This year I will be teaching 7th, 5th, 3rd, 1st and a beginning reader. I made up our schedule about 2 weeks ago and saw how much work it was going to be, so I just put it away, decided to start September 1, and proceeded to let my house go a bit and cringe from any sort of a schedule. It doesn't help that we'll be building a new house an hour away, and will put this one up for sale as soon as possible. My eyes are extremely open to my major messes everywhere. I like things out of the way, but I do not like organizing, so I keep putting things out of my way and into the garage or random closets, and now I just want to get rid of all of it. But I'm frustrated because we've been traveling to our new area for church and other things, and I have no time at home to even get anything done.
The house is picked up for school tomorrow though-- no more leaving the kitchen for the morning. We found everybody's books except for #4's math book and journal. I don't have all my scheduling completed yet-- I need to print out their weekly assignment sheet so they know exactly what they need to do. I need to pick out our memory scripture, poem and primary song. I am looking forward to the reading and the one on one learning. These things can't be done in a mess, so organization is of utmost importance. The kids also did their kitchen jobs, their zones and their rooms tonight. Although, I think one little girl didn't finish her room. It is so hard to grow up.
I'm looking forward to watching the kids learn and grow, but I am not looking forward to the time crunch. I looked at our schedule and decided that I have to be much more protective of our time. It's too easy to schedule activities during school time, but the reality for us is that if we don't finish in those hours, then we won't finish that day. We can be a little flexible, but we have to finish and I don't like working evenings or weekends, so it's paramount that we finish by 4, and even better if we can get most of it done before lunch.
I'm sure I'll feel better after tomorrow. I would just rather pack and clean right now. Teaching takes so much time. It is rewarding, but for good reason. I'll just have to do a little at a time. Maybe I'll be lucky this first week and they won't need much help-- we'll see!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
last 2 weeks of summer
My sweet girls are having a heck of time with passing the Singapore math 6B test!!! It is hard, but I think they know the material-- they seem to be able to solve the problems fine on their own, but then they choke on the test or the test takes the problems one more level and they just can't make it. The test problems and a lot of the singapore math problems are intense story problems that I had a hard time solving without using Algebra. They are the type of questions found on the ACT or SAT, so I would really like for my girls to master the program. I'm sure a lot of it is the inconsistency of summer. But I think they need a change and #2 has a lot of Greek to finish by Sept. 1 when her dad will be teaching their Latin 1 class. They know he is a lot more strict than I am. I hope they do well. I think we really need to work on our test taking skills. I think this is an area I have overlooked as a teacher. We've got time to remedy the situation, but aaaaaahhhhh!! I was hoping to be all done!! Oh well!!
So these last couple weeks of summer, #2 has to finish 8 chapters of Greek which means she main not have time for much else, and #1 has started a Pre-algebra book we have. She likes it so far, it is mostly review, but I think she needs the practice to really hone her math skills.
Wish us luck!!!
So these last couple weeks of summer, #2 has to finish 8 chapters of Greek which means she main not have time for much else, and #1 has started a Pre-algebra book we have. She likes it so far, it is mostly review, but I think she needs the practice to really hone her math skills.
Wish us luck!!!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Dog Bite
This week will forever be entrenched in my memory as the week my 8 yr. old boy got bitten by a dog. Let me start off by assuring you that he is fine and is recovering well.
We went to pick apricots with some friends at a dentist's house she found. It was a perfectly immaculate estate and very nice. Their were a couple kids we had not met before and they loved my little babies and wanted to take them for a little walk. #6 is very attached to me, so he of course wouldn't go with them, but #7 did. I sent #3 to stay with him and soon after realized they were out of sight, so I found them, called them and told them to stay closer to me where I could see them. They were right near our van where we had left the side door open and it looked like they were making their way up. I went to check on the other people on the other side of the house and #1 came running up telling me that #3 had been bitten by a dog. I couldn't believe it, I had heard no barking and I had no idea there were even any dogs over there. It turns out that this dog probably a labrador/ pit bull mix of some sort got out of his fenced yard and scared the kids and the kids all ran. The girls got the baby in the van, but the dog bit #3 when he was about 4 ft. from the van on his upper right arm.
