for our upcoming homeschool adventures. The kids and I met with the IST yesterday to pick up everything we didn't have on hand. On the way home, the children were looking through everything with great excitement - just hope it lasts! I also decided we're going with a short lesson approach (ala Charlotte Mason) rather than block scheduling, at least at first, and I made this spiffy document. Now I just need to put a bunch of books on hold at the library (since I finally paid off my overdue fines, oops).
I then spent some time last night, when the kids were asleep and therefore calm, thumbing through things, figuring out how I want to approach each subject with each child. For example, with the Fairy, I am kind of mixing Oak Meadow kindergarten and first grade, along with a variety of supplements. I think, hope, I have it all balanced.
Now if I could just be this organized about my own book work!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Hmmm, what do YOU think?
I have two ideas for day-to-day scheduling for this fall, and really can't make up my mind, though with our academic year starting in another week and a half, I had better figure it out! So, here are my two current options - what do you think?
Version 1
Version 2
Other than that, I attended the first session of my new college program today, and it seemed to have gone quite well. I met some interesting people, noting very happily that I am not the oldest person in the class; had an interesting class discussion about The Stranger by Camus (which many of us disliked and were somewhat confused by); and got all set up for the next few weeks until our next class meeting.
And this week the Elf started swimming! Meaning that he doggy-paddled about 6 feet. I am very proud of him, figuring this out mostly on his own, and am glad in retrospect that I did not make him take swimming lessons this summer.
On a sadder note, my vacation is over as of tomorrow and I will be back to work. I did not accomplish all my goals, as the garage has been too hot for comfort, so I think we'll start off our academic year in the family room. I did get much of the rest of the house cleaned up, and it's stayed nice for 3 days now - a record here! However, I will still have time for further organization, as I got my requested schedule at work, and will only be there four evenings a week for 6 hours at a time!
Version 1
Version 2
Other than that, I attended the first session of my new college program today, and it seemed to have gone quite well. I met some interesting people, noting very happily that I am not the oldest person in the class; had an interesting class discussion about The Stranger by Camus (which many of us disliked and were somewhat confused by); and got all set up for the next few weeks until our next class meeting.
And this week the Elf started swimming! Meaning that he doggy-paddled about 6 feet. I am very proud of him, figuring this out mostly on his own, and am glad in retrospect that I did not make him take swimming lessons this summer.
On a sadder note, my vacation is over as of tomorrow and I will be back to work. I did not accomplish all my goals, as the garage has been too hot for comfort, so I think we'll start off our academic year in the family room. I did get much of the rest of the house cleaned up, and it's stayed nice for 3 days now - a record here! However, I will still have time for further organization, as I got my requested schedule at work, and will only be there four evenings a week for 6 hours at a time!
Another idea for day-to-day scheduling...
I am thinking somewhat about going with Waldorf/Oak Meadow block scheduling, which would go about as follows...
Monday/Wednesday:
Charter school classes in the morning (music appreciation in the car)
Poetry
Calendar work/weather charting
Phonics (Elf) / Handwriting (Fairy)
Short story time
Language arts block
Social studies (world cultures) block
Elf reads aloud
Tuesday/Thursday:
Poetry
Calendar work/weather charting
Phonics (Elf) / Handwriting (Fairy)
Short story time
Math block
Science block
Art appreciation
Elf reads aloud
Friday (our light day):
Spelling test (Elf) / Phonics/letter review (Fairy)
Nature journaling using Oak Meadow science topics
Read aloud from Story of the World
Optional art or other project time
Monday/Wednesday:
Charter school classes in the morning (music appreciation in the car)
Poetry
Calendar work/weather charting
Phonics (Elf) / Handwriting (Fairy)
Short story time
Language arts block
Social studies (world cultures) block
Elf reads aloud
Tuesday/Thursday:
Poetry
Calendar work/weather charting
Phonics (Elf) / Handwriting (Fairy)
Short story time
Math block
Science block
Art appreciation
Elf reads aloud
Friday (our light day):
Spelling test (Elf) / Phonics/letter review (Fairy)
Nature journaling using Oak Meadow science topics
Read aloud from Story of the World
Optional art or other project time
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Day-to-Day Schedule for Fall 2008...
This follows more of a Charlotte Mason approach, with short lessons planned...
