Accountability: 5/29-6/4

[Critterfixer]

This is our last week of break before summer term starts. So we are trying to make it count. Today we are going to a creek to swim and play with the homemade coracles, and then I may try to get in some good writing this afternoon. We have a chance of rain all week, so it may be another week for some reading and writing. The boys have picked a few GF recipes to try out this week in the kitchen. And we might pick blueberries some time this week. Should be fun.

[mama25angels]

Critter, your week definitely sounds like it should be fun! I'm sitting up in bed trying to decide if I'm going to church or not, my tummy is bothering me and has been most of the night, I'm just grateful I was able to still sleep. I don't quite know what our plans are for next week, I know there will be some math and at least music practice. I snagged a copy of Disnne Craft's Brain Integration manual from the classifieds board and I'm anxiously waiting for it to arrive in the mean time, I've been readin the articles at her website and now I'm even more anxious to get the book and read it. I'm hoping that the exercises will help my older boys handwriting, spelling and writing, at the very least I don't think it will hurt him. Also, I'm seeing some letter reversals in my youngest and if I can straighten it out now, I'd like to do that.

[Critterfixer]

Our outing to the creek yesterday was a success. The boys rode some rapids, played with other kids in the water, floated their homemade boats, almost grabbed hold of a small snake in a tree before it swam off, and explored under the waterfalls (the water was like ice under there!) Good fun and DH and I just sat around and relaxed.

Today I want to write, and do a little housekeeping. DH plans to mow. Other than that, I think it's shaping up to be a restful day.

[Critterfixer]

I was going to go pick blueberries this morning. However, the farm got picked out yesterday by the hordes of hungry blueberry gobblers. So I'll go tomorrow in the rain. So there.

Amended daily schedule-I think the boys will do a little math, review a little Latin grammar and call that good. I have some housekeeping to do, and writing. One more week of break and then I've got to get back to school.

[Sahamamama]

We did a combination of things last week, but I don't remember if I posted here about it! LOL. Oh, well, we were busy enough and last week is history now. Here's what's cooking now:

 

Sunday 5/29

Church

Rest

 

Monday 5/30

Cleaning, laundry, rabbits, exercise

Girls did some independent school work, while I started planning next year's Science (chemistry).

 

Tuesday 5/31

Regular chores, meals, laundry, pets, exercise, hygiene

School Work --

• 5th Grade Independent Work: Reading (with writing), Vocabulary, Spelling, Instrument Practice
• 3rd Grade Independent Work: Reading (with writing), Vocabulary, Instrument Practice
• 5th Grade Tutor Time: Composition, Grammar Review
• 3rd Grade Tutor Time: Composition, Grammar Review, Spelling
• Group Work: Artist Study, History Lesson, Book Club Read Aloud

Pack-Rat Daughter must spend at least one hour sorting through the huge pile of "stuff" that we took out of her bedroom on Saturday & dumped in the play room (five full laundry baskets). It doesn't all go back in the bedroom. :toetap05: Her clothes are all completely sorted & neatly stowed, so I know exactly where her wardrobe is now. I think we can keep up with the growth spurts! :thumbup1: I'm pretty happy about the new clothes we bought her (so nice to find things that fit & look good, too), and I actually managed to sew a few pretty skirts (amazing, really, that I did that).

 

But the STUFF! It was like an atomic mass of unfathomable proportions. It was practically radioactive in there. So it came out.

 

Example:

 

This is a little neon orange post-it note, written on with fuschia crayon. It is a love note to her sister's three-inch stuffed hamster, from "Aunt Sugar Lump." [picture the note]

 

This is me, incredulous that they all agree, it must be kept. :huh: [imagine this face, plus enormous curly hair]

 

Along with every Polly Pocket shoe, every scrap of paper, every snip of yarn, every bead, every gel pen, every CAP of every gel pen, every hairband, every comb, every brush, every piece of card stock (she crafts), every sticker. The stickers alone could form an eighth continent.

