Catch Up

Lucy, conducting her studies amongst the baby toys. She has picked Emperor Maximian (the assigned Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire) for her project on the Middle Ages

We have had a decent week, here at Avenson Academy. Lots of projects, field trips, classes, and quiet reading moments. My favorite time of day is when Sidney is asleep and we can all curl up on the couch and I can read aloud to them. Currently, we are reading, Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. I am hoping to be finished with this soon so we can move on, but there are days, sadly, that I am only able to read a couple of pages. I try to get through 1 - 2 chapters a day.

Here is a quick rummage of my thoughts:

Malt-o-Meal: This is what we will have for breakfast throughout the rest of fall and into Winter. It is the best warm breakfast there is and the kids have had this since they were in high chairs. The "Avenson" recipe is to add a small heap of peanut butter and brown sugar.

BRAIN BREAKFAST

Each morning, the kids wake up to "Brain Breakfast." This is something they do prior to their academic 'check off list.' Each day, there is something different as well as a new mode of brain exercise - whether it is logic, deduction, puzzle, memory games, code cracking, etc.

GOAL of the DAY

Also, each day, before we begin, the kids fill out a "Goal" sheet. This is something they check back in at the end of the day. there is an additional sheet that gives them ideas of what their goal may want to be: Participation, Focusing, Volunteering, Respecting, Various Subjects, and Other. They write how they are going to achieve this goal and then rate at the end of the day if they were successful.

ACADEMIC FOCUS and FIELD TRIPS

The kids are involved in both scholastic and social arterial aspects which contribute to their overall homeschool experience. Being involved in outside classes not only enriches their time, but also amplifies the context of their study.

On a weekly basis, we are immersed within the activities of our homeschool co-ops; writing class, art class, gym, electives, book clubs, social play dates and field trips. Below is a small example of this past week.

.

During our Physics studies, we discussed Newton's Second Law of Motion. I reminisced about the classic 'Egg Drop' experiment and the kids jumped at the opportunity of doing something like that. On the first go round - they were both convinced that a bag of cotton balls would clearly protect the egg.

Field Trip to University of Minnesota Raptor Center

OWL PELLET DISECTION

Learning about a Turkey Vulture

This Eagle came back from exercising More Owl Pellets

A quietly guided day

This morning we have shifted things around. I am letting the kids really take the lead and see waht happens. Simon woke up with a sore throat and so he spent some time in bed. Sidney got up a little earlier than needed, so my time was spread between him and making sure Lucy was prepared for school.

When Simon finally came to being, he decided to do Book Adventure first -- he is working hard at what he does best...read and reap the awards. After he quizzed himself on his book, he disappeared into the fort that has been constructed in our sunroom for over a week. While I worked with Lucy, I voiced out, "Simon, what are you doing?" A voice from inside the fort said, "I dont' have a school schedule, so i am reading my book." "Ah." I say in return. "I am soooo sorry you are without a school schedule. Perhaps you might want to ask me where one is, or look on the bar where it has been laying since last night."

Meanwhile, Lucy is plugging away - which is a tad uncommon, but perhaps she is truly understanding how the day works. After Lucy completes her Brain Breakfast, she says that she wants to begin her research project (she has chosen the Emperor Maximian). She logs into her email and gets her questions from all the family members participating and she and I work exclusively on how to begin researching. Again, I ask, "Simon, what are you doing now?" I get an, "ummmm??" from under the fort. I quickly look inside and there he is, pretending to be looking through his book box but the guilty piece of evidence sits close by..his book. I take the book away - give him my authoritative spiel and continue with Lucy.

So, if we can make it through the day - this is what it will look like
1. Brain Breakfast (check)
2. Awalla Words(check)
3. Goal for the Day (check)
4. Devotions
5. Read Aloud (check)
6. Civics (check)
7. Science - physics...FORCE/GRAVITY....EGG DROP (check)
8. Math (math u see) (check)
9. Daily math - for Simon = geomerty. For Lucy = number patterns (check)
10. Daybook (simon...check)
11. Writing - for Lucy = Writing Strands curriculum. For Simon - IEW Assignment (simon...check)
12. Spelling (check)
13. Lucy has AHG Badge work to continue
14. Video on Roman Times - a kids perspective (check)
15. Begin research on Roman person of choice. Lucy has begun hers. I do not hold promise for Simon getting to his today.

Straight Talk

Well, this morning, as my kids went out to say good bye to their friends and wave to the bus rolling down the street, i called my husband and asked, "Why are we doing this again?" I am in a moment of question. But, i find myself here every year. I haven't been surrounded yet by the pep talk people that get my heart pumping. I have been at home - monitoring nap time, nursing time, cranky moments, etc. I gamble as to whether the baby will have a good day or not. Will he cry in the car if we try to escape for a while. Last year, it was easy to say, "Let's go to the Stone Arch Bridge today. Let's go to the museum today. Let's go for a walk." I am still at liberty to say and do those same things; but it is more taxing than sometimes it is worth.

So, what will make my children happy? What choices do we all need to make and confront to see them through a successful journey?

