We had another good week in school. We are still waiting for a few books to arrive in the mail and I'm sort of at the end my "wing it" plan for some subjects so I'm not sure how next week will play out. Here's what we learned this week.
7th grade: In science we learned about gymosperms and angiosperms (flowering plants w/ and w/o fruit coverings). In geography we learned how and why America is the world's economic leader. Language Arts lessons were about interrogative, relative and indefinate pronouns, and review of adjectives. She also started her prewriting activities for a process essay assignment. We enjoyed learning more about Spain and the Islamic influences in our history lessons. Cordoba, Toledo and Seville are Muslim cities that we have been to which makes history really come to life after reading about them and then browsing our own photo albums. Too Cool! Math practice was all about parallelograms and triangles this week.
4th grade: We're still waiting for more curriculum that I thought for sure would have already arrived! So we basically did more of the same things we did last week. Math skip counting games and addition practice with games like, Corners, which he begged for more time to play each day (that's a good sign). Language Arts was bare bones with more cursive letter practice, daily reading sessions and a new vocabulary workbook that we started.
3rd grade: We reviewed the four types of sentences, worked on poetry memorization and some copywork for handwriting. This week, she finished reading enough books to complete the library summer reading program. Now she has a cool teeshirt to show off her reading achievement! In math we've moved onto telling time in 5 min incremints. For some reason, clock work is very confusing for her so I'm trying not to get frustrated and just take it slow and simple with her.
Combined 4th/3rd: For history we started our 13 week unit on Ancient Egypt. We learned about Mesopotania, the fertile cresent and the Nile river. How exciting that our personal photo albums have pictures of us in Egypt and by the Nile River too. Too Cool! For science we learned about cell structures. I have a fun project of making a model cell with jello, and 10 different kinds of candy to represent different organelles. We didn't have Knox gellatin in the pantry (like I thought we did) so after our next grocery run, we'll be able to do this edible science project!
All together: We read poetry by Walt Whitman and Alexander Pope. We used playdoh to learn about the differnces between Doric (male) and Ionic (female) columns as well as caryatid (female) vs. telemone (male) columns . Bible time was about the Fall of Adam and Eve.
Toddlerland: Joy and happiness! I made a list of his current vocabulary and signs over here.
Showing posts with label school reports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school reports. Show all posts
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Chrysalis Academy is in session
The school bell is ringing at our house. We need to get an early start on our curriculum because we don't want to be stressed about getting lessons done at the same time as our international move. So, even though it looks and feels like summer and IS summer...we're pulling out our books and binders and crafts and projects and CD's and notebooks and pencils and crayons, etc. (you get the idea, right?) This first week went rather well for all of us. I think I'm getting the hang of this gig because we also ate 3 meals a day and even had time for daily pool time!
In 7th grade: For Language Arts we learned about personal pronouns:demostrative,reflective, intensive,and antecedent, wrote haiku's, finished reading and discussing the book "Around the World in Eighty Days." For Science we learned about moss, and other nonvascular plants like liverworts and hornworts, seedless vascular plants like ferns and the functions of seeds, roots, stems and leaves. Geography lessons were about the U.S. landforms and climates. In history, we finished up our unit about Islam. For Math we practiced using square centimeters/inches, A=wh and P=2(w+h).
In 4th grade: We reviewed all the cursive alphabet, upper and lowercase. We continued at least 20 minutes of daily reading (although his choice of books to read does not have his teacher's approval so we'll be working on that detail over the coming weeks). For Math we reviewed calendar skills and played skip counting games.
In 3rd grade: We learned about Nouns. There is a lot to know about these kinds of words! For Math, we continued to practice telling time and understanding clocks. Each day is rounded out with 45 minute swim lessons!
I'm combining 3rd and 4th grade lessons for history and science. For history we learned what history is and what archeology is. For science we learned what anatomy is and what physiology is.