 

Five laundry baskets went down to the play room. My limit for the return trip to the bedroom is two baskets, no exceptions. Tough Mommy.

 

Anyone else have a Pack-Rat? Sympathy, please?

[Sahamamama]

Oh, and I also learned this week that our homeschool name, "Daughters of Joy," translates into French as "prostitutes."

 

Lovely.

[Sahamamama]

And one more thought, totally inappropriate for public disclosure, but here goes:

 

 

I'm in the bedroom one morning last week, and just as my husband took off his HEPA-filtered CPAP mask, I passed a little gas (it happens).

 

We were out of orange spray, so I quickly sprayed a bit of perfume into the air, thinking that might help. :blushing:

 

He says, "Oh, great. Now it smells like Elizabeth Taylor farted in the bedroom." :biggrinjester:

[Jean in Newcastle]

Oh, and I also learned this week that our homeschool name, "Daughters of Joy," translates into French as "prostitutes."

 

Lovely.

 

:scared:

[EmilyGF]

We have two more weeks. Two more full weeks and then we're heading away for five weeks of vacation. I'm trying to make these weeks count!

 

I want to be purposeful about our nature journals and German because they've gotten the short shrift recently.

 

Emily

[Sahamamama]

We have two more weeks. Two more full weeks and then we're heading away for five weeks of vacation. I'm trying to make these weeks count!

 

I want to be purposeful about our nature journals and German because they've gotten the short shrift recently.

 

Emily

 

What do you use for German? :bigear:

 

[Critterfixer]

 

Anyone else have a Pack-Rat? Sympathy, please?

 

I have a paper hoarder and a project hoarder and a pile of stuffed animals that do fit in a box, but only if they are stacked halfway up the wall. :001_rolleyes:

 

 

Oh, and I also learned this week that our homeschool name, "Daughters of Joy," translates into French as "prostitutes."

 

 

:laugh: Oh, no! 

I keep threatening to name our homeschool Renaissance Redneck Academy of Central Arkansas, but I think I'd get shot down for that one.

 

[Sahamamama]

:laugh: Oh, no! 

I keep threatening to name our homeschool Renaissance Redneck Academy of Central Arkansas, but I think I'd get shot down for that one.

 

I asked them, "What do you think we should name it?" All three of them simultaneously said, "Dopey-Geeky-Doofus Academy." I think they had had practice saying this, for some reason unknown to me.

 

What's notable here is how fitting that name actually is.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Tuesday - A good school day was had by all.  Ds reports that his final paper is coming along very well.  Dd started a new lit. book.  It is yet another new lit. guide with yet another approach but having varying approaches seems to be a good thing.  I am actually now seeing that dd can do a lot with these lit. guides that somehow she would shut down and not do for me if I simply asked her the questions. 

[EmilyGF]

A helpful robin stood on our fence for about 15 minutes preening. The older kids and I had time to draw it! Whoot for our Nature Journals. 

 

I managed to speak in German to my kids during lunch. I used to speak German all afternoon to them but got tired (it is mentally exhausting to speak a second language for hours on end without other input). Ideally, I'd be speaking German at least a few hours a day again. 

 

Emily

[mama25angels]

Yesterday we went to the library, I paid bills and I received my Dianne Craft BIT manual in the mail. I dove in and began reading right away and learned a good bit abou learning gates, some of it I didn't totally get so I'll be reading it again with pen and paper close by for lots of notes. I'm hoping to implement a few of the exercises as early as next week.

[Critterfixer]

I picked two gallons of blueberries at the blueberry farm, and drooled over the unripened blackberries. They need some heat and some sun to do their thing; they should get it next week. After the boys take their baths, I think we will do a little math and get started on the cooking project for the day. One boy wants to make a chocolate pie, and the other a lemon tart. So we'll do the pie today. Lots of chilling and setting with that one. Other than that, it's a cloudy, probably rainy day. I think we'll write when we aren't cooking.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Wed. -

 

I mentally predicted, wrongly, that dd would have tears over the chapter summary she was asked to give in lit.  But amazingly, there were no tears!  I think that one super good thing is that this lit. guide spells out what to include in the summary (ie. include a description of his first night in the wilderness. . . , his fir

st shelter and his first hunt.)  I think that makes it more tangible to her than simply having to choose what to include.  I am so happy that there were no tears and no panic attack!  She wrote and wrote and wrote! 

