This week has surprised me with homeschooling. This transition to Charlotte Mason was primarily for Davy. So I was anticipating spending much more time with him. But as it turns out he has taken to it like a fish in water. He is demonstrating comprehension of our reading assignments. His handwriting is so precious and neat that I wish I could turn it into a font. He made a 95 on his spelling test and has shown such great understanding of his Latin lesson that I am sure that he will ace his quiz tomorrow.
He still dilly dallies some due to his ADHD but he seems to be more hungry for knowledge. He spent over an hour on Khan Academy doing math assignments. That was over double his required time. He is spending much more time and effort on his piano practice. He is a math and science guy so fine arts isn't really his forte.
We had done overkill on science books over the past couple years so I was planning on just doing hands on projects once a week. But every day, he was asking for a science assignment so I added the physical science research from Easy Peasy online curriculum.
What happened over the two month break? Seems he matured so rapidly. We want our kids
to grow but it is so bittersweet. Before we know it, he'll be off to college. I'm proud of how well he is doing and truly amazed at how far he has come. His reading speed is still slow and still a very literal thinker but if that is all we have to worry about then there are really no worries at all.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Charlotte Mason - first three days
We have homeschooled year round in the past. I loved the flexibility and summer time structure. This year, we had covered so much material and the older boys understand that other schools get summer breaks so I opted for a summer break from May to August.
I hated it! We did take some fun field trips but our days lacked the purpose and structure that homeschooling provides. But I kept it to myself and resisted the urge to start early. But this week, my oldest came to me asking for a test.
I said, "A test? Are you wanting to start fifth grade already?"
He said, "Yeah!"
I said, "Ok, let's talk to your brother."
Davy presented the idea to James and James agreed. So Wednesday was our first day of the new school year.
I have been planning since January. I have a shelf full of books to go through this year. We have used an eclectic method over the past four yrs and that worked pretty well. But there needs to be more focus on reading comprehension so Charlotte Mason is the method I chose. I wondered if I had too much for them.
So far, it has gone great. We did about half the work of week 1. We have done the weekly art lesson and science project. They have done some history, literature, grammar and more. We will finish up the first week next week keeping it pretty light because we are introducing a more demanding history curriculum and Latin. I want them to get a strong start. The next week will be our first attempt at a normal week. But even Friday which involved half the day gone from a trip to the pediatrician for the little one was very productive. So I have no doubt that we can fit in trips to the library and museums
But the totally best part of homeschooling was Friday night. I was peeling peaches and the boys were showing curiosity in the parts. So I gave them a peach pit to wash. They got their science notebooks and sketched the pit. They wrote a title and then listed observations, questions and hypothesis. We researched online and found a picture showing a cross section of the peach so one boy could draw the peach and label all the parts. The other started adding pages with insect drawings since classifying bugs was our science project this week. We have created an environment where all of life is about
learning rather than having learning confined to libraries and rooms with desks.
I hated it! We did take some fun field trips but our days lacked the purpose and structure that homeschooling provides. But I kept it to myself and resisted the urge to start early. But this week, my oldest came to me asking for a test.
I said, "A test? Are you wanting to start fifth grade already?"
He said, "Yeah!"
I said, "Ok, let's talk to your brother."
Davy presented the idea to James and James agreed. So Wednesday was our first day of the new school year.
I have been planning since January. I have a shelf full of books to go through this year. We have used an eclectic method over the past four yrs and that worked pretty well. But there needs to be more focus on reading comprehension so Charlotte Mason is the method I chose. I wondered if I had too much for them.