All together we learned about Greek temples, specifically the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena. We read poetry from Robert Louis Stevenson. We started each day with a bible lesson, starting in Genesis to learn about the seven days of creation. For P.E. they are all taking Kenpo (karate) classes twice a week through the summer.
In toddlerland: We learned about transportation! Isaac and I recently started attending a little Mommy & Me playgroup organized by his Early Intervention therapists. There are 4-8 kids each time with all the Mommies and 3 therapists: early development specialist, speech therapist and physical therapist. So we are in GOOD hands while we are there! Transportation will be the theme for the next 6 weeks. He loves it and even though he is the youngest, he's doing very good in this enviornment. In addition to this biweekly group, he has weekly, one-on-one physical therapy for 30min. and speech therapy for 1hour, at our house. His schedule is keeping me much busier than I ever thought a 22 month old would require. Sometimes it's difficult to juggle but mostly, I love slowing down, getting on the floor and taking the time to play with my baby during all of these structured activities of his.
In 7th grade: For Language Arts we learned about personal pronouns:demostrative,reflective, intensive,and antecedent, wrote haiku's, finished reading and discussing the book "Around the World in Eighty Days." For Science we learned about moss, and other nonvascular plants like liverworts and hornworts, seedless vascular plants like ferns and the functions of seeds, roots, stems and leaves. Geography lessons were about the U.S. landforms and climates. In history, we finished up our unit about Islam. For Math we practiced using square centimeters/inches, A=wh and P=2(w+h).
In 4th grade: We reviewed all the cursive alphabet, upper and lowercase. We continued at least 20 minutes of daily reading (although his choice of books to read does not have his teacher's approval so we'll be working on that detail over the coming weeks). For Math we reviewed calendar skills and played skip counting games.
In 3rd grade: We learned about Nouns. There is a lot to know about these kinds of words! For Math, we continued to practice telling time and understanding clocks. Each day is rounded out with 45 minute swim lessons!
I'm combining 3rd and 4th grade lessons for history and science. For history we learned what history is and what archeology is. For science we learned what anatomy is and what physiology is.
All together we learned about Greek temples, specifically the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena. We read poetry from Robert Louis Stevenson. We started each day with a bible lesson, starting in Genesis to learn about the seven days of creation. For P.E. they are all taking Kenpo (karate) classes twice a week through the summer.
In toddlerland: We learned about transportation! Isaac and I recently started attending a little Mommy & Me playgroup organized by his Early Intervention therapists. There are 4-8 kids each time with all the Mommies and 3 therapists: early development specialist, speech therapist and physical therapist. So we are in GOOD hands while we are there! Transportation will be the theme for the next 6 weeks. He loves it and even though he is the youngest, he's doing very good in this enviornment. In addition to this biweekly group, he has weekly, one-on-one physical therapy for 30min. and speech therapy for 1hour, at our house. His schedule is keeping me much busier than I ever thought a 22 month old would require. Sometimes it's difficult to juggle but mostly, I love slowing down, getting on the floor and taking the time to play with my baby during all of these structured activities of his.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Cruise-cation Journals
Camryn's vacation letter
Thinking of you during the holidays, I’d like to share my vacation memories with you since you might remember that we went on a cruise last month. Out of the many places we went to, Egypt is the most widely known. Excitedly, I am going to tell you about some of the things we did there because I had so much fun. I’m going to tell you about the exotic pyramids which we went into, the fun souvenirs we bought, and the impressive Egyptian Museum. I loved Egypt!
The first thing we wanted to find in Egypt was the pyramids. The three popular pyramids are perfectly placed on the outskirts of Cairo. Actually, we went inside the second largest one which is Cheops pyramid. Inside the pyramid, it was very difficult to walk since the ceiling was so low. At the end of the tunnel was a room with an empty coffin because the local Egyptians have removed the body and treasures. It was also quite hot and smelly inside. Seeing the outside edges of the pyramids, we discovered that they were all rough, bumpy and uneven. The Egyptian pyramids are awesome!
