Isn't it amazing how when you are at your most frustrated a spark goes off and something just makes sense? With everything out there I just couldn't deal with making a decision as to HOW I was going to educate my kid! At first I really wanted to go all computer with http://www.time4learning.com/ but something deep inside told me that the excitement my kids showed just wasn't going to last. So I floundered and flopped and stressed and darn near cried. But I kept reading... and reading... and reading... and considering alcoholism, and reading.... finally it donned on me to read about the different TYPES of homeschooling techniques. DUH. Yeah I am slow, see why I am worried for my kid? Then as soon as I hit a link and opened a definition it hit me along side the head.
Unit or Theme studies! Hello?!?!?!?
It is perfect! I get to chose topics that my kids care about while doing some sneaky teaching about stuff they don't care about as much... math is more fun if it is about dinosaurs right?
I am so excited now! Sure took some of the tension off my back. I will post what we do when we do it and any good links that we use along the way!
Next step is getting this place organized! I am sure I want things taken care of before I start this huge project called education! Any hints or tips? Flylady is my best friend :)
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Uggg
I am so overwhelmed! Holy Crap! How on earth does a Mom wade through all the thousands of curriculiums? And what if she wants to pick and chose from more than one? Sort of patch quilt her childs education so it will be the best possible? Why the hell is it that there is no "wrong" way to do this? I want to know if I am screwing my kid for life! Oh, and what about the whole... "no curriculum" thing?
I am way over my head and he is only in the second grade!
Tuesday I am going to the Homeschool day at the park. Maybe we can make some friends that can help me wade through this mess.
I had nighmares about computers and big boxes trying to eat my kid.
I am way over my head and he is only in the second grade!
Tuesday I am going to the Homeschool day at the park. Maybe we can make some friends that can help me wade through this mess.
I had nighmares about computers and big boxes trying to eat my kid.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Saturday Class
Dev finished his math all yesterday so this weekend we are concentrating on spelling. He uses a wonderful site called http://www.spellingcity.com/ . If you are not familiar with it, it is a free site that you can enter your spelling list then it has a "teach me" where the computer says the word, spells the word aloud, and I believe uses it in a sentenance. Then you move on to games where it generates games like word search, hangman, crossword, unscramble, ect. When all is said and done there is a "test me" where the computer says the word and kids spell. We will do our spelling tests on paper for record keeping purposes but this really helps Dev learns his words.
Tonight we will do some reading and probably flash card his words once.
Tomorrow is test #1 and page #2 on his report of his vacation to San Antonio. Page 1 was about the Karoake party.
I don't plan on doing a lot of school on the weekends but am this weekend because we got such a late start (thursday) Normally he will be doing his spelling test on Fridays and only retesting on Sundays if he needs to.
Tonight we will do some reading and probably flash card his words once.
Tomorrow is test #1 and page #2 on his report of his vacation to San Antonio. Page 1 was about the Karoake party.
I don't plan on doing a lot of school on the weekends but am this weekend because we got such a late start (thursday) Normally he will be doing his spelling test on Fridays and only retesting on Sundays if he needs to.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Impromptu Vacation
We just got home from a week of fun!
Last week my SO called me up and reminded me that he had taken a week off work. Soon I was on the phone to our friends and we were hitting the road to San Antonio! It was a long days drive but the boys did so well.
While there we went fishing, did the River Walk, strolled through the Alamo, visited the historic town of Gruene, played with the neighbor kids, and had a fun karoake party. That was a lot to pack into 5 days! Mostly we just sat around and enjoyed catching up with our old friends.
The Vacation put HS back a week and yesterday I had my Dad come to town while my mom was in surgery having her knee replaced. Dad doesn't know the area well so I did a lot of running back and forth for him. This morning I drug myself out of bed and had a wonderful 3 mile stroll before the kids got up. Ahh that was fantastic! I think tomorrow I will get out a little earlier. I am starting my training for a 2 day 36 mile walk for breast cancer. I will keep you all posted on how that goes. It should be interesting training while having both kids at home. This is going to be my "ME" thing. The something I do just for myself.
