My Daughter Rocks!

From the toddler who couldn't sit on my lap for story time to the preschooler who spent many a morning in the director's office to the 6 yr old who struggled to learn to read to the high school freshman who scored a 18 on the preACT --------- the butterfly has emerged!!!!

Not only did she get a 28 composite score, she got a 33 on the Reading section!! I am the world's proudest mom of Theresa's hard work and dedication.

The Power in Your Hands Writing Nonfiction in High School

     Year after year I am on the prowl for a better writing curriculum; it is definitely the weak link in my teaching repertoire. I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to review Sharon Watson's The Power in Your Hands - Writing Nonfiction in High School which is designed for those in grades 9-12. This writing program comes with both a large Student Text and a Teacher's Guide. The text provides the instruction as if the instructor were talking directly to the student. Some assignments can be completed in the text but a 3 ring binder with plenty of loose-leaf would be helpful to keep assignments organized.
     I spent quite a few hours reading through many lessons to be sure this would be worth attempting in the new school year and much to my daughter's dismay, Theresa will be using this program for the upcoming school year. This program doesn't spend time working on sentence writing but we focused a good deal on that this past year so now we can turn our efforts to more essay writing from a variety of persuasive essays to compare/contrast. I love that some more practical aspects of writing are included such as condolence and thank you letters while at the same time providing college prep writing experiences such as a position paper and literary analysis.
     The Teacher's Guide shows more clearly to the parent the major writing assignments of which there are twenty-one which might be more than one needs for an academic year but that leaves one free to leave out those that are least beneficial to the individual student. For instance, we will probably skip learning how to write a devotional and a testimony as those are not as academically focused nor something that would interest my daughter. There are over 30 pages devoted to assisting the parent in grading writing assignments; included are various evaluation forms, examples of A-F essays, and practical info about editing, proofreading and reluctant writers.
    Want to see more for yourself? There are samples available from both the Student's Book and the Teacher's Guide. Not only is this a top notch program it's reasonably priced at under $60 for both volumes (or under $50 if you buy from a discount curriculum company).

Product Info Summary:
The Power in Your Hands Writing Nonfiction in High School @ writingwithsharonwatson.com
$39.98 Student Book & $14.98 Teacher's Guide

You can read more reviews of this product as well as those of a middle school writing curriculum and fiction writing curriculum here.

Plans for the New Year

My article, Rainy Days Can Be Productive,  is posted on Home & School Mosaics here.

This is a followup:

Just hours after Rainy Days was posted, I got word that John came off the waiting list for Lions Gate Co-op. He is now registered for three classes: Algebra II, Composition/Literature and Debate Club. I've heard positive feedback about the Math instructor and I personally know the English/Debate club instructor. Unfortunately Biology was not offered and we decided to study Spanish at home.

Theresa is going to also study Spanish at home, we have decided upon American History (just debating between two texts) and Lightning Literature along with Essentials in Writing. She was not interested in any electives that were being offered.

Ideas for Valentine's Day (and beyond)

You can read my article about St Valentine here.

Kid Coder

I was presented with the opportunity to review Kid Coder: Windows Programming and Game Programming by Homeschooling Program Inc.  Together they form a year long computer program designed for students in grades 4-8 although younger students may need assistance with topics such as negative numbers. My son John is in 8th grade and has had no formal computer programming instruction so this seemed like a great place for him to start.

If purchased directly from Homeschooling Program Inc, Kid Coder includes a student workbook and an installation CD.  An optional component are video lessons on DVD.

I have to admit I had some troubles installing the components but I believe that is because I had various links from which to install instead of a single CD. I find reading the workbook on the screen to be a bit tedious but our younger generation doesn't seem to have that issue. I LOVE the video lessons. They are a perfect addition to this program for the audio learner or a child that just zones out from reading alone. The instructor has a pleasant voice and speaks at a comfortable speed. The student is advised to read the workbook but I think that for most it will just be skimming and to complete the assignments after viewing the video lessons.

I was hoping that my son would be excited by this program as we explore career opportunities as he is nearing high school. He is certainly liking it but not the wow factor for which I was hoping. Although John is not wowed by this subject, he will complete the year as I think he will get more excited when he begins the second semester and designs a video game of his own.

Overall, I think KidCoder is a very good product at a reasonable price that can be used by students with no computer programming background. If you want to read more opinions of this program and other Homeschool Programming products, go here.