Shopping for souvenirs is how we spent our second day in Egypt. My favorite souvenir is a small black figurine, which is a cat, because it also has the word “Egypt” roughly carved into it. Surprisingly, Mom and Sloan both got belly dancing outfits while we were shopping. I bought a sparkly red head covering instead of the whole outfit. Would you like to see a picture of us all dressed up? We eagerly bought two magnetic scarab beetles. The red one is mine and the blue one is for Dad. I also have a small painting of Queen Nefertiti, who was the wife of King Tut. Among all of this, I still have 25 Egyptian cents or piastres. I love my Egyptian souvenirs.
Before we left Cairo, we curiously toured the Egyptian Museum. Seeing the many treasures of King Tut was the highlight here. Amazingly we noticed the diapers that King Tut used when he was a baby. He must have had big feet because his sandals were as long as Isaac’s leg. We saw the mummifying tables for King Tut too. That was gross! Last but not least, we saw the small statues of the common people which now teach us about how the common Egyptian people lived. The museum tour could have taken many hours although we were happy with everything we saw in just one hour.
If we travel to Egypt again, you’ll have to come with us! Out of the pyramids, souvenirs and the museum, the impressive pyramids were the best because we saw it from the inside and outside. Vacationing in Egypt, which was only one of the many places we went during our cruise, was totally awesome. Hopefully I will see you again soon. I love you!
----------------------------------------------------
Ethan’s Vacation Journal November, 2009
Today we flew in the airplane. We got off the plane and my Mom and I were waiting for Uncle Cameron. Then we all got into the taxi’s. Then we drove to our apartment and got some food and went to bed.
Today we got out of bed and got dressed and went down stairs to eat. After we ate we came back to the apartment and figured out what today for the day and then Cameron said he saw something on the way here. It was a big cathedral and it started about 100 years ago and they are still working on it.
Today we get on the Norwegian Jade. It is a very big ship. Well first we got on the ship and found out that we couldn’t get in the rooms for some weird reason. We had some luggage so we went to the luggage place then we went into town.
Today I had to go to the gym to work out because a friend of my Dad’s gained 25 pounds on this same ship. After we got done we went to the pool. First we went to the hot tub and I saw Dallas and we raced down the slide and I won.
Today in Rome, we got off the ship and went to St. Peter’s square. A bunch of Chinese people took pictures of us like we were famous. Then we went into the cathedral and we found out that if we were in a different cathedral and looked at each picture for 60 seconds, it would take nine years! Then we got on the metro and it took us to the Coliseum. Uncle Cameron went inside because he hasn’t seen it before. We didn’t because we’ve already seen it. Then we went back to the ship.
Today we didn’t get off the ship because it’s a sea day. But we did go to the pool and I ate a whole bunch of pasta. I went back to my cabin and did stuff, then ate lunch, then back to the pool to swim a bit. Then it was time for dinner and I ate more pasta. When I was done I went to bed.
Today we are in Greece. We got off the ship and got on the hop-on-hop-off-bus. We went to the Parthenon, which is a big broken down building with many pillars. We could see the Temple of Zeus but we didn’t get really close to it. There were a bunch of lazy dogs laying around on the sidewalks.
Today we went to Turkey. We went to see Ephesus. It had a big broken down library with a bunch of pillars and an awesome view. Then we went to a place with a bunch of kittens. I got to touch a lot. It was very cool. We also ate some Turkish Delight candy, looked at rugs, saw the knives they used to make rugs, ate at the rug store, then got back on the tour bus to take us back to the ship.
Today I stayed on the ship and went to the kids club. I saw my friends and my sister’s saw their friends. Then I made a poster about pollution. We also watched a movie about pollution.
