All in a Week's Work

You can see what goes through my 15-year-old's mind while working on school. 

*smile*

{Wednesday} Weekly Wrap-Up: An Update on School and Life

Where to even start. It seems most posts here lately are the Blogging through the Alphabet or book reviews. Hopefully that isn't a bad thing but it does seem a little less than I'd imagined my blogging year to be. 

Actually, the activity on the blog is fairly indicative of the activity in my life. There's not much going on but for book reviews. Perhaps I took on too much in that aspect. The post of my reading goals, or rather just my pile, shows me that I have too much ambition but not enough motivation. Since then there have been more books added to the pile...

The school year started in July for us but we are just squeaking by, just getting it done. My school is going along fine but I'm beginning to think that I've just been going through the motions- today is the first time I've stopped to really think about it. My last paper received so many mark-ups it was embarrassing.  (I earned 87%.) Perhaps it's burnout? 

As I think on it more, it could be my defeatist behavior: When there is a lot going on, or I anticipate a lot, then I seem to throw everything out the window. Figuratively, of course. I drop a lot when I feel overwhelmed or anticipate being overwhelmed. There. It's been identified, now I can correct the problem. 

September 29-October 3 was supposed to be Exam Week but uh, it can't happen yet. We will technically have been doing school for 12 weeks but we are far behind schedule. We may have a revised exam week anyway because I don't want them to go too long without one. They will forget what they've learned. Recently, I read the book Fluent Forever and got a better understanding of why narration and exams work so well for a Charlotte Mason education. But too much time between reading and recalling can lead to losing the memories.

I wanted the "My kids learn with Ambleside Online..." because it seems "I'm" not doing much 'homeschooling' lately.

Fox is chugging along well-enough in terms of getting the readings done. For the record, here is how he's been doing (and now that it's written out- it's really not too bad!):

Bible reading- Deuteronomy 29; memorizing book of James (he has first few verses down)

The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life- chapter 5

A History of the American People-  to page 108

The Age of Revolution- first half of chapter 5

Historical documents & Essays- Essay of Man, completed today

-Washington's Farewell Address

Folksongs- going well; we are up to Danny Boy; they aren't memorized but they are recognized

Washington, the Indispensable Man- chapter 20

Autobiography of Ben. Franklin- 30%

Royal Road to Romance- finished

Ourselves, Book I- pg 149

Are You Liberal, Conservative, Confused?- finished

Current Events- keeping up well enough, and doing the WB

Weekly writing assignment- needs improvement

The History of English Literature- chapter 63

Isaac Bickerstaff- chapter 24

Coverley- The Chase

Gulliver's Travels- Part III, chapter 11

German- barely getting anywhere (he's started at the very beginning with The Learnables, also still using Duolingo)

Math- Algebra 1, using CK12.org, he's mastered concepts "Real Numbers" and is half way through "Linear Equations")

Free reading: finished The Screwtape Letters, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and is reading A Tale of Two Cities.

And here is where we get a little off course:

Biology- using CK12.org biology- up to chapter 5 but he is getting a little confused; he's up to plate 15 in the Biology Coloring Book. I am so not good at science :(

William Harvey and the Discovery of the Circulation of the Blood- 41%

Narrations (written and oral, but mostly oral), Nature study, map drills, POWA, poetry, handicrafts/life skills, art (picture study and instruction), How to Read A Book- all are neglected (except teatime cooking lol, that goes under life skills). 

Do I dare have a look at where Lee is? I must...

Bible reading- (she hasn't written down where she is...)

The Holiness of God- chapter 2

A History of the Twentieth Century- chapter 2

20th Century, Day by Day- an occasional glance through

Historical documents & Essays- Woodrow Wilson's Speech

American Government- chapter 5

Economics in One Lesson- chapter 5

Ourselves, Book II- page 75

A Meaningful World- page 43

The Great Gatsby- first half chapter 7

On Writing Well- chapter 7

Microbe Hunters- chapter 4

How to Read a Book- chapter 13

Anatomy & Physiology- Using Great Courses Introduction to the Human Body, lesson ?; plate 6 in both Anatomy and Physiology coloring books

Latin- finishing lesson 10

Math- using CK12.org Geometry Honors- 15% 

And the same things Fox is behind in, she is also. It's just an excuse but she was working quite at the beginning of the year but she's been down to 3 days a week for at least a month now. Perhaps she just needs to get back into the swing of school again.

And we've not done round table, which I had so enjoyed, in a very long time. It started with we did a very shortened version, then we sometimes got in a prayer, and now we don't do it. Some others things that I'd hoped to include this school year are still somewhere out there but if we can't sufficiently get to what we have scheduled how can I hope to include the others? Piano lessons were to start this week; that's been postponed until October. Handicrafts- we even chose one to focus on, each of us different. Hasn't happened. Plutarch and Shakespeare are also not within reach that I can see. 

