Math Spelling List
0 - zero
1 – one
2 – two
3 – three
4 – four
5 – five
6 – six
7 – seven
8 – eight
9 – nine
10 – ten
11 – eleven
12 – twelve
13 – thirteen
14 – fourteen
15 – fifteen
16 – sixteen
17 – seventeen
18 – eighteen
19 – nineteen
20 – twenty
30 – thirty
40 – forty
50 – fifty
60 – sixty
70 – seventy
80 – eighty
90 – ninety
spelling for tens place plus ones place numbers: add a hyphen between the tens and ones
example:
twenty-five
forty-seven
fifty-six
thirty-two
ninety-four
seventy-eight
sixty-six
hundred
thousand
million
billion
trillion
quadrillion
quintillion
sextillion
septillion
octillion
nonillion
decillion
googol
googolplex
Monday, February 20, 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Happy Presidents Day
Happy Presidents Day.
Had to put a Mt. Rushmore photo up because I lived a hop, skip and jump from it for 11 years. I've seen Mt. Rushmore more times than I can count. Don't ask me my opinion on their updated facilities.
Because we had too many days off last week, we'll be doing school. Even though public school has Monday and Tuesday off. I hope DS doesn't find out because he will whine about it. lol
Today I was feeling much better. I left the house fairly early and drove around for about 40 minutes with my window down so I could get full sun. It was still too cold to walk or be out for very long plus it was so windy. Luckily it was a bright day with lots of sunshine. It really helped -- sunshine is like a magic happy pill. It's amazing how well and quickly it works on low spirits.
We might have to do a little car school tomorrow for more sun. We're about to finish up with our SOTW III CD's. I think we'll start over on III because DS has found it very fascinating.
My husband and I have been having lots of talks about homeschooling this weekend. He tells me I'm trying to do too much. He thinks reading a text or spine for history, plus one book on topic is more than enough. We've already read four books on the Salem Witch Trials. He says it's overkill. His theory is this: a 4th-grade education is like a handful of mud. Throw the mud at the wall. Some will stick, some will fall. That's all you're aiming for in the 4th grade -- some of what you cover to stick. Mastery isn't what you want.
Interesting theory. Goes against my grain. I think he may be right -- or maybe somewhere in the middle. All I know is it takes us an extremely long time to do American history -- but we really do enjoy it.
Joke of the day
Q: How do you keep your husband from reading your e-mail?
A: Rename the mail folder to "Instruction Manuals."
A: Rename the mail folder to "Instruction Manuals."
What we use in school
Our Curriculum
Math -- Starting Lial's Basic College Math on Monday -- formerly Singapore
Math Facts -- We do math facts separately from math. We work on them daily. I usually make 100-problem worksheets from a free download found at www.schoolhousetech.com
English -- Rod and Staff
Spelling -- Sequential Spelling
Vocabulary -- lots of workbooks from Spectrum to some from Prentice Hall I got off ebay. Also use Vocabulary Cartoons
Writing -- Have done some exercises in Writing Strands III, have done some Evan Moor books -- Writing Paragraphs, Write a Super Sentence. Have Logos Writing Trails in American History. I have decided to put formal writing off until 5th grade. DS does write in a journal, though. He also writes stories on his own. I have Evan Moor's Write a Story book and we'll probably finish that before the year is out.
Reading -- We read a wide variety of books. Some classics, some that go along with what we are studying, and some I think my son will love. I just bought him some Pokemon books -- Twaddle -- and he devoured them in an hour. We do reading comprehension occasionally with McCalls Crabbs.
Science -- We have RS4K but the chemistry was overwhelming to *me* We have been doing a unit study on the human body from Konos and a study that Doc provided on her blog. We'll finish up with that soon and we are going to start biology in RS4K.
American History -- Hakim's History of Us as a spine, but we do tons of reading. We're currently studying the Salem Witch Trials and reading Tituba of Salem, but will read others. We go very slow with American History because we read so many books with it.
World History -- SOTW CD's. We do car history -- working on volume 3 in the car. In the house we listen to SOTW I. We have the activity books but don't use them.
Typing -- Baron's Easy Typing. DS has done computer typing programs, but he's learning more with the Baron's. (Speed, accuracy)
Geography -- We have no formal program, we just study geography with our history. DS has requested a formal geography program, though, as he loves it. I am open to ideas.
Music -- I am doing a poor job of teaching DS to play the piano. Am thinking of formal lessons. We also listen to a wide variety of music in this house and we talk about different styles depending on what's playing.
Art -- Artistic Pursuits -- DS doesn't like this, I switched to How To Teach Art to Children -- DS thinks this is too juvenile. I think it was Mull-Berry who recommended Abeka, which I think I will switch to -- or else have DH go to Barnes and Noble and pick out some books.
Foreign Language -- We play with the flashcards I purchased with English From the Roots Up. (We have the book EFtRU but never use it.) We run in spurts with this as time permits. We also play Rummy Roots. DS wants to start Spanish and I am looking for something that will fit his learning style. I want a textbook/workbook program with pronunciation tapes. Ideas?
We also read an idiom every day. I read some poetry to DS but he is just like his mother, he hates poetry.
We play games such as Simon, perfection, concentration type games. We play these games for fun, but also to improve DS's short-term memory and speed. DS also has to do a Suduok once a week. We were doing them daily but we just don't have time.
We will be starting logic next year. I haven't chosen anything yet, but will probably go with something from Dandylion Press.
Next year we are going to change our focus from history to science. I'm putting together a bunch of unit studies for DS, looking for spines.
My husband and I have also been discussing text books. It is his suggestion that we look for entry-level college texts that can be modified for DS's abilities. My son is a very unique learner. We've done all the formal testing (privately) because he wasn't working to his potential in public school. He was officially labeled twice exceptional. His weak areas are processing speed, visual processing and short-term memory. The majority of the subtests of the IQ test he hit the ceiling on. While testing results did not confirm this, I believe DS has dysgraphia. He has a very difficult time with handwriting. We recently bought an AlphaSmart because it is portable and cheaper than a notebook computer and he's working on his typing speed. This is another reason we haven't started formal writing yet. He will do all his writing on this when he is typing well.
We have a membership to Family Pass for DVDs. We watch a lot of videos from Standard Deviants to biographies. We also watch discovery channel, science channel, etc. My son (dh and I, too) finally became addicted to Myth Busters after watching a marathon recently. We also watch How's It Made, animal shows, etc.
Things we don't do that I would like to incorporate: Memory work, narrations, copy work -- an area of weakness for DS, note taking, how to study, outlining, etc. There's so many things I want to do and not enough time.
Math -- Starting Lial's Basic College Math on Monday -- formerly Singapore
Math Facts -- We do math facts separately from math. We work on them daily. I usually make 100-problem worksheets from a free download found at www.schoolhousetech.com
English -- Rod and Staff
Spelling -- Sequential Spelling
Vocabulary -- lots of workbooks from Spectrum to some from Prentice Hall I got off ebay. Also use Vocabulary Cartoons
Writing -- Have done some exercises in Writing Strands III, have done some Evan Moor books -- Writing Paragraphs, Write a Super Sentence. Have Logos Writing Trails in American History. I have decided to put formal writing off until 5th grade. DS does write in a journal, though. He also writes stories on his own. I have Evan Moor's Write a Story book and we'll probably finish that before the year is out.
Reading -- We read a wide variety of books. Some classics, some that go along with what we are studying, and some I think my son will love. I just bought him some Pokemon books -- Twaddle -- and he devoured them in an hour. We do reading comprehension occasionally with McCalls Crabbs.
Science -- We have RS4K but the chemistry was overwhelming to *me* We have been doing a unit study on the human body from Konos and a study that Doc provided on her blog. We'll finish up with that soon and we are going to start biology in RS4K.
American History -- Hakim's History of Us as a spine, but we do tons of reading. We're currently studying the Salem Witch Trials and reading Tituba of Salem, but will read others. We go very slow with American History because we read so many books with it.
World History -- SOTW CD's. We do car history -- working on volume 3 in the car. In the house we listen to SOTW I. We have the activity books but don't use them.
Typing -- Baron's Easy Typing. DS has done computer typing programs, but he's learning more with the Baron's. (Speed, accuracy)
Geography -- We have no formal program, we just study geography with our history. DS has requested a formal geography program, though, as he loves it. I am open to ideas.
Music -- I am doing a poor job of teaching DS to play the piano. Am thinking of formal lessons. We also listen to a wide variety of music in this house and we talk about different styles depending on what's playing.
Art -- Artistic Pursuits -- DS doesn't like this, I switched to How To Teach Art to Children -- DS thinks this is too juvenile. I think it was Mull-Berry who recommended Abeka, which I think I will switch to -- or else have DH go to Barnes and Noble and pick out some books.
Foreign Language -- We play with the flashcards I purchased with English From the Roots Up. (We have the book EFtRU but never use it.) We run in spurts with this as time permits. We also play Rummy Roots. DS wants to start Spanish and I am looking for something that will fit his learning style. I want a textbook/workbook program with pronunciation tapes. Ideas?
We also read an idiom every day. I read some poetry to DS but he is just like his mother, he hates poetry.
We play games such as Simon, perfection, concentration type games. We play these games for fun, but also to improve DS's short-term memory and speed. DS also has to do a Suduok once a week. We were doing them daily but we just don't have time.
We will be starting logic next year. I haven't chosen anything yet, but will probably go with something from Dandylion Press.
Next year we are going to change our focus from history to science. I'm putting together a bunch of unit studies for DS, looking for spines.
My husband and I have also been discussing text books. It is his suggestion that we look for entry-level college texts that can be modified for DS's abilities. My son is a very unique learner. We've done all the formal testing (privately) because he wasn't working to his potential in public school. He was officially labeled twice exceptional. His weak areas are processing speed, visual processing and short-term memory. The majority of the subtests of the IQ test he hit the ceiling on. While testing results did not confirm this, I believe DS has dysgraphia. He has a very difficult time with handwriting. We recently bought an AlphaSmart because it is portable and cheaper than a notebook computer and he's working on his typing speed. This is another reason we haven't started formal writing yet. He will do all his writing on this when he is typing well.
We have a membership to Family Pass for DVDs. We watch a lot of videos from Standard Deviants to biographies. We also watch discovery channel, science channel, etc. My son (dh and I, too) finally became addicted to Myth Busters after watching a marathon recently. We also watch How's It Made, animal shows, etc.
Things we don't do that I would like to incorporate: Memory work, narrations, copy work -- an area of weakness for DS, note taking, how to study, outlining, etc. There's so many things I want to do and not enough time.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Up, Down, All Around
Joke of the day:
The church had an aging pastor. He got this new glasses with
lined bifocals as the congregation would not afford no-line bifocal lenses for him.The Sunday morning he came wearing this new pair of bifocals for the sermon. The lower reading portion of the glasses improved his reading, but the top portion of the glasses didn't work so well. In fact he was experiencing dizziness every time he looked through them or switched from lower reading lenses to upper distance lenses. Worried about his job, he apologized to the congregation and said, "I hope you
will excuse my continually removing my glasses. You see when I look down I can see fine, but when I look at you, it makes me sick."
tee hee hee
Rant of the Day: I have springfeveritis -- cabin fever-- lack of sunlight infliction -- mild seasonal depression -- whatever you want to call it. Today sucked and I couldn't even get myself too excited over the "troll" visiting my favorite homeschool HAUNT. I was feeling icky all week but I think this darned cold snap really snapped me.
So...tomorrow I'm going to get my butt up, shower immediately, hit a friendly mart store and get a full spectrum light.
This garbage has been cyclical since I moved to Minnesota. Just another reason I don't care for Minnesota -- lack of sunshine.
OH -- if anyone ever tells you that Minnesota's motto is Minnesota Friendly -- don't believe them. Maybe in the twin cities where there are more people, but small-town Minnesota -- forget about it. Rude, rude, rude.
Happy Thought for the Day: My sister is alive and well, her family is safe, even the poodle.
My sister and family just built a big, beautiful home in Colorado. A couple of days ago, a wildfire burned over 700 acres coming up on their property. The fence separating her house from the neighbors burned. She was extremely fortunate that they were the only home that did not get smoke damage.
She was doing her taxes and there was a loud knock at the door. It was a deputy telling her to prepare to evacuate. She put the dog in the car and her taxes in the car, went to the bedroom to pack a change of clothes and then another knock at the door. It was the deputy telling her to get out NOW. She grabbed her suitcase which only contained a change of clothes for her, and out she went. There was zero visibility on the road and she was scared she was going to hit a firetruck. She was amazed at how fast the fire spread because she had just looked out the window and saw smoke far away. They were let back in later that evening. Only a few trees on her property were charred.
Thank you fire fighters, deputies, and anyone involved in saving the 12 houses in the fire's path.
Today, a few days later, they are still putting out hot spots on their property. Scary.
Moral of the story: Don't burn your trash. This fire was caused by someone who burned their garbage a few days earlier and didn't put dirt on it when they were done. High winds scattered the debris and there were burning em
bers still that started the fire.
This is a photo of the fire -- her house is behind the flames.
The church had an aging pastor. He got this new glasses with
lined bifocals as the congregation would not afford no-line bifocal lenses for him.The Sunday morning he came wearing this new pair of bifocals for the sermon. The lower reading portion of the glasses improved his reading, but the top portion of the glasses didn't work so well. In fact he was experiencing dizziness every time he looked through them or switched from lower reading lenses to upper distance lenses. Worried about his job, he apologized to the congregation and said, "I hope you
will excuse my continually removing my glasses. You see when I look down I can see fine, but when I look at you, it makes me sick."
tee hee hee
Rant of the Day: I have springfeveritis -- cabin fever-- lack of sunlight infliction -- mild seasonal depression -- whatever you want to call it. Today sucked and I couldn't even get myself too excited over the "troll" visiting my favorite homeschool HAUNT. I was feeling icky all week but I think this darned cold snap really snapped me.
So...tomorrow I'm going to get my butt up, shower immediately, hit a friendly mart store and get a full spectrum light.
This garbage has been cyclical since I moved to Minnesota. Just another reason I don't care for Minnesota -- lack of sunshine.
OH -- if anyone ever tells you that Minnesota's motto is Minnesota Friendly -- don't believe them. Maybe in the twin cities where there are more people, but small-town Minnesota -- forget about it. Rude, rude, rude.
Happy Thought for the Day: My sister is alive and well, her family is safe, even the poodle.
My sister and family just built a big, beautiful home in Colorado. A couple of days ago, a wildfire burned over 700 acres coming up on their property. The fence separating her house from the neighbors burned. She was extremely fortunate that they were the only home that did not get smoke damage.
She was doing her taxes and there was a loud knock at the door. It was a deputy telling her to prepare to evacuate. She put the dog in the car and her taxes in the car, went to the bedroom to pack a change of clothes and then another knock at the door. It was the deputy telling her to get out NOW. She grabbed her suitcase which only contained a change of clothes for her, and out she went. There was zero visibility on the road and she was scared she was going to hit a firetruck. She was amazed at how fast the fire spread because she had just looked out the window and saw smoke far away. They were let back in later that evening. Only a few trees on her property were charred.
Thank you fire fighters, deputies, and anyone involved in saving the 12 houses in the fire's path.
Today, a few days later, they are still putting out hot spots on their property. Scary.
Moral of the story: Don't burn your trash. This fire was caused by someone who burned their garbage a few days earlier and didn't put dirt on it when they were done. High winds scattered the debris and there were burning em
bers still that started the fire.This is a photo of the fire -- her house is behind the flames.
Friday, February 17, 2006
My Hot Date Tonight (Exciting times for a 40-year-old housewife)
I hate to cook. I never hated it before I got married. My dh is picky and doesn't like 3/4 of what I prepare. He's a hot and spicy, Mexican and meat and potatoes kind of guy and I'm a bland and mild Mexican and Italian kind of gal. That sounds funny. I actually am 1/8 Italian, but I digress.
Our family is having several issues with food at the moment.
1) DS is on a growth spurt. (I think this one will last through his teen years.)
2) Mom is on an unneeded growth spurt
3) Dad is on a growth spurt, but at 6'5 he only needs to lose 10 maybe 15 pounds.
4) Snacks in this household are un-nutritious and unhealthy (think Goldfish crackers, processed gunk, store-bought muffins, store-bought cookies, etc.)
5) DH and I are starting to have that NO YOU COOK DINNER battle.
6) There's never anything to eat.
7) They know our first names at the local Subway, Taco Bell, Taco Johns and Wendy's
We are in a rut with our dinners.
Here it is 7:00 at night and I won out...DH couldn't stand it any longer. He's cooking dinner. I won't be eating. He's making bacon and eggs. He fries the eggs in the bacon grease and the smell alone makes me sick. I'll have yet another meatloaf sandwich for dinner.
