Tuesday, January 27, 2015

School Schedule for 26Jan15

26Jan15 School Sch

Monday- Yesterday we got a lot done! It was gorgeous outside so we did most of the work on the deck. Pages 99-107 in her Math Mammoth work book. We really need to get more of this knocked out so it will probably be center stage for the next few weeks.

For spelling we are using this list. Oddly enough (especially for those that know me), Emma enjoys spelling.  While Emma was outside running around and I was doing dishes, I called the words out to her and had her spell them out loud. She thought that was funny. Later we sat down and did the quiz again with her writing them down.

When Gramma was visiting last time she wrote up a bunch of cursive writing practice sheets so Emma got started working on those. She really loves how fancy cursive is.

Piano didn't happen yesterday and neither did art.

Emma listened to a few chapters of the Story of the World (SOTW) while feeding and training Bailey last night, then worked on some of the coloring pages. We'll knock out the maps at some point, but they are so zoomed it that we may just look in one of our geography history books to get a better idea of where the events took place.

Animal Geography also didn't happen. We will add it somewhere later in the week.

Exercise- this one was fun! Emma, Bailey and I met Skylar at Gibson park. Emma rode her bike while Skylar, Bailey and I did a C25K workout. We were moving for about 30 minutes.

Tuesday- I love Tuesdays for many reasons. Emma has swim lessons, which she kinda likes/hates but we make her do because she really needs to know how to swim. I have roller derby tonight, which is awesome! But best of all our friend Skylar comes over to hang out with us then get some math work in with Emma. It's great one-on-one non-parent time for Emma and it gives Jared and I a better sense on where Emma is in math. Skylar, as a teacher, is better qualified at assessing that kinda thing. Plus, Skylar is just awesome. We might have to kidnap her and take her with us when we move.

Emma will write a letter to GG Steffen today. I might even have her sneak in a few of the spelling words that she was having trouble with and I may ask that she write one of the sentences in cursive. We'll see.

Today is 4-H dog project day. While we are still learning a lot about how 4-H works, we are all enjoying it. I'll write something specifically about 4-H in the next few weeks.

We'll try to get a little art in today. If I can find the art curriculum thing that I printed out. This house is too big. Piano will also get worked in somewhere as well.

Tuesdays are also errands day, so after swim we will run around and get stuff done- pick up eggs, recycle, maybe get an oil change in the car, etc.

Wednesday- Math will be some sort of game. I'm not entirely sure which one, but it will probably be multiplication based.

Writing will involve a short story using a few randomly picked spelling words. Perhaps I'll be sneaking and have her make up a story about the Cathedral of Brasillia and illustrate it to tie art, writing and spelling together. Again, if I can find the art papers.

More piano practice. Typically she likes to practice the piano, but at the moment she only knows two really short and simple songs, so I think she gets bored. There are a few games we can play to keep it interesting, so we might try some of those.

We have plans to meet Skylar Wednesday morning at the park for another C25K session. Not sure if Emma plans to ride or run, but as long as the weather is nice, it won't matter.

Gymnastics! Emma is loving gymnastics which is such a relief. With the crappy weather we have been having, horse lessons have been on hold. Even when it's gorgeous like it has been the last two days, the ground is too wet really for safe riding. The poor kid was desperate for some sort of activity and gymnastics has been working out. Plus, she read an article about trick riders and it has her intrigued. She needs gymnastic skills if she someday wants to do that.

SOTW- This is such an easy one. We may just start listening to the chapters in the car, then go back later to do the coloring sheets and the maps.

Depending on how the day goes, I will have her work on her animal geography sheet. I will explain more about these later.

Thursday- We  have homeschool co-op this day, so most of the day is devoted to that. Emma also has swim lessons and this Thursday she has an orthodontics appointment. We also need to get packed and ready for our trip to NH so who knows exactly how much will get done. If we do get school stuff done at home, it will most likely be math on the computer, spelling practice, and piano practice.

If we have time she will work on her 4-H photography project and some Writing With Ease.

Friday- We need to be to the airport a little before noon, so if we get any school work done this day, it will all be on the plane. We will try to get a run in at the park (or gym if it's too cold) in the morning, but it depends on how packed and ready we are the night before. I plan to pack her spelling list, some easy math games, a journal for her to write about our trip and photos of Bailey (at Emma's request) so she can make a collage.

Well, that is what the week looks. Now I need to get my butt moving so we can get Emma to swim lessons on time.  

Monday, January 26, 2015

Work Schedule and Accountability

Accountability. That, to me, has been the hardest part of being a stay-home-homeschooling-mama. In a 9-5 job, you have co-workers relying on you to get your portion of the work done and you have a boss to answer to if the work isn't done. You also have a pay check, recognition and social interaction as motivators for a job well done.

20150118_104843
Reading about Breyer Model Horses

Don't get me wrong. Emma and Jared are my co-workers and my bosses, but they are pretty lenient. Emma is more than happy to sit and play a game of chess or get caught up in a good book at the expense of a sink full of dishes and school work unfinished. Same goes for Jared. 

IMG_20150109_113623
Reading "Bone" by Jeff Smith

And for the most part, I am with them. But with this giant house and Emma now being nine, I feel more pressure to keep the house presentable and to make sure Emma is learning at least the basics. 

To be fair to Emma, Jared and myself, she does know a lot of the basics. She has a fantastic grasp of the English language -though we need to work on spelling- and can add just about any number you give her -here we need to work on subtraction-. She understands the concept of multiplication, but we need to start exposing her to division. Geography is fun for her and she can name all the continents, knows which U.S. states are which and even some of the capitols. 

IMG_20150105_091649
Working on her spelling list. 

Anyway, you get the idea. 

So, I need some help. From you guys. Each Monday I will write a post explaining what Emma and I will be doing for the week. I will also post pictures each (or most) days on Instagram. The following Monday I will give a quick recap of what we got accomplished. 

What do I need from you?

Check up on us. Send an e-mail, reply to the post, send a text, give us a call or Skype with us. Heck, you can even send Emma a letter or post card asking her specifics about something she is doing. 

So as not to overwhelm myself, I will post our plans for the week tomorrow. In the meantime, I would love some tips on what you do to keep yourself on task and your house clean!