For the last two weeks we have been dealing with various health related issues. Last week, JT had a bad reaction to one of his allergy shots. We were still waiting in the doctor's office when it happened, so things were fine. However, for the rest of the week, he didn't feel well. Because of that, we had a low key kind of week.
Over the weekend, he developed a fever and rash. I called into the doctor's office a few times to get advice and on Monday we went to the clinic. It turns out, he had strep throat that ended in Scarlet Fever! JT's first comment was, "Scarlet Fever! Just like in the pioneer days!" Fortunately, we had just learned about the immune system last week and he understood the role of antibiotics. Learning experience in real life!
During the course of this mess, I realized how wonderful schooling at home is when you have health problems. JT had missed quite a bit of school each spring when he still attended brick and mortar. His allergies would flare up and he just couldn't deal with being in a school that had no a/c and windows open letting in all the pollen. With this illness, he would have missed almost 2 whole weeks of school. Because we are at home, he only missed a couple full days of schooling. Add that to the list of positive attributes of home schooling!
Our new PA Cyber course catalog came in the mail this week. As I paged through, I realized they didn't have Calvert listed beyond 5th grade. Up until now, they had it from K-8. When I told my friend who also uses PA Cyber, she told me that in small print it says Calvert is available up to 8th grade by request. I get the feeling they are working to direct families towards the virtual classes. I know that we will leave PA Cyber when Calvert is no longer available (if not sooner). It made me really start thinking about setting a few long term goals for our education plan. This year, we were busy learning how to just handle day to day goals. Now I need to consider whether we would consider other options besides cyber. I want to remain flexible, but also realize we need something in mind as far as a master plan goes. I like not feeling the need to conform to the norms of education for my kids. But I don't want to be a nonconformist for nonconformity's sake.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Why Are Text Books So Boring?
Today we were reading one of our last chapters for Calvert science. It covered our immune system. As usual, the book was not a very in depth study of the topic, so we turned to other sources. I remembered that the "You: The Owner's Manual" book by Dr. Mehmet Oz, had a comic strip covering how our immune system would attack Staphylococcus, and I figured JT would enjoy that more than the exciting 'diagram' in the text.
We started reading Chapter 9. "All throughout your body, you also have your own security systems to defend your body against intruders. Skin and bones protect your internal organs in car accidents and from errant golf balls, hair protects your scalp from UV rays, and eyelids protect your eyeballs from finger-poking friends." At this point, JT stops and says to me, "This is really funny!"
We spent over an hour reading through the entire chapter on the immune system. Not only was it funny, but full of good, solid teaching material. When we finished, JT completed a journal entry about what he had learned. While the entire book is not appropriate for some kids (a little too much detail on impotence!) I found much that I could use. Then I started thinking how much better kids could learn if all new material could be taught with a touch of humor. I know there are other good teaching books that are not text books out there...the 'Horrible Science' and 'Horrible History' series are just a few good examples. But what about the books from which we expect our kids to learn the bulk of their knowledge? Maybe when I have free time (in about 12 years...ha!) I'll have to embark on a mission to write educational and FUN textbooks!
We managed to squeeze in two field trips this week. One to the Children's Discovery Museum where JT experienced the many hands-on learning exhibits. He also got to pet a Tarantula. (I did not watch!) Later in the week we went to the Thomas Taber Museum in Williamsport. JT really liked the exhibits about the early inhabitants of PA. He also liked the wall murals of giant prehistoric bugs.
Finally, we registered our 5 year old with PA Cyber for first grade 2009-2010. I've started really thinking about how I will need to structure my days to make that work. Less classroom, more hands on, I believe. I also will need to have TONS of planned material I can pull out on the fly when one boy needs occupied while I cover a new concept with the other one. I like a challenge....but this one might change all of that!
We started reading Chapter 9. "All throughout your body, you also have your own security systems to defend your body against intruders. Skin and bones protect your internal organs in car accidents and from errant golf balls, hair protects your scalp from UV rays, and eyelids protect your eyeballs from finger-poking friends." At this point, JT stops and says to me, "This is really funny!"