Today I was in Egypt. I had a tour with my friend James and had a lot of fun on the tour bus. First we went to see the ancient pyramids and got to go inside the second one. It was really hot and small. The entrance was really short and I had to bend down to get inside. We also saw the sphinx and I got some limestone rocks. I also learned that King Tut became king at age 9 and died at 19 years old. We saw lots of his treasures in the museum of ancient history. Then the bus ride was three hours.
Today we were still in Egypt but we didn’t do much. All we did was get some souvenirs and got back on the ship. I did some writing and my Mom took a nap.
Today it was a sea day. I went into Tree Tops, which is a kid’s club thing. My parents and sisters went to the pool. When they got done with the pool they came to pick me up and it was time to go to bed.
Today we got off the ship. We went to Malta. We took a rental car and drove around the island. We went to the ruins of a church that was older than the pyramids. Then it was time to go back to the ship.
----------------------------------------------------
Sloan’s Vacation Journal ~ November 12-26, 2009
Today we got ready and we went on lots of taxi’s and then we went on this big boat that’s called Norwegian Jade. The next day we were in Rome. We also took lots of taxi’s there. Also on the ship, there is a pool and Wii Sport games and TreeTops which is a fun place for kids to play. The teachers in TreeTops have funny names like Silly, Scooter, Penquino, Cheddar Cheese, Turkey, Razzle Dazzle, Gooey, Icky Sticky, Bear, and that’s it. Also in Barcelona, we went on these weird cars that’s like a box that goes on the cord to see around the city. It’s called a cable car.
The next day we went to Athens, Greece. We climbed up a big hill with a bunch of rocks. We went with another family named the Goodson’s. That’s their last name. Then we got on the hop-on-hop-off bus and I fell asleep. We saw the Parthenon and the Temple of Zeus. And we also had a gyro to eat. It’s not like the money, euro, but it sounds like the same name.
The next day we went to Turkey to see Izmir and the old city of Ephesus. We went to this place and we ate. While we ate we watched two men showing us handmade rugs. One was made (actually three) were made with silk on silk. You should have felt it because it felt so good I wanted to sleep on it. So I laid down and I started getting tired but then Daddy called me. At first the tour guide showed us a little machine that has very thin string and little bugs called silk worms were in the machine. Then the lady stepped on the peddle to make the silk turn into tiny string, then she had a brush to squiggle on the silk worm cocoons, bring it up to see the strings and cocoons. Then I think she stepped on another step to stir and move the silk worms. That was pretty cool.
Today we stayed on the ship. I went in the pool and I saw Sabrina and I taught another girl, named Avery, how to swim, I also saw Kelsey at the pool. We went on the slide ten times.
Today we were in Egypt. We went to ride a camel and my mom and I rode the same camel. The weird thing about camels is that their knees bend backward which is really weird. We also saw the three ancient pyramids. There was the oldest one and the tallest one. Inside the pyramid was a few weird steps that looked like this. Then we were in the middle and we saw where the King was dead. But he was not in his tomb. When we came out of the pyramid, as we were going away from the pyramid, a guy said, “One dollar” but my Dad didn’t understand because he thought it was for an Egypt cat. But then the guy said it was $20. It was funny. My Dad did buy the cat.
Day two in Egypt. Today we got off the ship and we saw a little set up store and I went up to a little necklace place and I saw the beautiful necklaces. My Dad bought a necklace for me! It was a purple diamond and when it moves in the brightness of sun it has red, pink, light blue, dark blue, purple and light green.
Today we are at sea. We jumped in the pool and went to TreeTops, went in the hot tub and down the slide six times. I ate French fries and a cool dessert with a pink pludgy inside ~blah~ The middle had a red ~blah~ stuff, hee/hee. French fries taste good in it. This is what it looked like.
Today we were in Malta. We went in a convertible car. It’s like a car with no roof! With the Goodson’s we went to this little place of very old houses, older then the pyramids. Then we came to another one. When we walked up the big hill, Ethan and I played a game that everyone else was monsters so we ran up the hill. We got so tired we had to lay on the floor. Then I ran again before the Goodson’s catched up with me. I ran and found comfortable rocks so I rested on them.
