tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60460561917830446202024-03-12T23:27:20.123-06:00Kid WhispersSCHOOLING AT HOME ... AND WORKING WITH THE NEW CHILDREN OF TODAYThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-86350477314998441342010-08-06T20:42:00.004-06:002010-08-06T21:05:13.408-06:00Plan for High School in Our HomeMy question: how do we school at home, freely and unobstructed, and still come away with legitimate "credits" that are acceptable at any college? My Kid wants to go to film school as soon as he can, so we need good solid proof of learning and credit that will get him in.<br /><br />I read somewhere that if one "unschools" then giving your child credits is "opening a whole can of worms" that needs to stay closed. Thing is, I want to do what I can -- tracking his progress and learning and skills -- in the best manner for him. So he can go to film school or do whatever he wants to accomplish in life.<br /><br />Plans to take in "high school" years (plans, but may not necessarily take them all):<br /><br />Math:<br />-brush-up on essentials<br />-consumer/everyday<br />-geometry<br />-pre-algebra<br />-algebra 1<br /><br />Science:<br />-Animal Husbandry<br />-Earth Science<br />-Space/Astronomy<br />-Physical (chemistry, etc)<br />-Biology<br />-Ecology<br />-Botany with Therapeutic Herbalism<br /><br />Social Studies:<br />-Geography<br />-World History<br />-U.S./American History<br />-U.S. Government / Constitution / Civics<br /><br />Language:<br />-create his own language (HELP!)<br />-Spanish<br />-Sign Language<br />-French<br />-Greek and Latin<br /><br />Language Arts:<br />-basics<br />-usage<br />-writing (to include a fiction series, movie script, etc)<br />-analysis of literature<br /><br />Art:<br />-drawing<br />-photography<br />-music<br />-write a movie script<br />-movie making/file producing<br /><br />Life Skills/Electives:<br />-home ec (cooking, nutrition, sewing, etc.)<br />-managing money<br />-handling criticism, problem solving, etc<br />-leadership<br />-auto repair<br />-computer building<br />-computer programming<br /><br />So...<br /><br />(1) how do I track his learning and progress and skills so that it translates into a transcript and credits for him?<br /><br />(2) how do I make his high school years full of learning but make it a whole lot more fun than the last few years have been?<br /><br />Thank you!ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-59704925237001003182010-06-28T09:39:00.002-06:002010-06-28T09:52:47.823-06:00Advice Needed on TextbooksI'm planning the Kid's high school curriculum because he starts 9th grade in August. Looking for textbooks (or good "for dummies" books) for the 9th grade courses below. I want only one or two or maximum three books per course. If you have suggestions, please comment asap!<br /><br />= = = =<br /><br /><em>Successful Living</em>: Description: Training in relating to authority, making right choices, handling criticism, self-control, self-reliance, good health/hygiene and appearance, reproduction, sex, STDs, smoking, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, manners, etiquette, special emphasis on experiences that bond the family together such as developing traditions, fostering family time with conversation, balancing work/family, and celebration of holidays. Final grade: written test including planning a month of Friday Night Family Fun Times.<br /><br /><em>Consumer/Everyday Math</em>: Description: How to effectively use math in daily life: manage bank accounts, fill out state/federal tax returns, personal finance, purchasing (small items AND big items like house and car), comparing prices, insurance, gas mileage, inesting, budgeting, money management, frugal living, planning for retirement, financial freedom, and how to complete a loan application. Day to day personal finances. Final grade: written test AND setting up a bank account AND working out a personal budget.<br /><br /><em>Earth Science</em>: Description: Earth's structure, rocks and minerals and Earth's resources, forces that change the earth including lessons on plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes and erosion, and earth's history of change through the fossil record. Oceanography (sources of water, currents and climage, and structure of ocean environment) and atmospheric science (weather/climate). Final grade: written test AND 10 page report OR 3D demonstration of a volcano erupting!<br /><br /><em>Home Economics</em>: Description: Cooking, food preparation, menu planning, food purchasing, intro to nutrition, yogurt-making, cheese-making, canning/preserving, laundry, cleaning, sewing. Will plan and prepare/cook one dish each week during the course. Final grade: 1 meal, 1 sewn item, and a written test.