We spent over an hour reading through the entire chapter on the immune system. Not only was it funny, but full of good, solid teaching material. When we finished, JT completed a journal entry about what he had learned. While the entire book is not appropriate for some kids (a little too much detail on impotence!) I found much that I could use. Then I started thinking how much better kids could learn if all new material could be taught with a touch of humor. I know there are other good teaching books that are not text books out there...the 'Horrible Science' and 'Horrible History' series are just a few good examples. But what about the books from which we expect our kids to learn the bulk of their knowledge? Maybe when I have free time (in about 12 years...ha!) I'll have to embark on a mission to write educational and FUN textbooks!
We managed to squeeze in two field trips this week. One to the Children's Discovery Museum where JT experienced the many hands-on learning exhibits. He also got to pet a Tarantula. (I did not watch!) Later in the week we went to the Thomas Taber Museum in Williamsport. JT really liked the exhibits about the early inhabitants of PA. He also liked the wall murals of giant prehistoric bugs.
Finally, we registered our 5 year old with PA Cyber for first grade 2009-2010. I've started really thinking about how I will need to structure my days to make that work. Less classroom, more hands on, I believe. I also will need to have TONS of planned material I can pull out on the fly when one boy needs occupied while I cover a new concept with the other one. I like a challenge....but this one might change all of that!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Special Education Conference
I have just returned home from a two day trip to Hershey for the annual Pennsylvania Department of Education Special Education Conference. Our state provides parent scholarships for those with a child who has an IEP or GIEP. What a wonderful opportunity! I had a chance to network with parents, spent some time with my long distance fellow cyber schooling friend and heard some excellent speakers.
I was able to attend three sessions with two different speakers. The first was Tracy Cross. His presentation was titled, "From Underachievement to Suicide: How Students Cope with Being Gifted". He was such an engaging speaker and so full of knowledge on the subject of gifted children; especially adolescents. He has written much on the topic, both in book form and in articles in many publications such as Gifted Child Today.
I also participated in two sessions that Carolyn Coil presented, "Motivating Gifted Underachievers" and "Differentiation for Students Who are Gifted". She also has a fantastic collection of materials she has published. (books) Including the book "Motivating Underachievers".
What a thoroughly enriching experience! As soon as I came in the door I started spewing out all of my new found knowledge. My poor husband was in no state to receive this information. He had happily taken on the care of the boys for 2 days and was ready to drop. Normally, JT goes with my dad on Wednesday. Unfortunately, this week he didn't feel well. Then this morning, my youngest went off to Kindergarten. The school called mid-morning to ask my husband to come pick him up. They thought he looked like he had pink eye! My husband does so much to support our cyber schooling endeavor. He deserves extra kudos for this one!
There is one thing I learned at this conference that may change my entire approach next year. During his presentation, Tracy Cross pointed out that if you look back at what a particularly successful adult spent their childhood doing; you will find it was usually directly related to what they have accomplished. So many gifted kids are forced to be well-rounded. Dr. Cross points out that gifted kids usually aren't well rounded, "they're lumpy"... and that's okay. I am going to sit down with JT tomorrow and ask him to start thinking of something he feels particularly passionate about. Then I am going to work that into our plan for next year. I need to stop trying to make him less "lumpy". Yes, he needs to learn the things that all kids need for success. However, his quick learning style should allow us to master those and then move our focus to what he loves. Who cares if 4th graders don't usually spend half the year studying Archaeology!? If that's what he loves, we are going to be all over it next year!
If you live in PA and are interested... save the date for the 2010 conference..April 6th-9th. I'd love to see you there!
I was able to attend three sessions with two different speakers. The first was Tracy Cross. His presentation was titled, "From Underachievement to Suicide: How Students Cope with Being Gifted". He was such an engaging speaker and so full of knowledge on the subject of gifted children; especially adolescents. He has written much on the topic, both in book form and in articles in many publications such as Gifted Child Today.
