The Brick Wall

There are seasons in homeschooling when we, the teacher & students, hit a brick wall. This has been my experience this week. Needless to say, we didn't accomplish as much as planned & I will change my method for math tomorrow. I've learned that when I'm presented with challenges that I must "accept, adapt, and overcome". We'll have a victorious and successful day tomorrow!!

Sluggish Start

We had a two week break, and are still getting into the swing of things. It seems to be taking us a little longer to complete our math lessons. I'm not sure if it's because we're reestablishing our routine, or whether it's because we're learning new material. I'm sure it's a mixture of the two. After a long break, I usually ease back into school by just covering the bare minimum.

Homeschool Week

Saxon Math Lesson 56 - Numbering a clock. I think Click enjoyed learning a new aspect of telling time. It took a long time to fill in the clock, but that has more to do with age than the grasping of the concept. For some reason he's losing some of his math doubles facts - the ones that were most challenging to learn - 8+8 and 9+9, so I'll be sure to throw in extra review throughout the week.

History - Story of the World Chapter 34 The Rise of Julius Caesar

What About Clack?
She eventually fell asleep, but not before leaving her mark in the learning area. She was into the usual items - coins, crayons, math fact cards, modeling clay and markers.

Nature Science Center

Field Trip - Astronomy

Odd & Even

Saxon

Reading - Mountains,

Science - Field Guide

Slow and Steady

Woo, now I see why we don't take long vacations. This is day two. Click and Clack seem to be adjusting more quickly than mom!! I'll enter the details of our day soon.

Homeschool Week 17

Saxon Math 1
Lesson 52 Counting dimes and pennies

Reading
Click read One Terrific Thanksgiving by Marjorie Sharmat. I finished Insects Do The Strangest Things by Leonora Hornblow.

Science
Apologia Zoology - What Makes A Bird A Bird?

Memory Work
Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

What About Clack?
Boy has she been a busy one. She was in the coins, in the flash cards, in the crayons, just BUSY!

We're Back!

We were on a 2 week break, well a break for Click and Clack, but work for we. We had company both weeks!

Homeschool Week 17

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 51

Reading
I read The Story of the Creation by Jane Ray. Click read How the Ostrich Got Its Long Neck by Verna Aardema. It's a delightful Kenyan folktale. He also listened to Lionel in the Summer by Stephen Krensky.

Field Trip - Crowe's Nest Farm

It's been a week since our last post. We had company last week and we'll have company again this week, so it was a perfect time to take a 2 week break. We'll return to a routine after Thanksgiving, but for now, Click & Clack are enjoying lots of videos & TV.

Last Monday we visited Crowe's Nest Farm. It was a beautiful day to be out on the farm with the cows, pigs, ostriches, turkeys, and a host of others animals.

A Short Day

The beauty of year round homeschooling is that we can take breaks when we need them. Either we will take the day off completely, or just shorten it. Today was a short day. We were supposed to attend the Orator's Club today but our schedule was rearranaged. Instead, we took Click to a game park that he wanted to attend for his 5th birthday. 4 hours & two baths later, Click & Clack hit the pillow. No protesting tonight!

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 16

Classical Music - This week's composer is Franz Schubert.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 50 - an assessment. I skipped ahead a few lessons because Click already knows how to tell time by the hour & skip count by 2's. I will reinforce telling time to the hour with the Modern Curriculum Press workbook.

Field Trip To Local Fire Station

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 16

Classical Music - This week's composer is Franz Schubert.

Today we visited a local fire station that has (and still uses) a pole. We attended with a group of other homeschoolers. I believe Click & Clack enjoyed themselves. Click had the opportunity to walk through two fire engines and spray the fire hose. Clack & I couldn't let the kids have all of the fun, so we sprayed the fire hose too! It was a wonderful experience.

I'll post pics soon!

I Believe I Can Fly

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 16

Classical Music - This week's composer is Franz Schubert.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 49 - Counting by two's to 20 and identifying even numbers. Saxon gives a lot of drill sheets. Last week the lessons added the date & the day of the week to each work sheet. I've noticed that the additional writing really slows Click down, he loses focus, and begins making errors on facts that he knows. To alleviate the stress of some of the writing, I've started recording his answers on the drill sheet. He will read the problem, give the answer, and I'll write his answer. He seems to enjoy this and he's not pressured to engage in so much writing.

Abacus - We continued our review of the soroban abacus with a few visualization drills.

