Well, we're still here. I don't want to just post a litany of things we do every day, especially when things are so slow, but we're meandering along.
My schedule has still been a challenge. I have managed to increase my work hours over the past couple of months, which is a good thing in terms of income. However, it's made school scheduling a little more of a challenge, especially when you toss in field trips and so on.
Today, my husband agreed to take over the History & English part of my son's 5th grade curriculum. That is a real load off my shoulders. Not only does it give me a lot less to do (History & English in this curriculum also encompasses geography and arts & crafts), but it leaves the fun stuff for me: programming, science, math, and cooking. Guess I'm not that big of a history buff, although I do like writing :)
I'm still enjoying using the Homeschool Tracker Software, although I'm adding Cozi in this week to schedule actual (but flexible) times when "school" will take place. I remembered to add things like ballet, gymnastics, and karate to the list, too, as phys ed is part of learning, even if I'm not the one doing the teaching.
I'm also going off the grid and teaching a lesson or two on fire, at my son's request. As I might have mentioned, a big part of the reason I wanted a curriculum this year instead of strict unschooling was because it is making me "pencil in" time to spend with the kids that has some real interaction and meaning. If he had suggested doing anything together other than playing video games before, we might not be here, but it's been a long time since he really had. Anyhow, we got some really cool, hands on (or "hands off") ideas from an engineer friend, and it should be a blast ;) We're also working more on programming and cooking beef stroganoff!
With the kindergarten curriculum, we're still finishing up Lesson 2, talking a lot about B's and butterflies. This week promises to be fun with a "nature treasure hunt," crafts, singing, and painting. Hopefully, I'll have photos to share by the end of the week!
Showing posts with label weekly schedule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weekly schedule. Show all posts
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
The Homeschool Mother's Journal 2
Whoo boy, what a busy couple of weeks. I'm glad for these writing prompts to give me a starting place and a good prompt to write a blog post.
In my life this week…
We have been superbusy the last couple of weeks (I didn't post last week) with a trip out of town, neurofeedback appointments for DS, trying to schedule and fit in a little school, ballet starting up, karate continuing for DS, our first field trip of fall, work, and just life. You know you're busy/overwhelmed when you have to look back at your calendar just to see what you did the past few days ;)
We have been superbusy the last couple of weeks (I didn't post last week) with a trip out of town, neurofeedback appointments for DS, trying to schedule and fit in a little school, ballet starting up, karate continuing for DS, our first field trip of fall, work, and just life. You know you're busy/overwhelmed when you have to look back at your calendar just to see what you did the past few days ;)
In our homeschool this week…
We didn't do a whole lot of "lesson time." I did do circle time with the girls and start on the letter B with them on Monday, and DS did his second math lesson, but we did more eclectic type stuff. First, my girls, 3 and 4, started ballet on Monday for the fall. DD4 (almost 5) has been with this teacher the past 2 years. I considered moving her up to the next class, but she is kind of attached to her teacher, and I thought it would also help her younger sister (who has a short attention span) transition if they were in the same class. We also had a field trip, right here in our own town at The Art Warehouse, completely devoted to art. We did pottery with the Pottery Lady and explored colors with paint and other materials with Nancy from S&N School of Music & Art (I'll try to post pictures when the pottery is finished).
There was something for all three of my kids, and they also got to visit with friends, as the trip was organized through Raw Learning, a regional free school. I was amazed at how interested my youngest was in all of the artwork in the gallery, especially the sculptures and a little house and yard made entirely of sticks and twigs and other natural things.
We didn't do a whole lot of "lesson time." I did do circle time with the girls and start on the letter B with them on Monday, and DS did his second math lesson, but we did more eclectic type stuff. First, my girls, 3 and 4, started ballet on Monday for the fall. DD4 (almost 5) has been with this teacher the past 2 years. I considered moving her up to the next class, but she is kind of attached to her teacher, and I thought it would also help her younger sister (who has a short attention span) transition if they were in the same class. We also had a field trip, right here in our own town at The Art Warehouse, completely devoted to art. We did pottery with the Pottery Lady and explored colors with paint and other materials with Nancy from S&N School of Music & Art (I'll try to post pictures when the pottery is finished).
