This is barely recognizable as the Grade 3 Plan, altered as it has been from the time it was first submitted to the authorities to the time real life kicked in, like now, during her spontaneous trip to Florida with her father. I should have definitely included the coda at the end of last year's proposed plan: Or not, and will be sure it makes it into this year's written review.
We stuck to the basic idea of using relatively few classic, if not purely classical materials, quality versus quantity and depth versus breadth still our goal, and much was left unplanned for those fascinating rabbit trails to lead us off on tangents, but the exact materials varied quite a bit from the ones originally stated.
First of all, I found it tiresome and trying to mesh all her language arts with whatever books we were reading at the time. I'm not interested in creating a curriculum from scratch (not anymore, anyway.) And besides that, I've decided Charlotte Mason pretty much matches my preferred style of teaching and Elle's preferred style of learning: Short, gentle instruction; not boring her to tears over-analyzing an otherwise enjoyable tale. I say 'pretty much' because we are adapting it for our own purposes following The Well Trained Mind's four-year chronological history plan, but remaining a bit looser than Ms. Mason would probably have preferred. Becky at Farm School gets the credit for that. Out with the Harvey's and in with the First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind Level 3, a book that works well within a Charlotte Mason framework, particularly for a child like mine who enjoys workbooks. The grammar lessons are short and incorporate usage, mechanics, diagramming, memorizing selections of poetry, copywork, dictation, and narration. Most importantly for her, there was not a lot of writing. We had done the first book (covering First and Second Grades) orally so she was familiar with the program. Elle needed a separate, specific spelling program. Trying to manage something on my own was too scattershot for my not-quite-natural speller, so instead of re-researching every single last option I just went with Spelling Workout which we'd used before. Level C was a good fit and she likes it because it's a workbook. The Commonplace Book is now dedicated to her non-schoolwork journal writing.
We read Andrew Lang's Fairy books as planned, but I switched to Howard Pyle's The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood and added Otto of the Silver Hand because the library had the first one and I had the second one. Our little local council recently merged with the big city council and access to a really good library system seems to be the only benefit to the amalgamation so far, but I'm very pleased. The new and improved library enabled us to supplement with many more topical books than I originally planned. We might get to Pyle's The Story of King Arthur and His Knights when she gets back.
Where we did stick to the plan was with Latin. She finished Prima Latina and is ready to begin Latina Christiana I.
Math-U-See Alpha was completed but we haven't even begun Beta. We'll pick this up when she gets back and move through it quickly enough to get her into Saxon 5/4 by early next year. She doesn't care for the manipulatives and I don't care for the constant reminders to "use the blocks!"
We're nearly at the halfway point in the Story of the World 2, and we'll keep going until we finish it.
Tennis lessons never materialized after our coach hurt his back. Elle dropped Aikido, deciding one day she hated it and didn't want to go back. Exercise and socializing was instead unstructured and took place at friends' houses and playgrounds. We still play chess. She can beat me. Maybe when she gets back, if we can coordinate it with Sarabelle's afterschool activities to save on fuel, she could take gymnastics or dance down in town.
I am ultimately flexible. It will be fun to see how well the authorities deal with spontaneity and deviation.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Surreptitious Supplemental Homeschooling (SSH!)
With Sarabelle and Grice on spring break since last Friday, I have begun sneaking some home learning into the educational void.
Though the girls initially groaned when I told them I had rented the documentary Jesus Camp through iTunes, they were fascinated and watched it three whole times. We simultaneously experienced revulsion, disbelief, pity, fear, and more than a few belly laughs. Great conversation ensued.
To balance out the serious, I also downloaded 10 Things I Hate About You, which, as you probably know, is a modern remake of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. That one too has been watched more than once including a shared viewing with a friend during a sleepover. The girls happily pointed out all the Shakespearean inside jokes to their friend. I plan to slip a little more of The Bard in soon with the Leonardo DiCaprio/Claire Danes version of Romeo and Juliet, a movie I have been waiting to see for some time now.
This past Sunday, visiting our juice stand friends at the markets, we were reminded that the Duyfken ("Little Dove") was in port for the day and open for tours. With a little persuading the girls agreed it might be interesting to see this replica of a Dutch ship that explored Australia back in 1606, and actually came away with some additional knowledge of Australian history. Today they will help me review my study of Aussie history and civics as I prepare to take my citizenship test tomorrow. They might inadvertently learn something.