The next day we came home! I was so sad because I didn’t want Uncle Cameron to leave. I actually started to cry in the airport. When we got home and I saw Costas, I gave him a BIG, BIG hug. A few days later we set up our Christmas tree.
Thinking of you during the holidays, I’d like to share my vacation memories with you since you might remember that we went on a cruise last month. Out of the many places we went to, Egypt is the most widely known. Excitedly, I am going to tell you about some of the things we did there because I had so much fun. I’m going to tell you about the exotic pyramids which we went into, the fun souvenirs we bought, and the impressive Egyptian Museum. I loved Egypt!
The first thing we wanted to find in Egypt was the pyramids. The three popular pyramids are perfectly placed on the outskirts of Cairo. Actually, we went inside the second largest one which is Cheops pyramid. Inside the pyramid, it was very difficult to walk since the ceiling was so low. At the end of the tunnel was a room with an empty coffin because the local Egyptians have removed the body and treasures. It was also quite hot and smelly inside. Seeing the outside edges of the pyramids, we discovered that they were all rough, bumpy and uneven. The Egyptian pyramids are awesome!
Shopping for souvenirs is how we spent our second day in Egypt. My favorite souvenir is a small black figurine, which is a cat, because it also has the word “Egypt” roughly carved into it. Surprisingly, Mom and Sloan both got belly dancing outfits while we were shopping. I bought a sparkly red head covering instead of the whole outfit. Would you like to see a picture of us all dressed up? We eagerly bought two magnetic scarab beetles. The red one is mine and the blue one is for Dad. I also have a small painting of Queen Nefertiti, who was the wife of King Tut. Among all of this, I still have 25 Egyptian cents or piastres. I love my Egyptian souvenirs.
Before we left Cairo, we curiously toured the Egyptian Museum. Seeing the many treasures of King Tut was the highlight here. Amazingly we noticed the diapers that King Tut used when he was a baby. He must have had big feet because his sandals were as long as Isaac’s leg. We saw the mummifying tables for King Tut too. That was gross! Last but not least, we saw the small statues of the common people which now teach us about how the common Egyptian people lived. The museum tour could have taken many hours although we were happy with everything we saw in just one hour.
If we travel to Egypt again, you’ll have to come with us! Out of the pyramids, souvenirs and the museum, the impressive pyramids were the best because we saw it from the inside and outside. Vacationing in Egypt, which was only one of the many places we went during our cruise, was totally awesome. Hopefully I will see you again soon. I love you!
----------------------------------------------------
Ethan’s Vacation Journal November, 2009
Today we flew in the airplane. We got off the plane and my Mom and I were waiting for Uncle Cameron. Then we all got into the taxi’s. Then we drove to our apartment and got some food and went to bed.
Today we got out of bed and got dressed and went down stairs to eat. After we ate we came back to the apartment and figured out what today for the day and then Cameron said he saw something on the way here. It was a big cathedral and it started about 100 years ago and they are still working on it.
Today we get on the Norwegian Jade. It is a very big ship. Well first we got on the ship and found out that we couldn’t get in the rooms for some weird reason. We had some luggage so we went to the luggage place then we went into town.
Today I had to go to the gym to work out because a friend of my Dad’s gained 25 pounds on this same ship. After we got done we went to the pool. First we went to the hot tub and I saw Dallas and we raced down the slide and I won.
Today in Rome, we got off the ship and went to St. Peter’s square. A bunch of Chinese people took pictures of us like we were famous. Then we went into the cathedral and we found out that if we were in a different cathedral and looked at each picture for 60 seconds, it would take nine years! Then we got on the metro and it took us to the Coliseum. Uncle Cameron went inside because he hasn’t seen it before. We didn’t because we’ve already seen it. Then we went back to the ship.