 

Math and science went smoothly as well.

 

I read and gave feedback on ds' first draft of his final lit. paper.  It was a good paper but he will have to give me some more.  (My mom says that I'm "that mean teacher who makes you do more".  ;)  )

[mama25angels]

Since nearly everyone is winding down the year or at least taking a small break, I think this would be the perfect time for an accountables year in review.

 

What went well for you this year? What things will you be changing for next year? Do you have your curriculum chosen for next year? Are you a planner? How will you be preparing for next year? I will come back and post my answers!

[Critterfixer]

What went well for you this year? What things will you be changing for next year? Do you have your curriculum chosen for next year? Are you a planner? How will you be preparing for next year? 

 

We had a good year. I can't think of anything that was just terrible. Writing went very well. I've got most of next year settled, except for my chronic internal debate: to logic or not to logic. I've got things I need to plan for next year, but I may take most of the summer term to do it. 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Dd told me today that Khan academy is no longer working for her.  So we're going to put that aside and will concentrate on shoring up a few problem areas with the Key to books.  I was going to do something different for high school anyway. 

[mama25angels]

Since nearly everyone is winding down the year or at least taking a small break, I think this would be the perfect time for an accountables year in review.

 

What went well for you this year? What things will you be changing for next year? Do you have your curriculum chosen for next year? Are you a planner? How will you be preparing for next year? I will come back and post my answers!

Morning time went well for us this year. Even though I didn't get to as much as I would've liked, it still felt great getting it done. I'm not sure what I'll be changing for next year, I'm going to get as much of the Brain integration therapy done as possible over the summer and reevaluate in the fall. The good news is that my boys' glitches are not major, but I do see how working on them could make the learning process smoother for them. I have chosen curriculum for next year and I think it's going to be a good fit. I really don't know what I'm going to do to prepare for next year. I think the best thing would be for me to post and read only this thread, sometimes I start second guessing myself when I'm reading other threads about the latest and greatest new curriculum. This thread helps me to stay focused and to appreciate and see the things that we did get accomplished rather than focusing on what didn't happen that day.

[mama25angels]

Dd told me today that Khan academy is no longer working for her. So we're going to put that aside and will concentrate on shoring up a few problem areas with the Key to books. I was going to do something different for high school anyway.

I'm glad she was able to tell you there was a problem.

[MrsRobinson]

I'm late to the party this week. We are schooling through the summer but there will be days throughout that are full of summer events and we don't get to lessons. This week has had those days. Today will be our first day with lessons. And the baby is getting his first haircut today. :(

 

To answer the year end wrap up questions: Math Mammoth went well for us this year (no surprise there. ) Ditching science and history curricula part way through the year and just exploring what we are interested in went very well.

 

Morning meeting needs to improve next year. Nature study and time spent outdoors needs to increase. Writing is a big area we are and will be working on.

 

Yes, I've chosen my curriculum. Math Mammoth, Bravewriter, MCT Island level, Sequential Spelling, interest led again for science and history.

 

Kindy ds will start with 100 Easy Lessons (very willing to change if it doesn't work for him. Its not for every kid.) I have a Saxon math book on the shelf to use as a guide for myself but I'll tweak it so he can transition nicely to MM grade 1 the following year. He'll join us for science and history as he pleases.

 

I am definitely a planner. I probably won't get to it until July though, June is packed with activities.

 

How am I preparing for next year? Good question! That depends on a few things that are up in the air for our family right now. I will share when things are decided and settled.

