We have a pretty traditional approach to teaching spelling in our home. Mondays are pretest day for both boys. Corrections are made immediately after the test. For the next three days, we approach the words from different angles. We look at definitions, we play games, we use the SpellingCity site. On Friday we have a final test. This year EM has been using his Calvert spelling words. I have found that they are pretty on target for him as far as challenge goes. JT is a pretty advanced student in spelling. We zip through the Calvert spelling tests at the beginning of the school year, then we move on to some REAL spelling!
Have I said before how much I LOVE the English From the Roots Up flash cards? (Maybe once or twice?) I have finally worked them into our spelling routine. This week the results were evident.
Every week I pull 2 or 3 of the cards from the deck to put together a spelling list. We have used 6 cards so far. Each card has a root on the front, Greek or Latin. On the back is a list of words containing that root, complete with definition. They also identify other roots in the word that are not the focus of that card. For example, the 'tele' card has the word 'telegraph' on the back. Following the word in parentheses is (graph - write). So every week we focus on a couple cards, but also have contact with other roots. This week the cards were 'philia' and 'phobos'. All of the words for the list would have these roots. As JT was taking his pretest, he started dissecting the new words he was hearing. When I read the word, hydrophobia, he said, "That must be fear of water because it has hydro in it." Hooray, connections! We went through the rest of the list with him making similar observations.
These are the tools I want to give my children. I want them to have the ability to take their knowledge and apply it. I want them to know the satisfaction that comes when they are presented with a puzzle and know right where to start in order to solve it. I want them to feel confident that if they don't know an answer, there will be a way to find it. The best place to start is at the beginning...or maybe...the roots!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Looking to the Future
This week I started really thinking what life would be like without the cyberschool. It left me a bit weak in the knees.
What if I can't do this on my own!?
Part of this concern came from the fact that JT was working on an assignment in his Grammar and Usage book. I really like this book! It is a Calvert book. From what I can find, it will be difficult to buy another copy anywhere. Then I started thinking of other books Calvert provides that I like. Luckily, those are readily available on the web. What is kind of funny about the whole thing is the fact that so far, EM shows no signs of learning in the same ways that JT does. I am sure books that worked for JT will more than likely be a flop with EM. Maybe I should also mention that I currently have 2 large bookcases FULL of school materials that have never been opened by a child. I might just have enough there to educate several dozen children.
After a chat (maybe more of a "How in the world am I going to do this!!" rant) with a homeschooling friend, I realized part of my problem is that I know very few people in my area who homeschool without a cyber. I have no support network. So, this morning I went to work to find myself some friends. I found a website for a local homeschoolers group. I made a contact and am now receiving their group emails. Based on their blog, they seem to have a decent number of members and offer many activities every month. They even have gym days at a local community center. Hooray! More socialization! Just what we needed.... (see last week's post) :-)
Another good point my friend made was that this doesn't have to be permanent. If it doesn't work, we can always go back. I'm sure the cyber school will be more than happy to welcome us (and our tax dollars) back into their over testing, rigid and controlling arms.
See...I won't miss them.
Nope.
What if I can't do this on my own!?
Part of this concern came from the fact that JT was working on an assignment in his Grammar and Usage book. I really like this book! It is a Calvert book. From what I can find, it will be difficult to buy another copy anywhere. Then I started thinking of other books Calvert provides that I like. Luckily, those are readily available on the web. What is kind of funny about the whole thing is the fact that so far, EM shows no signs of learning in the same ways that JT does. I am sure books that worked for JT will more than likely be a flop with EM. Maybe I should also mention that I currently have 2 large bookcases FULL of school materials that have never been opened by a child. I might just have enough there to educate several dozen children.
After a chat (maybe more of a "How in the world am I going to do this!!" rant) with a homeschooling friend, I realized part of my problem is that I know very few people in my area who homeschool without a cyber. I have no support network. So, this morning I went to work to find myself some friends. I found a website for a local homeschoolers group. I made a contact and am now receiving their group emails. Based on their blog, they seem to have a decent number of members and offer many activities every month. They even have gym days at a local community center. Hooray! More socialization! Just what we needed.... (see last week's post) :-)
Another good point my friend made was that this doesn't have to be permanent. If it doesn't work, we can always go back. I'm sure the cyber school will be more than happy to welcome us (and our tax dollars) back into their over testing, rigid and controlling arms.
See...I won't miss them.
Nope.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Chaos Reigns
My doctor appointment.
Allergy shot appointment.
Piano lessons.
Cub scouts.