Science - Apologia Zoology 1 - Chapter 1: Extinction and Extinction Errors. The Dodo bird was mentioned as an extinct animal & Click remembered and referenced the Dodo birds in the movie Ice Age.

Reading - Click read Hoop Heroes by S.A. Kramer - Stephon Marbury. Animals Do the Strangest Things by Leonora Hornblow - covering the camel, lion, and giraffe. I finished the last 3 chapters of Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Davies. Click listened to Froggy Plays in the Band by Jonathan London.

Memory Work - Reviewed New Testament books of the Bible

Games - Click and I engaged in a game of checkers today. He is really improving his strategy.

What about Clack?

Clack spent time taking crayons out & replacing them in the box, scribbling in a coloring book, and snatching the dimes her brother was counting. She is a little song bird, and enjoys imitating her brother. Today's duet was 'I believe I Can Fly'.... precious & priceless moments!

Lots of Reading

Today we accomplished a lot. In addition to school, we engage in extra reading, and went for a two mile walk. Well, I walked, Click rode his bike and Clack rode in the stroller. You would think extra brain and physical activity would wear out my two bundles of joy, but it seems counterproductive. They have more energy!

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 16

Classical Music - This week's composer is Franz Schubert.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 45 - Click completed an assessment and learned to count dimes in relation to 10 pennies.

History - Story of the World 1 - Chapter 32 b,c,&d. This covered China: Warring States, The First Emperor and the Great Wall, and The First Emperor's Grave

Reading - Click read Egg to Chick by Millicent Selsam. I read Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric Kimmel and Kingdom of the Sun - a book of the planets (covering the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, & Saturn) by Jacqueline Mitton. This is a beautifully illustrated book that explores the features of planets and compares them to the gods after which they were named. Click listened to Lionel and Louise by Stephen Krensky again.

Memory Work - Reviewed New Testament books of the Bible

Physical Education - Click rode his bicycle for about 30 minutes.

Video Education - Occassionally Click will have the opportunity to watch a video during the week. Today he watched Families of China. It contains two short segments that follow a different child around for the day, introducing viewers to the child's life.

What about Clack?
She was into everything today - pennies, counting bears, clay, coloring books, you name it! One fascinating note - while her brother was counting his pennies (all 80 of them) she would chime in and repeat in Clackenese! She has an extremely clear 2, the rest is a foreign language.

Aargh, Daylight Savings Time

Daylight Savings Time is always hard on me. Just when my body gets adjusted, the time changes again. Well my early birds were up even earlier because of the fall back hour. As a result, school started in bed with one eye open and one eye closed!

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 16

Classical Music - This week's composer is Franz Schubert.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 44 - Subtracting 1

History - Story of the World 1 - Chapter 32 China: Writing and the Qin

Reading - Click read chapter 2 (Grant Hill) of Hoop Heroes by S.A. Krammer. I read 3 stories from Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Davies. This is a collection of Middle Eastern folktales filled with witty and humorous stories. Click listened to Meet The Barkers by Tomie DePoala as well as Lionel and Louise by Stephen Krensky.

Science - Apologia Zoology 1. We finished our lesson from last week - Chapter 1 - Habitats & Instincts

Memory Work - Reviewed New Testament books of the Bible

What about Clack?
During bedtime school I reviewed colors with Clack (red, blue, and yellow) as she passed balls to her brother.

No School Today

We had a late night, so the morning started late and we just enjoyed the day!

Another Thursday

Too tired to write. I'll update tomorrow.

Potty Time

Clack used the potty today!!! She's not yet potty training, but I am getting her acquainted with the terms, the look, and feel of the potty. It just so happened that I'd undressed her in preparation for bathtime but didn't unbraid her hair. I used this opportunity to sit her on the potty, and she actually used it. This caused an uproar of celebration in the house!

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 15

Classical Music - This week's composer is Joseph Haydn.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 42. We spent a lot of time on math today. Click had to cover a design 4 different ways and then map & color the shape. He has mastered his doubles, +1, and +0 facts (0-9).

Reading - Click read Tales from the Waterhole by Bob Graham. I read one chapter of Kingdom of the Sun - The Sun by Jacqueline Mitton; Insects Do The Strangest Things by Leonora Hornblow. We covered the water strider, the caddisfly, the water boatman and the backswimmer, and the mosquito and the housefly. I also read a few poems from Poetry for Young People - Langston Hughes by David Roessel and Poetry for Young People - Animal Poems by John Hollander.

