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.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
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!
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.
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.
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