Blog Cruise: Grandma to the RESCUE and What Daddy Does~

Long past Winter FUN!

The last two week's subjects have not pertained to our homeschool AT ALL so I took those weeks off, but the question this week is:

How are your spouse, grandparents, or other family members involved in your homeschooling?

 There's an interesting story about my son.  When he was little, he was delayed in speaking and therefore learning to read. When a young baby fails to gain the necessary verbal skills early on, it shouldn't be surprising that these created delays that have been a hallmark in our educational process all along~we are playing CATCH UP continuously~But here's that story:

As part of trying to teach my boy HOW to read, I first began teaching the letters and sounds via ABeka Book curriculum K boxed curriculum. He loved it, and we also played with all kinds of manipulatives and did speech services as well...he also attended 3 and 4 year old preschool which he LOVED~and had speech services, but Kindergarten was the year I brought him home and we began learning to read together. Let me say also that I read to the children, memorized poetry, and did all kinds of stuff when they were littles~but he was difficult to understand~but he did try to BE understood~well, it was a challenge!  But anyway, we began working and learning, but it didn't seem to be progressing~at least not fast enough for me.  I also used Starfall.com for the computer games/interactive reading lessons and even the physical workbooks that they offer to NO avail~then I head about a multi-sensory Sing Spell Read and Write (SSWR) program by Sue Dickson.  Enter in some progress as there are songs, games and all manner of FUN with a race track for a race car to mark the progress like a game~this went on the fridge~the resources were colorful and fun! We worked and worked and played and played...still NO independent reading...very little...

We had begun living out of state from where we are originally from and my mother had come to visit~ENTER Grandma! Grandma began to read a loud with him~or RATHER, he read to HER.  This provided some wonderful bonding between them, but also gave my boy some intense one on one beyond what I was doing or had done AND speech therapists~what a blessing! Well, he showed her...something he wouldn't show me...he could read! His skills were stronger than I knew~ha! AND that booger was READING his online games on the computer too~no kidding! 

 

We were in AWANA at church, and my son was a Sparkie at the time which is K, 1 & 2nd grades...anyway, he was working to memorize his verses, and well, one day, I looked over at him~HE WAS READING AND independently memorizing his verses...Ha! WHAT A STINKER! and sooo from then on, I've known that Grandma has a special touch~and he DOES READ, praise God! Well, the upshot is that today, fluency is still an issue, but it's a speech issue, yet; however, reading is a skill he has/is still mastering. He's a freshman in high school and as such took a test to judge his ability and compare him peer to peer~GUESS WHAT? He's inline with the national average for his peer group~Okay, now, I don't know what THAT IS for the public school and it's a little frightening for me to think about it~BUT...he's in there with the whole lot!! Soooo dear reader, WE PRESS ON...(and this is a topic for another day...LOL!)

Daddy has always been part of our homeschool whether it is directly or indirectly.  Right now, he is serving indirectly as our FRONT LINE technical support, room designer, and  TOTAL principle and math and science tutor~oh yeah, I NEED help in these areas, and he's helped our children when it was beyond me~Of course he is absolute disciplinarian and also the leader of this tribe.  His attitudes quickly become theirs in all things whether it's spiritual or relational~he's our mentor.  Daddies are hugely important, and ours is here! I couldn't do this job without him for the good, the bad AND the UGLY parts of our lives together~oh, it's not all pretty~this thing called, LIFE...but we are in this together...teaching our children directly and INDIRECTLY!

Right now, he's out in a freezing garage (we've had teen temperatures these past few days) creating a book/printer shelf to go over my son's work space in the newly renovated (but not  perfectly finished yet) school area. He did that part too~you can read about that in Revamping and Remodeling  
New Method For Our HSing.
 First Day... 
 Change Ahead...
We're Workn' It...

State of the Union...!)  We are a total work in progress~

Grandma lives with us now and her part today is keeping the food rolling and doing laundry.  I clean and teach~Daddy works and builds...the kids work too~we're all doing it ALL together~each part. Grandma is also teaching GirlThingOne how to cook...BoyThingOne is learning this too...

There are some max benefits to having the family all homeschooling together, and since coming to Virtual Academy, the team work approach is even a better fit. Now we have teachers to help us too~and WHAT a blessing to find just how great this help has been!  

The CREW is discussing FAMILY involvement in homeschooling              ! Go CK IT OUT!! 

Thanks for stopping by~leave me a thought or two~how are you doing this day or week? HUGS!! 

REVIEW: The Curosity Files~QuickSand

The Curiosity Files:  Quicksand

Explorations with Professor Ana Lyze, Expert in Outlandish OdditiesWebsite:  HERE  (You can purchase this series in bundles too for a discounted price per study!)
Ages: K-HS, but I think that fourth-fifth grades boys would LOVE it!
Cost: $6.95
I say: Unique fun unit study!

I received a copy of Curiosity Files QuickSand by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine as part of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Crew review team for my honest opinions without monetary compensation.  My opinions are my own.

I have encountered QUICKSAND and I never knew it until I read this Curiosity Files unit study!  Having grown up around marsh and beaches, I had no idea just what quicksand is, but found that I just couldn't put down Curiosity Files: Quicksand because it is written in such an interesting way~

HOLD YOUR HAT!

The Curiosity Files: Quicksand is a version of The Old Schoolhouse Magazines' newest line of unit studies for kids ALL ages~a whopping 80 pages that includes a very well written narrative and all kinds of activities for learning about quicksand.  There are alternative titles and if you are CURIOS, the subjects are actually listed in the essay subject suggestions area or of course, you can ck out the website, The Schoolhouse StoreHERE!

