ladyalpha
September 24th, 2007, 07:51 PM
We started homeschooling again. Today was our first day. We went in and withdrew them at the school and got all their stuff. My oldest's home room/math teacher said he did not blame us at all for pulling her out. She was too advanced for his class and he said there was nothing he could do to help her, since their hands are tied due to teaching to tests and having so many other students that aren't as advanced as her.
The office was quick to tell my middle daughter's teacher. She was coming out of the office as we were walking past to leave. She gave my daughter a hug and told her if she ever wanted to come back she would gladly have her back in her class. She said she was really upset to have her go.
But, this week we went through a lot of bs with the school. Between kicking my oldest out because I wouldn't allow them to spank her, staph spreading around the school to a bomb threat that was known about on Monday and covered up until Wednesday. My husband and I decided enough was enough. So much happening in one week, that just esculated as the week went on, was a big enough sign for us.
So today, my kids showed me just how fast they can work. lol I came up with a unit study project for them thinking it would take a few hours. They blew right through it. They had to create a product (drawing was fine) and then go through the steps of advertising for it. At the end they had to figure out how much they thought their product would cost to make, then how much their advertising media would cost. They had to use those figures to find out how much they would have to sell in order to break even and to make a profit.
It took my oldest a little longer than my middle child because she took a bit more time on the "billboard" she created.
So then I had to come up with other work to cover areas that we didn't get in there. So now we are working on a science project that should take at least a few days to complete. They are growing mold on bread.
Tomorrow I have six subjects planned out. I am hoping that we can manage to get a few more hours in. Today we got 5, but I have to teach 1000 hours total. I'm not real sure when the "end" of the year is. If we can go from Jan. to Jan. and that is their year..or if the state is thinking like a regular public school year.
I found a really cool site for children to learn about WWII tonight. My daughter Skye (my middle girl) wanted to learn about WWI but I can't find a good site yet that will teach a young child. I know that if I gave her information that is too advanced she would get bored and shut down, and unfortunally that is all I have been able to find at this time. So does anyone know of any good sites for that subject?
This site that I found for WWII has interactive areas for the children to learn about homes during wartime, rations, etc. And it has project ideas for teachers/parents. Which really comes in handy, I think. It is for 3rd-4th graders, but I think my 5th grader will enjoy it and learn something also. They haven't touched this subject at all in the school here.
In the mean time, I also have to continue to try to find a job. I really don't want one now that we have come back to homeschooling. My husband finally got one but it doesn't start until Sunday. He will be working nights, which works alright for some things but will really make homeschooling hard for me. My oldest was able to bring her math workbook home so she has that to use for math, but when she starts getting into things I can't do..my husband will be needed. (Yeah, I know..I'm not smarter than a 5th grader..lol). My math ability is very low and basic..his is much higher and complex. And two out of three (so far) have inherited his ability.
Not to mention taking care of three kids while I keep two of them focused on their work. I have a feeling I will be breathing and repeating mantras a lot. My youngest is 4 and doesn't really understand after a bit why the girls can't play with him since they are there where he can see them. Today he did well but while they were reading he had had enough, and was really starting to act up trying to get their attention.
I distracted him by going through his alphabet book that I created for him. And then I wrote out the alphabet in dashed lines and he worked on 6 of them before he got bored. We decided we would do another 6 each day. I plan on continuing that with him and also working on his numbers. Then we have to get into shapes. He can draw a few of them and knows most of the basic ones but he could know more of them if I worked on it with him.
For those of you that have children of various ages, do you have tips on how to be in every role that you need to be in, for each child during the day?
I feel as if I have to be in constant teaching role when they are doing their work. When I try to step away for a second I am bombarded with..what did you want me to do? Or a sudden, I don't understand this.
I had to write down the instructions in a notebook and on a chalkboard fo the girls today, just so I would stop having to repeat myself over and over to two different kids. All I can say was, thank gods my husband was here to entertain our son during it.
They were all very well behaved though when my husband and I had to go to a meeting today. We tag teamed it..I went in and spoke to the woman first, then he went in. The woman's office is not big enough for two adults and three kids on one side of her desk.
Ok, I am rambling. Sorry. Any tips/advice is very welcome. And ideas for different subjects would be great. I have ideas for right now but I'm sure I will run out before long. I am getting hung up on Social Studies and reading right now. I have Skye doing states/capitals tomorrow and Pamela telling me about what she has learned about different Native American tribes. So I can get an idea of where she stands in that knowledge. And for reading they will be reading and doing a book report. However, I don't think Pamela will get to that part of it tomorrow. If she doesn't, then my time I have planned for Language Arts will be out for her.
I just keep telling myself that they don't need the hours every day in each core subject, just so long as they get all the hours in each subject/total each year. And I'm sure between book reports and essays they will get those hours in in that subject. I know I also have to do subject/predicates with Skye and commas, etc. with her. So that gives me some ideas for now.
But, later, I can see myself racking my brain. lol
Oh yes, do you grade your children's work? I was thinking I might grade a few things but I really don't foresee myself grading a lot of their work. Spelling I will grade, math and some of their writing projects. Just so I know what they are understanding and what they need work on. But, I think some projects don't really need grades. Like the advertising project they did today. Following directions (no matter how many times we had to go over them) and actually putting in the effort was enough for me. They understood the concept and why we have advertising in our world..which was really my main point when I came up with the assignment.
