Week One

First let me apologize as I have no photo to accompany this post, but still wanted to get in a quick update on how our first week of school went.

The first couple of days went really well, and towards the end of the week we were all fairly exhausted. My wonderful plan of doing more schoolwork throughout the weekend to help get ahead for the following week did not unfold. Ah well, maybe next weekend (because I still think its a good idea, based on our schedules, to work on school during the weekend and then take Thursdays and Fridays off, if possible).

Wolfie is almost a master at this program as well as his workload. He has attended several live sessions now, and his fear of same is gone. Drew still needs quite a bit of attention, but that's okay.

Their favorite subject is (hold on to your seats here, big surprise - can we get a drum roll please?) ART!!! lol

I believe Wednesday and Thursday were pretty tough days for dad (from the sound of it), but Friday was easier and, as I said before, I believe me and the hub have more to learn than the kids. (pray for us)

We received a phone call from Drew's teacher on Thursday. It was only to touch base with us and see if we had any questions. Roy and I spoke with her, and then Drew got on the phone. Drew is so shy and quiet, but got off the phone talking about how nice the teacher is. Wolfie has not spoken on the phone with any of his teachers yet, but I don't believe its because they haven't called. We had a new line installed for the kids and school, and from the caller ID, it looks like we've gotten several calls from the school. I believe Wolfie just needs to recognize the incoming caller and get up the nerve to answer the phone. I'll also have to put dad on alert.

We also finished up the LEAP tests (Math & Reading). They both did fine. Drew had a hard time guessing at the ones she did not know (as we were instructed). Her thought was she simply HAD to get them all correct, and it just did NOT make sense to her to guess at the ones she did not know (even though I told her that's the way the test was going to go, and that's the way we were supposed to do it). Poor baby, really almost ended up in tears over it. It also appears that Wolfie is a really good guesser. He got quite a few correct that he had to guess at the answers. (Consequently, the instructions to guess confuse me because if the test is to see what the kids know and what they need to learn, then shouldn't they just leave the ones they don't know blank?)

I really wanted to take the kids swimming at my mothers this weekend, but it rained (maybe one day during the week). Otherwise, a pretty lazy weekend - that's okay too, we'll be ready for Monday.

First (Official) Day of School

Well, let me back up in time about 7 or 8 years, back when all of my kids were young and living at home (I have five kids in all - his, hers, & ours), and I - for the sake of sanity - put together a "Consequences & Actions" chart. It was wonderful. The kids knew what to expect, and understood the consequences for certain actions (it was no longer a punishment just because I was at the end of my rope - it was just, simply, the rules of the household), and it was magical. More importantly, it saved my sanity and their bottoms. But you know, the difficult part was not getting the kids on the program, it was getting ME on the program.

As I wrapped things up for today (the first day of schooling at home), I'm seeing a parallel, as it is painfully apparent that me and the husband (Roy) have a LOT to learn! It was also very apparent that the kids are going to slide into the swing of this thing with ease. They both did very, very well today. It was great, and I was really proud of them! No worries.

YouTube video for Connections Academy

I just got wind of this video for Connections Academy on YouTube and couldn't wait to share it. You can pass it along to any of your family and friends who would like another sneek peek about this online public school.

To watch, click on the following link:

Connections Academy YouTube video

A taste of what's to come

Today I sat down with my kids to begin some of their classes. I will not be taking Monday off and I wanted them to get a taste of their projects so they could know what to expect, and maybe get a little headstart.

Wolfie started with History and he went through it easily with very few questions. After he finished the assessment we realized that we would not be able to submit the projects until the first day of school. That's okay. He can fly through these assignments on Monday, submit them, and move on to the others. He also chose to go through his math assignment (struggled a little more there, I am supposing because it's been a while since he's done math work). He also tends to be insecure and hesitant to commit to his answers. We talked about it, but I believe this will be one of his longterm challenges (it's his momma's side showing).

