Camille--
*New subject added was Speech!
*English--
-New approach to Vocabulary was implemented; she is now writing three papers, M-W-F, which include her 15 new vocabulary words. The type of paper is up to her, my only guidelines are that she uses each word properly along with demonstrating good mechanics and punctuation.
-Studied the use of "Possessives" along with one last review of Dictionary skills.
-Read The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (Student Edition).
-Began reading How To Save A Life, also by Sara Zarr.
*World History- Completed week two, which included an interesting visit to the ancient question, "What is the Meaning of Life?"
*Bible Study-we finished Genesis!
Jude--
*Arithmetic- Completed his last CLE Light Unit. I'm again frustrated that this curriculum continues to assume that students have grasped a concept, then offers a poor explanation for the new lesson. This math program is meant to be used independently by students, so one would expect not to encounter assumptions and to be supplied with clear,conceptual explanations. Nope. To add to my frustrations, the Teacher's Manual is very poorly written, offering little to zero help. Other than those glitches, it's an advanced curriculum which gently spirals and has a beautiful layout. However, this would work for a student who is much more math-intuitive. Monday Jude will return to Rod&Staff, which is plain ole black and white, traditional arithmetic; lays a very solid foundation and is presented logically.
*Language- Successfully learning how to follow directions! :) Bless his heart, he had to redo two lessons because he made assumptions, instead of reading the instructions carefully. Oops! Pretty sure he'll read more carefully now!
*Reading- Finished reading about the childhood of Martha Washington, along with two more Hank the Cowdog books.
*Read-aloud is still The Story of Eli Whitney.
* American History- Started working through The Story of the U.S.A, book 2.
*Science- Loves his Nature Reader!
*Is loving his Geography workbook the best!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Weekly Progress Report August 13-17th
--Camille--
*Got an A on her Algebra test! She is working very hard to finish this course and move onto Geometry!
*Completed her 1st week of World History and wrote an engaging two-page paper titled, My Connection to the World.
*Finished reading Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr and highly recommends it.
*Wrote a nicely written paper for World Current Events titled, The 2012 Summer Olympics.
*Is plugging along with her Etymology study, which, once completed, will allow me to record her English credit as an "Honor's English Course."
--Jude--
*Mastered his Multiply 9 facts in three days.
*Read one of the Hank the Cowdog books in one day.
*Started reading The Call of the Wild
*Is enjoying our History read aloud, The Story of Eli Whitney.
*Is learning beginning research skills with his Science Nature Reader.
*Is reading a book about the childhood of Martha Washington.
*LOVES his Geography workbook.
*Isn't too thrilled with his Bible Study, so far.
*Got an A on her Algebra test! She is working very hard to finish this course and move onto Geometry!
*Completed her 1st week of World History and wrote an engaging two-page paper titled, My Connection to the World.
*Finished reading Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr and highly recommends it.
*Wrote a nicely written paper for World Current Events titled, The 2012 Summer Olympics.
*Is plugging along with her Etymology study, which, once completed, will allow me to record her English credit as an "Honor's English Course."
--Jude--
*Mastered his Multiply 9 facts in three days.
*Read one of the Hank the Cowdog books in one day.
*Started reading The Call of the Wild
*Is enjoying our History read aloud, The Story of Eli Whitney.
*Is learning beginning research skills with his Science Nature Reader.
*Is reading a book about the childhood of Martha Washington.
*LOVES his Geography workbook.
*Isn't too thrilled with his Bible Study, so far.
A New School Year
August 13, 2012 was our official first day back to school. Like many kids, mine weren't too thrilled to say good-bye to summer.
Home-educating allows us many freedoms and flexibility. Taking full advantage of this perk, I tried something new this year which is to start with a few subjects and add in a new one each week. In this way, the kids are allowed to ease back into their full days. Another new idea I'm implementing isn't really an idea, rather it's a method called "Self-teaching." It's more than just read and learn, it will involve the kids doing their own weekly planning; setting weekly, quarterly and yearly goals and, learning to mastery. The brain child behind this is a former public-school teacher and veteran home-educator,Joanne Calderwood.
Camille 's 10th grade year will be very full, as it should. Full, but good. I am excited to see her grow both spiritually and emotionally. The curriculum we've chosen for her will (hopefully) serve to strengthen her weaker areas (English) and stretch her solid ones(math and science).