So...time to check my arsenal of cookbooks.
Make-a-Mix and More Make-a-Mix (or something like that), two books I bought off ebay a few year ago. I need to actually MAKE the mixes.
The Freezer Cooking Manual from 30 Day Gourmet: A Month of Meals Made Easy
My old white three-ring binder full of my favorite Weight Watchers recipes that the whole family will eat.
Yes, I need to become a freezer cooker again. You know the type, they spend two days cooking, preparing, throwing it altogether and into the freezer so they can prepare dinner at a moment's notice -- well, enough time to bake in the oven.
The 30-day Gourmet book is an excellent book on how to become a freezer cooker. However, their recipes suck. Our library has Frozen Assets which I need to check out.
Tonight, the kitchen table and I have a date. We're doing some major menu planning. Tomorrow I'm hitting the store and Sunday I'll, gasp, cook all day.
My favorite freezer-friendly recipe that my whole family loves is Bean Burrito Casserole. Recipe below.
Hopefully sitting down and doing this will make my life easier. Hopefully we'll have some decent snacks at our fingertips. Hopefully DH and I won't have that NO YOU COOK DINNER argument.
I said it before, but I'll say it again: I hate to cook.
CREAMY BURRITO CASSEROLE
Makes two 9X13" pans
2 pounds ground beef
1 package taco seasoning (I use about 4 tsp)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 large can of refried beans
1 can olives
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
20-24 flour tortillas, burrito size
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can condensed nacho cheese soup
8 ounces sour cream
milk
Brown hamburger. Add taco seasoning according to directions.Add cumin and chili powder. Add olives, breaking them up with your fingers (or chop them). Stir in refried beans. Mix soups and sour cream in bowl. Add enough milk to make it pourable but still very thick. Spread about 1/2 cup soup mixture into each of two sprayed 9x13 pans. Divide meat mixture evenly between tortillas. Roll enchilada style. Place seam side down in pans. If any meat mixture remains, spread it over the top of the burritos. Pour soup mixture over burritos dividing evenly between pans. Top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees 20-30 minutes. If frozen, let thaw and bake about 40 minutes. If frozen bake about an hour and ahalf.
Our family is having several issues with food at the moment.
1) DS is on a growth spurt. (I think this one will last through his teen years.)
2) Mom is on an unneeded growth spurt
3) Dad is on a growth spurt, but at 6'5 he only needs to lose 10 maybe 15 pounds.
4) Snacks in this household are un-nutritious and unhealthy (think Goldfish crackers, processed gunk, store-bought muffins, store-bought cookies, etc.)
5) DH and I are starting to have that NO YOU COOK DINNER battle.
6) There's never anything to eat.
7) They know our first names at the local Subway, Taco Bell, Taco Johns and Wendy's
We are in a rut with our dinners.
Here it is 7:00 at night and I won out...DH couldn't stand it any longer. He's cooking dinner. I won't be eating. He's making bacon and eggs. He fries the eggs in the bacon grease and the smell alone makes me sick. I'll have yet another meatloaf sandwich for dinner.
So...time to check my arsenal of cookbooks.
Make-a-Mix and More Make-a-Mix (or something like that), two books I bought off ebay a few year ago. I need to actually MAKE the mixes.
The Freezer Cooking Manual from 30 Day Gourmet: A Month of Meals Made Easy
My old white three-ring binder full of my favorite Weight Watchers recipes that the whole family will eat.
Yes, I need to become a freezer cooker again. You know the type, they spend two days cooking, preparing, throwing it altogether and into the freezer so they can prepare dinner at a moment's notice -- well, enough time to bake in the oven.
The 30-day Gourmet book is an excellent book on how to become a freezer cooker. However, their recipes suck. Our library has Frozen Assets which I need to check out.
Tonight, the kitchen table and I have a date. We're doing some major menu planning. Tomorrow I'm hitting the store and Sunday I'll, gasp, cook all day.
My favorite freezer-friendly recipe that my whole family loves is Bean Burrito Casserole. Recipe below.
Hopefully sitting down and doing this will make my life easier. Hopefully we'll have some decent snacks at our fingertips. Hopefully DH and I won't have that NO YOU COOK DINNER argument.
I said it before, but I'll say it again: I hate to cook.
CREAMY BURRITO CASSEROLE
Makes two 9X13" pans
2 pounds ground beef
1 package taco seasoning (I use about 4 tsp)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 large can of refried beans
1 can olives
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
20-24 flour tortillas, burrito size
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can condensed nacho cheese soup
8 ounces sour cream
milk
Brown hamburger. Add taco seasoning according to directions.Add cumin and chili powder. Add olives, breaking them up with your fingers (or chop them). Stir in refried beans. Mix soups and sour cream in bowl. Add enough milk to make it pourable but still very thick. Spread about 1/2 cup soup mixture into each of two sprayed 9x13 pans. Divide meat mixture evenly between tortillas. Roll enchilada style. Place seam side down in pans. If any meat mixture remains, spread it over the top of the burritos. Pour soup mixture over burritos dividing evenly between pans. Top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees 20-30 minutes. If frozen, let thaw and bake about 40 minutes. If frozen bake about an hour and ahalf.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Don't You Wish You Lived in M~i~n~n~e~s~o~t~a?
Rest of Tonight
Colder. Partly cloudy. Lows around 5 below. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 20 below to 30 below zero after midnight.
Friday
Colder. Partly cloudy. Highs 5 below to zero. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Wind chill readings 25 below to 35 below zero.
Friday Night
Colder. Partly cloudy. Lows around 15 below. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
Not good for one suffering from springfeveritis.
I will break from my habit of 1) letting my DS take the dog out. DS usually goes out barefooted. 2) I go out barefooted, too, so I will wear shoes and coat and gloves for the few seconds I will be out in it.
YUCK
Colder. Partly cloudy. Lows around 5 below. Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Lowest wind chill readings 20 below to 30 below zero after midnight.
Friday
Colder. Partly cloudy. Highs 5 below to zero. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph. Wind chill readings 25 below to 35 below zero.
Friday Night
Colder. Partly cloudy. Lows around 15 below. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
Not good for one suffering from springfeveritis.
I will break from my habit of 1) letting my DS take the dog out. DS usually goes out barefooted. 2) I go out barefooted, too, so I will wear shoes and coat and gloves for the few seconds I will be out in it.
YUCK
Introducing Tommy's Island Oasis (aka my son's website)
My son has been begging me to share the link to his website.
He started out great guns and then slowed down. We need to figure out more content for his site.
He would really appreciate some visits and comments in his guestbook.
He also started a blog, but only has two entries. I'll get him writing yet.
http://tommys-island-oasis.tripod.com/index.html
He started out great guns and then slowed down. We need to figure out more content for his site.
He would really appreciate some visits and comments in his guestbook.
He also started a blog, but only has two entries. I'll get him writing yet.
http://tommys-island-oasis.tripod.com/index.html
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
It's snowing. It's expected to continue well into the night. Public schools were closed today. Our homeschool field trip was cancelled. The Cub Scouts pack meeting tonight was cancelled.
Ah -- another day off this week, and this one "legal." lol My husband even took the afternoon off work to stay home and play.
I'm enjoying this time off SO much that I decided to take tomorrow off, too.
Funny thing is that when we take school off, we still do informal school. Yesterday we had to drive to Iowa (20 miles from where we live) to do some shopping. We listened to our SOTW CD. Then we discussed it.
For a child that was diagnosed with CAPD, was labeled an impaired visual-spatial learner but currently a conceptual learner, with caveats that he will not learn by auditory means, he sure is learning history and remembering it through those CDs. I think there was an error in diagnosis.
Let it snow. Bring it on. All is well in our world. After we dig out this afternoon, I think hot chocolate, a good book, a warm blanket and the big snuggle chair are in order for DS and I.
Ah -- another day off this week, and this one "legal." lol My husband even took the afternoon off work to stay home and play.
I'm enjoying this time off SO much that I decided to take tomorrow off, too.
Funny thing is that when we take school off, we still do informal school. Yesterday we had to drive to Iowa (20 miles from where we live) to do some shopping. We listened to our SOTW CD. Then we discussed it.
For a child that was diagnosed with CAPD, was labeled an impaired visual-spatial learner but currently a conceptual learner, with caveats that he will not learn by auditory means, he sure is learning history and remembering it through those CDs. I think there was an error in diagnosis.
Let it snow. Bring it on. All is well in our world. After we dig out this afternoon, I think hot chocolate, a good book, a warm blanket and the big snuggle chair are in order for DS and I.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Lial's Basic College Math
Our Lial's Basic College Math book arrived yesterday. I'm still waiting on the teacher's manual to arrive.
After looking it over, I decided it was a good choice. A very good choice. My husband thought it looked difficult but doable. My son panicked when he saw the book -- maybe because his first view was a page with 100 problems on it. I told him to look closer, as it was easy multiplication problems that he could handle. That gave him some relief, but he didn't like the amount of problems. The page layout is much more grown-up, too, which I think threw DS for a loop.
I think, gulp, that I am going to take the book apart. Thankfully it has perforated pages. (We don't have a Kinkos or Office Max close so it would be a pain to go to one to get the binding cut.) I will put each section into a binder. The pages are very shiny and slippery. There also isn't a lot of room to work, especially for a 10-year-old with large handwriting. I think that I will probably type up worksheets to go along with the book and put them in the binder. Either that or do it by hand as we are working along. I guess we need to dive in and I'll figure that out as we go.
Our Key to Fractions books arrived the same day and I must say I'm really glad I bought those. So we have two Key to sets....Fractions and Decimals. I think when we start a chapter that we have a Key to set for, I will have DS work the Key to books first, then do the corresponding chapter in the BCM book. I may buy some of the other Key to sets as well. The BCM books introduces concepts on very basic and easy terms that DS will be able to handle. It moves fast, though, and I think the Key to series will help with the confidence and practice factor.
I'm having trouble figuring out where to start. We've been working on fractions. DS is doing well, but I think he needs a lot more practice. I don't know whether to start in the middle of the book and continue with fractions or just start at the beginning of the book. Actually I'd like to just start at the beginning, but here's the thing. We are required to do standardized testing yearly in Minnesota. I want to make sure that DS has adequate coverage of grade-appropriate skills that will be on that test. I think we are far enough with fractions that he will be okay -- but we still need some decimal work and some geometry. And this screws up my methodical plan of starting at the beginning.
I am toying with the idea of doing the standardized test immediately -- with a crash course in perimeters and decimals and just getting it over with so we can go on our merry way. I do know my son will be upset if he's taking "the test" and there is something that we haven't covered. He's very sensitive and he wouldn't handle that well.
There is no way we'll be able to finish this book in a year. I'm thinking two years. If we were to omit the Key to books, I think we could do the program in a little over a year -- but we're in no rush and I want DS to have his math down pat and be comfortable with it.
So, in the end I'm very happy we purchased this and excited to implement the book.
After looking it over, I decided it was a good choice. A very good choice. My husband thought it looked difficult but doable. My son panicked when he saw the book -- maybe because his first view was a page with 100 problems on it. I told him to look closer, as it was easy multiplication problems that he could handle. That gave him some relief, but he didn't like the amount of problems. The page layout is much more grown-up, too, which I think threw DS for a loop.
I think, gulp, that I am going to take the book apart. Thankfully it has perforated pages. (We don't have a Kinkos or Office Max close so it would be a pain to go to one to get the binding cut.) I will put each section into a binder. The pages are very shiny and slippery. There also isn't a lot of room to work, especially for a 10-year-old with large handwriting. I think that I will probably type up worksheets to go along with the book and put them in the binder. Either that or do it by hand as we are working along. I guess we need to dive in and I'll figure that out as we go.
Our Key to Fractions books arrived the same day and I must say I'm really glad I bought those. So we have two Key to sets....Fractions and Decimals. I think when we start a chapter that we have a Key to set for, I will have DS work the Key to books first, then do the corresponding chapter in the BCM book. I may buy some of the other Key to sets as well. The BCM books introduces concepts on very basic and easy terms that DS will be able to handle. It moves fast, though, and I think the Key to series will help with the confidence and practice factor.
I'm having trouble figuring out where to start. We've been working on fractions. DS is doing well, but I think he needs a lot more practice. I don't know whether to start in the middle of the book and continue with fractions or just start at the beginning of the book. Actually I'd like to just start at the beginning, but here's the thing. We are required to do standardized testing yearly in Minnesota. I want to make sure that DS has adequate coverage of grade-appropriate skills that will be on that test. I think we are far enough with fractions that he will be okay -- but we still need some decimal work and some geometry. And this screws up my methodical plan of starting at the beginning.
I am toying with the idea of doing the standardized test immediately -- with a crash course in perimeters and decimals and just getting it over with so we can go on our merry way. I do know my son will be upset if he's taking "the test" and there is something that we haven't covered. He's very sensitive and he wouldn't handle that well.
There is no way we'll be able to finish this book in a year. I'm thinking two years. If we were to omit the Key to books, I think we could do the program in a little over a year -- but we're in no rush and I want DS to have his math down pat and be comfortable with it.
So, in the end I'm very happy we purchased this and excited to implement the book.
Blogging and time constraint woes
Last night I sat down and wrote a really long entry. Then I clicked "Publish Post" and I got a message stating I could not connect to Blogger. Then my computer froze up.
Gone, all gone.
That's okay, I guess, as it was a late-night, fatigue-induced rambling entry.
We're taking the day off school today. I am just spent. My house looks like a tornado went through it. My mind feels as if a tornado went through it. I am NOT a multitasker. Never have been and probably never will be.
Oh, the joys of homeschooling...being able to do this. Next week public school (and our homeschool calendar) has Monday and Tuesday off. I'll probably have school on Tuesday to make up for today.
One of the most frustrating components of homeschooling is my internal clock. I am a night owl. I am not a morning person. My son is a night owl, too. The problem with this is if you get up at 9, it's at least 10 before you're showered, fed, small chores (feeding and taking animals out) are done and you're ready to start the day. So that makes our school day longer.
We have never been the type of homeschoolers that can have school done in three hours. I just can't believe when I read people's posts stating they're done with school by noon. It boggles my mind. My son is a slow worker, but there's just so much to do that I cannot fathom how "they" get it done in such a small amount of time.
Then we have the component of "the husband." Ah, yes, "the husband" has a fit that I am a night owl. He has a fit that DS is a night owl. The husband is a morning person. He wakes up early and happy. He falls asleep on the couch almost nightly by 8 -- unless, of course, he and DS are playing Runescape online.
The husband is upset that we don't start school at 8 every morning. So is my father. They say I'm enforcing bad habits. They say DS will never be able to get a job and be at work on time. I counter with the fact that I worked for 11 years and was never late. It's called setting an alarm clock. You do what you have to do.
We were making DS go to bed at 9 and that was working much better -- but we got off track somewhere and DS is going to bed at 10 again. He gets up between 8 and 9.
I really need to think this through and come up with some sort of solution. DS never balks when we finish school at 4, but it would be really nice for me to have afternoon time to keep the house up, do laundry, etc. This goes back to multitasking -- I can't multitask, and if I could, I would be able to fold clothes while DS was doing some lessons. But DS needs me in the room so he can stay on task. If I'm not, he's daydreaming. Trying to teach him to focus and concentrate is very difficult -- something that I hope continued practice plus maturity will help.
My dad and my husband keep telling me a strict schedule will help. It's just against my grain to be strict. I can make schedules like crazy -- in fact, it's almost like a hobby. But implementing those schedules, ah, that's the tricky part.
In the end, school gets done, my son learns, his confidence is up, and he's happy. Maybe I should quit worrying so much. Maybe I should ignore two men in my life when they start bellyaching about time. Maybe I should just focus on the positives -- my son is learning well and is happy.
Gone, all gone.
That's okay, I guess, as it was a late-night, fatigue-induced rambling entry.
We're taking the day off school today. I am just spent. My house looks like a tornado went through it. My mind feels as if a tornado went through it. I am NOT a multitasker. Never have been and probably never will be.
Oh, the joys of homeschooling...being able to do this. Next week public school (and our homeschool calendar) has Monday and Tuesday off. I'll probably have school on Tuesday to make up for today.
One of the most frustrating components of homeschooling is my internal clock. I am a night owl. I am not a morning person. My son is a night owl, too. The problem with this is if you get up at 9, it's at least 10 before you're showered, fed, small chores (feeding and taking animals out) are done and you're ready to start the day. So that makes our school day longer.
We have never been the type of homeschoolers that can have school done in three hours. I just can't believe when I read people's posts stating they're done with school by noon. It boggles my mind. My son is a slow worker, but there's just so much to do that I cannot fathom how "they" get it done in such a small amount of time.