So far, it has gone great. We did about half the work of week 1. We have done the weekly art lesson and science project. They have done some history, literature, grammar and more. We will finish up the first week next week keeping it pretty light because we are introducing a more demanding history curriculum and Latin. I want them to get a strong start. The next week will be our first attempt at a normal week. But even Friday which involved half the day gone from a trip to the pediatrician for the little one was very productive. So I have no doubt that we can fit in trips to the library and museums
But the totally best part of homeschooling was Friday night. I was peeling peaches and the boys were showing curiosity in the parts. So I gave them a peach pit to wash. They got their science notebooks and sketched the pit. They wrote a title and then listed observations, questions and hypothesis. We researched online and found a picture showing a cross section of the peach so one boy could draw the peach and label all the parts. The other started adding pages with insect drawings since classifying bugs was our science project this week. We have created an environment where all of life is about
learning rather than having learning confined to libraries and rooms with desks.
Friday, May 3, 2013
See ya later
I heard about this deal and purchased it this week. http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2013/04/ultimate-homemaking-ebook-bundle-on-sale-now.html
I was reading about managing time and thinking about what I really want to accomplish in a day. Was I doing things that didn't matter all that much in the long run? My time is getting thinner with more kids and getting back to gluten free diet. I begin Charlotte Mason in August. It is an ideal method for what my kids need right now but it requires more time. I would also like to take some education college courses at some point to help me learn more about how to effectively teach.
In evaluating priorities, several things didn't make the cut. Twitter feels frivolous when Facebook works just as well for me. Instagram is unused most of the time so deleted that. Several games like Words with friends and Candy Crush Saga were cut.
Things that don't add value like watching tv are added to things that do like folding clothes or stitching at the same time.
So does blogging make the cut? Do I enjoy it? In my times of hyper-focus, yes! But sometimes, it is just a painful reminder of how far I have to go in becoming the consistent person that I want to be. Does it add value? I don't reach that many readers. It doesn't bring in income. In nearly five yrs of blogging sporadically, I've yet to make enough to cash out.
So blogging is cut. Gonna use lists and planners to make and track goals. Maybe someday, my life will be a little less hectic and I will have some e books born out of time, experience and my moments of hyper-focus. I have a lot of work to do in becoming the follower of Jesus Christ, mom and home-manager that I need to be. Freeing up time and energy to reach those goals.
I was reading about managing time and thinking about what I really want to accomplish in a day. Was I doing things that didn't matter all that much in the long run? My time is getting thinner with more kids and getting back to gluten free diet. I begin Charlotte Mason in August. It is an ideal method for what my kids need right now but it requires more time. I would also like to take some education college courses at some point to help me learn more about how to effectively teach.
In evaluating priorities, several things didn't make the cut. Twitter feels frivolous when Facebook works just as well for me. Instagram is unused most of the time so deleted that. Several games like Words with friends and Candy Crush Saga were cut.
Things that don't add value like watching tv are added to things that do like folding clothes or stitching at the same time.
So does blogging make the cut? Do I enjoy it? In my times of hyper-focus, yes! But sometimes, it is just a painful reminder of how far I have to go in becoming the consistent person that I want to be. Does it add value? I don't reach that many readers. It doesn't bring in income. In nearly five yrs of blogging sporadically, I've yet to make enough to cash out.
So blogging is cut. Gonna use lists and planners to make and track goals. Maybe someday, my life will be a little less hectic and I will have some e books born out of time, experience and my moments of hyper-focus. I have a lot of work to do in becoming the follower of Jesus Christ, mom and home-manager that I need to be. Freeing up time and energy to reach those goals.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Gluten free - second time around
While living in Baton Rouge, my two oldest needed tubes in their ears. We got it done on the same day (would never do that again if I could help it. It was very hard to tend to them both adequately) they started having diarrhea shortly afterwards and it just wouldn't stop. Stool samples, blood tests and a trip to a gastroenterologist after a bowl of 7 grain cereal caused a severe facial rash were all done and determined that while they didn't have the typical bloodwork of a celiac, the reaction to the diet determined celiac. It is probably more of what is called gluten intolerance. It was so bad that when I tried to reintroduce gluten for the second child to be tested, he reacted so violently, I had to say forget it and just stick with the diet.