INSIDE:

Narrative
Bible Study
Games
Copy Work
Recreations
Safety Tips
Geography
MORE~

Basically EVERYTHING you could ever think about to learn of QUICKSAND is right in this The Curiosity Files: Quicksand!  You won't be disappointed~and what's really neat is that you can purchase this online and do an immediate download~You will need a printer but the study is set up totally interactive!  Pretty COOL~

I like it~There are extensions for high schoolers such as an enhanced vocabulary list and activities.  I can see that there are some solid offerings for young learners too, but overall, to get the biggest bulk of the information and use, I think a 4-5th grade boy would just LOVE quicksand! This format of these unit studies is to peak the curiosity and interest of kids about unusual and unique stuff~It does that~FUN!

Head             to read about a variety of Curiosity Files that the CREW chose to review!

Fit Mommy Friday: WK 6~Hitting a GROOVE~

Here's my valentine~no choco for me! 20 yrs and going strong!

I began this HEALTH journey actually back in April of 2010.  I need to loose a lot of weight and also to get physically fit.  Both are a health issue, so when I got the information about Fit Mommy I decided to join up~of course, I am at the beginner level~You can join up too~just click that button on top and read on~

But I've been faithful. I kept going. AND TODAY makes 19 weeks no sugar or white flour~though my wt loss is slow, it's extremely healthy.  I'm down the last weigh in 41lbs.  I am feeling great and while this past week has been stressful, I am going forward with my food and exercise plan.  Ppl can think they are being healthy ignoring the food aspect, but I tell you that I have weighed less than I do right now, but I was bigger. NO JOKE! The inflammation that not eating healthy caused my body actually put pounds on me too~in excess bloated swollen puffy body~but I've been literally shrinking since changing my FUEL and drinking water~I still struggle with that part. Water is just one of those hard things even though we have a distiller and drink only that!

Here's my week:

I exercised three days at the YMCA for water aerobics and it may seem lame, but I like it.  The HOT TUB afterward is a treat too!

The other four days I did stretches and more movement.  I can't wait for the ice to melt~Spring, you say??? LOL...

Thanks for stopping by and HEAD HERE  to read the other Fit Mommys!
PLZ don't forget my giveAway 
for a christian film~ENDS Feb 14th 11:59EST! Woot!

Review and GiveAway: MOST~the film: THE BRIDGE

MOST~"The Bridge"

Website:  HERE
Ages:  teens-adult
Release Date: March 1, 2011
I say: Inspiring!

I received Most from Propeller as part of a review team in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation. My views are my own.

MOST is a Czech Republic made and voiced film whose title means The Bridge with subtitles.  Not to spoil this for you, let me say that this 33 minutes will get you on the edge of your seat and nearly in tears.  Be aware that there are adult themes within the film as people with ordinary and extraordinary lives is shown.  Nothing racy in this film, but not suitable for young children.  I was moved by the acting of the character of the father~there are subtitles mostly, but the film moves in such a way that if you didn't read them it is still clearly understandable.

When the climax has occurred, and I began to settle myself just a bit~it became clear to me that there is meaning much deeper than what is simply viewed on screen~a picture of God, the Father and His love for ordinary and extraordinary people alike and how this love impacts them~NO SPOILER HERE!
You gotta watch this one~yourself!



Good new~I get to give one away to a fortunate reader:

Let's end this one on Mar 1st 11:59PM EST~
Leave me a comment telling me WHO you love~

For extra entries:
5~Share my giveaway on your blog, Facebook or twitter~be sure and leave me a link on each separate entry.
5~ BIG ONES~grab my widget or button and put on your blog~Leave me a link telling me you did on five separate entries
1 ~Join my friends list by Google Friend Connect or Linked Blogs~thanks very much!
1~Like on Facebook (click the Website link above and you'll be there! ;-))

Thanks for stopping and entering. I believe you will be blessed!

FREE: Online Learning Games~Language Arts, Math, Social Sciences and the Arts

PBS KIDS Whiteboard Games

Inspirtational Film~

Sometimes all we need is something to lift us up~
The Power of Attitude

World Math Day COMING~Registration Closes Feb 28th

World Math Day
Imagine math games and competing with kids for all over the world~THIS IS AWESOME!

State of the Union~Homeschooling Virtual Academy Week 2

So this is our second week, day two.  Wow! We have really worked so hard and long! I had no idea how tough and what actual skills would be required to be successful, but after the first week, I definitely have a better idea!  I am truly amazed at the strengths my children are exhibiting! While I have felt quite a bit of distress last week, the strengths are definitely outweighing the weaknesses~Praise God!

Things I love about online virtual academy schooling:
1. Beautiful materials have been sent to us. I have been shocked at the brand new exhaustive supplies sent to each child.  We were sent brand new hardback books as well as a huge science kit~one for biology and one for physical science. It is amazing all the materials sent as well as a desk top calendar per child along with monitor, keyboard and headset for the coursework.

2.  Teacher involvement.  I would NEVER have guessed how much this is good! These teachers seem very engaged and want my children to succeed.  Oh, they aren't giving them grades, but they are willing to be called upon and help when we need it.  I've tested this out already! There's a definite learning curve coming in at the beginning of Semester 2 so it's been added to the difficulty of a change.  . . CHANGE is rough to begin with, but the attentiveness and positive attitude and help is amazing!

