Didja miss my review? Or are you thanking your lucky stars that I am publishing this on a Sunday when you don't go blog surfing anyway? I must admit that it still amuses me to think that I wanted this blog to be completely about homeschooling. Yeah. That didn't last long.
A few days after I moved on from homeschooling, I thought I could do a blog about books. But then I remembered that I love to read books. I like to talk about books. But write summaries of books - or critiques of books - that is so not my forte. I wanted to do updates on the books I am reading for my 888 challenge...but I believe we have established that I am all about the big idea. With no follow through.
Speaking of big ideas. I have lots of them. I want to host a swap. Would you all want to participate? What kind of swap? I have no idea. Anyone want to do it? I must admit to being leary of the whole idea. I signed up for a swap back in May. My partner liked her goodies. I think she forgot about the swap part.
I want a blog stalkers convention. But...what to do? I could arrange for a hotel. Or better yet a house on the beach. But would there be activities? Who else is big on ideas - and is a DOER?
See...the meanderings? The segues? Like I could keep this blog on one topic.
Let's see if I can at least accomplish that in my week (err...two weeks) in review:
GRAMMAR/WRITING: We have really beefed up our activity in this area. Katie continues her work in Wordly Wise and Daily Grams. I have write posts for her blog most every day. We added in handwriting. And then last week she started with the formal writing program, Write at Home. I am looking forward to her getting back her first critique. And it being from someone that is not me.
LOGIC: We have moved on to syllogisms. Katie thinks that these are great fun. I never even knew what a syllogism was until college. And now my 5th grade daughter is learning about them in a 3rd grade logic book.
GEOGRAPHY: Last week we wrapped up our study of China. And I was informed that we must get Chinese take out. Because it would contribute to her "educational experience." Her words. Really. She might have even used a syllogism in her argument. We did get the take out. This week we studied about Kuwait. In her Geography book there were a bunch of internet links and she had fun surfing and learning about children in that country. And then today we made our recipe: Arabian Honey cakes. Who wants to learn how to make them? Karen? Anyone? Anyone? Are ya'll still with me?
HISTORY: Last week we wrapped up our studies of the Mesopotamians and moved to the Egyptians. Did you all know that the King Tut exhibit is coming to Atlanta? It will be here from November through May. I cannot wait to go see it. We also need to make a trip to the Michael C Carlos museum. This is the museum at Emory University that is sponsoring the Tut exhibit. They probably managed to snag this for Atlanta when they discovered that one of their mummies was a Ramses - and returned it to Egypt. I have a big guest room if anyone is coming to town!
BIOLOGY: Katie is getting a lot of use out of our microscope. She went down to the creek to get water to see what she might see under the lens. I was quite relieved that she really didn't see anything. But, Michael went back down with her and they got water from a more stagnant area and they did find something. What? I have no idea. Another day, she got dust from somewhere to look at. It was mostly carpet fibers. I think I would get majorly creeped out if there were visible dust mites.
MATH: Right now we are working on measuring angles and angles in triangles.
And, guess what? There's more! Last week Katie started her classes that she takes through our homeschool group. She began her fourth year of studying Latin - and right now they are just working on review. She is also taking a swimming stroke clinic and folk dancing. And because I am a glutton for punishment, let me tell you about our Wednesdays. In the morning she rides with me to drop Madalyn off at school. Then we head over to the pool where I take water aerobics. And she does school work while she waits for me. Then we go to her piano lesson. We come home for lunch, and she does more school work. Then at 2:30 she has tennis lessons. We race home after that to beat Madalyn's bus driver. Then she has about 45 minutes to finish school work. At 4:30 she has to be at church for girl scouts. It's over at 5:30 - and we just stay at church for dinner - and then at 6 she has choir practice. We are home about 7:30 - and it's time to shower and go to bed. I think I may have overscheduled her. Just a smidge.
So, what about you? Were you involved in lots of activities as a kid? Anything that you still do today? What activities are yor kids in? Are they overscheduled? How have you found that balance?
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16 comments:
Wow! I wish I could have had you as my instructor. Sounds like fun and very interesting! Thanks to you too for stopping by and commenting. It was nice learning your take from BATW.
Ok, how bad is it that I had to Google "syllogisms"???
Woah! So much schooling. I would be smart after getting through all that. At least I think I would be smart.
