Monday, October 8, 2012
Progress
The girls have finally finished pre-algebra-- we made them retake all the Singapore Math placement tests and they passed them all even after not doing Singapore Math in so long. I am so relieved and happy that they have done so well. #5 passed the 1a test and the other 2boys are reviewing so they can take the 3B and 4 A tests. Yay! The boys are also just about done with their first year course fo Greek! Everybody has also been practicing the piano and I am so relieved that it is working. I wasn't sure for a little bit since our lives were in such flux with our move and having a new baby, but things are calmer and we are able to accomplish what we need to. YES!!! Lest you get discouraged and thinkI'm perfect-- I didn't shower this morning and I haven't finished the kitchen and will probably go to bed and try to get caught up on the house in the morning. We can't do it all, we just have to prioritize and do our best-- I'm glad that we can focus on academics again. I think it is a lot of fun and very rewarding.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
First Week of School- sort of
I had the kids do most all of their normal school work this week. We just didn't do science or group time. I printed off their checklists and made sure they all knew exactly what was expected of them. They have to have chores, room clean, be dressed and teeth brushed first thing in the morning-- then they have to have math, Greek or Latin, and piano practice all done by lunch in order to get 15 min. of screen time, then they have to bee all done with the rest of their list by 5 p.m. in order to have screen time at all that day and their 15 min. for completing the list. It worked pretty well. I'm going to push them this week to have writing, journal, copywork, workbooks and reading also completed by lunch. It should be a good week. I'm excited!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Ready for School!!
We did finally move and we had our new baby a month ago (you can read about it on my other blog), so we are ready to get going on academics again-- I'm so excited to have a schedule and for all the learning we're going to do this year!!.
Our backyard neighbors also homeschool and we have been getting together to do a math study group about twice a week this summer. It has worked out so well we want to continue, add a few things and make it more consistent and part of the school week. So the plan is to meet 2 days/ week at each other's houses for 3 hours in the morning. We'll spend 1 hour on math with the older kids, then assign the older kids to help or play with one of the little kids the next hour while we work on Greek and Math with the Middle kids for 1 hour, then the Middle kids will be assigned to play with the Little kids the last hour while my girls teach Latin I to our 14 yo neighbor, his mom and me. I'm going to learn Latin too!!-- and it will be a good experience for my girls to teach it to our neighbors and me.
The girls will be joining a choir run by Janeen Brady who has written some fabulous kids' music-- you can see by searching Brite music. That will be once a week. #1 will play city volleyball, #2 will play city soccer and #3, 4 will play flag football this fall. We will also be joining our old homeschool group again. We meet once a week-- one week we go on a field trip, 2 of the weeks a mom teaches a class on whatever for the younger kids and the older kids will be doing 4H projects, the last week will be a party, spelling bee or other event.
I also hope to get my kids able to play a few more songs on the ukelele together so that we can perform somewhere. I'll also have them sing along with the piano. We have quite the crew for that and happily they all sing on key and they like music. We will also continue with group time- reading scriptures, uplifting stories, work on spanish and whatever else I feel like-- we'll probably finish up the Life of Lincoln by Tarbell and read a couple more Shakespeare plays. We will also make sure we do Super Charged Science-- I think we'll shoot for everyday-- that has been the hardest thing to fit in!!
Then for the various grade levels I am managing this year-- this is the plan:
6th grade and 8th grade
Both girls should finish the last chapter of Pre-algebra this week, then all they have to do is take all of the Singapore math placement tests again and pass them and we will start algebra. I love math, I have been waiting to start Algebra forever!! I was hoping to start it last year, but I'll take it. They will be preparing for the Latin II exam in the spring with their dad. We'll be watching the History of Rome and Foundations of Western Civilization from the Teaching Company. We've watched a couple lectures this summer and I have really enjoyed it. I stop the video and make sure the girls know what the words mean and what is going on. I haven't decided how much writing I'll have them do or if we'll start Formal Logic. They'll continue with required reading and piano. I guess I have some more work to do before we're ready to officially start, but I am excited!!!
2nd and 4th Grades
We continue with Singapore math levels 4A and 4B. They have another 4-5 weeks to complete Elementary Greek year 1. We'll be working on penmanship and spelling. Also, required reading and piano. It's so much easier to know what to do having gone through it with 2 other kids.
Kindergarten-- Reading, writing and math!!
Preschool-- have fun
Baby-- grow, grow, grow!!
I really love homeschool-- as hard as it is sometimes-- there is so much to look forward to. I love group time and reading to my kids. Also, this new house is so much easier to clean and the kids are old enough to actually help-- I think it's going to be a good year!!
