Weblog

Saturday, 05 September 2009

  • Our Day (9/5/09)

    Today we had a much better day than yesterday. We didn't complete everything I had hoped we would but Mari's attitude was much better and she actually completed her assignments in a timely manner.

    Not sure if I mentioned that yesterday we went to check out the new ballet school the girls will be going to this year. I love Boston Ballet but it's a lot more expensive than Creative Steps and since money is really tight right now I had to go for the cheaper option.

    Creative Steps has their classes at the Elliot Church not too far from where we live and there are a couple of playgrounds outside so Noah won't be too bored while the girls are in class.

    I put Gabby and Genesis in same class because I'm hoping it will help Gabby with her shyness. Oh yeah, another thing I like about Creative Steps is the fact that they do a recital. They didn't do that at Boston Ballet. And they have great discounts if you want to take more than one class.

  • Our Homeschool Day (Friday 8/4)

    I'm going to start this one on a good note. Gabby is zipping through the Hooked on Phonics Yellow Box. We have an older version so I think they call that the Kindergarten level now.

    Gabby is a joy to teach. She loves to do her work and she works really hard even when she has a hard time. She is also working on Horizons Kindergarten Math which is going very well. She struggles with the handwriting but she seems to really understand the math concepts they are trying to teach.

    Now to Mari...we had a HORRIBLE day. I can honestly say I hate teaching her. I've found myself putting school off for weeks at a time over the past year and using all sorts of excuses like we're just too busy with other things or whatever. The bottom line is that she gives me HELL! I've finally come to terms with the fact that she needs to be medicated for her ADHD and she probably needs some therapy for her behavioral issues.

    I need to make clear the point that I am NOT a permissive parent. Mari is a strong-willed child who will challenge all authority all the time. She is very intelligent and due to the fact that everyone has told her that for so long, she always thinks her idea or opinion is better than everyone else's. Therefore, if she doesn't want to do something she is told to do she won't.

    At this point I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Mari. I'm pretty sure she will need to be medicated even though that is not what I want to do.

Friday, 04 September 2009

  • We are officially Homeschoolers!!!

    Last week I submitted paperwork to let the school system know that I planned to homeschool Mari. Now that she is six years old I am required to sign a form and write a letter every year. I also have to submit a progress report and some work samples (optional) twice a year.

    The whole thing got a little confusing when I was trying to figure out what grade to say she was in. I want her to take standardized tests like other kids her age but I want her to be tested based on her age not the grade level I'm teaching because even though she reads well and her math skills are pretty good I don't think she is mature enough yet to understand questions that an older child would understand. I'm also pretty sure she has ADHD and I think she might have trouble taking tests anyway. She get distracted way too easily and she often spaces out.

    It is not uncommon her Mari to take over an hour to do a simple handwriting page. I can't even count the number of time I say "focus" or "are you done yet." Some days I really want to give up. And I'm so sick of people saying she would probably do better in a classroom (full of distractions). If people don't have anything intelligent to say they should keep their stupid mouths shut. Sorry for the mini rant.

    So Mari is still in 2nd Grade Math and Language Arts and 1st Grade History. We haven't started 1st Grade Science yet but I want to get through the Math and Language Arts then we can focus on History and Science. She is more than half way through Math and about half way through Language Arts so I'm guessing that by next month we will be working on History and Science then moving onto 3rd Grade. I told the public school people we would be covering 2nd Grade this year and I'm certain we will get that done.

    Gabby will be five years old in four months and I've decided to start her on k12 Kindergarten Math and Language Arts as soon as she finishes the yellow Hooked on Phonics box. She is doing great so I'm pretty sure she will be a Kindergartner next month. She is really excited about that.

    Gabby struggles with grammar so I try to give her a lot of help with reading comprehension. Even though she doesn't have as easy a time learning to read as Mari did, Gabby is easier to teach because she has a more compliant personality.

    In addition to the regular Kindergarten curriculum I want to continue with Hooked on Phonics and also start Hooked on Math. I also need to make sure both Mari and Gabby spend at least 30 minutes every day on Rosetta Stone Spanish.

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

bghomeschool

  • Visit bghomeschool's Xanga Site
    • Name: Andrea
    • Birthday: 8/25/1980
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 8/21/2007
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About Me

  • I am a homeschool mom to four great kids and I love to knit.

Weblog Archives

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My Library

The Out Campaign: Scarlet Letter of Atheism
Click on the "A" to learn more.

Mari

mari small

4/5/03

Mari is my oldest child. She is so smart and funny. She loves to play outside with her sisters and she enjoys reading and doing school at home.

Mari's School Stuff

Language Arts 2 (k12.com this includes a great phonics program)

Math 2 (k12.com)

Math 2 (Horizons for extra reinforcement)

History 1 (k12.com)

Spanish (Rosetta Stone)

Mari's Activities

Ballet
cutecolorsbal5b

Gabriella

Gabby small

1/2/2005

Gabby is my little diva. She loves to wear sunglasses and high heeled shoes. She recently learned to read and is very proud of the fact that she is a big girls now.

Gabby's School Stuff

Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read

Spanish (Rosetta Stone)

Gabby's Activities

Ballet
cutecolorsbal4c

Genesis

Genna small

3/9/06

Genna is my feisty little bully. She's always trying to keep up with her sisters. She loves to dance and sing.

Noah

Noah small

4/5/2007

Noah is my talkative, sometimes bossy, sweet, little boy. He loves his sister and wants to do everything they do, including ballet!

Chatboard (11)

  • lorenytha
    hellow andrea.!!! jeje como estan.??? espero y todo este biien........... listas para valentine's day.?? que pasen muy feliz dia..!!! cuidense mucho u fuerte abrazo...saludos..!!! besos........LORENA CASTRO
  • lorenytha
    alo!!! quee onda hee.?? andan perdidasss verdad.?? jejejejeje pues espero y todos esten biien....como va la pancitaa.? les mando mil besos..! esta bien padre el video de mari mostrando su cuarto me vinieron viejos recuerdos a la mente y sentimientos tambien jhejhe al ver el que solia ser mi cuarto
  • fmevanssr
    i need your address Brookie
  • avelon18
    thnx for being so nice would you like to add me as a friend if so please send a requist talk to u later by
  • avelon18
    if u do there is something on the boxes with a code on it if u have any coke caps or those big boxes please just leave them on my chatboard or send me a messeage please
  • avelon18
    do u dronk coke
  • bghomeschool
    @avelon18 - What are coke rewards?
  • avelon18
    hi you seen my sight awhile back with the cool soccer flip i was wondering if you can send me some coke rewards. p.s. the kids are cute.
  • nasken
    I have to do my homework now. So I wont be able to be on the internet tonight.
    • Posted 9/4/2007 1:16 AM
    • by nasken
  • nasken
    I will show you how to put them on there. It is easy I found out how to do it when I got off the phone with you and my sister.
    • Posted 9/4/2007 1:15 AM
    • by nasken