I also participated in two sessions that Carolyn Coil presented, "Motivating Gifted Underachievers" and "Differentiation for Students Who are Gifted". She also has a fantastic collection of materials she has published. (books) Including the book "Motivating Underachievers".
What a thoroughly enriching experience! As soon as I came in the door I started spewing out all of my new found knowledge. My poor husband was in no state to receive this information. He had happily taken on the care of the boys for 2 days and was ready to drop. Normally, JT goes with my dad on Wednesday. Unfortunately, this week he didn't feel well. Then this morning, my youngest went off to Kindergarten. The school called mid-morning to ask my husband to come pick him up. They thought he looked like he had pink eye! My husband does so much to support our cyber schooling endeavor. He deserves extra kudos for this one!
There is one thing I learned at this conference that may change my entire approach next year. During his presentation, Tracy Cross pointed out that if you look back at what a particularly successful adult spent their childhood doing; you will find it was usually directly related to what they have accomplished. So many gifted kids are forced to be well-rounded. Dr. Cross points out that gifted kids usually aren't well rounded, "they're lumpy"... and that's okay. I am going to sit down with JT tomorrow and ask him to start thinking of something he feels particularly passionate about. Then I am going to work that into our plan for next year. I need to stop trying to make him less "lumpy". Yes, he needs to learn the things that all kids need for success. However, his quick learning style should allow us to master those and then move our focus to what he loves. Who cares if 4th graders don't usually spend half the year studying Archaeology!? If that's what he loves, we are going to be all over it next year!
If you live in PA and are interested... save the date for the 2010 conference..April 6th-9th. I'd love to see you there!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
One Month To Go!
Due to my extreme curriculum compacting and our steady pace for the last several months, we have approximately 8 Calvert lessons remaining. Because I do not want to be 'done' with school at the end of April, I made a list of the things I'd like to do with those 3 or 4 weeks until the end of May.
Life of Fred
JT has started working his way through the Life of Fred Fractions book. So far, he loves reading the stories and is challenged by the math. I'm wondering if it might not be a little too challenging. The parent introduction in the book suggests that the parent does not need to assist the child, that all the lessons are self paced. I am finding that I need to sit with JT when he gets to the questions at the end of a lesson to be sure he understands what he is being asked to do. We will continue working through this book to the end of the school and possibly sporatically through the summer. We are also still practicing the multiplication tables daily. They just don't want to stick in his head!
Geography
We have been using a geography text book (I believe 5th or 6th grade) off and on throughout the last couple months. Right now we are working on learning states and capitals by region.
Spanish
Our language studies have been on the back burner for a while now. I really want to spend some time working on conversation skills. I've been checking popular children's books written in Spanish from our library to read aloud with JT. I want him to hear the language more than be able to read it at this point.
Power Point
I am not that talented when it comes to using Power Point and other similar applications. I would like to allow JT to spend some time just playing around with it and see what he can come up with for fun. Maybe I will learn a little in the process.
Arts Alive
This is the fine arts program provided by PA Cyber. The child watches a short video online and then logs that they have watched it. We are a little behind in these, so I see a marathon day of internet viewing....
Composition
Our weakest subject needs some real attention as we come to the end of the year. I have to admit, I avoid it like the plague. Not because I dislike it, but because JT does and lets me know it! I am hoping to have him spend more time learning to organize his thoughts and working on his sentence structure. I will be having him keep a journal through the summer. We can't afford to lose ground on this one.
Getting out of the house!
We are going to spend at least one day a week on mini adventures in May. We have a trip to a local museum planned and one to a state park. I'm not sure what the other days will involve, I just know we've spent enough time in the house and deserve a little fun.
It's hard to believe the year is nearly over. I'm hoping the next several weeks will be the best of the year. I know I am looking forward to a little more variety!
