I was sure this week wasn't going to amount to much...but today made up for the slow pace. It seems like I can pretty much count on one really good day a week. JT seemed to be more interested in learning today. We worked on fractions and decimals. Since we have finished our 3rd grade math and decided not to start the 4th grade material at all this year, we started really going deep into the fractions. I have a hard time knowing when he is really paying attention. That drives me nuts! He'll tell me that I should know he is usually paying attention when he looks like he isn't and isn't when he looks like he is. So today, he looked like he wasn't, but when I put problems on the board for him to work on, he did them perfectly. I had him take mixed numbers and turn them into improper fractions and back again. Then we took fractions and converted them into decimals. I really want him to have a good grasp on some of these concepts before he gets to the higher level math. I feel like too often the math curriculum in our country doesn't allow kids to really 'get it' before they move on. Then they drag the same stuff out again the next year. A preliminary look at our 4th grade math text shows me that we will only need a few months to cover the material for next year. In fact, it might only take 2 based on the lack of new concepts being introduced.
Another great thing happened today. I had been dreading the composition assignment for this test packet. The last one took us a week to really get around to doing. Today, I helped JT think through what he was going to write and left the room. When I returned in 10 minutes, the first half was done! With a little praise, he completed it in one sitting! This is pretty much unheard of around here. So, I laid on the praise pretty thick and he had some free time for an art project. Hopefully whatever magic happened today can be recreated the next time I say the words, "composition"!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Technology Downsides
Tonight I am blogging over dial up. Our house is located in a very rural area. Our only option for high speed internet is wi-fi. Tonight it stopped working. My husband called the provider and they told us there has been a fire where their equipment for the wifi system is housed. They have no idea how long it will be down. Apparently they don't believe in having a redundant system.
Fortunately for us, we use the homeschooling option PACyber offers. I really only need to log in one time a day to count for our school day. The rest of our time is spent in a more traditional setting. JT does take one virtual class right now on Thursdays. Hopefully they will have worked out the problem by then or we will have to find an alternative location. But it really made me think, what if we were signed up for virtual classes? Would it be our responsibility to find a way to attend those classes? I have been playing with the idea of switching to a new school that might involve regular attendance online. Maybe I need to rethink that possibility. At the very least, I need to find what the policy would be in those situations.
One other thing, this week I have started spending more time on JT's Spanish instruction. We have only been playing with it off and on from time to time. Today I made a whole pile of labels for all sorts of things around the house. I'm hoping that the presence of these Spanish words will indirectly plant them in his mind. I am looking for some good teaching materials for our foreign language for next year. If you know of any, please send it to my comments.
Fortunately for us, we use the homeschooling option PACyber offers. I really only need to log in one time a day to count for our school day. The rest of our time is spent in a more traditional setting. JT does take one virtual class right now on Thursdays. Hopefully they will have worked out the problem by then or we will have to find an alternative location. But it really made me think, what if we were signed up for virtual classes? Would it be our responsibility to find a way to attend those classes? I have been playing with the idea of switching to a new school that might involve regular attendance online. Maybe I need to rethink that possibility. At the very least, I need to find what the policy would be in those situations.
One other thing, this week I have started spending more time on JT's Spanish instruction. We have only been playing with it off and on from time to time. Today I made a whole pile of labels for all sorts of things around the house. I'm hoping that the presence of these Spanish words will indirectly plant them in his mind. I am looking for some good teaching materials for our foreign language for next year. If you know of any, please send it to my comments.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Learning to Write
This week I have been attempting to teach JT how to put together a decent composition. He has had many composition assignments from the school. Generally, these assignments have been things like, "My Pet" or other journal-type writings. I wanted him to learn how to do some research and put his thoughts together on paper. I told him to pick one of the people we learned about in his history text last week and write a short biography on that person. JT chose Robert E. Lee.
