New plan of action (Math)

Heard back from Drew's teacher regarding the information I submitted in the previous post. She too has revised Drew's schedule so that we can slow her down in Math.

Consequently, I am currently rerunning the scheduler every morning so that the Math assignments do not show overdue. Instead, we are working out of our workbooks or creating our own worksheets for the kids to refresh what they have already worked through.

I have backed-up Wolfie (7th grader) to refresh some of his basic multiplication and division until he is comfortable (maybe a few more days of this), and then will move forward into some of the algebraic mathematics we had touched on in the beginning of this year.

As for Drew (3rd grader), we have reverted back into adding and subtracting 3 digit numbers as well as multiplication of one-digit numbers. She did very well last night, and again I believe a few more days of this, and they will feel they have mastered these processes.

I don't know how much time was actually "bought" when our teachers revised our schedules, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for now, and staying focused on our current plan of action.

Although Thanksgiving holidays are just around the corner, I'll probably be the "mean" parent and have the children continue to work several of those days off, just to keep them focused as well as an attempt to get them caught up in a more timely manner. No matter, they'll still have plenty of time off.

Happy holidays!

Letter to the teacher

In my previous post, I expressed a concern I had over the kids moving too quickly through their Math assignments. Since, I sent the following letter to Wolfie's teacher and another similar in content to Drew's teacher.

"Wolfie is struggling with the recent Math quiz. I wanted to express my concerns (which not only apply to Wolfie but also my 3rd grader). You're just the "lucky" teacher I decided to poe it too, and hopefully you can provide some direction for us.

As Wolfie (and I) worked through the last few lessons, he did really well. He seemed to grasp everything quite well. Although, it is my opinion, he is moving through the lessons too quickly (each one introduces something new) and he doesn't have time to just stay with one lesson for a day or two longer to let it really sink in and allow him to be comfortable moving to the next lesson (comfort is important, I think), and this is causing a problem then later when he needs to recollect the processes. (My 3rd grader is having the same problem. She ends up in tears because she gets so overwhelmed.)

I'd really like to see them slow down. I mean, at this rate, they'll be doing calculus by 9th grade. *chuckling* I reeeeally don't think that's a good idea for them though. We could end with just a complete knowledge of all things algebraic and I think they'll still be doing really good (I did).

I know there is no deadline to turn in assignments, but there is a deadline to complete a course and we've had to double-up on math (for both students) in order to reach that goal. It's just SO not working for us. I got so frustrated and fussed at Wolfie last night (made him cry) because he couldn't recall what he had learned for the math test - and I know, it's not his fault. He just needs to back-up and do those lessons over again and dwell on them for a day or two before moving on.

Any help? Any suggestions please?

Much appreciation!
Karen"

It wasn't long after sending this email that our teacher responded with a call to me. She made several suggestions and modifications to Wolfie's schedule which, hopefully, will allow him to spend more time absorbing the lessons before moving on. She was absolutely wonderful and expressed a sincere appreciation for my communication as well.

Relieved as I keep my fingers crossed now.

(I have not yet heard back from Drew's teacher, but I'm sure I will tomorrow.)

As for today's work, they both completed their priorities pretty timely. Wolfie worked some math problems from his workbook for previous lessons, rather than the scheduled assignment today. We are literally going to go back over previous lessons so that he can refresh.

School work, school work, & more school work

WOW! The workload is much bigger than I expected. It seems lately, that as soon as we think we've got a good flow of things, something else is added to the list. The kids easily spend 8+ hours a day on schoolwork. We finally get into the flow of the daily class schedules, and then we have live lessons for each of the classes to fit in (each of these last 30 minutes). While attending every live lesson is not a requirement, I do like to see the kids attend as several a week. Then there is the AskAMI live lessons, which is a math tutorial. It's a wonderful tutorial, but lower on our priority list because of all the other demands. Now we have TAKS live lessons as well, these are higher on the priority, because they are meant to help the kids with that test.

I'm a little disappointed too, that we seem to be pushing the kids along in the some of the courses for fear of getting too far behind. While most of the time, there are not (immediate) deadlines to turn in work, there is a deadline for completing each course. I am the sort that likes to stay on top of things, stay the course, and I put a lot of pressure on myself (and the kids) when I think we may fall behind. If we do not get all the work complete on the day it is assigned, not only is there the overdue lesson notice blasting at me from the front page, but we also must fear the smiley face transforming into the ever dreaded frowning face. Ugh!

Specifically, math seems to forge on with new lessons, when I would prefer to see both of the kids spending more time soaking up some of the other math lessons. For example, Drew has moved on to math lessons envolving multiplying 3 numbers (4x7x5=), while I would prefer to see her spend more time on adding and subtracting 3 digit numbers (369-137=) and basic multiplications (4x3= & 12x3=). I just think she needs to dwell on these areas a bit longer until her esteem is comfortable enough with it and then move forward. She tends to get discouraged and upset easily if she is overwhelmed, and Wolfie faces the same dilemma as well.