Jude's 5th grade year will continue to have a heavy focus on the three R's. We've chosen his studies to allow for practice in both reading and writing while studying content subjects(history and science). Having learned from teaching Camille, I am now planning "backwards" by looking at where we want him to be at the end of his 8th grade year. Because we delayed formal math until he was 10, he is understandably behind, but steadily making great great progress. Many days he will be expected to complete 2-3 lessons.
Jude's 5th grade photo.
Camille 's 10th grade year will be very full, as it should. Full, but good. I am excited to see her grow both spiritually and emotionally. The curriculum we've chosen for her will (hopefully) serve to strengthen her weaker areas (English) and stretch her solid ones(math and science).
Jude's 5th grade year will continue to have a heavy focus on the three R's. We've chosen his studies to allow for practice in both reading and writing while studying content subjects(history and science). Having learned from teaching Camille, I am now planning "backwards" by looking at where we want him to be at the end of his 8th grade year. Because we delayed formal math until he was 10, he is understandably behind, but steadily making great great progress. Many days he will be expected to complete 2-3 lessons.
Jude's 5th grade photo.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Happy Golden Birthday, Camille!!
It's funny that we didn't realize that our baby girl was a Veteran's Day Baby. Even as dh chuckled through happy tears that she would turn 15 on 11-11-11. (Sleep deprivation!) On her 1st BD, we took her to a park which had a pond, as she loved feeding the ducks. We lived in the Southwest then, so November was still very warm and beautiful. I had a nice picnic day planned for the three of us. Then, it rained! It NEVER rains, but it did that day! So, we packed up our park activities and headed to the big mall, so we could take our baby girl to the indoor play area-which had a merry-go-round. On the way to the mall, we stopped at the bank to withdraw money.
That is when we realized our baby girl's BD was also a National Holiday! Of course, dh was quick to point out that she would always have school off on her BD. (Even as a homeschooler, she doesn't have school!) Our conversation was halted as we stared in awe at a beautiful double rainbow. Since I was not a Christian then, I read many things into that rainbow. The main conclusion, was that our baby would have a lucky and happy life!
And, she has, for the most part. Hard to believe she is 15! I listened to my older sister when she said kids grow up fast, so treasure the little moments. I was never apart from dd unless I had to have a surgery.(My health woes still to come..) We were glued at the breast, then hip, then....just glued. I wouldn't change a thing for the way I mothered her during her early years. She was and remains the joy of my life. She has always been such a fun girl to be around. Always well-natured, always lighting up a room. As a little girl, everyone would comment on how beautiful she was, and I would agree, but chime in with how funny, sweet and smart she was, too. As she grew older, she wanted to do things I did. If I was in the kitchen baking or cooking, she was right there, on her stool helping. She loved playing outside and going to the zoo, so as the weather allowed, we were always out and about-her either walking with me or riding in her jogging stroller. As she headed into her preschool years, she loved doing crafts, coloring, painting and playing with puzzles. At age 3, she was putting together 50-piece puzzles she had never seen before. Music was, without a doubt, her most favorite thing of all. She participated in Kindermusik for five years and loved to sing and dance. Her next favorite thing was reading. She got her 1st library card when she was 5 weeks old. I read to her for hours each day, and as she neared Kindy age, she would beg to go to the library for more books. Because I used to work in Montessori schools, I made sure she was surrounded by quality books. When it came time to enroll her in Kindy, I started to question if that was the correct thing to do-if that was what was best for her. She was almost reading. She could write her name. She could tie her shoes. She was working on 100-piece puzzles. Her social skills were way above those of her peers. I wondered what she would gain from starting school. A friend whom I met at a La Leache League group also had a daughter near the same age and she had decided to wait a year due to her daughter's social skills. Her daughter was(is!!) so smart and sweet, but when she was younger, she was very, very shy. Well, I decided there was no rush and took a year to think about school. We spent our days playing, doing crafts, meeting others for play-dates, listening to music and dancing and of course, reading. That year flew! When the time came(again!) to enroll dd in Kindy, I decided to homeschool her! I have not regretted it one bit. I cherish the time we've had together. She is the reason I have let go of so many unhealthy things in my life-including close relationships and addictions. She is why I have fought to make my marriage work. She is why I sought out Christ. She is why I sacrifice the things that I do. I love her to pieces. More than words can express.
