A New Road

A new face in dyslexia.

A new path for student, teacher, parent.

Finding the new road that will lead to success.

To Serve

Recently, the kids served each other lunch. They made a menu, fixed what the other ordered, and served lunch. They were so good about it. I was hoping that they would learn to appreciate each other and the work that others do for them.

Of course, they are just to cute.

I wish the great attitudes lasted all day.

Chalkboard

I finally got a chalkboard hanging on the wall. C needs to use something besides pencil andpaper all the time to write out answers and ideas. Then she copies the answers, sentences, words, etc.. onto her paper

Hubby bought plywood, the framing and chalkboard paint at Lowe's. The frame made the thin plywood sturdier, but the paint made it all seem like a solid, sturdy piece. I think we put 3 coats of paint on there.

Keep C in your prayers, we have our initial IEP this week and hopefully we can find a way to make learning fun.

What's going on!

Our schooling options are varied this year with one in public school but not getting any science or history and struggling with language arts. I use lapbooks to add to her education while waiting for some testing to be completed and then deciding whether to leave her in school or bring her home.

We always knew that C was struggling with reading: she seemed to memorize books, she never sounded out words, and she cannot spell. When we homeschooled last year, the blame for her learning difficulties fell on both of us. Our families felt that I was not cut out to teach C and that she was not trying. So my confidence was lacking when C mentioned that she wanted to attend public school and we decided to give it a try.

The school that C attends is a good school and her teacher is a dream. She has helped me see that C may have a learning disability causing some kind of disconnect in her reading comprehension and her spelling issues. We are in the middle of testing and will figure out what step 2 is after the Christmas holidays.

In the meantime, we are working on homework and supplemental work. Part of C's homework each night is to read for 20 minutes. I try to find a book that we can lapbook or do extra work with. My goal is to find a book that already has a lapbook out there for it, less prepwork for me in this busy time of our lives.

Just a little about what is going on with us right now. Hope yall had a great Thanksgiving.

Enrichment Activity 1

I am still helping with J's preschool class several times a week. I love that he is learning to deal with other kids, listen to other adults, and follow directions better. He may not get a whole lot out of each day, but he has had little tolerance for others, loud noises, or chaotic situations and he needed to be introduced to situations outside of his norm to see how he reacts. Enough of that, it is a situation that we are watching very closely.

So I am working with the preschool schedule and reinforcing letters and colors that they are doing each week. I also like that they are not pushing the kids to write with pencils. At this point they have not even been introduced to a pencil. They are learning everything with crayons.

Adding to J's week will be some type of enrichment that can be done by himself or we can include C, who is at school full time now.

I am working on our first enrichment activity with the kids. They know nothing about what I am cooking up. Thinking about some kids response recently, when asked "what falls from the tree when during Fall?" Half the kids said "Coconuts!" These California kids are missing out on the beauty of fall. It's kind of difficult to argue with the weather here, but I do miss a good fall season.

So here's what cooking:
1) I asked for volunteers on a yahoo group to send me some of their leaves that were changing colors. I want the kids to see and feel the color and texture of the leaves. I am blessed that 5 or 6 people volunteered to send me some leaves from where they live all over the country.
2) I hung our United States map back up. I made tags for where we have lived (8 places in the last 10 years) and I will make tags for where the leaves come from. We will identify and mark our maps.
3) We will identify and research our leaves. We just want to know where they come from, the name of the tree, and maybe a quick fact. That may differ based on my 8 yr old and 5 yr old interest. I also found these identification cards (on the right hand side, under to print).
4) Craft with the leaves. Make some crayon rubbings, maybe make a wreath, and do some drawings
5) C will learn a bit more about photosynthesis.

That's about all I have come up with. I will take some pictures (with my camera phone - we've lost the camera) of our ABC reinforcement activities and other enrichment times. I hope this help create an interest in learning in J, without overwhelming him or C (my 3rd grader). We will definitely take our time with this, none of it has to be done in one week.

Building a plan

As you may can tell from some previous posts that I have been trying to figure out what to do with myself since the kids started school. Their hours vary, so I spend a lot of time at the school and a lot of time traveling to and from the school. Not really on the traveling because it is 2 miles from the house, but it feels that way 'kay!

My problem, was that I wanted to teach my kids. I wanted to be in charge, dangit! Well we all know that when we start making plans and thinking we are in charge, we end up getting a swift kick in the pants. I promise, I have been trying to avoid that.

Patiently (haha) I have been waiting on a plan for my time, my children's time, and what we can do with our downtime away from school.

My thoughts were, what enrichment can I give my kids that they will not be getting in the classroom. Did you see that key word - enrichment! Our time with the kids does not have to be ALL about their school, but about what we can bring into their lives. Aha moment, if you may!

So I am looking at a few resources that will work for my kids (and that will include plain old fun time). You see, I do not want to tie my kids down to more work after being at school and after my oldest had finished her homework. Afterschool homeschooling is not going to work for us.

I am going to build some Bible Study back into their week! I love 1+1+1=1 Rock Stars idea, but I need to modify it a little bit for a 3rd grader, but a lot of the activites my 5 yr old and I can do together.