3.  The course work is good. It's pretty interactive~not exactly multimedia but it has buttons and drop downs, some multimedia (of what I've seen so far) and is colorful. There are textbooks to go along with the course work online.  I definitely am liking this.

4.  Class Connects are the white board class meetings with teachers where the students and teachers interact and teaching occurs. The teacher has a microphone and sometimes a camera, but mostly auditory so that the students can hear her/him and this has been really a neat feature.  Each of my kids has their own desktop area with computer monitor and so they are quite able to focus on what is going on.  The students are often allowed chat sessions with the restriction of it being within the rules of good taste so that relationships can be formed before and after "class."  It's loads of fun, and I've joined them often so that I am fully aware of what is happening with my children's educations.

5.  NO MORE GUILT~I have worried, oh Lord has I fretted for a few years now about how was I~little alone, and struggling I GET THIS JOB done of educating them to the level THEY WANTED (college prep) and prepare them for life. You have to know, dear Reader-Friend, that my influence as a parent is not diminished in utilizing this resource, but I feel it's enhanced. I am actively and still very much engaged. THIS IS the best of all the worlds...and they are still getting their Christian education as well~I'm praying with them each morning and making moral and Biblical/historical references when appropriate and useful.  I've NOT abandoned them, as I had feared I might if I did such a thing as hand some of the control over to THE SCHOOL...no indeedy~I've actually gained some allies and helpers along the way! Praise God!

Soooo.......WHAT do my kids say?

GT1  "I like it!  I like the fact that it's a little bit of a challenge.  I like the teachers and the learning environment too."
BT1  "I like it!  You have a schedule you have to follow and it can be flexible. I like not having unexpected things come up. I can make plans to get my work done!"

Here's the pics~

We learned about the Cold War and this was one of the supplements I found...I am still teaching~ha!

The Berlin Wall History

Soo this dude thinks kids don't need college? Maybe the don't really NEED high school...I'm just sayn...LOL.

FREE: SAT prep Vocab Site

VocabAhead ~vocab videos

Read my review HERE!

REVIEW: VocabAhead One Thousand SAT Vocabulary Videos & Mp3s

VocabAhead~One Thousand SAT Vocabulary Videos and Mp3s

Lafazi, Inc
Website:  HERE!
Ages: Jr/Sr high school-adult
$24.95 @Amazon.com 
I say:  Great resource for anyone who desire increased vocab!

I was given VocabAhead~One Thousand SAT Vocabulary Videos & Mp3s as part of The Old Schoolhouse Crew review team in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation.  My opinions are my own.

It's important to ck out a good solid vocabulary program to increase their word usage and communicate effectively no matter the age of your child and VocabAhead is a neat tool with loads of cartoon pictures to link meanings to words~This DVD employs the learning for a visual learner and an auditory learner~what a boost!  I like these cartoons that are well done and the little short film or narrative includes a word usage sentence with an explanation.  I think all kids will like this, but for the child who needs a picture, you won't go wrong.   
Here's the VocabAhead widget:



This DVD set of words number 1179 and it's amazing how great these are! Your child could actually enjoy vocabulary building, but this isn't really for a young child. The definitions employ a larger vocabulary than a young child might have and I didn't really like all of the definitions to some of the words or words used, like abase and burlesque.  Really? Is it necessary to include such?  The cartoons while appealing do present the words in a somewhat extreme manner.  The videos are short and direct~about 55 sec long~We liked that!

I checked out the website and it's got some really neat features that go along with the word videos~The Study Room has many of the videos for FREE as well as word building flashcards and quizes~the words are laid out alphabetically and you can customize your list~all for FREE~and you know, SisterT loves FREE! But if you'd like to record these videos on the Mp3 to carry around, then you will want this DVD...and it's got more words~Amazing teaching method!  You can access the site and there is a Teacher Area's area as well as a sign up to receive a vocabulary cartoon each day. 

I like this learning tool, but I'd be more comfortable if the content was consistent for the higher road in life, and I'm just not sure that unless you want to download the audio that the purchase price is worth it~like I said, SisterT loves FREE!  There's a lot to get on the website FREE, and it appears that it's just words albeit there are 1179 on the DVD~that Study Room is appealing!  Since I collect FREE resources, I am adding VocabAhead to my list.  

We like VocabAhead~Hope you will check out what the rest of TOS Crew is saying                 !

FREE: Reading Assessment on Line

SisterT drives a hard bargain. I don't spend my money anymore that I have to, and so I'm always looking for a good deal.  If you don't know, I've been compiling for over a year a handy-dandy little list on the FREEbies/GiveAway tab on my blog to list out all kinds of online free curriculum stuff~and today I just found a neat little site that has FREE reading assessments in decoding, fluency and comprehension.

If you have a young or struggling reader and you want to know where they are in the process you can ck this out.  It even has levels up to the 10th grade~which I think is pretty cool! ;-)) Since we began Virtual Academy K12 last week, my children have both completed the scantron testing in math and reading. I've gotten my daughter's score and am awaiting my son's.

Here's that link:
FREE: Reading Tests in the decoding (phonics, fluency (oral speed) and comprehencsion (understanding.)

Thanks for stopping in~
HUGS!

Blog Help~Thinking About THINKING...and Blogging...

With so many blogs and so many blog friends available, what would a simple blogger like me have to do to find a community of readers that I can meet their needs and in the process HAVE A GREAT BLOG?

I am giving this question some snaptic power and considering a few things~

1.  Not everyone will *like* me and follow~nor will I, but the effort is well worth the prize of more friends who follow and comment~YEAH!