Memory Work - Books of the Bible, New Testament, 1 John - Revelation

Science - Apologia Zoology Chapter 1 - Airfoil & Drag. We completed Experimenting With Glider Design. We built 2 gliders with different wings (long & narrow and short & wide) and tested which glider would fly the farthest. Click's hypothesis was that the "long narrow glider will fly farther because it has the longest wing." He was correct. We flew the planes 15 times. The long, narrow wing averaged 8.6 feet. The short, wide wing averaged 8.2 feet.


What about Clack?
She was unusually busy today, just into everything. She played with pennies, putting them in and out of cups, bowls, bags, and on the scale. She played with clay. She spread leapfrog cards all over the living room. She did everything but take a nap during school time!

Stone Soup

I'm having an issue with spacing and I'm too sleepy to figure it out. When I do, I'll come back and edit this post to make it more reader friendly.

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 15

Classical Music - This week's composer is Joseph Haydn.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 41 & Soroban Abacus review. I received the materials from www.Nurtureminds.com, now we're able to continue our abacus lessons.

History - Story of the World 1 - Chapter 31 The Mauryan Empire of India

Reading - Click read chapter 1 (Penny Hardaway) of Hoop Heroes by S.A. Krammer. I read the last 2 chapters of The Monitor - The Iron Warship That Changed The World by Gare Thompson and one story from Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Davies.

Bloom's Taxonomy - About twice a month we'll read a story and follow the questions outlined in What If The Wolf Were An Octopus K-2 (A Guide to Creative Questioning for Primary Grade Literature). This week I read Stone Soup by Marcia Brown. We only covered the first 3 levels of questioning (Knowledge, Comprehension, & Application). We will read the story again when Click is a little older and better able to grasp the concepts of the questions in levels 3-6 (Analysis, Synthesis, & Evaluation).

Here is one of the Application activities and Click's response:

Cook your own 'Stone Soup." Record your recipe.

Click's recipe

Stones, guacamole, carrots, milk, a piece of house, potatoes, water, doggies, spagehetti, raisins, watermelon, chicken, beef, apples, and bananas.

Quite interesting.........

Handwriting Without Tears - copywork words - 'ice' and 'dice'

Memory Work - Reviewed Books of the Bible and learned 1 John - Revelation

What about Clack?

Today Clack sharpened pencils (with a battery operated sharpener) and played the recorder before laying down for a nap.

A Birthday Holiday

We're big on celebrating birthdays around here, so today was a Birthday Holiday (a rest day for mommy). Click enjoyed his birthday gifts for most of the day and we engaged in reading a few books.

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 15

Classical Music - This week's composer is Joseph Haydn.

Reading - Click read Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear by Nancy Carlstrom and listened to Chang's Paper Pony by Eleanor Coerr. I read 2 chapters of The Monitor - The Iron Warship That Changed the World by Gare Thompson and a few stories from Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Davies.

Japanese - We reviewed 'Hello, how are you' and learned how to say 'I'm fine, thank you' on www.mangolanguages.com. It's a free program and they offer other languages (Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, and even Piglatin... seriously!)

Click (Our Miracle Child) Turns 5 Today

I've waited all week to write this post in celebration of my firstborn. He is truly a miracle as you will learn while reading this post. I've waited but now I'm overwhelmed. I have so much to say and so much to be grateful for. I believe I feel overwhelmed with emotion because this will be my first time journaling the course of events that placed me where I am - a stay at home mom (SAHM) and a homeschooler. I exhale........

Click was born Monday, October 28, 2002 at 6:52pm. He was 1lb 10.7oz, yes one pound 10.7oz. Before we get to October 28th, go back with me to October 5, 2002. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I awoke from a much needed nap and began preparing to head to the park for a function. I used the restroom and noticed some mucus on the tissue. It wasn't anything to call 911 about, but it did make me look through the handbook I received from my OBGYN. I read the information and it says call if there's any discharge, so I did. I had just visited my OB a few days prior, but he was out of town and I spoke with his partner. On the side of caution, he advised me to go to the emergency room and make plans to come into his office on Monday. I finished my conversation and proceeded to the park. I socialized, grabbed a fish sandwich, called the next game of spades, and casually mentioned the doctor's conversation to my husband. Of course he immediately wants to rush to the hospital (I want to eat my sandwich). This may sound silly, but the ONLY reason I consented to go to the emergency room was because Dr. T said he would call the hospital and let them know I'd be coming.... I DID NOT want the hospital calling my house looking for me.