We started out finding some good information online and a book from the library. I gave him the pack of index cards and told him to write a separate idea on each card. He needed a little direction throughout the process. Next we sat down and I helped him split his cards into groups. Then we worked together to write an outline based on the cards. At that point I said, "Number your cards in the order that matches your outline and then you will need to write the report." He needed some encouragement and then a little pushing to get through this part. Today he wrote his last paragraph for the rough draft. Tomorrow we will look for spelling mistakes. Monday he is going to type up the report.
This is not a major report. It will have 5 paragraphs total. I just really wanted to help him know that learning the material does you little good if you don't have the ability to share what you have learned. I think more kids need to learn this process earlier in their schooling. It often isn't until late middle or early high school when these skills are taught. It requires a slightly different way of thinking. I hope by beginning early, JT will have it easier when he reaches college and needs to be able to communicate in this way.
Now if he'd only stop fighting me when I ask him to write in cursive!
We started out finding some good information online and a book from the library. I gave him the pack of index cards and told him to write a separate idea on each card. He needed a little direction throughout the process. Next we sat down and I helped him split his cards into groups. Then we worked together to write an outline based on the cards. At that point I said, "Number your cards in the order that matches your outline and then you will need to write the report." He needed some encouragement and then a little pushing to get through this part. Today he wrote his last paragraph for the rough draft. Tomorrow we will look for spelling mistakes. Monday he is going to type up the report.
This is not a major report. It will have 5 paragraphs total. I just really wanted to help him know that learning the material does you little good if you don't have the ability to share what you have learned. I think more kids need to learn this process earlier in their schooling. It often isn't until late middle or early high school when these skills are taught. It requires a slightly different way of thinking. I hope by beginning early, JT will have it easier when he reaches college and needs to be able to communicate in this way.
Now if he'd only stop fighting me when I ask him to write in cursive!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Less Structure
I'm trying to find the perfect balance between freedom and structure in our schedule. I think at the beginning of the year we had a little to much routine. Then I slumped into chaos for a bit in November. (see my Nov 27th post titled Slacking Off) When we came back to school after Christmas break I had designed a new schedule (back to extreme structure) that quickly became just another decoration for the classroom wall. How much is enough?
This week felt like I should have spent more time working in the classroom. At least it felt that way as it was happening. When I started to think about the big picture of this week, it seemed we had covered much more than I thought.
Monday was a day where we had less than our usual time in the classroom since my other son was sick and needed some attention from me throughout the day.
Tuesday JT began his immunotherapy for his allergies. We will be spending about 1 to 1 1/2 hours a week in the pediatric allergy department for the next 10 weeks. I packed a big bag of school work and hauled in from the parking lot to the complete opposite end of the hospital. I was glad I took it along. We probably covered more materialwhile waiting than we would have in the same amount of time in the classroom. Captive audience! Since we will be going back every week, I will need to save reading and worksheet assignments for that morning.
Wednesday JT went with my father for the day. What a great day for me! I had a meeting in the morning at the bank, but when I came home, the house was empty. Just me and the cat for 4 hours. JT spent the time with my dad learning how the stock market works and doing some "pretty hard math!" (according to my son). They also took a trip to the farmer's market. Education AND a great break for me. We are going to try to work this into our regular schedule. I think it was good for JT to have the time away from me and still be in a learning environment.
Thursday we had a full day of school! First one this week. We played our weekly spelling review game. I give JT a word to spell. He draws elaborate battles on the white board. If he misses the word, I get a hit. If he gets it right, he gets one. The rules always seem to go in his favor no matter what. I don't care as long as he's spelling the words! We also have started serious work on times tables. JT has never memorized his multiplication facts. He figures them out in crazy ways every time, but the delay is getting in the way of harder math problems. Today we set up a new game to work on that one too. We did some science, geography and he had his virtual class at 1pm. He's also currently working on a report on Robert E. Lee. He collected notes Monday and Tuesday. Today I helped him write his outline. Tomorrow he needs to start the writing of at least one or two paragraphs.
Looking back at the things he's done this week I realize we only probably spent 2 hours of our time on things that are actually a part of the curriculum provided by the school. All the rest are things I have put together from other places. I feel he is learning so much more than he would have in a brick and mortar school this year. He has bursts of responsibility where I can see in a few years this might become a little easier. If I keep it low key and allow him to enjoy himself I think we are going to accomplish a lot together.
