessons, went to see a play about Rachel Carson. Went to the zoo and saw the Dinosaur exhibit with friends, as well as the animal show there.
   
2. July ~ 4th of July parade, and fireworks, more swim lessons, cook outs at the park almost every week, hike the O & E Canal lock 39. Saw the “Stinky Plant” at the Rain Forest.
   
3. August~Swim lessons, Upwards Soccer Camp, Bug Fest, finish the summer reading club for church, painting Grandma’s upstairs hallway. Did some botany experiments and graphing.
4. Sept. ~ Took a few nature walks, started back to sunday school. Did our yearly visit to squire’s castle.
   
5. October ~ more hikes, Boo at the Zoo, celebrating the 5 October birthdays.
   
6. November~ getting ready for the holidays, helping out at church with dad, spending time with Grandma E. Celebrated Dad’s birthday.
7. December~ Noah, playing basketball. Singing in the Children’s Choir for Christmas Eve, started house hunting, visiting with the Godparents, celebrating my birthday. Putting up trees in our church sanctuary.
8. January ~ Welcoming in the New Year, a trip to the zoo on a crazy warm day 1/8/08, bought a house,
9. February~ Celebrated V-Day, picked out colors for rooms in our new house. Went to the Car Show. Saw Tetelestai at our church.
   
10. March~ will see us celebrating Noah’s first communion and moving into our new home. As well as Easter.
    
11. April~ hopefully will see us planning a garden for May. Hoping to get to the Art Museum.
    
12. May~ getting ready for Noah to go to camp, seeing the teacher, signing up for swim team and lessons for Adrien and Camryn. Mom is taking the summer off from college.
    

This was just a quick look at our year and what the next few months will look like. I have to get Adrien a scrapbook and start scrapping their photos for the teacher. I think I will order him a book asap and then work on it a bit during spring break in between packing. If I get the time, with these classes I’m taking.

So what are you doing to get ready for the end of the year?

Getting ready

Today I spent time putting the subject divider pages into page protectors for the boys. I had to alter one for a page for awards that the boys get. Like the summer reading club at church, I also put their swim lessons papers in there. Then I put about 6 page protectors behind each subject divider so that as we do work it goes into the page protectors and then I don’t have to panic in May when it is evaluation time. Oh yes, I almost forgot I had to make a divider for Latin. I also went over the latin lessons to figure out the scheduling today. I marked the pages in the books by days, day 1, day 2, etc. Then I wrote out the weekly schedule on a 4×6 index card and will laminate it and put it into his binder so that way he doesn’t get confused about what to do. I need to do that for his math since we are switching to Saxon 65 this year. These two subjects are on dvd. I will be at college when he does them. I will have two weeks before I start to make sure he understands the process of everything. If he runs into a problem he will have to do the work for homework when I get home that day.

So how is everyone’s planning going? Are you excited about the year yet? I’m getting there in spite of the fact i know how hard it will be.