<br /><br />= = = =<br /><br />We have lots of cookbooks, and some basic math/science books. For the home ec... did I miss anything?<br /><br />If I can't find what I want, I guess I could write them but would like to at least SEE what's available! So... any suggestions?ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-75142778018515540602009-11-25T02:03:00.000-07:002009-11-25T02:03:00.438-07:00Possible Change to BlogKeeping up with these blogs is very time consuming ... not that I mind, usually! We're getting ready to embark on an intensive homesteading adventure, and may not be able to work on blogs daily.<br /><br />So... I'm thinking about combining our blogs (cooking, gardening, homesteading, survival, storage, homeschooling, etc.) into one. I would eventually move posts to the new and combined blog.<br /><br />We have a lot of readers, and I value your opinion. Thoughts?ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-72958501743188800672009-10-06T12:01:00.002-06:002009-10-06T12:05:13.854-06:00GeometryWhat kind of a mind can't do simple addition and subtraction, and thus multiplication and division, but instantly understands geometry?<br /><br />I'm confused.<br /><br />My kid has struggled with basic math. Still uses his fingers to add and subtract. Two weeks ago he started on decimals and fractions with common denominators, and got it right away. This week he started on geometry (using the "basic skills series - math topics - grade 5 workbook) and again, got it right away. He insisted on using an algebra equation to figure out the missing angle of a parallelagram!<br /><br />I hope this isn't temporary!ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-55885798712306054462009-10-03T07:24:00.002-06:002009-10-03T07:27:52.615-06:00Settling InWe've finally moved, and will be here for about 5 months. Meanwhile, last week was our first school-week here in our new home. We couldnt' find the encyclopedias until Friday, and are missing 2 of our schoolbooks. So... not all of the assigned schoolwork was completed.<br /><br />Hopefully, we'll find the books this weekend as we do a little rearranging and unpacking.<br /><br />On a good note, he's suddenly great with adding and subtracting fractions! Believe me, that is beyond thrilling!ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-52634478601546214072009-09-14T07:08:00.004-06:002009-09-14T07:10:36.436-06:00Still not focusing. Still upheaval.We're still in the upheaval of selling a house and moving, so because we thought we were closing last Thursday and moving Friday, we took 2 days off from schoolwork. We didn't close (long story). We spent Thurs thru Sun playing and watching TV. Big mistake. He's even more messed up.<br /><br />Now we might close today so that means our school schedule is completely messed up because I'd planned on being in our new place by now, schoolwork unpacked and ready to settle back in.<br /><br />Soon. Hoping.... soon.ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-66650737615089873902009-09-10T06:02:00.002-06:002009-09-10T06:06:52.548-06:00Upheaval = no school workI've noticed with all of this preparing to sell the house and move... that our 12 year old can't concentrate on anything... not schoolwork, chores, packing, or anything. I guess because I never moved as a 12 year old that I didn't think about it.<br /><br />Not that I like all of this chaos at my advanced age, but still.<br /><br />Time to make the final push to close on this house, move to our next home, unpack, and start a life of normalcy again.ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-40087417638487010602009-08-12T13:12:00.003-06:002010-08-06T21:08:14.503-06:00Focus ProblemsWe seem to be having a little problem focusing now. Could it be the move? Could it be the political climate? His diet? (Just discovered he can't soy, cashews, peanuts or gluten because they all make him weird.) <br /><br />Thoughts?ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-89211897396052447272009-08-06T09:54:00.003-06:002009-08-06T09:58:18.447-06:007th Grade StartedWe decided to change up some things so our kid started "7th grade" the first of July, and will continue through the end of December. From then, our school year will be a calendar year, taking several weeks off when appropriate for family vacations and so forth.<br /><br />So... we're 5 weeks into the 7th Grade. Already read Diary of Anne Frank and are working on Journey to the Center of the Earth. Working on getting better at division, and did great with the intro to geometry. Studying American History... so far, the First World War, the time right after with the Jazz Age and Prohibition, and beginning Second World War and Depression next week. Science includes studying cells and atoms - loves it!