So, how do you handle these things? Is it more important as they age to grade as much as possible? Or should I consider grading elementary children also more often than I plan to?
Ok..I am shutting up since I really got out of control in this post. :)
ladyalpha
The office was quick to tell my middle daughter's teacher. She was coming out of the office as we were walking past to leave. She gave my daughter a hug and told her if she ever wanted to come back she would gladly have her back in her class. She said she was really upset to have her go.
But, this week we went through a lot of bs with the school. Between kicking my oldest out because I wouldn't allow them to spank her, staph spreading around the school to a bomb threat that was known about on Monday and covered up until Wednesday. My husband and I decided enough was enough. So much happening in one week, that just esculated as the week went on, was a big enough sign for us.
So today, my kids showed me just how fast they can work. lol I came up with a unit study project for them thinking it would take a few hours. They blew right through it. They had to create a product (drawing was fine) and then go through the steps of advertising for it. At the end they had to figure out how much they thought their product would cost to make, then how much their advertising media would cost. They had to use those figures to find out how much they would have to sell in order to break even and to make a profit.
It took my oldest a little longer than my middle child because she took a bit more time on the "billboard" she created.
So then I had to come up with other work to cover areas that we didn't get in there. So now we are working on a science project that should take at least a few days to complete. They are growing mold on bread.
Tomorrow I have six subjects planned out. I am hoping that we can manage to get a few more hours in. Today we got 5, but I have to teach 1000 hours total. I'm not real sure when the "end" of the year is. If we can go from Jan. to Jan. and that is their year..or if the state is thinking like a regular public school year.
I found a really cool site for children to learn about WWII tonight. My daughter Skye (my middle girl) wanted to learn about WWI but I can't find a good site yet that will teach a young child. I know that if I gave her information that is too advanced she would get bored and shut down, and unfortunally that is all I have been able to find at this time. So does anyone know of any good sites for that subject?
This site that I found for WWII has interactive areas for the children to learn about homes during wartime, rations, etc. And it has project ideas for teachers/parents. Which really comes in handy, I think. It is for 3rd-4th graders, but I think my 5th grader will enjoy it and learn something also. They haven't touched this subject at all in the school here.
In the mean time, I also have to continue to try to find a job. I really don't want one now that we have come back to homeschooling. My husband finally got one but it doesn't start until Sunday. He will be working nights, which works alright for some things but will really make homeschooling hard for me. My oldest was able to bring her math workbook home so she has that to use for math, but when she starts getting into things I can't do..my husband will be needed. (Yeah, I know..I'm not smarter than a 5th grader..lol). My math ability is very low and basic..his is much higher and complex. And two out of three (so far) have inherited his ability.
Not to mention taking care of three kids while I keep two of them focused on their work. I have a feeling I will be breathing and repeating mantras a lot. My youngest is 4 and doesn't really understand after a bit why the girls can't play with him since they are there where he can see them. Today he did well but while they were reading he had had enough, and was really starting to act up trying to get their attention.
I distracted him by going through his alphabet book that I created for him. And then I wrote out the alphabet in dashed lines and he worked on 6 of them before he got bored. We decided we would do another 6 each day. I plan on continuing that with him and also working on his numbers. Then we have to get into shapes. He can draw a few of them and knows most of the basic ones but he could know more of them if I worked on it with him.
For those of you that have children of various ages, do you have tips on how to be in every role that you need to be in, for each child during the day?
I feel as if I have to be in constant teaching role when they are doing their work. When I try to step away for a second I am bombarded with..what did you want me to do? Or a sudden, I don't understand this.
I had to write down the instructions in a notebook and on a chalkboard fo the girls today, just so I would stop having to repeat myself over and over to two different kids. All I can say was, thank gods my husband was here to entertain our son during it.
They were all very well behaved though when my husband and I had to go to a meeting today. We tag teamed it..I went in and spoke to the woman first, then he went in. The woman's office is not big enough for two adults and three kids on one side of her desk.
Ok, I am rambling. Sorry. Any tips/advice is very welcome. And ideas for different subjects would be great. I have ideas for right now but I'm sure I will run out before long. I am getting hung up on Social Studies and reading right now. I have Skye doing states/capitals tomorrow and Pamela telling me about what she has learned about different Native American tribes. So I can get an idea of where she stands in that knowledge. And for reading they will be reading and doing a book report. However, I don't think Pamela will get to that part of it tomorrow. If she doesn't, then my time I have planned for Language Arts will be out for her.
I just keep telling myself that they don't need the hours every day in each core subject, just so long as they get all the hours in each subject/total each year. And I'm sure between book reports and essays they will get those hours in in that subject. I know I also have to do subject/predicates with Skye and commas, etc. with her. So that gives me some ideas for now.
But, later, I can see myself racking my brain. lol
Oh yes, do you grade your children's work? I was thinking I might grade a few things but I really don't foresee myself grading a lot of their work. Spelling I will grade, math and some of their writing projects. Just so I know what they are understanding and what they need work on. But, I think some projects don't really need grades. Like the advertising project they did today. Following directions (no matter how many times we had to go over them) and actually putting in the effort was enough for me. They understood the concept and why we have advertising in our world..which was really my main point when I came up with the assignment.
So, how do you handle these things? Is it more important as they age to grade as much as possible? Or should I consider grading elementary children also more often than I plan to?
Ok..I am shutting up since I really got out of control in this post. :)
ladyalpha