Better Late Than Never I Guess...

There are approx 98 days left of school for Greg and Danny ( that goes to the end of April so in reality, if they need other days they can have them.) They have approx 93 more math lessons and approx 147 LA lessons. So, that leaves 6 more months of school with 2 months in each BLOCK. This block of Nov and Dec I've figured out what Greg needs to have done by the end of Nov and then again the end of Dec ( before holidays). If that works for him, than I'll give him 30 days twice, next block. Can you see why I am seeing nothing but numbers? Next year I will figure it out at the VERY beginning of the year. As Greg is getting older he is wanting to be more independent. I will give him a little bit at a time and see how he does.

Oh, the joys of homeschooling, it seems that I'm forever learning and trying to figure things out. I guess that's a good think huh?

Great Math site...

if you are looking for worksheets. This week Danny is doing review work in adding and subtraction and I found this site. I love it. Felt the need to pass on my good fortune.

http://www.homeschoolmath.net/worksheets/grade_4.php

This week: Nov 2-6

Danny: instead of doing his math workbook we are going to work on adding and subtraction esp of the top number having 3 numbers in it. today we started easy but tomorrow we'll get a little harder. He started a journalling lesson in LA so this week his LA and creative writing will be one in the same. For some reason, that excites him. lol We've been studying Africa in SS but his Sunday School teachers want him to give a presentation on Australia ( why? I'm not sure ) so that's what he will do for Social Studies the next 2 weeks. Science he is studying Venus this week and today we did a Volcano experiment using flour, a cup and melted butter. Health, we are a little behind. We need to do a couple lessons.... Encouraging One Another, Handling Feelings and Down on Myself.

Greg: I have given him more freedom as to how and when he will do his Math and LA. I will figure out home far he needs to be by the the time we are done for Christmas Break and he can get to tha point however he wants. All I have to do is keep my mouth sut ( yeah right ALL I have to do). That'll take a miracle. lol We are having problems with him for Science. I think I need to find a new one to do. Taking notes and indepent work isn't good for this subject. It's too easy to slack. He is enjoying Africa but is almost done and I think Australia is next.

ALL IN ALL...Homeschooling is by far NOT the easiest thing I've done. I've grown in many ways and realized all the " alone time" I though I needed, I didn't need. It was nice though and I'd sure like a little more than I get but I know we are folling God's will. Do I get concerned? All the time. I hope the kids are learning. I think they are but so often I find that out later. I hope one day my kids will thank me for this. I hope they know I'm doing it for them.

Science....ARGGGGG

Greg is doing Apologia and it doesn't seem to be working for him. Maybe it's me, maybe I don't know how to teach it? I'm having him read it and take notes. It's the note taking he is having issues with. How do you "teach" note taking? He is thinking a big text book with a set of questions every few pages or so. Well, I guess I will look and see what there is. What a pain. lol

Oh wow,

One more day this week...thank God. I'll do all my marking tomorrow and prepare my kids for some more "do overs" next week. I'm so tired, so very weary. I'm sleeping, I guess I'm not resting. Crazy huh. I'm not too impressed with Greg and his schoolwork right now and he has such an attitude. So, I guess sometime this weekend or something, he will have to sit and be reminded of his committments and we'll have to start taking his privileges away. Danny needs a talking to as well but for different reasons. He's totally taking advantage of his 10 min. breaks between subjects. I guess in the next week I will put another system together and see what happens.

Bad Mom/Bad Teacher/Bad God?

I'm behind in my marking. Only a day or so...but nonetheless, does that make me a bad teacher? I'm really looking forward to Friday and Monday. They are part of Thanksgiving weekend and a four day off one.... does that make me a bad teacher? I want to sleep in every day ( I don't), does that make me a bad teacher?

I didn't watch my son practice practice football in the pouring rain and cold weather. Does that make me a bad mom? I didn't make my kids something to eat after they treated me like a servant and maid. Does that make me a bad mom? I didn't give in to their manipulation. Does that make me a bad mom and I refuse to feel guilty...am I bad mom?

God allowed me to miscarry several times. Does that make Him a bad God? God allowed me to have some pretty major bumps in my marriage. Does that make Him a bad God? God made me face my fears and it was really really hard. Does that make Him a bad God?

:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Lord, thank you for the trials that make me, that mold me. Lord, thank you that I struggle to be the best mom, the best teacher. Guide me in these roles. Lord, I don't know why you allowed in my life, what you did, but I do know, that I am who I am today, because these things and more, have shaped and molded me. Thank you God.