2.  There's limited time~I have made it may goal to follow my friends who comment and follow ME~but I realize it's not reciprocated sometimes~OH WELL...I love my friends~and maybe there are reasons...

Like~they're busy, tired, not into blogging right now, not interested in what I'm saying, not taking the time, or just flat out didn't think about it~but whatever, following behind comments and getting to know readers is GREAT networking and blog boosting...

3.  Blog tastes are different. I've fallen in LUV with quite  a few blogs; some I would like a separate follow designation like: The BEST of THE BEST so I can keep THOSE closeby~but you can bet your bottom dollar that SisterT will stop and read those blogs that catch her eye...and all readers are like this...Soo

4 The GREATEST blog boosting strategy has GOT TO BE good content...readers LUV what appeals to them...and I'm no different.  Soo blog hopping is like blog shopping~find a jewel? I like to add them to my sidebars for you all to read...share with you what I am reading and loving...Your comments give me hints on what you like and what you are thinking~I LOVE these~Please keep talking to me ;-))

5. I'd like to suggest following  Brent Riggs of Linky Tools who has several really good articles in his site Building a Better Blog. Isn't that what we all hope to do?  The above link will take you to an article on increasing traffic, readers and loyalty.  You won't go wrong to follow Brent.  He has several sites and offerings including a digital inspirational magazine, Serious Life Magazine...Go ck them out!

Thanks for reading my thinking today~and I'd deeply appreciate your reflections on my blog or any other helpful/encouraging thought you have for me~Have a blessed day! HUGS!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal W2: Virtual School~Day ONE For REAL...

We began our new journey into the K12 life~and boy, it was a little rough.  Now, it's not all bad, as we did hit most of our marks, but it's taking a good deal to pull it all together~One factor was that my daughter was out of pocket most of the day, Monday for Drama Club, and this meant that I wasn't there for my son and that she wasn't available to get her work done while on the road and in the classes~soooo it was a long night! But I am praying that in the long run~we will become old pros at our new routines.

I'm not sitting here on Saturday after we began on that Monday and feeling a ton more enlightened. First I know that this is a rigorous curriculum and much like reading a scanned textbook~more than...let's say 90% reading ONLY: the type is smallish, and I've found no way to enlarge it, and the navigation is a bit awkward too.  Maybe that part is the LEARNING CURVE of jumping in so fast?? and will improve with time? I truly HOPE so! The teachers are very responsive and engaging! They all seems to be wonderful people and very knowledgeable, but I think the most important thing with them is that they do seem to care and continually are engaging the learners~mine included.  The thing about this for me is that I have 10-12 classes (two of their classes have YET to begin) to keep up with~they are in some classes together, so this helps me, but whew~LOADS to keep looking at for sure!  When communicating, I am so new that the in house email system is awkward for me too, but I know in time it will be a breeze, so just because I am an email expert (not) but could easily get around in email doesn't mean I am finding this system overly fast and efficient. One thing would be that I'd love to be able to FORWARD emails between recipients sometimes which there seems to be no feature to do~alas, I am off topic...but just so you know, I have found both good and bad in our program in the curriculum itself AND in some of the tech features...and speaking of technology, I've had to call them about five times this week.  Enter the chick/tech who when she had asked me something like, 4 times to repeat my request AND STILL didn't have it right~and I asked her to transfer me to someone ELSE~BEGAN YELLING...THIS did not make me happy...so I said, "I'm sorry, but I am hanging up now!" and did after I tried my best to get her to understand that she just needed to transfer me and NOT argue that I wanted to BE transferred~LOL...IS IT possible she was drunk, high, or on drugs??? Good grief.;-/

I'm having some 'sticker shock' where my son is concerned.  By the end of that very first day, I knew/know that this is probably the BIGGEST challenge of his life short of the very first few moments after birth when he needed to inhale and let out a huge wail! YEAH, I am VERY serious...I have sadly, set him up, albeit so unintentionally, to FAIL...You have to know how much I not only love this boy, but also have push, pulled, tugged and towed him all his academic career~and I know that he has developed at a somewhat typical rate, but has remained behind...BEHIND...and my evaluation is that one really needs ALL the skills you can get to be successful in k12 curriculum.  STRONG reading is a must! STRONG writing is another must! And reasoning just HAS to be in place~we are sooo NOT any of these~not that we haven't tried...my Lord, HOW WE HAVE TRIED! And the despair I feel right now edges on hysteria, to be honest.  But he's not concerned, God bless him.  NO he's not. And I guess this is a blessing~and maybe~oh DEAR LORD, JUST maybe HE WILL be okay...but I want you to know dear friends that SisterT is heavily laden with such guilt for I fear that I have set him up ... ...TO FAIL...he simply does not have the needed skills.  WISH TO GOD this was different, but it's not. AND wish that I had done something different~but I didn't.  I have tried. God knows that I have over the years, but the knowledge of all the efforts of the past 10 years has NOT and does not make any change in the fact that my son is not equipped to succeed in this series of courses.  AND I am sick over it.  SICK.