We've discussed the economy and laughed ourselves silly over the Ben Bernanke video from the guys who brought us the Potter Puppet Pals (and now cannot get the original song out of heads) and took in some early American history as well with their Learn About Governor Bradford! video.
Both girls continue to enjoy The Onion's Our Dumb World which Sarabelle received for a birthday gift last month, and which enjoys a prominent position on either the coffee table or the bathroom counter.
So, even if your kids currently enjoy being locked in a public school system where the education is adequate from a general standpoint, though not up to your standards, have no fear. Opportunities exist everywhere to slide in a little homeschooling. Just don't tell them.
Though the girls initially groaned when I told them I had rented the documentary Jesus Camp through iTunes, they were fascinated and watched it three whole times. We simultaneously experienced revulsion, disbelief, pity, fear, and more than a few belly laughs. Great conversation ensued.
To balance out the serious, I also downloaded 10 Things I Hate About You, which, as you probably know, is a modern remake of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. That one too has been watched more than once including a shared viewing with a friend during a sleepover. The girls happily pointed out all the Shakespearean inside jokes to their friend. I plan to slip a little more of The Bard in soon with the Leonardo DiCaprio/Claire Danes version of Romeo and Juliet, a movie I have been waiting to see for some time now.
This past Sunday, visiting our juice stand friends at the markets, we were reminded that the Duyfken ("Little Dove") was in port for the day and open for tours. With a little persuading the girls agreed it might be interesting to see this replica of a Dutch ship that explored Australia back in 1606, and actually came away with some additional knowledge of Australian history. Today they will help me review my study of Aussie history and civics as I prepare to take my citizenship test tomorrow. They might inadvertently learn something.
We've discussed the economy and laughed ourselves silly over the Ben Bernanke video from the guys who brought us the Potter Puppet Pals (and now cannot get the original song out of heads) and took in some early American history as well with their Learn About Governor Bradford! video.
Both girls continue to enjoy The Onion's Our Dumb World which Sarabelle received for a birthday gift last month, and which enjoys a prominent position on either the coffee table or the bathroom counter.
So, even if your kids currently enjoy being locked in a public school system where the education is adequate from a general standpoint, though not up to your standards, have no fear. Opportunities exist everywhere to slide in a little homeschooling. Just don't tell them.
Monday, September 22, 2008
What's Next?
Once again it's time for another post wherein I make plans for our future and feel compelled to disclose those plans if only to change them later and show you just how fickle and unstable I am.
Christmas. That's when we should be back. That's when we've been telling friends and family we may be back. The economy continues to conspire against us (although the Aussie dollar has dipped dramatically in our favor) and Jorge and I agree it would be wise to build up another reserve in case of financial hardship. Our monthly expenses here are roughly equivalent to two mortgage payments back there.
But, and there's always one of those, Sarabelle is strongly resisting and has begged, pleaded, and finally, threatened to remain in Australia for Grade 11, in other words, one more year. I considered letting her board with good friends of ours, however, those good friends are now heading to New Zealand, and so I'm contemplating a consultation with another friend, Senior Constable Mick, for back-up and legal advice. A little "Scared Straight" if you know what I mean. She wants to stay at least for the biennial Japanese field trip. I would like to accommodate her, I really would, and have even offered to fly her to Japan to meet up with her mates at the appointed time (provided she homeschools Japanese back in Florida) but that is not good enough. She has given me her solemn word that should she be allowed to stay that long she would then return peaceably to the States.
In a serendipitous turn of events we have made arrangements to move into our exiting friends' old digs at least until the Christmas/summer school holiday, without posting any additional bond, provided we check on retired nuclear physicist landlord on a daily basis to be sure he's still in the land of the living, and have the option to stay on indefinitely. This will reduce our rent expense by $300 per month, provide us with fresh eggs and fruit, and Witness Friend has even offered to let me borrow one of her dairy cows that's about to calve, but Jorge doesn't believe this will make a significant difference in our economic situation and is rather adamant I stick to the Christmas return plan. We would finally have our little farm, and really, what better place to ride out any recession/depression/Armageddon (the last being Witness friend's preferred term)?
I am being torn in half. I know what's best for my kids and am afraid I have hit the wall of "Irreconcilable Differences" with my husband.
