What I am Reading - June - Music Kid

So Many Shades of Green

If at first you don't succeed....

try, try again - so they say.

So we have tried in the past for KM to set her own schedule and it really didn't work out all that well past the first day or two. She did get the swing of getting her things done daily when I gave her a list and the freedom to complete things as she wanted, but it seemed like everytime we tried for more than that it just wouldn't work. She would become overwhelmed and feel like she needed more structure.

Our summer session begins next week and we are trying it again . This time, after some simple instruction and guidance on how to use the Homeschool Tracker, KM has set her own schedule up. We both agreed that this would be the perfect time to try it out because we have far fewer pressing time constraints, places to be at specific times, a lighter lesson load and we are already adjusting to changes in the house, so this can just be another one of those adjustments that should hopefully be all worked out by the fall.

She is very excited about the programs that she will be doing over the summer and feels that she has set things up in a way that makes sense and won't be overwhelming for her to handle in her own way. Here is the schedule that she came up with.

There are no actual guidelines for "timing" other than getting things done on those days and/or within reason. Like if she knows that she wants to go to the beach on Tues, she may want to do a little extra math on Monday so that she can have less to do that day. 

Here is an example of one weeks assignments -

Her assignments are quite short so she can easily bump them around here and there with little problem. I really think this will be helpful in her managing her time in a constructive way so that she feels as though things are flowing.

Her program choices for the summer include

• beginning a year long Shakespeare Study
• Math & The Cosmos - a Duke Tip program
• an overview of U.S. Government, Economics and Citizenship
• Keyboard Level 2B
• Beginning French with some online and computer games
• CNN Student News for Current Events
• Some more advanced Nutrition study - including cooking and baking
• Bowling Camp, Swimming, Basketball and Dance for P.E. 

You Tube Monday - Classical Chicken

Trying to Adjust

The past week has been a bit of a blur. Between CJ's abrupt departure for training for his new career, a vast weather change from high humidity to frigid rain causing havoc in the yard, and the exhaustion of picking up the slack and trying to find some sort of rhythm, KM and I really just trying to wade through the chaos and I am finding it very difficult for my fingers to get the thoughts out of my head clearly - so I apologize in advance if this becomes garbled or rambly.

CJ has gone away for things before, but there was usually preparation and adjustment time. This was very much an "OH I have to leave in two days and need to locate or purchase all the things on this list" and we then spent the next two days packing and collecting so that he could be off for a week. There was no time for lawn mowing, moving things to the attic, floor scrubbing or anything else that is CJ specific.  KM and I have had to pick up the slack and take on tasks that we don't usually do, but are glad to do it so that when he comes home for his brief stay we can enjoy the time with him before he has to go again. His rotation for the coming weeks will be a bit difficult, but once we get past it and into his regular schedule we should be fine.

I have many topics and posts that I have started, but have just been able to find the time to really delve into them and am hoping during the next few weeks I will be able to find some time to do so. For now be sure to check out Unplugged Mom and let the authors' know what you think by leaving comments!!!

You can see all the articles and reviews that I have submit at this LINK!



~~~~~~~So I didn't realize as I was writing this that I was going to be picked as a Blog of Note by the Unplugged Mom, but I WAS!!! Thanks to Laurette and Desiree for the wonderful words! It is always so great to hear that what you are saying is being received and enjoyed!!! Be sure to listen to this weeks podcast if you haven't heard it yet! -


 

Listen to internet radio with The Unplugged Mom on Blog Talk Radio

The enjoyment of a 2 year old

YES THAT IS ICE CREAM IN HER LAP!!!

I am not sure who enjoyed this moment more - her or ME?

YouTube Monday - How Do You Socialize Your Children?

I have posted this before, but stumbled across it again and thought it was You Tube Monday Worthy!!!
Look past the religious content and it is seriously funny! 

Plays and Parties!

Last weekend was rather hectic, but couldn't have been more fun -

We started off with the Much Ado About Nothing shows Friday and Saturday! KM's performance of Borachio was INCREDIBLE!!! Who knew she could be such a great drunken villian!!! -

Friday they were lucky enough for the weather to hold off so they could have the performance on the outdoor stage.

And although they were not so fortunate on Saturday - I think the performance was even better at the indoor venue!

Then Sunday was the Littles' birthday party mixed with ZPs graduation! The kids had a lot of fun in the bounce house and getting their faces painted -

and I managed to sneak a few shots of the ever elusive older brother -

YouTube Monday - Bruno Mars - "The Lazy Song" (Studio Session) LIVE!!!!

Thought this was rather appropriate given the day......ENJOY!

"

What I am Reading - June - GCK Mom

I am rereading this one - helps get me inspired for new ideas for next year! 

Last Day of Sailing!!!

KM had her last day of sailing class and the weather couldn't have been more perfect!

Although we will not miss getting up early, KM will really miss this class and hopes they will be willing to run it again in the fall for home learners!!! Lets keep our fingers crossed!

You Tube Monday - MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON

Finishing up Spring Session

Although this week is our last for lessons in our spring session, KM has had a pretty light month as she finished up most of her programs - formal math, science, house building elective, environmental issues elective, etc. - in April. She will have Story of the World Volume 4 completed by the end of the week and this will give us a full month free from "book work" before we begin our summer session the first week of July. KM does have some programs finishing up during June, -  she will have her performance of Much Ado About Nothing in just under two weeks and has two more sailing classes -  but after that the last three weeks of June are WIDE OPEN!!!

I have been writing more and doing reviews for UnpluggedMom.com, so if it is quiet around here for a bit, you should totally check out all that is going on over there!!!

You Tube Monday - Julian Smith - Jellyfish

Some thoughts on Summer

It feels like summer these last few days, but I can't wait for the real thing, the lazy, lounging days of summer that come once "school" is out. Not our learning path - we home educate year round - but when the schooled kids get out for summer vacation almost all organized home learning events, from co-ops to park days, seem to come to a screeching halt, as we begin to wait for "them" to head back into the schools and leave the playgrounds, beaches, libraries and museums to us again in September.

WHY is this? Well I can't speak for all home learners, but for us it is an aversion to crowds, rowdy ill managed groups of people, broken and mistreated exhibits, parents yelling and threatening their children, and a general discontentment from all forms of staff at said outings - from volunteer exhibit workers to life guards to cranky ice cream scoopers.

It seems as though school gets out and EVERYONE GOES CRAZY!!! Generally the first few weeks are okay, but by the time Independence Day rolls around, they have had enough. I honestly think that the stores are do these parents a favor by having their back to school sales begin so early - IT GIVES THEM A GLIMPSE OF HOPE!

I didn't understand it when I was sending her back - every year my heart would break. Now that I don't it is even harder for me to fathom why people would have children and then long to be away from them for such extended periods of time, they miss so much of their day to day life that they hardly know their children. They get two or three standard answers to their questions with little to no insight into their actual events.

I not only love my daughter, I LIKE my daughter. I enjoy being with her. I am thrilled to experience new things with her. I have fun playing with her - that's right I PLAY with my teenager and not just video games. I know and like her friends. I am very happy to say that none of us would want it any other way. Cheers to a relaxing and peaceful summer!