I wish I could throw out some GREAT plan to get things going so that the train wreck I see coming could be avoided...but I don't know.  I have been communicating to his teachers~well, not exactly~NOT YET have I given all that medical/educational background info that this mother had so hoped could be not only changed, but in many ways~IGNORED, because EFFORT IS NOT what we are short on here!  It's frankly some weird freakish twist of the will of God in my son's life that has thus far relegated him to a life of struggle...do I sound angry with God? I haven't really found myself so angry with Him, but rather more in fear, hurt, and longing...I soo desire for him to succeed...you have NO idea what we have done or gone through, but all of that~this has no bearing on our need to be successful at this stage in our education.  Soo with all said, I have found it nearly IMPOSSIBLE to write that letter to all of his teachers outlining his learning history and needs/intricacies.  Call it pride, fear, anxiety..perhaps more pride than anything~I didn't want to liable him~My son HAS pride. I have encouraged and loved him all his life~He's a wonderful boy who is not deviant or even has a mean bone ...(WAIT.  15 year old boys are rotten, right?? LOL...so sainted, HE IS NOT! LOL) but I have a loving, hard working concerned boy who is working soo hard...and his grades right now?? After the first week?? Mostly F.  I am not kidding you, dear friends.  F.

Soo I am writing a letter to CC it to all his teachers/advisor and counselor so that perhaps there is HELP for my child.  But I fear that we are head banging and that a dream and goal of this high school diploma is not possible~I FEAR...I FEAR....and I am praying for forgiveness from God who first I have sooo wronged by NOT being upfront...and then I will talk to my son~heart to heart and apologize. Sincerely BEG him to forgive me for setting him up~even though I DID NOT intend to...but, WHAT WAS I THINKING?? Was I insane and all caught up in the process of getting prepared and getting IN that I failed, soo FAILED to look out for his best interests????? OH MY LORD! I AM undone in my own failure right now and typing through tears is not something SisterT enjoys~THIS FEELS ROTTEN.  I CAN'T AND DON'T KNOW HOW to fix this~God knows IF I could have..I WOULD have.  He knows, but...it never changed it...never.  Sooo this mama, SisterT is going to STAND UP and be strong as best she can with knees shaking and heart racing to push and encourage my son and figure out how we can make it...honestly make it~somehow. But I have such doubts.  In giving the information to the professionals, I am also asking for their help.  HELP! HELP! HELP! There are a couple of things I KNOW to ask for, such as some kind of acronym that means, monitor and document for my child so that help CAN be gotten, and then I have also asked for a writing workshop for him and an auditory reader component to the curriculum so that the reading is lightened...I am in HOPEs that the teachers know more how to help him...


But right now, I'm left with my hurt and fears...I do have some limited HOPE.  HOPE that in time, a miracle will occur and my son will be healed~but for now, I must continue to help and support and love...oh, yes,,,LOVE and accept him for who he is but also encourage the growth that he needs~MAYBE the growth in my OWN LIFE that I need.  Pride always goes BEFORE a fall,and I have sinned. I am deeply pride laden, I fear.  God, please forgive me and help my unbelief~HELP ME to trust you MORE!

So with all of this~I will give you my journal for this week:

In My Life This Week and In Our Homeschool This Week are in the above.  Enter that we had a big ice/snow storm mid week and that my routines were so skewed.  I am still on my health plan, but my emotions have taken a beating! Maybe I can get out again to the YMCA to swim? Maybe...

Places We're Going and People We're Seeing...

My daughter did all the traveling around this week. First she was in their Drama Club on Monday and then on Friday night attended a costume party/square dance~she came home pumped and happy~Praise God! My son didn't want to go but preferred chatting online with a friend from out of state and shoveling/picking and digging at the ice and snow.  I am impressed with his work ethic and tenacity. He will a wonderful young man. Feeling a little blessed right now with both my kids! PTL!

While taking my daughter to Drama Club, I wish I had my camera because I saw a chiropractor office: Dr. Doup~I am NOT kidding...and his parter~Dr. Doup-Snapp...NOW this is priceless! Gotta LOVE it! ;-))

Also I learned some valuable lessons~in the drivethru bank~don't yell out your bank no~PPL ARE listening! LOL....and secondly~I remembered (until I worked at forgetting it) the dumb number...LOL....uh....uh....LOL!

Then I almost got run into a crater hole by a semi...LOL...good thing he saw me or else my truck would be mush about now...LOL...

Okay, it's just been one of THOSE days, BUT...GirlThingOne is going to be a dancing gosling and a baby spider in Charlotte's Web~woot!  I am soo excited!

My Favorite Thing This Week was...

Seeing my daughter flourish in her studies. Oh it's been tough for her, but she is skilled and determined~her grades are doing well and she's hitting the marks!  I loved all the effort they both put into their schoolwork and I know learning occurred in a HUGE WAY...this can make a mama proud! woot!

What's Working/Not Working For Us...
Reading the begining of this post, you know this already where our schooling is concerned.  But I must focus on our positives so I'm going to write a quick gratitude list:
health
home
family
friends
abilities
successes
challenges
warm home
comfy chair
lap top...
I could go on..what are you grateful for today? This helps me stay focused and see God's hand in my life ;-))

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...I believe I've already address this one too...

A photo to share...(maybe a few...)

Thanks for stopping by~and offering up a prayer for us as we continue our homeschooling! :-)) How's your week turning out???  If you want to join up or read the other Moms' week head HERE!

REVIEW: ROMAN TOWN: THE PREMIERE ARCHAEOLOGY INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GAME FOR KIDS (CD)

ROMAN TOWN: The Premiere Archeology Interactive Computer Game For Kids (CD) 

Website:  HERE

 Ages:  K-6th grade

Cost: $39 (COUPON CODE: TOS2011, but you only have until February 21, 2011 ACT FAST!)

I say: Fun game for elementary children!

I received a download of Roman Town by Dig It! Games as a reviewer for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Crew review team in exchange for my honest opinions without monetary compensation. My opinions are my own.