Today we didn’t get off the ship because it’s a sea day. But we did go to the pool and I ate a whole bunch of pasta. I went back to my cabin and did stuff, then ate lunch, then back to the pool to swim a bit. Then it was time for dinner and I ate more pasta. When I was done I went to bed.
Today we are in Greece. We got off the ship and got on the hop-on-hop-off-bus. We went to the Parthenon, which is a big broken down building with many pillars. We could see the Temple of Zeus but we didn’t get really close to it. There were a bunch of lazy dogs laying around on the sidewalks.
Today we went to Turkey. We went to see Ephesus. It had a big broken down library with a bunch of pillars and an awesome view. Then we went to a place with a bunch of kittens. I got to touch a lot. It was very cool. We also ate some Turkish Delight candy, looked at rugs, saw the knives they used to make rugs, ate at the rug store, then got back on the tour bus to take us back to the ship.
Today I stayed on the ship and went to the kids club. I saw my friends and my sister’s saw their friends. Then I made a poster about pollution. We also watched a movie about pollution.
Today I was in Egypt. I had a tour with my friend James and had a lot of fun on the tour bus. First we went to see the ancient pyramids and got to go inside the second one. It was really hot and small. The entrance was really short and I had to bend down to get inside. We also saw the sphinx and I got some limestone rocks. I also learned that King Tut became king at age 9 and died at 19 years old. We saw lots of his treasures in the museum of ancient history. Then the bus ride was three hours.
Today we were still in Egypt but we didn’t do much. All we did was get some souvenirs and got back on the ship. I did some writing and my Mom took a nap.
Today it was a sea day. I went into Tree Tops, which is a kid’s club thing. My parents and sisters went to the pool. When they got done with the pool they came to pick me up and it was time to go to bed.
Today we got off the ship. We went to Malta. We took a rental car and drove around the island. We went to the ruins of a church that was older than the pyramids. Then it was time to go back to the ship.
----------------------------------------------------
Sloan’s Vacation Journal ~ November 12-26, 2009
Today we got ready and we went on lots of taxi’s and then we went on this big boat that’s called Norwegian Jade. The next day we were in Rome. We also took lots of taxi’s there. Also on the ship, there is a pool and Wii Sport games and TreeTops which is a fun place for kids to play. The teachers in TreeTops have funny names like Silly, Scooter, Penquino, Cheddar Cheese, Turkey, Razzle Dazzle, Gooey, Icky Sticky, Bear, and that’s it. Also in Barcelona, we went on these weird cars that’s like a box that goes on the cord to see around the city. It’s called a cable car.
The next day we went to Athens, Greece. We climbed up a big hill with a bunch of rocks. We went with another family named the Goodson’s. That’s their last name. Then we got on the hop-on-hop-off bus and I fell asleep. We saw the Parthenon and the Temple of Zeus. And we also had a gyro to eat. It’s not like the money, euro, but it sounds like the same name.
The next day we went to Turkey to see Izmir and the old city of Ephesus. We went to this place and we ate. While we ate we watched two men showing us handmade rugs. One was made (actually three) were made with silk on silk. You should have felt it because it felt so good I wanted to sleep on it. So I laid down and I started getting tired but then Daddy called me. At first the tour guide showed us a little machine that has very thin string and little bugs called silk worms were in the machine. Then the lady stepped on the peddle to make the silk turn into tiny string, then she had a brush to squiggle on the silk worm cocoons, bring it up to see the strings and cocoons. Then I think she stepped on another step to stir and move the silk worms. That was pretty cool.
Today we stayed on the ship. I went in the pool and I saw Sabrina and I taught another girl, named Avery, how to swim, I also saw Kelsey at the pool. We went on the slide ten times.