Life of Fred
JT has started working his way through the Life of Fred Fractions book. So far, he loves reading the stories and is challenged by the math. I'm wondering if it might not be a little too challenging. The parent introduction in the book suggests that the parent does not need to assist the child, that all the lessons are self paced. I am finding that I need to sit with JT when he gets to the questions at the end of a lesson to be sure he understands what he is being asked to do. We will continue working through this book to the end of the school and possibly sporatically through the summer. We are also still practicing the multiplication tables daily. They just don't want to stick in his head!
Geography
We have been using a geography text book (I believe 5th or 6th grade) off and on throughout the last couple months. Right now we are working on learning states and capitals by region.
Spanish
Our language studies have been on the back burner for a while now. I really want to spend some time working on conversation skills. I've been checking popular children's books written in Spanish from our library to read aloud with JT. I want him to hear the language more than be able to read it at this point.
Power Point
I am not that talented when it comes to using Power Point and other similar applications. I would like to allow JT to spend some time just playing around with it and see what he can come up with for fun. Maybe I will learn a little in the process.
Arts Alive
This is the fine arts program provided by PA Cyber. The child watches a short video online and then logs that they have watched it. We are a little behind in these, so I see a marathon day of internet viewing....
Composition
Our weakest subject needs some real attention as we come to the end of the year. I have to admit, I avoid it like the plague. Not because I dislike it, but because JT does and lets me know it! I am hoping to have him spend more time learning to organize his thoughts and working on his sentence structure. I will be having him keep a journal through the summer. We can't afford to lose ground on this one.
Getting out of the house!
We are going to spend at least one day a week on mini adventures in May. We have a trip to a local museum planned and one to a state park. I'm not sure what the other days will involve, I just know we've spent enough time in the house and deserve a little fun.
It's hard to believe the year is nearly over. I'm hoping the next several weeks will be the best of the year. I know I am looking forward to a little more variety!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Field Trips
For a couple of months, my dad has been picking JT up Wednesday morning and keeping him for the day. This has really given me a chance to recharge. It also gives JT many opportunities that he wouldn't necessarily have with me.
Last week they went on a little adventure... First they went for breakfast. Food is extremely important to my son. He is a very skinny kid, but eats like a horse. I think his constant movement burns off all those extra calories.
After the restaurant, they headed out to a local cheese factory. JT had a tour of the facilities and was able to try some fresh Swiss cheese.
Next they went to a small area airport and had a tour. JT learned about the planes and came home with a small, wooden glider.
When I started this new phase in our lives, I had many plans. We wouldn't sit in a classroom all day. We would go on exciting, educational adventures..... I'm still hoping to get to that point someday. Right now, I feel like I need to stick with something that 'feels' like school. Our schedule for the Calvert curriculum should allow us to finish all of their materials for third grade sometime around the end of April. In order to reach our 180 school days this year, I will continue schooling through the end of May. I'm starting to look into a few one day field trips for those days. I want JT to have fun this last month of school. Maybe that will make him work harder next year, knowing we could have those same opportunities if we put in the time and effort earlier in the year. In the meantime, there's always Wednesday!
Last week they went on a little adventure... First they went for breakfast. Food is extremely important to my son. He is a very skinny kid, but eats like a horse. I think his constant movement burns off all those extra calories.
After the restaurant, they headed out to a local cheese factory. JT had a tour of the facilities and was able to try some fresh Swiss cheese.
Next they went to a small area airport and had a tour. JT learned about the planes and came home with a small, wooden glider.
When I started this new phase in our lives, I had many plans. We wouldn't sit in a classroom all day. We would go on exciting, educational adventures..... I'm still hoping to get to that point someday. Right now, I feel like I need to stick with something that 'feels' like school. Our schedule for the Calvert curriculum should allow us to finish all of their materials for third grade sometime around the end of April. In order to reach our 180 school days this year, I will continue schooling through the end of May. I'm starting to look into a few one day field trips for those days. I want JT to have fun this last month of school. Maybe that will make him work harder next year, knowing we could have those same opportunities if we put in the time and effort earlier in the year. In the meantime, there's always Wednesday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