We casually stroll into the emergency room. I was wearing the classic pregnant lady outfit - a pair of the most comfortable black stretchy pants with a turquoise, brown & white stripe shirt. If I had known I wasn't leaving until after Click's birth I would have been better prepared. After the doctor examines me, he explains that I'm 2.5cm dilated and I'd have to stay in the hospital. Still not understanding the severity of my condition, because after all, everyone I knew went close to 40 weeks, had a baby and went home, I mentally had plans to leave the following day. The next 23 days would be a roller coaster ride. It was a test of my faith, my will, and what I believed in God's word. I endured the endless needles; the surgery; being 100% bedridden; the horrible hospital food, and birthed a miracle. At 25.5 weeks gestation, Click was born. 1lb 10.7 oz.

I later found out that he was a celebrity before he even reached the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). As I mentioned, when I walked into the hospital I was 2.5 cm dilated. A week later when the cerclage (closure of the cervix with stitches) was placed I was 4 cm. There was a point during the surgery that everyone began speaking softly and one by one the medical staff gathered around my propped legs. I knew it couldn't be good, but I refused to let my mind run wild. I just closed my eyes and began to pray. At this point, all I could do was pray.


After I returned to my room, my nurse, the sweetest little Asian lady said with a heavy accent, "You made that doctor earn his money today!" I wasn't clear on what she meant until the doctor came to talk with us. By the time I made it to the surgery room, Click's feet where outside my vagina. Before the surgery could be performed, the doctor first had to push the bag of water back into my body, WITHOUT breaking it, then close my cervix which was open wide enough for the baby to slip out. This entire experience was foreign to me, but I thought they see similar cases and scenarios often. It wasn't until he visited the next morning and told us how he told his wife about the surgery that I realized it was a rare case.


When Click arrived the NICU was prepared. They'd been waiting an entire 8 days for him. Eight days prior to his arrival I sat on the bed pan to move my bowels (or so I thought). After pushing and feeling a bulge come out, but not from a familiar area, I calmly called for my nurse. Knowing that something wasn't right I said, "please tell me that those are my bowels". Of course you know the answer, it wasn't my bowels, but my bag bulging in my vagina. Despite the cerclage, my cervix was still opening.

The entire time in the hospital I didn't feel any pain. No contractions, no pressure, no cramping, but nurses didn't hesitate to burst in the door at all hours to shoot me with meds in order to stop the contractions that the monitor was reading. Ironically, on October 27, I began experiencing pain, but the monitors weren't picking up the signals. I was blessed to have wonderful nurses. Women who were committed to caring for me each day and night. I remember my nurse coming in and noticing that I was contracting based on the baby's heart rate. His heart rate would decelerate with each contraction. This continued and the decision was made to perform a c-section.

Up until the 27th I tried to remain positive, upbeat, and strong in faith. I had stopped negotiating with God, which I must obviously be terrible at because I didn't get my way at all, and said not my will but Yours be done. I didn't have anymore fight in me, and I knew that Click was coming. I had to trust that he wouldn't suffer from mental retardation, underdeveloped lungs, brain bleeds, and the host of other obstacles that micropreemies face. I had to trust that God knew what He was doing.

Click arrived. I had a 3 second look at him and he was whisked off to the NICU. The doctors had a difficult time getting him out. I later learned that my placenta had begun tearing away, so had he not been delivered when he was, we may have lost him.... God does know best!

The next 3 months was another emotional ride that I'll have to share another time. But know this, he had no issues with his mental ability. He did go home on oxygen but he doesn't have asthma or any lung issues. He didn't need any surgeries. He didn't have issues with his eyes or ears. He did not have one issue that normally plagues micropreemies. That is truly a miracle.

So on this day I celebrate 5 years with my son. It is because of him and the unconventional timing of his birth that I became a SAHM. It has been the best 5 years of my life. He has also forced me into homeschooling and it is with a grateful heart that I thank him, my husband, and my Heavenly Father for the responsibility.

Happy Birthday Click!!

5 is the number of grace. Click comes from a long line - he is the 5th generation.

He also loves Spiderman, can you tell? This picture was taken on his birthday!

It's Friday!

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 14

Classical Music - This week's composer is Johannes Brahms.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 40 Assessment. He finally overcame the 8+8 hurdle.. yeah!!!

