Wednesdays are light on the curriculum because Wednesdays are always my husband's day off of work. When he's home, our daily routines are thrown askew. I accommodate the unpredictability of Wednesdays by keeping our workload light and focusing on adventure and relaxation. We do pick up Saturday as a school day so we end up doing even more work than the public school during a week. Just don't tell Reo that.
English Literature:
Reo began reading his Sunshine State Book, Tesla's Attic, Book One of the Accelerati Trilogy by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman and we discussed his first impressions of the book.
Mathematics:
Reo earned a couple new medals on Khan Academy for Pre-algebra. We call that an easy day. I take advantage of the Classroom/Coach features in Khan Academy to monitor and assist all my kids through their Khan Academy based learning. While it is not the core of Reo's curriculum, it is a great tool praised by public, private, and homeschools throughout the United States.
Music:
We began talking about the history of music on our continent with the original people on this continent, the Anishinaabeg, from the Great Lakes region. Instead of delving into the Classical composers right away, I wanted to give Reo a knowledge for how intimate and vital music is to cultural and personal identity. We outlined the uses of music for the Ojibwe people and the strength it gave them. We listened to some of the ceremonial music that is still performed today and discussed how it made Reo feel to listen to that music.
Creative Writing:
Yay! Journal writing! He was just as happy with it today as he was yesterday. Reo did find a subject to write about after a few minutes of thought. I haven't reviewed his journal but I know he contributed a substantial amount of words today.
The rest of the day was a Teacher Planning Day. Under normal circumstances, I would have launched Adventure Class for the remainder of the Wednesday, but last night after my daughter's softball practice, my right ear clogged up. I've been in pain and unable to hear out of that ear all day. Adventure Class will likely take place on Sunday when I drag everybody to the beach with me for an overdue and sorely needed Relaxation Day. In the meanwhile, I got a number of U.S. History quizzes ready for upcoming lessons and got us prepared for the remainder of the week. Allons-y!
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Today's Lessons
While Reo is on break for a healthy lunch followed by an hour-long cooldown period where he gets to play a video game for 30 minutes and then spend 30 minutes outside enjoying a beautiful Florida day that actually isn't raining, I thought I'd submit the outline of our work today.
Mathematics:
Ratios, review quiz 12 problems
He does so ever love doing math first thing. I think this is the only time Reo ever complains about school work. Getting the engine going first thing in the morning is always a pain for us natural nightowls. We covered ratios, where we worked together to define the formula and ran through four sample problems before he demonstrated that he could work ratios without my assistance. I let him complete a quiz sheet of 12 problems downloaded from a homeschool math website. Next time, I'll remember to record links so I can share what I'm using.
Science:
Introduction to Botany
Reo loves gardening. Snapdragons are his favorite flowers. He gets a real sense of accomplishment and enjoys the daily responsibility to caring after plants. I thought this would be a great opportunity to start a year of botany where he can delve into the science of what he enjoys. It will provide him a greater understanding of the world around him and enhance his gardening experience. We reviewed what botany is in the science world and what his upcoming curriculum will be. He is excited that many lab assignments involve gardening and plant identification. I have a considerable amount of support for lesson ideas that work Reo outside the box thanks to my mother, who is an amature botanist and expert landscape artist.
Social Studies:
Introduction to Ancient Greece
Last year, Reo learned about Ancient Egypt in an uniquely planned theme curriculum that immersed him in Ancient Egyptian culture. This year, we will explore Ancient Greece as a people and a culture. Reo will learn much of the same that he learned about Ancient Egypt but not with a full immersion of all subjects. Today we talked about how influential Ancient Greece was on the world, permanently leaving an impression for centuries. We took a brief review of the syllabus. Reo will have weekly quizzes about the weekly lessons and will need to write final essays for each subject in lieu of a dry, boring test.