We're one of those families that must be weird because we never had a game system~we didn't need one~we have our computers! It all began years ago, almost twenty in fact when that first computer came into our house, and they've never left~WE LOVE THEM~and today the computer is our communication, our schooling, our working AND OUR FUN~We LOVE computer GAMES!



Roman Town is an interactive computer game for children with colorful animated pictures that provide interest and fun to learn about ancient Rome after the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in A.D 79.  It features different games that can be played and all increase the knowledge of artifacts related to that period of history.  Wish that I had this when my kids were much younger. I will say that as teens, Roman Town is no challenge for them, but I can see that a child who has pretty good reading skills such as about 3rd grade although a younger child would enjoy pieces of it such as the dig part where the tools and workers are employed.  There is a good bit of reading required, and I'm afraid that a child who would enjoy the types of skills employed in this game system would find it too difficult to really enjoy the FULL educational value because they couldn't read the words, but an older child who could depending upon their games knowledge/skill just might not like it so much. While I like the animation, there is little multimedia effect in it~it just moves some...I'd like to have seen MORE! 



I played these games in my version of this system and found that it was challenging especially the 3-D puzzles and 2-D puzzles and the matching, but again if a child isn't a reader, while they would like the colorful graphics and appeal of the these kinds of activities, the reading ability and amount would most likely frustrate that same child. I had such a child with low reading ability who was average and above in other skills, but the challenge to find engaging activities that also increased knowledge was pretty difficult, just like finding good solid easy to read story plots in literature. Imagine teaching a teen to read with Dick and Jane!  Soo while I like the features of the information provided, the colorfulness of the program and that the content is addressed to the child in a fun storyline, I have doubts about ALL that reading.  But don't get me wrong, the information is good and informative. I would have liked to have seen a timer on the puzzles or some other kinds of challenges built in~dunno what would make it more interactive, but for a child old enough to do all the reading, it might not hold his attention for very long. For the younger child, the eye hand coordination will be worked well in using the mouse or touch screen with these games and if an adult or an older sib will help with the reading it will be a good fit.

All in all, wish Roman Town had been available just a few years ago with my kids~they would have loved it b/c they were soo into archeology at that time and dug up our back yard~woot!

The CREW is reviewing Roman Town and don't just take my word for it~Head             to ck them out!

Fit Mommy Friday: WK 5: Snowed Under and Snowed IN~

It's been a very weird week.  We got hit with an ice storm with loads of snow and I've been STUCK right in this house without my YMCA trips to exercise, but I wasn't completely idle.  It has been an exhausting week because for the first time since my daughter as in K and my son in 5th grade that they have been in a public school~an online virtual K12 school...and we began on Monday!  Picture the haggard, sleep deprived Mom with her house dress and slippers~MOST of the week! LOL...Here's just HOW it went with ME...

Food was good in that I continue to be sugar free/white flour free, but I have noticed that I might be eating more...I dunno, honest...b/c UNLESS I measure, I can't visualize proper portions very well...sooo it's obvious I haven't been measuring! Oh boy! THIS can be trouble...yes it can!  Today makes 18 weeks and counting! God is good!

Exercise is different this week. I have done some movement and house cleaning stuff to be up and going all week. I spend two days out in stores hauling groceries or other good in and out of stores...I stayed pretty busy doing it on Sat and Monday both.  Sat I got to go to my fave grocery where we buy all the fresh foods.  I bought fresh pineapple, oranges, bananas, onions, greens, fresh green beans, vine ripened tomatoes, zucchini....uh...all sorts of good food to eat mostly raw and fresh. I am convinced food is a major key to health!

Okay, this sums it up pretty much except to say that I am looking to God to help me combat my poor health issues.  I am obese and for my weight I do well, but I am just too darned big~God help me! And my exercise is not what others can do, I know.  But to be a Fit Mommy I have to start somewhere with movement~I guess I am at or BELOW Level One~but grateful to be able to share with you all~Thanks for your encouragement. I am reading Max Lucados' Outlive Your Life, the Recovery Bible and the Life Recovery Workbook as well as For Today, and Beth Moore's Breaking Free.  These all add something to my walk with the Lord towards health.




Thanks again for stopping by and checking on me~If you haven't done so, check out the other fit mommies   HERE!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal~Week 1: CHANGE AHEAD~Watch OUT!

If you are a frequent reader then you will recognize that this is a new meme for SisterT, but having a new beginning in our homeschooling LIFE, a new meme would be a great addition~so we are joining up with The Homeschool Chick and doing The Homeschool Mother's Journal each week.  Wow~so many new cool things happening~

Each week she will post some questions for us to answer~and we will all go to the central local and read up on all the answers~soo cool...sooo IF you are stopping by for the first time, welcome! Check out my tabs~especially the Free/GiveAway section or maybe a specific age group. I've been collecting free homeschooling/education web links for sometime. If you find one that doesn't work, please let me know so I can correct it~Thanks so much for coming and also let me know you came with a shout-out~I'd love to meet you!

In my life this week...

Ice storm and snow were the rule of the week~and on Wed evening took the youth group sledding and snowboarding. What fun~I'm working fitness and weight goals and these have continued to go well.  Today marks 17 weeks TOTALLY OFF sugar and white flour. Wt loss has been 41 lbs and exercise goals are being met so far so good...

In our homeschool this week...

CHANGE hallmarked our week with a bit of a rush/crunch that has gone on.  We worked HARD to finish up our 1st Semester curriculum so I could submit final grades and transcripts to the virtual academy we are beginning next week.    Part of this was finishing up some construction we were working on so that we could have NEW work spaces for homeschooling~more traditional work spaces: desks and shelving in a central location.  You can read about it HERE!  