Critical Thinking - Click worked on 2 MindBenders and Can You Find Me? puzzles. You can find these at the www.brightminds.us/TrainMyBrain. I'm an Independent Consultant.

Reading - Click read Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina. I read The Legend of the Lady Slipper by Lisa Larsen.

Memory Work - Books of the Bible, New Testament, Philemon - 2 Peter. We also added 1 John - Revelation.

Car Schooling - As a homeschooling mom I have the opportunity to read a lot of books.... children's books! As a result of this reality, I set a challenge for myself. I have a personal goal to listen to 2 books on tape this year. One within each 6 month period. Why a book on tape? Let's face it, how many of us truly have the time to thoroughly engage ourselves in leisure reading and finish the book within a decent amount of time? I may be in the minority, but books on tape offer a wonderful alternative.
I chose The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama.

Physical Ed - Friday is soccer practice, it serves as part of our physical education.

What about Clack?
She was sleepy today and laid down during much of school, but she did listen to The Legend of the Lady Slipper, while she fiddled with stuff of course.

Kings Play Chess On Fine Glass Sets

Today's Homeschool Schedule - Week 14


Classical Music - This week's composer is Johannes Brahms.


Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 39, reviewed 'plus 1' math facts (0-9). Both Click and Clack enjoyed weighing objects on the scale.

Reading - Click read Whales by Graham Faiella and What Is A Bird? by Lola Shaefer. He listened to Jerome Camps Out by Eileen Christelow. I read Insects Do The Strangest Things by Leonora Hornblow. We covered termites, praying mantis, whirligig beetles, and water striders. I also read two stories from Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Johnson-Davies.

* I must point out that we learned about classifications in the animal kingdom yesterday. The first sentence of What Is A Bird? talked about the animal kingdom and Click blurted with glee, "birds are in the Animal Kingdom.... Kings Play Chess On Fine Glass Sets" This is a mnemonic phrase for the animal classifications - Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

Memory Work - Books of the Bible, New Testament, Philemon - 2 Peter


Science - Apologia Zoology Chapter 1 - How Birds Fly. We also borrowed 2 CD's by Lucas Miller (the singing Zoologist) from the library.

Car Schooling - We completed The Rainbow People by Laurence Yep

What about Clack?
She was completely occupied with putting pennies on the scale.

Apples and Bananas

Clack is our little singer. She loves to sing "I like to eat, eat, eat, apples and bananas". The eat, eat, eat is crystal clear. We're lost in translation for the remainder of the verse.

Our imagination is powerful. Click doesn't watch TV Monday - Thursday, so there's lots of time for his creative juices to flow. Here are three things that stood out today:

1. He's reading a book about the planets. He was playing with a blue ball and the screw on portion of a mason jar. He puts the ball into the jar top and a mental light clicks on, "hey, this is Jupiter" then he looks at his solar system chart and says, "no, it's blue so it has to be Uranus" (which also has a ring).

2. During his free time I encouraged him to look through one the the resources we just received (history & science encyclopedias). He chose the Kingfisher Encyclopedia of World History. He finds a picture of a prehistoric rhino & finds the matching action figure in our learning box. The rhino, actually called a Uintatherium, has 6 horns. He was recently asking why his rhino had 6 horns and other rhinos don't. He found the answer today.

3. He made a fishing pole from a broom handle and shoe lace.

Today's Homeschool Schedule

Classical Music - This week's composer is Johannes Brahms.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 38, meeting book, reviewed 'plus 1' math facts (0-9)

History - Story of the World 1 - Chapter 30b Siddhartha (aka Buddha)

Reading - Click read the last chapter of Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel. He also read Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina and Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock by Eric Kimmel. He listened to The Trellis and the Seed by Jan Karon.

Handwriting Without Tears - lowercase 'e'

Memory Work - Books of the Bible, New Testament, Philemon - 2 Peter

Science - later in the day we began our Zoology lesson from Apologia. Chapter 1 - classifications


What about Clack?
Besides her normal doodling, Clack kept herself entertained with pennies. She put them in the cup & took them out.

The Joy of Sharing

Today Click had a minor case of the 'it's MINE!' syndrome. As a way to help him understand the value and joy of sharing he had to find the word in the dictionary. He seemed to be cured after searching for the word and watching his sister parade around the house with his cape and sword. Aahhh...... another day in the life with Click and Clack!!