I talked to two of them this morning and in the end, they both wanted to be homeschooled. We weighed in the pros and cons and knowing that school will 'ramp' up in a bit gave them something to look forward to. The Roman Empire is 'interesting', but it is not that fun. Soon, we will be getting into Castles, Knights, Catapult building, cooking, and our science unit will also explore our need for creativity and motion.

So, what do i need to learn from this? Give it time, give is a voice, give it patience, give it an opportunity to always be approached and discussed? YES!

This morning, it was lego building and movie time. They love the book we are reading, so i think we will find ourselves on the lawn and read while baby sleeps. They will both begin a research project on a significant person of the Roman Era. Perry did this as well and it was really fun. The project was completely geared around questions posed to friends and family and then the kids go on a hunt for the answers. Simon picked King Ethelbert and Lucy Emperor Maximiam. We always laugh at King Ethelbert - for when i say his name or partake in dialogue, i talk with a nasal lisp. Anyway - school will get better and more involved with physical activites - right now i am a puzzle piece away from making this complete and whole.

working through the day

My son quietly reads about prepositional phrases while my daughter finishes up the lawful codes -copying ideas from The Emperor Justinian. Today has been a decent day - as well as yesterday as well. today we did Teach Writing Class with my 10 year old and came back to complete school. We have taking a couple of outside classes, had a couple of playdates and have worked cohesively as a small unit. It helps me sometimes to see procrastination simply because the longer they take working on their own studies, the shorter time span between friends coming home off the bus. For two days, my kids have been at the bus stop with the neighborhood pals; saying good-bye. I am not sure how to handle this. Am I the only homeschooler that kids see the benefit of being apart of a greater public setting? It was nice to see that because the class sizes are growing exponentially, my husband was more in favor of his kids staying at home and receiving personal attention.

I also have to remember what school is all about. My son wants to take as many breaks during the day so he can plop himself on the couch and read....is this so bad?

the school day progresses around me as I have currently taken myself out of the equation. i need to jump back in.

Something Different

The tide has changed - with any natural course of direction. The academic excitement is lackluster, at best; but we are at least laughing and enjoying the company of the other. Science has seemingly created a stir of motion amongst us...but the moment is fleeting. The 10 year old visited his friends at the bus stop this morning and has been in and out the front door at an annoying rate during the past 30 minutes; trying to figure out what to do and where to go. I should have this monogramed on a t-shirt..."What to do....Where to go?"

The day is better than last, but i can say with conviction, i am still in waiting.

Is Anybody Out There??

Some days, coffee is insufficient.

That is the beginning of my post and i am not sure what will follow in the transpiration of thought.

Monday, September 14 - the beginning of the week. I have decided to do an A week and a B week - that way, i feel as though we are getting through the hodgepodge of material; but at an agreeable pace. Again, my children meet me in the morning as vacuous beings and I am not sure how to handle such description. Are we all simply doing this for the other, but not involved beyond? I am not sure. It is the beginning of the school year and this is the time i am most judgemental. I read other's observations about kids and school buses and jumping for joy little ones are home instead of on a bus....I look at the bus and as i cock my head to the right, i think, "Hmm, that doesn't look half bad." I look to my left and see my two remaining at home, cocking their heads as well.

So, what does this mean?

My 10 year old reads - this has been said too many times. He leaves his 'school' post and flees to the couch with numerable reminders to come back to the table to 'learn.' My daughter sits and waits for direction - but is segmented in thought due to the interrupting flow of the day. The 10 year old rushes through work and grumbles at correction after requested appearance off the couch. The book is at the ready; and i can only assume, so is his mind.

So, what is in it for the 4 of us? What transpiring event will challenge our course? or, what shake up is needed to get us on track. The river is right next to us - splashing at our feet; and yet, somehow, we decidedly trudge on the banks, slowly making our way.

thanks for listening.

September 10

Currently I am downloading medievel chanting monks. Sounds kinda funny - but true. Lucy and Simon are next to me on the couch deciding to do DEAR time right away in the morning. Lucy is reading Heroes and Heroines from Roman time and Simon is reading Ancient Roman Children. We have finsihed our devotions this morning and will soon be going to Michaels to get Sculpi Clay for our Monk Crosses that we will make today. I am really trying hard to make school fun and each day, i think, "Tomorrow will be fun!" But inevitably, it is not. it is quiet and mundane and i wonder what they are getting out of it. Quite a shame that there is not a brain scanner to tell.

Today, we have the typical run of the mill subject matter: Writing, Math, Read A Loud, Social Studies, Brain Breakfast, etc. No need to write any more. Maybe pictures taken of art project this afternoon.

Monks in Spain - but audio is nice to listen as we study ancient rome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dBOGb3gCms

Everybody's Doing It

So, I have plenty of friends who are blogging the days of homeschool learning. Being at a coffee shop and planning for the following week - i thought i would do the same...mainly so i know all my thoughts, contentions, observations are all in one safe place. Here.

Links for the week of Sept. 6 - 11
British Kings: http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/kids/local_kings.html
Ancient Rome for Kids: http://www.rome.mrdonn.org/

Read Aloud: Continue HOOT by Carl Hiaasen.

Story of the World : Celts, Barbarians, and Kings... oh my

This is just the beginning. This is where I will post my ideas and daily news.