Important Info about KidCoder:

Where to Purchase: Homeschool Programming Inc

Pricing: Each semester course individually $70, $85 w/video lessons
            Visual Basic package $120, $145 w/video lessons

Other Products Available: 

Teacher Work Day

School starts in four weeks so it was time to begin installing programs for the new year. Switched-on-Schoolhouse for Spanish took some time but it's working properly. Teaching Textbooks for Algebra went smoothly. A computer program that I will be reviewing at a later date was confusing but I 'think' it's almost all set up for John to begin learning.

I began moving this year's texts to one shelf, cleaned out used notebooks and folders from last school year and even began deleting old files on the main computer - there were assignments there from two years ago. Then it was time to get out the new lesson plan books. I entered a contest online to win a pretty planner but for now I"ll use our basic blue planners.

If You Were Me and Lived In.... South Korea

New children’s book Introduces Children to New Cultures Around the World: If You Were Me And Lived In… South Korea

Bethpage, NY – Author Carole Roman announces the release of her latest children’s book which introduces children to new cultures throughout the world, If You Were Me And Lived In…South Korea.

This exciting and informative new children’s series, “If You Were Me and Lived in…” takes young readers on worldwide tour of different countries and their cultures.

If You Were Me and Lived in… South Korea – An Introduction to Learning About Other Cultures, is the third entry in this educational series that takes children on journey to Asia, this time landing in… South Korea! Perfect for children from Pre-K to age eight, this little book is a ground breaking new experience in exposing children the joy of cultural differences.

About the author: 

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is a former teacher turned businesswoman. She has successfully run a family business with her husband. Her most favorite job is being grandmother to her many grandchildren. She currently lives on Long Island with her husband.

Her first book, Captain No Beard - An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate's Life has been named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012 as well garnered the star of remarkable merit. Three more Captain No Beard books are in the works. Also available, I Want To Do Yoga Too, a children’s introduction to yoga. Coming soon, If You Were Me and Lived in… Turkey, Norway and Kenya.

My Thoughts: I was interested in this book as our family lived for two years in Seoul, South Korea. I liked how the author introduced the nation by showing it on a map. The illustrations are simple yet colorful occasionally overlaid on photos (at least that is how it appears to me). Due to the simplistic sentence structure, I would recommend this book for Pre-K to first grade.

This book was provided to me through Bostick Communications; I received no monetary compensation for my review. 

Happy Graduation

Last night was graduation for St Peter's Academy. Above is Abigail after receiving her diploma. I was actually able to get through graduation (for the first time) with no tears because I had to get up to speak. I boasted of Abigail attending the University of Memphis as an early admissions Nursing student in the Helen Hardin Honors Program. I talked of her being a National Merit Finalist earning her the Cecil C Humphrey's Merit Scholarship.

I then introduced Karen Alexander from Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater.

Karen spoke about Abigail's accomplishments at Fantasy Playhouse as well as other local community theater and presented her with the Herriott Scholastic Scholarship.  Thank you to Karen and the entire Fantasy family.

Little Robin Redbreast

On April 12th, I posted that this had happened two days earlier. About 2.5 weeks ago Mrs Robin sat and sat and sat. Today I finally saw her babies - we have triplets. Still trying to get a pic of all three of them - it requires me standing on a dining room chair and taking pic through the window. Both parents have brought food for the babies.

School Year 2013 - 2014

     I am already thinking and planning for next year; thankfully most of it was easy since it's what I've always done. This next school year will be the first time since school year 2000-2001 (Madeleine was in 4th, James in 2nd but Abigail went to German Kindergarten) that I've only had two students. It will be like this for the next four years and then I'll have a lone year with only one student.

Here are next year's plans for Theresa (freshman) and John (8th grade):
 
Religion - Didache Series : Introduction to Catholicism    (Theresa)  
                      I was even able to track down Edition 1 Workbooks
              - Faith and Life Series : Our Life in the Church (John)
   I offered both students the option of using the online program but they chose to stick with our old print books.

Math - Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1 (Theresa and John)
   I love that these can be done on paper or on the computer with the latter being self-correcting.

Science - Apologia Exploring Creation with Physical Science (Theresa and John)
   I just saw that there is now a Student Notebook available; I need to see if a) my kids are interested and b) would it match up with the 1st Edition close enough to be worth $27.50 each?

History - Theresa will be studying World History with All Ye Lands while John will be studying 19th Century World History with Tapestry of Grace Dialectic Level.

Language Arts - Both John and Theresa will be finishing up the second half of programs we used this year for Grammar (Easy Grammar Plus) and Vocabulary (English from the Roots Up). Writing is my weakness in teaching; I have found a program that lays out nice lesson plans and many different writing experiences so we will be using Essentials in Writing.  Then for Literature, Theresa will do the next level of Lightning Literature which comes with a Teacher Guide, Student Guide and Workbook. John and I have decided he will do a blend for his Literature, we've chosen selections from Tapestry of Grace Year 3 Dialectic selections and it will be supplemented with Chronicles of Narnia and a dash of Introduction to Poetry.