English:
Assign book, allot reading time
This is part of the afternoon's work so it hasn't happened, yet. I have a list of ten Sunshine State Books. Sunshine State Books is a reading list approved for Florida's public educational system. I have narrowed this list to ten age-appropriate books at his nineth grade reading level and included a brief summary of each so he can better make a decision on which book to read first. By the end of the year, Reo will have read all ten and written book reports for each. He could read more than ten books in a school year, but I'm going to slow his reading pace by engaging in discussion about the book, comparing it to other books he's read, and taking a closer, deeper look at the literature.
History:
Revolutionary era, review quiz
This is part of the afternoon's work so it hasn't happened, yet. We have been in the process of learning about the Revolutionary era of U.S. History. From its colonial uprising through the organization of the nation in its early decades, Reo is engaging in depth about the facts and personalities. When we started these lessons a few weeks ago, I felt bad that I was just now getting him the details and facts in fifth grade since I consider U.S. History and Civics mandatory education to create an informed and engaged electorate and government from children as they grow into adults. However, I have learned that only snippets of what Reo is learning this year is taught in Florida's eighth grade public school curriculum. High school has a bit more but still not what Reo is learning. As a result, my college freshman and my eighth grader will be taking these quizzes and tests. I am using Google Forms, so my friends will also be provided access for their own amusement and edification. Today, we will delve into the first Continental Congress, including dates, location, participants, issues, and decisions. I like to teach U.S. History and Civics with a lot of "Why" answers. Anyone can recite dates and times. An informed voter and a critical thinker understands why things are the way that they are. In the past, we have covered the colonies, The Boston Massacre, the Boston Massacre Trial, John Adams, colonial protest issues, and the British response to colonial protests.
Creative Writing:
Weekly Journal, allot fanfic writing time
This is part of the afternoon's work so it hasn't happened, yet. Reo doesn't like the weekly journal and I don't blame him. Anytime there was a journal assignment in a writing class through my school years, there was always a percentage of the class who groaned at the task. I understand that there is pressure to just write something and how the mind can go blank. As I understood then and still understand now about these journal assignments, the teacher does not care what the subject matter is. The assignment is to freely write, to learn how to process your thoughts into written word. Reo would rather write World of Warcraft fanfic and since he's being creative and enthusiastic about it, I definitely want him to have the time to do what he likes.
While we're not covering it today, there is still an Adventure Class, where we explore the world, apply what we know, and learn more.
Mathematics:
Ratios, review quiz 12 problems
He does so ever love doing math first thing. I think this is the only time Reo ever complains about school work. Getting the engine going first thing in the morning is always a pain for us natural nightowls. We covered ratios, where we worked together to define the formula and ran through four sample problems before he demonstrated that he could work ratios without my assistance. I let him complete a quiz sheet of 12 problems downloaded from a homeschool math website. Next time, I'll remember to record links so I can share what I'm using.
Science:
Introduction to Botany
Reo loves gardening. Snapdragons are his favorite flowers. He gets a real sense of accomplishment and enjoys the daily responsibility to caring after plants. I thought this would be a great opportunity to start a year of botany where he can delve into the science of what he enjoys. It will provide him a greater understanding of the world around him and enhance his gardening experience. We reviewed what botany is in the science world and what his upcoming curriculum will be. He is excited that many lab assignments involve gardening and plant identification. I have a considerable amount of support for lesson ideas that work Reo outside the box thanks to my mother, who is an amature botanist and expert landscape artist.
Social Studies:
Introduction to Ancient Greece
Last year, Reo learned about Ancient Egypt in an uniquely planned theme curriculum that immersed him in Ancient Egyptian culture. This year, we will explore Ancient Greece as a people and a culture. Reo will learn much of the same that he learned about Ancient Egypt but not with a full immersion of all subjects. Today we talked about how influential Ancient Greece was on the world, permanently leaving an impression for centuries. We took a brief review of the syllabus. Reo will have weekly quizzes about the weekly lessons and will need to write final essays for each subject in lieu of a dry, boring test.