Here in about 30 minutes I am going to get Dev started on his first "lesson" then after awhile we will go to the library and pick out some books. I think the Library Reading Program starts today. How fun!
I have been discussing HSing with my friends and family and the more I talk about it the more I am convinced that we will love it. Actually more like, the more I talk about PS the more I am pissed about it. I will do darn near anything to keep out of there. I better get busy, the house is trashed, our stuff needs to be put away and I have to get the lil darlin started on his spelling words.
Hope you all had a Great Memorial Day!
Last week my SO called me up and reminded me that he had taken a week off work. Soon I was on the phone to our friends and we were hitting the road to San Antonio! It was a long days drive but the boys did so well.
While there we went fishing, did the River Walk, strolled through the Alamo, visited the historic town of Gruene, played with the neighbor kids, and had a fun karoake party. That was a lot to pack into 5 days! Mostly we just sat around and enjoyed catching up with our old friends.
The Vacation put HS back a week and yesterday I had my Dad come to town while my mom was in surgery having her knee replaced. Dad doesn't know the area well so I did a lot of running back and forth for him. This morning I drug myself out of bed and had a wonderful 3 mile stroll before the kids got up. Ahh that was fantastic! I think tomorrow I will get out a little earlier. I am starting my training for a 2 day 36 mile walk for breast cancer. I will keep you all posted on how that goes. It should be interesting training while having both kids at home. This is going to be my "ME" thing. The something I do just for myself.
Here in about 30 minutes I am going to get Dev started on his first "lesson" then after awhile we will go to the library and pick out some books. I think the Library Reading Program starts today. How fun!
I have been discussing HSing with my friends and family and the more I talk about it the more I am convinced that we will love it. Actually more like, the more I talk about PS the more I am pissed about it. I will do darn near anything to keep out of there. I better get busy, the house is trashed, our stuff needs to be put away and I have to get the lil darlin started on his spelling words.
Hope you all had a Great Memorial Day!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Gearing Up
I am such a planner. Wish I could follow through as well!
Today I organized a bunch of the material that Dev's teacher sent home for the summer.
I came up with a math schedule using most of the work she sent home.
I also organized his spelling words from the year. I took 22 lists and consolidated them into 8 for the summer. They are all words he has had so he shouldn't have a problem with so many words.
Monday we will "officially" start. Not like this is official but for us we will treat it as it is.
Tuesdays we will meet his current teacher at the library for a study hour! He gets to hang with her while the lil dude and I get to poke around the library! I love this plan! She will keep me on track. She is my friend but she also has a mouth and not afraid to tell me to get off my butt. I love her!
I am off to go build my garden beds. I will try to figure out how to post a pic when I am done!
Today I organized a bunch of the material that Dev's teacher sent home for the summer.
I came up with a math schedule using most of the work she sent home.
I also organized his spelling words from the year. I took 22 lists and consolidated them into 8 for the summer. They are all words he has had so he shouldn't have a problem with so many words.
Monday we will "officially" start. Not like this is official but for us we will treat it as it is.
Tuesdays we will meet his current teacher at the library for a study hour! He gets to hang with her while the lil dude and I get to poke around the library! I love this plan! She will keep me on track. She is my friend but she also has a mouth and not afraid to tell me to get off my butt. I love her!
I am off to go build my garden beds. I will try to figure out how to post a pic when I am done!
Monday, May 18, 2009
ATA Karate
Dev has been attending Karate class twice a week for just over a month. So far he loves it and dreams of the day he gets his black belt. At the moment he is a white belt which is the first. Well tonight’s class he got to test for his second knowledge stripe. He was so excited! He has been working hard on memorizing his form and anxious to show it off. Of course (duh) he got his stripe and the pride in his eyes is worth every penny. After earning his stripe he learned some more steps. His belt testing is June 16. He has come so far so fast. I am really proud of him!
Personally I prefer Kung Fu but I chose to put him in this particular school because of their emphasis on life outside of Karate. http://ataonline.com/index1.asp The students earn stars and accolations for good deeds done in school, the community and home. They set him up with a Good Habits Worksheet which lists things he needs to do like being respectful to others, cleaning up his messes, taking care of things are just a few. Monthly they concentrate on a different theme. This month is RESPECT.