 

Sahamamama- your stories always crack me up and brighten my day! They remind me of my childhood with my 2 sisters. :) We made little shoe box size mailboxes for exchanging notes and telling secrets. When the boxes were full, mom made us part with some of the random slips of paper, lol! My sister was a pack rat for sure. I remember my mom yelling, "you are not a squirrel!!!" when she'd find acorns and pinecones in her underwear drawer. :D

[mama25angels]

. I remember my mom yelling, "you are not a squirrel!!!" when she'd find acorns and pinecones in her underwear drawer. :D

 

Lol!!!

[Sahamamama]

Wed. -

 

I mentally predicted, wrongly, that dd would have tears over the chapter summary she was asked to give in lit.  But amazingly, there were no tears!  I think that one super good thing is that this lit. guide spells out what to include in the summary (ie. include a description of his first night in the wilderness. . . , his fir

st shelter and his first hunt.)  I think that makes it more tangible to her than simply having to choose what to include.  I am so happy that there were no tears and no panic attack!  She wrote and wrote and wrote! 

 

Math and science went smoothly as well.

 

I read and gave feedback on ds' first draft of his final lit. paper.  It was a good paper but he will have to give me some more.  (My mom says that I'm "that mean teacher who makes you do more".  ;)  )

 

Jean, I cannot tell you how happy I am to read these reports of good day, good day, good day. Bravo to you for hanging in over some very rough patches, and bravo to your daughter for doing the same! You have come a long way from the beginning of this year, haven't you? It's like night and day. Congratulations!

 

Seriously, so happy for you! :party:

 

[Sahamamama]

Since nearly everyone is winding down the year or at least taking a small break, I think this would be the perfect time for an accountables year in review.

 

What went well for you this year? What things will you be changing for next year? Do you have your curriculum chosen for next year? Are you a planner? How will you be preparing for next year? I will come back and post my answers!

 

We had a very good year, I think. Everything feels "solid" to me. Their basic skills are solid, their general knowledge is solid, the materials we used felt (mostly) solid. Our routines were good, our group times were good, our tutor times were good. Their independence grew, their emotional management grew, and their pride in their work grew. We also made good memories and (I believe) have a much closer bond after this year. I intentionally tried to be less "teacher-y" and more "mother-y," while still accomplishing our goals, and I think the girls all knew they were being taught and mothered. They appreciate both so much! :001_wub:

 

And even though we were in California visiting hubby's family for the entire month of November (and did no school work there), we aren't behind in anything. We just made up for it when we came home. I always do keep a bit of Math to drag into the summer, so that's normal. We nearly always work on Science, Book Club Read Alouds, and something else in the summer, too. I think maybe this summer's extra topic will be Puberty, Human Sexuality & How Babies Grow in the Womb (and to some extent, how they get there in the first place). Still mulling that over....

 

I have next year's overall plan mostly mapped out, the "stuff" mostly purchased, and nothing actually prepped & ready, except Math (CLE), which is fairly straightforward. Most of our stuff is not going to need a ton of prep work from me, though, so I'm not stressing.

 

Yup, we are nearing the finish line, as much as we ever do.

 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Thursday - Today was a very light school today because I had doctor appointments in the morning and the afternoon.  But dd did get her science done.  She also did a pre-test in Key To Fractions and worked a bit farther in Key to Metric Measurements. 

 

Ds worked on revising his final lit. paper. 

[Critterfixer]

 

 I think maybe this summer's extra topic will be Puberty, Human Sexuality & How Babies Grow in the Womb (and to some extent, how they get there in the first place). Still mulling that over....

 

Yes, we must go there again, too. More in depth this time around.

 

I'm staying home today. I took a day to put a concentrated effort into finishing my first draft of the novel I'm working on. I'm getting close to the end and I want to get it finished either this weekend or in the first few days of next week. Then I can set it aside, and concentrate on summer term for a while. I plan the first revision to begin in earnest in July.