Activities and interests she's been involved in....
Swim Team. Dancing. Sewing. Soccer. Softball. Chorus. Baking. Cooking. Fashion Design. Gardening. Scrap booking. Photography. Crafting.
What she likes at age 15....
Basketball. Volleyball. Swimming. Photography. Music. Friends. Movies. Twilight. Adele. Lady Gaga. Pretty Little Liars tv show. Reading. Landscape design. Interior design. Shopping. Baking. Spending time with her cousins. Working.
Words that come to my mind when I think of my Camille.....
Intelligent. Creative. Independent. Fun. Outgoing. Beautiful. Charming. Sweet. Faithful. Strong-willed. Stubborn. Sensitive. Funny. Clever. Determined. Responsible. Observant. Friendly. Lovable. Lovely. Strong.
Happy 15th Birthday, Camille!!
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That is when we realized our baby girl's BD was also a National Holiday! Of course, dh was quick to point out that she would always have school off on her BD. (Even as a homeschooler, she doesn't have school!) Our conversation was halted as we stared in awe at a beautiful double rainbow. Since I was not a Christian then, I read many things into that rainbow. The main conclusion, was that our baby would have a lucky and happy life!
And, she has, for the most part. Hard to believe she is 15! I listened to my older sister when she said kids grow up fast, so treasure the little moments. I was never apart from dd unless I had to have a surgery.(My health woes still to come..) We were glued at the breast, then hip, then....just glued. I wouldn't change a thing for the way I mothered her during her early years. She was and remains the joy of my life. She has always been such a fun girl to be around. Always well-natured, always lighting up a room. As a little girl, everyone would comment on how beautiful she was, and I would agree, but chime in with how funny, sweet and smart she was, too. As she grew older, she wanted to do things I did. If I was in the kitchen baking or cooking, she was right there, on her stool helping. She loved playing outside and going to the zoo, so as the weather allowed, we were always out and about-her either walking with me or riding in her jogging stroller. As she headed into her preschool years, she loved doing crafts, coloring, painting and playing with puzzles. At age 3, she was putting together 50-piece puzzles she had never seen before. Music was, without a doubt, her most favorite thing of all. She participated in Kindermusik for five years and loved to sing and dance. Her next favorite thing was reading. She got her 1st library card when she was 5 weeks old. I read to her for hours each day, and as she neared Kindy age, she would beg to go to the library for more books. Because I used to work in Montessori schools, I made sure she was surrounded by quality books. When it came time to enroll her in Kindy, I started to question if that was the correct thing to do-if that was what was best for her. She was almost reading. She could write her name. She could tie her shoes. She was working on 100-piece puzzles. Her social skills were way above those of her peers. I wondered what she would gain from starting school. A friend whom I met at a La Leache League group also had a daughter near the same age and she had decided to wait a year due to her daughter's social skills. Her daughter was(is!!) so smart and sweet, but when she was younger, she was very, very shy. Well, I decided there was no rush and took a year to think about school. We spent our days playing, doing crafts, meeting others for play-dates, listening to music and dancing and of course, reading. That year flew! When the time came(again!) to enroll dd in Kindy, I decided to homeschool her! I have not regretted it one bit. I cherish the time we've had together. She is the reason I have let go of so many unhealthy things in my life-including close relationships and addictions. She is why I have fought to make my marriage work. She is why I sought out Christ. She is why I sacrifice the things that I do. I love her to pieces. More than words can express.
Activities and interests she's been involved in....
Swim Team. Dancing. Sewing. Soccer. Softball. Chorus. Baking. Cooking. Fashion Design. Gardening. Scrap booking. Photography. Crafting.
What she likes at age 15....
Basketball. Volleyball. Swimming. Photography. Music. Friends. Movies. Twilight. Adele. Lady Gaga. Pretty Little Liars tv show. Reading. Landscape design. Interior design. Shopping. Baking. Spending time with her cousins. Working.
Words that come to my mind when I think of my Camille.....
Intelligent. Creative. Independent. Fun. Outgoing. Beautiful. Charming. Sweet. Faithful. Strong-willed. Stubborn. Sensitive. Funny. Clever. Determined. Responsible. Observant. Friendly. Lovable. Lovely. Strong.