Bible study night.
Basketball practice.
Odyssey of the Mind practice.
Trip to the library.
...Schooling?
How did I get here? I want a week, and I mean a complete 7 days, when we can stay home. I don't see it happening. Not until the middle of March. At the earliest.
Amazingly enough, we had a very productive week of learning. I think I may have set fewer goals going into this week so it felt like we accomplished more than usual. The boys both made progress in math. JT has been on an obsessive streak writing poetry. EM wrote a short but complete paragraph on volcanoes. We moved ahead in social studies and science. JT read a stack of books.
I still want a week.
If you need a break and are also a homeschooling mom, check out the Homeschool Break Room on BlogHer. Annie Peters from Learn at Every Turn has created a place for worn down mommas like us.
Allergy shot appointment.
Piano lessons.
Cub scouts.
Bible study night.
Basketball practice.
Odyssey of the Mind practice.
Trip to the library.
...Schooling?
How did I get here? I want a week, and I mean a complete 7 days, when we can stay home. I don't see it happening. Not until the middle of March. At the earliest.
Amazingly enough, we had a very productive week of learning. I think I may have set fewer goals going into this week so it felt like we accomplished more than usual. The boys both made progress in math. JT has been on an obsessive streak writing poetry. EM wrote a short but complete paragraph on volcanoes. We moved ahead in social studies and science. JT read a stack of books.
I still want a week.
If you need a break and are also a homeschooling mom, check out the Homeschool Break Room on BlogHer. Annie Peters from Learn at Every Turn has created a place for worn down mommas like us.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Best Laid Plans...
I had plans. I was going to be especially productive the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. I was going to organize. I was going to clean. I was going to be prepared to teach the next 6 weeks of material.
I got sick.
So...the day before we started back to schooling (Sunday afternoon), I scraped together a vague idea of what to do Monday morning. This turned out to be a great new method. We had a very productive Monday. Part of this can be credited to the fact that we introduced new materials into the mix. (more on new stuff in a minute) After the success of the 'no-plan is a good plan' idea, we continued the week in much the same style. Wednesday night I decided I didn't want to spend EVERY evening planning, so I did the rest of the week in one sitting. I did realize a few things.
1. I have been over planning since day one.
2. I am perfectly capable of teaching my children something meaningful every day as long as I keep my long term goals in mind.
That said, I will probably make a plan for all of next week on Sunday. But this time, I won't be quite so obsessive.
New stuff:
Before the holiday break, EM had wrapped up the remaining Calvert math. I presented him with his new Singapore Math books Monday. We worked our way through several lessons. I started him with 1B. He is a bit beyond the concepts, but I wanted to show him how the books work and more importantly, make sure he is seeing how these books present concepts he already knows. He really likes the layout. I like the way visual learners are approached.
JT has completed almost all of the Calvert spelling tests for this year. I decided to pull out one of my new favorite toys...English from the Roots Up Flashcards and make a plan. I took the first two cards (photos and graph) and made a spelling list using all the words on them. There were 15 words all together including things like, photosynthesis, photophilia, photophobia, telegraph, etc. JT only missed one on our spelling pretest. For the rest of the week we focused on the meanings of all the roots from the list. There were 10 different roots. Tomorrow he will take a test matching the root to it's meaning and defining the words on the list. That test was created at this fantastic site I found, Easy Test Maker.
The boys also spent some time working with a new book my dad bought them. It's a book on how to tie knots. JT, who can't tie his shoes at age 9, is tying the first 20 knots in this book without a problem. When I asked him why he could do this and not tie shoes, he said, "I have no problem with knots...it's the bows that are a problem." ?!
One other thing...I decided to give in and allow both boys to do the online testing the cyber school requires at this point in the year. EM skipped the last round in November. I thought I'd let him go ahead and see what gains he has made. Watching him do the testing today, I realized he has really made improvements since the start of the year. I wouldn't credit the Calvert curriculum with much of that change. I'm glad I was able to ignore most of their prescribed curriculum and do my own thing with him. The first grade daily work has little tie-in to the tests that are sent in to the school. It is much easier to pick and choose with his than with JT's.
Tomorrow we have to finish the testing. Sitting still was not in his cards today. I'm guessing they might not be tomorrow, either.
I got sick.
So...the day before we started back to schooling (Sunday afternoon), I scraped together a vague idea of what to do Monday morning. This turned out to be a great new method. We had a very productive Monday. Part of this can be credited to the fact that we introduced new materials into the mix. (more on new stuff in a minute) After the success of the 'no-plan is a good plan' idea, we continued the week in much the same style. Wednesday night I decided I didn't want to spend EVERY evening planning, so I did the rest of the week in one sitting. I did realize a few things.