I found this somewhere that now I don't recall...it is in a poetry book, I am sure. Either way, I searched Google and found Kenspeckle Letterpress- that's where the original can be found.

So that's the school update. Feeling a little like it's not going well. I know it's me and I need to get my act in gear. Next week is going to be a messed up week for school- Sunday is Lee's 18th birthday (although we are not doing anything outrageous and are staying home), Monday we may go to the zoo with another homeschooling family, Tuesday Lee is going to do her driving test, Wednesday-well! I guess that'll be a low-key day!, Thursday and Friday will be busy because Lee and I are going to Cedarville University for CU Friday. It probably will turn into a 'no school' week. Sigh.

As for rest of life- the greenhouse is still up and still giving some produce at times. Mostly tomatoes and green beans. I replanted tomatoes where I pulled up spaghetti squash and cucumber (the squash never did more than flower; the cucumbers were...weird). Pulled all the carrots as they were not actually growing. Never got bigger than maybe 1/2 inch around and couple inches long. Planted radishes there. Planted more beets in the place of cauliflower (that the bugs kept eating; couldn't kill them off quick enough). I did replant broccoli because I really really wanted some but those bugs...can't keep it from being eaten. Oh, yes and I replanted the pea plant. We got just a couple pods last time; hopefully it'll be better. Last night our dinner had fresh tomatoes and green beans in it from the greenhouse. 

How are we doing health wise? We are back to our 'processed' foods habits- not that we get a lot of boxed foods but we are consuming quite a few white flour items. And sugary foods...way too much! Prices of food continue to rise and it's so much easier to buy white bread that is $.89 a loaf compared to $3.99 a loaf of healthier grains! The changes in the weather, and our eating habits, have some of us are getting colds and general aches and pains. Fox is sick and won't be going to Young Marines tonight. Lee has been having headaches again. It's a joke around here that I never feel good anyway- lately it's feeling true. 

Well, this was much longer than I'd intended but who knows when another post other than Blogging through the Alphabet or a book review will happen. 

Back to School: 2014/2015 School Year {Weekly Wrap-Up}

And we are back at it. I did a lot of planning back in March to be ready for this day. And I'm not ready. LOL. Go figure. Well, I am ready; technically. 

Our first week back included almost everything that was on the schedules. The only thing that I've not got into the line-up is Plutarch. I may just go with Aemilius Paulus simply because I recently did a paraphrase of it. I'm trying to figure out how to share it. Try this link. If it doesn't work and you are interested in the paraphrase, leave a comment or send me an email. 

But what day to put it in the schedule?

Anyway, our first week included portfolio assessments for last year and attempting to renew dd's driving permit. Here are some highlights:

• Got in folksongs, hymns, verses, Bible reading
• Both are plugging along with math {Algebra 1 and Geometry}
• Discussion posts on the AO forum are starting {you have to be a member of the forum AND the HEO teen/parent forum to see that}
• Attitudes are good...most of the time
• Not having the documentation needed for a parent -read: birth certificate- can put a damper on renewing permits
• Assessment went peachy; they aren't ruined. Yay!
• Finally had tea-time and some Eragon reading 

I've been reading- surprised? Here are some of the books in my pile

• The Iodine Crisis- suggested by mom; very interesting and informative but lacking in some areas I think
• Bible Study for Busy Moms- Thirty Days in 1 Corinthians 13- *just* got this today as a review book! Love Doorposts Busy Moms studies; excited to get into it more
• A Philosophy of Education- following along with the AO group
• The Great Gatsby- for the teen discussion group
• The Age of Revolution- another teen discussion group read 
• Technopoly- loved Amusing Ourselves to Death but am finding discrepancies in Postman's use of quotes and/or individuals' intentions; will see how it goes; but the premise is excellent {right word there?}
• Smart Money Smart Kids- review book that is actually really good, just haven't made the time to get into it like I should
• Out of the Depths- another review book; easy read, just need to finish

Things I've been making:

• Coffee cake for 1...or 2 or 3 :D
• Crockpot Lasagna
• Chicken Wraps
• Coffee jello {yeah, that was a mistake- tasted yummy anyway!}
• Flax protein bars {they're...interesting}

Things I've got my eye on {that apparently I just 'had' to buy}:

• Panels for the big front window in our living room
• A decorative rod to go with the panels
• Plants! Two stevia, one each pineapple sage and lavender {the hazards of having a kid work at a garden center}

Things I'm working on:

• Getting back into the not having school mindset; feel like I 'have' to check in for classes but they are over! {until mid August}
• Getting outside more often
• Figuring out how to make my squash plants produce fruit and not just blooms
• Working on a blogpost for the above- well, gardening in a greenhouse really
• Scavenger hunt for Fox's 15th birthday
• Did I mention getting away from the computer?