<br /><br />We don't have the time right now to do the regular speaking videos and posting them on YouTube. Maybe when 8th grade starts in January.<br /><br />That's just a quick note about what we're doing!ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-27349708386633791612009-06-18T18:44:00.002-06:002009-06-18T18:48:21.396-06:00High School Language Arts - Curriculum PlanningI'm working on planning my Teen's high school curriculum (I like to do this a year or two or three in advance in case something comes up). <br /><br />Our state requires 4 years of language arts / English. Year 1 is usage and practice, Year 2 is writing, Year 3 is poetry and Year 4 is analysis of literature. I found some great books for Years 1 and 2, but am having trouble for the poetry and literature analysis.<br /><br />I'd love recommendations! Anyone?ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-43787481579323014292009-06-04T15:02:00.004-06:002009-06-04T15:10:26.724-06:00"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" - Answers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC5Lbci7ZGdKCBG7nBRMAYXGjeCcB_f-hToPkuj6WeXo8SAD2-_7Dl16p43LL2XMVcj_LDCUU2Fv6_cmKQ5oYzJUM7b4BiImTdMrd9S05U3PZjLUQ4pWr3GRDEf9ajiZl8IBdZ8QMDmo/s1600-h/sorcerer-stone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343582766741257330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC5Lbci7ZGdKCBG7nBRMAYXGjeCcB_f-hToPkuj6WeXo8SAD2-_7Dl16p43LL2XMVcj_LDCUU2Fv6_cmKQ5oYzJUM7b4BiImTdMrd9S05U3PZjLUQ4pWr3GRDEf9ajiZl8IBdZ8QMDmo/s320/sorcerer-stone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is the answers to our quiz on the book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (but not the movie). </div><br /><ol><br /><li>How many heads does Fluffy the dog have?<span style="color:#ff0000;"> Three</span></li><br /><li>What feathers were used to make Voldemort's wand? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Phoenix</span></li><br /><li>In Harry's first Quidditch game, who tried to knock him off his broom? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Professor Quirrel</span></li><br /><li>How does Harry catch the Snitch in his first Quidditch match? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Mouth</span></li><br /><li>How did Hagrid transport infant Harry to the Dursley household? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Flying Motorcycle</span></li><br /><li>True or False: Professor Dumbledore's watch has twelve hands and no numbers. <span style="color:#ff0000;">True</span></li><br /><li>What Quidditch position does Harry play? <span style="color:#ff0000;">_X_</span> Seeker, __Bludger, __Snitch </li><br /><li>Who of the following is NOT one of Malfoy's friends? __Goyle, <span style="color:#ff0000;">_X_</span>Granger, __Crabbe </li><br /><li>Which is not a Hogwarts House? __Gryffindor, <span style="color:#ff0000;">_X_</span>Dragonbreath, __Hufflepuff </li><br /><li>True or False: Harry was raised by Muggles. <span style="color:#ff0000;">True</span></li><br /><li><span style="color:#000000;">What are three things that are different from the book compared to the movie? </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">A</span><span style="color:#ff0000;">nswers will vary.</span></li></ol>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-31718664569013422122009-06-04T14:34:00.006-06:002009-06-04T15:12:10.727-06:00"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" - Quiz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2ucgMMYDAMa3OvTMT78LVS61Io08gwLlFlPUhzofe7KJbQm1jPdjKTXxiggMyCHdl-5XCowR5CSRHu8i68VTSR7c13cxh4G-l0ibW_RuWPq2_hYOqo90MiMu3dd8diWQMvP4h8SLdaw/s1600-h/sorcerer-stone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343583160650446946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2ucgMMYDAMa3OvTMT78LVS61Io08gwLlFlPUhzofe7KJbQm1jPdjKTXxiggMyCHdl-5XCowR5CSRHu8i68VTSR7c13cxh4G-l0ibW_RuWPq2_hYOqo90MiMu3dd8diWQMvP4h8SLdaw/s320/sorcerer-stone.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is a quiz on the book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (but not the movie). The answers will follow in a separate posting.<br /><br />Date:__________________ Name:_______________________<br /></div><br /><ol><br /><br /><li>How many heads does Fluffy the dog have?</li><br /><br /><li>What feathers were used to make Voldemort's wand?</li><br /><br /><li>In Harry's first Quidditch game, who tried to knock him off his broom?</li><br /><br /><li>How does Harry catch the Snitch in his first Quidditch match?</li><br /><li>How did Hagrid transport infant Harry to the Dursley household?</li><br /><li>True or False: Professor Dumbledore's watch has twelve hands and no numbers.