1. I have been over planning since day one.
2. I am perfectly capable of teaching my children something meaningful every day as long as I keep my long term goals in mind.
That said, I will probably make a plan for all of next week on Sunday. But this time, I won't be quite so obsessive.
New stuff:
Before the holiday break, EM had wrapped up the remaining Calvert math. I presented him with his new Singapore Math books Monday. We worked our way through several lessons. I started him with 1B. He is a bit beyond the concepts, but I wanted to show him how the books work and more importantly, make sure he is seeing how these books present concepts he already knows. He really likes the layout. I like the way visual learners are approached.
JT has completed almost all of the Calvert spelling tests for this year. I decided to pull out one of my new favorite toys...English from the Roots Up Flashcards and make a plan. I took the first two cards (photos and graph) and made a spelling list using all the words on them. There were 15 words all together including things like, photosynthesis, photophilia, photophobia, telegraph, etc. JT only missed one on our spelling pretest. For the rest of the week we focused on the meanings of all the roots from the list. There were 10 different roots. Tomorrow he will take a test matching the root to it's meaning and defining the words on the list. That test was created at this fantastic site I found, Easy Test Maker.
The boys also spent some time working with a new book my dad bought them. It's a book on how to tie knots. JT, who can't tie his shoes at age 9, is tying the first 20 knots in this book without a problem. When I asked him why he could do this and not tie shoes, he said, "I have no problem with knots...it's the bows that are a problem." ?!
One other thing...I decided to give in and allow both boys to do the online testing the cyber school requires at this point in the year. EM skipped the last round in November. I thought I'd let him go ahead and see what gains he has made. Watching him do the testing today, I realized he has really made improvements since the start of the year. I wouldn't credit the Calvert curriculum with much of that change. I'm glad I was able to ignore most of their prescribed curriculum and do my own thing with him. The first grade daily work has little tie-in to the tests that are sent in to the school. It is much easier to pick and choose with his than with JT's.
Tomorrow we have to finish the testing. Sitting still was not in his cards today. I'm guessing they might not be tomorrow, either.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Time for Learning
EM completed the last of Calvert's first grade math tests today. When we come back from our Christmas break, we will start with Singapore math. I showed him the books today. He looked at them for a minute or two and said, "I think I'll work my way through those in a day. Is that okay?" I would say, "YES!"
About 2 weeks ago, I decided to try to complete all of the required Calvert spelling tests for JT before Christmas. We almost made it. We have one left for the new year. I just wanted to get them out of my hair so we could spend some time using our English from the Roots Up flashcards to create our own spelling lists.
Once again this week, JT struggled with distraction. I'm still not sure how I want to handle those days. After a fairly unproductive morning today, he did buckle down and write the first 3 paragraphs of a 5 paragraph composition on hurricanes. Later in the day, he spent some time on a piano piece he has been composing. His musical talent continues to impress me. I can only imagine how much more he could do if he had the desire to invest more time. Motivation is in short supply here.
I am really looking forward to the holiday break. We will be schooling two and a half days next week. After that we plan to start back on a full schedule January 4th. I will probably take a break from blogging until we come back in January.
Have a wonderful holiday and happy new year!
About 2 weeks ago, I decided to try to complete all of the required Calvert spelling tests for JT before Christmas. We almost made it. We have one left for the new year. I just wanted to get them out of my hair so we could spend some time using our English from the Roots Up flashcards to create our own spelling lists.
Once again this week, JT struggled with distraction. I'm still not sure how I want to handle those days. After a fairly unproductive morning today, he did buckle down and write the first 3 paragraphs of a 5 paragraph composition on hurricanes. Later in the day, he spent some time on a piano piece he has been composing. His musical talent continues to impress me. I can only imagine how much more he could do if he had the desire to invest more time. Motivation is in short supply here.
I am really looking forward to the holiday break. We will be schooling two and a half days next week. After that we plan to start back on a full schedule January 4th. I will probably take a break from blogging until we come back in January.
Have a wonderful holiday and happy new year!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Sports
The closest thing I did to sports during my school career was band front. My husband played one season of T-ball when he was young. We are not a sports family. If it weren't for my daily dose of NPR that usually throws in 5 minutes of sports, I would never even know who is in the Superbowl, etc. My husband never knows. All of that said, because we are Americans, we feel some compelling urge to involve our kids in sports.
