The Homeschool Mother's Journal::May 20, 2012

In my life this week... Tutoring an 8yo young man in math (he is adorable!), celebrating birthdays, finishing up the soccer season, babysitting grandkids, playing some games, and enjoying the company of friends. 



In our homeschool this week...Much of our focus right now is getting everyone moving forward on their spelling and reading. I think it is going to be that way through the summer. I am okay with it. 


Helpful homeschool tips or advice to share... Something I just read in relation to teaching our children- meet your children where they are, not where they are "suppose to be". 

What's working/not working for us... I want to do it. I want to say limited (extremely limited) screen time again. I won't. If you want to know how it all started you can read about it in my post titled I Can't Take It Any More! -  and if you want to hear how it has been going, you can look at my last few "Mother's Journal Posts". I'll get off my soapbox for now. 

What is working is "sustained silent reading". The first time I heard this term is when reading Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook about 8 years ago. I had also been introduced to it by way of advice as "timed reading". 


I have mentioned that it has worked amazingly well for both Mark and James for the month or so that we have been doing it. Both boys read- for just the facts usually. Give Mark a book on Airedale's and he will browse to his heart's content. I am happy with that, but I would like to encourage my boys to be readers. 


Well, for the first time ever, Mark requested that I (please) order him some books from a comic series he is enjoying (thanks to two volumes gifted by an uncle). I admit, even though I have heard positive things about reading comics, that I was skeptical about that being the chosen reading for SSR, but I couldn't say no when Mark excitedly ran to grab the gifted books for reading time. And then when he completed both volumes and asked for more, how could I resist! (My first SSR post is here.) 






Things I am working on... Having hubby put up a clothes line that he decided could double as a volleyball net!! Pretty fun! I am working on stuff too, but not fun stuff- just things like laundry and organizing. ;) 







I am reading... Still Teaching Tips and Techniques by Laura Berquist. Although, I did borrow the two sequels to The Shunning that I hope to read next week. I read book #1 on my Kindle, but it would be a expensive to read the series that way. Thankful for good old fashioned page turning books for free from our library! Also on my reading table that I have picked up a few times this week, The Hidden Power of Kindness. I have read parts of it before, but have never gotten all the way through it. A worthwhile read! 


I am cooking...Not me- Mark. Mark requested permission to make eggs and sausage for breakfast. He likes to cook so that is not a stretch, but I often resist because of the mess he makes. He agreed to clean the mess and voila! Breakfast is served. 






I am grateful for...




(grandbabies)


I am praying for... Everyone who has asked me to. And more. 


A photo, link, or quote to share... 





One of these weeks I am going to check my camera for the silly picture of the week and it is not going to be there... not this week though! This one was actually taken while sitting right across the table from me and I did not even notice what they are were doing! And these are just two of several that they took. 


Comments

  1. Harvest Moon by HandMay 20, 2012 at 3:25 AM

    Your yard is beautiful - especially the stone pathway. WOW! Your advice about meeting kids where they are is a very good reminder. Breakfast looks delicious! My daughter likes to cook as well, and it's always a pleasure to see what she comes up...especially since that means that I get a break from cooking!

    ReplyDelete
  2. NicoleMay 20, 2012 at 5:36 AM

    Lots of love in your house! And that Mark sounds like my kind of kid!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The AdventurerMay 20, 2012 at 12:02 PM

    Great backyard:) screen time I have to fight the battle most days with my two kids too. I am fairly strict about how much time they get but sometimes I relent just so I can have a bit of free time:) I will check out your other post about how it is working for you

    ReplyDelete
  4. TiffanyMay 20, 2012 at 2:25 PM

    Hi Laurie~ Thanks for checking in on me..All ok, just crazier than usual;-) Love the volleyball/clothes line-double...genius idea. Happy birthdays at your house too! I love these posts...I'll have to try one some time. Ditto on the Hidden Power of Kindness...awesome book!

    ReplyDelete
  5. PattyMay 20, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    Hey Laurie!! Just catching up in the bloggy world again. Always a delight to read what is happening around your neck of the woods. Tell your hubs that the clothesline, volleyball net is a super idea!!! And I laughed at the comic book reading...my Ester does not like to read. Well, she found an old stack of Majesty and Royalty magazines at her Grammy's house and she couldn't stop reading!!! LOL Whatever it takes, right?

    ReplyDelete
  6. BethMay 20, 2012 at 11:41 PM

    When my son was stuggling with reading they only thing I could get him to read were the Tin-tin books. He read the over and over and over. Even though he reads other books I give him he frequently goes back to these and the Narnia books.

    ReplyDelete

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