We moved back to Mississippi. When the boys would accidentally ingest gluten, they didn't react so strongly. And it was so much trouble and hard for them to understand why they couldn't have the hotdog bun and cupcake that everyone else had. In a rural area, there are lots of church functions and family get-togethers. So I bought some digestive enzymes, left some at my grandmother's house and said that a little cheating would be ok.
We got a discount grocery in our little town. I was thrilled to find some gluten-free things. But little by little, I started getting tortillas, pasta and dessert mixes that weren't gluten free. Besides the boys had done well with the occasional gluten, why not enjoy the savings? That was a slippery slope so that when we moved to Alabama last year, I had to ask why I was buying expensive gluten free foods when I wasn't really following the diet. I did start making sourdough bread. Sourdough does break down gluten some and we seemed to thrive on regular baking of sourdough.
Then I discovered I was pregnant with my fifth child. And then morning sickness moved right into tree pollen season so none of us felt real great. I was too sick to bother with sourdough or much cooking at all. So we got fast food, ordered pizzas and bought easy ingredients like sandwich fixings and hotdogs. I did crave salads so I did get some healthy things. But it was a lot of gluten. The older boys were fine, why not leave that time behind us?
Then my younger son and daughter started with diarrhea. I thought it was surely a bug when my second child joined them. I was having the opposite problem but thinking it was all pregnancy related. I had actually cramped so bad initially that I was afraid I was miscarrying. After about a week, I determined this was not simply a bug. At ten days, I was thinking that this was feeling a bit of déjà vu. So back to gluten free we go.
I sent a bunch of unacceptable food with my husband for snacks at work. I live near a health food store so I grabbed a few things to get us started. I already know that Tinkyada has marvelous pasta. I know Pamela's baking mix gives us great options for biscuits and pancakes. So I am a little ahead of the curve.
I definitely see where it was tempting to get away from the diet. It is a lot of work. There are more gluten free options now. I was able to get gf kids meals at Chik-fil-a. When I sprained my ankle, I found gluten free chicken strips so I could cook something easy without standing too much. But you have to think about every single bite you take. Every. Single. Bite.
The young ones responded quickly. Within 24 hours, the worst of the diarrhea was gone. But they still aren't back to normal. They have the yellow, greasy stools that is typical of the malabsorption troubles with celiac. I have them on probiotics, enzymes and omega-3 so hopefully their bodies will heal soon. I feel a lot better. My body is so sluggish. Gluten free diet makes my intestines come alive so to speak. Why I resist the way of eating that makes me feel better, I don't know.
So back to gluten free. I do want to see if we can go back to sourdough so trying some pizza tonight but prepared to get back to gluten free baking if that bothers the little ones.
We moved back to Mississippi. When the boys would accidentally ingest gluten, they didn't react so strongly. And it was so much trouble and hard for them to understand why they couldn't have the hotdog bun and cupcake that everyone else had. In a rural area, there are lots of church functions and family get-togethers. So I bought some digestive enzymes, left some at my grandmother's house and said that a little cheating would be ok.
We got a discount grocery in our little town. I was thrilled to find some gluten-free things. But little by little, I started getting tortillas, pasta and dessert mixes that weren't gluten free. Besides the boys had done well with the occasional gluten, why not enjoy the savings? That was a slippery slope so that when we moved to Alabama last year, I had to ask why I was buying expensive gluten free foods when I wasn't really following the diet. I did start making sourdough bread. Sourdough does break down gluten some and we seemed to thrive on regular baking of sourdough.
Then I discovered I was pregnant with my fifth child. And then morning sickness moved right into tree pollen season so none of us felt real great. I was too sick to bother with sourdough or much cooking at all. So we got fast food, ordered pizzas and bought easy ingredients like sandwich fixings and hotdogs. I did crave salads so I did get some healthy things. But it was a lot of gluten. The older boys were fine, why not leave that time behind us?