Writing Programs

     I am in need of a writing program that is structured (that's just the way my mathematical mind works) for next year (8th and 9th grade). Do any of my readers have experience with any of these programs?

Thanks

1. Essentials in Writing http://www.essentialsinwriting.com/course-catalog.php

2. Jensen's Format Writing http://jsgrammar.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=31

3. WriteShop http://www.writeshop.com/store/proddetail.php?prod=0011

Happy Day!!!

We are so proud of Abigail.

She will now be upgraded to The Cecil C. Humphreys Merit Scholarship which is awarded to all National Merit/National Achievement finalists listing the University of Memphis as their first choice with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation by the required deadline. This prestigious award is $9,700 per year plus the following benefits:

1. Laptop computer
2. Study Abroad or National Student Exchange Stipend of $2,000
3. Assistance available for attendance at National Conference on Undergraduate Research
4. Priority consideration for the Non-Resident Honors Student Award (NRHSA) for out-of-state awardees - Abigail was awarded this scholarship in September; its current value is over $15K per academic year.

Abigail and Early College

When this semester ends, Abigail will have completed 12 credits of college through the Univ of AL Early College program - she's earned credit for Composition I and Psychology (both will count toward general ed requirements at Memphis), Intro to Anthropology (her advisor will determine if she gets general ed  credit for this) and  Microcomputer Applications elective credits that she doesn't really need).

Abigail was going to take another course in the Spring semester but it looks like it won't work out to take something that will count toward General Ed requirements at Univ of Memphis. We want to wait on Composition II since that's part of her Honors program in Memphis. Can't take a Lit class at AL until you've taken both Composition classes. Can't take US History since she already took those at the high school level (dual enrollment classes count toward both high school and college) and that would be like taking the same course twice. No interest or need to take Chinese I or Japanese I. The only Science courses offered are for non-majors (which doesn't apply to her as a Nursing student). The Western Civ courses offered don't match up with the World Civ requirements for Memphis. The Art History course doesn't match up with Gen Ed requirements. Online Math courses are a royal pain since you then have to pay additional $$ for proctoring of tests and exams. No need for more computer courses as a Nursing major. She doesn't need a second Anthropology course.  Which only leaves Intro to Journalism which would just be extra unneeded elective credits.

So it looks like Abigail will have an easier last semester of high school - she'll finish up her year long courses in Religion and Marine Biology as well as her spring semester courses in English Literature and Economics and maybe throw in Consumer Math or Logic.

A Parent's Guide to the Best Kids' Comics

My youngest daughter loves comics; so much that we had continued our newspaper subscription just so she would have her daily dose. I was excited to find this book so I could see what graphic novels might be of interest to her to broaden her reading opportunities.
This book divides graphic novels into age groups but points out they are not hard and fast rules. I found some in just about every category that I think my 8th grade daughter will enjoy. I plan to get on our library website and do some searching and requesting of titles to entertain my daughter while her broken arm heals

We've been keeping this secret for over 2 weeks....

Abigail is a National Merit Semifinalist!!!

Her PSAT score (called her selection index) of 212 placed her in the 99th percentile of all high school juniors taking the test. Now onto the finalist competition - she has to complete an application, write an essay, get a letter of recommendation and get a qualifying score on the SAT. Wish her luck as this means an extra scholarship money and a laptop. 

Change in Plans

It may only be the 9th day of the school year but we've already made changes. Abigail was registered for Pre-Calculus Algebra through University of Alabama Early College. Yesterday we found out that tests would need to be proctored. Looked into all the options and they all require extra money as well as time for traveling to the sites. This morning we got confirmation that 4 tests plus the exam would need proctoring. That means about every three weeks Abigail would have to go somewhere for the test since it couldn't be done at home - well there is an at home option but it requires handing over control of your computer to a stranger as well as the cost. We decided that didn't fit well into Abigail's schedule and need for flexibility.

I am so thankful for the helpful folks at Alabama. I was able to 'add' Introduction to Psychology and 'drop' the Math class online with no trouble in a matter of minutes.  I was able to talk to the Psychology professor in advance so I knew that Abigail would not be hopelessly behind and that the textbook was online so we wouldn't have to wait for the US Postal Service or FedEx. She will start her course tonight when she comes home from Annie.

Now to send the appropriate paperwork to her cover school for their records.

