We did have some school on Saturday. But I don't know if you'd consider it "school" so much as some "family learning time." For us those two are pretty synonymous.
When I came out of hibernation the girls were already playing with "supermind" and "shape by shape." CC#1 worked for a while on her dragon picture for Chinese History. She also got some practice with math facts.
I worked with CC#2 on some preschool concept pages, handwriting practice, letter review, numbers and counting, vowel short sounds, and a couple of words for reading. We reviewed days of week and so forth, things we review every day.
I don't remember what else we did, if anything. I did read to them a couple of chapters of our read aloud selection also. CC#3 had a short story time as well.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Day Five: Partly Cloudy
That's more than just the weather report.
CC#1 started the day doing two tangram puzzles. I'm convinced there's been too much TV watching going on because what was previously an easy task now seems a burden. The normally fun activity elicited complaints. Pick-up Sticks afterwards revived the mood somewhat.
Math was accomplished, barely. Scriptures &etc. done. Personal reading time, or SSR. That was all. I was driven to do more but someone was having an uncooperative day. Nevertheless, she is headed out for a bike ride. I am more than willing to push ahead despite resistance, but following the counsel of the man in charge around here, I'm cutting her some slack. I need to work on the inspiring part. It's always easier to command than inspire. What helps is doing the same thing every day. When the kids know what's expected there's less of a struggle. But we're on newborn schedule still and this is our first week. It's not going to be as perfect as I'd like. It should be more fun.
The Preschoolers did some pages and played with "counting bears."
CC#1 started the day doing two tangram puzzles. I'm convinced there's been too much TV watching going on because what was previously an easy task now seems a burden. The normally fun activity elicited complaints. Pick-up Sticks afterwards revived the mood somewhat.
Math was accomplished, barely. Scriptures &etc. done. Personal reading time, or SSR. That was all. I was driven to do more but someone was having an uncooperative day. Nevertheless, she is headed out for a bike ride. I am more than willing to push ahead despite resistance, but following the counsel of the man in charge around here, I'm cutting her some slack. I need to work on the inspiring part. It's always easier to command than inspire. What helps is doing the same thing every day. When the kids know what's expected there's less of a struggle. But we're on newborn schedule still and this is our first week. It's not going to be as perfect as I'd like. It should be more fun.
The Preschoolers did some pages and played with "counting bears."
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Day Four: Getting into the Groove with a 2 Week Old
Today CC#1 did math, language, spelling, handwriting, and we have yet to do reading practice, SSR, and free writing. Those are all of the main subjects we are supposed to cover daily. We're not quite there yet.
With CC#2 we did scriptures &etc. and a history lesson on China. History is involved. It's supposed to be top priority but there is so much to it that I often skip it because basics have to come first. We read the back story, do a narrative that CC#1 decorates, coloring page(s), and map. There are other readings, like stories and nonfiction from the library, encyclopedia topics, pictures etc. on the internet, plus there are often numerous crafts and projects available. IT's just too much.
We didn't do science today, but ideally we are supposed to alternate days doing history and science anyway, spending about 2 hours on each.
For Preschool for the middle two, we played with the Word Wammer! and I read them stories. CC#2 did a coloring page for the Number 7 and practiced writing "7" and counting. Right now CC#2 is playing with some foam stuff that is moldable. I don't even know what it's called.
With CC#2 we did scriptures &etc. and a history lesson on China. History is involved. It's supposed to be top priority but there is so much to it that I often skip it because basics have to come first. We read the back story, do a narrative that CC#1 decorates, coloring page(s), and map. There are other readings, like stories and nonfiction from the library, encyclopedia topics, pictures etc. on the internet, plus there are often numerous crafts and projects available. IT's just too much.
We didn't do science today, but ideally we are supposed to alternate days doing history and science anyway, spending about 2 hours on each.
For Preschool for the middle two, we played with the Word Wammer! and I read them stories. CC#2 did a coloring page for the Number 7 and practiced writing "7" and counting. Right now CC#2 is playing with some foam stuff that is moldable. I don't even know what it's called.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Day 3:
CC#1 is very responsible about her school. That's great because I can give her some work to do and she does it while I am busy doing other things. I can come back and check on her and help her with any questions she has.
Today CC#1 read books on her own and spent nearly 1 1/2 hour practicing reading with me. She read me The Emperor's New Groove which had plenty of big words and new vocabulary for her.
CC#1 also did her math lesson. We use Saxon math. She is not quite done with Math 1 and finds the lessons too tedious. She gets the concepts but because I am anal I have a hard time not making her do all the requirements. We have tons of hands on
The girls had Ballet today and while a friend took the girls for me I had some extra time to read to CC#3.
We read from our read aloud selection before bed also.
Today CC#1 read books on her own and spent nearly 1 1/2 hour practicing reading with me. She read me The Emperor's New Groove which had plenty of big words and new vocabulary for her.