We also have some gardening plans, camping plans, and many more outings to enjoy. Plus lots of reading, playing games, cooking, and enjoying life. I will let you know how it is going.

Finding Steady Ground

When you stop doing what you have been doing for some time you can loose a sense of who you are. That happened to me after my kids went back to school, after over a year of homeschooling. We have all been trying to find steady ground again.
Luckily, we are at a school that encourages parent involvement and I love helping. I spent 3 morning a week helping is my little man's preK class and than always stop in and see if I can help in my girl's 3rd grade class. I know that it will be a matter of time before she does not want me around so I will help all I can right now.
Since we move so much, my policy still stands - If we are in a school district that is not good or healthy for my kids, the we homeschool. No questions asked, we are not afraid of the schools or scared to homeschool . We will always do what is best for our kids.
BUT, I miss it. I miss the day to day interaction. I miss teaching, explaining, and see them learn. I am ok with where they are, but I still crave homeschooling in my soul. We may be back there someday with one or both of the kids. Until then, I will continue to enjoy the time at the school helping all the kids and the teachers.

A New Adjustment

It has been so long since I have posted anything on this blog. Not only was my last post in August, but the last year has been less personal on the blog. So I had to make a decision on which way I wanted to look at my blog. Could it be a personal space that reflected my family or a space that was more beneficial for the reader or both?

Our military life has made our personal lives stressful for that last 6 months or so, but thankfully things have settled some. In my continued quest to find my spot in our new home, new neighborhood, new state, and new command, I heard God whispering to me "just make a home" and so that is what I have been working on.

My daughter C did go back to school and she is flourishing. She is eager to learn and is making friends and they act all kinds of girly goofy on a daily basis. Her teacher is fabulously organized and is teaching self responsibility. Our goal is to always do what is best for her in regards to school. If we ever feel the need to pull her out of school and homeschool again, there will be no hesitation.

My little boy, J, was very upset that he would be home alone with C gone and his best buddy across the street away at Kindergarten. So we found out about a Pre K program that is at the same school. I have been worried about him going and it has not been an easy transition, but he wanted to try and so we are letting that happen. He is fine during school, but being left there has been difficult, and he is very tired and grumpy at the end of the day. We have just completed our 2nd week and I want him to try for a while longer, but if it does not work then we will move on.

So with 2 in school nearly all day, I can volunteer at the school which I love. I love helping all children and these children are nearly all military kids and so I understand a little of what they are going through. J's class is lively and entertaining, my favorite part is where they read a story and then act out some of the scenes. Imagine 15 four and five years olds acting out scenes to books. To funny.

So I hope that you stick with us as we see where this road leads us. It has been an adjustment and we are hoping for good, positive results all around.

What I Needed to Hear

I was reading my daily devotional from Elisabeth Elliot this morning and this little paragraph reached out and grabbed me.

"We read that our Heavenly Father actually looks for people who will worship him in spirit and in reality. Imagine! God is looking for worshippers. Will he always have to go to a church to find them, or might there be one here and there in an ordinary house, kneeling alone by a chair, simply adoring him?"

Elisabeth Elliot

What an amazing woman she is. Some days I feel like she is speaking straight to my heart.

The stress around here has risen with R's school. The test are multiple times per week covering multiple chapters each time. We knew it would be difficult, but it is difficult to see him struggle and not be able to help much.

Jesse Tree with Links

OK, we have never done a Jesse Tree and I am not sure that this will become a family tradition, but it is something that I have wanted to try. With a 7 year old and a 4 year old, there is no time like the present.
I originally read about the Jesse Tree last year over at Rocks in My Dryer, but did not have the time nor the peace of mind to create it. We have more time this year and I have already gotten started.
Here are some of the links that we have used, as well as, the Bible. My kids are half listening but are enjoying creating the tree.

The Story - http://www.cresourcei.org/jesse.html


Scripture - http://www.shalfleet.net/advent/makeajessetree.htm (look towards the bottom).


Ornaments - http://www.eriercd.org/jessetree.htm , http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2007/12/19/jesse-tree-ornaments-available-for-download/ This site has a link to two different size ornaments. I liked these because they looked the same and not to ornate. Hopefully one of these links will work for you. I could not open it with the first link, but used the second link just fine.

Hope this helps you feel that the Jesse Tree is doable for your family as well. You might learn something new from the Bible in the process.

Have a great day!
Amanda

The ABC's

I found a neat ABC book at the library that we have had fun with. It is called the ABC Animal Riddles by Susan Joyce.

Here is a sample of what you can find in the book.

C _ _ _ l

I start with a C and end with an L.
I live in the desert,
a hard place to dwell.
When I'm feeding well,
my large hump will swell.
If I have 2 humps,
they swell as well.
I carry people,
or goods that they sell.
What am I? Can you tell?

Can you see all the discussions that can come out of that little riddle? And then dig out the dictionaries, you tube, and any other books you may have and you kids will know everything there is to know about a camel. Other animals in the book are: beaver, elephant, quail, whale, newt, octopus. Also, the answers are at the back of the book if you get stuck on an animal like Zebu.
I am trying to peak J's interest in letters and this is helping. Look for it at the library or you can buy it at Amazon. The author also has some other ABC riddles books.