There was something for all three of my kids, and they also got to visit with friends, as the trip was organized through Raw Learning, a regional free school. I was amazed at how interested my youngest was in all of the artwork in the gallery, especially the sculptures and a little house and yard made entirely of sticks and twigs and other natural things.
My favorite thing this week was…
Getting paid! LOL. I've been working consistently as a freelancer, but as things are bound to go sometimes, the checks don't always arrive on a consistent basis. We were kind of in a rough spot anyway, and then, it was almost 6 weeks without a check. I was very happy to receive 5 checks all at once this week. It will be helpful for both home and homeschool. DS and I can finally get to work on that Pan Bagna recipe this week!
Getting paid! LOL. I've been working consistently as a freelancer, but as things are bound to go sometimes, the checks don't always arrive on a consistent basis. We were kind of in a rough spot anyway, and then, it was almost 6 weeks without a check. I was very happy to receive 5 checks all at once this week. It will be helpful for both home and homeschool. DS and I can finally get to work on that Pan Bagna recipe this week!
What’s working/not working for us…
Organizing our schedule is still a work in progress. As my friend Steph over at Confessions of an Erratic Homeschooling Mom expressed in a recent post, every time I try to get "school" started, life gets in the way. But that's okay. I believe that life as plenty to teach me and my children as well. It's no less valuable than school time.
Organizing our schedule is still a work in progress. As my friend Steph over at Confessions of an Erratic Homeschooling Mom expressed in a recent post, every time I try to get "school" started, life gets in the way. But that's okay. I believe that life as plenty to teach me and my children as well. It's no less valuable than school time.
Things I’m working on…
How about things I'd like to work on if only I could squeeze out the time? Learn more about wirework jewelry, do more drawing and photography, play more Diablo II with my son. I do actually need to organize my kids' birthday party (my two older ones are having a combo party) and buy presents for my son, who celebrating 11 years in early October. I'm also researching the idea of hiring a mother's helper (perhaps a homeschooling teen) that could help me out on field trips with the kids. I have a foot issue (plantar fasciitis) that makes long periods on my feet extremely difficult.
How about things I'd like to work on if only I could squeeze out the time? Learn more about wirework jewelry, do more drawing and photography, play more Diablo II with my son. I do actually need to organize my kids' birthday party (my two older ones are having a combo party) and buy presents for my son, who celebrating 11 years in early October. I'm also researching the idea of hiring a mother's helper (perhaps a homeschooling teen) that could help me out on field trips with the kids. I have a foot issue (plantar fasciitis) that makes long periods on my feet extremely difficult.
I’m reading…
The Freedom Writers' Diary by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers. Wow. I was inspired to read this book after watching the movie, and I'm being well rewarded.
The Freedom Writers' Diary by Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers. Wow. I was inspired to read this book after watching the movie, and I'm being well rewarded.
I’m cooking…
We made No-Bake Energy Bites for a playdate this week. They were a hit, both at home and the playdate. Easy, healthy, and superyummy.
We made No-Bake Energy Bites for a playdate this week. They were a hit, both at home and the playdate. Easy, healthy, and superyummy.
I’m grateful for…
My family, both immediate and extended. My mother turned 70 this week, and I'm so glad that she's a part of my life, even though she lives 700 miles away now. She's an awesome lady.