#2 had brought her little first aid kit, so they had him bandaged up before I got there. I am such a baby when it comes to blood and pain -- I really hate it and I have a really hard time when it is my baby so I just left it wrapped and went to find out about the dog if it was sick or anything. The other mom had some neosporin and looked at the wound which I was too much of a baby to do and told me it would probably need stitches, then they told me I ought to take him to get it looked at and stitched. So I left and called my husband and had him call animal control.
My poor little guy was really shaken, I was pretty shaken, but we made it to our doctor's office to find that neither our doctor who is in our bishopric nor our bishop who is also a doctor and works there were in, so we went to the only available doctor there. Once my son was on the operating table and we were waiting for 30 minutes and showed it to the nurse, I found that I was O.K. to look at it and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. My son was more worried about the pain and if stitching it up would hurt more or getting the numbing shots. But he was very brave and did very well through the whole process. He cried a lot, but it wasn't too bad once the numbing medicine kicked in. He ended up with 9 stitches and a tetanus shot. We're putting medicines on it and keeping it covered. It's looking good so far, but I felt terrible because I forgot about his arm and grabbed him by it at #1's recital tonight because he was being squirrely. I felt so bad and apologized multiple times.
Anyway, I think he will be just fine. I'm still a little shaken. I am so thankful that it wasn't the 18 month old. My husband gave him a priesthood blessing at the beginning of the school year when he gave us all father's blessings and blessed my little #7 that angels would help protect him and keep him safe. I think we are witness to that happening this day, I'm sure there have been other times that I have just taken for granted. I thought about praying before we left that day, but pushed the thought out of my mind because we had prayed earlier with my husband before he left for work. I will be more mindful of the thoughts I have to pray in the future. So this has been a learning experience for us all.
It has taken a lot of time though and I'm still shaken and unnerved by the whole experience. I really don't like pain and suffering-- I think that's a big reason why I'm so into health food-- I don't like being sick or tired or anything. I am getting stronger though! We had a good lesson on civics and how to treat dogs also. The owner of the dog has been very cooperative and the dog will be put down after being quarantined and observed for 10 days. There have been no cases of dogs with rabies in Utah for ages, so everything should turn out just fine and we will all be a little wiser and better for it. My children need to stay in my sight at all times when we are in unfamiliar territory and I need to check and know the surroundings well before I let them all go.
What a day!
We went to pick apricots with some friends at a dentist's house she found. It was a perfectly immaculate estate and very nice. Their were a couple kids we had not met before and they loved my little babies and wanted to take them for a little walk. #6 is very attached to me, so he of course wouldn't go with them, but #7 did. I sent #3 to stay with him and soon after realized they were out of sight, so I found them, called them and told them to stay closer to me where I could see them. They were right near our van where we had left the side door open and it looked like they were making their way up. I went to check on the other people on the other side of the house and #1 came running up telling me that #3 had been bitten by a dog. I couldn't believe it, I had heard no barking and I had no idea there were even any dogs over there. It turns out that this dog probably a labrador/ pit bull mix of some sort got out of his fenced yard and scared the kids and the kids all ran. The girls got the baby in the van, but the dog bit #3 when he was about 4 ft. from the van on his upper right arm.
#2 had brought her little first aid kit, so they had him bandaged up before I got there. I am such a baby when it comes to blood and pain -- I really hate it and I have a really hard time when it is my baby so I just left it wrapped and went to find out about the dog if it was sick or anything. The other mom had some neosporin and looked at the wound which I was too much of a baby to do and told me it would probably need stitches, then they told me I ought to take him to get it looked at and stitched. So I left and called my husband and had him call animal control.