I guess I could update

So, we've been in school now about a month or so and everyone is still alive. Maybe a few cuts and bruises but I'm thinking we've done good so far. There has been a lot of challenges but God is good, and God is faithful, He is seeing us through. I know we are in His will and that is what gets me through the tough moments.

Both kids are doing fairly good with their subjects. Slowing down would make a world of difference, but I can tell them that until I'm blue in the face. What does mom know anyway? I wonder, will I ever stop asking that question?

Well, this is just a quick update. I'll try, as I say everytime, to write in here more. To be honest, I've been inspired as far as writing goes, so who knows how often I might be here. God now though, toodles and Good Night!

"But, you're the mother....

you're suppose to read my mind, " says my youngest son ( who is more of a monkey today ). LOL

We are on day 3. It isn't the easiest thing I've ever done, homeschooling my 2 boys. I know all homeschoolers run into issues but I still do wish that they'd write down more about where they struggle. Oh well.... I won't share mine to get sympathy, but mainly to get out the frustrations. I know homeschooling is right for us, and that's what gives me the strength to get through it even through the struggles.

Greg is of course baulking everything I say. Wally is due home tonight so tomorrow am, he will have a little chat with them about what their roles are. I'm just going to get extra work on hand for him to do I guess. It's interesting watching them and seeing how different they are at their school work.

Danny it takes him a little longer to just sit and do it, but once he does get started on a subject, he will take his time and he is usually neat. He also needs at least 10 -15 breaks inbetween the subjects....but really, when he actually is able to sit and do it, he does well and he knows what he's doing. So far we've done just mainly reviewing math and so far so good. He had to start LA with a book report. Because he has a hard time sitting down, reading isn't his favorite thing. He does want me to get a box of "prizes" for reading so next week I will stock up on Dollare Store stuff and maybe even steal the Pizza Hut reading program and offer a Personal Pizza every page and a half. I haven't gotten in a Social Workbook yet so we didn't do that this week. We will start SS next week and I imagine, in the midst of complaining.

Greg wants to start his work early and will continue to do it until he is done. He works fast.... too fast ( the same way I did as a kid) and therefore gets things wrong and has to redo which really frustrates him. I'm hoping the insentive of getting over 80% means you don't have to do corrections will encourage him that it is in his best interest to slow down. He, is not neat, but that has to do with being in a hurry too. Math is harder than he thought I think. It's a hard pill to swallow for him, to not "get something." He loves to read. I handle the whole minutes vs books reading different between them because of it but it all works out in the end. I need to get them into reading some classics this year as well which neither one is looking forward to so I guess I better find some good incentives ( nice way of saying BRIBES..lol) He doesn't think it's fair he has to do 1/2 hr of science a day and Danny does it twice a week. I'm following the book plans. Hey...grade 7 vs grade 4.

So yes, we have some hurdles ahead. They fight a lot and are at competition with each other...which can be good or bad. Greg thought he was pulling one over Danny's head by challenging him to do his Math "problem of the day." It took Danny longer to get to the answer ( they are along the lines of critical thinking) BUT Danny got the right answer and Greg did not. That was good for Greg, I thought and of course Danny GLOATED. lol

School was like a monkey playhouse today....but it is noon and we are done. The kids did the dishes ( ka..ching ) and I will do the marking and the laundry. I'm wiped but I'm a survivor!!!!

Books are in

and I'm all organized and lesson planned for the next two weeks. I am waiting for my health books yet and I still need to order Greg's critical thinking book. I'm also waiting for a cookbook with easy recipes that has 365 recipes in it and recipes easy for menu planning. I want to start doing that. It just gets rid of much stress and there is such easy recipes out there. That is my next step in organizing!!!! I'll let you know how school goes. toodles!

I found out Yesterday

my books haven't been sent yet. They were going to call the school to get my PO number. I guess the lady from the school hadn't gotten back to them yet. I'll call again when I get home from Toronto and in the meantime, I'll come up with some review sheets for them/spelling/math and I do have part of Danny's science as well as his Aesop's study. I still have to go through some of last years stuff PLUS I need to empty binders etc. I'll do that this week. With Wally being gone a couple days, I can do whatever, whenever. I can do that when he is home too, but this way I can give it my undivided attention.

We are full time into phys-ed right now. We went around Cranna Lake today and will again on Friday. It was such a nice walk and we talked about stuff and it really was wonderful.

I'm really quite blessed to be homeschooling.