Today we were in Egypt. We went to ride a camel and my mom and I rode the same camel. The weird thing about camels is that their knees bend backward which is really weird. We also saw the three ancient pyramids. There was the oldest one and the tallest one. Inside the pyramid was a few weird steps that looked like this. Then we were in the middle and we saw where the King was dead. But he was not in his tomb. When we came out of the pyramid, as we were going away from the pyramid, a guy said, “One dollar” but my Dad didn’t understand because he thought it was for an Egypt cat. But then the guy said it was $20. It was funny. My Dad did buy the cat.
Day two in Egypt. Today we got off the ship and we saw a little set up store and I went up to a little necklace place and I saw the beautiful necklaces. My Dad bought a necklace for me! It was a purple diamond and when it moves in the brightness of sun it has red, pink, light blue, dark blue, purple and light green.
Today we are at sea. We jumped in the pool and went to TreeTops, went in the hot tub and down the slide six times. I ate French fries and a cool dessert with a pink pludgy inside ~blah~ The middle had a red ~blah~ stuff, hee/hee. French fries taste good in it. This is what it looked like.
Today we were in Malta. We went in a convertible car. It’s like a car with no roof! With the Goodson’s we went to this little place of very old houses, older then the pyramids. Then we came to another one. When we walked up the big hill, Ethan and I played a game that everyone else was monsters so we ran up the hill. We got so tired we had to lay on the floor. Then I ran again before the Goodson’s catched up with me. I ran and found comfortable rocks so I rested on them.
The next day we came home! I was so sad because I didn’t want Uncle Cameron to leave. I actually started to cry in the airport. When we got home and I saw Costas, I gave him a BIG, BIG hug. A few days later we set up our Christmas tree.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
focusing on the Master Teacher
Our homeschool started up with new resolve and dedication, last week. We are working through new routines, new curriculum, and new schedules. Ethan started full time school at DGF this week. We all participated in our first ever, "first day of public school." I'm feeling a bit conflicted about stretching our family into different worlds. I'll actually be balancing three worlds at once within the next month: homeschool, public school, new baby. My blood sugar levels were not good today. Maybe it's stress related. It's certainly a busy week for me so far and it's only Tuesday night. After getting up in the middle of restless sleep, I've plopped down to peruse the Internet a little. Here's a link to something that I am grateful to have woken up to read. I'll ponder these ideas as I start my day out (in a few hours).http://aholyexperience.com/2008/08/how-would-jesus-teach.html
"Lord, make me a teacher like You---natural, captivating, enlightening, loving--godly. I want to teach like You would. Let "WWJD" guide me into being a teacher after Your own heart."
Thursday, June 12, 2008
In a Week: Thursday
Sloan's last day of Kindergarten class.
Ethan's new summer responsibility! (he loves it)
After work, Travis tested our automatic sprinkler system. Seems to work well now. We will have a fun summer in our yard!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
grapevines
When we moved into our house, there was a stubby stick, stuck in the corner of our courtyard garden. We were told that grapevines grow up and around the entire courtyard wall each summer. For a science project, the kids and I documented it's growth throughout the month of April with weekly photos. Boy, has it grown fast! 
It continues to rapidly grow since this last shot. The vines are now almost long enough to secure along the top wires around the courtyard walls. It looks like a big, uncontrolled bush at this point. I'll take another picture on the first of June to see the growth after a month from this last picture.
It continues to rapidly grow since this last shot. The vines are now almost long enough to secure along the top wires around the courtyard walls. It looks like a big, uncontrolled bush at this point. I'll take another picture on the first of June to see the growth after a month from this last picture.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Writing Class
Camryn has been focusing on her writing skills for the last couple months, with the help of the I.E.W. program. We decided to include a friend to join our writing lessons. Together, Camryn and Doris, have improved their skills and have become great friends. Here are a few of Camryn's paragraph assignments.Shadows
Darkness was setting in. Lights hanging from poles turned on which stood by a tree that cast a strange shadow.
