Sept 21st

Yesterday we didn't get around to updating our blog as we spent a good portion of the day running errands and another portion doing science experiments. TJ's starting to learn about plant and animal cells and how to classify plants and animals. So we collected plant samples, prepared slides and used the microscope to identify the cell wall and other plant structures. TJ had a lot of fun with it. Math and history were done on the road. Math with flash cards and Mom quizzing, history with Brain Quest cards on America. We also got some math in at the store.

Today we're catching up on "book work". TJ's done math drills, general math, spelling, science and are working on geography and history as I type. We haven't done much with Japanese yesterday or today but tomorrow we'll spend a bit of time on it. Aunt Holly's friend Hiromi has offered to be an online pen pal for TJ to give him someone to ask questions. We haven't gotten to email her yet - just been too crazy.

Later this week - Thur. Park/Hike with homeschool group?
Friday - 9am Sibelius Festival Concert at the Calumet Theater with the homeschool group.
Friday(also) - 1:30pm Science fieldtrip to the Lake Linden School Forest for plant/tree identification with homeschool group (led by a MTU grad-student)

Weekly swimming starts on the 30th of September.

On other news - Jessica seems to be doing well in school. I still think they are working below her level but it is much higher than last year's work was. She also seems to be doing well overall and is happy to go to school each morning. Joe.... is being Joe. His grades would be great but he lost the syllabus that I had to sign for science, starting him out with a zero in that class and is struggling in math. So right now his grades read: A, A, B, D+, D+ (other classes aren't reporting grades yet). We're staying on him about it and those grades will hopefully start coming up.

Trevor's been busy with meetings and "Honey Do's". He trimmed up the bushes from in front of the house and is going to be working on painting the trim before winter sets in. I've gotten another online job and it's one that may actually be steady enough for us to start paying down some of our debts and putting some money away... or at least one can dream!

So all in all - it's been a very busy last few days and will likely only get busier as time marches on!

Sept 16th

Today was an excellent day! In the morning we did Language Arts, Reading, Math & Spelling. Then we did Social Studies and multiplication review on the way to Canyon Falls where we went on a couple hour hike with members of the homeschooling group. It was beautiful and TJ had a lot of fun. The kids climbed, ran, jumped, splashed, collected water and plant samples and just really enjoyed the whole outing! I only got one photo with my phone (my camera's dead :( ) and it turned out fuzzy but a couple of the other Moms got some pictures so maybe I'll get copies to post on here.

Today TJ had his pictures taken at Wal-Mart. You can view them here:
http://www.myonlineportraits.com/ViewSharedAlbum.aspx?ShareID=233461a2-f872-47fc-a4b2-23e32052ac60
Then we went on a guided tour of the Quincy mine, steam hoist and shaft house with one of TJ's homeschooling friends - Max and his Mom. They'd never been there and TJ's memory of the last time we were there (several years ago) was a bit foggy. Besides being REALLY cold - it was a lot of fun and very educational. In between the picture taking and the tour, TJ and I reviewed multiplication flash cards and Brain Quest's America cards. So it was a pretty good day!

Info on the mine can be found here:
http://www.quincymine.com/

Yesterday was another busy day but it was one of those days where not much actually was accomplished. TJ spent the day working at a snail's pace as I was being picky about neatness. In math he's learning order of operations. In Social Studies he's reviewing basic geography concepts so I'm counting it in both his Social Studies and Geography classes and in Science we're reviewing the scientific method. He created a poster out of the scientific method yesterday. He also worked on learning crocheting which was an experience! I never realized how hard it can be to teach something that you normally just DO but by the end of it all he was getting the hang of tying on and chaining. For Japanese we're working primarily with the website: http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/language/index.html. We're still on Lesson 1 but TJ seems to be having a lot of fun and has picked up some of the vocabulary easily. He also understands that there are 4 Japanese writing systems and that one is based off of Chinese, one off of Latin (or English) and two are traditional to Japan.

For today, TJ has a lighter/funner load. I got some educational games for the computer that he'll be playing to help review concepts learned last year, he has one math exercise and a Geography/Social Studies worksheet to complete. He will continue to read on his Deltora Quest book for his book report next week. He also has a couple writing exercises, a movie to watch for Japanese and some Japanese culture websites to check out. I, in the mean time, have LOTS of housework to catch up on, stuff to organize for school and an evening out of the house to get ready for - lol!

In other news - Joe starts welding in metal shop. Trevor and I had to go buy him overalls, a work shirt and work boots. It was odd buying that stuff for my son! In fact, it feels odd that he started High School AND Jessica started Middle School this year....

Also, the Drive-In movie theater near where I grew up that the kids (and Trevor) visited whenever we went back to OK burned down... I always thought the screen was a concrete structure (it really looked like it!) but it wasn't. It was kinda one of those moments when you know a part of your childhood is gone for good. *sigh* Well, here's a few pics/info for memorial sake:






This drive-in was even once a scene for a major motion picture: The Outsiders
For those that aren't familiar with it here's a clip:

First Day

Day 1 -
Great day. Mostly review work but TJ fell into the work with enthusiasm. We started a couple new incentive programs and are still working at decorating the classroom - which we'll post pictures of when it's done. TJ really liked the Japanese course and the Social Studies textbook.

Joe went to Houghton Schools and seems happy with his classes; however, he's still looking into the ROTC program and the Swim Team. Jessica had her first day of school and is delighted to have Mrs. Gerard as an instructor.

I'll try to be more descriptive in further updates.

Last Minute Changes

Nothing like last minute changes! Joey will be attending Houghton Schools again. Over the last few weeks he's matured and he came up with compelling reasons why we should send him back. Also, Trevor and I talked about the benefits of him being able to participate in the swim team and TJ being able to participate in activities without me having to figure out what to do with Joe so that he's still learning. TJ really wants to do gymnastics, chess club, drama, swimming and other activities - some of which would not be age appropriate/interest appropriate for Joe. Sooooooo.... provided Joe maintains a C or better average and has no disciplinary issues and tries out for the swim team AND speaks to the school counselor about ROTC.... he'll be in public school.

So - once again - it will be a busy year for our family!

New Year - New Scope

Planning for the new year has almost come to an end....
First, Joe will be home again. He'll start out on our curriculum and then as a position opens with Connections Academy - he'll be transferred to their distance learning High School program. Until the position at Connections is available - Joe will be doing Saxon Algebra I, Advanced English I, and Japanese with me. His father will be teaching his World History and Science course in a survey of research topics type method. We are also exploring the possibilities of signing him up for JROTC.
TJ will have a more traditional schooling experience this year as I'm purchasing school supplies from McGraw-Hill, Harcourt, and Scott Foresman. He'll have mathematics, science, US History & Social Studies, and writing through major text books. For reading, I'm assembling a reading library from various reading lists found online (some examples are: Homecoming, Holes, Roald Dahl books, Shiloh, the Just So Stories, etc.). We'll be working through these books together - some in a question/answer type format and some in a book report fashion. I found some great curriculum for his writing that will hopefully improve it dramatically!
Both kids will be highly involved in the local homeschooling community as I'm now on the board and am their Updates! (e-newsletter) coordinator. And all three kids are going to have to learn to be more accountable for their own care and for helping around the house. Both boys will have HomeEc as an elective (well - I suppose it's not an elective if Mom is making them do it! LOL!). I also hope to be able to offer them one or two extra courses/learning experiences (i.e. Drama for TJ or Guitar for Joe).

So with the greatest of intentions.... :)