Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

May 10-14, 2010 Review

Friday, May 14, 2010 2:01 PM Posted by Reluctant Housemom 1 comments


We’re taking Friday off and enjoying the day.  It has been another good week of learning for Flutterby and me.  We have learned new things and reviewed things from the past year with Classical Conversations.

Flutterby has done well with her lessons and has hit her stride.  She is enjoying the re-introduction of RighStart B and is so much more ready now.  She has also enjoyed working in the garden, going for bike rides on the Silver Comet trail, and going to the park.

Flutterby also reviewed her CC memorization.  She has her classification of living things, part of her list of prepositions, some of her geography, all of her Latin noun endings (1st declension), and her skip counting by 3s and 4s down pat.  This is a pleasant surprise as we didn't work hard on it at CC, so in review it is lovely to see her recalling it.
I have learned that time and pacing are key.  Flexibility is also extremely important of course.  Although I am very relaxed with Flutterby, I can be hard on myself.  So I am continuing to work on going with the flow.
A for our studies, Flutterby completed lessons as follows…
Phonics:  100 EZ Lessons, lessons 36-39
Math:  Counting by 4s and RightStart B Lessons 1-3
Writing:  Kumon Number 1-30 pages 32-37
Read Aloud w/Narration:  2 hours each day including The Bible, classics like Helen of Troy, and fun like The Tail of Emily Windsnap.
Reading to Mommy:  As desired, reading Phonics Comics
Vision Therapy: Once daily
Listening Therapy:  Twice Daily
We also did various art, science, and other fun through exploring outside and other hands-on activities.  I have daily reports listed throughout the week which can be accessed  in the archive.
Thanks for visiting!

Week in Review May3-7, 2010

Friday, May 7, 2010 7:06 PM Posted by Reluctant Housemom 3 comments

Overall, this has been a productive and fun week. Flutterby and I have had good quality experiences. I have learned a few new things which will make my life easier.

First, I have remedied the complaining over doing vision therapy. However understandable the protest, as it is hard work, this was truly making my nuts. Flutterby has eight months of vision therapy to correct her convergence insufficiency, so 6 days a week of whining and complaining was not going to work! I decided to resort to bribery.

I took her last Friday to the toy store and let he pick out a toy she has been wanting for a long time. It was the My Little Pony Scootaloo RC on the Go. We brought it home and displayed the box prominently to keep the prize in mind. As we started the day, I would remind her what she was working toward. The vision therapy sessions went off without a hitch.

Another lesson this week is that I must look closely at my plans and make certain I have what I need to implement them. Now this is commonsense of course. But my cursory glances did not reveal key pieces needed to complete the art and science portions. I was able to improvise and move things about, but it would have been easier to be more thorough. It is a rookie mistake of course.

Lastly, I have started to use audio stories again to supplement our daily reading aloud. I try to read aloud to Flutterby for two hours each day. I have avoided audio stories, unless traveling by car. I feared it was like "cheating" and giving her an inferior experience. But considering we have very full days together filled with learning and hands on experiences, supplementing 30-45 minutes each day with an audio story won't do harm. In fact, it helps me which has to help her in my mind. It reminds me that the homeschool experience is a process of learning along with your child. An important lesson to learn is that using aids and asking for help is okay.

I have noticed that as a homeschooler, I am constantly evaluating myself. I don't want to take shortcuts, but am often too hard on myself. I can easily start judging my work, and thus the work of my child, against that of others. I feel as though I have been blessed with the greatest responsibility God can bestow on a person, helping to form and grow this person. I don't want to screw it up!

Yet, there is a balance to be struck and I am still navigating my path to find that balance. I am learning from others and through prayer, God is guiding me in that which I should do. I look forward to the next adventure and the next learning experience for me!

"Take My yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29)