I have to tell you I am extremely impressed. I love that your daughter is getting to learn from the world around her. That is so important. In the past I have not been too keen on the HS idea (and seeing as how I don't have kids I probably should keep that to myself). But, I was lucky enough to live in a time where teaching to the test was not happening. I am glad to see that your HS is going back to that time where kids can be excited about learning because they can apply it to everyday life.
OH! I also had Wordly Wise in school. I HATED it at the time but I do realize now how beneficial it was to my vocab. :)
I was involved in drama in high school and I LOVE it!! I don't do it anymore but I have a fantasy of doing community theatre one day. Maybe...when the youngest is gone...
As for my kids, the oldest is in band and the youngest is in soccer. I know, I know...everyone is in soccer but, I wanted to start somewhere with her. She has a HUGE personality so, I think we should do something with music or dance with her but, she needs to learn direction first.
Your Wednesdays sound super busy.
We have a busy, but managable schedule. Both boys are in school and in one sport. That's doable. Donny has at least two or three football practices a week and a game once a week...Remy has one soccer practice and one game a week, but I'm one of his coaches, so I have to participate...
Anyway, LOVE the swap idea. Let's do it!! A favorites swap? Where you send some of your fav things? LIke the Sound of Music song?
BTW, I can't believe you never got a swap gift in that pinkalicious giveaway?!!! Did you let the hostess know?
And I like hearing about books and the homeschooling...and your randomness.
I love these week in review entries. And I'm a geek. But that aside, where to begin?
I'm psyched about the King Tut exhibit! Hubby & I will have to make a pilgrimage down there to check it out. We're coming in January to see the new Cirque Du Soleil show that's coming. Woo hoo!
And I'm a big talker, little doer. I have great intentions with pitiful follow through. But if you were to plan a blog-stalker conference, I would totally help you plan it. I just can't chair committees. :-)
I did lots of activities as a kid. Twirling, tap dance, piano lessons, girl scouts, volleyball, cross country, blah blah blah. I'm trying really hard not to overschedule my girls, but it's so hard to avoid it. I want them to be exposed to many things so they can decide what couple of things they won't to concentrate on. Balance is something that doesn't exist in my house, but we're working our way to it...eventually.
I would love to join your swap. I have joined a Christmas Stocking swap and have spent today making stockings for it. I think swaps are a super idea.
As a child I was horse mad. I spent all my time at the local stables. My daughter however has not followed in my footsteps. She thinks horses are dirty and smelly!
Lindsay
Sometimes I think I am the one who is overscheduled. My classes are late this semester, two nights get me home at 8:00 p.m. On on of those nights, I got straight to Matt's Boy Scout meeting where I wait to pick him up. The meeting is supposed to end at 8:30. Yeah, right. Sometimes it is closer to 9:00. I'm already passing out from exhaustion at this time.
At times, the kids just have way too much on their plate...which makes my plate overfilled. Karate, lacrosse, Scouts, after school clubs. Sheesh! I didn't do anything when I was a kid. Both my parents worked all the time.
I'll do a swap.. you will come up with something good, I just know it.
How the heck do you do ALL that???
A swap sounds fun. But only if someone else thinks up all the details. :)
I'm also glad your daughter didn't find much in the creek water. Ugghhh....
And as for activities, I live in a community where kids' every moment is planned. I kind of feel sorry for them. I have only allowed one activity at a time for my own and I sometimes I think other's look down on me for that. But I say, they're only kids once, let 'em be a kid.
I have to say, I'm a big idea person with no follow through as well. I'm actually a big procrastinator, but I think you've already figured that out!
I'm all for a swap, but again like you, I always get stiffed. Oh well.
My kids are NOT overscheduled. With all of the money we paid for Tristan's Taekwondo ahead of time, we took a break (it's been about a year..ahem). I'm such a slacker.
You always have so much in each of your posts, that I forget half of the questions!
I was in quite a few activities. Chorus (nonstop since 5th grade), soccer, then cheerleading, yearbook, environmental club, a part time job since Sophomore year in HS...
I still like to be environmentally conscious (when convenient; sorry, no washable diapers for me. blegh) and I will always sing.
I hope I answered everything...
Holy Nellie, Woman! I would pass ou at 7:30 on wednesday nights.
I played hockey as a kid. My kids played rugby, including my daughter..
My grandkids play sport.
That is something I have noticed about life in America ... everything is scheduled and often overscheduled. I think that if America slowed down a bit, it really wouldn't hurt...
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