I better run! Lightening storm headed my way!
Personally I prefer Kung Fu but I chose to put him in this particular school because of their emphasis on life outside of Karate. http://ataonline.com/index1.asp The students earn stars and accolations for good deeds done in school, the community and home. They set him up with a Good Habits Worksheet which lists things he needs to do like being respectful to others, cleaning up his messes, taking care of things are just a few. Monthly they concentrate on a different theme. This month is RESPECT.
I better run! Lightening storm headed my way!
Introduction and Big Decisions
I am not a professional Blogger. I am just a mom trying to do the best I can.
My oldest Son is finishing up the first grade this week. I am so excited for him! I adore his teacher but can not stand his school. They are the worst school in the district and I am convinced that 90% of their problems start in the front office. Anyway that is another rant for another day.
A few weeks ago I made the decision to transfer him to another school for next year. I went to the new school and while they were welcoming they made it clear that there was no guarentee that my child would get in. Even if he was selected, I would not know until fall. I had a long heart to heart with Dev's teacher and told her my feelings. She understood but I could tell she wanted to tell me something but held back. Finally I texted her with the question "If Dev was your kid what would you do?" Her reply scared me to death! "If Dev was my son I would either homeschool or put him in private school." My kneejerk reaction was "Those are not options!" But like a good teacher, she planted that seed. I pondered and dwelled and finally asked myself "why can't I homeschool?"
So many times in the last couple years the word(s) Homeschool filled me with horror. Shock! Why would ANYONE want to keep their kids home all day? I live for the time I can send the boys to school. With a lot of pondering and a little research I calmed down and began to look at it logically. I have another Son who is 3 years away from school. So no matter what I won't have that "free time" for soaps and bon-bons till then. Plus he wants to learn so bad I have to come up with an education plan for him too.
Finally I made the decision to do a trial run for the summer with intentions of continuing for the next school year. I have the full support of the boy's father and Dev's oh so wonderful teacher will be spending an hour a week with him this summer to keep us on track. Just today she asked "Am I tutoring him or you?" Silly lady, she will be tutoring me!
I am so excited! Oh the things we will do! The things we all will learn! What we will see and talk about!
Starting my homeschooling life with a 2nd grader and a preK. Advise is sure welcome!
Is there a spell check on this thing?
My oldest Son is finishing up the first grade this week. I am so excited for him! I adore his teacher but can not stand his school. They are the worst school in the district and I am convinced that 90% of their problems start in the front office. Anyway that is another rant for another day.
A few weeks ago I made the decision to transfer him to another school for next year. I went to the new school and while they were welcoming they made it clear that there was no guarentee that my child would get in. Even if he was selected, I would not know until fall. I had a long heart to heart with Dev's teacher and told her my feelings. She understood but I could tell she wanted to tell me something but held back. Finally I texted her with the question "If Dev was your kid what would you do?" Her reply scared me to death! "If Dev was my son I would either homeschool or put him in private school." My kneejerk reaction was "Those are not options!" But like a good teacher, she planted that seed. I pondered and dwelled and finally asked myself "why can't I homeschool?"
So many times in the last couple years the word(s) Homeschool filled me with horror. Shock! Why would ANYONE want to keep their kids home all day? I live for the time I can send the boys to school. With a lot of pondering and a little research I calmed down and began to look at it logically. I have another Son who is 3 years away from school. So no matter what I won't have that "free time" for soaps and bon-bons till then. Plus he wants to learn so bad I have to come up with an education plan for him too.
Finally I made the decision to do a trial run for the summer with intentions of continuing for the next school year. I have the full support of the boy's father and Dev's oh so wonderful teacher will be spending an hour a week with him this summer to keep us on track. Just today she asked "Am I tutoring him or you?" Silly lady, she will be tutoring me!
I am so excited! Oh the things we will do! The things we all will learn! What we will see and talk about!
Starting my homeschooling life with a 2nd grader and a preK. Advise is sure welcome!
Is there a spell check on this thing?
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