Our Plans for School Next Year

BOTH GIRLS FINISHED SCHOOL THIS WEEK!!!! Yippee!!!!!

Can you tell I am very excited. Even more excited then the kids. I am very proud of all of us this year. This is the first time we finished up before public school lets out for the summer. We were consistent, made up time that was missed and made school a high priority this year.

Math
We really like Math-U-See. It is a wonderful program that teaches the kids hands on. They are big on kids understanding the concept and working out the problem. They also have story problems every day. Which I like, because it shows them ways we apply the math and they don't seem to be scared of the story problems like I was when I was a child.

Language Arts
We followed a curriculum using Rod and Staff. There are things that I like about this program, such as the instructions and lesson plans are easy to understand so that the kids can do it on their own. And the teacher book is easy to follow. But after a year, there are areas that I feel they need work on. Such as grammar didn't stick to their brains like I hoped, spelling needs improvement, and I would like them to do more creative writing, book reports, and articles about field trips. I really like the approach of Charlotte Mason. I was using that approach in pre-school through first grade, before I even knew what style of teacher I was.

For next year, I would like to return back to this style, because I notice that we all do better. I have a collection of copy work for the kids to do, like quotes from Mother Teresa and Benjamin Franklin. I also wanted the kids to put together a spelling rules notebook with examples in it. I even have a copy that I did for them to copy to make their own. I found a grammar lapbook that I think the kids would treasure. And I want to encourage more reading for enjoyment and teach them how to write a book report.

We are planning on using Easy Grammar and Daily Grams to keep us reviewing and improving our grammar.

I found The Natural Speller, which is along the lines of what I have always wanted to do for spelling. We will be starting Spelling now and just do spelling bee's for awhile

I found a great Cursive program that I will be using to teach Vicky cursive and Liz for practicing her cursive. We are going to start this now. Also, I found a great pencil that trains children to hold the pencil correctly. I bought some for Vicky, because she just can't remember the correct way to hold a pencil. She really is liking them, because they look different and it is new.

We are also going to work on encouraging them to read more this summer and do reading comprehension. I am signing them up for the library Summer Reading Program. They are excited about this.

Science
We allow them to learn by interest. We did use a program called Considering God's Creation. We still have some lessons left to do. I would like to finish this and then when they are in High School, re-due it with more in-depth research.

History
Pat teaches them well in this area. I would still like to read them some American Stories and study the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. The girls would like to study both The Presidents on their birthdays and study a state a month. We will see which way we will go next year in this area.

So there you have it, we have a plan for next year. I can relax this summer, because we know what we are doing. We have our books for next year and the kids are even excited about what we will be doing. Vicky keeps asking me if we can start Cursive.

As far as my grammar on this - it is late and I am tired and so editing will have to come when I get a chance.

Motivation for Work We Hate To Do

I have started working on a project I have been avoiding for a long time. It is those darn business books. I do not like working on them. Every 30 minutes I am looking for excuses to take a break. I am hungrier for no apparent reason other then an excuse to leave my desk. Yesterday, I realized that when the kids are unmotivated about school, they most likely feel the same way that I do. So how does one stay motivated to keep on the project one don't like to do? I need a mommy to motivate me! lol Now back to being serious. Well, with the kids schoolwork....
- I reward them with breaks.
- I have them stop and run around the house three times.
- I withhold lunch or snack until it is done. (Their schoolwork is not longer then 1 1/2 hour - so no, it is not terrible).
- We schedule fun things into the week as a motivational tool to work towards a goal before we can go.

So, I can apply the same principle to my project....
- Take breaks after one our of steady work.
- Take a walk or ride the bike around the block.
- Withhold snacks until 2 hours of steady work is done. Yes, I will work for dark chocolate M&M's or gourmet jelly beans. :)
- Schedule in fun things into the week and work towards a goal before we can go.

With this project, I am also asking the kids help with chores. They even offered to help with sorting and filing. That was a huge help and they did a great job.

If you have ideas about how you motivate your kids with working on school, I would love to hear them. I am always looking for new ideas.

Springtime School Blahs

School lately has been blah! Motivating mud kind of days. I am frustrated because nothing is getting done and if it is, it is so slowwwww.

I decided to make up a contract with each child of there daily chores and school. I had them sign it.

Here is the new rules, signed and understood by everyone.

-No TV or playing until all chores and school is done. (I told them that if it meant they work into the night, too bad. Dad won't rescue them!)

-Mom is no longer available for school after 2pm. (Because I am mentally done at that time and don't want to be bothered with it. Plus I am tired of feeling the punishment for their Slowski mood) They can ask Dad for help when he gets home. And Dad can ask why they are taking all day!?!

-If they don't chose to get their school work done, it cuts into their summer. Yes, I decided to take summer off. I needed some bribery power!


Two days into it and I think we have something that is working, at least for the moment!