Haley is starting to develop a passion for writing. I am so thrilled for her! For the past 6 months or so, she has had on her checklist "20 minutes free writing." I have let her explore her thesaurus and writing during this time. I do not correct any grammar or spelling during her free writing. I am amazed at how far she has come. Of course, she has not FINISHED one single piece that she's writing, but she's coming up with some great ideas.
Yesterday, she told Maddie that she was going to write another Weird School Book for her to read. Maddie has read every single one of the series that has been released. Haley worked on her first chapter of Mr. Sum is Dumb. Maddie always laughs at the beginning of each book when it announces that AJ HATES school. So. . . Haley decided to go forward in time a couple years to 4th-grade, when AJ has learned to LOVE school.
I think the idea of not taking a red pen to her work is the key to getting her to love writing. Too many teachers in the public school correct EVERYTHING that a child has written and consequently, the child is turned off.
We're starting to get used to our schedule. However, the girls were tardy to school today. Maddie was busy practicing piano and Haley was taking an Algebra quiz on the computer. Before we knew it, it was time to leave. Hunter was downstairs, still in his pajamas :( We were only a few minutes late, but still not good!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Off and Running (Literally)
I've discovered it's going to take several weeks to get into our routine. I think we have a schedule for the girls that will really challenge them in all areas, though, so I'm willing to do the running around.
Haley has started her Movip Algebra and is finished with 3 weeks worth of material in just a couple days. Of course, they always start the year off pretty easy. I'm sure it will get more challenging. .. .
Maddie's Movip class STILL isn't working!! She hasn't even received her textbook or workbook in the mail yet. Oh, well. She's working hard in other areas for the meantime. They have calendar time in her first-grade classroom each day. I'm sure the teacher is quite shocked when she comes up with so many ideas to make the date. Yesterday, she told me that she gave Mrs. Leslie 4 ways to make 25: (5 squared), (5+5+5+5+5), (32-7), and (5x5). The other kids probably think she's speaking some foreign language.
Maddie woke me up at 7:30 this morning, practicing the piano. I really can't complain, right??
Hunter LOVES preschool. Yesterday, he started crying when I told him it wasn't a preschool day. Quite a change from last year, when I had to practically drag him in!!
All in all, it's been crazy, but the kids are really learning and LOVING it! Next week gets even crazier as they add their Tuesday classes to the schedule.
Haley has started her Movip Algebra and is finished with 3 weeks worth of material in just a couple days. Of course, they always start the year off pretty easy. I'm sure it will get more challenging. .. .
Maddie's Movip class STILL isn't working!! She hasn't even received her textbook or workbook in the mail yet. Oh, well. She's working hard in other areas for the meantime. They have calendar time in her first-grade classroom each day. I'm sure the teacher is quite shocked when she comes up with so many ideas to make the date. Yesterday, she told me that she gave Mrs. Leslie 4 ways to make 25: (5 squared), (5+5+5+5+5), (32-7), and (5x5). The other kids probably think she's speaking some foreign language.
Maddie woke me up at 7:30 this morning, practicing the piano. I really can't complain, right??
Hunter LOVES preschool. Yesterday, he started crying when I told him it wasn't a preschool day. Quite a change from last year, when I had to practically drag him in!!
All in all, it's been crazy, but the kids are really learning and LOVING it! Next week gets even crazier as they add their Tuesday classes to the schedule.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Time Flies!
OMG!! I just noticed that it's been over a month since I made my last post. Where has the time gone?
Hunter spent a week at Grandma's house. It was a much needed break for him AND the rest of the family. He came back refreshed and happy. We told him that he was a big boy and that he couldn't wear pullups any more. At first, he was angry. However, he's only had a couple accidents in the past week. I think we're finally on the right track.
We traveled to Chicago last week as a family and met up with some good friends up in Gurnee, Illinois. It is always wonderful to catch up with great friends. Kari and I have known each other for 30 years. (Makes me seem soooo old :) The kids all get along fabulously, as well. We all spent the afternoon at the beach and the kids camped out in the Kunkle's backyard.
The past month has been a whirlwind around here! Haley has made a decision to go back to school. She heard about a wonderful teacher that is new to Emge this year and decided that she'd like to meet her. She met Mrs. Billingsley at the Bread Company and loved her! I think it's going to be a great year for her. She will attend school W/Th/F mornings only. She will participate in science, social studies, language, specials and lunch. She will be taking Algebra II, Native American History and Spanish at the Learning Center on Tuesdays. JET is on Mondays as it was last year. Basically, my role in homeschooling is going to be making sure she completes her work. We are going to do some units at home because she LOVES to learn about the topics and really enjoys doing research. We have begun to study Africa and eventially are going to compare and contrast Africa and Asia.
Maddie is going to school almost a full day. She will attend 2nd grade in the morning for language arts and reading. She will then travel to her homeroom (1st grade) classroom for science/social studies/lunch/specials. I will pick her up at 2:35 each day to complete math at home. It's really an ideal situation for her. I was so pleased that the school worked so hard to come up with an educational plan that will benefit her the most! I will also pull her out on Tuesdays to take Native American History and Spanish with Haley for two hours.
The girls had their first day of school today. Haley was just excited; Maddie had a twinge of nervousness mixed in with her excitement. I am hoping that all will go well today. They both have wonderful teachers and I have met with them on a couple different occasions this summer.
Hunter spent a week at Grandma's house. It was a much needed break for him AND the rest of the family. He came back refreshed and happy. We told him that he was a big boy and that he couldn't wear pullups any more. At first, he was angry. However, he's only had a couple accidents in the past week. I think we're finally on the right track.
We traveled to Chicago last week as a family and met up with some good friends up in Gurnee, Illinois. It is always wonderful to catch up with great friends. Kari and I have known each other for 30 years. (Makes me seem soooo old :) The kids all get along fabulously, as well. We all spent the afternoon at the beach and the kids camped out in the Kunkle's backyard.
The past month has been a whirlwind around here! Haley has made a decision to go back to school. She heard about a wonderful teacher that is new to Emge this year and decided that she'd like to meet her. She met Mrs. Billingsley at the Bread Company and loved her! I think it's going to be a great year for her. She will attend school W/Th/F mornings only. She will participate in science, social studies, language, specials and lunch. She will be taking Algebra II, Native American History and Spanish at the Learning Center on Tuesdays. JET is on Mondays as it was last year. Basically, my role in homeschooling is going to be making sure she completes her work. We are going to do some units at home because she LOVES to learn about the topics and really enjoys doing research. We have begun to study Africa and eventially are going to compare and contrast Africa and Asia.
Maddie is going to school almost a full day. She will attend 2nd grade in the morning for language arts and reading. She will then travel to her homeroom (1st grade) classroom for science/social studies/lunch/specials. I will pick her up at 2:35 each day to complete math at home. It's really an ideal situation for her. I was so pleased that the school worked so hard to come up with an educational plan that will benefit her the most! I will also pull her out on Tuesdays to take Native American History and Spanish with Haley for two hours.
The girls had their first day of school today. Haley was just excited; Maddie had a twinge of nervousness mixed in with her excitement. I am hoping that all will go well today. They both have wonderful teachers and I have met with them on a couple different occasions this summer.
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