Today's Homeschool Schedule

Classical Music - This week's composer is Johannes Brahms.

Saxon Math 1 - Lesson 37, meeting book, learned 'plus 1' math facts (0-9)

History - Story of the World 1 - Chapter 30a The Castes of Ancient India

Reading - Click read 2 chapters of Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel.

Car Schooling - We continued to listen to The Rainbow People - 20 Chinese tales and fables

Homework - Doubles worksheet from Saxon Math and subtraction word problems from Modern Curriculum Press

I was made aware of a wonderful language site http://www.mangolanguages.com/. You can learn several languages free. Last night we listened to Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. Click & Clack seem to prefer Japanese. I think we'll stick with that for now.

Moon Walking

This morning Clack entertained herself by walking backwards. It's not the first time, but today she walked down the entire hallway backwards. My little moon walker.... watch out Michael Jackson!

Click's Day
Last night I determined that we would take today off too. That was until my husband informed me that Click was asking if tomorrow was Monday and if he'd get to have school. My husband, not yet knowing my plan, replied 'yes' and sent the eager Click to bed. Since I don't have a substitute teacher, I prepared my mind for school.

Classical Music - This week's composer is Johannes Brahms.

Saxon Math 1 - meeting book, reviewed doubles (1-9), reviewed tens & ones columns in Modern Curriculum Press

History - Story of the World 1 - Chapter 32 The Aryans of India

Reading - I read 5 chapters of Insects Do The Strangest Things by Leonora Hornblow. This covered dragonflies, the walking stick, ants, and ladybugs. I also read 3 Middle Eastern tales from Goha the Wise Fool by Denys Davies.
Click read Iris and Walter - The Sleepover by Elissa Hadden Guest and 2 chapters of Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel. He also read One Giant Splash by Michael Dahl to his sister, Clack.

Free Time - Click painted using water colors today. He listened to The Golly Sisters Go West by Betsy Byars and The Trellis and the Seed by Jan Karon.

Nighttime Reading - I read the first 2 chapters of The Monitor - The Iron Warship That Changed the World by Gare Thompson.

Clack's Foreign Language

Clack is an amazing soon-to-be 16 month old. I smile as I watch her grow daily. I know that she will go far in life. She is determined, focused, outgoing, witty and smart. She is an effective communicator - we just don't know what she's saying. She reads her books, holds conversations, and sings songs in her own foreign language.

How can I best explain our encounters? It's like talking to someone who doesn't speak or understand English. Most of the time that person just smiles & shakes their head trying hard to decipher what's being said. There's alot of smiling & head shaking around our house!

That's daily life with Clack.

A Day Off

I needed a break and I believe Click needed a break, so we didn't have school on Friday. Not having school around our place doesn't mean a day of 'no learning'. During the course of the day we practiced math facts, used our imagination, and applied practical skills.

Click chose the movie Babe In The City and was disinterested after 30 minutes so he and Clack entertained themselves. We ended our day with soccer practice.

Playing Better Checkers

Thursdays are usually a challenge because Dad is home during school time and Click is easily distracted. Nevertheless, we made it through our school day. Thursday is also library day, so schooling is adjusted in order to be at the library by noon.

Classical Music - Today is the last day of Edvardo Grieg, we'll choose another composer today.

Abacus - The Japanese believe that using the abacus helps you to mentally calculate math. Today we worked on visualizing the abacus beads 0-9. Then I gave Click a few mental calculations.

Math - we worked on Saxon worksheet 37. Saxon is a thorough program but it's repetitive (lots of drill) and slow moving. To make up for the pace of the program I supplement with other resources. We worked on Modern Curriculum Press (MCP) tens & ones worksheet. We also reviewed our doubles fact 6-9.

Memory Work - Reviewed the books of the Bible and rehearsed 1 Thessalonians - Titus

Reading - I read Abuela by Arthur Dorros & How the Amazon Queen Fought the Prince of Egypt by Tamara Bower. During quiet time Click read One Giant Splash by Michael Dahl. Clack picked this one from today's library visit & Clack will read it to her at some point. Click also listened to Agapanthus Hum and Major Bark by Joy Cowley.

Playing Checkers - About a month ago Click began asking to learn the game of Checkers. It wasn't until later that I discovered this desire was sparked by a scene in Sheerluck Holmes (a VeggieTales video). After several days of persistent requests, I taught him how to play. At the same time I researched references at the library. We picked up a video that was on hold today entitled How To Play Better Checkers. It wasn't inspiring or very instructional, but I learned a few tidbits, and Click watched it twice.