This week felt like I should have spent more time working in the classroom. At least it felt that way as it was happening. When I started to think about the big picture of this week, it seemed we had covered much more than I thought.
Monday was a day where we had less than our usual time in the classroom since my other son was sick and needed some attention from me throughout the day.
Tuesday JT began his immunotherapy for his allergies. We will be spending about 1 to 1 1/2 hours a week in the pediatric allergy department for the next 10 weeks. I packed a big bag of school work and hauled in from the parking lot to the complete opposite end of the hospital. I was glad I took it along. We probably covered more materialwhile waiting than we would have in the same amount of time in the classroom. Captive audience! Since we will be going back every week, I will need to save reading and worksheet assignments for that morning.
Wednesday JT went with my father for the day. What a great day for me! I had a meeting in the morning at the bank, but when I came home, the house was empty. Just me and the cat for 4 hours. JT spent the time with my dad learning how the stock market works and doing some "pretty hard math!" (according to my son). They also took a trip to the farmer's market. Education AND a great break for me. We are going to try to work this into our regular schedule. I think it was good for JT to have the time away from me and still be in a learning environment.
Thursday we had a full day of school! First one this week. We played our weekly spelling review game. I give JT a word to spell. He draws elaborate battles on the white board. If he misses the word, I get a hit. If he gets it right, he gets one. The rules always seem to go in his favor no matter what. I don't care as long as he's spelling the words! We also have started serious work on times tables. JT has never memorized his multiplication facts. He figures them out in crazy ways every time, but the delay is getting in the way of harder math problems. Today we set up a new game to work on that one too. We did some science, geography and he had his virtual class at 1pm. He's also currently working on a report on Robert E. Lee. He collected notes Monday and Tuesday. Today I helped him write his outline. Tomorrow he needs to start the writing of at least one or two paragraphs.
Looking back at the things he's done this week I realize we only probably spent 2 hours of our time on things that are actually a part of the curriculum provided by the school. All the rest are things I have put together from other places. I feel he is learning so much more than he would have in a brick and mortar school this year. He has bursts of responsibility where I can see in a few years this might become a little easier. If I keep it low key and allow him to enjoy himself I think we are going to accomplish a lot together.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Bane of Public Education
Have I said before how much I hate the PSSAs? For those of you not from Pennsylvania, PSSA stands for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. It's a standardized test used to check our No Child Left Behind status. Starting in 3rd grade students must take these tests. It's the law. When we signed up with PA Cyber, we agreed to have JT take the tests in the spring. I knew it would be inconvenient in some ways (we have to travel to a test site) but I had no idea how irritating it would become.
For the last couple months, the school has had a clock counting down to the date for the tests on their website. It's counting the SECONDS until the test. Then in the last couple weeks we started getting emails reminding us of our need to do well on the tests. Notes to tell us that if kids don't test well, the school will not be allowed to renew it's charter and we'll all be stuck with no choice but return to the dreadful places from which we came.
First of all, even if the school folded I wouldn't dream of going back to our local district. I would either choose a new cyber school or do traditional homeschooling. More work, but not the end of the world.
Second, I have seen the questions on these tests. I don't think they prove much about what any child has learned. I could rant all day about the way these tests have caused endless review for most children and no real teaching in our schools, but that wouldn't change anything.
Finally, the school has decided one of the reason their test scores were down last year was because they did the testing in only 2 days. Now we will have to travel an hour away from home, arriving before 9am, for three days straight! Each day the kids will only be testing for about 2 hours. Then we drive home and come back the next day. No reimbursement for travel. I don't know what I am supposed to do while all of this is going on.