Then my younger son and daughter started with diarrhea. I thought it was surely a bug when my second child joined them. I was having the opposite problem but thinking it was all pregnancy related. I had actually cramped so bad initially that I was afraid I was miscarrying. After about a week, I determined this was not simply a bug. At ten days, I was thinking that this was feeling a bit of déjà vu. So back to gluten free we go.
I sent a bunch of unacceptable food with my husband for snacks at work. I live near a health food store so I grabbed a few things to get us started. I already know that Tinkyada has marvelous pasta. I know Pamela's baking mix gives us great options for biscuits and pancakes. So I am a little ahead of the curve.
I definitely see where it was tempting to get away from the diet. It is a lot of work. There are more gluten free options now. I was able to get gf kids meals at Chik-fil-a. When I sprained my ankle, I found gluten free chicken strips so I could cook something easy without standing too much. But you have to think about every single bite you take. Every. Single. Bite.
The young ones responded quickly. Within 24 hours, the worst of the diarrhea was gone. But they still aren't back to normal. They have the yellow, greasy stools that is typical of the malabsorption troubles with celiac. I have them on probiotics, enzymes and omega-3 so hopefully their bodies will heal soon. I feel a lot better. My body is so sluggish. Gluten free diet makes my intestines come alive so to speak. Why I resist the way of eating that makes me feel better, I don't know.
So back to gluten free. I do want to see if we can go back to sourdough so trying some pizza tonight but prepared to get back to gluten free baking if that bothers the little ones.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Bible & Catechism - Day 9
Genesis 12-13
This passage recalls the call and migration of Abram. We see that God rather than Abram will make a name for him. Abram goes forth rather than settle down. And the families of the earth will find blessing in him.
Abram and Sarai deceive the Pharaoh by saying she was his sister rather than his wife. Then Lot and Abram part ways because of the wealth they had each accumulated. Lot heads for Sodom, a decision that will bring devastating consequences.
Psalm 9 and (tomorrow's reading) Psalm 10
A psalm for thanksgiving for victory and praying for justice. These two psalms were originally one acrostic poem using the Hebrew alphabet.
Matthew 6:19-34
This passage speaks to the importance of being detached from the things of this world. Building up treasures in heaven, because the things of this world don't last. Depending on God for our basic needs because He cares for us and never fails to come through with what we need.
Catechism 54-64
This section details the various stages of revelation through Adam, Noah, Abraham and the prophets.
This passage recalls the call and migration of Abram. We see that God rather than Abram will make a name for him. Abram goes forth rather than settle down. And the families of the earth will find blessing in him.
Abram and Sarai deceive the Pharaoh by saying she was his sister rather than his wife. Then Lot and Abram part ways because of the wealth they had each accumulated. Lot heads for Sodom, a decision that will bring devastating consequences.
Psalm 9 and (tomorrow's reading) Psalm 10
A psalm for thanksgiving for victory and praying for justice. These two psalms were originally one acrostic poem using the Hebrew alphabet.
Matthew 6:19-34
This passage speaks to the importance of being detached from the things of this world. Building up treasures in heaven, because the things of this world don't last. Depending on God for our basic needs because He cares for us and never fails to come through with what we need.
Catechism 54-64
This section details the various stages of revelation through Adam, Noah, Abraham and the prophets.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Bible & Catechism - Day 8
Genesis 10-11
Chapter 10 classifies the groups of people. This is referred to as the Table of Nations. How easy it is to lose sight of the fact that every human being is descended from one man and one woman. More importantly, how often we forget that we are all made in the image of God.
Chapter 11 describes the incident of the Tower of Babel and ends with the ancestors of the Israelites. I find the Tower of Babel an act of compassion on God's part. If you think about it, eventually the tower could have reached very thin air and many could have perished from lack of oxygen. It reminds me of how often our plans seem so smart but we can't always see the consequences.