[Sahamamama]

Wednesday 6/1

Regular chores, meals, laundry, pets, hygiene

School work -- We did our work in the morning, but since that was two days ago, I can't remember what we did. ;)

Homeschool Creek Day -- five hours at the creek

Showers

Read Aloud: Tales from Beatrix Potter (our third year to read parts of this in May, we are wrapping it up this year)

Bed

 

Thursday 6/2

School work -- Math, Spelling

Grandparents' visit -- Squeaky went back with them for her Summer Two-Night Sleepover :)

 

Friday 6/3

Hubby has been gone all week, Squeaky is at Grammy's, so we're down to the three of us -- Sugar Lump, Squishy (who really is just so wonderfully squishable), and me.

 

We were going to go strawberry picking today, but hubby's meeting was postponed, so he will not be home in time for the delivery of the new air conditioner, which means we have to be here. Bummer. It's also raining, so perhaps we wouldn't have gone, anyway. But I never do let a little rain stop me from being outside. It's water, right? Like a shower, without soap.

 

Saturday 6/4

I will drive down to pick up Squeaky, hubby will take Sugar Lump & Squishy grocery shopping. If it dries out, he'll mow the lawn. I'll do laundry, some cleaning, and try to bring Squeaky back down to terra firma. She will be flying high and feeling quite the Independent Nine Year Old when she gets back tomorrow, LOL. I know my kid.

 

She's a good kid. She's funny, industrious, generous, affectionate, helpful, tender, sensitive, intense, smart, hard-working, very adorable, and mine.

 

They all are wonderful. I've been thinking about this, lately. How we all seem to talk about our school work, or house work, or struggles with our kids, or questions about teaching, and I wonder why we don't post more often about how wonderful our children really are. Do we think it will sound like bragging?

I'd like everyone here on the A.T. to post a brag about your child(ren). Why is your child wonderful to you? I would sincerely like to know.

Edited June 3, 2016 by Sahamamama

[Sahamamama]

We had a good year. I can't think of anything that was just terrible. Writing went very well. I've got most of next year settled, except for my chronic internal debate: to logic or not to logic. I've got things I need to plan for next year, but I may take most of the summer term to do it. 

 

You, too! I'm not the only one. What does your debate sound like, inside your head?

[Jean in Newcastle]

Both my children have strong work ethics.  Dd is funny, sarcastic, great with little kids.  Ds is quirky, smart and loving. 

[Sahamamama]

Sahamamama- your stories always crack me up and brighten my day! They remind me of my childhood with my 2 sisters. :) We made little shoe box size mailboxes for exchanging notes and telling secrets. When the boxes were full, mom made us part with some of the random slips of paper, lol! My sister was a pack rat for sure. I remember my mom yelling, "you are not a squirrel!!!" when she'd find acorns and pinecones in her underwear drawer. :D

 

:001_wub: I love that, especially the acorns and pinecones. That was me as a child. We now have an entire bookshelf for our Nature Collection, but at nine, there was only the underwear drawer.

 

My girls have a Secret Club, called the Q.F.C. It has secret membership pledges, secret handshakes, secret codes, and secret greetings. And many, many meetings, LOL, usually underneath a tent canopy of refrigerator boxes and purple-and-pink striped sheets -- you should see the play room in the basement, yikes!

 

So, this Q.F.C. business had my husband curious. Not one to leave it alone, he started trying to guess. "Hmm... well the Q can't possibly stand for Quiet... hmmm... Quacking Frogs Club?"

 

"No, Daddy."

 

"Quaking Farts Club?"

 

"No, Daddy."

 

(Yes, flatulence is a recurring theme in our home. I realize this, but have no solution.)

 

"Quantum Firecrackers Club?"

 

Giggling girls, "No, Daddy."

 

"Quinn Finnegan Club?"

 

"Who?

 

"Quintessential Facts Club?"

 

"What?"

 

"Quasar Formation Club?" (Mr. Science lives here.)

 

"What's a quasar?"

 

Me, washing dishes at the kitchen sink, "It stands for Queens and Fairies Club." I wasn't asking, just saying.

 

Three very silent girls: :001_unsure: :001_unsure: :001_unsure: [How did she know?]  :D 

[Critterfixer]

 

You, too! I'm not the only one. What does your debate sound like, inside your head?