Our backyard neighbors also homeschool and we have been getting together to do a math study group about twice a week this summer. It has worked out so well we want to continue, add a few things and make it more consistent and part of the school week. So the plan is to meet 2 days/ week at each other's houses for 3 hours in the morning. We'll spend 1 hour on math with the older kids, then assign the older kids to help or play with one of the little kids the next hour while we work on Greek and Math with the Middle kids for 1 hour, then the Middle kids will be assigned to play with the Little kids the last hour while my girls teach Latin I to our 14 yo neighbor, his mom and me. I'm going to learn Latin too!!-- and it will be a good experience for my girls to teach it to our neighbors and me.
The girls will be joining a choir run by Janeen Brady who has written some fabulous kids' music-- you can see by searching Brite music. That will be once a week. #1 will play city volleyball, #2 will play city soccer and #3, 4 will play flag football this fall. We will also be joining our old homeschool group again. We meet once a week-- one week we go on a field trip, 2 of the weeks a mom teaches a class on whatever for the younger kids and the older kids will be doing 4H projects, the last week will be a party, spelling bee or other event.
I also hope to get my kids able to play a few more songs on the ukelele together so that we can perform somewhere. I'll also have them sing along with the piano. We have quite the crew for that and happily they all sing on key and they like music. We will also continue with group time- reading scriptures, uplifting stories, work on spanish and whatever else I feel like-- we'll probably finish up the Life of Lincoln by Tarbell and read a couple more Shakespeare plays. We will also make sure we do Super Charged Science-- I think we'll shoot for everyday-- that has been the hardest thing to fit in!!
Then for the various grade levels I am managing this year-- this is the plan:
6th grade and 8th grade
Both girls should finish the last chapter of Pre-algebra this week, then all they have to do is take all of the Singapore math placement tests again and pass them and we will start algebra. I love math, I have been waiting to start Algebra forever!! I was hoping to start it last year, but I'll take it. They will be preparing for the Latin II exam in the spring with their dad. We'll be watching the History of Rome and Foundations of Western Civilization from the Teaching Company. We've watched a couple lectures this summer and I have really enjoyed it. I stop the video and make sure the girls know what the words mean and what is going on. I haven't decided how much writing I'll have them do or if we'll start Formal Logic. They'll continue with required reading and piano. I guess I have some more work to do before we're ready to officially start, but I am excited!!!
2nd and 4th Grades
We continue with Singapore math levels 4A and 4B. They have another 4-5 weeks to complete Elementary Greek year 1. We'll be working on penmanship and spelling. Also, required reading and piano. It's so much easier to know what to do having gone through it with 2 other kids.
Kindergarten-- Reading, writing and math!!
Preschool-- have fun
Baby-- grow, grow, grow!!
I really love homeschool-- as hard as it is sometimes-- there is so much to look forward to. I love group time and reading to my kids. Also, this new house is so much easier to clean and the kids are old enough to actually help-- I think it's going to be a good year!!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Destination Imagination State Champs!!!!
I managed 2 Destination Imagination teams for my kids this year. We started the end of January and just participated in the state tournament this Saturday. We had a middle school team that did the fine arts challenge of presenting a live movie trailer which was composed of 5 girls. We also had an elementary level team that did the structural challenge of building a small tower out of wood and glue and a delivery device to put golf balls inside the tower which was composed of 4 boys.
There were only about 15 teams who participated in the tournament which was very disappointing, but we were able to watch most of the presentations which was interesting and helpful. I think this is only the 3rd time they have had a tournament in Utah, so hopefully it will grow and get better over time. There was a lot of time spent waiting around when it wasn't their turn. They also participated in an Instant Challenge, but we aren't allowed to talk about it until after the global finals. I will say that those challenges were disappointing. One was way too simple which made it boring, and one was so confusing, that the team was unable to accomplish it because they just had no idea what to do.
The girls had a rough start in trying to get the team together. We had several girls drop out before we were settled on the 5 that stayed with it. Unfortunately, some of the girls who dropped out had a lot of influence on the story they picked, so it probably would have been different otherwise. Also, I really let them do the whole thing on their own. I read them the rules, but they were left to themselves so I think they did well for not having much guidance or skills taught to them. We had no idea we would have such a good chance of winning. #1 wrote the musical score for the original soundtrack and performed it on the keyboard, and it was awesome!! They had 1 minute to set up their set and 4 minutes to perform their trailer. They had planned to turn off the lights between scenes which they weren't allowed to do, and they had no idea they would be on a stage until we got there, so they were a little flustered and would definitely do some things differently next time. They ran out of time and were unable to perform their last scene so they were disappointed. But it worked out, because although they came in second, the first place team was from Idaho so they still got first for Utah and thus qualify for the global tournament.