English:
Assign book, allot reading time
This is part of the afternoon's work so it hasn't happened, yet. I have a list of ten Sunshine State Books. Sunshine State Books is a reading list approved for Florida's public educational system. I have narrowed this list to ten age-appropriate books at his nineth grade reading level and included a brief summary of each so he can better make a decision on which book to read first. By the end of the year, Reo will have read all ten and written book reports for each. He could read more than ten books in a school year, but I'm going to slow his reading pace by engaging in discussion about the book, comparing it to other books he's read, and taking a closer, deeper look at the literature.
History:
Revolutionary era, review quiz
This is part of the afternoon's work so it hasn't happened, yet. We have been in the process of learning about the Revolutionary era of U.S. History. From its colonial uprising through the organization of the nation in its early decades, Reo is engaging in depth about the facts and personalities. When we started these lessons a few weeks ago, I felt bad that I was just now getting him the details and facts in fifth grade since I consider U.S. History and Civics mandatory education to create an informed and engaged electorate and government from children as they grow into adults. However, I have learned that only snippets of what Reo is learning this year is taught in Florida's eighth grade public school curriculum. High school has a bit more but still not what Reo is learning. As a result, my college freshman and my eighth grader will be taking these quizzes and tests. I am using Google Forms, so my friends will also be provided access for their own amusement and edification. Today, we will delve into the first Continental Congress, including dates, location, participants, issues, and decisions. I like to teach U.S. History and Civics with a lot of "Why" answers. Anyone can recite dates and times. An informed voter and a critical thinker understands why things are the way that they are. In the past, we have covered the colonies, The Boston Massacre, the Boston Massacre Trial, John Adams, colonial protest issues, and the British response to colonial protests.
Creative Writing:
Weekly Journal, allot fanfic writing time
This is part of the afternoon's work so it hasn't happened, yet. Reo doesn't like the weekly journal and I don't blame him. Anytime there was a journal assignment in a writing class through my school years, there was always a percentage of the class who groaned at the task. I understand that there is pressure to just write something and how the mind can go blank. As I understood then and still understand now about these journal assignments, the teacher does not care what the subject matter is. The assignment is to freely write, to learn how to process your thoughts into written word. Reo would rather write World of Warcraft fanfic and since he's being creative and enthusiastic about it, I definitely want him to have the time to do what he likes.
While we're not covering it today, there is still an Adventure Class, where we explore the world, apply what we know, and learn more.
A traumatic encounter with an anti-homeschool judge and temporarily losing my child
This is a particularly difficult post to write.
As last updated in this poorly maintained blog, I was homeschooling two of my children, the fourth grade Reo and the ninth grade DrS. While Reo was always cooperative and enjoyed excelling, DrS fought tooth and nail against completing his assigned work. He did complete it. He was not exceptional in his progress but I believe he faired better than he would have in public school. He also learned that homeschool wasn't the free ride he fantasized it would be. There was equal, if not more, demand for study and performance. He asked to return to public school and of course I obliged.
His father has had absolutely no contact with him outside of visitations that I pay for him to have in our son's fifteen years on the planet. Seriously, the man wasn't even there when DrS was born. His father is a continued alcoholic who is unemployed and living in his parents' basement. He is thousands in child support arrears. All of a sudden, his father decides that I'm an unfit mother. He makes up an incredible list of offenses, from claiming that my home was filthy with animal feces, to claiming he had pictures from Florida DCFS, to saying I have never taken my child to a doctor or dentist, to saying I have no education and was providing our son no education in homeschool.
I was blindsided by these accusations. I had no attorney and I was 1300 miles and more time than I had away from having the evidence necessary to stomp all this fiction into the ground. The judge was demonstrably anti-homeschool. Despite my ex-husband being the only one who claimed I was never educated and others, including our son, saying clearly that I was college educated, she settled that there was simply no way to know for sure. She firmly believed that my son, who had passed the ninth grade via standardized testing and homeschool portfolio in accordance with Florida law, was never educated, never attended a public school at any point in time, and I was to blame for withholding legally mandated education from him.
