Napping during the movie
This weekend is speeding by, as usual. I spent part of the morning on Friday making sure my oldest had finished homework for his afternoon robotics club. My husband then took the oldest two boys to the driving range for a couple of hours while I concentrated on academics with the youngest two children. How easy it felt to only have two children to teach! Afterwards, we regrouped for the evening: soccer, FLL, and a field trip for my Junior FLL. My night ended with taking my girlfriend out to eat for her birthday before hubby and I watched a late-night movie (thereby, “napping during the movie”. I believe I only saw about half of the movie, some magic theme with the face-book actor and the Cheers guy).
Today following morning soccer for the youngest, I took my oldest son to U of Penn’s campus, so that he and his teammates could participate in a robotics event. I LOVED walking around Penn’s campus with him. I’m a big fan of exposing them to the higher education environment at an early age. It helps them to see what they may be working towards. We talked about how hard students have to work to be accepted into an Ivy League school. Lots and lots of studying is required. That seemed to register to my son (maybe?). The evening ended with my daughter and I having a “girls night out” shopping for her wardrobe. It’s always enjoyable spending time with just one of the kids at a time.
Off to bed before Ground Hog day comes.
Time for the uniform
Summer days are over for us. Home projects will no longer get my attention so quickly as my mind will be focused on academics and all that goes along with that. I will now be sporting my daily wear of yoga pants and old t-shirts.
This morning the kids and I drove my parents to the airport after they’d been with us for 2 fun and productive weeks. I spent the rest of the day prepping for tomorrow’s return of academics. Our “back to school” day if you will, but I really see us as studying at all hours of the day and night, not confined to those of an institutional setting.
I wrote a system of sorts down on paper. It shows the basics being covered for each child every school day, but other subjects will be studied in weekly blocks like a unit study. For example, I’ll spend our first full week covering computer skills, art, and art history. The next week those subjects will change to history, geography, and vocabulary. The following week will be science, poetry, grammar, etc. I hope to begin Latin and beginner French once I feel at bit more at ease at covering our core studies. I’ve no idea how this will all work out teaching 4 different levels, but I’m hoping this tentative plan will give me something to work with.
Common core-Are you following what’s going on with this? You should because it’s affecting everyone, not just those in the public school sector. I actually called the College Board a few weeks ago and introduced myself as a homeschooler. I asked the question of how homeschoolers could have a voice or be represented in the College Board, since it appeared they had volunteers from the private sector involved. I was told that homeschoolers could not hold a volunteer position as the current by-laws are written. I also expressed concern as a homeschooler wondering if my children would be penalized on national exams if what I was teaching was not in line with the new common core standards. The representative from the board was actually a pleasure to talk with, and she said the board does follow the homeschooling movement. She also seemed intrigued by some of my questions, and I did ask her to keep me in mind should the opportunity arise where homeschoolers could have a voice in her organization. Actually, I have one of my girlfriends in mind to represent homeschoolers, so I’m hoping the board rep calls back:) Could be a win-win situation for both parties.
Off to bed as my vision is blurring from fatigue…much to learn…futures to shape…
Preparation
More errand running today. We visited our local Tractor Supply store to obtain some needed camp items. I had never been to a tractor supply store. They have interesting items for sale, fun things for the yard, etc. That was followed by a trip to greasy Sonic. My kids took their own money to buy slushes and burgers. They had to place their own orders and calculate if they had enough money to make their purchases. We discussed how much they wanted to spend versus how much they wanted to save. I know Sonic is loaded with fats and such, but we enjoyed our rare outing watching the waiters skate around. I read a bit on summer programs at Ivy schools while they ate.
Off to laundry land, ugh….
Mom, pediatrician, homeschooler
Article sent to me by my girlfriend. Don’t you know that it made me smile just a bit, although I disagree that parents are getting more sleep! Who’s she kidding? She’s got 4 kids, she’s homeschooling, and teaching at an academic medical institution. I’m not buying that one..
John Stossel/O’Reilly Factor on government flood insurance
Saw the end of this last night. Not sure what this massive destruction and now more debt are going to do to states like ours in New Jersey.
Memorial Day Weekend
It’s so great to see people out with their patriotic pride taking time out to reflect on those who’ve served and died for this country.
Ran a 5K this morning in honor of our soldiers. Just found out by my girlfriend that I placed second in my age group-what? Makes me feel better.. So many people kept passing me so I thought I did horribly! Apparently, I won a medal, but I wasn’t there to receive it because I was already at Dunkin Donuts-ha!!
http://www.lmsports.com/wia12.htm
Outsourcing of American jobs-What does that mean for our children?
Had to deal with our local cable company today because of internet problems-just painful.
They outsource their technical support to countries overseas. The first guy I spoke with could barely speak English and could not follow my conversation.
Later in the day I was buying appliances at Lowe’s for the beach house and took note of the various companies advertising that they employ more people stateside than other companies. That they have to tell us that should make us stop to think.
Very interesting topic..some people feel outsourcing is a good thing for Americans, and some people feel quite the opposite. An area we should follow closely for the next generation.
My conversation with Pam Tebow
Tonight I attended our local pregnancy center’s annual fundraiser. This year’s featured speaker was Pam Tebow. She’s just lovely. We spoke briefly about homeschooling (didn’t bring up Denver). Back then, their family was quite the trailblazer versus today where homeschooling is becoming more mainstream. Yah! Go homeschoolers!!
Maybe she has a granddaughter or grandson who could marry one of my kids?? I wonder how many people say that…
Ivy League Homeschooling 