 

"Yes!" "No!" "Yes!" "No!" and so forth. Not very civilized. Sometimes we throw rocks up there in my head. So far I don't see myself having the time for formal Logic when math, writing, grammar, French, Latin, history and science seem to be doing the job quite nicely without much effort on my part. Anyway, I think that it might be better saved for high school.

 

 

Let's see...brag on my boys...

DS1 is very hard-working, funny, empathetic, gentle, with a nice dash of playfulness to set off what might be a serious kind of personality. He's also quite handsome I think, even covered in mud. He aims to please, wants people to like him, but seems to be able to value time by himself to imagine things. His imagination seems limitless. He's constantly writing in his mind, then writing it out on paper, and is learning to come up with his own solutions to things that are far more entertaining than anything I'd come up with. Often he surprises me with insights into life that seem profound for his age. I think he watches people with an eye for what they are thinking rather than what they are doing.

 

DS2 is clever, knows how to work without working to hard, the quintessential engineer. He'll figure out a way to get something done without taxing himself too much. He's quiet, with more forcefulness to his nature than his brother, more likely to treasure something without letting his true feelings show that much. He's outspoken when it matters, and sometimes when it isn't. He is far more likely to stand up for himself than his brother is. He also has a very quirky, very funny sarcastic wit that just comes out of nowhere when you are least expecting it. Also quite handsome. He has a very independent streak--although he cares what people think of him, it doesn't change the way he approaches life. 

 

 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Another good school day to report to Sahamamama!

 

After today's science, dd has just one more week and we will be finished with the book.  Today's most significant science fact - dd did not know the meaning of the word "lorry".  The pitfalls of using British textbooks! 

 

Math - dd is almost done with the Key to Metric Measurement.  Next week she will finish midweek, I think.  She took another practice test in the Key to Fractions and we found her instructional level.  She actually over half of it correctly but she has some holes that we will fill in.

 

Literature - She easily completed her chapter summary. 

[MrsRobinson]

I wanna join the QFC!!!! :)

 

Permission to brag on my kids, eh? I'll take it!

 

Dd is very deeply emotional. The joy and pain of others touches her. I admire that. She's very smart but doesn't lord it over others. She loves to surprise those she loves with notes, pictures, treats, and breakfast in bed. And, not that this is important at all but she is truly beautiful. Since she was probably 2 years old I thought, she doesn't look "cute" or "adorable" but really beautiful. People have approached me to say the same. "Your daughter is beautiful." Me: "Thanks." Them: "no. Really." Then I have to say yes I knew what you meant or I've always thought so, too. I never talk about it with her or with others, but if I'm allowed to brag on a relatively anonymous forum, then this is the one time I get to say it. :) I've always been homely and I am definitely self conscious about it so as long as she radiates inner beauty, I'm happy for her that she is attractive. We talk about inner beauty A LOT. Lol.

 

Ds, the first is awesome. He's very clever and always finds a way to keep up with kids his age that are twice as big as he is. And he takes his small frame in stride. He's quite a comedian and is always making us laugh. He's got some good zingers. He's very passionate about the things he loves and very hyper-focused for a 4 year old. He loves to snuggle and must have healthy dose of snuggle time with both mommy and daddy daily. In line with the snuggling, he has a blankie for every occasion and if he is sitting anywhere or wandering around the house he is wrapped in a blanket or its over his shoulders or perched on top of his head. I love his blankie obsession. :)

 

As for ds, the second, I love that he's still a baby. He still needs me in a way the others don't. He pulls on my shirt when he wants to nurse for comfort, he reaches for me when he falls. I love that he understands me but can't talk yet. I looove the jabbering. I love it when he gets a hold of my phone and imitates me talking on it. Every time he hears music, he breaks into a dance. Most of the things I love about him would be true of any 14 month old but that's where he's at and I am enjoying it.