Psalm 8
A beautiful psalm that speaks of God's grandeur and our inadequate attempts to praise him. The psalmist is struck by the smallness of humans and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed on them.
Matthew 6:1-18
This passage speaks of the importance of do good deeds, give alms, fast and pray with a warning to not make these things known to others to gain earthly praise. Then Jesus teaches us how to pray. As a Baptist, I was never encouraged to pray the Lord's Prayer. As a Catholic, I see the power in this prayer to truly transform our hearts. The mot impacting portion for me is "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." You can't say this prayer day after day and miss the fact that His forgiveness of us is dependent upon how we forgive others. That is further explained in verse 14.
Catechism 50-53
This section speaks of the Revelation of God to man and how it was done in stages culminating in the mission of Christ. The Old Testament isn't a bunch of failed experiments before getting it right with Jesus. It would have been easily missed had not there been so many prophecies and foreshadowing. The plan was revealed by so many and in so many times before Jesus was ever born.
Chapter 10 classifies the groups of people. This is referred to as the Table of Nations. How easy it is to lose sight of the fact that every human being is descended from one man and one woman. More importantly, how often we forget that we are all made in the image of God.
Chapter 11 describes the incident of the Tower of Babel and ends with the ancestors of the Israelites. I find the Tower of Babel an act of compassion on God's part. If you think about it, eventually the tower could have reached very thin air and many could have perished from lack of oxygen. It reminds me of how often our plans seem so smart but we can't always see the consequences.
Psalm 8
A beautiful psalm that speaks of God's grandeur and our inadequate attempts to praise him. The psalmist is struck by the smallness of humans and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed on them.
Matthew 6:1-18
This passage speaks of the importance of do good deeds, give alms, fast and pray with a warning to not make these things known to others to gain earthly praise. Then Jesus teaches us how to pray. As a Baptist, I was never encouraged to pray the Lord's Prayer. As a Catholic, I see the power in this prayer to truly transform our hearts. The mot impacting portion for me is "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." You can't say this prayer day after day and miss the fact that His forgiveness of us is dependent upon how we forgive others. That is further explained in verse 14.
Catechism 50-53
This section speaks of the Revelation of God to man and how it was done in stages culminating in the mission of Christ. The Old Testament isn't a bunch of failed experiments before getting it right with Jesus. It would have been easily missed had not there been so many prophecies and foreshadowing. The plan was revealed by so many and in so many times before Jesus was ever born.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Summer plans
We finished up schoolwork Tuesday and kicked off summer with a trip to the US Space and Rocket center. Today's a bit of begging (doggone auto-correct) vegging since I am still so sore from all the walking and lifting yesterday. I have about thirty days to finish up the required school days for our cover school. I have schooled year round before. We are expecting a baby in September so I really debated about whether to start the next grade early. But I have come up with a different plan. It may take a couple of weeks next summer to make up what we miss with the craziness of life with a newborn. But this summer will have a different objective.
Religion - We'll continue with reading through the Bible in the evenings as a family. I had to reread the reading from Tuesday night. I wasn't very focused. It will get done in 365 days, just maybe not 365 consecutive days.
Math - this is one of the subjects that we can't afford to lose ground in. We use an IPad app that the boys enjoy so we will continue this throughout the summer. Especially in the van on trips to field trip venues.
Reading - the boys can earn a Happy Meal for every 15 books they read. 15 books because they want instant gratification and go for smaller, easier books. I think I'll add an option to read a chapter book and write a one page report showing they understood it. So trips to the library will be planned weekly. If the boys don't need books from the public library, we will go to the Parent library for activity packs for Katie Rose.
Field trips - We can go to the Children's Hands On Museum, Birmingham Zoo and McWane Science Center. We also have the Natural History Museum and Moundville Archaelogical park. Hoping for a trip to Atlanta, Jackson, Montgomery, and Mobile. Maybe even Louisiana and Tennessee. We'll see what we can work into the summer.
