Showing posts with label break. Show all posts
Showing posts with label break. Show all posts

Dec 15, 2011

Week 4 - Deschooling and Book Break Update

So our week is running a bit differently this week, as we are not doing "lessons" again until after the new year, instead we are working on some projects, getting ready for the holidays and trying to help DN understand that learning is a part of life and not just something you do on certain days, at certain times, and on specific predetermined topics set out by someone else. So he spent the weekend at home and we met up with him on Sunday evening so that he could join KM at the Smash Brothers Tournament at the Library on Monday. Since we didn't need to be there until later in the afternoon the kids had the day to do what they wanted.

KM choose to be on the computer, work on some Snap Circuits Projects, play on the computer and used some of the turkey bones that were leftover from soup making this weekend to try out a bendy bone experiment that she has been meaning to do for a while, but always seemed to think of AFTER I had disposed of the carcass. DN choose to read, read, watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at lunch, read and read some more. KM tried to get him into some of the things that she was working on, but he was really into Battle of the Labyrinth - book 4 in the Percy Jackson Series, he read the first 3 in record time and was really glad I was able to get the 4th through our library network and even happier that I grabbed the final volume while they were in the tournament - luckily thing too since he finished the 4th within minutes of us returning home.

KM has been feeling a bit under the weather, sniffly and coughing at night, so we decided to put skating off until later in the week to not subject her to the cold and hit the movies instead to see Arthur Christmas. I had heard mixed reviews, but was really happy that we decided to go. It was super funny and both the kids really liked it. I was glad to see that it was rated PG as there were a few parts that I would think could be a bit disturbing to little ones. After the movies we dropped KM off at home to rest while DN and I went to run some errands. The beans we had setup last week to determine if direction of helium mattered needed to be transplanted and DN got to see how the bean transforms into the leaves. We spent the evening making ornaments with Sculpey and then at 9ish I had a surge of energy and decided we NEEDED to clean the fridge. Glad I did though because it took just less than an hour to scrub down everything, with the kids helping and they got to sleep in the next morning while I went grocery shopping. Teamwork and cooperation went a long way on this one!



Wednesday was shopping and chore day - I went grocery shopping and the kids needed to get their rooms organized and tidied up before the holiday.  They also spent some time painting the ornaments they had made the night before. We were hoping to get to the BSU observatory for their last public viewing before winter break, but the clouds just didn't cooperate. We did get to the discount store so that KM could pick up the fabulous dress for the formal New Years Eve party she will be attending with some of her youth group friends. She is VERY excited as this is her first formal. She picked a gorgeous flowing gown. We got the dress, shoes, and  shawl all for under $35! WOOHOOO for bargain shopping! The kids finished up their christmas shopping online, since CJ got stuck out on the road longer than expected this week. DN learned how to play Wii Music, set up his profile on Wii Fit Plus and played the new Zelda game he got from the library.

We made it to skating Thursday and they had a great time. We met up with DN's Uncle so he could spend the rest of the week home with them. Then KM went to a jewelry making class at the library - I just love how many activities she is getting involved with over there! I managed to find some time to get the last of the footage edited from KMs theater group and to finalize the majority of their winter session lesson plans. I always feel so much more at ease when I know they are all set. I am open to tweaking and twisting them around and I have a few more things to iron out, but just knowing they are there and ready makes me feel organized and ready to go. I will post about our upcoming plans next week!



All and all it was a really great week. We got a lot completed and had a really good time. DN seemed to really catch on with what we do around here, he was interested in most of the things, but passed on a few, which is to be expected - don't we all want to pass on some things.  It is weeks like this that remind me of why I started this blog in the first place - it is just a great way to see what it is that we have done. Even when it seems like it wasn't very much. Hope you all had as much fun this week as we did!

Jun 30, 2010

Last week of break....

and we have been taking it slow!

We have been trying out some new culinary ideas from Eat at Home Cooks - one of my new favorite websites!

While in the kitchen we also got to make our first - second and third - batch of raspberry jam from the wild bushes on the edge of our property!

KM had fun with some science kits that had been collecting dust...

and I had some time to get things finished up for next week and all our lesson plans finished while KM was visiting with an old friend over the weekend. As we prepare for upcoming 4th of July weekend events it might get a bit quiet around here, but we start back to lessons next Monday (7/5), so I will be sure to post as we start to get into our summer session routine.

Jun 16, 2010

Not quite quiet time!

Although we have been taking a break from "lessons" things have remained busy around here. Lots of projects, visits, birthdays and more! Here are some highlights -

Playground day with the Littles -

A Sewing Project -

GC had her 1ST birthday!!!

Lots of Gardening -

SC had her 3RD Birthday!!!


A trip with OR to the children's museum...

Lots more to come.....we have a new sport to discuss a bit about as well...see you all soon!

Apr 29, 2010

Busy, Busy, Busy

It has been quite hectic around here lately so I apologize for my lack of posting, but I assure it will pick up again soon.

Some notable events from the week -
  • KM has been practicing, practicing and practicing her lines for Romeo & Juliet this weekend.
  • Went to see DisneyNature Films Ocean - FANTASTIC movie!
  • Got Guitar Hero 5 for the wii and I became the hero for the day!
  • Baked, whipped, baked, cooked and grilled!
  • Enjoyed a well overdue bowling date with some friends!
  • Went shopping for some smaller sizes!
  • Lessons went smoothly ~ as usual!
  • I have CONQUERED our 8th grade curriculum plan!!!
  • Celebrated a birthday with a dear friend!
  • Surprise visit from the Littles!
SO as you can see it was quite busy and today is only Thurs! This week will be a whirlwind of rehearsals and performances, but I will be sure to post pics of all the excitement!