</li><br /><li>What Quidditch position does Harry play? __ Seeker, __Bludger, __Snitch</li><br /><li>Who of the following is NOT one of Malfoy's friends? __Goyle, __Granger, __Crabbe</li><br /><li>Which is not a Hogwarts House? __Gryffindor, __Dragonbreath, __Hufflepuff</li><br /><li>True or False: Harry was raised by Muggles.</li><br /><li>What are three things that are different from the book compared to the movie?</li></ol><br /><p></p>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-88170775954794606312009-05-26T09:19:00.004-06:002009-06-04T15:13:28.104-06:00"The Hobbit" - Answers to the Quiz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffgFh9Mie3BMhojLK2-KbJIaxJVDe9e_E5Lt_ifS4F6rcgUK4IFcEsHx86w3X_gmae3_3aVUN3NYc5OMmwghPObk9XRz-XLf5rtklr3yLxaV6a5VGrzOk5w12e4mQsjQzl4j1xdFPcKQ/s1600-h/the-hobbit.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JcPljr1Co5OldEFB2uipXNrjY1lS4-9YEpuGNUoCRGs7Le_MgcpKYFZbnnH559txTPcRQjypIBWX1LOibCZJQ-5oPlvOZJvZjbZA78MiepSG_bd9rhrwFZHNhbiZWFFsbpktfjsLfRc/s1600-h/the-hobbit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340153990490351794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JcPljr1Co5OldEFB2uipXNrjY1lS4-9YEpuGNUoCRGs7Le_MgcpKYFZbnnH559txTPcRQjypIBWX1LOibCZJQ-5oPlvOZJvZjbZA78MiepSG_bd9rhrwFZHNhbiZWFFsbpktfjsLfRc/s320/the-hobbit.jpg" border="0" /></a>"The Hobbit" was written by J.R.R.Tolkien, and has become quite the cult classic. This is a quiz presented to my Tween after he finished reading the book. <span style="color:#ff0000;">The answers are in red.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />1. How many dwarves accompanied Bilbo Baggins on the journey? <span style="color:#ff0000;">13</span><br /><br /><br />2. What is the name of the wizard who helps the dwarves in their quest? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Gandalf</span><br /><br /><br />3. How do the dwarves know which hobbit hole Bilbo lives in when they start their journey? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Gandalf carved a marking on Bilbo's door.</span><br /><br /><br />4. What does Gandalf tell the dwarves that Bilbo is, and that Bilbo will be critical to their mission in this role? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Burglar</span><br /><br /><br />5. How does Bilbo try to get away from Gollum? <span style="color:#ff0000;">They have a contest of answering riddles.</span><br /><br /><br />6. Bilbo finds a ring. What magic does the ring do? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Provides invisibility to whoever wears it.</span><br /><br /><br />7. Who or what is Smaug? <span style="color:#ff0000;">He is the dragon that took up residence in the dwarves mountain.</span><br /><br /><br />8. What is the name of the archer who kills Smaug? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Bard</span><br /><br /><br />9. An arrow strikes Smaug and kills him. Where does that arrow strike? <span style="color:#ff0000;">In the chest where there was a missing "plate".</span><br /><br /><br />10. What did you like best about the book? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Answers will vary.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;">Thank you!</span>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-36504952084255180632009-05-26T09:00:00.005-06:002009-05-26T09:19:55.774-06:00The Hobbit - Quiz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffgFh9Mie3BMhojLK2-KbJIaxJVDe9e_E5Lt_ifS4F6rcgUK4IFcEsHx86w3X_gmae3_3aVUN3NYc5OMmwghPObk9XRz-XLf5rtklr3yLxaV6a5VGrzOk5w12e4mQsjQzl4j1xdFPcKQ/s1600-h/the-hobbit.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340152081467000162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffgFh9Mie3BMhojLK2-KbJIaxJVDe9e_E5Lt_ifS4F6rcgUK4IFcEsHx86w3X_gmae3_3aVUN3NYc5OMmwghPObk9XRz-XLf5rtklr3yLxaV6a5VGrzOk5w12e4mQsjQzl4j1xdFPcKQ/s320/the-hobbit.jpg" border="0" /></a>"The Hobbit" was written by J.R.R.Tolkien, and has become quite the cult classic. This is a quiz presented to my Tween after he finished reading the book. Feel free to give it to your own students:<br /><br /><br />Date:____________________<br /><br /><br />Name:__________________________________<br /><br /><br /><br />1. How many dwarves accompanied Bilbo Baggins on the journey?<br /><br /><br /><br />2. What is the name of the wizard who helps the dwarves in their quest?<br /><br /><br /><br />3. How do the dwarves know which hobbit hole Bilbo lives in when they start their journey?<br /><br /><br /><br />4. What does Gandalf tell the dwarves that Bilbo is, and that Bilbo will be critical to their mission in this role?<br /><br /><br /><br />5. How does Bilbo try to get away from Gollum?<br /><br /><br /><br />6. Bilbo finds a ring. What magic does the ring do?