So, I sent a slightly annoyed email to our Instructional Supervisor. She soothed me with the, "I understand", but also reminded me that we signed a paper at registration that said he would take the test. She has promised to work to allow JT to take 2 sections of the test one day, so that we only have to travel 2 days. Still not a perfect solution, but improving. A friend shared an email she received from the school. Her IS pointed out that the kids will no longer be allowed to leave the room before the time is up, even if they have finished the test. They are hoping it will make the kids look over their answers again. I can tell them what JT will do.....fidget in his chair (if he even stays seated through most of the test), make noises and probably distract the other kids who are still working. I will need to find out if his psych evaluation that listed his hyperactivity as "significant" can get him a get out of jail free card.
The frustrations of dealing with the system are starting to irk me. I wonder how many years it will be before I am ready to go solo?
For the last couple months, the school has had a clock counting down to the date for the tests on their website. It's counting the SECONDS until the test. Then in the last couple weeks we started getting emails reminding us of our need to do well on the tests. Notes to tell us that if kids don't test well, the school will not be allowed to renew it's charter and we'll all be stuck with no choice but return to the dreadful places from which we came.
First of all, even if the school folded I wouldn't dream of going back to our local district. I would either choose a new cyber school or do traditional homeschooling. More work, but not the end of the world.
Second, I have seen the questions on these tests. I don't think they prove much about what any child has learned. I could rant all day about the way these tests have caused endless review for most children and no real teaching in our schools, but that wouldn't change anything.
Finally, the school has decided one of the reason their test scores were down last year was because they did the testing in only 2 days. Now we will have to travel an hour away from home, arriving before 9am, for three days straight! Each day the kids will only be testing for about 2 hours. Then we drive home and come back the next day. No reimbursement for travel. I don't know what I am supposed to do while all of this is going on.
So, I sent a slightly annoyed email to our Instructional Supervisor. She soothed me with the, "I understand", but also reminded me that we signed a paper at registration that said he would take the test. She has promised to work to allow JT to take 2 sections of the test one day, so that we only have to travel 2 days. Still not a perfect solution, but improving. A friend shared an email she received from the school. Her IS pointed out that the kids will no longer be allowed to leave the room before the time is up, even if they have finished the test. They are hoping it will make the kids look over their answers again. I can tell them what JT will do.....fidget in his chair (if he even stays seated through most of the test), make noises and probably distract the other kids who are still working. I will need to find out if his psych evaluation that listed his hyperactivity as "significant" can get him a get out of jail free card.
The frustrations of dealing with the system are starting to irk me. I wonder how many years it will be before I am ready to go solo?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Consequences
One of the problems with a gifted child, especially those gifted in language, is their tendency to act like a lawyer. My parents will probably enjoy reading this post as they remember the parent curse they put me under; "I hope someday you have a child just like you!"
JT has become an expert litigator. We ask him to do something or not to do something and he can spout off every reason why he shouldn't be asked to do whatever it is. We have been dealing with this since he was able to speak. But recently, he's thrown in an exciting new twist. He no longer seems to care about consequences. Usually when JT is refusing to do assignments for school, we work towards taking away privileges. A couple days ago, he declared he didn't care if he lost his computer privileges. From there it moved towards not caring for the loss of any other fun stuff. He was determined to hold out to win the battle.
My husband has come up with a new plan that involves moving JT through a series of levels where he loses different privileges and can't regain them until he stops moving to the next level down the ladder. This seems to be helping a bit. Part of my problem has come from the fact that when JT would lose several days at a time on one bad day, I would allow him to gain back what he had lost with good behavior. I think he had decided that he could be as 'bad' as he wanted, then when he felt like it, be 'good' and regain what he had lost.