My poor little guy was really shaken, I was pretty shaken, but we made it to our doctor's office to find that neither our doctor who is in our bishopric nor our bishop who is also a doctor and works there were in, so we went to the only available doctor there. Once my son was on the operating table and we were waiting for 30 minutes and showed it to the nurse, I found that I was O.K. to look at it and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. My son was more worried about the pain and if stitching it up would hurt more or getting the numbing shots. But he was very brave and did very well through the whole process. He cried a lot, but it wasn't too bad once the numbing medicine kicked in. He ended up with 9 stitches and a tetanus shot. We're putting medicines on it and keeping it covered. It's looking good so far, but I felt terrible because I forgot about his arm and grabbed him by it at #1's recital tonight because he was being squirrely. I felt so bad and apologized multiple times.
Anyway, I think he will be just fine. I'm still a little shaken. I am so thankful that it wasn't the 18 month old. My husband gave him a priesthood blessing at the beginning of the school year when he gave us all father's blessings and blessed my little #7 that angels would help protect him and keep him safe. I think we are witness to that happening this day, I'm sure there have been other times that I have just taken for granted. I thought about praying before we left that day, but pushed the thought out of my mind because we had prayed earlier with my husband before he left for work. I will be more mindful of the thoughts I have to pray in the future. So this has been a learning experience for us all.
It has taken a lot of time though and I'm still shaken and unnerved by the whole experience. I really don't like pain and suffering-- I think that's a big reason why I'm so into health food-- I don't like being sick or tired or anything. I am getting stronger though! We had a good lesson on civics and how to treat dogs also. The owner of the dog has been very cooperative and the dog will be put down after being quarantined and observed for 10 days. There have been no cases of dogs with rabies in Utah for ages, so everything should turn out just fine and we will all be a little wiser and better for it. My children need to stay in my sight at all times when we are in unfamiliar territory and I need to check and know the surroundings well before I let them all go.
What a day!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Planning the New School Year
I'm looking forward to the new school year. I think we're going to learn a lot and accomplish a lot. We are going to have to get back on a regular schedule and get up in the mornings. I think it will be nice to actually be able to do that since I am not pregnant or nursing this year. Our main focus will be on Algebra and Latin this year. I've scheduled in Science 3 hours per week since that has been our weak point and I've scheduled in piano lessons. I think it is a great schedule for the kids, but it will be pretty non-stop for me. I am going to have to work in some down time for myself or I will get burned out. It does help to help a younger kid, then an older kid, but this will by far be my busiest year. Fortunately my husband will be the Latin teacher and I don't think Algebra will be too bad after Singapore Math. A couple more review sessions and I think the girls will be ready for the final test again ( we only worked on it twice this week). We will definitely have to step it up this coming week-- we need to be done already!
Anyway, I think the weekly schedule is doable, I have to remind myself that it is only 4 days a week. One day will be spent grocery shopping, going to vision therapy and running errands. The kids have their lists they are responsible for finishing each day. My next thing to plan will be and extensive meal plan with days for soaking, sprouting, baking and chopping so that we'll have homemade bread and salad and veggies ready to eat at all times. That will cut down on daily meal prep and keep me from wondering what we'll have for dinner. I think I can do most the meal prep by making extra and chopping extra salad each time I make dinner, but there are a couple days where we won't be home until dinnertime, that I'll need to have our fast, easy meals pretty much ready to go. Food is very important for growing children and it is one of my main priorities. We can't learn if we're hungry, so that definitely needs to be planned out before school starts.
Finally I also need to declutter and de junk my house. I'm not sure if I will be able to get that far, I'm probably going to have to review flylady, and do it a little at a time. I probably ought to include it in my schedule. I know I'll feel better with less stuff around. I like empty counters and cupboards, and they are all pretty full right now. Time to get rid of a bunch of stuff!
Anyway, I think the weekly schedule is doable, I have to remind myself that it is only 4 days a week. One day will be spent grocery shopping, going to vision therapy and running errands. The kids have their lists they are responsible for finishing each day. My next thing to plan will be and extensive meal plan with days for soaking, sprouting, baking and chopping so that we'll have homemade bread and salad and veggies ready to eat at all times. That will cut down on daily meal prep and keep me from wondering what we'll have for dinner. I think I can do most the meal prep by making extra and chopping extra salad each time I make dinner, but there are a couple days where we won't be home until dinnertime, that I'll need to have our fast, easy meals pretty much ready to go. Food is very important for growing children and it is one of my main priorities. We can't learn if we're hungry, so that definitely needs to be planned out before school starts.
