Linda's Homeschool WebLog
Saturday, August 24, 2002
Check out: Webcat... this is so cute... Cimeron and I had a lot of fun playing with him this morning. She tried to introduce our cats, Aretha and Socks, but they didn't seem to recognize the picture on the screen though they were curious about all the miaowing going on.
Friday, August 23, 2002
This is good news for us - I found a website that sells books written especially for children who have my son's reading problem. He is reading on 1st to 2nd grade level now but doesn't like most books written on that level because he's 12. Well, apparently a lot of other kids have the same problem. I don't even want to call it a problem - so let's call it a circumstance. His best friend here in town is in the same boat, but he goes to public school special ed. I'd rather keep them from labelling my son as LD - that just sounds so negative and discouraging. I want my son to be full of hope and to know he's appreciated for his fine talents (which are many) rather than pidgeon-holed because he didn't want to learn how to read.
Here's the solution: High Noon Books.
I've written about Aaron's reading progress before, and will try to dredge out my article about it one of these days (yes I know my links are broken because the Written By Me website went down). The story is that Aaron has always made progress, but it is such slow progress it has been frustrating to us in the past. Finally just this last year Keith got him reading via the 100 Easy Lessons book. Now we've been wondering, "what next?"... besides the Phonics Game which we already have.
I'm just so glad to find these age and reading level appropriate books. I showed them to him and they even met with his approval, which is a minor miracle. He's so picky about what he wants to be asked to read. He read some of the titles on the books!
I have always followed the Moore's advice (Better Late Than Early) with Aaron until Keith made him learn how to read last year, and thought he would eventually learn on his own. Anyhow, the hardest part is over now. He was the most resistant reader I've ever known (my other kids were easy). All's well that ends well.
Here's the solution: High Noon Books.
I've written about Aaron's reading progress before, and will try to dredge out my article about it one of these days (yes I know my links are broken because the Written By Me website went down). The story is that Aaron has always made progress, but it is such slow progress it has been frustrating to us in the past. Finally just this last year Keith got him reading via the 100 Easy Lessons book. Now we've been wondering, "what next?"... besides the Phonics Game which we already have.
I'm just so glad to find these age and reading level appropriate books. I showed them to him and they even met with his approval, which is a minor miracle. He's so picky about what he wants to be asked to read. He read some of the titles on the books!
I have always followed the Moore's advice (Better Late Than Early) with Aaron until Keith made him learn how to read last year, and thought he would eventually learn on his own. Anyhow, the hardest part is over now. He was the most resistant reader I've ever known (my other kids were easy). All's well that ends well.
Thursday, August 22, 2002
Hi everyone! The summer break is ending and my kids are looking forward to another academic year.
Cimeron is 13 and has decided to go back to public school. This is not what I want for her but since she wants it (so she can find new friends) I am letting her do it. My homeschooling philosophy has always been to take into consideration what the children want for themselves. I feel that somehow, she needs this experience, maybe for a reality check, or maybe to learn something.... I just don't know. What I'm sure of is that at her age, refusing her request could lead to resentments and what I want most of all is a happy, learning girl-child. She will be at the local elementary-middle school and in a combo 7th/8th grade class. They will decide her specific grade assignment after they get to know her better. I met the principal/superintendant today - she's new there and a very nice Native American woman.
My 12 year old son, Aaron, still wants to homeschool, and I kind of look forward to having a year with just this one child to concentrate on educating. I just gave him the bad news that during the school year he will not be using his Nintendo except on weekends. I feel it takes too much of his time and he needs to concentrate on educational TV programming, plus study of academics. This may sound tedious but he does love science and history programs on TV and I feel it is a great way to learn things, especially since we're so far off the beaten path here in the mountains that there's no discovery museums or things like that to go to.
My plan for his education this year might include enrollment in a private ISP... I'm looking into one now. Maybe not... I'm just not sure on this. My main reason for wanting to do it is just to have something different than what we're used to which is 100% independent private schooling and eclectic curriculum. We've never tried a curriculum and I was thinking it might be fun to try one out - then I remembered that workbooks are about the LAST thing he likes to do...
So...
We're starting the school year off with games. We've got the phonics game and some math games like Rummikub and Yaghtzee... or we could play card games... that kind of thing. I'll be moving right into doing more with the Math for Smarty Pants book we started last year, which is fascinating... and I'll be reading and discussing more in our ongoing history book, The Story of Mankind. That should be enough for now.
Both kids took part in a Karate Camp during August - it was just wonderful, but only for a week because the teacher was from out of town. At the end of the week there was a Children's Fair and demonstrations from the two Karate Class levels.. the little kids and then this class that my kids were in.
I hope that you who are considering or starting homeschool this year are encouraged and brave and ready to try something new. Homeschooling is best for kids because it keeps them close to the hearts of those who love them most. I love having my kids home with me leading what I consider a normal life should be.
Cimeron is 13 and has decided to go back to public school. This is not what I want for her but since she wants it (so she can find new friends) I am letting her do it. My homeschooling philosophy has always been to take into consideration what the children want for themselves. I feel that somehow, she needs this experience, maybe for a reality check, or maybe to learn something.... I just don't know. What I'm sure of is that at her age, refusing her request could lead to resentments and what I want most of all is a happy, learning girl-child. She will be at the local elementary-middle school and in a combo 7th/8th grade class. They will decide her specific grade assignment after they get to know her better. I met the principal/superintendant today - she's new there and a very nice Native American woman.
My 12 year old son, Aaron, still wants to homeschool, and I kind of look forward to having a year with just this one child to concentrate on educating. I just gave him the bad news that during the school year he will not be using his Nintendo except on weekends. I feel it takes too much of his time and he needs to concentrate on educational TV programming, plus study of academics. This may sound tedious but he does love science and history programs on TV and I feel it is a great way to learn things, especially since we're so far off the beaten path here in the mountains that there's no discovery museums or things like that to go to.
My plan for his education this year might include enrollment in a private ISP... I'm looking into one now. Maybe not... I'm just not sure on this. My main reason for wanting to do it is just to have something different than what we're used to which is 100% independent private schooling and eclectic curriculum. We've never tried a curriculum and I was thinking it might be fun to try one out - then I remembered that workbooks are about the LAST thing he likes to do...
So...
We're starting the school year off with games. We've got the phonics game and some math games like Rummikub and Yaghtzee... or we could play card games... that kind of thing. I'll be moving right into doing more with the Math for Smarty Pants book we started last year, which is fascinating... and I'll be reading and discussing more in our ongoing history book, The Story of Mankind. That should be enough for now.
Both kids took part in a Karate Camp during August - it was just wonderful, but only for a week because the teacher was from out of town. At the end of the week there was a Children's Fair and demonstrations from the two Karate Class levels.. the little kids and then this class that my kids were in.I hope that you who are considering or starting homeschool this year are encouraged and brave and ready to try something new. Homeschooling is best for kids because it keeps them close to the hearts of those who love them most. I love having my kids home with me leading what I consider a normal life should be.
