Found this video on Youtube. I thought the song was relavent. We have been so busy lately. There were a couple of weeks that were just insane. We slowed down and then we got sick and that slowed us down alot. Despite the sickness, it has been such a relief to cancel everything and just chill out at home. I am sure the kids are missing their friends, but I know they are happy relaxing a bit too. I know I am.
Here is the song and video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdCXiEH-VRE&NR=1
Nathan is beginning to remember his multiplication facts and he quickly caught on to simple division. His brother taught him the rules for positive and negative numbers. Why? I have no idea. Nathan is doing well on word problems. We will continue to work on that. I am not rushing him through math because I want him to master the concepts and work on them frequently. Nathan is loving EnglishGrammar101 on the internet. He is working his way through verbs right now. He enjoys doing the exercises on the computer. At AAAmath.com, Nathan is able to practice his math and get instant feedback. It feels good to finally find a method of learning that works for him. Nathan doesn’t like busy work, book work or writing. He is naturally curious. He enjoys researching topics on the internet. However, he needs to learn how to search better. Since starting on the Focalin, Nathan’s quality of work has signifigantly improved. He is more willing to do the boring book work that is sometimes required. He learns faster and is retaining more. Nathan also can do above grade level work in science. I am currently working on a weather unit for Todd, Nathan and John, Early in the year, Nathan worked with Todd’s Life Science units of cells and plants. He understood the work. I have not introduced American or World History to Nathan. I don’t feel it is important right now. He is reading more, but I am still having a problem getting him to read chapter books. He is put off by large books full of writing and little to now pictures. He inhaled all 31 Naruto graphic novels. I was glad he was reading, but it definetly wasn’t the quality I was looking for. He wanted to read Eragon, but that is way to advanced for his reading level. So, I am reading it to him. I want him to know that behind all those words is a story worth muddling through. Nathan loves science. He is still wanting to do something with animals for his life career.
Todd is struggling with Algebra 1. He is learning the value of studying. I am working with him using algebasics.com and a high school textbook for more instruction and practice. I am proud of his efforts. He is about 2 weeks away from finishing the first semester. I conference with his instructor at FLVS and she approved the following course action. Todd will start semester 2 in January. In the meantime, Todd and I will work through other math curriculum to master solving equations and working with positive and negative integers. This course work should be mastered so that it is second nature. His instructor felt that this will help Todd move on with the second semester course work, because. Once the basics are mastered, then new formulas won’t throw him off. Todd finished 8th grade English semester 1 with an A !! He should be very proud of his course work. It was all writing!!! He will start next semester sometime in November. I also introduced American History to Todd. He reads the topic in his textbook, then logs on to Hippocampus.com and chooses the American History I course. There he can see and hear the topic again. He is enjoying the history. I am not having him answer any questions. I want him to just enjoy reading about the history. Next year, I will get more in depth for the histories. I started a science unit of weather. I am teaching it to Todd, Nathan and John. It is video based and I am following up with projects and discussions. There are some question and answer worksheets to be done, but they are minimal. The first lesson over really well. Both boys enjoyed learning with someone else! Todd is really enjoying his Japanese language lessons. Now that I have the printer working again, I need to print off his review sheets. He needs to spend time studying in between classes. Something he hasn’t been doing. Todd went to a program showcasing Rasmussen college and their gaming and animation degree programs. He was inspired and has decided that he might like to be in the animation industry for a career. He asked for Photoshop and he was blessed with a copy from a friend. I look forward to seeing what he can do with the program. Todd is really good at art and math. He enjoys science. He loves to read and listen to all kinds of music. He uses the internet to satisfy his endless curiosities. He wanted to learn poker, so he checked out 2 books at the library and found a game site online.
I am so glad that we chose to homeschool the boys. It is an enjoyable experience. I enjoy teaching them. I am glad that I have the privilege of choosing what they learn, when they learn it and HOW they learn it. I am blessed to be able to be with them, fostering a closer relationship and guiding them into meaningful careers.
It is October 18th. Time is just flying! Soon it will be Halloween and then Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Which, according to my friend Nikki, is only 68 days away.
I have been inspired by my friend Rachell to create a blog JUST for our daily homeschooling. I need a place to journal about it. I should do it here, since this blog is the name of our school. I guess I could. Homeschooling and life are one and the same, so why not.