Monday/Wednesday
Charter school classes in morning (music appreciation in car) **
Poetry
Calendar and weather/temperature charting
Copy work (Elf) /Handwriting (Fairy)
Short story time
Phonics & Oak Meadow Language Arts
Math
Social Studies
Elf reads aloud
Tuesday/Thursday
Poetry
Calendar and weather/temperature charting
Copy work (Elf) /Handwriting (Fairy)
Short story time
Phonics & Oak Meadow Language Arts
Math
Social studies
Science
Elf reads aloud
Friday (our light day)
Spelling test (Elf) / Phonics/letter review (Fairy)
Nature journaling using Oak Meadow science topics
Read aloud from Story of the World
Optional art or project time
**Monday: Art & art appreciation, Wednesday: Spanish & Music
Monday/Wednesday
Charter school classes in morning (music appreciation in car) **
Poetry
Calendar and weather/temperature charting
Copy work (Elf) /Handwriting (Fairy)
Short story time
Phonics & Oak Meadow Language Arts
Math
Social Studies
Elf reads aloud
Tuesday/Thursday
Poetry
Calendar and weather/temperature charting
Copy work (Elf) /Handwriting (Fairy)
Short story time
Phonics & Oak Meadow Language Arts
Math
Social studies
Science
Elf reads aloud
Friday (our light day)
Spelling test (Elf) / Phonics/letter review (Fairy)
Nature journaling using Oak Meadow science topics
Read aloud from Story of the World
Optional art or project time
**Monday: Art & art appreciation, Wednesday: Spanish & Music
Friday, August 15, 2008
What to do with myself?...
I took the next 8 days off from work.... vacation! It will be so strange to not be going to work for that time, but I am really, really looking forward to it. I don't plan on going much of anywhere, besides park day next week, but I have plans around the house, i.e. getting the garage transformation finished, and the house really clean before I start classes a week from tomorrow. I also have a job interview Monday, for a job I applied to over a month ago and never expected to hear from, so we'll see how that goes. I guess I do know what to do with myself when there's no work in the way!
Other than that, not much is new here, except for the arrival of Thimbletack and Nim, our two grey-striped-&-white kittens. Having been born to a feral mom that died just after weaning them, they are a little wild themselves. Mornings are spent running through the house like maniacs, tackling each other, climbing curtains (old, ugly curtains thankfully), and much of the remainder of the day is spent in apparently exhausted sleep under the futon couch. They are beginning to allow petting and cuddling, which always results in hugely loud purring. I think (hope) eventually they will settle in to being pet cats as opposed to wild girls.
And we're into the last couple of weeks of vacation for the kids too, with a planned restarting date of September 2nd. So, it is a time of many outdoor hours, lazy afternoons, Popsicles, stories, and relaxation. And for me, lesson planning, last minute doubts, etc.
Other than that, not much is new here, except for the arrival of Thimbletack and Nim, our two grey-striped-&-white kittens. Having been born to a feral mom that died just after weaning them, they are a little wild themselves. Mornings are spent running through the house like maniacs, tackling each other, climbing curtains (old, ugly curtains thankfully), and much of the remainder of the day is spent in apparently exhausted sleep under the futon couch. They are beginning to allow petting and cuddling, which always results in hugely loud purring. I think (hope) eventually they will settle in to being pet cats as opposed to wild girls.
And we're into the last couple of weeks of vacation for the kids too, with a planned restarting date of September 2nd. So, it is a time of many outdoor hours, lazy afternoons, Popsicles, stories, and relaxation. And for me, lesson planning, last minute doubts, etc.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Stealing from Urban Mom's blog...
I really don't have much to post, so I'm stealing this... Although I can practically guarantee that my answers won't be as enjoyable/humerous as hers...
A. Attached or Single? Very much attached as I have been married for nearly 13 years.
B. Best Moment? When my beautiful boy was born, and laid on my stomach/chest immediately after birth. Most amazing moment ever. The birth of my daughter is a very, very near second... especially since she was too close to not being there at all at the time.
C. Cake or Pie? Depends. If you offer me a GOOD Key Lime pie, I'll gladly skip the cake.
D. Day of choice? Saturday. Both my husband and I have this day off, and it's the ONE day of the week we can all be together as a family.
E. Essential item(s)? Kiss My Face lip balm, lotion, and St. Ives Energizing Citrus bodywash.
F. Favorite color?: Green... the color of nature.
G. Gummy bears or worms? Worms. They're more fun to eat.
H. Home town? Penngrove, California
I. Favorite indulgence(s)? Chocolate, red wine, and a hot shower, and then a TV show OR book, of my choice, with no interruption from children, husband, etc.
J. January or July? January. Born in winter, love winter.
K. Kids? 2 amazing, fantastic, challenging children.
L. Life isn't complete without? Laughter.
M. Marriage date? 11/19/1995. We got married at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma - same place we really met.
N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 of each, both younger. My mom had a couple of miscarriages between me and my brother, so there's a 3.75 year gap there, then my sister followed him 21 months later, the same amount of time there is between MY kids.
