Weekly Wrap-up ~ Our Chaotic Week

This week was most definitely a week of endurance - from helping with one of two Open Houses for my husband's real estate business on Sunday, to being out yesterday from 7:15 am - 3:30 pm.  We did enjoy one celebratory lunch on Thursday; wait, I'm getting ahead of myself.

This week the 6-week ACT Prep course began for Matthew and Melissa.  It meets on Mondays (1:25 - 3:25 pm) and Tuesday/Thursday afternoons (1:40 - 2:55 pm).  Add in their 8 AM Chemistry class on Thursday morning and you get a glimpse of our week.

We had the privilege of watching Melissa play in three soccer games, none of which were at the home field.  The team lost the first two, but WON last night against Tellico Plains.  Hooray!  She is normally a defender, but was substituted in as an offender and had the chance to score two goals.  (Oh, so close!)

Add in a morning worship and a church fellowship dinner on Sunday, Boy Scouts and theater practice on Tuesday evening, and youth group on Wednesday.  Can I tell you we are exhausted?

The highlight of our week happened on Tuesday morning.  Matthew, after many years of cultivating a close friendship with the orthodontist, had his braces removed.  I'm not sure who was more excited, him or me!  His smile is amazing.  Check out the pictures below...  (I couldn't find a good 'before' pic!)

We celebrated with a celebratory lunch at Steak-n-Shake on Thursday.  Two done and one more to go!

Today, I am sitting in Panera Bread in Dalton awaiting van repairs.  Why is it that when vehicles, homes, etc. get older, the cost to repair them increases?  The part alone to fix the anti-lock braking system/traction costs over $500.  Do you think they will throw in the labor for free?

Hopefully our family will get a time of relaxation over the weekend before next week begins!

This post is linked with Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

A bumpy start ~ A smoother ending

Wow, three weeks of school!  I cannot say I was ready to begin, but I decided to just jump in anyway.  Our first week included some laughter, whining, and mornings that started way too early for my teens!

Week Two I was more prepared, and during the week, the last of our school books arrived.  The older teens were then able to begin their U.S. History. 

I have chosen to take a new direction on the when and how of teaching.  Since I am home schooling 4 high schoolers, I am 'teaching' only 1-2 subjects a day.  During the class time, they are given their school assignments for the week.  Here are my teaching days and times -

       Monday 
               9:00-10:00 am        Physical Science with labs
             10:00-10:30 am        Grammar/Vocabulary (Michael/Shelby)
             10:30-10:45 am        Break time!
             10:45-11:00 am        Grammar/Vocabulary (Matt/Melissa)

     Tuesday
                9:00 - 9:45 am        Intro to Literature (Michael)
                9:45-10:30 am        Health (Matt/Melissa)

     Wednesday 
                9:00-10:30 am        Creative Writing (Michael/Shelby)
            
     Thursday
                8:00-10:00 am        Chemistry @ Hilger's (Matt/Melissa)
                8:30 - 9:30 am        World Geography (Michael)

     Friday
                9:00 - 9:45 am         American Literature (Matt/Melissa/Shelby)
                9:45 -10:30 am        U.S. History (Matt/Melissa)

   **  Math is completed daily.  I work one-on-one with each student needing my help usually after we   have completed the designated teaching times above.

My older two are independent learners, so they are excited that we get to spend time discussing what they are learning.  I didn't have the time to do that the last two years.  My younger two and I still spend time one-on-one on a daily basis on some of their work.  This schedule allows for more in-depth teaching, while allowing the students to become responsible for their assignments.  It will also guide the younger two into more independent learning.

This teaching schedule has allowed me more time to work with each of the kids individually.  Since I'm not 'teaching' all day long one subject or another, I am free to answer questions, debate a topic, or just listen to their thoughts.

How was your week?

High School Portfolios.... DONE!

This past week has seen a flurry of activity both on the computer and off.  I have finally finished the 3-ring binder High School Portfolios.  Now, keeping them current should be a breeze.  This binder portfolio was made following Kathleen Duncan's Homeschool for High School Seminar.

Start with a 3-ring binder, add dividers (5 large tab) for the main subjects including Records, Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, PE/Health, and Electives.  I also added an Awards section.

Behind each main tab, use dividers (8 large tab) for the actual classes such as 9th grade Grammar/Composition, US History, Spanish I, etc.  For each class, I am using Donna Young's Grade and Attendance sheets to show the student's grades and information for each class/book/description, etc.  If this was an outside class (not taken at home), I'm puttting the grading sheet from that teacher.  Below is a picture of Matthew's French I grade sheet taken at Hilger Higher Learning.  Also behind each class tab, I add 1-2 examples of the the student's work.  Now, if a college wants to know which curriculum we used or the level of work, we can show them all in one place!

In the Awards Section, I am placing the original certificates in a plastic sheet protectors.  Matthew currently has 2 Honor Roll certificates, 4 certificates for paging in the GA House and Senate, and his Presidential Volunteer Service Awards.  I will also put any awards earned through theater and other activities he is involved in. 

I have also begun typing a high school transcript.  I have the main page done, but still have a ways to go.  I have also set up our Grades and Attendance forms for the new school year.  I'm still undecided on our American History curriculum for this year.  I'm down to 2 weeks to decide and have it ready to go.

Other than portfolios, we have managed to clean the entire house and keep the vegetable garden growing.  We are enjoying way too many tomatoes and zucchini.

Life is good; God is better!