New Math Tool - IXL

I quickly realized that I was going to need some real help teaching math and science to my daughter. I know what to teach, but making math and science fun for a class of ONE was challenging from the word, Go!

My child really enjoys her independence so online work, with my supervision, works well for her. Plus the automatic feedback is great.

I am always looking for free stuff and came across, IXL for math. Like most sites, there is a free version and a paid one. For me, its working well still using the free portion. I let the system introduce a concept and if she breezes through, great! If not, we spend some real class time on that concept and she can go back online the next day and try the activity again until she masters it and we move on.

Honestly, it has introduced some concepts that I did not think to do yet. Since she has chosen a career that involves mastery of a lot of science and math, I have to really keep my game tight on these subjects.

The reason I'm considering going up to the paid version is the tool that allows you to make sure you are keeping up with the (low) standards of your own state. My goal would be to get her a grade ahead on these so she can be on an accelerated track by high school and begin taking college courses around 14 or 15.

Let me know if you've used this and how it has worked for you!

Ramadan Activities and Lessons For Children Part 3

I'mmo need you to forget that Ramadan was in September LOL.

I was invited to present four short 25 minute presentations to 2nd graders on Ramadan at our local Children's Museum.

Here's what I prepared:

Ramadan Presentation
Objective: Student will be able to name some activities that are forbidden during the fasting hours of Ramadan. 
Content areas: Religion or Civics, Art
Supplies: Coloring Sheet (left)
White and/or light blue construction paper
Black and/or navy blue construction paper
Crayons, markers or coloring pencils
Glue
Scissors
(optional: glitter, moon, sun, star stickers)

Lesson: (5 mins)
1. Define Ramadan-  be sure to explain the difference between "Holy Days" and a holiday.
2. Explain what is forbidden during daylight hours (age appropriately)- be sure to include arguing/quarreling among forbidden activities
3. Explain what is done after sundown (modest meal, more reading, prayer)
4. Discuss coloring sheet.  Each square shows a common activity during Ramadan for Muslims.  What time of day would each one take place. (drinking-night; reading-day and night; play with toys as distraction for children who may be hungry-day; eating soup-night; prayer-day and night)
Craft Instructions: (15 mins)
1. Choose one full sheet of paper in either white or light blue to represent day.
2. Cut either a black or navy blue paper in half (5.5 x 8.5) and glue it to half of the first sheet to create a dark and light side representing day and night.
3. Color the sky (top) of each paper with a day scene (sun, clouds) and night scene (moon, stars).
4. Color each item on the coloring sheet above and cut out.
5. Glue each item to the proper side of paper (day or night).  Some creative students will paste some items on the line between since they can be done either day or night.
Clean up: (5 mins.)
Evaluation: Students understand if they place the items in the proper place (day or night).  Reinforcement can be made by allowing them to study the craft and quiz them at a later time.

Junior Master Gardner and my opinions....

There is this selfish/preservist philosphy regarding organized education.

Many manufacturers of teaching curriculum and teacher guides will only sell to school systems and not individual teachers and ESPECIALLY not to homeschoolers.  School systems make it that way.  They won't buy curriculum from companies that sell to the "public"....stupid to me. Why wouldn't you want a parent to have a book to help thier student at home.

As I find them I will pass on all information regarding curriculum, teacher guides, materials, etc. that sell to individuals.

JUNIOR MASTER GARDENER

OK...I'll admit it.  I had never heard of a "Master Gardener".  When I took a day long workshop on creating a school garden back in April, we learned that Master Gardeners have volunteer hours they must complete each year and can help you with your school or group garden.

THEN, we learned about program for youth called Junior Master Gardner where they can earn certifications in various aspects of gardening. The great thing is that is doesn't have to be taught by a Master Gardner and the teaching guides are available online along with the books for students through the Texas Cooperative Extension.

It looks like JMG is best for grades 3-8 based on what I've read so I can't make an endorsement because I won't look into this for a couple years.

Educating the Educator

I am a firm believer that we must qualify ourselves for positions that await us and for tasks we choose to tackle.

Some people I know are "spooky" about being blessed with an opportunity. By spooky I mean they believe that if God blesses them with an idea, it's because they have all the knowledge necessary.  I disagree.  I have had many blessings that were a bit beyond my grasp and I had to get on my tippy toes or on a step stool to grab hold of them and run.

I said all that to say, I am always looking for courses to expand my knowledge of teaching since I am homeschooling my daughter.

I want our 2009-10 theme to be "Righteous Living"
We will focus all content areas around gardening, proper care of the environment, our bodies, our attire and minds.

I am looking forward to attending a 2 day teachers workshop on environmental learning. Project Wild is a FREE k-12 curriculum that is given with a 2 day workshop. My workshop costs just $25 and includes lunch and all books. I'll show you the loot afterward.

Just a reminder....teachers need classes too!

What really matters...

There were a bunch of things that I was thinking about the past few days and I was so excited thinking about blogging about them.

But this morning my daughter woke up especially alert and I embraced the teachable moment and we had reading class.

My baby girl is 3yo and 5 mos. now and knows her upper and lower case letters and all sounds. For about a week and a half we've been working on blending sounds so she can read her first words.

TODAY SHE DID IT!

She read at, sat, fat, bat, cat, rat, pat, hat, mat and Pat.

I had her go wake her father up and he came in all sleepy eyed to listen to her read her first words.

What a great morning!

The curriculum I've been using for reading and writing is Hooked on Phonics: Hooked on Kindergarten Wally-World has the best price I've found at $99 and they will deliver it to the store for you to pick up. I started this in January.

To learn letters and sounds I used flash cards, Alphabooks
and Fridge Phonics. I've been using the cards and books since about 2 years old and the Fridge Phonics for several months (I think since the summer?)

I think I'm going to start a homeschooling blog over on Wordpress. I wanted to move this blog over there but it's too much trouble b/c I'd lose photos etc.

But while I'm thinking about it, I'll just savor this wonderful moment in time.

Sunday, February 10, 2008 my baby-girl read her first words.