Tonight we took the boys to their first Upward basketball practice of the season. JT played last year. He loved it. They are a group that doesn't worry about the score or who is winning, the kids just play and have a good time. This year we signed up EM, as well. I spent the first 30 minutes of EM's practice trying to convince him to let go of my leg and play with the other kids. He would say things like, "Why did you sign me up for this?" (He asked me to.) "Mom, I'm just not used to being around other kids." (Quick look around to make sure no other parents are thinking about socialization.) "Why do I have to do this?" (Don't ask me, I'm not sure myself!)
I saw a basketball near us, so I gave it to him and asked him to do what the other kids were doing without leaving my side. Then I started walking towards the team. When he was close enough, I ran off to my seat again. He was perfectly happy and had fun. No harm done. He is not scarred for life.
JT had his practice next. They are in two different age groups, so we have 2 practices in a row. When you are not a sports person, it's hard to get excited about all this time you will spend sitting in the gym waiting. Good thing I love to read...
Tonight we took the boys to their first Upward basketball practice of the season. JT played last year. He loved it. They are a group that doesn't worry about the score or who is winning, the kids just play and have a good time. This year we signed up EM, as well. I spent the first 30 minutes of EM's practice trying to convince him to let go of my leg and play with the other kids. He would say things like, "Why did you sign me up for this?" (He asked me to.) "Mom, I'm just not used to being around other kids." (Quick look around to make sure no other parents are thinking about socialization.) "Why do I have to do this?" (Don't ask me, I'm not sure myself!)
I saw a basketball near us, so I gave it to him and asked him to do what the other kids were doing without leaving my side. Then I started walking towards the team. When he was close enough, I ran off to my seat again. He was perfectly happy and had fun. No harm done. He is not scarred for life.
JT had his practice next. They are in two different age groups, so we have 2 practices in a row. When you are not a sports person, it's hard to get excited about all this time you will spend sitting in the gym waiting. Good thing I love to read...
Thursday, December 3, 2009
How Much is Enough
There are days I feel horrible guilt. Am I spending enough hours in the day teaching my children? Our cyberschool requires us to have 'school' 5 hours a day, 180 days a year. I figure we probably come close to that 5 hour number about once a week. When we transition to homeschooling next year, PA requires us to log EITHER 180 days or 900 hours (for elementary). I will no longer feel I am not meeting the goal! There is no definition of "day" in those guidelines. I know my kids are learning even when they are not being instructed by me. In fact, I often feel like they are learning more when I get out of the way.
Today JT was very resistant to my need to teach him. He happily worked his way through his math and then stalled completely on the school work. I gave him several different options. Nothing. Then he started telling me how he was working on designing a new musical instrument. Every time I was out of the room, he was rummaging through cupboards finding supplies. I kept directing him back to the work at hand.
We had to leave the house at 2pm for violin lessons. He still hadn't completed three assignments I had given him. When we came home, he rushed through the work and was finally allowed to begin his construction. By bedtime he had a new instrument created from paper towel rolls, rubber bands and popsicle sticks. He had also come up with a method of writing music for the instrument, composed a new song and written it down. He played his new piece for us before he crawled into bed. Overall, he spent about 2 hours in what I could consider 'school' hours. He spent about 5 working to design something he had created in his mind. Is that a full school day?
He had a sense of accomplishment that wouldn't have come from working hard on the assignments I gave him early in the day. After today, I am so tempted to toss everything we routinely do out the window.
How do I find the balance between old-school education and true learning?!
Today JT was very resistant to my need to teach him. He happily worked his way through his math and then stalled completely on the school work. I gave him several different options. Nothing. Then he started telling me how he was working on designing a new musical instrument. Every time I was out of the room, he was rummaging through cupboards finding supplies. I kept directing him back to the work at hand.
We had to leave the house at 2pm for violin lessons. He still hadn't completed three assignments I had given him. When we came home, he rushed through the work and was finally allowed to begin his construction. By bedtime he had a new instrument created from paper towel rolls, rubber bands and popsicle sticks. He had also come up with a method of writing music for the instrument, composed a new song and written it down. He played his new piece for us before he crawled into bed. Overall, he spent about 2 hours in what I could consider 'school' hours. He spent about 5 working to design something he had created in his mind. Is that a full school day?
He had a sense of accomplishment that wouldn't have come from working hard on the assignments I gave him early in the day. After today, I am so tempted to toss everything we routinely do out the window.
How do I find the balance between old-school education and true learning?!
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