Finally I also need to declutter and de junk my house. I'm not sure if I will be able to get that far, I'm probably going to have to review flylady, and do it a little at a time. I probably ought to include it in my schedule. I know I'll feel better with less stuff around. I like empty counters and cupboards, and they are all pretty full right now. Time to get rid of a bunch of stuff!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
the past 2 summer weeks-- Leaving Utah
It doesn't feel like we've done a whole lot, but I know that when I think about it and write it down, I realize that we've done more than I think. The babies are really toddlers now at 18 months and they have been needing more attention as far as playing with them and keeping them entertained. So the few weeks where they played happily on their own in the mornings and I got a lot of cleaning and organizing done are gone for now. They get cranky and bored at about 10 a.m., so I get as much of the kitchen done as I can before then and then I just have to stop cleaning and go do group time with the kids. They enjoy singing time. They enjoy the attention we give them for the other stuff and unless they are tired or feeling sick they usually make it through the whole thing. Although I usually end up changing their diapers and have the girls do the scripture reviews or poetry reading with everybody else while I do so that we don't waste any of our precious time. I have decided to do Spanish with everybody, concentrate on Greek with the girls immediately after group time while the boys go run around and enjoy their break and then I'll pick up French with just the girls in the fall or when we have completed our Greek course.
#1 just has one chapter left in Greek-- then we'll review all the words and make up a test for her and she will be all ready for Latin in the fall-- YAY!!! #2 still has 12 chapters to go which is a lot for the next 6 weeks of summer, but I think she'll be fine. She is very smart and needs the challenge. A neighbor girl has been coming over 4-5 times a week to review math with us. It has helped so much to get my girls motivated to continue working math problems, otherwise I'm not sure I would have been able to get their attention. I had them work through a whole bunch of long division problems and then review their basic math facts. Now we will be working through the problems that are actually on the final test with the numbers changed and then they should pass that test at last. I can't wait!!
The boys can't find their Greek workbooks, so we've just been reviewing words and concepts. They are doing so well. It really does make a difference that I have already gone through the program with the girls-- it's a good thing too, because I don't have as much time for them as I did for the girls. Anyway, it's fun. I got them some summer workbooks, so that is all I'm having them do this summer-- just get them used to lots of writing and reviewing their basic math operations. They've got their summer reading too. I think they have enjoyed the summer books, and I appreciate the time to just review.
We were going to do science this summer, but so far we haven't. We've also been terrible at piano lessons, although I continue to make the kids practice. This is another good reason to record what we've done-- it helps me remember our goals and keeps me on track with those. We definitely need to start up piano lessons again. I think we will make science another priority in the fall. I'm going to try to get a science group together. I think my boys especially will like that.
Unfortunately my frustrations with the homeschool community out here have not subsided. My 12 year old needs more than what is available here to us in Utah. We are Mormons, but we really don't fit in with the other Mormons around us. Many of our homeschooling friends have been non-Mormons. Raising our children to be good Mormons, faithful in the gospel of Jesus Christ is one of our primary objectives. Unfortunately living in Utah around Mormons is not helping us do that well. I love my non-Mormon friends, but if our main friends are non-Mormons, then why are living in Utah? We may as well live out of state where it makes sense that our best friends are not Mormon. Also, Utah is behind in a lot of ways. We lack museums, YMCA's, community centers, educational programs and other opportunities. There are some really nice things about Utah though-- not one place will have everything. But all things being equal we'd rather be surrounded by lakes, rivers and lots of vegetation. We also have family in the East. So over the next year or so we will be moving East. We are really looking forward to it. I have to admit I do have some feeling of trepidation about actually moving, but I am also very excited to see what the future holds. I think I will feel a little more at home in the East. I wasn't raised in Utah, and I am just now understanding better why some things here are the way they are. I am looking forward to a new adventure and hopefully better opportunities and friends for my children and better support at church.