<br /><br /><br /><br />7. Who or what is Smaug?<br /><br /><br /><br />8. What is the name of the archer who kills Smaug?<br /><br /><br /><br />9. An arrow strikes Smaug and kills him. Where does that arrow strike?<br /><br /><br /><br />10. What did you like best about the book?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Answers to follow.</em></span>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-81502435215230938362009-05-19T08:01:00.009-06:002009-05-19T09:21:58.871-06:00Speaking Video: Fruit2nd Try...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7QpfQUnJNXn8jLRp1Ggvs6KAg9l748K-i4xw8gL5F7o2r63LYG8-e9GviM6iT_zStzK2-dnZNeRhkV13Jnp1NaYoICB5US2Sqw4pcQYaZxZxBz2tZweykEJcvrE41utrv69UNMc3boY/s1600-h/pear-half.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337554897639400274" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7QpfQUnJNXn8jLRp1Ggvs6KAg9l748K-i4xw8gL5F7o2r63LYG8-e9GviM6iT_zStzK2-dnZNeRhkV13Jnp1NaYoICB5US2Sqw4pcQYaZxZxBz2tZweykEJcvrE41utrv69UNMc3boY/s320/pear-half.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here's his latest to help fulfill his Speaking Requirement, and to help him overcome stuttering and nervous tics. The subject is one of his favorite things to eat: fruit!<br /><br /><br /><br />Unfortunately, I'm STILL having huge problems uploading the video to this blog posting. I'm giving up!<br /><br />Please check it out through YouTube at: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgAlI9m__Fg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgAlI9m__Fg</a><br /><br />Be sure to leave a comment there for him! Thanks!<br /><br /><br /><p></p>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-83830645624720506912009-05-14T08:27:00.004-06:002009-05-14T09:05:46.660-06:00Speaking Video: FruitHere's the schoolwork speaking video we recorded on May 13 2009: Fruit. He loves fruit, and is prominant in his mind since we're eating even more than usual of it lately. Notice his tics and stuttering are lessening!<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">hold on ... troubles downloading video... need to reboot and try again after we run out and pick up some strawberry plants... come back in a couple of hours!</span></em>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-55471869320659646802009-05-14T07:28:00.004-06:002009-05-14T08:26:44.002-06:00Speaking Video: GamesHere's the video we shot on April 29 2009 for his practice to eliminate stuttering and tics, and for speaking (schoolwork) requirement: Games to Play<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ6mU8mMNOs"></a><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyhBw55PcuZzwTspSjnSbE9_gYqH0JoC0WZhbd2FJxO-c4ymVHRcTtTJELTdsb6-UXURf7jIcTtN8ynu6R2pg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Feel free to also watch it on YouTube at: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ6mU8mMNOs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ6mU8mMNOs</a>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-13819551126970435252009-05-07T09:27:00.002-06:002009-05-07T09:29:07.808-06:00New Videos ComingWe're a little behind - Son's made a couple of videos for his speaking practice, but I haven't had a chance to download and edit. Hope to catch up tomorrow (Friday). <br /><br />Meanwhile, I have a cough and aches and am going to the doctor this afternoon (but I **know** it's not the swine flu so don't worry!).ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-51245217762868933572009-04-29T10:29:00.004-06:002009-04-29T11:10:42.347-06:00"Bridge to Terabithia" Oral Quiz and Answers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSkThRnxI9_cVsyx2I5LInUmXfHNE2esDEV3DH9eCqEgG5kar_twX-2o5_6zfwv7nc90BtDkifqbsvjBifRC19KB1uOOuDD9t4RgTb274RQYIBpozCfbpQSvAIWj6j4yJe9cI40R_MBs/s1600-h/bridge-terabithia.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330156765520179986" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 115px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 115px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSkThRnxI9_cVsyx2I5LInUmXfHNE2esDEV3DH9eCqEgG5kar_twX-2o5_6zfwv7nc90BtDkifqbsvjBifRC19KB1uOOuDD9t4RgTb274RQYIBpozCfbpQSvAIWj6j4yJe9cI40R_MBs/s320/bridge-terabithia.jpg" border="0" /></a>These are the questions that I asked my Tween when he finished reading "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson. The answers are in red, and can vary slightly.<br /><ol><li>Why did Jesse get up early every Summer morning? <span style="color:#ff0000;">To practice running to be the fastest kid.</span></li><br /><li>What was the most favorite thing that Jesse loved doing? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Drawing</span></li><br /><li>Why did Jesse like Fridays? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Miss Edmunds, the music teacher, was wonderful.</span></li><br /><li>Why did the boys stop running during recess? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Because Leslie won all of the races she ran, and girls weren't even supposed to participate.</span></li><br /><li>Who was Janice? <span style="color:#ff0000;">A mean, big bully </span></li><br /><li>What was Terabithia? <span style="color:#ff0000;">A make-believe play-place where Leslie and Jesse went to play. It was in the woods.</span></li><br /><li>What did Jesse get Leslie for Christmas? <span style="color:#ff0000;">A free puppy named Prince Terrien. </span>What did Leslie get Jesse? <span style="color:#ff0000;">A box of watercolors with 24 tubes of color, 3 brushes and a pad of heavy art paper - paint or art supplies.</span></li><br /><li>How did Leslie die? <span style="color:#ff0000;">She tried to swing over the swollen river to get to Terabithia by herself, and the rope snapped, fell, and hit her head on a rock.</span></li><br /><li>Why do you think it was so important for Jesse and Leslie to create Terabithia? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Tween said" Because they wanted a place of their own. To get away from their nonsense." More details: Jesse had problems at home, where he wasn't listened to, ignored, and felt he had too much responsibility compared to his sisters. Leslie was new in town, away from her friends and what she was familiar with. Creating an imaginery land was a wonderful exercise for their imaginations and bodies, building it and so on.</span></li><br /><li>What was your favorite part of the book? <span style="color:#ff0000;">Tween answered: the creating of Terabithia.... it was cool to use their imagination.</span></li></ol><p><span style="color:#000000;">Tween answered all but question number 3 correctly.</span></p>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-71529786349148984662009-04-28T20:17:00.003-06:002009-04-28T20:36:02.880-06:00Education Catch-Up<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv6L41s2i_klu44MYp04HW5lkZlzVWTXrGRm0ZIlbABAXKm-gP4h1qvUoeAERlwLrBrgCMIuookm9WGvfbAFCSVfmTjj4CpC5ZDfXBH57yN5QtVAEsdKdTBrCjEkK61CKAAraLhWg2XE/s1600-h/math-boy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329936302419390306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv6L41s2i_klu44MYp04HW5lkZlzVWTXrGRm0ZIlbABAXKm-gP4h1qvUoeAERlwLrBrgCMIuookm9WGvfbAFCSVfmTjj4CpC5ZDfXBH57yN5QtVAEsdKdTBrCjEkK61CKAAraLhWg2XE/s320/math-boy.jpg" border="0" /></a>We're working hard to get Tween caught up. He has struggled understanding the most basic of math questions until suddenly, last week, he did a math problem in his head. It even had a "carry" number in this double-digit addition problem. Didn't use his fingers to count! I was properly enthusiastic (are you kidding? I practically jumped up!). Now I have to carefully mosey on down the path of math. I need to make sure he keeps this surge of enthusiasm and understanding.</div><div></div><br /><div>Meanwhile, we're a little behind with the videos to help with his self-confidence and stuttering. Friday was a hectic day, and yesterday (Monday) was my birthday so we played hooky as soon as his regular schoolwork was done. He finished the book "Bridge to Terabithia", did a unit in spelling, read his history assignment aloud, and did a unit in math.</div><br /><div></div><div>Today he started reading "The Hobbit", read his science assignment aloud, did another unit in spelling and a timed unit in math which he wizzed through!</div><div></div><br /><div>We'll do another video tomorrow, along with a quiz about Terabithia, history, math and spelling. I'm thinking he'll also help me plant some lettuce and orange carrots (his favorite) in our raised-bed garden! </div>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-4932284049647794042009-04-22T21:23:00.003-06:002009-04-22T21:53:37.744-06:00Speaking Video: Earth DayHere's another video shot to fulfill our State's "speaking" requirement, AND to help Tween get over his stuttering and nervous habits. Enjoy!<br /><br /><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dySBmgSrKCK-w44w5GNOZ7BsoU91efurwx7o3Ooy1B28ur5JXj9uqSaTA7ZCNVIX3BL-iyTznBtg9-s4o30Fg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p><br />If you get a chance, click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPlrrIpNDtQ">here </a>to view this video on youtube - leave a comment there and/or here! Thanks!</p>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-27372478468141213402009-04-20T16:44:00.003-06:002009-04-20T16:46:02.307-06:00New Video for Schoolwork: Blue MoonHere's the link to Tween's newest video, for state's homeschool speaking requirement. Please check out this link: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0MQBuZSbtA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0MQBuZSbtA</a> and leave a comment!