Hope you are all having a great week!

Mar 24, 2010

Home Again

We had a great trip! VERY relaxing and now it is straight back to the craziness that is our homeschool world! Before I start to conquer my ever growing to do list, here are some pics of some of the highlights of our trip!









Mar 17, 2010

Just our LUCK!


We are in the Sunshine state, but it seems as though we chased the sun away when we got here!

Today's hi temp was 66 here with a breeze that made it feel about 60 and was 68 at home with no breeze so it felt about 72 - That is our luck on this wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

The weather however, did not prohibit us from getting out and about today after KM finished up the last of her Newton's Laws Classes by Science Jim this morning. We headed over to the clubhouse for some shuffleboard and then KM went for a swim ~ luckily for her the pool temp was 83! Everyone loved that KM's hair was just the right color for St. Patrick's Day! I got some great shuffleboard pics, but of course I just realized that I only brought one of the camera adaptors ~ not for the camera that I was using today ~ so I will have to post pics at a later date!
Tomorrow we will be off to KM's second favorite Science Museum! I will be sure to take the camera that I can get the pictures off of!
Hope you had a very Lucky St. Patty's Day!

Mar 13, 2010

End of Winter Session - Time for a Break

So we have completed another session and are really in need of a break! Things have went really well during these transition times, but it has been QUITE A WHILE since we have taken a real break from things. But since we have a few weeks off we have decided to head down to visit my dad in sunny Florida!

So in closing our session I thought I would mention one method that we use that can be a bit of a sore spot for some homeschoolers. I know some homeschoolers are against grading for various reasons, but I think for KM it gives her some sort of grounding as to where she is and where she needs improvements. I am certain it is also largely a carryover from being in PS. I know other homeschoolers who don't do grades because they work through things until they get an A, but KM gets graded on a percentage based system based on the work that she has done. I do give her a second chance on things at times, like if she is completed her math exercises and she gets on wrong, I will have her try it again and then if she gets it correct she gets 1/2 credit for it.

Methods of homeschooling are totally personal choices, but IMHO if grades aren't introduced at some point and the kids are going to be attending colleges or any higher education facilities where they will be graded, then it could be detrimental to them to not have been intergrated into in some way. There are many schools of thought on grading and point systems and the such, so to each his own!

I brought this up though as it is the first session that KM earned all As and she was SO proud of herself. She recognized the progress that she had made from last session in some areas, bringing her grades up even a few points here and there. I think it gives her a sense of accomplishment as well.

As for our break we will be heading out to visit my dad next week, so it might be a bit quietier until we get back. - Watch for some fun pics though!

Jan 24, 2010

Transitioning....

is the name of the game around here as of late and therefore it may be a bit quieter than usual on this blogosphere! There are lots of changes, academic, family and otherwise that need to be addressed and so we will see you in a bit!!!


If you are looking for anything in particular be sure to search for it! Lots of past posts have been being checked lately - especially for resources! If you can't find what you are looking for feel free to email me - gckhomeschool at gmail.com - and I can point you in the right direction!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wonderful Readers -
I have gotten quite a few emails and YES WE ARE STILL HOME SCHOOLING! KM will not be going back to PS - EVER if I have my way!
There will just be some new features and things on the site so keep checking back!
Take Care,
Gina

Sep 23, 2009

almost back...

We will be back to lessons starting Sunday. I am trying to take the rest of this week to get myself, my house and my coop responsibilities under control before we delve into lessons here. I am waiting to see what happens with the Littles. I am having some anxiety over it, but I know that it will all work out in the end. We have decided to do a few things on Sundays, as they are generally slow get things done and ready for the next week days around here. KM agreed and thinks that if it will make me feel less pressure with the Littles during the week she is all for it, so we have picked Health and Cultural Studies to do on Sundays. We will wait and see how things really turn out with the kids and how much we can get done before we decide to switch things out anymore. There has been some talk of making the days that we have them more like weekend days, but I really need time that is neither lesson or daycare time - wow what a CONCEPT! Does such time actually exist?
I am bound and determined to find it! Anyway we will be back in full force next week and I am working on coming up with some sort of themes like Science Thursdays that we did during the Summer, but I will have to keep everyone posted on that one!

Sep 16, 2009

Catching up!

So my Internet and phone are FINALLY back online after much aggravation!


Last week was very busy, which is how it always seems to work around here when I want to slow things down a bit!

Here are some of our favorite pics from last week:

We went on a quest that took us through the New England Wildlife Center -



KM felt it had been far too long since a pic of me was taken so here I am -

THE CRAZY LADY HIKING WITH AN INFANT AND A TODDLER! - I must say though Miss SC is quite the trooper and if you put GC in the sling she is happy no matter where we are!

SC started a new dance craze:

KM did some fashion designing this week:

some of the rhinestones didn't iron on quite so well so she improvised with puffy paint!

She had better luck with t-shirt iron-ons though!

There was a dress-up fashion show:

which brought out some interesting characters!


We had a very wet and shorter than expected time camping, but it was SUPER fun!




Take a peek to see what kept us up all night!


We are now in our second week of "vacation" from lessons before we start our fall session and things are just as CRAZY this week!

Please keep your fingers crossed for me that next week TRULY will be a slow week!

Don't know how much I will post, but I will be sure to be back for good after the 28th when we start our Fall Session!