Wise Sayings
Once there was a young boy who found a pitcher full of nuts and he willingly reached in and grabbed a handful and tried to pull out his fist, but his fist was bulging so much that he could not get it out and he was unwilling to drop any of the nuts and he burst into tears. A nearby girl heard him and told him wisely, "if you will be satisfied with fewer nuts, than you would be able to get your hand free." Sometimes you must give up a little to get what you wish.
A Numerous Population
Dolphins migrate in the summer and the fall. During the fall they migrate south because they need to follow the food source. They consume fish, squid and cod. In the Spring, the dolphins mate and the babies are born a year later which means the females are pregnant for a year. Since they migrate to warmer waters, the babies are more comfortable. Dolphins continually migrate year round so they can mate, if they didn't then their numerous population would fail.
A Race to the Place
Books are exciting because you can have adventures when you read them. They are made with many words and printed on papers. The problem with loving to read is that when you reach the end of a wonderful book you will desperately want to read another one. Without extra books to read you will have to race to the library and get another one, which is not always convenient.
Monday, March 3, 2008
School news
I'm doing some unexpected things with my kids lately. I'm sending them to public school! (above is an arial view of the campus and a little of the base housing neighborhood) Well, let me explain. the on-base public school welcomes homeschoolers to register with them so the kids can be involved with the extra curricular classes offered and for any before or after school programs, assemblies, library usage, etc. It also give the school more funding each year, so we both benefit without extra obligations. So, I signed them up and have them involved with the weekly music, art, host nation and spanish language classes. Camryn and Sloan go on Thursdays and they love it but are addament that they don't want to go anymore than once a week. So home education is working very well for them. So far, it's been a very positive experience for all of us. Ethan is the one taking a totally new path. He's going to public school full time, every day. Travis and I struggle with trying to figure out his unique learning needs and have come to the decision that we need outside, "professional" help with him right now. I'd rather not turn to the school, but living in a foriegn country puts limitations on options that are available for us. They offer a one-on one,daily, reading recovery program that he got into that goes through the end of the school year. He loves it and his attitude towards learning and sitting down for school work has been very positive. So he's going to finish up the school year there and then I'll work with him during the summer before we decide what to do for next fall. He's reading and writing much better already. Something just clicks right with him in the public school setting and I'm thrilled to see the progress. I'm also having him tested for some develpmental issues that I wonder about but the school wants him to finish the reading program before they make any additional referrals. I really miss having him with me each day but I think this will prove to be best for him at this point.There is a small homeschooling community of about 10 families on base. It's nice and we love getting together but it's very small and not as active as our other groups have been. However, the military community is unique from other bases we've lived on (or near). Besides the elective classes from the base school, we have a family support program that is a lot like a concierge service. They offer support in every area of family life including language translators, various classes, counseling, and weekly field trips. So by attending thier Spanish field trips once or twice a month and the monthly activities with homeschool friends it works out pretty well. We end up having a nice full schedule with lots of socialization, cultural experiences, and educational supplements.
The girls and I have a nice daily routine now too. With only one car, we spend more time than I'd like driving everyone around but this is basically how our days go. We take Travis to work in the early morning, then back home to get ready for the day. Then we take Ethan to his school, then back home for math, spelling, phonics, writing etc. After lunch we do history or science, reading and housework. By this time Ethan is ready to be picked up so we get him, play at a park for an hour or go to the library, then pick up Travis, stop by the Commisary if necessary and back home for dinner, homework, stories, baths, bed... All in a days work!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
He's reading!
I am so happy to report that Ethan is now (dare I say) "a reader!" He has struggled for quite a while with the basic phonics needed for beginning reading. In the last couple of months, he has finally figured it out and our reading sessions are going sooo much better! Whew, this is a milestone we are happy to be crossing over. His goal since Jan 1st has been to read for 15 minutes each day. Sometimes, that 15 minutes actually takes 1/2 hour because I won't count the looking at picutres or wiggling around or other distractions. He has a timer that we use and while he's actually reading, the time ticks away. But lately, he's been reading past the required time! Oh, joy! I love hearing him read to me (finally).
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