I have to admit, this was my worst week since we started cyber school. I felt miserable and did NOT want to spend another minute in the classroom. I had friends who warned me not to give up the first couple weeks we started. I wasn't prepared for this when things had been going so well. So my bit of advice to other parents is; be prepared for the low points. I believe they will come throughout the process. I've had jobs (out in the REAL world) where I wanted to give up. I didn't because I needed the money. I think it would be easier to give up here when so many people already think you are doing something unnecessary. Because I know this is so very necessary for my child, I will remember that this time in my life will be over in a flash. When the boys have gone on to succesful lives, the percentage of 'bad' days will be a small portion of the big picture. At least, I hope they will be.... :-)
JT has become an expert litigator. We ask him to do something or not to do something and he can spout off every reason why he shouldn't be asked to do whatever it is. We have been dealing with this since he was able to speak. But recently, he's thrown in an exciting new twist. He no longer seems to care about consequences. Usually when JT is refusing to do assignments for school, we work towards taking away privileges. A couple days ago, he declared he didn't care if he lost his computer privileges. From there it moved towards not caring for the loss of any other fun stuff. He was determined to hold out to win the battle.
My husband has come up with a new plan that involves moving JT through a series of levels where he loses different privileges and can't regain them until he stops moving to the next level down the ladder. This seems to be helping a bit. Part of my problem has come from the fact that when JT would lose several days at a time on one bad day, I would allow him to gain back what he had lost with good behavior. I think he had decided that he could be as 'bad' as he wanted, then when he felt like it, be 'good' and regain what he had lost.
I have to admit, this was my worst week since we started cyber school. I felt miserable and did NOT want to spend another minute in the classroom. I had friends who warned me not to give up the first couple weeks we started. I wasn't prepared for this when things had been going so well. So my bit of advice to other parents is; be prepared for the low points. I believe they will come throughout the process. I've had jobs (out in the REAL world) where I wanted to give up. I didn't because I needed the money. I think it would be easier to give up here when so many people already think you are doing something unnecessary. Because I know this is so very necessary for my child, I will remember that this time in my life will be over in a flash. When the boys have gone on to succesful lives, the percentage of 'bad' days will be a small portion of the big picture. At least, I hope they will be.... :-)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Socialization
I used to be very annoyed when someone would find out that we were about to pull our son out of traditional school and they would say, "Aren't you worried about socialization?" I would smile and say, "Not at all."
This week JT told us that he's lonely. We have had 3 weeks of happenings that have kept us from our usual out-of-the-house activities. We had sickness and bad weather. So, we have been a little high on the cabin fever scale. When we aren't trapped at home, JT has piano lessons, cub scouts and church activities that take up 4 days a week, so you can't say he isn't being 'socialized'.
I started panicking and thinking he'd be asking to go back to brick and mortar school any day now. But when he talked with my husband, JT said he likes being at home for school, but misses his friends. A fellow homeschooling mom comforted me by reminding me that being 'lonely' is different than lack of socialization. Everyone can get lonely. That is easily fixed by spending time with other people.
I made a few phone calls the next day. We are now trying to decide if JT will start both Kung Fu and drawing classes before summer starts. I don't want to go overboard, but I also want to make sure he has a chance to get out of the house on a regular basis. I enjoy being at home and would make a happy hermit. I have to remember that not everyone thrives on that alone time.
The good thing is, he doesn't want to go back to the way things used to be. We just need to stay alert to any signs that things need improvement. It's a learning experience for all of us.
This week JT told us that he's lonely. We have had 3 weeks of happenings that have kept us from our usual out-of-the-house activities. We had sickness and bad weather. So, we have been a little high on the cabin fever scale. When we aren't trapped at home, JT has piano lessons, cub scouts and church activities that take up 4 days a week, so you can't say he isn't being 'socialized'.
I started panicking and thinking he'd be asking to go back to brick and mortar school any day now. But when he talked with my husband, JT said he likes being at home for school, but misses his friends. A fellow homeschooling mom comforted me by reminding me that being 'lonely' is different than lack of socialization. Everyone can get lonely. That is easily fixed by spending time with other people.
I made a few phone calls the next day. We are now trying to decide if JT will start both Kung Fu and drawing classes before summer starts. I don't want to go overboard, but I also want to make sure he has a chance to get out of the house on a regular basis. I enjoy being at home and would make a happy hermit. I have to remember that not everyone thrives on that alone time.
The good thing is, he doesn't want to go back to the way things used to be. We just need to stay alert to any signs that things need improvement. It's a learning experience for all of us.
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