Note to self: contact the teachers about my concerns.

Electing Electives

The kids are moving along in their studies nicely. Grades are fine. Still, I feel a little pushed forward too quickly. At times, I would like to just pause for a while longer in certain areas that I feel the kids need more time to grasp, but I worry about getting too far behind on the classes as a result (the classes have completion deadlines). We have had to double up on Math on Mondays for both of the children so that they can complete it by the due date. As it is, we spend anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a day on schooling. We had try to rearrange so that the kids (and parents) had Thursdays and Fridays off from school and worked the weekend. Our motivation for that was due to our work schedules. We felt that it would take some of the pressure off at the end of the week and we would have more time on the weekend to dedicate to the studies. Turns out we really prefer to play on our weekends. So we are back on the Monday through Friday routine. I continue to encourage the children to do what they can on their own taking some of the load off of my daily activities. I think it's very important that they learn problem solving skills and are comfortable taking initiative. There is still a lot of progress to be made in this area, but we continue to move in the right direction.

It's October and time to sign up for elective classes if we so desire. While I'd like the kids to be involved in some of the classes and clubs offered, I think it would just be an overload on our schedule that could negativly backfire on their required classes and effect their grades. Maybe next year. In the meantime, I am planning to teach them some of the information I have on photography and photoshopping. They are both completely intrigued by it as well as both extremely artisticly talented children. The plan is to spend about an hour, more or less, on these subjects with each child, individually, on Saturdays and Sundays. Additionally, the hub has expressed an interest in photography and photoshopping as well, so that will probably be another hour, more or less, with him. My weekends are quickly being filled now and I would like to reserve time for my own photography passions.

With my very booked schedule and all the hustle and bustle here and there, one would think I should weigh much less than I do. What's up with that?!

To title or not to title! (Is that the question?)

I don't really need a title to every blog, do I? Well, regardless...

I love lists! So when I found this neat notecard generator by blyberg I had to try it out. Only thing is, my list is probably a lot longer than this paper, but I can whip out another and another if I need to.

October is elective month. We are still debating as to whether or not we will sign up for anything just yet. Alternatively, the kids are interested in the photography and photoshopping that I do and I would love to show them, but maybe on our own rather than through the school. We are all still working really hard to keep the pace.

Last Thursday our family took a field trip of sorts. We drove to Fort Benning, Georgia to attend my step-sons graduation from boot camp. It was a long and exhaustive trip, but fun nonetheless. Wish we had more time and money to play though. Needless to say, we're playing catch-up on our school work now.

I've posted just of few of the 800+ photos I took on my flickr.

I continue to work with the kids on their problem solving skills. I would like them to attempt to find their solutions on their own, and make the just-ask-mom option their last resort.

Week 5

Things are coming along. Hub and I were quite exhausted by the end of the first few weeks; we have tweeked our schedule to accommodate us and now it's working out quite nicely - I think. We work on school Saturday through Wednesday, because it's so much nicer for Hub and I to have Thursday and Friday off.

I am beginning to back off from working too closely with the kids on their work as I want them to be a bit more independent from us. We do require that they allow us to look over there assessments before submitting them.

Wolfie has four or five portfolios and one or two lab projects he's working on. That's a lot! I have to keep reminding myself that he works at his own pace for the most part. I don't want to stress him with too much pressure to turn in work on the date its first scheduled, but I also don't want him to get too far behind.

Drew has two lab projects. The first was to monitor 4 flower plants. (1. Water & Sunlight; 2. No Water & Sunlight; 3. Water & No Sunlight; and 4. No Water & No Sunlight) She aches for the two plants that are dying, and is determined to "bring them back to life" when this lab is over.

Wolfie and I have been working on his math together. After the first week, he's got it! Yesterday he told me, "I love math! It's so much fun!" Helps to understand it. He has been working on adding/subtracting integers and multiplying/dividing integers. Hint: It's all about the "Order of Operations". I actually surprised myself when I understood it too (it's been so long).

Initially Language Arts was Drew's toughest subject, simply because there was so much to it. The work just seemed to go on and on and on. Now though, she is looking forward to it. Again, it helps to understand it and she has positioned herself to work on this subject with less supervision. I love it.

The kids grades are really reflecting their understanding, and the hardest part now has become that they have to do schoolwork at all. Obviously, they would prefer to play their games and watch their favorite movies, etc.

We did have our teachers re-arranged a little due to the over-enrollment issues and some of the children being transfered to National CA, but nothing too dramatic. Administration was so professional and communicative! They could not have handled it better. (Wolfie wasn't transfered.)

For physical education the kids are becoming quite skilled in their yoga positions. Very entertaining to watch them and while I'm trying to get some good pictures of that to share with you, they keep catching me and aren't too keen on the idea of my posting those shots. (Will keep trying though.) I'd really like to purchase a couple of yoga mats too. Right now they are simply on the carpet which works, but, I think, the yoga mats add to the fun atmosphere of doing the yoga in the first place.

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.