Year 15 of Homeschooling

This could have been my 17th year of homeschooling but there were two years that all schoolage children went to school - one year was wonderful and the other not so much. So here I am in year 15 - by the time John graduates I'll have homeschooled for 20 years; it will then be time to retire. :)

So what is happening in year 15?

We have our true, tried and tested curriculum that we go back to time and time again with a few new additions along the way.

Religion: Didache Series for high school; Abigail is studying History of the Church. For John and Theresa - Faith and Life series 7th and 8th grade.

Math: Abigail is taking Pre-Calculus Algebra online through University of Alabama's Early College program in the Fall.. Theresa is continuing with Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra. John took the program for a test drive this summer but decided to stick with Saxon Algebra 1/2 instead.

Science: Abigail is taking a break from hardcore science with  Marine Biology while John and Theresa are studying General Science all using Apologia texts.

History: Abigail is studying Early US History using selected lessons in Tapestry of Grace Year 2 Rhetoric. John is using the entire program at the Dialectic level to study World History from Medieval times through Early US History. Theresa wanted a break from living books so she is studying US History with a textbook - Our Pioneers and Patriots which will occasionally be supplemented with historical fiction and biographies.

English: Abigail is starting out the year with a course in Short Stories using lectures from The Great Courses. John is studying a range of literature in addition to composition and grammar with Tapestry of Grace Year 2 Dialectic. Theresa is trying out something new for our family - Lightning Literature.

And then there are electives of course:
Abigail - Musical Theater, Theater Appreciation, Voice. Probable courses in the Spring - Logic or Consumer Math, Economics or Psychology, and English Literature.
Theresa and John - Art, Music, Karate

New School Books

I love when new school books arrive in the mail. Today both Theresa's Math and Literature/Composition arrived.

Teaching Textbooks is not new to us but the books have been updated with:

1. Automated grading (I enjoyed this feature this past year with the 7th grade book)
2. A digital gradebook that can manage multiple student accounts and be easily  
   edited by a parent (This will be nice if John opts to use this program instead of Saxon)
3. Over a dozen more lessons and hundreds of new problems and solutions (enough lessons w/chapter quizzes for 156 days)
4. Interactive lectures
5. Hints and second chance options for many problems (This works well for Theresa)
6. Animated buddies to cheer the student on
7. Reference numbers for each problem so students and parents can see where a problem was first introduced (Woo hoo,.... a great addition)
8. An index (This will be wonderful as no index drove Theresa and I batty)
9. Detailed appendices (general math, geometry and algebra)

Lightning Literature is a program I have looked at in the past but never purchased. My other kids in middle school used a mix of different literature study guides or Tapestry of Grace. This past year proved that Tapestry was not a good fit for Theresa. I needed something structured to be sure I was providing a well rounded program but with books that would hold Theresa's interest. I wanted something that provided vocabulary, comprehension, literature lessons and writing assignments (with guidance for me since that's my weakness). I opted to purchase the 7th/8th grade instead of the 8th/9th grade level for two reasons - a) the books were of more interest to Theresa and b) if we end up loving it as much as I hope, we can use the other level next year as a Freshman.

 The Student Guide and Workbook go hand in hand with the literature being read. The Student Guide provides an introduction to the author and/or work, vocabulary words, comprehension questions, the literary lessons and multiple writing exercises (of varying degrees of difficulty). The Workbook has six types of assignments - exercises related to literary lessons, activities that give the student the opportunity to practice composition skills, thinking skills pages, grammar review, puzzles and extra- challenges.

 The Teacher's Guide lays out the lessons for 36 weeks although I see how I can compress them to fit into our 32 week school schedule. It provides an answer key to both comprehension questions and workbook exercises. There is also additional information related to the literary lessons and writing assignments as well as hints for evaluating writing assignments. A bonus are the discussion questions to bring the student thinking above and beyond the comprehension questions and literary lesson.

Shakespeare in the Park

Today the Players of Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater performed Shakespeare for Panoply 5th Grade Days.
Abigail played the role of Bottom

and Theresa played the role of Starveling.

The forecast had a 40% chance of rain, 20% chance of thunderstorms.... thankfully it was a beautiful day. At times a bit cloudy, sometimes windy but never the threat of a storm. Thank you Lord for the gorgeous weather.

Irena's Jar of Secrets

Irena's Jars of Secrets is a picture book but definitely not for young children. It tells the story of Irena Sendler - a Catholic social worker who rescued Jewish children from the Ghetto in Poland. Although told as gently as possible, I would recommend this book for ages 8+ and remind parents that they know their child best when selecting reading material.  Irena's Jars of Secrets would be a great book for upper elementary students when studying World War II and the Holocaust especially in a Catholic school.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy of Irena's Jar of Secrets available via NetGalley.