#1 just has one chapter left in Greek-- then we'll review all the words and make up a test for her and she will be all ready for Latin in the fall-- YAY!!! #2 still has 12 chapters to go which is a lot for the next 6 weeks of summer, but I think she'll be fine. She is very smart and needs the challenge. A neighbor girl has been coming over 4-5 times a week to review math with us. It has helped so much to get my girls motivated to continue working math problems, otherwise I'm not sure I would have been able to get their attention. I had them work through a whole bunch of long division problems and then review their basic math facts. Now we will be working through the problems that are actually on the final test with the numbers changed and then they should pass that test at last. I can't wait!!
The boys can't find their Greek workbooks, so we've just been reviewing words and concepts. They are doing so well. It really does make a difference that I have already gone through the program with the girls-- it's a good thing too, because I don't have as much time for them as I did for the girls. Anyway, it's fun. I got them some summer workbooks, so that is all I'm having them do this summer-- just get them used to lots of writing and reviewing their basic math operations. They've got their summer reading too. I think they have enjoyed the summer books, and I appreciate the time to just review.
We were going to do science this summer, but so far we haven't. We've also been terrible at piano lessons, although I continue to make the kids practice. This is another good reason to record what we've done-- it helps me remember our goals and keeps me on track with those. We definitely need to start up piano lessons again. I think we will make science another priority in the fall. I'm going to try to get a science group together. I think my boys especially will like that.
Unfortunately my frustrations with the homeschool community out here have not subsided. My 12 year old needs more than what is available here to us in Utah. We are Mormons, but we really don't fit in with the other Mormons around us. Many of our homeschooling friends have been non-Mormons. Raising our children to be good Mormons, faithful in the gospel of Jesus Christ is one of our primary objectives. Unfortunately living in Utah around Mormons is not helping us do that well. I love my non-Mormon friends, but if our main friends are non-Mormons, then why are living in Utah? We may as well live out of state where it makes sense that our best friends are not Mormon. Also, Utah is behind in a lot of ways. We lack museums, YMCA's, community centers, educational programs and other opportunities. There are some really nice things about Utah though-- not one place will have everything. But all things being equal we'd rather be surrounded by lakes, rivers and lots of vegetation. We also have family in the East. So over the next year or so we will be moving East. We are really looking forward to it. I have to admit I do have some feeling of trepidation about actually moving, but I am also very excited to see what the future holds. I think I will feel a little more at home in the East. I wasn't raised in Utah, and I am just now understanding better why some things here are the way they are. I am looking forward to a new adventure and hopefully better opportunities and friends for my children and better support at church.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Chicks!
We are just about done with the chicken tractor and we picked up our chicks today. The kids love them. I think it will be a good learning experience for the kids in a lot of ways. We bought a heat lamp, picked out the chicks they wanted- we got 2 of each kind of breed- Rhode Island Red, Easter Egg chickens, and 2 black chicks, I can't remember what kind exactly. We bought their food and set up the light, the box, the food and the water. We have been watching them a lot and the kids love to hold them.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Summer Progress
We're not getting a whole lot of academic work done, but we are enjoying the warm weather. It finally got hot and it is so nice to be outside in it!! I bought some summer workbooks at Costco and the kids are enjoying them. Those should at least keep them from forgetting everything. I think we are going to join the local swim club. That way the kids who know how to swim can do so often without me having to worry so much about the younger ones. I've pretty much decided that I don't like the homeschool community around here and I think that swimming and soccer will fill the void we have for team work and some social interaction until 9th grade when I'll have my kids attend seminary and possibly orchestra with the local schools. There are some great people I have met, but they all live about 20 min. away. So we will participate in some good homeschool activities like a talent show, economic fair, math club, field trips and 4-H. But I think my kids will benefit from participating in swim club. We definitely need to go swimming to brush up before I start them out. #2 scraped her elbow and knee when she crashed on her scooter so we've had to wait for those to heal before I could take them to a pool. This week!!
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