Drew began with her Language Arts. There was quite a bit of work, including several different reading assignments, worksheets, and vocabulary. Consequently, this was all she concentrated on. Overall she did well, but did get a little nervous and worried about it being too hard. I reassured her that we would all be learning new things and it was okay to focus on those answers she knew first, leaving the harder questions for last.

We worked for only two hours and then it was obvious they needed a break, so we called it a day.

After they wrapped it up, they both walked away feeling reassured about what to expect on Monday.

As I will be keeping my day job, their dad will be home to help them as needed during the day, and I will help them when I get home from work. We expect them to be fairly needy for a while, growing more comfortable and working more independently as the year progresses.

Completed study areas

The kids have their schedules as well. Each assigned your typical classes (Math, English, Science, Social Studies, PE, Computer Learning, and Art) spread throughout the week, but without specific time allotments (although their live sessions will be time specific). Live sessions are classes held via webcam. Their teacher can be viewed (live) on the computer screen (in one corner) with another portion of the screen showing the "board" the teacher is writing on. It is held with other children logged in and everyone is able to communicate together. It also has an area portioned for the child to type in comments and questions, and also includes shortcut keys for the child to select so that he/she can communicate (silently) to the teacher about "stepping away" from the desk, or "raising hand", or "slow down please", and so on.

Drew is nervous, I think because of the live sessions. I don't believe she realizes yet that those don't occur everyday. Maybe I see about getting a little time off or moving my lunch around so that I can help her with her first live session. Additionally, we will begin our lessons tomorrow (Sunday). School officially begins this Monday, but I'm not taking Monday off (as I usually did with the BM (bricks & mortar) schools. This will allow her to ease into her lessons and a schedule, knowing a little more about what to expect.

I beleve the hardest part will be their schedules. They are used to waking up and flipping on the cartoons. New schedule does not allow for the television to be on during school time. I'm sure it will happen, it just may take us all some time to get in the new routine.

These are photos of their study areas, complete with new rugs, chairs, computers, supplies, desk organizers (the only ones in town, and pricey!), and so on.

We lack mousepads and printer ink (will do tomorrow).

Meet-the-Teach picnic

We attended the school's meet-the-teacher picnic today in Houston. It was held in a pavilion in the park. Unfortunately, it rained, hard. As you see in the photo above, we piled under the shelter, shoulder to shoulder. What impressed me most was, while everyone was drenched from either the rain or the humidity, everyone was still in good spirits. The faculity did an excellent job of making the best of a soggy situation, and I'm glad we went. We did get to meet several of Wolfie's teachers as well as Drew's, and that was the point, after all.

Study area is almost finished

We received most of our shipments from Connections Academy (CA). We've got Drew's computer set up (save the wireless internet adapters, which we purchase ourselves, and plan to buy next week) and all of the school books have arrived. We are still waiting for Wolfie's computer to come in and he will be releaved, I'm sure, although he's waiting patiently and hasn't uttered a word of worry about it.

The kids, both, have their schedules as well, and we've walked through the first couple of days together so that they know what to expect. Tomorrow we head out to the meet-the-teacher picnic in Houston. Totally excited about that! and hoping to meet all of their teachers.

The new carpet is in, as well as most of the supplies. We lack a few more things, like chairs! But we're shopping around for those.

The supply cabinets are cleaned up and getting organized.

I got to sit down with my mother this weekend and show her the study room, books, computer, and CA website. She was really excited and had a positive attitude about it. I think many of her worries are being rested as she becomes more and more familiar with the program, and it's always a relief when momma approves.

Storage area gets a make-over

The kids were such a big help getting their study room prepared. Previously a storage/junk area, the walls are now painted and window treatment put up.

Above shot of my sweeties, Drew (in green) and Wolfie (in blue) painting away. They never tired which surprised me.

Getting things cleaned up for new flooring too.

A cluttered "china" cabinet will be converted into our supply cabinet.