The boys had a rough start this year also because they couldn't settle for sure on doing the structural challenge and some of them wanted to do a movie trailer like the girls. We finally figured out that we could just use popsicle sticks and hot glue and that they really didn't need to cut anything, because the challenges have to be done completely by the teams. The managers, parents and others can teach them skills and make sure they follow the rules, but the solution for the challenge has to be done by the team alone. The point of the tower was to make it hold as much weight as possible and then also they had to come up with a delivery device and they could earn extra pounds of weight for each golf ball delivered and captured in the tower. My boys made a couple prototypes with their dad and one of the other dads actually built a tester and another prototype with his son. they tested them all out and found out which one was the strongest in fact we couldn't break it as we only had weights up to about 120 lbs. So once we got to the challenge. The boys put on the big weights, delivered the golf balls fine and won by a lot even for the middle school level. Their tower held 265 lbs, but probably could have held more had they used smaller weights after the larger ones. They got 200 lbs. extra for holding 5 golf balls. It was pretty exciting. They were also supposed to make up a story or skit to go along with their tower, but they didn't, but most of the points were for the weight. The other teams put a lot more emphasis on the skit and their towers were not strong at all. So the boys easily took 1st place.
It was very exciting to be presented with their medals at the awards ceremony and the boys even got an extra medal for their instant challenge presentation which was a little surprising, but they were very happy about it. It was nice for them all to be recognized and to win. They all loved it. Now we have to decide whether to go to globals or not. We will definitely try to go. I would like them to see how a big tournament is run. There are a lot of activities planned also in conjunction with the tournament and people from all over the world coming, so I think it would be really good for them.
I am really glad that we did this program. I think it has been very beneficial overall. I think all the kids are excited to do even better next time and they got some good ideas of what else they can do and what can be done. I think that will happen even more so if we go to globals so I hope it works out!! Very fun and exciting!!
There were only about 15 teams who participated in the tournament which was very disappointing, but we were able to watch most of the presentations which was interesting and helpful. I think this is only the 3rd time they have had a tournament in Utah, so hopefully it will grow and get better over time. There was a lot of time spent waiting around when it wasn't their turn. They also participated in an Instant Challenge, but we aren't allowed to talk about it until after the global finals. I will say that those challenges were disappointing. One was way too simple which made it boring, and one was so confusing, that the team was unable to accomplish it because they just had no idea what to do.
The girls had a rough start in trying to get the team together. We had several girls drop out before we were settled on the 5 that stayed with it. Unfortunately, some of the girls who dropped out had a lot of influence on the story they picked, so it probably would have been different otherwise. Also, I really let them do the whole thing on their own. I read them the rules, but they were left to themselves so I think they did well for not having much guidance or skills taught to them. We had no idea we would have such a good chance of winning. #1 wrote the musical score for the original soundtrack and performed it on the keyboard, and it was awesome!! They had 1 minute to set up their set and 4 minutes to perform their trailer. They had planned to turn off the lights between scenes which they weren't allowed to do, and they had no idea they would be on a stage until we got there, so they were a little flustered and would definitely do some things differently next time. They ran out of time and were unable to perform their last scene so they were disappointed. But it worked out, because although they came in second, the first place team was from Idaho so they still got first for Utah and thus qualify for the global tournament.
The boys had a rough start this year also because they couldn't settle for sure on doing the structural challenge and some of them wanted to do a movie trailer like the girls. We finally figured out that we could just use popsicle sticks and hot glue and that they really didn't need to cut anything, because the challenges have to be done completely by the teams. The managers, parents and others can teach them skills and make sure they follow the rules, but the solution for the challenge has to be done by the team alone. The point of the tower was to make it hold as much weight as possible and then also they had to come up with a delivery device and they could earn extra pounds of weight for each golf ball delivered and captured in the tower. My boys made a couple prototypes with their dad and one of the other dads actually built a tester and another prototype with his son. they tested them all out and found out which one was the strongest in fact we couldn't break it as we only had weights up to about 120 lbs. So once we got to the challenge. The boys put on the big weights, delivered the golf balls fine and won by a lot even for the middle school level. Their tower held 265 lbs, but probably could have held more had they used smaller weights after the larger ones. They got 200 lbs. extra for holding 5 golf balls. It was pretty exciting. They were also supposed to make up a story or skit to go along with their tower, but they didn't, but most of the points were for the weight. The other teams put a lot more emphasis on the skit and their towers were not strong at all. So the boys easily took 1st place.