CC#1 also did her math lesson. We use Saxon math. She is not quite done with Math 1 and finds the lessons too tedious. She gets the concepts but because I am anal I have a hard time not making her do all the requirements. We have tons of hands on
The girls had Ballet today and while a friend took the girls for me I had some extra time to read to CC#3.
We read from our read aloud selection before bed also.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Day 2: Hardly Counts
Today hardly counts as a school day. The girls were busy at the table most of the day doing crafts. A sister in my ward brought over craft materials and they had a great time making pictures for people with a liberal use of glitter and stickers.
Then they went outside to play with their moon sand.
The kids did their chores today but there was nothing academic. It was fine with me since I was up most of the night with a sick baby :(
CC#3 and I did get some letter and word practice with use of the Word Whammer! And of course we'll read more of Gentle Ben tonight before bed.
Then they went outside to play with their moon sand.
The kids did their chores today but there was nothing academic. It was fine with me since I was up most of the night with a sick baby :(
CC#3 and I did get some letter and word practice with use of the Word Whammer! And of course we'll read more of Gentle Ben tonight before bed.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Day 1: A Slow Beginning
I was satisfied with our slow start today.
We always start with Scriptures (CC#1 reads the reader to us and then I quiz them or we talk about it) followed by some songs and AofF recitation. Sometimes they learn a scripture, but not today.
Venn Diagrams (Venn Perplexors): both girls did some
Review of Dinosaurs (CC#1's special request): we reviewed all of the animals we learned last year and their time periods.
Review of History: we reviewed and talked about all of the lessons we had last year.
Slow and Steady (book by Oberlander): read the week's lessons for CC#2, 3, &4. For CC#2 the lesson was about sewing, so the girls made their own sewing cards and practiced sewing on them with plastic needles and yarn.
Gymnastics practice for CC#1, 2, &3.
We have been reading Gentle Ben at night before bed.
We always start with Scriptures (CC#1 reads the reader to us and then I quiz them or we talk about it) followed by some songs and AofF recitation. Sometimes they learn a scripture, but not today.
Venn Diagrams (Venn Perplexors): both girls did some
Review of Dinosaurs (CC#1's special request): we reviewed all of the animals we learned last year and their time periods.
Review of History: we reviewed and talked about all of the lessons we had last year.
Slow and Steady (book by Oberlander): read the week's lessons for CC#2, 3, &4. For CC#2 the lesson was about sewing, so the girls made their own sewing cards and practiced sewing on them with plastic needles and yarn.
Gymnastics practice for CC#1, 2, &3.
We have been reading Gentle Ben at night before bed.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
On This Day in History
The White House was burned down by the British on this day in 1814 during the War of 1812.
A New Hope
What better way is there to start an education blog than to use a plagiarized title?
Since I am not even close to rested up after having baby #4, the start of this school year won't be a stellar example of how-to-do-perfect-homeschool. In fact, my posts never will be an example of that. We're going to just keep track of what we're doing and hope for the best.
Recount of last year's efforts:
I don't want to. (It's too involved.) It will be sufficient to say that C.C.#1 is doing well in reading and needs work in writing & spelling. She does the best at any kind of puzzle and excells at math. I don't know what grade to consider her in. WE didn't finish all of her 1st grade programs for last year, so we'll be continuing on where we left off when the carrying of C.C. #4 became too burdensome to continue serious schooling.
Hope for this year:
(or in other words, my goal)
I am far too task oriented to make the experience of school and learning everything it could be for the CCkids. We'll focus more on fun this year and less on the grind. I don't want to bog my CCkids down in strict no-nonsense work (as much). Last year we were sorely lacking in art and craft projects. We were lacking in some fun. We'll make sure we have more of that this year. CC#2 & CC#3 will do preschool together this year. I hope to have them reading three-letter words by the end of the year at least.
I know that homeschoolers almost universally laugh at those who follow the public school schedule. It's good for me to pick a date to begin a new year and I am excited to begin!
Since I am not even close to rested up after having baby #4, the start of this school year won't be a stellar example of how-to-do-perfect-homeschool. In fact, my posts never will be an example of that. We're going to just keep track of what we're doing and hope for the best.
Recount of last year's efforts:
I don't want to. (It's too involved.) It will be sufficient to say that C.C.#1 is doing well in reading and needs work in writing & spelling. She does the best at any kind of puzzle and excells at math. I don't know what grade to consider her in. WE didn't finish all of her 1st grade programs for last year, so we'll be continuing on where we left off when the carrying of C.C. #4 became too burdensome to continue serious schooling.
Hope for this year:
(or in other words, my goal)
I am far too task oriented to make the experience of school and learning everything it could be for the CCkids. We'll focus more on fun this year and less on the grind. I don't want to bog my CCkids down in strict no-nonsense work (as much). Last year we were sorely lacking in art and craft projects. We were lacking in some fun. We'll make sure we have more of that this year. CC#2 & CC#3 will do preschool together this year. I hope to have them reading three-letter words by the end of the year at least.
I know that homeschoolers almost universally laugh at those who follow the public school schedule. It's good for me to pick a date to begin a new year and I am excited to begin!
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