Then we have the component of "the husband." Ah, yes, "the husband" has a fit that I am a night owl. He has a fit that DS is a night owl. The husband is a morning person. He wakes up early and happy. He falls asleep on the couch almost nightly by 8 -- unless, of course, he and DS are playing Runescape online.
The husband is upset that we don't start school at 8 every morning. So is my father. They say I'm enforcing bad habits. They say DS will never be able to get a job and be at work on time. I counter with the fact that I worked for 11 years and was never late. It's called setting an alarm clock. You do what you have to do.
We were making DS go to bed at 9 and that was working much better -- but we got off track somewhere and DS is going to bed at 10 again. He gets up between 8 and 9.
I really need to think this through and come up with some sort of solution. DS never balks when we finish school at 4, but it would be really nice for me to have afternoon time to keep the house up, do laundry, etc. This goes back to multitasking -- I can't multitask, and if I could, I would be able to fold clothes while DS was doing some lessons. But DS needs me in the room so he can stay on task. If I'm not, he's daydreaming. Trying to teach him to focus and concentrate is very difficult -- something that I hope continued practice plus maturity will help.
My dad and my husband keep telling me a strict schedule will help. It's just against my grain to be strict. I can make schedules like crazy -- in fact, it's almost like a hobby. But implementing those schedules, ah, that's the tricky part.
In the end, school gets done, my son learns, his confidence is up, and he's happy. Maybe I should quit worrying so much. Maybe I should ignore two men in my life when they start bellyaching about time. Maybe I should just focus on the positives -- my son is learning well and is happy.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Sunday Ramblings
Quote of the day: Perfectionism is idiotic. -- my son
Ah, music to a mother's ears, that quote. My son is a perfectionist and we are trying to re-train his ways. He gets so frustrated when he tries something and it isn't perfect. Finally, I think we're making headway. I think he's getting it. Thank you, Ms. Frizzle, for your "Get messy, make mistakes" comments in all the MSB books. That helps reinforce that our teachings.
We are recovering from our Cub Scouts Blue and Gold Banquet tonight. I'll blog more on that tomorrow. However, my house is a disaster!!! I was sick Saturday, our normal cleaning day, and no one bothered to lift a finger. Today was spent decorating a cake, preparing our dish to take with us, picking up 50 helium balloons, decorating the hall where the banquet was held and finally enjoying the banquet. After the banquet I ended up staying late and cleaning. I am exhausted.
I declared tomorrow a home ec (meaning we're cleaning up this dump) day. My son cried: But MOM, I want to do school. That's not fair.
Ah, music to a mother's ears again. He wants to do school! Well, we'll have to venture out of the school room, find a spot at the kitchen table for him while I spend hours on a dirty kitchen. I'll then have to dig up his plastic portable lap desk thingamabob and he can do school in the living room with the background tune being the hum of the vacuum.
He wants to do school. I wonder...does he really want to do school or does he not want to clean! I'll just pretend that he desperately wants to do school and feel happy about that. Yeah, that's it, he desperately wants to do school. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Ah, music to a mother's ears, that quote. My son is a perfectionist and we are trying to re-train his ways. He gets so frustrated when he tries something and it isn't perfect. Finally, I think we're making headway. I think he's getting it. Thank you, Ms. Frizzle, for your "Get messy, make mistakes" comments in all the MSB books. That helps reinforce that our teachings.
We are recovering from our Cub Scouts Blue and Gold Banquet tonight. I'll blog more on that tomorrow. However, my house is a disaster!!! I was sick Saturday, our normal cleaning day, and no one bothered to lift a finger. Today was spent decorating a cake, preparing our dish to take with us, picking up 50 helium balloons, decorating the hall where the banquet was held and finally enjoying the banquet. After the banquet I ended up staying late and cleaning. I am exhausted.
I declared tomorrow a home ec (meaning we're cleaning up this dump) day. My son cried: But MOM, I want to do school. That's not fair.
Ah, music to a mother's ears again. He wants to do school! Well, we'll have to venture out of the school room, find a spot at the kitchen table for him while I spend hours on a dirty kitchen. I'll then have to dig up his plastic portable lap desk thingamabob and he can do school in the living room with the background tune being the hum of the vacuum.
He wants to do school. I wonder...does he really want to do school or does he not want to clean! I'll just pretend that he desperately wants to do school and feel happy about that. Yeah, that's it, he desperately wants to do school. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
It's a Small World After All
The way we form friendships is changing in this new millennium. I have many online friends. The internet has opened up the great big world and enabled us to meet people that we wouldn't ordinarily meet in our day-to-day lives. I think it's a good thing.
I've been very fortunate in that I have been able to meet some of my online friends. The first meeting I had was in Indiana. We had traveled to Indiana for my dad's family's reunion. While there, I met up with a woman I'll call Amy. We had sons the same age. We met at a local McDonald's. We had lunch, the boys played and we talked. For a couple hours. We were both scared to death that the other was an ax murderer and had a really good laugh about it. We decided that we were both safe and she drove me to my motel (my dad had dropped us off) and before we got out, asked if we wanted to go to the petting zoo. We ran into our room, asked dad what his plans were and then I informed him she's not an ax murderer and we're going to the petting zoo with her. Once outside the motel room, out of site of the parking lot, I snuck a cigarette. Yes, I'm a smoker. It had been a few hours, I was nervous at first, and I really needed a smoke.
When we got back into her car the first thing she said was, "You just had a cigarette." I apologized profusely because I know smokers stink. I told her I had the dirty habit but I didn't tell people because it is such a character flaw. She started laughing and pulled a pack of cigarettes out of her purse. She was a smoker, too. Before we left the parking lot, we got out of the car, let the kids play in the grass and we had a smoke together. She was wanting a smoke too and was to polite to mention her dirty habit.
I always thought that was a funny story. Two characters, with nasty habits, being found out.
I've met other online friends, too. There's a bunch of ladies that I know that live in the vicinity of my dad and my son and we got to meet them and their kids this summer. We had a wonderful time. My son enjoyed it as much as I did. While we were on vacation in November, we met up with yet another mom and her kids in South Carolina. Another great time.
While I take privacy and security on the internet very seriously, I still enjoy meeting people and making friends. I think it is wonderful for my son to branch out and meet others beyond our local community. The whole experience makes the world seem smaller in a way. Or perhaps it opens up his world to make it larger.
Another aspect about friendships and the internet is "regulars" on message boards. While I don't post often on any message board any more, I do read some daily. I feel I know the people who post -- their online persona, at least. I get sad when I read sad stories, I get happy when I read about triumphs.
I do start to care about people: Message board posters, bloggers, members of groups. The one problem I am facing at the moment is how do you tell someone you barely know that you are hurting for them, you feel so bad because they are really having struggles. I learned some very sad news last night about someone I met online, someone I admire and like very much. I've never met this person, and chances are that I never will. That doesn't mean my heart doesn't ache for what she is enduring right now. Sending off an email seems so impersonal and can never convey what a face-to-face conversation would. How will this person ever know that she has really been on my mind *a lot* lately, that I wish there were something I could do or say to make her trials easier. How could she possibly know I am very sincere. I guess the only way is for me to blog about it. She'll read it when she is able. Hopefully she'll know. I can't make her pain go away, but sometimes it just helps to know that someone out there sincerely cares.
I've been very fortunate in that I have been able to meet some of my online friends. The first meeting I had was in Indiana. We had traveled to Indiana for my dad's family's reunion. While there, I met up with a woman I'll call Amy. We had sons the same age. We met at a local McDonald's. We had lunch, the boys played and we talked. For a couple hours. We were both scared to death that the other was an ax murderer and had a really good laugh about it. We decided that we were both safe and she drove me to my motel (my dad had dropped us off) and before we got out, asked if we wanted to go to the petting zoo. We ran into our room, asked dad what his plans were and then I informed him she's not an ax murderer and we're going to the petting zoo with her. Once outside the motel room, out of site of the parking lot, I snuck a cigarette. Yes, I'm a smoker. It had been a few hours, I was nervous at first, and I really needed a smoke.
When we got back into her car the first thing she said was, "You just had a cigarette." I apologized profusely because I know smokers stink. I told her I had the dirty habit but I didn't tell people because it is such a character flaw. She started laughing and pulled a pack of cigarettes out of her purse. She was a smoker, too. Before we left the parking lot, we got out of the car, let the kids play in the grass and we had a smoke together. She was wanting a smoke too and was to polite to mention her dirty habit.
I always thought that was a funny story. Two characters, with nasty habits, being found out.
I've met other online friends, too. There's a bunch of ladies that I know that live in the vicinity of my dad and my son and we got to meet them and their kids this summer. We had a wonderful time. My son enjoyed it as much as I did. While we were on vacation in November, we met up with yet another mom and her kids in South Carolina. Another great time.
While I take privacy and security on the internet very seriously, I still enjoy meeting people and making friends. I think it is wonderful for my son to branch out and meet others beyond our local community. The whole experience makes the world seem smaller in a way. Or perhaps it opens up his world to make it larger.
Another aspect about friendships and the internet is "regulars" on message boards. While I don't post often on any message board any more, I do read some daily. I feel I know the people who post -- their online persona, at least. I get sad when I read sad stories, I get happy when I read about triumphs.
I do start to care about people: Message board posters, bloggers, members of groups. The one problem I am facing at the moment is how do you tell someone you barely know that you are hurting for them, you feel so bad because they are really having struggles. I learned some very sad news last night about someone I met online, someone I admire and like very much. I've never met this person, and chances are that I never will. That doesn't mean my heart doesn't ache for what she is enduring right now. Sending off an email seems so impersonal and can never convey what a face-to-face conversation would. How will this person ever know that she has really been on my mind *a lot* lately, that I wish there were something I could do or say to make her trials easier. How could she possibly know I am very sincere. I guess the only way is for me to blog about it. She'll read it when she is able. Hopefully she'll know. I can't make her pain go away, but sometimes it just helps to know that someone out there sincerely cares.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Another art mistake
We've been using Artistic Pursuits, which I think is a good program but my son doesn't like it. I thought I'd buy the Evan Moor book How to Teach Art to Children because it was listed as being for 1st-6th graders.
Well, that was a big mistake. We've done several lessons out of the book and made some cute designs and bookmarks, but my son thinks it is for kindergarteners. And it kind of is -- youngish.
So...if you want a good art book for K-2, buy this. I wouldn't buy it for older children that want to be more grown up.
Live and learn. Someday I'm going to move to a big town that has a bookstore. Then I'll be able to hold a book in my hands, flip through it, show it to DS and get his opinion. Of course I could have done this at the Evan Moor website...live and learn.
Well, that was a big mistake. We've done several lessons out of the book and made some cute designs and bookmarks, but my son thinks it is for kindergarteners. And it kind of is -- youngish.
So...if you want a good art book for K-2, buy this. I wouldn't buy it for older children that want to be more grown up.
Live and learn. Someday I'm going to move to a big town that has a bookstore. Then I'll be able to hold a book in my hands, flip through it, show it to DS and get his opinion. Of course I could have done this at the Evan Moor website...live and learn.
Someone wants a recipe from ME???
Snort, I'm not good in the kitchen. If you knew me in person, you'd chuckle about asking me for a recipe. ;-) (But my CFS is really good.)
I'm in the north so I call it Chicken-Fried. I know others call it country-fried.
Chicken Fried Steak
buy 4 cubed steaks at the grocery store
buy a box of cracker meal
3 eggs
milk
salt and pepper
I use an old electric skillet that I bought when I was 21 at a garage sale for $1. I pour a bunch of olive oil in, set it to 380. (I couldn't do this on a stove to save my life.)
Meanwhile, I get out three eggs, crack them (and pull the shells out of the bowl because I am kitchen challenged) and pour in milk. Mix well. I don't measure the milk -- I just pour some in. Thick and eggy is how I like it.
I rinse my cube steaks off in water (I'm weird) then I dip them in the egg batter, then I dip them in the cracker meal, flip and push hard to really get the cracker meal stuck on. Throw them in the frying pan, and when it feels right (this is the only thing I have a feel for) flip them.
Meanwhile, open a packet of "just add water" country gravy and get that going on the stove. Also start heating your choice of canned or frozen of veggies.
Top it off with some instant mashed potatoes and you've got a yummy, high-fat, un-nutritious meal!
There, that's my recipe. Seriously, this is the only meal I fry.
I do cook -- I'm trying to be funny here -- but I don't like to. I think in a previous life I was very rich and had servants and I haven't adjusted in this life. lol (Or else I'm just lazy. I don't mind doing dishes, though.)
I'm in the north so I call it Chicken-Fried. I know others call it country-fried.
Chicken Fried Steak
buy 4 cubed steaks at the grocery store
buy a box of cracker meal
3 eggs
milk
salt and pepper
I use an old electric skillet that I bought when I was 21 at a garage sale for $1. I pour a bunch of olive oil in, set it to 380. (I couldn't do this on a stove to save my life.)
Meanwhile, I get out three eggs, crack them (and pull the shells out of the bowl because I am kitchen challenged) and pour in milk. Mix well. I don't measure the milk -- I just pour some in. Thick and eggy is how I like it.
I rinse my cube steaks off in water (I'm weird) then I dip them in the egg batter, then I dip them in the cracker meal, flip and push hard to really get the cracker meal stuck on. Throw them in the frying pan, and when it feels right (this is the only thing I have a feel for) flip them.
Meanwhile, open a packet of "just add water" country gravy and get that going on the stove. Also start heating your choice of canned or frozen of veggies.
Top it off with some instant mashed potatoes and you've got a yummy, high-fat, un-nutritious meal!
There, that's my recipe. Seriously, this is the only meal I fry.
I do cook -- I'm trying to be funny here -- but I don't like to. I think in a previous life I was very rich and had servants and I haven't adjusted in this life. lol (Or else I'm just lazy. I don't mind doing dishes, though.)
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Two Fun Days of Math
Yesterday and today we had fun with math.
Yesterday instead of getting out our Singapore book, or working on fractions from our Painless Fractions book, we grabbed our library books.
We sat in our big chair in the living room and read some books.
First was Millions to Measure by David M. Schwartz. This was a fun book that explained how measurement was and came to be today. Second, we read On Beyond a Million, an Amazing Math Journey. This was a fun book that taught my son the meaning of googol and googolplex. Finally, we started G is for Googol, a Math Alphabet Book. Together, we didn't make it past B because mom got carried away doing binary numbers. I was also tired of reading, so DS took over and made it J on his own. He loved this book and we will finish soon.
It was a fun break from computational math.
Today we read a few chapters from This Book is About Time by Marilyn Burns. This was fun, but I skipped a lot as I was reading. We didn't make it too far, but DS now has an understanding of the time zones. He knew what they were before, but the history behind them was fun to learn (think railroads!) and he has a much better grasp. We then went to our big world map and played what time is it where when it's X time here.
That wasn't enough for our math today, so I grabbed my book of handouts that I made and taught DS Roman Numerals. These have not been covered in Singapore, but something he needed to know. I made a chart for him, and he got the letters down fast. I had printed many worksheets off the net and he did three in about ten minutes. He had a lot of fun. Tomorrow we'll review concepts and read some more of the Time book.
I got all my ideas from Rebecca Rupp's book Home Learning Year by Year. These were all mentioned in the 4th grade section. Well, G is for Googol is mentioned in the 5th grade section. I think these books could be read at a much younger age, too, yet weren't too babyish for a 10-year-old -- which was my biggest worry.
We're stalling right now in math. We have decided to ditch Singapore Math altogether and do something totally crazy. Tonight I ordered Lial's Basic College Math. We are going to start working in that book and using the Key to books as supplements easing him into concepts.
I was really surprised when I read the Table of Contents of BCM. I think it will be very doable for my bright boy. My husband, the engineer, asked me why I hadn't done this a long time ago. He mentioned that he was going to suggest it, but that I spent so much time researching curriculum that he thought I had already decided against a basic math book. I had never even thought of such a book until some friends were discussing it. In fact, I didn't know such an elementary college math book existed. Shows what I know!
Hoping it all works out!
Yesterday instead of getting out our Singapore book, or working on fractions from our Painless Fractions book, we grabbed our library books.
We sat in our big chair in the living room and read some books.
First was Millions to Measure by David M. Schwartz. This was a fun book that explained how measurement was and came to be today. Second, we read On Beyond a Million, an Amazing Math Journey. This was a fun book that taught my son the meaning of googol and googolplex. Finally, we started G is for Googol, a Math Alphabet Book. Together, we didn't make it past B because mom got carried away doing binary numbers. I was also tired of reading, so DS took over and made it J on his own. He loved this book and we will finish soon.
It was a fun break from computational math.