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

We're high schoolers, so we do get around some, but a lot of our time is spent getting our schoolwork done. We do go to the YMCA for exercise doing either the track, swimming or workouts which of course are our PE credits.  We try very hard to do this as a family~even taking Grandma with us as she lives with us~the whole family~fun!

I'm a youth worker at church and this week we went tubing/snowboarding with the group. This was loads of fun~I was amazed to see my kiddos snowboard FOR THE FIRST TIME! whoot! 

A big thing today was that they both did monologues for their homeschool Drama Club and my daughter was awarded two parts in the spring production of Charlotte's Web.  This is such a highlight each semester and they are earning a credit in this area.  You can see a past performance picture in this post about Extra Curricular Activites! And how cool Drama Club has been for my kiddos!

We're church attenders, so tomorrow we will participate in our house of worship. The kids are in the choir and we all attend Sunday School...guess it helps that Dad is the pastor..huh??? lol!

My favorite thing this week was...

Not an easy pick, but probably getting the plaster dust OUT of my house. This ole house has been a redo nightmare and ongoing project for over 2 yrs now...that's what we get for a PRICE IS RIGHT home...LOL..but praise God, the plaster work is done FOR NOW...more coming...but right now, I can breathe! LOL...Interested in our house REDO?? You can read about this particular phase of our remodel
HERE!

Oh, it was GREAT seeing my kids do their monologues AND snowboard! They AMAZE ME!

What's working/not working for us...

Well, it all went back to that conversation back in December and subsequent conversations~you can read about it HERE!

And we are keeping HOMESCHOOLING~just changing to include some things...LOTS of things... 

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

I literally CRIED in relief when we were in the orientation class together on Thursday. I NO LONGER carry the burden alone...my fears are not totally relieved, but...I have help...thank you, Lord!  

I do have a nagging thing inside with some concern for the content of the virtual academy as it is a public school curriculum~but I KNOW this, that I have taught them and it ULTIMATELY is the choice of every person~to accept Truth or reject it...I am still praying... 

A photo to share...

My son is working on the assessment testing at his new workstation in our new school room space.  This is a miracle!


Thanks so much for coming by~please let me know you came!  I am blessed by your presence! Head over HERE to read the other Mother's Journals~Woot!
Warmly,
SisterTipster ;-))

FREE: Elementary Level Spanish For Kids~Gr 1-4

Spanish For Kids

First DAY of the REST of Our Lives~THIS Semester!

It really WAS a struggle figuring out that we needed to sign up for a home based Virtual Academy, but in the decision came some relief and much needed prep work.  We had to rethink environment, styles, and TIME.  Our learning environment went through an overhaul. For years, we have schooled without a specialized SPACE, but just in our cozy comfy den chairs and sitting at our kitchen table~our style was relaxed and unpushed mostly~sometimes it got harried~but mostly it was get up and get going by 10 and work it TIL we were done which meant at least 3PM, but IF we had appointments or I had errands, I'd leave an agenda or TO DO list~and scoot~they'd handle it! Then there was the TIME factor of the past~our schedule was OUR OWN...nobody to do any dictating to SisterT and her littles...except IF we wanted or truly needed (like doc and dentist appoints OR traveling...) to change it up~AND WE DID...also our times to do our work could vary too.  TIME WAS OURS...But something told me on Thursday as we all three were sitting in our den, each with his laptop in an online Virtual Academy orientation session~Some things ARE about to change...

AND they have changed. Yesterday was our very very first day of working within the confines of the Virtual Academy~AND it was different.  Good.  But definitely different.  All we did yesterday was continue to work the very last of our school work (from me) AND do some initial testing for assessment.  In this came the need to address ALL those things that we've done so differently~like setting up the NEW SPACE.  There were new desktops put into place and a new book shelf as well.  One computer had arrived~DID I SAY that they provide the computers and all books and materials? I couldn't be more excited JUST on this feature ALONE!  But setting the space up meant taking some time to room arrange and vacuum.  I mean: construction MAKES dirt! LOL...sooo we had some housekeeping too, and all that where our NEW quiet and non (HOPEFULLY) distracting, but close by MOM area...I'm liking this myself.  ALL that school stuff near them...but also neat and organized..well, it WILL BE...LOL..it's still arriving in great big boxes...daughter's stuff is ALL yet to get here...but it will...and we'll get it put into place and even have plans to add shelving OVER their work stations as well as a cork board to post up for THEMSELVES their calendars and agendas...or anything else they might need to highlight in their space.

On a light note about the space, I did get to hang one of my very very fave pics in it as it matches just perfectly.  It's a Victorian Era mother teaching her little child to pray~I love it! And in many ways it has symbolized my heart about homeschooling even if the actual scene here wasn't all that serene as we did our schooling.  Something calming and inspiring about this picture..just plain pretty imho.  ;-))

But the environment isn't done.  There's more painting to be done~the trim around the new back door is just wood, but it's present and all drafts are sealed! woot! AND then our sheetrock doesn't meet our ceiling b/c in the future~the ceiling will be redone and maybe the space reconfigured...maybe...but anyway, the long term purpose will be addressed soon too..but for now, it's a school room..YES IT ISssss!