[Sahamamama]

"Yes!" "No!" "Yes!" "No!" and so forth. Not very civilized. Sometimes we throw rocks up there in my head. So far I don't see myself having the time for formal Logic when math, writing, grammar, French, Latin, history and science seem to be doing the job quite nicely without much effort on my part. Anyway, I think that it might be better saved for high school. 

 

Okay, I was thinking about this on the treadmill this afternoon, and if it helps any, then I vote "No."

 

I have Traditional Logic I from MP. Over the past six years or so, I've worked through at least three chapters. On the basis of that vast experience I can honestly say that my plan here is for my kids to familiarize themselves with this Quick Study guide before they graduate, so they'll know that those kinds of things are out there in the world somewhere. 

 

In the meantime, they'll continue to make real things, play chess & Sudoku, sew, craft, learn a new game every so often, cook, do jigsaw puzzles, do woodworking, practice analogies, and possibly a few things I have forgotten since I got off the treadmill. My oldest asked to drop Latin, and in a moment of fatigue I caved. So no Latin for us next year (4th & 6th), but I do think we need to focus on other things for a while, anyway. Maybe I'll try to resuscitate it for 5th & 7th. We will do roots this upcoming year, but that's not the same in terms of thinking analytically.

 

For us, I think a formal course will have to wait until high school, if then. I'm not sure the ability to think abstractly is strong enough in middle school. ?? I was also thinking that, if Geometry (with proofs) only really needs to take half a year (as some maintain), then why not work with Logic the other half of the year? Perhaps begin with Logic, as a way of training a student to think in terms of proving something systematically, according to a set of rules? So perhaps there will be room for it in high school.

Edited June 3, 2016 by Sahamamama

[mama25angels]

Critterfixer-would you mind giving a run down of how you use CLE math and the Key to books together? Thanks

[Critterfixer]

 

Critterfixer-would you mind giving a run down of how you use CLE math and the Key to books together? Thanks 

 

 

Nothing to it. One CLE lesson, one page of whatever Key to book we are working on. We get one book done per quarter more or less. The boys do their Key to page, complete a speed drill and then grouch through...ahem...complete with enthusiasm their daily lesson. :D

[mama25angels]

Nothing to it. One CLE lesson, one page of whatever Key to book we are working on. We get one book done per quarter more or less. The boys do their Key to page, complete a speed drill and then grouch through...ahem...complete with enthusiasm their daily lesson. :D

Lol!! Thank you for the info. Do you do all of the problems in the CLE lesson or do you have them do evens or odds or some combination?

Edited June 5, 2016 by mama25angels

[Aurelia]

Since nearly everyone is winding down the year or at least taking a small break, I think this would be the perfect time for an accountables year in review.

 

What went well for you this year? What things will you be changing for next year? Do you have your curriculum chosen for next year? Are you a planner? How will you be preparing for next year? I will come back and post my answers!

 

Went well: Not doing "formal" history - just read and narrate, since we didn't have a lot of time, but wanted to cover the subject. The  ELTL and Spelling You See have been good for DD. I can see definite skill gains since starting them. 

 

Changing: Trying to keep things streamlined, but start preparing DD for high school (eek!). Our loosey-goosey approach that we've followed the last couple of years will probably be insufficient for high school credits.

 

Curriculum:

Tabletclass Algebra I

Build Your Library 8th Grade

Winterpromise 7th grade LA

maybe: Ecoutez Parlez, The Virtual Instructor or outside art class, if we have time. 

 

I am such a planner. Part of it is to save money I buy things used, so I have to know what it is I'm going to be using for the upcoming year and start buying in advance. So far I've bought math, the BYL teacher plans and all of the books for the first semester, with a few for the second, and one of the books for LA. I also have the Virtual Instructor drawing course, which I meant to start this year, but found Drawing Textbook instead, and it seems to be more basic, so we're using that first.

[Critterfixer]

 

 

Lol!! Thank you for the info. Do you do all of the problems in the CLE lesson or do you have them do evens or odds or some combination? 

 

Depends a little on how much static I'm getting. But 95% of the time the boys do all the problems in a lesson.