August 28, 2010

Tally Marks~Are they working???

So, we have been schooling a two weeks and I just want to give an update on how the tally marks are working. Out of the three kids, one really likes the marks each day, one says it doesn't matter one way or the other about the marks~this particular child knows what they have to do and just does it~and the last child, well, they just don't see the need to even have them.

My hubby thoughts are, what's the deal with the marks?! I think they serve a purpose. I like to see that we are getting things accomplished. I also like to see where our focus is on some subjects as apposed to others. For instance, are we spending too much time on math or history and not enough on geography only to figure out later in the year that we would need to play catch-up so that we finished all the subjects in a given year.

The question is: Will we continue with the tally marks? I know that I will with the child that really likes them at the end of each day. As for the other two kids, time will tell. I'm going to try it for the next two weeks to see.

August 20, 2010

Organization

So what are you doing to get organized this year? Or maybe you are organized already and I'm the only one left to figure all this out.
I've never been truly organized, well maybe years ago but that was YEARS ago..ha,ha.

This year I'm doing something different with the kids. Since my 16 and 14 year old are more independent in their schooling and they really do better with a list, where they know what is expected of them. I've made a list of each of their subjects that they will do for the year and put it into a bi-monthly graph for them to make tally marks beside each item that they get accomplished. They know how many tally marks they should have at the end of every two weeks. Some things I will check daily,e.g. math & grammar, others I will check at the end of each week.

Doing this will allow me to have more time with my youngest. I feel like he only has two more years before things really have to pick up for him schooling wise and I would like to spend more time doing the fun things with him before our time runs out.
Yes, schooling should be fun, but when they hit those all important high school years things change.

Anyway, here's to having a more organized year!

It has begun

This week we started back to school albeit we only did semi-school for the week. Next week, we will begin our full school days. We were busy tying up loose ends this week, getting back into the groove of things and also my hubby ordered each of the kids a new computer which they didn't arrive until yesterday. So hubby spent several hours after the computers were delivered getting them set up in the school house and ready to go~~So, Monday, we will start our official new school year.

Looking forward to a GREAT year with my three youngest children!

What will we see?~~What will we learn?~~What will we enjoy?~~What will be our magic memory moments that we will have forever?

Stay tuned :0)