Christmas. That's when we should be back. That's when we've been telling friends and family we may be back. The economy continues to conspire against us (although the Aussie dollar has dipped dramatically in our favor) and Jorge and I agree it would be wise to build up another reserve in case of financial hardship. Our monthly expenses here are roughly equivalent to two mortgage payments back there.
But, and there's always one of those, Sarabelle is strongly resisting and has begged, pleaded, and finally, threatened to remain in Australia for Grade 11, in other words, one more year. I considered letting her board with good friends of ours, however, those good friends are now heading to New Zealand, and so I'm contemplating a consultation with another friend, Senior Constable Mick, for back-up and legal advice. A little "Scared Straight" if you know what I mean. She wants to stay at least for the biennial Japanese field trip. I would like to accommodate her, I really would, and have even offered to fly her to Japan to meet up with her mates at the appointed time (provided she homeschools Japanese back in Florida) but that is not good enough. She has given me her solemn word that should she be allowed to stay that long she would then return peaceably to the States.
In a serendipitous turn of events we have made arrangements to move into our exiting friends' old digs at least until the Christmas/summer school holiday, without posting any additional bond, provided we check on retired nuclear physicist landlord on a daily basis to be sure he's still in the land of the living, and have the option to stay on indefinitely. This will reduce our rent expense by $300 per month, provide us with fresh eggs and fruit, and Witness Friend has even offered to let me borrow one of her dairy cows that's about to calve, but Jorge doesn't believe this will make a significant difference in our economic situation and is rather adamant I stick to the Christmas return plan. We would finally have our little farm, and really, what better place to ride out any recession/depression/Armageddon (the last being Witness friend's preferred term)?
I am being torn in half. I know what's best for my kids and am afraid I have hit the wall of "Irreconcilable Differences" with my husband.
Progress Reports
Well, how is phone schooling going? Irregular at best. It might work better if there wasn't a fourteen-hour time difference. If I call in the morning when I am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, she is wrapping up her day and tired, if not asleep. When she is raring to go in the morning, I am fighting to keep my eyes open. I may have to satisfy myself with sporadic grammar lessons and oral Latin review comforted by the knowledge that she at least always has a good book with her.
In the meantime I received Queensland Ed's giant package o' preparations for our annual homeschooling review. Wow. Tempus fugit, eh?
In the meantime I received Queensland Ed's giant package o' preparations for our annual homeschooling review. Wow. Tempus fugit, eh?
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Phoning It In
Today we entered a new phase of homeschooling. There always seems to be a new one, doesn't there?
Now that Jorge has recovered sufficiently from his flu and both he and Elle finally have their circadian rhythms readjusted, we began phone-schooling. It's not any different from what many of the not-really-homeschooling-distance education-students are doing here in Australia. They used to call it the School of the Air, maybe they still do, but lessons can be done over the phone, two-way radio, and internet. In our case, because Jorge and Elle are so mobile, we're relying on the phone and a very cheap phone card ($.02 per minute!) to get through this next bit.
After a little chit chat, I started in with our Prima Latina routine:
Salve discipulus.
Mom!
Salve discipulus!
Moooooom!
C'mon now, you haven't forgotten all of this already, have you?
No...but Dad's cooking dinner...
So let's get it done quick before he finishes... (Then, realizing she is shy about doing her recitation within earshot of anyone else) Oh! Why don't you go in the bedroom and use the other phone.
Okay. (A pause while she relocates and picks up the other extension.) Okay. (Another pause while she goes back to hang up the first phone.) Okay. (And another while she heads back to the bedroom.) Okay.
Ready? Salve discipulus.
Salve magistra.
Sede.
(Giggles) I'm lying down.
Well, sorry, I don't know how to say that. Oremus. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus...
(Together) Dominus Deus Sabbaoth...
Mom. Guess what?
Hang on, let's finish these first...
Guess what, Mom?
(Sigh) What?
(Long story about swimming under the dock at the island and descriptions of various sealife observed while Dad repairs damage to dock from Hurricane Ike. Detailed comparison with sealife observed on Gulf side of island.)
Okay. Let's try this again. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus...
(We finish the four prayers and first declension and conjugation review.) Finis! Optime! Now let's do your grammar.
My book's in the car.
Well go get it.
It's locked. What's the code for your door again?
[Code number] Got it?
Nope. Hold on, I'm riding my scooter down the driveway to the car.
How about now?
Yep. Hey, Mom!
Yes?
We got a new doorbell! Listen! (Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding dong...)