It was very exciting to be presented with their medals at the awards ceremony and the boys even got an extra medal for their instant challenge presentation which was a little surprising, but they were very happy about it. It was nice for them all to be recognized and to win. They all loved it. Now we have to decide whether to go to globals or not. We will definitely try to go. I would like them to see how a big tournament is run. There are a lot of activities planned also in conjunction with the tournament and people from all over the world coming, so I think it would be really good for them.
I am really glad that we did this program. I think it has been very beneficial overall. I think all the kids are excited to do even better next time and they got some good ideas of what else they can do and what can be done. I think that will happen even more so if we go to globals so I hope it works out!! Very fun and exciting!!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
National Latin Exam Results
We got the National Latin Exam test results back-- There were 148,000 kids from all 50 states and 13 different countries who took it. There were 40 questions, the average was 28. #1 scored 23 and got a certificate of merit and #2 scored 30 and got a cum laude certificate. We had hoped they'd do a little better, but it is a great start and they have learned a lot and they are on a great path for academic success. We are very proud of them both!!
This is definitely not the end of Latin-- it is just the beginning. I am so excited for them. We are going to have them start watching a lecture on the History of Rome from The Teaching Company once a week. They will also be finishing up the Latin I course and then starting Latin II in the fall and take the NLE again for Latin II. We will also be starting a formal logic course from Memoria Press in the fall. I just love where they are headed-- even though it really is challenging, they are doing it.
I hope they get better at taking tests. I am going to have them take a bunch of practice bubble sheet tests this summer too. As homeschoolers I think test taking skills really suffer a bit. This was the first bubble sheet test they have taken, and they both finished in about half the normal time-- so I think we need to work on that. I may even have them take past Latin Exams once a week just to get better used to taking tests and see if we can get some of these things solidified in their minds. In my public school education I became a master test taker, but I didn't retain much information after the test. I would like my girls to be both good test takers and be able to retain the information.
Right now we are enjoying the fabulous weather and taking a week long Spring Break. I am loving it!! My house is pretty clean, I've gotten some good rest and I hope we'll be ready to pick it back up again on Monday- 'cause it has been awesome. The kids are bummed that they still have to do chores and practice the piano-- but it really doesn't take that long and they have been playing outside most of the time. I'm hoping we have time to build a new chicken coop. Destination Imagination tournament is this Saturday, so we may not-- oh well!!
This is definitely not the end of Latin-- it is just the beginning. I am so excited for them. We are going to have them start watching a lecture on the History of Rome from The Teaching Company once a week. They will also be finishing up the Latin I course and then starting Latin II in the fall and take the NLE again for Latin II. We will also be starting a formal logic course from Memoria Press in the fall. I just love where they are headed-- even though it really is challenging, they are doing it.
I hope they get better at taking tests. I am going to have them take a bunch of practice bubble sheet tests this summer too. As homeschoolers I think test taking skills really suffer a bit. This was the first bubble sheet test they have taken, and they both finished in about half the normal time-- so I think we need to work on that. I may even have them take past Latin Exams once a week just to get better used to taking tests and see if we can get some of these things solidified in their minds. In my public school education I became a master test taker, but I didn't retain much information after the test. I would like my girls to be both good test takers and be able to retain the information.
Right now we are enjoying the fabulous weather and taking a week long Spring Break. I am loving it!! My house is pretty clean, I've gotten some good rest and I hope we'll be ready to pick it back up again on Monday- 'cause it has been awesome. The kids are bummed that they still have to do chores and practice the piano-- but it really doesn't take that long and they have been playing outside most of the time. I'm hoping we have time to build a new chicken coop. Destination Imagination tournament is this Saturday, so we may not-- oh well!!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter Story pictures
I love these Easter story pictures for the kids to cut out and paste onto papers to make a little book:
http://www.lds.org/liahona/2004/04/for-little-friends-the-easter-story?lang=eng
My kids are getting printables to color, these and treats this year-- I hope they won't be disappointed.
http://www.lds.org/liahona/2004/04/for-little-friends-the-easter-story?lang=eng
My kids are getting printables to color, these and treats this year-- I hope they won't be disappointed.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Great Article on Why kids should learn CS (computer coding)
This article isn't very long and it is well written so I think it is worth a couple minutes to read. One of his points that struck me is how much we rely on computers for our bank accounts, law enforcement, medical records, and just about everything else in our lives-- doesn't it make sense that we should understand exactly how they work and just how to use them? Good stuff:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/mar/31/why-kids-should-be-taught-code?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/mar/31/why-kids-should-be-taught-code?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038
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