So that was pretty much the week. I just can't put it all together enough to have an unbulleted post!

Our 2014/2015 School Year Folksong Selections

You can see our Youtube Playlist here 

but it doesn't include all of our choices this year.

Remember: participation, not perfection. -Lynn Bruce

We haven't ever followed the rotation at Ambleside Online for hymns, composer study, art study, or folksongs. But, really, why try to reinvent the wheel? Kwim? Actually, I wouldn't say we are following it exactly this year either; but closer than any other year!

This year we are focusing on folksongs. It won't be in place of composer or hymns; those will still be included in our days/weeks. We will be more diligent to include more folksongs. Why are we focusing on folksongs? (from Y11 note)

"From Wikipedia: The terminal state of the loss of folk music can be seen in the United States and a few similar societies, where except in isolated areas and among hobbyists, traditional folk music no longer survives. In the absence of folk music, many individuals do not sing. It is possible that non-singers feel intimidated by widespread exposure in recordings and broadcasting to the singing of skilled experts. Another possibility is that they simply cannot sing, because they did not sing when they were small children, when learning of skills takes place most naturally. Certainly it is very common for contemporary Americans to claim that they cannot sing.
There is anecdotal evidence that the loss of singing ability is continuing rapidly at the present time. As recently as the 1960s, audiences at American sporting events collectively sang the American national anthem before a game; the anthem is now generally assigned to a recording or to a soloist.
Inability to sing is apparently unusual in a traditional society, where the habit of singing folk song since early childhood gives everyone the practice needed to able to sing at least reasonably well." -emphasis mine

That and I personally cannot recall hardly any of the songs I was taught when I was younger. I think it's important to make a connection with culture- another way for the science of relations to be realized. 

Here are the folksongs we will be focusing on this year:

Term 1:
1688-1730 (Y9)
The Sky Boat Song- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ATL4Nfi5-A (lyrics: http://www.contemplator.com/scotland/skyboat.html)

The Ballad of the Green Mountaineers- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4KcJTP8nW8&feature=youtu.be (lyrics on the page)

WWI (Y11)
Over There- http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/overthere.htm (lyrics on the page)

It’s a Long Way to Tipperary- http://www.firstworldwar.com/audio/itsalongwaytotipperary.htm (lyrics on the page)

There’s a Little Blue Star in the Window -http://www.archeophone.com/sounds/2001/2001-210.mp3 (can't find the lyrics to this one)
Or Danny Boy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jgma--0WYU 

AO Rotation
Barbara Allen- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPdbHfgM0h0&list=PLhdiN-Xw0oMw1sgnD6VQxIOqlBPlUxcZv

Term 2:
1730-1786 (Y9)
The Water is Wide- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opfEk_Yoksk

Johnny’s Gone for a Soldier- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCdo-KjiTlc lyrics on the page

WWII (Y11)
White Cliffs of Dover- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuHYnzWHS7o 

AO Rotation
Billy Boy- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKRJuLHU3Qo

Lord Randal- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMR55HoeSG4&index=6&list=PLhdiN-Xw0oMw1sgnD6VQxIOqlBPlUxcZv 

The Keeper Did A-Hunting Go- YT- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=racxiCMSClk&list=PLhdiN-Xw0oMw1sgnD6VQxIOqlBPlUxcZv&index=14

Term 3:
AO Rotation
Yellow Rose in Texas- YT- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZRisGHL7ow&index=17&list=PLhdiN-Xw0oMw1sgnD6VQxIOqlBPlUxcZv

Pick a Bale of Cotton- YT- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ILbUduwBkg

Vietnam/Civil Rights Era (Y11)
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1tqtvxG8O4

Okie from Muskogee- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4AgZST_TG8

We went to the Charlotte Mason Institute 2014 Education Conference

This is just one quick post from when we were at the CMI 2014 Education Conference held in Boiling Springs, North Carolina. 

We were not able to go to the pre-conference sessions and we had to leave early. I'd say the worst part was the long drive there and back. We were not able to attend all the sessions we wanted to. We should have gone to the upper years sessions more than we did. Fortunately, the CMI website will have recordings {and I believe text; don't quote me!} of the different sessions. 

The campus of Gardner-Webb University is absolutely beautiful. Lee was captivated by it so much that she briefly considered attending. 

I had wanted to get photos of/with my CM friends but I totally spaced it. I did not take very many photos at all. Other than the ones here, I only have a few more. 

I would share more of the great material presented at the conference but I am so tired still. I've not slept well since Monday night! Posts about the sessions we did get to will be forthcoming. 

Here is a video about the Northern Mockingbird, which we saw and heard, and were mesmerized by his territorial 'dance'. 