Today we read a few chapters from This Book is About Time by Marilyn Burns. This was fun, but I skipped a lot as I was reading. We didn't make it too far, but DS now has an understanding of the time zones. He knew what they were before, but the history behind them was fun to learn (think railroads!) and he has a much better grasp. We then went to our big world map and played what time is it where when it's X time here.
That wasn't enough for our math today, so I grabbed my book of handouts that I made and taught DS Roman Numerals. These have not been covered in Singapore, but something he needed to know. I made a chart for him, and he got the letters down fast. I had printed many worksheets off the net and he did three in about ten minutes. He had a lot of fun. Tomorrow we'll review concepts and read some more of the Time book.
I got all my ideas from Rebecca Rupp's book Home Learning Year by Year. These were all mentioned in the 4th grade section. Well, G is for Googol is mentioned in the 5th grade section. I think these books could be read at a much younger age, too, yet weren't too babyish for a 10-year-old -- which was my biggest worry.
We're stalling right now in math. We have decided to ditch Singapore Math altogether and do something totally crazy. Tonight I ordered Lial's Basic College Math. We are going to start working in that book and using the Key to books as supplements easing him into concepts.
I was really surprised when I read the Table of Contents of BCM. I think it will be very doable for my bright boy. My husband, the engineer, asked me why I hadn't done this a long time ago. He mentioned that he was going to suggest it, but that I spent so much time researching curriculum that he thought I had already decided against a basic math book. I had never even thought of such a book until some friends were discussing it. In fact, I didn't know such an elementary college math book existed. Shows what I know!
Hoping it all works out!
My son was tagged, wants to answer online =)
Tagged
I was tagged by Addie the Adventure Mouse.
Jobs I've had:
school
mowing the lawn
boring house cleaning
cleaning the cars
Movies I can watch over and over again
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Places I've vacationed
Indiana
Colorado
South Dakota
South Carolina -- my favorite
My favorite dishes
Biscuits and Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Goldfish pretzels
Bagels
Sites that I visit daily
My website, but it's not ready to share yet
www.runescape.com
www.puzzlepirates.com (it's a download)
www.popcap.com
www.neopets.com
Places I would rather be right now
South Carolina
California
Miami
New York City
Bloggers I am tagging
No one -- I don't read blogs except sometimes my mom's.
I was tagged by Addie the Adventure Mouse.
Jobs I've had:
school
mowing the lawn
boring house cleaning
cleaning the cars
Movies I can watch over and over again
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Places I've vacationed
Indiana
Colorado
South Dakota
South Carolina -- my favorite
My favorite dishes
Biscuits and Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Goldfish pretzels
Bagels
Sites that I visit daily
My website, but it's not ready to share yet
www.runescape.com
www.puzzlepirates.com (it's a download)
www.popcap.com
www.neopets.com
Places I would rather be right now
South Carolina
California
Miami
New York City
Bloggers I am tagging
No one -- I don't read blogs except sometimes my mom's.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Rest in Peace, Froggy
My son won "Froggy" at our county fair in August of 2004. Froggy appeared healthy, no warning signs that he was ill. My son just found him dead. Sigh.
Rest in Peace, Froggy. There's one sad little boy who loved his fish very much feeling very blue.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Tagged
Tagged by Doc, so here goes:
Four jobs I've had:
babysitter
library assistant
Wendy's
Court Reporter
Four movies I can watch over and over again:
Braveheart
The Patriot
Coal Miner's Daughter
Forrest Gump
Four places I've lived:
Laramie, Wyoming
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Rapid City, South Dakota
Denver
Four TV Shows I love:
Survivor
ER
Reruns of West Wing on Bravo
Wife Swap
Four Places I've vacationed:
Europe
NYC
Orlando
Charleston & Columbia, South Carolina
Four of my favorite dishes:
Filet Mignon
Bean Burritos
Pizza Hut Pan pizza
My chicken (country) fried steak (I cook only one thing really, really well and this is it.)
Four sites that I visit daily:
Google
Yahoo News
Blogspot
WTM boards
Four places I would rather be right now:
Denver
South Carolina
Disney World -- my son has never been!
in a nice but unpretentious house nestled in the woods on an acreage that I own far, far away from neighbors and their darned barking poodles.
Three bloggers I am tagging:
mull-berry
addie-the adventure mouse
samuel men can play, too!
Four jobs I've had:
babysitter
library assistant
Wendy's
Court Reporter
Four movies I can watch over and over again:
Braveheart
The Patriot
Coal Miner's Daughter
Forrest Gump
Four places I've lived:
Laramie, Wyoming
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Rapid City, South Dakota
Denver
Four TV Shows I love:
Survivor
ER
Reruns of West Wing on Bravo
Wife Swap
Four Places I've vacationed:
Europe
NYC
Orlando
Charleston & Columbia, South Carolina
Four of my favorite dishes:
Filet Mignon
Bean Burritos
Pizza Hut Pan pizza
My chicken (country) fried steak (I cook only one thing really, really well and this is it.)
Four sites that I visit daily:
Yahoo News
Blogspot
WTM boards
Four places I would rather be right now:
Denver
South Carolina
Disney World -- my son has never been!
in a nice but unpretentious house nestled in the woods on an acreage that I own far, far away from neighbors and their darned barking poodles.
Three bloggers I am tagging:
mull-berry
addie-the adventure mouse
samuel men can play, too!
Review of Key to Decimals
I purchased Key to Decimals last week off Ebay. They arrived today in the mail and I couldn't wait to finally see what this Key to series was all about.
Well, my first impression was...that's why it's so cheap, no bright, shiny cover, just a paper cover. No biggie. Opening up the pages my first impression was......EWWWW. They use some old-fashioned (I'm thinking 1980s IBM Selectric typewriter font) and it was UGLY. There's also hand written problems. What I did like was occasionally there were pages with graph paper background. We use graph paper a lot in math to help DS with number size and lining things up properly.
Aesthetics are important to me and apparently they're important to DS, too. I called him over to take a peek. His first comment was, "Mom, that's ugly. Yuck." However, he sat down and did three pages on the spot and got over the ugly font.
I bought the entire decimal set. After I looked through all four books page by page, I understood why this series was so popular. It's to the point, good, solid, very repetitive stuff.
I'm sold. Ugly font and all. I will be buying the geometry set and possibly the measurement.
There's no rush when teaching a child. Mastery is a good thing, and we'll continue using our math program and then following up with work in these books.
Well, my first impression was...that's why it's so cheap, no bright, shiny cover, just a paper cover. No biggie. Opening up the pages my first impression was......EWWWW. They use some old-fashioned (I'm thinking 1980s IBM Selectric typewriter font) and it was UGLY. There's also hand written problems. What I did like was occasionally there were pages with graph paper background. We use graph paper a lot in math to help DS with number size and lining things up properly.
Aesthetics are important to me and apparently they're important to DS, too. I called him over to take a peek. His first comment was, "Mom, that's ugly. Yuck." However, he sat down and did three pages on the spot and got over the ugly font.
I bought the entire decimal set. After I looked through all four books page by page, I understood why this series was so popular. It's to the point, good, solid, very repetitive stuff.
I'm sold. Ugly font and all. I will be buying the geometry set and possibly the measurement.
There's no rush when teaching a child. Mastery is a good thing, and we'll continue using our math program and then following up with work in these books.
Sick Day
This morning I got up, took care of the pets, poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the computer. I didn't feel well. I did my normal morning surfing and as I was about to finish up, it hit.
Mom was sick. Really sick.
DS was eating his breakfast and I informed him that today he needed to read a book and he may listen to SOTW on CD while doing art. Mom's going back to bed.
I slept the entire morning. Hard. I woke up twice, once to see my son at my bedroom window blowing on the glass and drawing pictures on the condensation. The next time I awoke it was to DS saying here, mom, this will make you feel better. He had made me a cute little heart card. It did make me feel better.
DH came home for lunch and I returned to the land of the living. DS had read his book and listened to a few chapters of SOTW. He had made a few pictures out of construction paper. That's it.
I find it amazing that even with a sick day, DS did not turn on the computer, he did not turn on the TV -- no Gameboy, even. He didn't work "hard" but he did do what I asked. He's a good kid and makes me very proud.
I don't have sick days too often. But they do happen. We survived. I'll even be able to put down something in my record book as being accomplished.
Going to bed early tonight and hopefully everything will stay where it is supposed to tomorrow.
Mom was sick. Really sick.
DS was eating his breakfast and I informed him that today he needed to read a book and he may listen to SOTW on CD while doing art. Mom's going back to bed.
I slept the entire morning. Hard. I woke up twice, once to see my son at my bedroom window blowing on the glass and drawing pictures on the condensation. The next time I awoke it was to DS saying here, mom, this will make you feel better. He had made me a cute little heart card. It did make me feel better.
DH came home for lunch and I returned to the land of the living. DS had read his book and listened to a few chapters of SOTW. He had made a few pictures out of construction paper. That's it.
I find it amazing that even with a sick day, DS did not turn on the computer, he did not turn on the TV -- no Gameboy, even. He didn't work "hard" but he did do what I asked. He's a good kid and makes me very proud.
I don't have sick days too often. But they do happen. We survived. I'll even be able to put down something in my record book as being accomplished.
Going to bed early tonight and hopefully everything will stay where it is supposed to tomorrow.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Monday Morning Ramblings
I have a whole bunch of disjointed rambling thoughts this morning.
It's cold here. -1. It's an assault to the system going out in it. That cold is brutal and will definitely wake up and incoherent mom taking care of her dog on a Monday morning.
This weekend my son was glued to the computer. He was working on his website. We sent the link to my cousin and my sister. My cousin signed his guestbook and was impressed, waiting to hear from my sister. My son wants me to spread the word -- but I told him he needs some more polish and content.
I see this website as a huge learning experience. So far he's just been using the templates provided, but he's been playing around and amazing me with his ability to do so well. I set the site up and then told him to figure it out. He has. Mull-berry, thank you for the book suggestion. Our library doesn't have it so I put it on my wish list at Amazon. More on buying books later.
Aside from all the fun aspects of building a website, the reason I'm excited for his new-found love is it is the perfect opportunity for him to start writing. Up to this point we have not done a formal writing program. My son has done some Evan Moor books such as the Super Sentence and Paragraph books, he's done a few assignments from Writing Strands, but he wasn't really ready to conquer writing.
I believe that my son has dysgraphia. His handwriting is not typical of a 4th grader. His letters are big and uncontrolled. His cursive is a little better, but not much. It is physically painful for him to write. That's basically the reason we bought the Alphasmart. His typing lessons have been going well, although he hates some of the finger configurations because it hurts his fingers -- but he's had a few timed writings typing 15 WPM with one or no mistakes which thrilled him. And me.
It just seems as everything has come together and the cosmos says it's time for him to write. So today we are going to organize and map out his website on paper. I'm going to make a list of topics for him to write about. (Another benefit of the website, organization!) He started a blog at my request. One two-sentence entry so far.
This is just one of those times, as a homeschooling parent, when you get excited because everything is coming together. For once, I have a highly motivated child for a project he is loving more than anything else he's done in school to date. It can't get any better than this.
The only down side to all of this is that I really would like to buy some books as guides -- for him as well as me. I know I can find it all on the internet, but I'm such a book girl -- I like to have a book in hand that I can read, that DS can read. Our library doesn't have anything that I'm looking for and my husband has an aversion to me buying any more books.
This is the man who can read two paperbacks in one evening. This is the man who, when we were first married, would take me to the bookstore on Saturday mornings and spend $30-50 a weekend on books. (20 years ago that was a lot.) This is the man with four tall bookshelves so full of books the shelves are bowing. The books are double stacked, then more stacked in between the tops of the books and the empty space between the next shelf up. This is the man that gave up his book buying for family. This is the man that goes to the library weekly and gets 12-15 books at a time. Maybe he's jealous that he can't fulfill his book-buying addiction any longer, but he has a problem with me buying books for DS.
I don't think that's a fair statement. I think he has a problem with me spending a lot of money on homeschooling. I don't think I spend a lot by any means, but he has issues. I sneak books into the house. Not good, because I'm a very honest person and it bothers me. I use the library as much as possible, but sometimes they don't have what we want, even through ILL. Sometimes I just want to own the book, to have the new smell, enjoy the feeling of the the clean, crisp pages...
I feel an Amazon spending spree coming on.
Enough of my rambling thoughts. I have a son to get up, a school to run, a day to start, a website to plan.
It's cold here. -1. It's an assault to the system going out in it. That cold is brutal and will definitely wake up and incoherent mom taking care of her dog on a Monday morning.
This weekend my son was glued to the computer. He was working on his website. We sent the link to my cousin and my sister. My cousin signed his guestbook and was impressed, waiting to hear from my sister. My son wants me to spread the word -- but I told him he needs some more polish and content.
I see this website as a huge learning experience. So far he's just been using the templates provided, but he's been playing around and amazing me with his ability to do so well. I set the site up and then told him to figure it out. He has. Mull-berry, thank you for the book suggestion. Our library doesn't have it so I put it on my wish list at Amazon. More on buying books later.
Aside from all the fun aspects of building a website, the reason I'm excited for his new-found love is it is the perfect opportunity for him to start writing. Up to this point we have not done a formal writing program. My son has done some Evan Moor books such as the Super Sentence and Paragraph books, he's done a few assignments from Writing Strands, but he wasn't really ready to conquer writing.
I believe that my son has dysgraphia. His handwriting is not typical of a 4th grader. His letters are big and uncontrolled. His cursive is a little better, but not much. It is physically painful for him to write. That's basically the reason we bought the Alphasmart. His typing lessons have been going well, although he hates some of the finger configurations because it hurts his fingers -- but he's had a few timed writings typing 15 WPM with one or no mistakes which thrilled him. And me.
It just seems as everything has come together and the cosmos says it's time for him to write. So today we are going to organize and map out his website on paper. I'm going to make a list of topics for him to write about. (Another benefit of the website, organization!) He started a blog at my request. One two-sentence entry so far.
This is just one of those times, as a homeschooling parent, when you get excited because everything is coming together. For once, I have a highly motivated child for a project he is loving more than anything else he's done in school to date. It can't get any better than this.
The only down side to all of this is that I really would like to buy some books as guides -- for him as well as me. I know I can find it all on the internet, but I'm such a book girl -- I like to have a book in hand that I can read, that DS can read. Our library doesn't have anything that I'm looking for and my husband has an aversion to me buying any more books.
This is the man who can read two paperbacks in one evening. This is the man who, when we were first married, would take me to the bookstore on Saturday mornings and spend $30-50 a weekend on books. (20 years ago that was a lot.) This is the man with four tall bookshelves so full of books the shelves are bowing. The books are double stacked, then more stacked in between the tops of the books and the empty space between the next shelf up. This is the man that gave up his book buying for family. This is the man that goes to the library weekly and gets 12-15 books at a time. Maybe he's jealous that he can't fulfill his book-buying addiction any longer, but he has a problem with me buying books for DS.
I don't think that's a fair statement. I think he has a problem with me spending a lot of money on homeschooling. I don't think I spend a lot by any means, but he has issues. I sneak books into the house. Not good, because I'm a very honest person and it bothers me. I use the library as much as possible, but sometimes they don't have what we want, even through ILL. Sometimes I just want to own the book, to have the new smell, enjoy the feeling of the the clean, crisp pages...
I feel an Amazon spending spree coming on.
Enough of my rambling thoughts. I have a son to get up, a school to run, a day to start, a website to plan.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Olympics Links
I found a website tonight with a great links page for the Olympics. Just thought I'd share since the Olympics are fast-approaching.
http://surfaquarium.com/NEWSLETTER/winter_olympics.htm
http://surfaquarium.com/NEWSLETTER/winter_olympics.htm
Thoughts on Saturday Night
This morning I got up and started picking up the house in preparation for house cleaning day. I count the two tasks as separate -- I have to pick up before I clean. Gently, I reminded the boys that it was family cleaning day today. DH raised his eyebrows and I reminded him that homeschooling is a full-time job. DH requested we start in the afternoon, which was fine.
As I was picking up the homeschool room, I found the placemats that were mint condition that I bought at a garage sale. I think I paid a quarter for the lot. We have the solar system, the presidents, the branches of the government, a map of the world, a map of the United States, and a few others that aren't as interesting.
I slapped myself on the forehead and thought...why in the heck are these stacked in the homeschool room? I grabbed the two map placemats, washed them off, and put them on my kitchen table. At lunch, DS sat down and didn't say a word about his world map placemat -- but his plate was pushed to the side and he sat there and studied and studied and studied. Pretty soon he came up for air and said, "I love geography."
We have a very nice world map hanging in our basement. We have a junky US map hanging as well. They were too large to fit in our homeschool room. I often find my son just staring at the world map. What is it about maps? I stare at them too.