Routines - I want to plan an outing every day that doesn't involve thunderstorms. Errands, field trips, and playing at the park. There needs to be motivation to get done quickly so we get to the fun sooner. The more consistent that we are, the more efficient we'll become. I want to build a good routine each morning so that we eventually leave a very clean house. I am starting with them making sure they get dressed, make up their bed and eat breakfast first thing rather than dilly-dallying. Eventually, I hope to have the whole house picked up, dishwasher unloaded and a load of clothes washed and hung up to dry. Then an evening routine where we prepare for the next day's activities, fold and put away laundry, and bath and bed routines. A couple of afternoons when we get home at a decent hour need to be devoted to deeper cleaning like dusting, mopping and vacuuming.
Getting ready for baby - We need to go through old clothes and see what we have that will work for the new baby. While we're at it, see what else we have for John Micah to grow into this fall from Davy and James' clothes in storage. We already have the new crib and majority of the baby needs are simply hand-me-downs like the blankets, carseat, swing, etc. Need a mattress and a few clothes. Then we should be ready. Remember to include pre-registration for the hospital and cooking meals for the freezer.
Planning for the next school year - This year was new for me even though I have been homeschooling for a while. I had to get accustomed to the new state laws, planning, and keeping records. I want to make a very detailed plan with spelling words, copywork, and all. So there is no need to switch gears in the middle of the year. I am going to hope that I can get them in a very solid routine in August so that they can complete their assignments in September without much of a hiccup.
Religion - We'll continue with reading through the Bible in the evenings as a family. I had to reread the reading from Tuesday night. I wasn't very focused. It will get done in 365 days, just maybe not 365 consecutive days.
Math - this is one of the subjects that we can't afford to lose ground in. We use an IPad app that the boys enjoy so we will continue this throughout the summer. Especially in the van on trips to field trip venues.
Reading - the boys can earn a Happy Meal for every 15 books they read. 15 books because they want instant gratification and go for smaller, easier books. I think I'll add an option to read a chapter book and write a one page report showing they understood it. So trips to the library will be planned weekly. If the boys don't need books from the public library, we will go to the Parent library for activity packs for Katie Rose.
Field trips - We can go to the Children's Hands On Museum, Birmingham Zoo and McWane Science Center. We also have the Natural History Museum and Moundville Archaelogical park. Hoping for a trip to Atlanta, Jackson, Montgomery, and Mobile. Maybe even Louisiana and Tennessee. We'll see what we can work into the summer.
Routines - I want to plan an outing every day that doesn't involve thunderstorms. Errands, field trips, and playing at the park. There needs to be motivation to get done quickly so we get to the fun sooner. The more consistent that we are, the more efficient we'll become. I want to build a good routine each morning so that we eventually leave a very clean house. I am starting with them making sure they get dressed, make up their bed and eat breakfast first thing rather than dilly-dallying. Eventually, I hope to have the whole house picked up, dishwasher unloaded and a load of clothes washed and hung up to dry. Then an evening routine where we prepare for the next day's activities, fold and put away laundry, and bath and bed routines. A couple of afternoons when we get home at a decent hour need to be devoted to deeper cleaning like dusting, mopping and vacuuming.
Getting ready for baby - We need to go through old clothes and see what we have that will work for the new baby. While we're at it, see what else we have for John Micah to grow into this fall from Davy and James' clothes in storage. We already have the new crib and majority of the baby needs are simply hand-me-downs like the blankets, carseat, swing, etc. Need a mattress and a few clothes. Then we should be ready. Remember to include pre-registration for the hospital and cooking meals for the freezer.
Planning for the next school year - This year was new for me even though I have been homeschooling for a while. I had to get accustomed to the new state laws, planning, and keeping records. I want to make a very detailed plan with spelling words, copywork, and all. So there is no need to switch gears in the middle of the year. I am going to hope that I can get them in a very solid routine in August so that they can complete their assignments in September without much of a hiccup.
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