My family, both immediate and extended. My mother turned 70 this week, and I'm so glad that she's a part of my life, even though she lives 700 miles away now. She's an awesome lady.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
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| My favorite photo this week: my youngest, asleep in her favorite place, the dining room table. |
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Ambitious
Whew. I finally got a draft of the first week's K and 5 schedules, based on the Oak Meadow curricula, written up for the kids. I am going to have to keep reminding myself to relax, breathe deep, and just see how it goes. I wonder if I shouldn't change it from a schedule to more of a checklist, moving on to the next area when we've finished the first? Maybe ease into it more? As I said, I'm just going to relax and see how it goes. It does look fun. And I'm sure we'll be spending more time outside and doing fun things like making letters out of bread :)
Well, this is what we're looking at for week 1 (which will probably be the first week of September). I want to have 2 or 3 weeks planned ahead of time. It's important, especially since I figured out today that the first reader was missing from my fifth grade set, and I had to order it. These things are bound to happen. As you can see, there is a blank or two to be filled in, as well.
Well, this is what we're looking at for week 1 (which will probably be the first week of September). I want to have 2 or 3 weeks planned ahead of time. It's important, especially since I figured out today that the first reader was missing from my fifth grade set, and I had to order it. These things are bound to happen. As you can see, there is a blank or two to be filled in, as well.
Kindergarten Week 1:
|
Subject
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Notes
|
|
Circle Time
|
Opening verse
Songs/fingerplays
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Field trip day
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Opening verse
Songs/fingerplays
|
Opening verse
Songs/fingerplays
|
Opening verse
Songs/fingerplays
|
Start seasonal table
|
|
Morning Main Lesson
(LA/SS/Math)
|
Review story/draw A
Do A tongue twister
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Do A tongue twister
Go outside and gather
sticks to tie in bundles and make As
|
Do A tongue twister
Find tree branch As and
tie a string to make As.
|
Do A tongue twister
Walk and run the letter A
Look for other As.
|
Creative play stations
|
|
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Afternoon Hour (Arts,
Crafts, Science, Music, and Health)
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Recall summer/draw a
picture of summer
Press flowers to recall
summer
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Make bread snakes
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Music/Movement: Head,
Shoulders, Knees, and Toes and another song or finger play.
|
Health: Parts of the body.
|
|
|
|
Bedtime Story
|
“The Tale of Peter Rabbit”
by Beatrix Potter
|
|
||||
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Notes
|
|
Supplies:
crayons, flowers, recipe ingredients, Wee Sing CD, start gathering
fall items for seasonal table.
|
Grade 5 Week 1:
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Subject
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
Friday
|
Notes
|
|
History/English
|
Vocabulary/grammar review
Read Lesson 1 ("Explorers")
|
Field trip day
|
Intro to writing
assignment/research
|
1. Plant shadow
stick/measure
2. Observe North Star and
night sky and note impressions
|
Spelling
|
|
|
Science
|
Read Science Lesson 1 (“Scientific
Inquiry”)
|
Bird observation/
hypotheses/design
experiment
|
|
1. Conduct bird experiment
2. Night sky poem/picture
|
|
|
|
Math
|
|
|
Lesson 1 to Skill A
("Common Denominators")
|
Remainder of
|
|
|
|
Computer Science
|
|
Scratch
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cooking
|
|
|
|
Pick a recipe or do bread with girls
|
|
|
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Independent
Work/Reading/
Writing/
Projects
|
Collect bird pictures and
arrange by beak type
|
Read CC
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Writing assignment
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
CC: Where
Do You Think You’re Going, Christopher Columbus? by Jean Fritz
|
|
Supplies:
Bird pictures, encyclopedia, globe, stick, measuring tape, colored pencils
and/or watercolors, recipe ingredients
|
I'm also stopping to tell myself right now to not be upset if the kids don't appreciate the work I put into this. They have a different perspective about this. I put this together for me, anyway, the schedule, that is. I don't want to be grasping or grossly unprepared when it's time to start. I am also open to spending more time on some topics and less on others, depending on the kids' interest. I'm already worried that DS will be bored with the math, even though we're using Oak Meadow Math 7 (7th grade). We may have to skip ahead to the more complicated stuff, depending on how he does.
I am also willing to take the very un-Waldorfish approach (from the little I know of Waldorf, anyhow) of using an Internet encyclopedia and letting DS do some of his writing on the computer if he wishes. We'll take things one step at a time.
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