Jump to content

Menu

Plucky

Members
  • Posts

    5,256
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Plucky

  1. We are always coming and going as well.

     

    When we really sit down and eat together though it is hysterical. Lots of talking, usually quizzing each other on whatever we are studying - the kids are more into it than us parents. Its just so much fun and makes me smile. We should probably work on our manners more though, I've seen more than one of my children shout out an answer with food in their mouths. I hate to scold them though when they are so enthusiastic. Plus, we are making great memories.

  2. Hmmm, we are Church-on-Sunday Christians. Actually, often we are family-devotional-at-home Christians, too. I think anything you do to bring you into a closer relationship with God is wonderful. Its really all about relationship with God and it doesn't have to be a formal tradition, but those are good, too, so don't think those of us that only go once a week are any less for it. I've found a closer walk from actually pulling away some from a lot of organized meetings.

  3. My ds is just finishing up the 8th grade course. We jumped into that one because he was a reluctant writer and I just wasn't following through with adequate writing instruction. 8th grade is foundational and they covered most of the different types of essays. Most of the essays are revised twice and our teacher is very good at giving detailed critiques of work while also being very encouraging.

     

    I don't know much about the essay workshop. They have goals and objectives as well as well as a complete syllabus on their website. They usually evaluate the student from their first assignment and work from there.

     

    My son started in the fall and it wasn't until January that he started spitting out good essays in a timely manner. I was so tickled. Feel free to contact Don Myhill or even your son's teacher. I was discouraged at first and sent her a message. She was very helpful.

     

    I think Write@home is particularly good for the reluctant writer or mom that can't seem to follow through with writing instruction. That was my weakness as a teacher and so I'm very glad to be using a program that keeps us both accountable and really catches errors I might not have.

     

    If your son needs help with essays I think Write@home will definitely help. Post again when the quarter is up and tell me how its worked out for him.

  4. I am planning on using Lightning Lit American Literature, both semesters and also Write@home. This may be 1 1/2-2 hours of work a day. It seems like this will be a lot but thorough.

     

    We did 8th grade LL & Write@home this year and his writing really improved. I'm having to cut some of the worksheets out of LL because its just too much to do in a day and get everything else done.

     

    Does this look like a reasonable course load? Any other ideas out there for English composition and literature? I'm very open to other's experiences and opinions. Is there a better option for literature out there that is more analysis and reading and less worksheet-like?

     

    I'm trying really hard to educate this incredible kid that is a very motivated student without burning him out. He's more a math and science kid, too, if that helps.

  5. I lived through this with my dd, too. Both my older kids tend towards perfectionism. My dd though had it bad.

     

    We butted heads in piano and schoolwork. She had meltdowns with her teacher as well. You're handling it right. Most of it is talking, talking, talking when she is calmed down about how everyone makes mistakes, no one is perfect, we learn only through mistakes, etc. We talked about all the famous inventors and how very many failures they experienced - thousand of mistakes all put to good use.

     

    When she started to lose it I'd send her to her room to calm down. Then when she was calm we'd talk and go over whatever we were doing previously. It took time but with patience and maturity she got over it. So I would say most of it is maturity.

     

    Hang in there and keep loving, training, and talking to her. She will outgrow most of this behavior and will be far better adjusted from your hard work with her. :)

  6. You can't keep life from interfering in school.

     

    I've been homeschooling 9 years and life has always interfered. Today, we have a snow day here. It rarely snows here period much less in Spring. But the kids are making snowmen and clamoring for hot chocolate. That is more important right now. This afternoon I'll have them do a lesson in math each.

     

    I try to keep certain school hours sacred. I don't answer the phone during this time. That means that my house isn't always spotless (its usually an hour away from extremely tidy at all times). In 365 days a year, a child can get a good education. We work far into summer most years and it probably won't get any better since we are entering high school.

     

    The great thing about life interfering is being able to model real life skills to kids. When grandma is sick we deal with it. We also try to do our core work during this time. Just like I have to throw a load of laundry in and do dishes.

     

    I've had so many crises happen and my kids are still doing great. If you see a particular weakness then make that a priority. Make sure you are homeschooling in a way that benefits your kids and you and not following someone else's paradigm of what homeschooling should be. Homeschooling isn't easy but it is so worth it even when it seems like its one step forward, two steps back. I think we forget often that its normal for kids developmentally and even for adults to learn in spurts. Its not always streamlined and neat.

     

    Anyway, I haven't read the other posts and my kids are bugging me to see their snow designs. I hope I've helped a little.

  7. They wanted the kids in public school so that any abuse could be documented. Yes, two of the older kids are in foster care. There are only 2 kids at home that are school age. I'd link the court documentation of the abuse but it looks like CA pulled it. I wish I had copied it to show you. I am extremely pro-homeschooling but if I were the judge I wouldn't let these people homeschool based on court records of abuse. BTW, the father isn't living at home. He's not allowed.

×
×
  • Create New...