This is one of the times I wish I had a laminator. I would like to get a really good placemat-sized world map -- or maps of countries or continents, have them laminated, and use them as placemats.
After lunch, my son disappeared. The doorbell rang, one of his friends wanted to play even though it was miserably cold. DS didn't reappear until five. They went to his friend's house and played hot wheels. And yes, I'm one of those mothers that calls every so often to check up on him. But his friend's mom does that, too.
So it was just DH and I left to clean. I think last Saturday I mentioned the book If You Give Mouse a Cookie because it reminds me so much of my husband. He pulled the mouse thing again today. His first job was to clean the cat box. I've been complaining about kitty litter being tracked all over the room. We used to have a big box that surrounded the litter box but it got stinky and DH got rid of it. It did a really good job of controlling the litter, though. Plus, our dog likes kitty cookies -- that box kept him from indulging. So back to the mouse -- instead of cleaning, DH steals one of my huge Rubbermaid containers, grabs a cat and puts him in to see if he will fit. He does. So then he brings one of his saws in the house and proceeds to cut a cat hole in my big, expensive, Rubbermaid container. Then he sands the sides down. Then he puts the litter box inside. Then he puts both cats in to acclimate them. Then he has to bring me down to show off his invention. Then he starts puttering with other things, vacuums the stairs, but he forgets and leaves the saw and plastic shavings on the floor. (They're still there.) Then he had to go to the grocery store -- we were out of milk and it was my request that he go. It's just his timing.
So anyway...I cleaned the majority of the house today. The living room didn't get done nor did DS's room. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.
After supper tonight, DH asked DS if he'd like to learn how to program. DS gets all excited and says yes. Instead the boys get sidetracked by Runescape. So when I finally hit the computer, DS is bouncing around, DH is playing Runescape -- so I asked DS if he wants to learn how to build a website. YES. He gets all excited.
So off we go. We built a webpage. Actually, I signed him up and he took over. He's a natural. He's just so quick to figure things out. He's still up past 11, editing his webpage. I'll post a link in a few days after he's polished it up a bit.
I wish I were more computer literate -- I'll have to study hard to try to stay ahead of him. I see this as a great project, though. Maybe I'll start one too. I made a website a long time ago for the cleaning group I own and neglect. I forgot my password and I'd like to start fresh, emphasizing forms, schedules, etc. I love making forms. I'm such a geek.
Wow, what a long Saturday-night ramble!
As I was picking up the homeschool room, I found the placemats that were mint condition that I bought at a garage sale. I think I paid a quarter for the lot. We have the solar system, the presidents, the branches of the government, a map of the world, a map of the United States, and a few others that aren't as interesting.
I slapped myself on the forehead and thought...why in the heck are these stacked in the homeschool room? I grabbed the two map placemats, washed them off, and put them on my kitchen table. At lunch, DS sat down and didn't say a word about his world map placemat -- but his plate was pushed to the side and he sat there and studied and studied and studied. Pretty soon he came up for air and said, "I love geography."
We have a very nice world map hanging in our basement. We have a junky US map hanging as well. They were too large to fit in our homeschool room. I often find my son just staring at the world map. What is it about maps? I stare at them too.
This is one of the times I wish I had a laminator. I would like to get a really good placemat-sized world map -- or maps of countries or continents, have them laminated, and use them as placemats.
After lunch, my son disappeared. The doorbell rang, one of his friends wanted to play even though it was miserably cold. DS didn't reappear until five. They went to his friend's house and played hot wheels. And yes, I'm one of those mothers that calls every so often to check up on him. But his friend's mom does that, too.
So it was just DH and I left to clean. I think last Saturday I mentioned the book If You Give Mouse a Cookie because it reminds me so much of my husband. He pulled the mouse thing again today. His first job was to clean the cat box. I've been complaining about kitty litter being tracked all over the room. We used to have a big box that surrounded the litter box but it got stinky and DH got rid of it. It did a really good job of controlling the litter, though. Plus, our dog likes kitty cookies -- that box kept him from indulging. So back to the mouse -- instead of cleaning, DH steals one of my huge Rubbermaid containers, grabs a cat and puts him in to see if he will fit. He does. So then he brings one of his saws in the house and proceeds to cut a cat hole in my big, expensive, Rubbermaid container. Then he sands the sides down. Then he puts the litter box inside. Then he puts both cats in to acclimate them. Then he has to bring me down to show off his invention. Then he starts puttering with other things, vacuums the stairs, but he forgets and leaves the saw and plastic shavings on the floor. (They're still there.) Then he had to go to the grocery store -- we were out of milk and it was my request that he go. It's just his timing.
So anyway...I cleaned the majority of the house today. The living room didn't get done nor did DS's room. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.
After supper tonight, DH asked DS if he'd like to learn how to program. DS gets all excited and says yes. Instead the boys get sidetracked by Runescape. So when I finally hit the computer, DS is bouncing around, DH is playing Runescape -- so I asked DS if he wants to learn how to build a website. YES. He gets all excited.
So off we go. We built a webpage. Actually, I signed him up and he took over. He's a natural. He's just so quick to figure things out. He's still up past 11, editing his webpage. I'll post a link in a few days after he's polished it up a bit.
I wish I were more computer literate -- I'll have to study hard to try to stay ahead of him. I see this as a great project, though. Maybe I'll start one too. I made a website a long time ago for the cleaning group I own and neglect. I forgot my password and I'd like to start fresh, emphasizing forms, schedules, etc. I love making forms. I'm such a geek.
Wow, what a long Saturday-night ramble!
Lost Post Found
A good friend emailed me this morning. She saw my lost post on bloglines. I still can't find it on my dashboard. Perhaps it's because I forgot to title it? I don't know. It has a working link. It's just not showing up. No biggie -- just annoying. Anyway, thanks, G.
So, he he, here it is again. It is just so important, don't you know.
I found a cool geography website tonight. I realized I really need to study my Oceania geography. I bombed. DS took the US test and did really well except for the east coast -- I guess I know where we need to spend some time.Survivor had its season premier last night. I am so glad Doc blogged about it because I was assuming it would have its premier after the SuperBowl like usual. They voted the one person off that I instantly liked. I was just dumbfounded that someone could be afraid of -- leaves. Good grief.In school we've been hitting the fractions pretty hard. I was ready to throw Singapore Math out the window when we came to fractions in 3B. DS did not get it at all. I couldn't explain it to him for anything. I finally ended up ordering Painless Fractions from Amazon. Click. A change of pace helped. We had so much fun that we worked halfway through the book. DS is way ahead of the game now on the fraction front and we're ready to breeze through the rest of 3B. I was looking through 4A and DS will breeze through the majority of that book, too.I have noticed a big pattern regarding Singapore Math book 3B while reading homeschool boards. It seems a lot of kids stall on fractions in 3B. DS didn't understand at all where Singapore was going, yet when we got the new book, it just clicked. I'm wondering if it's not the kids, but Singapore. Yeah, that's it, blame it on the book.I made a 60-page math test for DS to take today. He aced it. It was hard, too.Singapore doesn't teach decimals in 3B or 4A, what I consider to be 4th grade, yet it is one of our state standards. We also have to do standardized tests yearly, so I ordered the Key To Decimals series this morning. I probably didn't need to order any books, but sometimes it's just easier on me. I'd rather put my energies on other things. Besides, if I pick up a pack of Pokemon stickers, we can call it Pokemon Math and DS will work happily.That's about it for my Friday-night update. Except I'm bored. There's nothing to do in this town. DH is sound asleep on the couch, DS is playing on the computer and I'm climbing walls.
So, he he, here it is again. It is just so important, don't you know.
I found a cool geography website tonight. I realized I really need to study my Oceania geography. I bombed. DS took the US test and did really well except for the east coast -- I guess I know where we need to spend some time.Survivor had its season premier last night. I am so glad Doc blogged about it because I was assuming it would have its premier after the SuperBowl like usual. They voted the one person off that I instantly liked. I was just dumbfounded that someone could be afraid of -- leaves. Good grief.In school we've been hitting the fractions pretty hard. I was ready to throw Singapore Math out the window when we came to fractions in 3B. DS did not get it at all. I couldn't explain it to him for anything. I finally ended up ordering Painless Fractions from Amazon. Click. A change of pace helped. We had so much fun that we worked halfway through the book. DS is way ahead of the game now on the fraction front and we're ready to breeze through the rest of 3B. I was looking through 4A and DS will breeze through the majority of that book, too.I have noticed a big pattern regarding Singapore Math book 3B while reading homeschool boards. It seems a lot of kids stall on fractions in 3B. DS didn't understand at all where Singapore was going, yet when we got the new book, it just clicked. I'm wondering if it's not the kids, but Singapore. Yeah, that's it, blame it on the book.I made a 60-page math test for DS to take today. He aced it. It was hard, too.Singapore doesn't teach decimals in 3B or 4A, what I consider to be 4th grade, yet it is one of our state standards. We also have to do standardized tests yearly, so I ordered the Key To Decimals series this morning. I probably didn't need to order any books, but sometimes it's just easier on me. I'd rather put my energies on other things. Besides, if I pick up a pack of Pokemon stickers, we can call it Pokemon Math and DS will work happily.That's about it for my Friday-night update. Except I'm bored. There's nothing to do in this town. DH is sound asleep on the couch, DS is playing on the computer and I'm climbing walls.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Unschooling
I never would have referred to myself as an unschooler. I've always been pretty rigid and follow my maps and plans that I've laid out.
Last night after I posted about our new science unit, it occurred to me...we have been unschooling in science all along.
I have a local friend who is an unschooler. Watching her homeschool led me to an aversion of the term unschooling. Well, after thinking about it, she's no unschooler -- she's a nonschooler. There is a huge difference. I think that's a common mistake amongst people in general -- when they think of unschooling, they think of nonschooling. I fell into that trap, but at least it was due to example rather than ignorance.
After I blogged last night about science, I thought -- the few people reading this blog will think we never do science! Nothing could be further from the truth. We do science all the time. It is just informal, not like we do the rest of our school. For me to plan out that unit was a change of pace for us. I have always made sure that we met the state standards for science every year. We go way beyond that, though.
My son knows a lot about science. I really started doubting myself, but I think I've laid that fear to rest now. I'm always second-guessing myself!
Thanks, Doc, for the great downloads. They've been printed (in black and white lol) and added to my unit.
Last night after I posted about our new science unit, it occurred to me...we have been unschooling in science all along.
I have a local friend who is an unschooler. Watching her homeschool led me to an aversion of the term unschooling. Well, after thinking about it, she's no unschooler -- she's a nonschooler. There is a huge difference. I think that's a common mistake amongst people in general -- when they think of unschooling, they think of nonschooling. I fell into that trap, but at least it was due to example rather than ignorance.
After I blogged last night about science, I thought -- the few people reading this blog will think we never do science! Nothing could be further from the truth. We do science all the time. It is just informal, not like we do the rest of our school. For me to plan out that unit was a change of pace for us. I have always made sure that we met the state standards for science every year. We go way beyond that, though.
My son knows a lot about science. I really started doubting myself, but I think I've laid that fear to rest now. I'm always second-guessing myself!
Thanks, Doc, for the great downloads. They've been printed (in black and white lol) and added to my unit.
Happy Groundhog Day!
It's official, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. We're in for six more weeks of winter.
Living in Minnesota, I never doubted for a moment that we'd have six more weeks of winter. :-p~~
Maybe we can form a virtual co-op and have all our homeschooled kids create that translucent groundhog!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Gulp, Jumping into our First Science Unit Study
My son is a science freak. He loves science. He knows science. He can talk shop with his dad. I'm out in left field because science is just not very interesting to me -- until delve into it.
Science this year has been hit and miss, dad has done a lot of the science schooling. I've done some. Not enough.
So, feeling the guilt, I sat down with my worn copy of Rebecca Rupp's Home Learning Year by Year. I wrote down some ideas for upcoming units we can do. I decided to start with a big, long human anatomy unit.
Being short on funds and not wanting to hear any further complaints about buying books from the old man, plus not wanting to get caught sneaking in a book order into the house, I decided to -- light bulb moment -- use what I have.
I grabbed my Konos index. Yup, they've got a fantastic unit on the Human Body. So today I went to the store and photocopied the unit -- Konos lets you do that for your own personal use -- so that I could mark it up. I planned 10 weeks of study. I printed worksheets. I searched our library online. I searched my bookshelves. I made a list of what I need to buy. I made a list of what I can beg the local locker to donate. (He gave eyeballs for dissection to us last year for free.)
I can't procrastinate any further. Tomorrow we will start. I'm nervous. I've never been this formal yet relaxed at the same time with science. It's all weird, it's all strange. It's not linear, it's hodgepodge. It's not me.
At least I can deal with a human body unit. That's not too tough. Maybe I'll get my confidence up so I can do a unit on chemistry.
Funny thing, in high school I got the top score in my high school in biology. I went to a big high school. It was a big deal. So next year in honors chemistry, I barely scratched out a C. High school chemistry -- maybe that's where my science phobia developed.
March on. My kiddo loves science. I guess I can learn next to him and we always have dad to bail us out. Uhm, I should say bail me out. What will probably happen is my son will teach me.
Gulp. Here we go.
Science this year has been hit and miss, dad has done a lot of the science schooling. I've done some. Not enough.
So, feeling the guilt, I sat down with my worn copy of Rebecca Rupp's Home Learning Year by Year. I wrote down some ideas for upcoming units we can do. I decided to start with a big, long human anatomy unit.
Being short on funds and not wanting to hear any further complaints about buying books from the old man, plus not wanting to get caught sneaking in a book order into the house, I decided to -- light bulb moment -- use what I have.
I grabbed my Konos index. Yup, they've got a fantastic unit on the Human Body. So today I went to the store and photocopied the unit -- Konos lets you do that for your own personal use -- so that I could mark it up. I planned 10 weeks of study. I printed worksheets. I searched our library online. I searched my bookshelves. I made a list of what I need to buy. I made a list of what I can beg the local locker to donate. (He gave eyeballs for dissection to us last year for free.)
I can't procrastinate any further. Tomorrow we will start. I'm nervous. I've never been this formal yet relaxed at the same time with science. It's all weird, it's all strange. It's not linear, it's hodgepodge. It's not me.
At least I can deal with a human body unit. That's not too tough. Maybe I'll get my confidence up so I can do a unit on chemistry.
Funny thing, in high school I got the top score in my high school in biology. I went to a big high school. It was a big deal. So next year in honors chemistry, I barely scratched out a C. High school chemistry -- maybe that's where my science phobia developed.
March on. My kiddo loves science. I guess I can learn next to him and we always have dad to bail us out. Uhm, I should say bail me out. What will probably happen is my son will teach me.
Gulp. Here we go.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
coffee and printers don't mix
Last night, I was sipping my decaf, surfing away, when all of a sudden a profanity came out of my mouth and I saw coffee going everywhere. Somehow I knocked over my tall, freshly-filled cup.
DH jumped up, grabbed our 4-in-one printer/scanner and coffee poured out of it. I could cry. I haven't tried it today to see if I killed it or not. What a bonehead I am.
I am grateful, though, that it didn't get my laser printer. That thing is 11 years old, I used it for my business, and it is a work horse.
I'm scared to plug that printer in. Dang, I'm broke, too. I still only have $2.43 in the checking account.
DH insists the whole problem is my choice in coffee cups. At Christmas I bought myself three coffee cups that are very tall, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. I love my coffee cups. It makes my coffee experience all the better when I drink from them. They just fit me. Okay, so they don't fit the printer.
Damn it all.
I need to put a paypal link on and request donations for my blogging time so that I can buy a new printer or some other form of really cool coffee cup. NOT. (I still can't get over that!)
DH jumped up, grabbed our 4-in-one printer/scanner and coffee poured out of it. I could cry. I haven't tried it today to see if I killed it or not. What a bonehead I am.
I am grateful, though, that it didn't get my laser printer. That thing is 11 years old, I used it for my business, and it is a work horse.
I'm scared to plug that printer in. Dang, I'm broke, too. I still only have $2.43 in the checking account.
DH insists the whole problem is my choice in coffee cups. At Christmas I bought myself three coffee cups that are very tall, wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. I love my coffee cups. It makes my coffee experience all the better when I drink from them. They just fit me. Okay, so they don't fit the printer.
Damn it all.
I need to put a paypal link on and request donations for my blogging time so that I can buy a new printer or some other form of really cool coffee cup. NOT. (I still can't get over that!)
Sunday, January 29, 2006
The Nerve...
Was reading through my yahoo emails tonight and came to a post about a gal who uses Konos. I use Konos as a reference, but I have to leave a lot of stuff out. ;-) So anyway, I click on her link.