Jorge yells in the background: [Elle]!
Cool. Got a pencil?
Yep.
Sitting down?
Yep.
Okay. Lesson 44...
Wait! Listen to this Mom... (Elle is apparently sitting at the piano and begins to play me a song. And then four more.)
That's great honey. Lesson 44...
(While diagramming the sentence "May I play?") Oh! Very important! Can you email Skylar's grandma and tell her I'm here and give her Dad's cellphone number so I can play with Skylar?
Yes.
(While diagramming the sentence "Does ice float?") Guess what we're having for dinner, Mom?
Spaghetti with meat sauce?
Nope. Steak and green beans and mashed potatoes...
Jorge in the background: [Elle]! Dinner's ready!
I gotta go, Mom.
Hang on, let's finish this last diagram... What is the verb?
Does float.
What is the subject?
Ice.
Great. Did you remember to capitalize the D in "does"?
Yes!
Okay, I'll talk to you later. Tell Daddy to call me when you're finished. Ego amo te! Vale discipulus!
Vale magistra! Ego amo te etiam!
---
Total length of call: 64 minutes.
Total length of time necessary to complete both lessons: 15 minutes.
Good thing we have that phone card.
Now that Jorge has recovered sufficiently from his flu and both he and Elle finally have their circadian rhythms readjusted, we began phone-schooling. It's not any different from what many of the not-really-homeschooling-distance education-students are doing here in Australia. They used to call it the School of the Air, maybe they still do, but lessons can be done over the phone, two-way radio, and internet. In our case, because Jorge and Elle are so mobile, we're relying on the phone and a very cheap phone card ($.02 per minute!) to get through this next bit.
After a little chit chat, I started in with our Prima Latina routine:
Salve discipulus.
Mom!
Salve discipulus!
Moooooom!
C'mon now, you haven't forgotten all of this already, have you?
No...but Dad's cooking dinner...
So let's get it done quick before he finishes... (Then, realizing she is shy about doing her recitation within earshot of anyone else) Oh! Why don't you go in the bedroom and use the other phone.
Okay. (A pause while she relocates and picks up the other extension.) Okay. (Another pause while she goes back to hang up the first phone.) Okay. (And another while she heads back to the bedroom.) Okay.
Ready? Salve discipulus.
Salve magistra.
Sede.
(Giggles) I'm lying down.
Well, sorry, I don't know how to say that. Oremus. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus...
(Together) Dominus Deus Sabbaoth...
Mom. Guess what?
Hang on, let's finish these first...
Guess what, Mom?
(Sigh) What?
(Long story about swimming under the dock at the island and descriptions of various sealife observed while Dad repairs damage to dock from Hurricane Ike. Detailed comparison with sealife observed on Gulf side of island.)
Okay. Let's try this again. Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus...
(We finish the four prayers and first declension and conjugation review.) Finis! Optime! Now let's do your grammar.
My book's in the car.
Well go get it.
It's locked. What's the code for your door again?
[Code number] Got it?
Nope. Hold on, I'm riding my scooter down the driveway to the car.
How about now?
Yep. Hey, Mom!
Yes?
We got a new doorbell! Listen! (Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong, ding dong...)
Jorge yells in the background: [Elle]!
Cool. Got a pencil?
Yep.
Sitting down?
Yep.
Okay. Lesson 44...
Wait! Listen to this Mom... (Elle is apparently sitting at the piano and begins to play me a song. And then four more.)
That's great honey. Lesson 44...
(While diagramming the sentence "May I play?") Oh! Very important! Can you email Skylar's grandma and tell her I'm here and give her Dad's cellphone number so I can play with Skylar?
Yes.
(While diagramming the sentence "Does ice float?") Guess what we're having for dinner, Mom?
Spaghetti with meat sauce?
Nope. Steak and green beans and mashed potatoes...
Jorge in the background: [Elle]! Dinner's ready!
I gotta go, Mom.
Hang on, let's finish this last diagram... What is the verb?
Does float.
What is the subject?
Ice.
Great. Did you remember to capitalize the D in "does"?
Yes!
Okay, I'll talk to you later. Tell Daddy to call me when you're finished. Ego amo te! Vale discipulus!
Vale magistra! Ego amo te etiam!
---
Total length of call: 64 minutes.
Total length of time necessary to complete both lessons: 15 minutes.
Good thing we have that phone card.
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