Catch Up to Week 5

We have completed our fifth week of schooling at home with K12.  Juggling the three kids has definitely been a struggle, but I am proud of the progress we've made so far.

September seems to have gone by quickly.  We had a short week after Labor Day.  We only had three days to get some work done before we went to one of the many Back to School Picnics held in our area. It was a successful week.   During that week, the girls had their AIMSweb assessments with their teachers. I am very proud and happy to say they both did exceptionally well and are on track for their respective grade levels. In fact, Miss T reads at a upper 3rd to 4th grade level. *insert fist pumps and swelling chest* T & A both need to work on their handwriting. They had to write 2-4 sentences about themselves as a writing portfolio to send to their teachers. This gave the teachers an idea of where the students may need help with either handwriting, spelling, structure, etc. They also had an opportunity to speak with their teacher on the telephone while completing the assessment. This was a wonderful introduction to the up coming picnic where they personally met their teachers. They were so excited. E was a bit disappointed since his teachers were not there but he had fun none.the.less.

In the weeks to follow we have worked hard to find our groove.  The girls are learning how to work independently and share "Teacher Mommy" with their brother.  He, meanwhile, is learning to discipline himself to focus on his work while I am busy with his sisters.  I am learning how to give each of them 1:1 attention throughout the day.  It is not easy.  However, it is beneficial to everyone because with this 1:1 time, I have learned that Miss T does not know all her basic addition facts.  Some she knows by heart, others it takes a little longer for her figure out how to count/work it out.  I will probably shuffle her Math program around to better suit her needs.  For example, on her scheduled plan she should be learning about money.  Well, she can't very well count money if she can't remember the basic addition.  This week, I plan to put the K12 math on pause and give her some supplemental addition work to help her memorize facts.  Miss A (my 1st grader) is now starting with her addition facts so hopefully I can give them group work to make it all a little easier.

October brings the next round of Parent/Teacher conferences.  I will discuss, T's math struggles with her teacher.  A will probably have her handwriting assessed.  E's conference will be a review of his test scores (Scantron and Study Island Benchmarks), plus his Fall writing portfolio.

Back to School: Week 1 Wrap Up

Well, we've completed a full week of school.  It was a first of many for our household.  E started what is (unofficially) known as the "intro to middle school". 




And my sweet girls began their first year as K12 Virtual Academy students.



There was lots of reading new books for my precious first grader (who wants to go back to Kindergarten).  She spent lots of time with books while I worked 1:1 with her older siblings.  As these early months go by, I will have to develop some sort of schedule to do more 1:1 with each of them and provide independent work for the others.

E struggled a bit this week getting in the groove.  His body is certainly in attendance but his brain is vacationing.  Math is already kicking his butt.  Estimation is not his friend.  He is studying American History this year.  This week focused on the early beginnings of U.S. History.

Handwriting Without Tears (!!!) is a part of the 1st and 2nd grade curriculum.  The girls are loving their 10 minute writing drills.  I set the timer on my phone for 10 minutes and they have to complete as many pages as they can.  They've been doing 1-2 pages per day.  I can alreay see improvement in their handwriting.  Both T & A would write with uppercase letters exclusively if I let them.  I'm glad this course is emphasizing writing with lowercase letters.

T had her hands full with writing big numbers up to 500.  It was a lot of busy work but good practice.

As for me, I had a few class connect sessions with the teachers for each grade level.  My goal for next month is to develop the habit of laying out the girls' workbooks the night before.  I definitely need to get some drawer carts for the girls.  Workboxes will help with increasing their independence.  E has his books in crates next to his desk that he can easily reach when necessary.  It worked well for him last year so I won't rock the boat by changing him to workboxes.

All in all it was a great week and I look forward to the busyness that is to come.

A Little Summer Fun

For a couple of weeks we had a quiet visitor on our patio.  He'd just show up, hang out a bit and then slowly go about his business.  The kids were a bit apprehensive but enjoyed looking at him.  E did some research (as only a professor would) and decided he was a pondslider turtle.  It's been a bout two weeks now since we last saw him.  I believe the heat wave we went through has something to do with that. 

Apparently my son is a bit camera shy. Every time I came with camera, he ducked or ran away... boys.  I've also discovered what my daughters' favorite shirts are.

A Cricket in Times Square - Summer Reading Unit

During the school year, E had to choose four novels to read and complete the assigned work associated with the chosen book.  Since we are in the Virtual Academy (VA), the first three choices were chosen by his 4th grade teacher who held class connect sessions for the students to read along together and discuss.  He thoroughly enjoyed the process.  For the last novel, he had to choose on his own and complete the unit independently.  I, along with hubby chose The Cricket in Times Square.  He wasn't happy.  He already had it in his head to choose 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  Hubby didn't mind so we allowed him that freedom and he successfully completed the unit.  However, we had already purchased the other book.  So to avoid the feeling of having wasted my money, I decided he would still read The Cricket in Times Square over the summer.  I searched and found a wonderful unit study here that he can complete as he reads.  It also has an English language arts component to keep his grammar skills sharp too.

Give Me Structure

Oh.My.Soul.  I can't take it.  I can't.  They are driving me INSANE!  E has been finished with school for nearly two weeks now and it's been cartoons and playstation all day long.  The girls are still finishing up their respective workbooks and such but with no real schedule.  We're winging it.  I wanted (needed) to relax our days a little due to hubby's new work hours forcing me to wake up at 5:30am.  Somehow, the kids thought that meant they should get up too.  Umm, no.  Why are they trying to go downstairs to watch TV at 7:00am???  For real?!  I had to remind them there is no reason for them to get up so early now.  They weren't happy about that but settled for an 8:00 compromise.  Still early but more reasonable than 7:00.   Once breakfast has been eaten they are either in front of the TV or on the computer.  Part of me doesn't mind but there's the other part that needs the peace and quiet of children reading or studying in workbooks.  All day I hear "mom, can I watch this", "she hit me", "they won't share".  Puhlease, leave me alone.  When is my vacation?   Nope, can't continue like this.  I'm gonna become one of those homeschoolers who school year round.  They need the structure.  This freedom of play all day, veg in front of the TV or computer is no bueno.  We'll be doing some reading assignments, math games/worksheets and organized art  projects to keep us busy 2 - 3 days a week.  Oh, and I guess I can muster the strength to walk to the playground once or twice during the week.

We're Done!

Woo Hoo!  My young man E, has completed all his lessons for the year.  Fifth grade here we come!!  He is beyond excited and so proud of himself.  He worked HARD this week and sacrificed playtime, fun computer time, tv....  I'm proud of him.  I had my end year conference with his teacher, (who gave him rave reviews) and she was also proud of his progress.  We got the official word from her that he has been promoted. yay!  We also discussed plans for next year, which include dropping music (their program kinda sucks, IMO) and adding Spanish.  It was his choice... I would've chosen French.  We expect to get his new materials in early August.  He's now looking forward to a summer filled with PlayStation and a couple summer camp classes. But first, we have a school sponsored Celebration Day at a local park on Friday and our own family celebration after Dad comes home from work later that day. 

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!