Holy Cow, this chick has a paypal link...
What for??? Scratching my head.
So I continue reading. She provides lots of useless links about Konos, then she shares one link to her three-page planner. This is what she says:
You've GOT to be kidding.
So reading the comments of this blog entry, she writes:
Okay, I'm warning, I'm about to swear.
WTF.
Okay, so my swearing is a condensed, more polite version, but you get the gist. (I just can't swear in public!) lol
How cheap can you be? What ever happened to a community of sharing and helping one another? Good grief, this is greed pure and simple.
I'm just astonished. The day I start leaving tips in jars for BLOGGING time is the day hell freezes over.
And on that note, I am going to thank Doc for providing so many wonderful downloads, links, and ideas for homeschooling -- for free, out of the goodness of her heart. What an example she is.
Holy Cow, this chick has a paypal link...
What for??? Scratching my head.
"Enjoy what you read? Use my book lists, unit studies, links, and ideas? Please consider a small donation."
So I continue reading. She provides lots of useless links about Konos, then she shares one link to her three-page planner. This is what she says:
"If you use my links and files, please consider leaving a tip in my tip jar to help cover expenses and time blogging... it would make my husband less grumpy about sharing me."
You've GOT to be kidding.
So reading the comments of this blog entry, she writes:
"I'd love it if you left a dime or two in my tip jar if you use my planner pages and links often. Hope they can be of help to you as they have been to me. God bless, and Happy Homeschooling!"
Okay, I'm warning, I'm about to swear.
WTF.
Okay, so my swearing is a condensed, more polite version, but you get the gist. (I just can't swear in public!) lol
How cheap can you be? What ever happened to a community of sharing and helping one another? Good grief, this is greed pure and simple.
I'm just astonished. The day I start leaving tips in jars for BLOGGING time is the day hell freezes over.
And on that note, I am going to thank Doc for providing so many wonderful downloads, links, and ideas for homeschooling -- for free, out of the goodness of her heart. What an example she is.
I'm Craving a Frosty ... and money
We recently had a Wendy's open in our teeny, tiny town. I have a fondness for Wendy's because it was my first job while I was in college.
I'm craving a Frosty so bad. I paid bills today, which I absolutely *hate* doing more than anything. I'd rather clean public toilets. DH screwed up and forgot to send in an insurance form and we got stuck paying $400 to our local clinic. He just filled out the form so hopefully they'll reimburse us. After paying all the bills, I have $2.43 left. Until Thursday. This sucks.
I can't even go to the store and buy ice cream to make my own Frosty with that!
Damn, after a stressful afternoon of bill paying, I am in major need of something chocolate.
Maybe I should have DS loan me enough for a Frosty.
And to make this homeschool related--
I improvised a home economics program for my son. Focus was household finances. I made him read the news paper and get a job. (Had to be one where the salary and benefits were listed.) We live in such a small town, the best he could find was $9.50 an hour without benefits. What a lesson on the power of a good education that was! I then had him figure out how much money he would make if he worked a 40-hour week. I then told him to deduct about 30% for retirement, taxes, etc.
Next, he had to find a place to live. He ended up with what I'm sure was a dumpy little apartment for $425 a month. He had to make a list of utilities, insurance, food, transportation, etc.
Wow, was he amazed that he didn't have any money left over.
He has to pay bills every month. I bought a play checkbook at Classroom Direct. So, he has to pay bills when I do.
Now here's the kicker. I also share with him our finances. I know so many parents who say it is none of their child's business on what they make. This always leaves me scratching my head because I guess I'm very open and honest with DS. When we go to the store and I say we can't afford X, Y an Z, he *knows* we can't afford it because he knows what we make and where our money goes.
When I moved away from home and had to start all this financial business, I was completely lost! So why not teach a ten-year-old child the truth! He knows the value of money.
My next quest on the financial realm is to teach him about investing and making his money work for him. On this, I am clueless...so if anyone has any suggestions for a good, easy-to-understand book, fill me in.
I'm craving a Frosty so bad. I paid bills today, which I absolutely *hate* doing more than anything. I'd rather clean public toilets. DH screwed up and forgot to send in an insurance form and we got stuck paying $400 to our local clinic. He just filled out the form so hopefully they'll reimburse us. After paying all the bills, I have $2.43 left. Until Thursday. This sucks.
I can't even go to the store and buy ice cream to make my own Frosty with that!
Damn, after a stressful afternoon of bill paying, I am in major need of something chocolate.
Maybe I should have DS loan me enough for a Frosty.
And to make this homeschool related--
I improvised a home economics program for my son. Focus was household finances. I made him read the news paper and get a job. (Had to be one where the salary and benefits were listed.) We live in such a small town, the best he could find was $9.50 an hour without benefits. What a lesson on the power of a good education that was! I then had him figure out how much money he would make if he worked a 40-hour week. I then told him to deduct about 30% for retirement, taxes, etc.
Next, he had to find a place to live. He ended up with what I'm sure was a dumpy little apartment for $425 a month. He had to make a list of utilities, insurance, food, transportation, etc.
Wow, was he amazed that he didn't have any money left over.
He has to pay bills every month. I bought a play checkbook at Classroom Direct. So, he has to pay bills when I do.
Now here's the kicker. I also share with him our finances. I know so many parents who say it is none of their child's business on what they make. This always leaves me scratching my head because I guess I'm very open and honest with DS. When we go to the store and I say we can't afford X, Y an Z, he *knows* we can't afford it because he knows what we make and where our money goes.
When I moved away from home and had to start all this financial business, I was completely lost! So why not teach a ten-year-old child the truth! He knows the value of money.
My next quest on the financial realm is to teach him about investing and making his money work for him. On this, I am clueless...so if anyone has any suggestions for a good, easy-to-understand book, fill me in.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
A Silly Post about Nothing Much
A recap of my day.
Awoke late because we stayed up late. Both my "boys" were still asleep. Took the dog out, another beautiful, unseasonably warm day. Went in, made coffee, checked email. About this time the boys had decided to get up.
I'm putzing around the house, still in my pj's, desperately needing my shower, when DH decides we need to play Blokus. I say, "Uhm, honey, I really do stink -- I can smell myself, so you'll just have to wait until I shower." Nope, he wants to play now. "Uhm, honey, you're just procrastinating. I told you that I am instituting my Family Clean House Saturday Morning Instead of Just Me Ultimatum starting today." He insists we'll do it later.
So I grab another cup of coffee, sit down and we play several games of Blokus. We love this game and I highly recommend it! I have been trying to institute a family game night forever, and that will never come to fruition. I do have to take advantage when DH is feeling "gamey." lol
When we finish, DH declares it cleaning house time. I just roll my eyes, say okay and head off for the shower. I get out of the shower and DH is just so proud that he has managed to empty all the garbage. (All four garbage cans.) Okay, I took a 20-minute shower. Big deal.
So we start cleaning. I kept thinking of the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. My DH just won't stay focused on what he's doing, he's jumping around from one thing to another without completing anything. (And I wonder where DS gets his attention issues!)
Halfway through cleaning, DH proclaims he needs to run to Kmart because he needs to buy dog food, cat litter, and paper towels. Yes, dear, we need those things but it can wait until the house is clean.
I just do my thing and he's stomping around so finally I say.....GO.
When he gets back, he informs me he's tired. He lies down for a nap. I sneak down to check email. I get back to work.
Well, we were finally officially done cleaning the house at 4:30. At five three of DS's friends came over for the evening. DH made homemade pizza. I had to clean the kitchen all over again after supper.
Now, if you were to ask me, I would tell you that I did the majority of the house cleaning today. DH would take full credit for more than half the work accomplished. lol I give up. At least he did help. At least he was playful today. At least he made supper.
Never a dull moment.
Awoke late because we stayed up late. Both my "boys" were still asleep. Took the dog out, another beautiful, unseasonably warm day. Went in, made coffee, checked email. About this time the boys had decided to get up.
I'm putzing around the house, still in my pj's, desperately needing my shower, when DH decides we need to play Blokus. I say, "Uhm, honey, I really do stink -- I can smell myself, so you'll just have to wait until I shower." Nope, he wants to play now. "Uhm, honey, you're just procrastinating. I told you that I am instituting my Family Clean House Saturday Morning Instead of Just Me Ultimatum starting today." He insists we'll do it later.
So I grab another cup of coffee, sit down and we play several games of Blokus. We love this game and I highly recommend it! I have been trying to institute a family game night forever, and that will never come to fruition. I do have to take advantage when DH is feeling "gamey." lol
When we finish, DH declares it cleaning house time. I just roll my eyes, say okay and head off for the shower. I get out of the shower and DH is just so proud that he has managed to empty all the garbage. (All four garbage cans.) Okay, I took a 20-minute shower. Big deal.
So we start cleaning. I kept thinking of the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. My DH just won't stay focused on what he's doing, he's jumping around from one thing to another without completing anything. (And I wonder where DS gets his attention issues!)
Halfway through cleaning, DH proclaims he needs to run to Kmart because he needs to buy dog food, cat litter, and paper towels. Yes, dear, we need those things but it can wait until the house is clean.
I just do my thing and he's stomping around so finally I say.....GO.
When he gets back, he informs me he's tired. He lies down for a nap. I sneak down to check email. I get back to work.
Well, we were finally officially done cleaning the house at 4:30. At five three of DS's friends came over for the evening. DH made homemade pizza. I had to clean the kitchen all over again after supper.
Now, if you were to ask me, I would tell you that I did the majority of the house cleaning today. DH would take full credit for more than half the work accomplished. lol I give up. At least he did help. At least he was playful today. At least he made supper.
Never a dull moment.
A recap of my day.
Awoke late because we stayed up late. Both my "boys" were still asleep. Took the dog out, another beautiful, unseasonably warm day. Went in, made coffee, checked email. About this time the boys had decided to get up.
I'm putzing around the house, still in my pj's, desperately needing my shower, when DH decides we need to play Blokus. I say, "Uhm, honey, I really do stink -- I can smell myself, so you'll just have to wait until I shower." Nope, he wants to play now. "Uhm, honey, you're just procrastinating. I told you that I am instituting my Family Clean House Saturday Morning Instead of Just Me Ultimatum starting today." He insists we'll do it later.
So I grab another cup of coffee, sit down and we play several games of Blokus. We love this game and I highly recommend it! I have been trying to institute a family game night forever, and that will never come to fruition. I do have to take advantage when DH is feeling "gamey." lol
When we finish, DH declares it cleaning house time. I just roll my eyes, say okay and head off for the shower. I get out of the shower and DH is just so proud that he has managed to empty all the garbage. (All four garbage cans.) Okay, I took a 20-minute shower. Big deal.
So we start cleaning. I kept thinking of the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. My DH just won't stay focused on what he's doing, he's jumping around from one thing to another without completing anything. (And I wonder where DS gets his attention issues!)
Halfway through cleaning, DH proclaims he needs to run to Kmart because he needs to buy dog food, cat litter, and paper towels. Yes, dear, we need those things but it can wait until the house is clean.
I just do my thing and he's stomping around so finally I say.....GO.
When he gets back, he informs me he's tired. He lies down for a nap. I sneak down to check email. I get back to work.
Well, we were finally officially done cleaning the house at 4:30. At five three of DS's friends came over for the evening. DH made homemade pizza. I had to clean the kitchen all over again after supper.
Now, if you were to ask me, I would tell you that I did the majority of the house cleaning today. DH would take full credit for more than half the work accomplished. lol I give up. At least he did help. At least he was playful today. At least he made supper.
Never a dull moment.
Awoke late because we stayed up late. Both my "boys" were still asleep. Took the dog out, another beautiful, unseasonably warm day. Went in, made coffee, checked email. About this time the boys had decided to get up.
I'm putzing around the house, still in my pj's, desperately needing my shower, when DH decides we need to play Blokus. I say, "Uhm, honey, I really do stink -- I can smell myself, so you'll just have to wait until I shower." Nope, he wants to play now. "Uhm, honey, you're just procrastinating. I told you that I am instituting my Family Clean House Saturday Morning Instead of Just Me Ultimatum starting today." He insists we'll do it later.
So I grab another cup of coffee, sit down and we play several games of Blokus. We love this game and I highly recommend it! I have been trying to institute a family game night forever, and that will never come to fruition. I do have to take advantage when DH is feeling "gamey." lol
When we finish, DH declares it cleaning house time. I just roll my eyes, say okay and head off for the shower. I get out of the shower and DH is just so proud that he has managed to empty all the garbage. (All four garbage cans.) Okay, I took a 20-minute shower. Big deal.
So we start cleaning. I kept thinking of the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. My DH just won't stay focused on what he's doing, he's jumping around from one thing to another without completing anything. (And I wonder where DS gets his attention issues!)
Halfway through cleaning, DH proclaims he needs to run to Kmart because he needs to buy dog food, cat litter, and paper towels. Yes, dear, we need those things but it can wait until the house is clean.
I just do my thing and he's stomping around so finally I say.....GO.
When he gets back, he informs me he's tired. He lies down for a nap. I sneak down to check email. I get back to work.
Well, we were finally officially done cleaning the house at 4:30. At five three of DS's friends came over for the evening. DH made homemade pizza. I had to clean the kitchen all over again after supper.
Now, if you were to ask me, I would tell you that I did the majority of the house cleaning today. DH would take full credit for more than half the work accomplished. lol I give up. At least he did help. At least he was playful today. At least he made supper.
Never a dull moment.
Friday, January 27, 2006
We're not book purists here
Woke up this morning coughing. Took the dog out -- it is unseasonably warm for MN this morning and feels wonderful. Coffee is taking way too long to kick in.
Sat down to read emails. I subscribe to a lot of homeschool groups. I skim messages for anything relevant that will help us on our journey. I reply if I can be remotely helpful, which isn't too often. Occasionally I reply if something ticks me off, but I'm going to make myself stop doing that.
Anyway, one of the groups I lurk on has just had a discussion about books, abridged, unabridged, etc. I couldn't believe my eyes reading the posts. They were discussing one specific book and many of the members were aghast that they didn't have the original, unedited, unabridged book. They were such purists! Many of them went on and on about not reading anything other than the unabridged. They were serious, too. It was as if those of us who read the abridged versions are severely flawed! Okay, I admit I am severely flawed, but I never thought it was due to my book choices.
It took me back to the book The Well Trained Mind. Bauer suggests that grammar-stage children do read abridged classics. In fact, she recommended the Stepping Stone series. One night, when we were all playing near the computer, I logged on to Amazon and started reading excerpts out loud from some of the Stepping Stones series. My DS was hooked and wanted me to order books. My DH said it was a good idea, too.
So I ordered a bunch. My DS, sadly, has never been one to pick up a book and read for joy -- except for the Magic School Bus series. He picked up Great Expectations out of our pile. And he read it. He read for a couple hours until he finished it, another unlikely occurrence. He has liked every single Stepping Stone book he has read.
When we organized the classroom, I noticed two in the series he had not read. Yesterday I had him read The Time Machine. He finished it in about 20 minutes. (It is a 2.4 grade level read.) He loved that. As we were discussing all these books again, I told him that they are abridged versions and versions that are written for children, explaining what that meant. His eyes grew very large when he realized we could trot down to the library and get "the real books." And then music to the mother's ears......"Mom, let's go to the library now. I want to read the real books."
My whole point to the entry is that I am glad I was not a purist. I am very glad I bought those Stepping Stones books -- they are also called Bullseye Step Into Classics. They started my DS reading, really reading. And now that he's finally reading between a fifth and sixth grade level, he still loves to read them as it gives him great confidence to be able to read them very quickly because he has always been a slow reader.
I have always provided, on occasion, DS books at lower than grade level to boost his confidence and help his fluency. I also occasionally provide books above his grade level to make him reach. I have never said no to a choice he makes at the library. Yes, he reads Pokemon books. Yes, he reads Garfield cartoon books. Yes, he reads twaddle. He also reads books I've carefully selected. I'm just happy that he's reading.
I am so happy that we are graduating and starting the "real book" journey.
Sat down to read emails. I subscribe to a lot of homeschool groups. I skim messages for anything relevant that will help us on our journey. I reply if I can be remotely helpful, which isn't too often. Occasionally I reply if something ticks me off, but I'm going to make myself stop doing that.
Anyway, one of the groups I lurk on has just had a discussion about books, abridged, unabridged, etc. I couldn't believe my eyes reading the posts. They were discussing one specific book and many of the members were aghast that they didn't have the original, unedited, unabridged book. They were such purists! Many of them went on and on about not reading anything other than the unabridged. They were serious, too. It was as if those of us who read the abridged versions are severely flawed! Okay, I admit I am severely flawed, but I never thought it was due to my book choices.