What I thought I knew

I have had it in my head that C was a certain type of learner and that we could do school the good old Charlotte Mason way. I was wrong. I love to read and thought I could transfer that over to C. She is really struggling with reading, does not want to listen to me read to her, and gets easily distracted. So I went back to the library and got The Well Trained Mind book by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise. I think that this classical approach will suit C a bit better. Of course, we will allow C to develop interest on her own and if that leads us down a different road that will be ok.

I know that I have to let C deprogram a bit and I have pretty much given her the whole summer, but that child does not like to do school work. Every time I turn my back she is darting out of the room. So by noon, I am so tired of the constant tug of water with keeping her entertained and in the same spot. I want to set a timer so that things are done within a time frame, but that makes her cry. Without me standing over her she will not do it. Today I let everything go, just to see how long it would take her to write a date and color a picture. 35 minutes because of bathroom breaks, I gotta tell you something, let me find the pencil sharpener argument, and other things. And the jealousy over her brother running around and not finishing anything is bordering on ridiculous. He is 3 and not set to her standards, but she does not see that.

So what's next? I have no idea. I am not sure whether to build a chart so that she can track her times and assignments or if that will make her harder on herself. Set a goal of working on one subject per day. Stay right on top of her until she gets into the habit. Or buy a whole curriculum so that it seems that someone beside me is giving the assignments. I will take all the suggestions that you can give.

I can easily change my style of doing things. Anything to make things easier on her, but i don't know what to so with someone who does not want to do the work. Keep us in your prayers.

RAinbow Fish

Yesterday we read Rainbow Fish and talked a little bit about sharing with J. I cut a very simple fish out of paper and let him color, add glue, and add glitter to his masterpiece. Once it dried we attached poor little Rainbow Fish to his fishing pool and drug him around the house. I wish that I could get my pictures up, but I cannot find my USB cable. My favorite thing is having a dry erase board. I used our color blue to draw a fish and write the word fish. He may only give it a glimpse but J does participate for a little while.

Right now, J is playing hand puppets with his socks, I think I will go join him. Have a Happy Tuesday! Amanda

The ABC's

We have a fun game that we play with the ABC's. I got a pack of card stock from Hobby Lobby that was already cut into squares and used one card for each letter of the alphabet. I let C, make a letter train with all the uppercase letters. J and I come behind saying all the letters of the alphabet. Sometimes at the end of the alphabet train I will put an envelope with color or letter or number of the week. I have been loosely following Brightly Beaming Resources , I say loosely because we live in Katrina recovery zone and I cannot find 1/4 of the books that are recommended. Some weeks I cannot find enough to do the scheduled theme. It is OK, that is what homeschooling is about, change what you want.
Now when J and I are done with the alphabet walk, I give C the pile of lower case letters all mixed up and she matches them with the upper case letter. She does not necessarily need this, but she enjoys it and it puts her in a pretty good mood. While she is doing that I am going over the letter, number, or color that was in the envelope. We only do this whole process 3 days a week. C, is still in public school so sometimes we do this on the weekend to involve her. Then we read a book based on our theme.
C, will begin 2nd grade homeschooling this summer and we will not be sending her back to school next year. Dad will be deployed most of the summer so this will give us something to do. We have considered pulling her out, but since we just moved here and she put up such a brave front starting a new school we are not going to take that away from her.
That is how we do preschool homeschooling. I know that it sounds a bit boring and somedays I don't want to do the alphabet again, but my little man is stickler for routine. If I can tell that our day is going sour we will skip somethings or do nothing. I love homeschooling for that.

Have a great day!
Amanda

School

Getting up and getting ready for school had gone well up until this morning. I have put the ball in her court. I wake her up and find her some clothes and she has to get dressed and get downstairs in time to eat. She did it, but this was the first "I don't want to go to school" since we started this new school. I am not up for fighting with her in the mornings. So hopefully this will stop, because she saw this morning that I was not going to stand there and listen to it. This is a change for us, normally I have to drag her out of bed and dress her myself because she would put up such a big fight about school. It would get really ugly before we ever left the house in the mornings. I hope that we are not headed back down that road.

I have to give C a whole lot of credit. She bravely faces new school rooms full of kids she does not know, a new teacher, new dance and gymnastic classes, and new churches every time that we move. She handles it great and I am so proud of her.

Monday is wash day around here and I never got the upstairs bathrooms cleaned so I am off. Have a great day. Amanda

School!

C started school last week. This is her 4th day and her last day before the Christmas holidays. I am so torn by what to do for her, but she seems to like the school right now. They hired some more 1st grade teachers and will divide the classes after Christmas break. There will be about 12 kids in each class, that is a good thing. So we are kind of leaving the schooling option in C's lap. I told her I will not make her face starting a new class and new school right now so if she doesn't like it then we will address it and look at homeschool. Until then she is giving it her all and I am so proud of her for it.

So the rest of the week we will do some shopping, baking, and crafting kid style. Have a great week. Amanda