Looking Towards 2014-2015 School Year {YIKES!}

The 2013/2014 School Year still has over 2 months left and then there is about 2 more months before we really get rolling with the next year {2014/2015}. But maybe it's not too early to get started. Or too early to already have it all planned...?

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.

Most of the planning was super easy. Fox's 10th grade {gasp!} will be almost identical to Lee's 10th grade, but will follow even closer the schedule at AO. I'm switching a few of the books as well. I followed the schedule for the devotion The Christian Life by Sinclair Ferguson for Lee but will switch it for The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith for Fox. Also, Lee didn't read History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia by Samuel Johnson, but I think Fox will appreciate it more than the one I'd selected for Lee. 

Here are other subs/omissions:

Subbing: 

• Washington: The Indispensable Man by Flexner for Founding Father - Rediscovering George Washington by Richard Brookhiser OR Life of Washington by David Ramsay
• Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose for Walking the Bible by Bruce Feiler

Omitting: 

• The English Constitution by Walter Bagehot
• Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis {he's already read it}
• Simond's Literature - Increase and Cotton Mather from Chapter 1 & 2
• Tale of a Tub by Jonathan Swift
• John Adams and the American Revolution by Catherine Drinker Bowen 
• Letters to His Son by Lord Chesterfield, selections 
• Land of Little Rain by Mary Austin OR 
• Natural History of Selbourne by Gilbert White OR The Life of the Fly by J. Henri Fabre 
• The God Who is There by Francis Schaeffer
• The Story of Painting by H.W. Janson (sections)
  
• Miracle at Philadelphia by Catherine Drinker Bowen
• The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence 
• Faust, Book I by Johann Wolfgang Goethe 
• The Problem of Pain by CS Lewis 
• Postmodern Times by Gene Edward Veith, Jr. 
• Reflections on the French Revolution by Edmund Burke

For science he will use various resources for biology, one being Ellen McHenry's Cells curriculum, and a biology coloring book*. I still need to find some living books to add in for his science. I have a board on Pinterest with science links so I'll be looking in there. But mostly, I'll be looking at the "Alternatives to Apologia" on the AO forum. I am considering CK12 Biology texts*, partially because they are free. Oh, yes, and I am adding in William Harvey and the Discovery of the Circulation of the Blood by Thomas Henry Huxley that was scheduled in the last term of Y8 for this year {I purposefully took it out of his schedule this year}. It'll be in Term 1. And he will still have nature study but I'm not sure I will schedule any books for this because he really doesn't seem to like any of them so far. It could simply be a case of poor disposition...ahem.

*affiliate link

Some other things will be 'added' in, such as Science Matters by Hazen and Trefil, which we are all reading together at Round Table. It won't last the entire year though. And The Attributes of God by Pink, also a Round Table read. I really want to get Plutarch back into the week. And we do composer study/music appreciation, artist study/art appreciation and drawing, and How to Read a Book for logic. But I think that is about it for Fox's planning. Oh yes, he chose Napoleon for Term 3 biography so I am still looking for a book for that. It's between A Life of Napoleon by Stendhal* or The Story of Napoleon by H.E. Marshall. The second is by far more interesting and an easier read but geared toward younger readers {but it's free online!}. 

*affiliate link

For Lee's senior year I combined AO's Y11Lite and Y12 to come up with a schedule. And since I made it myself, although utilizing AO's curriculum, I feel okay about sharing the link to the document I made of her full year schedule. {If any AOers have a look and feel it's wrong to share, let me know.} Since it's her senior year and I'm fairly sure she will have or want to have a job, I've left it 'light' for the year. Term 2 looks like it has more but that's mostly historical readings that aren't that long; there are just a few of them. 

You should be able to click on it to see it larger in a new window.

So, Lee's scheduling is done. I am pre-reading a book called Poemcrazy* to see if I'll add it to the schedule but as I'm going through it and thinking ahead at what her year might be like, I think it will go on the optional free reads. I don't honestly care for the book. To me, poetry is an art form. But when I read a poem, I want it to make sense. I don't need to necessarily understand what the poet is saying exactly but it should be sensible. It's much like abstract art. I border on loathing abstract art; the same with poetry that is simply made up words, or words just crammed together just because. Call me a hater if you want but I don't care for jabberwocky. But I realize that we are all different. Lee does well with poetry; I do not. She may appreciate the book more than I. 

*affiliate link

And I just bought three more books for next year {Napoleon, The Lives of a Cell*, and A World in a Drop of Water*}. I love planning and don't like it at all. When I'm doing my planning I buy a lot of books. Then sometimes the books don't work out and I still buy more books. I don't sell my books any where near as often...I am done for now with planning! I think I have it all figured out. 

*affiliate link

Until next week that is *wink*.