It took me back to the book The Well Trained Mind. Bauer suggests that grammar-stage children do read abridged classics. In fact, she recommended the Stepping Stone series. One night, when we were all playing near the computer, I logged on to Amazon and started reading excerpts out loud from some of the Stepping Stones series. My DS was hooked and wanted me to order books. My DH said it was a good idea, too.
So I ordered a bunch. My DS, sadly, has never been one to pick up a book and read for joy -- except for the Magic School Bus series. He picked up Great Expectations out of our pile. And he read it. He read for a couple hours until he finished it, another unlikely occurrence. He has liked every single Stepping Stone book he has read.
When we organized the classroom, I noticed two in the series he had not read. Yesterday I had him read The Time Machine. He finished it in about 20 minutes. (It is a 2.4 grade level read.) He loved that. As we were discussing all these books again, I told him that they are abridged versions and versions that are written for children, explaining what that meant. His eyes grew very large when he realized we could trot down to the library and get "the real books." And then music to the mother's ears......"Mom, let's go to the library now. I want to read the real books."
My whole point to the entry is that I am glad I was not a purist. I am very glad I bought those Stepping Stones books -- they are also called Bullseye Step Into Classics. They started my DS reading, really reading. And now that he's finally reading between a fifth and sixth grade level, he still loves to read them as it gives him great confidence to be able to read them very quickly because he has always been a slow reader.
I have always provided, on occasion, DS books at lower than grade level to boost his confidence and help his fluency. I also occasionally provide books above his grade level to make him reach. I have never said no to a choice he makes at the library. Yes, he reads Pokemon books. Yes, he reads Garfield cartoon books. Yes, he reads twaddle. He also reads books I've carefully selected. I'm just happy that he's reading.
I am so happy that we are graduating and starting the "real book" journey.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Overwhelmed by Negative Internet Blogs
I've been a little overwhelmed lately -- online, that is, reading links that Doc is posting. The uninformed, opinionated, closed-minded people *really* get to me. I have to quit reading and hyperfocus on us for awhile. If I started responding to every one of those closed-minded people (I want to use a harsher word, but I'm going to be polite and show more class than they do) I'd get nothing done. And they're just not worth my time. Nothing I say will matter to them, anyway.
What I can do is promote homeschooling locally, especially through example. That I am willing to continue to do.
I also will give up trying to convince my SIL, who teaches fourth grade, that homeschooling isn't crazy. She seems to think that it is okay for us, because she knows I will do what is necessary to make sure DS gets a good education. It's all the other homeschoolers she worries about. So anyone who homeschools who happens to read this blog, she's worried about you. lol She'll never get it.
I do a good job homeschooling. I research like crazy, I present things in a manner that suits my DS's learning style. I encourage, support and teach him by being positive. As good as I am though (tooting my own horn here!) I am human, I make mistakes, and I have tons of worries. Isn't that typical of all homeschooling parents?
We all do the best we can. We all work on meeting our children's emotional, physical and educational needs.
I'm just not going to worry about the uninformed out there. I'll just worry about my sweet son for now.
What I can do is promote homeschooling locally, especially through example. That I am willing to continue to do.
I also will give up trying to convince my SIL, who teaches fourth grade, that homeschooling isn't crazy. She seems to think that it is okay for us, because she knows I will do what is necessary to make sure DS gets a good education. It's all the other homeschoolers she worries about. So anyone who homeschools who happens to read this blog, she's worried about you. lol She'll never get it.
I do a good job homeschooling. I research like crazy, I present things in a manner that suits my DS's learning style. I encourage, support and teach him by being positive. As good as I am though (tooting my own horn here!) I am human, I make mistakes, and I have tons of worries. Isn't that typical of all homeschooling parents?
We all do the best we can. We all work on meeting our children's emotional, physical and educational needs.
I'm just not going to worry about the uninformed out there. I'll just worry about my sweet son for now.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Math Facts -- Great Free Download
I'm sitting at the computer, reading blogs and just remembered -- I have to print out tomorrow's math facts sheets.
www.schoolhousetech.com
When we began homeschooling, I downloaded their free worksheet factory software. I have used it every, single day.
We do math fact practice every, single day. With this software, I get to make the sheets that I want rather than using a book.
In third grade we did addition and subtraction facts every day, now we're doing multiplication and division. When we have finished and have them down pat, I'll do mixed sheets.
DS learned to do 100-problem-five-minute-timed tests in public school. That was something he wanted to continue. So I make 100 problem sheets and time him every day.
It is interesting to note that DS struggled with 7s and 8s in multiplication. He just wasn't getting them. So before we do our timed test, I have him take a peak at his monster wheels and then I have him do a test that has the answers! He traces the answers while he is saying the problem out loud. After about two weeks, he's just about done with 7s and 8s. If I had the chance to teach math facts from the beginning, I would have him do the answer sheet first -- that way the correct answer is getting drilled into his head.
We do 100 problems of one multiplier a day. When we have finished all numbers 2-9, we do mixed multipliers. DS has to pass with 97 correct in five minutes. (Public school's guidelines.)
I love this software.
www.schoolhousetech.com
When we began homeschooling, I downloaded their free worksheet factory software. I have used it every, single day.
We do math fact practice every, single day. With this software, I get to make the sheets that I want rather than using a book.
In third grade we did addition and subtraction facts every day, now we're doing multiplication and division. When we have finished and have them down pat, I'll do mixed sheets.
DS learned to do 100-problem-five-minute-timed tests in public school. That was something he wanted to continue. So I make 100 problem sheets and time him every day.
It is interesting to note that DS struggled with 7s and 8s in multiplication. He just wasn't getting them. So before we do our timed test, I have him take a peak at his monster wheels and then I have him do a test that has the answers! He traces the answers while he is saying the problem out loud. After about two weeks, he's just about done with 7s and 8s. If I had the chance to teach math facts from the beginning, I would have him do the answer sheet first -- that way the correct answer is getting drilled into his head.
We do 100 problems of one multiplier a day. When we have finished all numbers 2-9, we do mixed multipliers. DS has to pass with 97 correct in five minutes. (Public school's guidelines.)
I love this software.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Puppy Cam
My cousin just sent me this link.
http://diesel.camstreams.com/
It is a live puppy cam showing Weimaraner puppies born on Jan 15th. It says it will be up for eight weeks. This will be fun to watch the pups as they grow.
http://diesel.camstreams.com/
It is a live puppy cam showing Weimaraner puppies born on Jan 15th. It says it will be up for eight weeks. This will be fun to watch the pups as they grow.
Our Weekend
What do homeschoolers do over the weekend? What do atypical homeschoolers do over the weekend, I guess the question should be. (Sleep in on Sunday morning. In fact, have a pajama day on Sunday.)
We cleaned the house. It is so much better. We finished the homeschool room. We cleaned up our explosion from finishing the HS room. We did eight loads of laundry. We ran the dishwasher three times. We found 32 plastic glasses that we used for a cub scouts craft project and I just couldn't throw them away, so that's why an extra dishwasher load.
We went grocery shopping. We had Wendy's for supper. We rented movies.
We had no play dates this weekend. It was very cold here and we didn't want to go out unless absolutely necessary. Groceries, movies and Wendy's I deemed necessary.
Now for our movies. March of the Penguins, Polar Express and Sign of the Beaver.
We both loved March of the Penguins. DS got so upset with the death scenes. I thought he'd come unglued when the momma whose chick died tried to steal another momma's chick. DS kept commenting that the filming crew should have HELPED in many scenes. I kept explaining that they weren't interfering with nature. I'm glad we didn't see this in the theater because DS couldn't keep his mouth shut. He is very strongly opinionated regarding animals and their rights. Toward the end of the movie, if a chick died, he finally sighed and said, "Well, the mom and dad can try again next year." So maybe we made a little progress with understanding how nature works.
Polar Express. I was half afraid to watch this movie because of all the "it is weird and creepy" comments I heard. The Polar Express is one of my favorite children's books. Well, it wasn't the book -- didn't give me the same feeling. However, we both really liked it. I didn't think it was that weird. We'll probably rent it next Christmas.
Sign of the Beaver. Don't do it -- Don't watch it if you *loved* the book! I'm not one to bash movies that aren't true to books. This one bothered me, though. If you watch the movie to save yourself from reading the book, you're not getting even close to the book. That said, it was a good movie, we did enjoy it -- but we enjoyed it as an entirely different story than the book. I felt really let down, though, because I had higher expectations. It was one of our favorite books that we've read this year.
Sunday evening arrives, time to get back into a routine. Bedtimes stink. Here I am, 2 in the morning -- it's going to be a three-cup-of-coffee before I'm coherent morning.
We cleaned the house. It is so much better. We finished the homeschool room. We cleaned up our explosion from finishing the HS room. We did eight loads of laundry. We ran the dishwasher three times. We found 32 plastic glasses that we used for a cub scouts craft project and I just couldn't throw them away, so that's why an extra dishwasher load.
We went grocery shopping. We had Wendy's for supper. We rented movies.
We had no play dates this weekend. It was very cold here and we didn't want to go out unless absolutely necessary. Groceries, movies and Wendy's I deemed necessary.
Now for our movies. March of the Penguins, Polar Express and Sign of the Beaver.
We both loved March of the Penguins. DS got so upset with the death scenes. I thought he'd come unglued when the momma whose chick died tried to steal another momma's chick. DS kept commenting that the filming crew should have HELPED in many scenes. I kept explaining that they weren't interfering with nature. I'm glad we didn't see this in the theater because DS couldn't keep his mouth shut. He is very strongly opinionated regarding animals and their rights. Toward the end of the movie, if a chick died, he finally sighed and said, "Well, the mom and dad can try again next year." So maybe we made a little progress with understanding how nature works.
Polar Express. I was half afraid to watch this movie because of all the "it is weird and creepy" comments I heard. The Polar Express is one of my favorite children's books. Well, it wasn't the book -- didn't give me the same feeling. However, we both really liked it. I didn't think it was that weird. We'll probably rent it next Christmas.
Sign of the Beaver. Don't do it -- Don't watch it if you *loved* the book! I'm not one to bash movies that aren't true to books. This one bothered me, though. If you watch the movie to save yourself from reading the book, you're not getting even close to the book. That said, it was a good movie, we did enjoy it -- but we enjoyed it as an entirely different story than the book. I felt really let down, though, because I had higher expectations. It was one of our favorite books that we've read this year.
Sunday evening arrives, time to get back into a routine. Bedtimes stink. Here I am, 2 in the morning -- it's going to be a three-cup-of-coffee before I'm coherent morning.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Teeny Tiny Classroom 8
DS really wanted a classroom, a place to call his own, a place to show off. Doing school at the kitchen table or living room just didn't give him the ownership he was craving. I would be willing to bet that we will still do school in both places in addition to the new room, though.
DS decided on the theme for the room and aside from the white board, he did all the poster placement, all the underwater creatures. He is very proud, and so am I.
Had my DS not gone to public school for three years, I doubt we would have ever made a school room. He recently confessed to me that about the only things he missed about public school were the cute decorations. He misses a few of his teachers, but we do stay in contact with one and see the others occasionally because we are in a small town.
DS decided on the theme for the room and aside from the white board, he did all the poster placement, all the underwater creatures. He is very proud, and so am I.
Had my DS not gone to public school for three years, I doubt we would have ever made a school room. He recently confessed to me that about the only things he missed about public school were the cute decorations. He misses a few of his teachers, but we do stay in contact with one and see the others occasionally because we are in a small town.
Teeny Tiny Classroom 7
This corner has all our history and science. Plus some math manips. There's a cigar box on one shelf. When I was a kid, my dad smoked El Producto cigars. I always had cigar boxes as pencil boxes in school. I figured we needed to carry on that tradition. They're just good boxes.
Teeny Tiny Classroom 6
The door and closet. (Who designed this room? You have to close the door to open the closet!) DS designed the big white board thingamabob on the door. We used white foam board on the door with 3M strips, then taped the boarder to the foam board. I got it really crooked, so was glad to cover it up with the boarder. We'll hang our calendar here, maybe some weekly assignments, too. Teeny Tiny Classroom 5
Looking out our door -- there's the tail end of the dog and the tail end our timeline. The timeline is coming down. DH thinks it's ugly, and I guess I have to agree. We've taken down many of the pictures already. We'll be using a three-ring binder with card stock instead. I'll be re-painting the hallway to boring beige as the blue is just too blue.
Teeny Tiny Classroom 4
Looking at the corner, you'll see some reference books, tons of glue, and some of our school books.
Teeny Tiny Classroom 3
Because this is such a small room and there's not a lot of accessable wall space, I used my favorite 3M poster strips to attach a medium-sized white board. I'm afraid I will miss my big white board in the kitchen.
Teeny Tiny Classroom 2
Here's my granddad's ugly rust-colored chair. It is comfortable and comforting to me, though. There's my most prized possession, my trunk. It is ugly to most, but beautiful to me. On top of the trunk is our desk apprentice that we loved and used daily in the kitchen. My kitchen will now be just a kitchen, so it followed us here. Also note the tool box that DS made in Cub Scouts. He's very proud of it, and rightfully so. Welcome to Our Teeny Tiny Classroom
Looking in from the door. There's a brand-new cheapie table, two brand new baskets for projects and library books. The Alphasmart is on the table, as well as the car pencil holder that Grandpa and DS made together on our visit this summer.Oh, mom, quit embarrassing me.
Meet my son. I have told him:
It is okay to still like Thomas the Tank Engine even though you are 10.
It is okay to still like your stuffed animals.
It is good to be true to yourself.
I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful child. He's a good kid.
The white cat is real, a constant companion to DS. A favorite play thing of dog.
Meet our dog
This is our dog. We adopted him from my dad who adopted him from a sweet
young thing in Indiana. He is really a fantastic dog. Dog was born a Hoosier, lived in Colorado, and now calls Minnesota home. Everything is wonderful about him except that he likes to "attack" the white cat on a daily basis and we don't like his name: Jerry Lee. I use his name, but he's also referred to as: Dog (something I have called every dog I own, so it's not a negative thing) and "Quit humping the cat." This dog gave my son a prem
ature education. Ahem.
young thing in Indiana. He is really a fantastic dog. Dog was born a Hoosier, lived in Colorado, and now calls Minnesota home. Everything is wonderful about him except that he likes to "attack" the white cat on a daily basis and we don't like his name: Jerry Lee. I use his name, but he's also referred to as: Dog (something I have called every dog I own, so it's not a negative thing) and "Quit humping the cat." This dog gave my son a prem
ature education. Ahem.Friday, January 20, 2006
Monster Math
DS has enjoyed using these to learn his multiplication tables. We actually bought them two years ago, but he still likes to play with them just for fun. Gotta love Amazon, which is where we bought them.
You Can Count That As School
I once had a homeschooling friend who always said, "You can count that as school, you know" regarding almost anything. Her descriptions of what she counted toward school were rather broad. Child watches an ant walking on the sidewalk for 30 seconds -- bingo, "You *can* count that as science."
I don't. I just count it as life.
Anyway, I've been debating counting today as school or not. We are *still* working on the homeschool room. Silly, it's only 9 x 9 and it's taking us forever. DS decided on his theme yesterday, we went and bought some teacher stuff -- boarders, room decorations, etc. We've been cleaning, organizing, decluttering, shimming book cases, and decorating.
To count it as school or not -- hmm, I choose not. Our schedule we turned into the school district counted taking Monday and Tuesday off of this week because the public schools had both days off as well. We did school those days. So, I'm just going to count this as a vacation day.
Where does one draw the line on counting school days? I know that when DS was in public school, there were many times they watched movies -- not the educational types -- as rewards. They played games, did puzzles, etc. So, I guess I could count that stuff as school.
Personally, I just count all that stuff as parent/child intereaction or just doing kid stuff. Kids learn all the time and DS works hard enough doing his regular school that I don't need to count all the other stuff. To me, it's just part of being a good parent, it's just part of being a kid.
So if DS wants to go watch an ant, he is more than welcome to. I'm not counting it as school, I'm just counting it as life.
I don't. I just count it as life.
Anyway, I've been debating counting today as school or not. We are *still* working on the homeschool room. Silly, it's only 9 x 9 and it's taking us forever. DS decided on his theme yesterday, we went and bought some teacher stuff -- boarders, room decorations, etc. We've been cleaning, organizing, decluttering, shimming book cases, and decorating.
To count it as school or not -- hmm, I choose not. Our schedule we turned into the school district counted taking Monday and Tuesday off of this week because the public schools had both days off as well. We did school those days. So, I'm just going to count this as a vacation day.
Where does one draw the line on counting school days? I know that when DS was in public school, there were many times they watched movies -- not the educational types -- as rewards. They played games, did puzzles, etc. So, I guess I could count that stuff as school.