Peanut Butter Playdough

On Monday night Click decided he wanted to make Peanut Butter Playdough. He came across the experiment in the book "365 Ways to a Smarter Preschooler".

Today, we made Peanut Butter Playdough. Click thought it was soft and mushy. He made a pizza, sombrero and a cookie. Clack, after discovering the texture, decided to put most of the mixture in her mouth. I think they had fun.

Our School Day
(Since I've just begun to journal, I'll take time and give detail about the materials & resources used.)

After being awakened much earlier than I desired, Click made up his bed, we had family prayer, and the day began. First on the agenda is abacus. We use the Japanese Soroban abacus. He worked on a few drills and we reviewed the abacus flashcards. Using the abacus builds the mental muscles. We were apart of an Abacus Club at our local library, but the facilitator has to cancel the group for personal reasons. So, that leaves me holding the bag on teaching further skills. I did find a wonderful resource on http://www.nutureminds.com/. I'm waiting for my package to arrive.

Classical Music - Each week we listen to a composer usually while I'm preparing and during breakfast. This weeks it's: Edvard Grieg

Math - Saxon Math 1. Click completed assessment 6. We also reviewed the tens & ones column using manipulatives and chalkboard. He reviewed his doubles math facts 6-9 (6+6=, 7+7=, etc.) using dominoes for the problems he got wrong.

Writing - Handwriting Without Tears. Click worked on the lowercase 'i'

Memory Work - Books of the Bible. Click has been memorizing the books of the bible. He knows the Old Testament and is up to Titus in the new. We are apart of an Orator's Club. I love it because it's a Christian Minority Homeschooling group. Lots of brown children! Click, who can rattle memory work in his sleep, became extremely bashful when he had to recite in front of a group of strangers. That was last month. This month, after much coaxing, he finally stood in front of the group. With a little more priming, he recited his books. I am looking forward to seeing his progress with each passing month.

Reading - We spend lots of time reading each day. Books on tape are wonderful. Click is reading well above his grade level. It was on a 4th grade level the last time I tested (earlier this year) however, I doubt that I will test him again. I am more concerned with developing his critical thinking skills and filling his head with nonfiction stories. I recently discovered the Easy Nonfiction area of the library. Lots of nonfiction books on his level.

We finished reading 'Go Fish' by Mary Stolz. This is a wonderful story about a 7 year old African American boy's life with his Grandfather. Albert listened to Mr. Putter & Tabby Paint the Porch.

More on reading & critical thinking. Yesterday I used a wonderful resource - Suppose the Wolf Were an Octopus. It takes several children's stories and applies Bloom's Taxonomy to each one. We read Three Billy Goats Gruff and analyzed the story. Click drew a picture of the three billy goats. (He's standing over my shoulder reading this post and wanted me to add the last fact.)

Science - Peanut Butter Playdough

Carschooling - Using every opportunity to educate, we listen to books on tape in the car. This week we're listening to The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John. Last week we enjoyed Jim Weiss in Greek Myths and Sherlock Holmes for children.

It seems like a lot, but we only spend about 1 1/2 hours on school.

Click is not allowed to watch TV Monday - Thursday. Clack is not interested in watching TV. This means that even after school, I'm very engaged in their lives.

Click's spare time - Today he wanted to paint. He used finger paint and painted 'the balgin city' He says it a special place.

Nighttime Reading - Tonight we'll finish Amistad - The Story of a Slave Ship by Patricia McKissack.

Clack's Readings - She is the total opposite of Click. During reading time she's walking around finding things to manipulate. However, she does like to read 'very loudly' in her own way. She will even grab a book and sprawl on the floor - a posture she surely learned from Click!

Day 1 on the blogging journey

Introductions
Well, I've finally joined the blogging revolution. I've decided that too much happens in each passing day. I rarely have time to pick up the calendar or record book to jott down the wonderful and annoying things that occur during the life of a homeschooling mom. Besides, this is an easy way to keep track of what Click does in school each day.... hopefully!

Click and Clack? Those are my children. Albert V (Click) is 11 days from 5 years old. We 'officially' started Kindergarten on July 23, 2007. I will post more on that later. Naomi (Clack) is 11 days from 16 months old. Ironicially enough, they were both born on the 28th of the month. From this point forth I will refer to them as Click and Clack.

Enjoy our journey.