Our Time changed in that we were on a mission to accomplish this testing that I knew would take AT LEAST two hours or more...ENTER MO for both kiddos...tiring/taxing TESTING...but it had to be done and since the probability of being HERE to take it on Monday @2 is remote IF they both get parts for the new Drama Club spring production, Charlotte's Web~we had to do it...YESTERDAY!  Soo I set it all up~and off they went...It seemed to work well for them..I can only HOPE...

And of course, our schedule got a kiax yesterday because with monologues due today, I normally would have allowed a short school day and not worried if the Advisor or teachers were available in their office hours and holding classes/answering questions...THIS IS ALL SO NEW~but good...seems good...will be GREAT!

Okay, so all that nagging NAGGING fear is somewhat lessened...somewhat.  The proof is in the pudding so they say, and in TIME we shall see...We SHALL...and it's coming pretty quick!

So today, this mama, SisterT is heading out to run errands to further organize up future TIME~so I can have them up, on tap and READY FREDDY come Monday~the TRUE VERY first day of this semester, which is THE FIRST DAY of the rest of our lives...

See you soon. Thanks for coming by~leave me a shout-out about what's going on at your place! HUGS!!

For the LOVE of Dolls~

Bet you didn't know SisterT is a doll collector? I love 'em! In fact, I have so many that I'm pretty picky over WHICH ones I display~and I even sew and crochet for them sometimes~Well, being a collector, I love Barbie by Matel too~In fact, I have a few of them myself~even a few from my childhood~Bet you played with one too~most of us did! Well, interesting FUN FACT is that Barbie and KEN are 'getting BACK together' LOL! Oh yeah! LOL...sooo let's see HOW the publicity spin will work in connection with romance, marriage and family for the long-time duo!


Here's the article I found...HERE on the Barbie/Ken reunion


and a little FuN Barbie history~TOO CUTE!


MORE Silly Barbie FUN!
Gotta go FIND MY Barbie...oh yeah!! LOL...

REVIEW: TenMarks Math Online Learning

~Strong Foundation 
Strong Future
Website:  HERE
  
Ages: Elem 3rd gr-HS~Alg 2 and Geometry
Cost: $10 mo subscription
I say:  Useful and Helpful

I received a subscription to TENMarks online math learning website as part of The Old Schoolhouse CREW review team in exchange for my honest opinions with no monetary compensation. My opinions are my own.

I'm the GAL with math terror~remember ME?  Well, it's been my quest to find the perfect program that will really teach math to my kids and lesson the burden placed upon me~something about just looking at numbers and my palms sweat, heart races and my brain TURNS TO MUSH~Soo when we were asked to review TENMarks, I sighed...oh no! NOT an online math program~HOW AM I GONNA do that? AND can I get my kiddos intrested~DID THEY inherit this dreaded math terror? ? ?

Well, as it happened, Boy Thing One (God bless him!) got finished with his preAlgebra studies with our current math program and so we had some time to work TENMarks and give it a go~  I set the program up for him and each day reminded him to do lessons~

Here's what the site says:

TENMarks is the only online math program that helps students refresh, learn, and master math concepts - in their own time, at their own pace. Each child receives a personalized curriculum to help them master the concepts quickly.

Here's some of the features of TENMArks:

• Online learning~
• Math videos that can be played over and over~
• Hints available while working the worksheets~
• Customizable learning~parents can assign topics~
• REWARDS~kids get to earn online games as they complete work~AND certificates of completion which are pretty cool if you'd like to print them for your child.
• Email reminders to do worksheets with the assigned dates to parents~
• A PLACE ON HOLD button for stopping the worksheet generator progression if you need to slow it up~
• Testing throughout as well as initial Assessment for placement~

Okay~sooo HOW did this grumpy, attitudinal TEENAGER do given he was just coming out of preAlgebra and had never truly seen some of this stuff~First, he seemed to like that it went fairly fast~he could do a lesson in 1/2 an hour or less.  As a parent, I'm not sure how effective this was~and if he had found some loopholes~he's prone to do that...but some lessons he scored the TEN and others he was less~I PUT into place that he needed at least a NINE to progress...sometimes he didn't make it, but I also noticed that he wasn't watching the instructional videos either.  I had to go back and remind him and literally insist.  Perhaps they ought to play ANYWAY whether a kiddo thinks he needs them or not and THEN be available for a re-run!  This Mama thinks so! But he did end up earning some certificates, which I did print and are pretty cool looking~but as for the games, they were a wash. I have no real way to ck this behind him~it's set up pretty independently, but he says he played the racing game and the warehouse game. Okay, just so you know, there are games that are earned as lessons/worksheets are completed. But for a teenager~particularly THIS BOY, they were...well....ineffective as a motivator. I quote:  "I can play them in my sleep!" Oh brother! I have no way to know this either~but IF it didn't motivate him, it just didn't.  Okay, he also said that he has 'these' games on a disk..dunno...really don't..but either way~it didn't motivate him at 15...BUT for a younger kid, they would most likely work to play the games~sooo if you are push pull tugging and towing a teen, just know that the games may or may not be a motivator~but kudos to TENMarks for attempting to MOTIVATE~I like this a lot!

I am thankful for this opportunity as it has helped my son prepare and practice. I am unsure that TENMarks would adequately teach my son Algebra I, but for sure that it did give him some introductory information and practice~I guess I've just become a believer in text books and loads of paper and pencil power~

Another positive is that I like the pricing. Of course, SisterT advocates shopping the market for any product, but I like the subscription pricing~YES I DO~this could work for my budget whether I used TENMarks for the full coursework OR supplemental~LOVE IT!

Thanks for stopping by and go            to ck out the CREW about TENMarks!