Finally Friday

That's pretty much how I feel about this week.  It's been busy.   Things are winding down for E so I'm busy double checking his courses to make sure he is getting everything caught up for the year.  He's in no danger of not making the 920 hours requirement for the year but I also want him to finish all of his courses.
I let the girls unschool for the week because it's becoming a strain on my emotions to constantly tell them to do their work.   So, this week I gave them some flexibility and let them enjoy some of the lesson samples from K12.  They really enjoyed them and makes me look forward to the next school year.

"Dr. Bones" science game



E had a busy week of "test prep" sessions with his teachers and offline.  His brain is surely on overload so we were more than happy to take some time today and go have an unplanned recess with other students and parents.  It was nice to be out in the sun (and wind) watching him run and play.  He really needed it and totally enjoyed his recess.  He even played a little volleyball for the first time.  I didn't take pics 'cause I was too busy running my mouth.  Oh, he even met a therapy dog and learned a little about their jobs.  *thumbs up for supplemental learning hours - social studies, health & P.E.

The girls had their share of running and playing outside too.

It was a good week, full of learning and play.  Next week... state testing!

Sunday Night Thoughts

Right now, I'm getting my lesson plan/schedules done for the week. (Just for the girls since E's plans are done by k12).  I'm so very tired of doing this.  It's so TEE-DEE-US.  Ugh!  What makes it more difficult is that they are a little ahead of their grade level in some areas.  It's hard to find the right work for them to do.  Tae, my first grader, loves to work and gets excited about learning but if she hits a roadblock she'll freak out.  However, my sweet little Yaya, my precious kindergartener is tough to figure out.  She doesn't like to write (unless SHE makes the decision to write), she knows her math but if she can see that it is the same type of work Tae is doing, she'll stop and say, "I can't do that, it's first grade work."  WAH??  If I give her stuff geared toward kindegarteners, she'll say it's "too easy" or "I don't want to do this because I already know the answers."  If I could put them on the computer and let them have at it, they wouldn't complain a bit.  SO FRUSTRATING.  Goodness.  I've flirted with the idea of unschooling them but somehow it turns into straight up playtime.  I don't know, maybe letting them (especially Yaya) lead is the better way to go for the remainder of the school year and summer.  I'll give them the access to the books, worksheets, etc. but let them decide if they want to do it. (??)  I don't know. 

Last Week

... was a pretty productive week.  The girls are officially enrolled in school.  yay!  My homepage on the OLS (on-line school) now shows all three kids as my students. (giddy!)  Of course there are no courses loaded yet but I can see a list of the courses they each will have the next school year.

E has been working hard this past week on test prep. Two days out of the week, he has a class connect session with his teacher who goes over different questions and methods to succeed on the state assessments.  He will take those exams in about three weeks. 

My mind and time was filled with trying to figure out how we I will organize the school supplies for all three kids.  This year we made the dining room our school room. 

wall map and calendar boards from start of school year

E's computer in the dining room (before start of school year)

However, for the next school year, I don't know if I want all three of them in the same room.   E will be in the 5th grade while the girls will be in 1st and 2nd.  A part of me believes there needs to be some separation.  I feel like I should keep the girls in a different area from him.  I don't know.  It's all being tossed around my brain right now.  Thankfully, I have a full summer ahead to work it all out.  This week, I'm enjoying a much needed break from the daily grind of schooling.  Woo hoo it's Spring Break!!!