P. Phobias? Being a passenger in a vehicle. Seriously - I don't care how well you drive, I don't like it.
Q. Quotes: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Emerson ; "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead ; "Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality." Beatrix Potter
R. Reasons to smile? My children, my cats, my home... lots of things!
S. Season of choice? Autumn.
T. Tag? Jenny... and Maria
U. Unknown Fact about me? I've never been in an airplane, to McDonald's, or to DisneyLand. Okay, I know that's actually three facts.
V. Vegetable? Tough one! Broccoli, salad, eggplant, bell peppers, tomatoes... I love them all!
W. Worst habit? Laziness.
X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound, usually. It has almost always been associated with good things for me.
Y. Your favorite food? Avocados.
Z. Zodiac sign? Sagittarius.
A. Attached or Single? Very much attached as I have been married for nearly 13 years.
B. Best Moment? When my beautiful boy was born, and laid on my stomach/chest immediately after birth. Most amazing moment ever. The birth of my daughter is a very, very near second... especially since she was too close to not being there at all at the time.
C. Cake or Pie? Depends. If you offer me a GOOD Key Lime pie, I'll gladly skip the cake.
D. Day of choice? Saturday. Both my husband and I have this day off, and it's the ONE day of the week we can all be together as a family.
E. Essential item(s)? Kiss My Face lip balm, lotion, and St. Ives Energizing Citrus bodywash.
F. Favorite color?: Green... the color of nature.
G. Gummy bears or worms? Worms. They're more fun to eat.
H. Home town? Penngrove, California
I. Favorite indulgence(s)? Chocolate, red wine, and a hot shower, and then a TV show OR book, of my choice, with no interruption from children, husband, etc.
J. January or July? January. Born in winter, love winter.
K. Kids? 2 amazing, fantastic, challenging children.
L. Life isn't complete without? Laughter.
M. Marriage date? 11/19/1995. We got married at the Phoenix Theater in Petaluma - same place we really met.
N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 of each, both younger. My mom had a couple of miscarriages between me and my brother, so there's a 3.75 year gap there, then my sister followed him 21 months later, the same amount of time there is between MY kids.
P. Phobias? Being a passenger in a vehicle. Seriously - I don't care how well you drive, I don't like it.
Q. Quotes: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Emerson ; "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead ; "Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality." Beatrix Potter
R. Reasons to smile? My children, my cats, my home... lots of things!
S. Season of choice? Autumn.
T. Tag? Jenny... and Maria
U. Unknown Fact about me? I've never been in an airplane, to McDonald's, or to DisneyLand. Okay, I know that's actually three facts.
V. Vegetable? Tough one! Broccoli, salad, eggplant, bell peppers, tomatoes... I love them all!
W. Worst habit? Laziness.
X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasound, usually. It has almost always been associated with good things for me.
Y. Your favorite food? Avocados.
Z. Zodiac sign? Sagittarius.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Are YOU an overachieving homeschooler?
Don't worry, I already took the quiz, and sadly am not.
Secular Homeschooling's Overachieving Homeschooler Quiz
Secular Homeschooling's Overachieving Homeschooler Quiz
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Geography/World Cultures units...
After reviewing Oak Meadow extensively, it isn't strong enough in the early grades (though it looks fantastic later on) in either history/social studies or science. And after much discussion, we have collectively agreed that the children want to learn about various cultures around the world this year. Hence, I am using multiple resources - library books, videos, hands-on projects, Magic School Bus and more - to create my own unit studies as detailed below. Science in these plans is related to the flora, fauna and natural geology of the places we study...
4 weeks
Australia
4 weeks
Africa
4 weeks
South America
Thanksgiving Break, one week
3 weeks
Christmas Around the World
Winter/Christmas Break, 2 weeks
2 weeks
Russia
8 weeks
Europe & the UK
3 weeks
India
Spring Break, 2 weeks
7 weeks
Asia
I am using Oak Meadow science as topics for Friday Nature Studies. OM K focuses on social studies (like community resources, what people do in different jobs, and so forth), and I hope to work that in as a once a month short lesson. We're also covering one unit a month from RS4K Chemistry (pre-level 1).
4 weeks
Australia
4 weeks
Africa
4 weeks
South America
Thanksgiving Break, one week
3 weeks
Christmas Around the World
Winter/Christmas Break, 2 weeks
2 weeks
Russia
8 weeks
Europe & the UK
3 weeks
India
Spring Break, 2 weeks
7 weeks
Asia
I am using Oak Meadow science as topics for Friday Nature Studies. OM K focuses on social studies (like community resources, what people do in different jobs, and so forth), and I hope to work that in as a once a month short lesson. We're also covering one unit a month from RS4K Chemistry (pre-level 1).
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