Personally, I just count all that stuff as parent/child intereaction or just doing kid stuff. Kids learn all the time and DS works hard enough doing his regular school that I don't need to count all the other stuff. To me, it's just part of being a good parent, it's just part of being a kid.
So if DS wants to go watch an ant, he is more than welcome to. I'm not counting it as school, I'm just counting it as life.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
May we do school in the car tomorrow, mom?
Okay, he didn't say "may" he said can. At first I thought no way. Then I decided to "open my mind to the possibilities."
So tomorrow morning, we'll get up and get ready. I'll start the car and let it run 10 minutes to warm up, waste gas and pollute the environment, and we'll drive through McDonald's for hot cakes. Then we'll drive to one of the many lakes in our town. Then we'll sit, with the car running to keep us warm, eat our breakfast, be sticky with syrup, and attempt to do math.
I can envision it now...a beautiful morning, maybe 10 degrees if we're lucky, hopefully no wind blowing, looking over the lake with its abundance of ice huts -- think of the movie Grumpy Old Men.
Ah, life in small-town Minnesota.
I grew up in a big city. Moving to small-town Minnesota has been an assault to my system. There is *nothing* to do here. This adventure we're planning tomorrow is the most excitement we've had since -- since we went on vacation. I am going to have to quit reading blogs because I get green with envy when people talk about art classes, science classes, or visiting museums. I just dream of the possibilities living in a larger community -- or close to one. We're a couple hours from any large-ish city.
So...car school it is. In January. In Minnesota. Eh.
So tomorrow morning, we'll get up and get ready. I'll start the car and let it run 10 minutes to warm up, waste gas and pollute the environment, and we'll drive through McDonald's for hot cakes. Then we'll drive to one of the many lakes in our town. Then we'll sit, with the car running to keep us warm, eat our breakfast, be sticky with syrup, and attempt to do math.
I can envision it now...a beautiful morning, maybe 10 degrees if we're lucky, hopefully no wind blowing, looking over the lake with its abundance of ice huts -- think of the movie Grumpy Old Men.
Ah, life in small-town Minnesota.
I grew up in a big city. Moving to small-town Minnesota has been an assault to my system. There is *nothing* to do here. This adventure we're planning tomorrow is the most excitement we've had since -- since we went on vacation. I am going to have to quit reading blogs because I get green with envy when people talk about art classes, science classes, or visiting museums. I just dream of the possibilities living in a larger community -- or close to one. We're a couple hours from any large-ish city.
So...car school it is. In January. In Minnesota. Eh.
What's on TV this week?
Here are some shows we may watch this week:
Science Channel This Week:
January 21st: Building the Impossible: Roman Catapult
Discovery Channel:
1-17: Mythbusters
1-18: Extreme Engineering: Super Servant: The Shanghai Express
Mythbusters
1-20 Egypt Untold
1-21 Extreme Engineering: Bridging the Bering Straight
Travel Channel:
1-18: The Wild Seas of Iceland
1-20: Mysteries of the Smithsonian
The History Channel:
1-17: Ben Franklin
1-18: Modern Marvels: Towing
1-21: Modern Marvels: Cotton
Science Channel This Week:
January 21st: Building the Impossible: Roman Catapult
Discovery Channel:
1-17: Mythbusters
1-18: Extreme Engineering: Super Servant: The Shanghai Express
Mythbusters
1-20 Egypt Untold
1-21 Extreme Engineering: Bridging the Bering Straight
Travel Channel:
1-18: The Wild Seas of Iceland
1-20: Mysteries of the Smithsonian
The History Channel:
1-17: Ben Franklin
1-18: Modern Marvels: Towing
1-21: Modern Marvels: Cotton
Monday, January 16, 2006
Home Ec for Boys
I think it's extremely important to teach boys "home ec." I've been teaching DS all his life. DS knows how to clean bathrooms, how to properly wash dishes my way as opposed to his father's way. ;-) He can dust and he can vacuum. He knows how to spring clean as opposed to regular weekly cleaning.
My son has learned to sew by hand. His favorite sewing activity when he was small was to sew the patterns in paper towels. On the back burner is a grand project of making a quilt. That will probably be started this summer. DS has also learned to crochet.
He's been making a mean grilled cheese for a few years now. He can prepare scrambled eggs and omelets. He has made many boxed cakes. He can bake cookies.
I decided it's time to start "real" cooking. That's difficult when the teacher hates to cook. We started out by working on our Webelos fitness badge in Cub Scouts. We have gone over the food pyramid many times before, but we covered it again. One of his projects to complete this badge is to plan a week's worth of menus, making sure he gets all the required food groups. That's a difficult task for a child that hates vegetables. (And he wants to be a vegetarian, too! -- The vegetarian who hates veggies lol)
Tonight for supper, I let him make a very special dish. We don't make it often because it's not very nutritious. The dish he prepared was my grandma's beef and noodles. My grandma was born in the late 1880s and died in the 1970s. (I always have to throw genealogy into my blog!) She never cared about fat content in meals, so this is a high-fat goodie.
DS started by making homemade noodles. He had a lot of fun with that, except having sensory issues, he hated the sticky feeling of the dough. Here's the recipe he followed for grandma's noodles.
1 C flour, not sifted
3/4 tsp. salt
Mix together with fork
2 egg yolks
1/4 C. half and half (we used fat free)
Mix liquids together. Form a well in the middle of flour, pour liquid in, then mix. Use hands to do this. Dough should be soft, not sticky. Form ball, cut in half. Roll out to the size of a large pizza, flour. Roll second ball out the same, and place on top of the other. Use a pizza cutter to cut noodles. Make them small and thin, because they'll swell up when cooking. Let dry at least two hours.
We made two recipes of noodles. (That's why it's not very nutritious!)
Once that mess was all cleaned up, I taught DS to use the crockpot. He put the roast on, poured water in, and forgot about it. Grandma always used a pressure cooker, but since I hate to cook, I don't know how to use our pressure cooker. (DH loves to cook) Plus, those things just scare me.
After his roast cooked for six hours, he took it out of the crockpot, and shredded the meat. He then learned how to skim the fat off the juices. He put the roast back in the crockpot, added the noodles, then poured boiling water from the tea kettle until the meat and noodles were covered. He then cooked it for 45 minutes.
He was thrilled. It was SO good! DS doesn't like meat and always has to thank the animal before he eats any meat. So we had to thank the cow, and then he enjoyed it tremendously! This is one of those meals that really sticks to your ribs.
I think the next time I make it, I'll use egg beaters and unbleached flour along with my fat-free half and half.
It's just the most wonderful feeling in the world for a mom to sit back and watch their child learning. He was so proud of his accomplishment. Mom and dad enjoyed it very much, too.
My son has learned to sew by hand. His favorite sewing activity when he was small was to sew the patterns in paper towels. On the back burner is a grand project of making a quilt. That will probably be started this summer. DS has also learned to crochet.
He's been making a mean grilled cheese for a few years now. He can prepare scrambled eggs and omelets. He has made many boxed cakes. He can bake cookies.
I decided it's time to start "real" cooking. That's difficult when the teacher hates to cook. We started out by working on our Webelos fitness badge in Cub Scouts. We have gone over the food pyramid many times before, but we covered it again. One of his projects to complete this badge is to plan a week's worth of menus, making sure he gets all the required food groups. That's a difficult task for a child that hates vegetables. (And he wants to be a vegetarian, too! -- The vegetarian who hates veggies lol)
Tonight for supper, I let him make a very special dish. We don't make it often because it's not very nutritious. The dish he prepared was my grandma's beef and noodles. My grandma was born in the late 1880s and died in the 1970s. (I always have to throw genealogy into my blog!) She never cared about fat content in meals, so this is a high-fat goodie.
DS started by making homemade noodles. He had a lot of fun with that, except having sensory issues, he hated the sticky feeling of the dough. Here's the recipe he followed for grandma's noodles.
1 C flour, not sifted
3/4 tsp. salt
Mix together with fork
2 egg yolks
1/4 C. half and half (we used fat free)
Mix liquids together. Form a well in the middle of flour, pour liquid in, then mix. Use hands to do this. Dough should be soft, not sticky. Form ball, cut in half. Roll out to the size of a large pizza, flour. Roll second ball out the same, and place on top of the other. Use a pizza cutter to cut noodles. Make them small and thin, because they'll swell up when cooking. Let dry at least two hours.
We made two recipes of noodles. (That's why it's not very nutritious!)
Once that mess was all cleaned up, I taught DS to use the crockpot. He put the roast on, poured water in, and forgot about it. Grandma always used a pressure cooker, but since I hate to cook, I don't know how to use our pressure cooker. (DH loves to cook) Plus, those things just scare me.
After his roast cooked for six hours, he took it out of the crockpot, and shredded the meat. He then learned how to skim the fat off the juices. He put the roast back in the crockpot, added the noodles, then poured boiling water from the tea kettle until the meat and noodles were covered. He then cooked it for 45 minutes.
He was thrilled. It was SO good! DS doesn't like meat and always has to thank the animal before he eats any meat. So we had to thank the cow, and then he enjoyed it tremendously! This is one of those meals that really sticks to your ribs.
I think the next time I make it, I'll use egg beaters and unbleached flour along with my fat-free half and half.
It's just the most wonderful feeling in the world for a mom to sit back and watch their child learning. He was so proud of his accomplishment. Mom and dad enjoyed it very much, too.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
I'm Not Ready for Monday This Time
Nope. No repeat of last week. There are two loads of laundry left to do, three baskets in my bedroom that need put away. The kitchen is a disaster. There are no dirty dishes, but there is stuff...stacks of books on the kitchen table, stacks of stuff on the big counter. I've been working on that homeschool room today and things that didn't have a home ended up on the kitchen counter.
DS did not get to bed on time. His new 9pm bedtime has worked well. Tonight at 9 my sister called, got off the phone with her, DH was sawing logs on the couch and DS was getting away with being up past his bedtime. I made him take a shower and when he got out he was complaining yet again about his hair being too long. I grab the scissors and give him a nice haircut. Darn it all, I like long hair on boys. Why do I give him the choice of wearing his hair the way he wants rather than wearing it long, like I like? Oh, yeah, because it is his hair. Hmph.
Got the hair cleaned up, swept the kitchen floor and got DS to bed.
Came to surf and have been sitting here for way too long. I blame it on the fact I had a Diet Coke for supper. I'm getting old now and caffeine keeps me up now. I usually drink Diet Rite when I want a pop, but DH got me a fountain pop --mmmm, love fountain pop.
Our local schools have tomorrow and Tuesday off. We had planned on taking tomorrow and Tuesday off as well, but I just can't justify it. Neither of us is "needing" a break. I think I'll take these two days and use them some other time when we're starting to climb the walls. I figure toward the end of February, when spring fever starts to hit. Maybe we'll go to a motel and swim.
Ah, it's Monday morning already. It's going to be a several-cups-of-coffee morning in a few hours.
DS did not get to bed on time. His new 9pm bedtime has worked well. Tonight at 9 my sister called, got off the phone with her, DH was sawing logs on the couch and DS was getting away with being up past his bedtime. I made him take a shower and when he got out he was complaining yet again about his hair being too long. I grab the scissors and give him a nice haircut. Darn it all, I like long hair on boys. Why do I give him the choice of wearing his hair the way he wants rather than wearing it long, like I like? Oh, yeah, because it is his hair. Hmph.
Got the hair cleaned up, swept the kitchen floor and got DS to bed.
Came to surf and have been sitting here for way too long. I blame it on the fact I had a Diet Coke for supper. I'm getting old now and caffeine keeps me up now. I usually drink Diet Rite when I want a pop, but DH got me a fountain pop --mmmm, love fountain pop.
Our local schools have tomorrow and Tuesday off. We had planned on taking tomorrow and Tuesday off as well, but I just can't justify it. Neither of us is "needing" a break. I think I'll take these two days and use them some other time when we're starting to climb the walls. I figure toward the end of February, when spring fever starts to hit. Maybe we'll go to a motel and swim.
Ah, it's Monday morning already. It's going to be a several-cups-of-coffee morning in a few hours.
Homeschool Rooms
We started our homeschool journey last year. DS was in third grade. Before we started, I cleaned out our unfinished basement, painted a few walls, set up some bookshelves, found a card table and some chairs, made some posters and hung them and bought a clock for the wall.
It was cold, it was dreary and we hated it.
We quickly found the kitchen table. It was the perfect spot, the heart of the home. I could cook (aak!) I could do dishes, while still supervising DS. (DS is the type child that needs constant supervision or else his mind wanders aimlessly.)
I like the kitchen table. It suits me fine. It was my great-grandma's. Six generations in my family have sat at that table. DS informed me that he doesn't like the kitchen table. It's too tall. It's too messy. (Mom stacks tons of books on the table.) He wants a school room.
At Christmas, I decided, due to DS begging, to make our spare bedroom/genealogy room into a homeschool room. DH had three weeks of vacation. Perfect time to get it done. Not. I emptied out the room two weeks ago and we've been tripping over the contents since. Today I got serious.
The room had been painted white. White walls, white ceiling -- blaring white. I did that awhile ago because it was going to be my genealogy showcase. I bought beautiful black frames for my ancestors' photos and thought the contrast would be great. The room was also to house two or three of my trunks.
Well, now the room holds my granddaddy's ugly burnt orange rocking chair. It holds two of my trunks. It has three book cases. There's a stack taller than me of my genealogy files. There's no room for a table -- at least a card table.
So, what's a mom to do. DS is begging for a school room. I thought we could buy a small, bistro table. Big enough to hold his math workbook, or to hold paper to write or do artwork. Looking online, the price is a little more than I want to spend.
So, I started searching the net for ideas. I came up with a solution that I think DS will like. I'm going to have DS make himself a PVC table. Dirt cheap, he can take ownership in it, and it can be taken down if need be. I found free plans at this website:
http://www.pvcstore.com/furniture.htm
This is not how I had envisioned this room. However, if it makes DS happy, I'm willing to give up my grand ideas. I know PVC tables aren't the prettiest things in the world! Neither is my granddaddy's chair, though. It will work. The price is definitely right.
I'll post a picture when we finish this task. The only thing I'm unhappy with is the ugly carpeting in the room. DH has the new wood flooring for the room, he's had it for three years now. He just hasn't installed it. I'm done waiting on that, as I don't have the skills to do that myself.
Time to search the net for free posters. Time to run to the hardware store. Hopefully I can cull enough books so that everything will fit in the three bookshelves. Maybe it will be nice having a homeschool room.
It was cold, it was dreary and we hated it.
We quickly found the kitchen table. It was the perfect spot, the heart of the home. I could cook (aak!) I could do dishes, while still supervising DS. (DS is the type child that needs constant supervision or else his mind wanders aimlessly.)
I like the kitchen table. It suits me fine. It was my great-grandma's. Six generations in my family have sat at that table. DS informed me that he doesn't like the kitchen table. It's too tall. It's too messy. (Mom stacks tons of books on the table.) He wants a school room.
At Christmas, I decided, due to DS begging, to make our spare bedroom/genealogy room into a homeschool room. DH had three weeks of vacation. Perfect time to get it done. Not. I emptied out the room two weeks ago and we've been tripping over the contents since. Today I got serious.
The room had been painted white. White walls, white ceiling -- blaring white. I did that awhile ago because it was going to be my genealogy showcase. I bought beautiful black frames for my ancestors' photos and thought the contrast would be great. The room was also to house two or three of my trunks.
Well, now the room holds my granddaddy's ugly burnt orange rocking chair. It holds two of my trunks. It has three book cases. There's a stack taller than me of my genealogy files. There's no room for a table -- at least a card table.
So, what's a mom to do. DS is begging for a school room. I thought we could buy a small, bistro table. Big enough to hold his math workbook, or to hold paper to write or do artwork. Looking online, the price is a little more than I want to spend.
So, I started searching the net for ideas. I came up with a solution that I think DS will like. I'm going to have DS make himself a PVC table. Dirt cheap, he can take ownership in it, and it can be taken down if need be. I found free plans at this website:
http://www.pvcstore.com/furniture.htm
This is not how I had envisioned this room. However, if it makes DS happy, I'm willing to give up my grand ideas. I know PVC tables aren't the prettiest things in the world! Neither is my granddaddy's chair, though. It will work. The price is definitely right.
I'll post a picture when we finish this task. The only thing I'm unhappy with is the ugly carpeting in the room. DH has the new wood flooring for the room, he's had it for three years now. He just hasn't installed it. I'm done waiting on that, as I don't have the skills to do that myself.
Time to search the net for free posters. Time to run to the hardware store. Hopefully I can cull enough books so that everything will fit in the three bookshelves. Maybe it will be nice having a homeschool room.
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