Happy 15th Birthday, Camille!!
With her BFF, H.
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And her little sister(neighbor A)
With her lifelong BFF(cousin) A(my adorable niece!)
"Slinging" kitty Ruth!
With her Volleyball Besties!
Cuddling 3yo cousin T...
This one makes me cry every time I view it-so precious!
Loving on T and new baby sister, L...
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
Mini-cupcakes! 11*11*11
I served her breakfast in bed.....(her 1st 17 mag) three different pancakes...
Then a "Smokey-Makeover."
Dd and H made their T-Shirts....:)
Riding the "Birthday Bull" at her restaurant of choice....
Our annual BD pic!! I love my dd!!
15 candles.....
November 11, 2011
Time to Vacate!!
Beautiful Rocky Mountains, here we come!!
How lucky we were to join my family of origin (sans crazy ones) for a reunion in the Rockies! My sister is married to a very generous man (married 31 years!!) who threw her a smashing 50th Birthday Party ala Family Reunion style. My brother in law is not one to stay still for long, so it wasn't much of a surprise when we found out about all of the fun things we would be doing. However, we had just one little "challenge" to overcome before we packed the car. Well, not "we," just ds. My poor boy suffers terrible travel anxiety along with normal carsickness. He freaks out at the thought of driving an hour out of town, so to think of driving for two days was..ahem...daunting.
I packed a fun travel tote, with one goal in mind-distraction. So, I included a mini-flashlight, plenty of books of interest, Mad-libs, a USA travel workbook, favorite (and, often, forbidden) snacks, drawing pencils, and my laptop along with lots of movies on dvd. The promise of travel money was, of course, part of the sweet deal. Here is a photo of him, all jammed in the back seat. (Dd drove with my other sister who lives nearby, but he is still packed in tightly!)
Hiking, horseback riding, ATV rides, golfing, bike rides, fishing, yoga, and massages for all are just some of the activities on our itinerary. We had an absolute blast!
Dd-that girl had fun!
How lucky we were to join my family of origin (sans crazy ones) for a reunion in the Rockies! My sister is married to a very generous man (married 31 years!!) who threw her a smashing 50th Birthday Party ala Family Reunion style. My brother in law is not one to stay still for long, so it wasn't much of a surprise when we found out about all of the fun things we would be doing. However, we had just one little "challenge" to overcome before we packed the car. Well, not "we," just ds. My poor boy suffers terrible travel anxiety along with normal carsickness. He freaks out at the thought of driving an hour out of town, so to think of driving for two days was..ahem...daunting.
I packed a fun travel tote, with one goal in mind-distraction. So, I included a mini-flashlight, plenty of books of interest, Mad-libs, a USA travel workbook, favorite (and, often, forbidden) snacks, drawing pencils, and my laptop along with lots of movies on dvd. The promise of travel money was, of course, part of the sweet deal. Here is a photo of him, all jammed in the back seat. (Dd drove with my other sister who lives nearby, but he is still packed in tightly!)
Hiking, horseback riding, ATV rides, golfing, bike rides, fishing, yoga, and massages for all are just some of the activities on our itinerary. We had an absolute blast!
Dd-that girl had fun!
Dh just back from a ride with ds.
Dh and me!
This one is so darling! Bro-in-law taking ds!
Okay, now we are such cool parents!! :)
Horseback riding! (It rained!!)
Yoga.....
Hiking....
My big sissy and I escaped for a girl hike(alone!)!!
Ds's 1st time golfing in the mountains...
Dh coming back from his ride to the top of Loveland Pass...
Dd LOVED spending time with my Grand Niece....
Happy Birthday, Big Sissy and a huge Thank You to my Bro-in-Law!!
Beautiful pics of the Rockies!!
My favorite night was the celebration of our 21st wedding anniversary! We drove into Breckenridge and ate at an awesome Mexican restaurant, overlooking the boardwalk. Afterwards we took a very romantic stroll along the boardwalk. (That is so goofy and fun to write!)
Happy 21st Anniversary to us!!
Family Vacation 2011
Guess who didn't want to come home? (well, none of us did..) ds, that's who! I made a deal I would ride in the back and let dd ride in the front with dh.
Thanks for keeping us safe, dh!
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