April 16, 2010

Well, I think I have mastered this 'unorganized' thing, lol...

We have been doing our reading, with a 'special chore' each day (if you do the chore, I will give you a $1 for each chore.  that is 1 special chore a day, it could add up to $14, and the chore is only like 'clean living room'.

No, they won't do it.

I've instilled the 'no going outside till your room is vacuamed and cleaned.

No-go.  They don't want to go outside anyways...

If I were awake during the day, I could take care of this stuff.  But I think just having the rule of 'clean your room'-extra chore (that they get paid for) optional, isn't too much.  Oh, well.

We remebered to do math the first day.  Our math only consists of a game (Rachel is working on memorizing her multiplication/Gracie her addition.  Next month the plan is double-digit mutliplication/additon) but yes...got to work on remembering that one...

Oh, well.  Today is another day.

Happy Unschooling!!

Or whatever in the world it is that I'm doing;)

April 13,2009

This is our first day of unschooling!! :)  Actually, consider it a compromise in a way...   This month we will 'attempt' a hands-on, family education.  Kind of like unschooling...kind of like Charlotte Mason, I guess;)  Always loved her hands-on ideas..  Anyways, alternating each month will give us an idea as to what works best. 

9yo 'loves' dogs, and I found out that our SPCA has a Critter Camp in July!! :)  Unfortunately it is full, but we put her on the waiting list, so here's hoping.  It's only a week, but I know she'll have a good time there.  Very exciting! 

Anyways, those are really the only changes.  We're debating whether to start Latin in June (I guess whether Rachel gets into the camp will determine that).  I was thinking, if we try to learn Latin together, that will open the door for all the languages of South America, at least a third of Europe and many other countries that have a French-origined language.  Will try and make it fun...and apply it to common things in their life.

Okay, that is it.  Happy Homeschooling!!

March 10, 2010

Saying Good-bye to another actor I grew up with

:(

Cory Haim had a on-again/off again struggle with drugs.  Last heard, he had flu-like symptoms, was taking prescription drugs, but they don't know if he tried to mix anything...autopsies will show that.

This is a perfect example for kids-stay away from drugs!!

He first started using drugs on the SET of the Lost Boys.  On the SET!!  They were simple drugs, but they escalated.

His movies (that I have watched/remember) include:

Lucas

The Lost Boys

License to Drive

I will (mainly because of age) plan to watch 'Lucas' with the kids.  A plan to show where Cory Haim was, and could had been,  but couldn't.  All based on a one-time decision, where he should had walked away.

Good-bye Cory Haim. 

I only pray that you could rest in peace, but I don't even want to think about that..

February 20,2009

Kids are watching

The Magic School Bus

and

Liberty's Kids

Oh, if schooling could be this easy!! 

Science and history,

all in one!!

February 18, 2010

Have decided to give our school a name.  The previous school I had planned was just 'too good to be true', so to speak.  They now want you to go by their plan-or a diploma that says 'you didn't finish'.

What's the use of that?  I can make  one much better!!

So  here I am :)

Found some interesting books this month. 

Kids Throughout History

They had several of them-

Kids During the age of Exploration

Dis during the Great Depression

Kids During the Industrial Revolution

Kids During the Time of the Maya

Kids in Ancient Egypt

Kids in Ancient Rome

I have a 9yo that has a lot of trouble sleeping, so I bought her a little light for her bunk.  Now, after everyone is asleep, she can lay down and read herself to sleep!  These books will be a great tool. The pictures are fun and interesting.

Another great find was a series by Marissa Moss.

Hannah's Journal- the story of an immigrant girl..

Rachel's Journal-the story of a Pioneer Girl

Emma's Journal-the story of a colonial girl

Rose's Journal-the story of a girl in the great depression

They are all in journal form, first person and very interesting!!  The pages are fun to read, and filled with drawings and real life pictures to make it more personal.

(sorry, I couldn't find any pics of the pages) 

She is reading these now.

I would say 'Happy Homeschooling', but are we 'homeschooling' now?

Lol...I do say we are closer to those in other states and have created our own private school!

Wow!! 

God bless!

:)

January 4, 2010

What to do?

Ever snce I've subscribed to this idea of 'self-teaching', and 'be happy with the curriculum you have and stick with it' theory (because you're always going to find something more exciting next year...but don't change!!)

:( I've been bored!!  I'll catch myself looking..oops!! But we weren't going to use that next year..remember?  You've used unit studies before...you simply DO NOT have time...at least that is what my 'inner-voice' screams...and it's true.

Yes, the unschool part of me is still there.  If I were to live a different life, I would do this.  If I weren't stuck working...had the money.  Unschooling, to me, if done correctly can be a good thing!!  For us: it would mean the kids staying home, watching television with an occassional visit to the library.  No field trips to aquairiums, etc.  Got to be able to have fun and work with it.  Exposure is the key.

So needless to say, not much has changed.  I am starting on my 'childhood memories book' the kids requested.  I am really trying to remember some things/find photos but I fear I may have to draw some.

One fun note!!

Rachel is always fighting with her math.  So the other day I told her, do all the even problems, if you get them all right (she corrects her own), then you don't have to do math the next day.

:) yesterday, perfect score!! 

She tries harder when there's something for her

Happy Homeschooling!

January 2, 2010

Happy Birthday Rachel!!

My big girl turned 9 years old today

:)

Things have been busy here.  We went on with school as usual today, but didn't get as much done as I had hoped..

:( teacher fell asleep!! 

From now on I've alerted Rachel that she is going to have to take responsibility for her own schooling.  So if I should happen to fall asleep, the day must go on!!

Gracie finally recieved her books as well. I have her on the Spectrum series.  I purchased the math (Spectrum) from a seller on Amazon.com....and wouldn't you know??? Still haven't received it!!  Guess the $1, or $2 was too good to be true.. Still hoping it arrives though:) 

Gracie has:

Math, Reading, (along with Abeka Readers, she received 'Tiptoes' in the mail also), writing,phonics, sight words, and spelling.  The Language Arts doesn't start till grade 2, geography and vocabulary till grade 3.  I don't bother with history till around grade 3 or 4 either (proficient readers).

Rachel has been doing pretty good, but with my 'classical' side;)  Well, lets just say the history reader she is using (Story of America)

This 'technically' is a grade 4 book, it was the only one I had however and didn't want to go and spend more money if we were going to read this one anyways.  It's fairly easy to read and she has no problem understanding it. 

Anyways, it is just 'one grade...But when she got to the 'Viking' chapter (around 2, maybe chapter 3), I threw in this book that came highly reccommended through Veritas Press...

It's a fun book that tells the history in a cartoon-like fashion.  Rahcel seems to enjoy it.  Anyways, I checked out a bunch of books from the library and came upon this one.  It not only covers Greenland, but also the 'Viking history' as well.  So I told her to read this after she gets done with the Vikiing book.

We've also been reading fun books about Columbus and his life.

Then when she is done, these books also came in.  (Will probably have to 'recheck' them out;)

Pocahontas by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire.

All their books are excellent!

An Incredible Journey, My Life with the Indians: the true story of Mary Jemison

Anyways, it's looking like this may be their only history text for quite a while!!;) 

That is not a bad thing, though.  I'm just using the history text as a guide.  Rachel is enjoying all the little changes, reading fun stories.  With so many books, I am trying to keep track of them all here so when Gracie is ready I can just refer to this list:)

Happy Homeschooling!!