<br /><br />I just wish he's practiced a little more, and had more to say about the Blue Moon, and what it actually is.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting!ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-68228535557123822832009-04-17T13:40:00.009-06:002009-05-01T09:58:35.902-06:00Videos to Overcome StutteringTween can be a little shy, has nervous habits like twitching and stuttering, and has OCD to a small extent (brought on, I believe, by ADHD drugs similar to Ritalin). We came up with a little school project to help these. The videos can also fulfill the state's requirement for "speaking" on the curriculum. So, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, we make a short video, on any topic he wants to talk about.<br /><br />Wednesday was our first video, which he talked about his favorite breakfast: vanilla goat yogurt. We filmed it in the dining room, with an old green sheet covering some things. He did kinda ok, was really nervous and the twitching and nervous habits are obvious. Here it is below:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZmE0OtGbgJhhDYtIchrtJUkvlHTzXxvsqrUnvT_AkyzDwobrYszeT9XTBht-elAfmoN9yqaVzqsIPMTiU8w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />We shot his second video today - about his favorite drink: Blue Machine by Naked Juice. We filmed it in the living room; in the background were the stairs going up to the bedroom level. I'm surprised the dog didn't enter the screen! He didn't stutter nearly as much, and the nervous habits seem to be a little less but that could be a coincidence! He did ramble on a bit. Here's the link on youtube for this second vid: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8GXuvZTqa4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8GXuvZTqa4</a> - be sure to watch it, leave a comment, and mark it as a favorite. Pass along the link, too. I feel sure that will help boost his self-esteem.<br /><br />Thank you for your support in our project!<br /><br /><em>Updated April 28 2009: </em><a href="http://www.eduwrit.com/blog/?p=1315"><em>Welcome to the Carnival of Homeschooling!</em></a>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-43768621160987052792009-04-13T20:32:00.004-06:002009-04-13T20:38:50.130-06:00Is HomeSchooling Tax Deductible?<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsh1mDpQb4WYta5xeJs7j_Gt9U2LsaFGs9f7FLJMnvmyZpcSkLAr056ZafSbQFlOQL6-7OIfSpjhpOMwbV_t8LdlnuS7S33l8SuATg0WaQ8izc_-Ny9jj-TSJnE38XwbM1Fpnqv9Tgao/s1600-h/homeschool.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324370705392357714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 113px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsh1mDpQb4WYta5xeJs7j_Gt9U2LsaFGs9f7FLJMnvmyZpcSkLAr056ZafSbQFlOQL6-7OIfSpjhpOMwbV_t8LdlnuS7S33l8SuATg0WaQ8izc_-Ny9jj-TSJnE38XwbM1Fpnqv9Tgao/s320/homeschool.jpg" border="0" /></a>Homeschooling must not count for much in the gool ole USA. At least, not by the IRS.</div><div></div><br /><div>I was told, over the years, that expenses to educate my child at home can be taken off on taxes. We had help this year, and were adamantly told NO! That unless I'm a qualified teacher, then there's no way education is a legitimate expense. But the state I live in says a parent is considered a teacher and holding a school if they homeschool.</div><div></div><br /><div>I'll look into this and will see what I can find out. Meanwhile... comments?</div>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6046056191783044620.post-72426347920523728692009-04-07T15:04:00.004-06:002009-04-07T16:50:49.187-06:00Planning a School Curriculum<p>I thought people visiting this site would benefit from seeing how I plan our kid's schoolwork for the year:</p><ul><li>I mentioned in a previous posting, I use <a href="http://kid-whispers.blogspot.com/2009/03/recommended-book-home-learning-year-by.html">"Home Learning Year by Year" </a>as my bible for planning the kid's curriculum. Working with that book, I start out by looking to see where we are, and where we need to be by the end of the school year. </li><li>Looking at the calendar, I mark out all of the holidays as "no school" days, and also mark out where I think we'll take a vacation, or where it would be a good "semester" break. I figure out how many days of school we have left, and how many our state requires. <em><strong>This calendar becomes our assignment book</strong></em>. In the assignment book, I write:</li></ul><ol><li>Monday: History, Reading, Language Arts Basics (LAB), and Math. </li><li>Tuesday: Science, Reading, LAB, and Math.