At the end of this legal mess, I will deserve an apology for this outrageous character assassination and verbal abuse from the court and I will certainly never receive it.
I am still homeschooling Reo, who is working on sixth and seventh grade curriculum during his fifth grade year. We live in Florida and even though the Illinois court likes to throw its weight around with ridiculous ways to defend my abuser and rapist as some kind of engaged and suitable parent regarding DrS, I have been married to Reo's dad for many years and no court can prevent Reo from having an advanced and fulfilling education until he decides to return to public school.
At this time, I do not have legal representation in Illinois. Illinois lawyers are expensive and, unlike Florida attorneys, they have this cruel attitude that I can't describe very well, but I can tell you that it cuts into the heart. It's taking time to choose the right professional and, unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time. DrS is already suffering under his father's care.
I will be updating this blog more, if for no other reason than to clearly and publicly document how indepth and demanding a homeschool curriculum is with me in personal defense of what I've just suffered at the hands of anti-homeschool ignorance. Don't get me wrong, Reo has fun, but this isn't a layabout vacation where he does what he pleases and doesn't absorb a considerable amount of information that surpasses that of his peers. The only area where Reo is sorely lacking is handwriting. The boy might have a future as a doctor!
As last updated in this poorly maintained blog, I was homeschooling two of my children, the fourth grade Reo and the ninth grade DrS. While Reo was always cooperative and enjoyed excelling, DrS fought tooth and nail against completing his assigned work. He did complete it. He was not exceptional in his progress but I believe he faired better than he would have in public school. He also learned that homeschool wasn't the free ride he fantasized it would be. There was equal, if not more, demand for study and performance. He asked to return to public school and of course I obliged.
His father has had absolutely no contact with him outside of visitations that I pay for him to have in our son's fifteen years on the planet. Seriously, the man wasn't even there when DrS was born. His father is a continued alcoholic who is unemployed and living in his parents' basement. He is thousands in child support arrears. All of a sudden, his father decides that I'm an unfit mother. He makes up an incredible list of offenses, from claiming that my home was filthy with animal feces, to claiming he had pictures from Florida DCFS, to saying I have never taken my child to a doctor or dentist, to saying I have no education and was providing our son no education in homeschool.
I was blindsided by these accusations. I had no attorney and I was 1300 miles and more time than I had away from having the evidence necessary to stomp all this fiction into the ground. The judge was demonstrably anti-homeschool. Despite my ex-husband being the only one who claimed I was never educated and others, including our son, saying clearly that I was college educated, she settled that there was simply no way to know for sure. She firmly believed that my son, who had passed the ninth grade via standardized testing and homeschool portfolio in accordance with Florida law, was never educated, never attended a public school at any point in time, and I was to blame for withholding legally mandated education from him.
At the end of this legal mess, I will deserve an apology for this outrageous character assassination and verbal abuse from the court and I will certainly never receive it.
I am still homeschooling Reo, who is working on sixth and seventh grade curriculum during his fifth grade year. We live in Florida and even though the Illinois court likes to throw its weight around with ridiculous ways to defend my abuser and rapist as some kind of engaged and suitable parent regarding DrS, I have been married to Reo's dad for many years and no court can prevent Reo from having an advanced and fulfilling education until he decides to return to public school.
At this time, I do not have legal representation in Illinois. Illinois lawyers are expensive and, unlike Florida attorneys, they have this cruel attitude that I can't describe very well, but I can tell you that it cuts into the heart. It's taking time to choose the right professional and, unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time. DrS is already suffering under his father's care.
I will be updating this blog more, if for no other reason than to clearly and publicly document how indepth and demanding a homeschool curriculum is with me in personal defense of what I've just suffered at the hands of anti-homeschool ignorance. Don't get me wrong, Reo has fun, but this isn't a layabout vacation where he does what he pleases and doesn't absorb a considerable amount of information that surpasses that of his peers. The only area where Reo is sorely lacking is handwriting. The boy might have a future as a doctor!
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