</li><li>Wednesday: History, Reading, LAB, and Math.</li><li>Thursday: Science, Reading, LAB, and Math</li><li>Friday: either "Test", or "Art, Music, Foreign Language", or "Write a Report/Poem/Story"</li></ol><ul><li>Our state requires 172 minimum days at 4 hours of contact per day. Required basic education includes communication skills (reading, writing, speaking), mathematics, history, civics/government, literature, and science.</li><li>Then I start gathering materials. My kid loves workbooks and reading, so I find a good school supply store and start browsing. Once home, I take all of the books (including literature and reference material, workbooks, etc.) and separate according to subject.</li><li>I start with the easiest first: literature. I write the list of fiction he needs to read. This year was: Mystery of the Cupboard, James and the Giant Peach, Red Badge of Courage... all the way to Little House on the Prairie, Prince and the Pauper, Bridge to Terabithia, The Hobbit and Harry Potter's Sorceror's Stone. I start with the easiest, figuring a few chapters a day, and write the book and chapter numbers in the assignment book. Each day I note which chapters until it's done. The next day I write "test" and make sure I have one ready. I might give him a couple of days before he starts the next book. And so on.</li><li>When he reads a book that's been made into a movie, I assign watching that movie a few days after he finishes reading the book, and require a report comparing the book to the movie, and asking him to note any differences.</li><li>Workbooks for various topics: I assign a couple of pages a day, noting which workbook he needs to work in. When he finished one workbook, the next day might be a free day on the subject, then he'll start the next workbook.</li></ul>Note:<br /><ul><li>I write his assignments in pencil. You never know what might happen! However, he has, at one point, erased what I wrote because he didn't like the number of pages I assigned. Keep a close eye on your assignment book!</li><li>When he's sick, he makes up all missed work on the next school day/days. We need that attendance in case we're ever audited.</li><li>Math is usually several workbook pages. Every once in a while I'll print out a sheet (or 4!) of math equations from one of the many websites. My favorite is: <a href="http://www.homeschoolmath.net/worksheets/">http://www.homeschoolmath.net/worksheets/</a> - grades up thru fifth, from addition to division, fractions, telling time, Roman numerals, and much more.</li><li>Language Arts Basics (LAB) is often several different kinds of workbooks: from spelling to writing, handwriting, grammar and more. </li><li>When it comes to the reading requirement, he reads aloud his history and science assignments, as well as any biographical and reference information. But more importantly, I make a list of classic fiction books he needs to get through by the end of the school year. This takes care of both the "reading" requirement, and the "literature".</li><li>When it comes to fulfilling the speaking requirement, once a month or so I have him give a report to write and present orally to me or Hubby.</li><li>History often includes world and U.S. history, geography and civics/government. We especially use local (and national) elections to help discuss civics.</li><li>There are days when I assign him to listen to his math cd's, or the cd for spanish or french. I might also assign him to paint a picture or draw an anniversary or birthday card for his art assignment.</li><li>Music might be listening to a classical music station and hum some of a piece, or make up a song to sing to us before dinner.</li><li>I keep a separate red binder for assignments like reports or poems he writes. I keep them in order by section (writing, math, history, etc.) and then chronological.</li><li>There's still another binder with reference material broken down by subject: roman numerals, math calculations, etc.</li><li>I take advantage of school supply sales in August, stocking up on lots of pencils, erasers, lined paper, rulers, glue sticks and more.</li><li>His days of attendance are tracked in the assignment book/calendar. I note on each day how much time it took for him to complete his work (including his fidgeting time) and at the end of the week, I bring down his total from last week and add this week's. I also track the days. We are usually quite a bit more than required, because we don't do school for just 9 months.... we do it year round because his brain goes to sleep when he has more than a couple of weeks off at a time!</li></ul><p>I hope this makes schooling-at-home more clear.</p>ThrtnWmsFamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16093255450536042527noreply@blogger.com0