This is what I was originally going to write about the other day, community service. There was an article in the paper last weekend about community service. In Maryland, community service is required to graduate high school; it sounds like in Virginia it's recommended but not required. I don't know the specific requirements for Maryland, but it sounds like it's quite a bit. I'm surprised that this is a requirement to graduate. I can see how some kids would find it hard to find time for community service and even more how they would find the motivation if it was required, not something they wanted to do. I can also see the last minute panic to get the time in and then fill out the follow up paperwork to get it counted.
Community service or volunteering is something we do as a matter of course in our family. All of us at some point have volunteered at our church doing all sorts of things, from helping with children's programs, leading the youth, to working with the mission trips to DC to feed/clothe the homeless. Bob and I also volunteer outside of church, me with Girl Scouts, him with different things related to his work. I'm sure by the time the girls graduate they will have quite the accumulation of volunteer hours. I do track them since there's various awards they can earn as Girl Scouts based on the type of community service and the number of hours they complete. Our Council has an award you can earn based on hours to the GS community, international community, and government. It's a lot of hours to do but they can do it, they just need to look out for the opportunities.
03 April 2012
24 March 2012
Panic time!!
This is not what I was going to write about today, but I think it's more relevant to me right now. Always in the back of my mind (and I'm sure in the minds of most homeschoolers) is the thought, Am I doing enough? Are they learning what they need to now and to get into college? Am I failing them by keeping them home?
These all came to the front again today when I saw a friend's post on facebook that her (always homeschooled) daughter got into JMU. Congratulations to her! But that panic rose up again, are MY girls going to get into college? I know Sweet Pea has a unique enough outlook on life and her life experiences are different enough that she'll stand out that way, but are the academics enough? If not, I've only got 2.5 years to fix it. I'll probably worry about it for the next 2.5 years until she gets accepted into college.
On the other hand, with her goals, she may not go to college right away. Something else to think about - how to prepare her for life after high school, taking a couple of years off to chase her dreams, then head back to college. College will still be there in a year or two. And knowing her, she'll figure out a way to take classes online or during the summers or both while she's dream chasing. That could work, too.
Maybe I just need to focus on what's going on now, making sure she's doing the best she can with what she's got in front of her at the moment. I think we've got a good plan for high school and that's about all we can do for right now. We'll do some tweaking, I'm sure, but right now we need to focus on this school year and finish it out well.
These all came to the front again today when I saw a friend's post on facebook that her (always homeschooled) daughter got into JMU. Congratulations to her! But that panic rose up again, are MY girls going to get into college? I know Sweet Pea has a unique enough outlook on life and her life experiences are different enough that she'll stand out that way, but are the academics enough? If not, I've only got 2.5 years to fix it. I'll probably worry about it for the next 2.5 years until she gets accepted into college.
On the other hand, with her goals, she may not go to college right away. Something else to think about - how to prepare her for life after high school, taking a couple of years off to chase her dreams, then head back to college. College will still be there in a year or two. And knowing her, she'll figure out a way to take classes online or during the summers or both while she's dream chasing. That could work, too.
Maybe I just need to focus on what's going on now, making sure she's doing the best she can with what she's got in front of her at the moment. I think we've got a good plan for high school and that's about all we can do for right now. We'll do some tweaking, I'm sure, but right now we need to focus on this school year and finish it out well.
21 March 2012
Spring has come!
It's been a while. We've been busy with vacation, school, and snowboarding. Now that snowboard season is over for this year, I'll have more time for many things. We're also done with vacationing for a while, so I guess that leaves us with school. At least school is moving along well. A few subjects are already wrapping up for the year. I may have the girls start on the next level or I may just fill in with library books for a while.
French and German are on spring break this week so we made a quick trip to visit family. I think spring break was scheduled in the middle of the class (it ends in May) but it sure messes up our schedule since Rosie Jane has a break from dance next month. Oh well, we'll just keep working on school and maybe take a day trip to Williamsburg or Charlottesville next month. Spring is a lovely time to visit either place.
You can tell it's spring - I'm starting to get curriculum catalogs in the mail already. It's time to start thinking about what we're doing next school year. As I've already said, I know what we're doing for most everything but there's still a few things up in the air. I'm also looking forward to the convention and looking at the vendors there, you never know what you're going to find. I'm hoping to find just the right thing for a few holes that I've got to fill.
One of the things I'm really looking forward to now that it's spring - we'll get to start doing school outside again. We've done school on the deck, in the hammock (best for reading books), and also on blankets in the backyard. Time for that again. We're also going to get in some science and p.e. time by taking the dog for walks in some of the nearby parks. It's time to get outside!
French and German are on spring break this week so we made a quick trip to visit family. I think spring break was scheduled in the middle of the class (it ends in May) but it sure messes up our schedule since Rosie Jane has a break from dance next month. Oh well, we'll just keep working on school and maybe take a day trip to Williamsburg or Charlottesville next month. Spring is a lovely time to visit either place.
You can tell it's spring - I'm starting to get curriculum catalogs in the mail already. It's time to start thinking about what we're doing next school year. As I've already said, I know what we're doing for most everything but there's still a few things up in the air. I'm also looking forward to the convention and looking at the vendors there, you never know what you're going to find. I'm hoping to find just the right thing for a few holes that I've got to fill.
One of the things I'm really looking forward to now that it's spring - we'll get to start doing school outside again. We've done school on the deck, in the hammock (best for reading books), and also on blankets in the backyard. Time for that again. We're also going to get in some science and p.e. time by taking the dog for walks in some of the nearby parks. It's time to get outside!
27 February 2012
February Vacation
Aah...the joys of homeschooling. One of the great things about it is being able to keep your own schedule. Since the girls were little, I've been bringing them to New Hampshire at the end of February to visit my sister-in-law. Usually we get to play in the snow, we've gone tubing, ice skating, and snowshoeing in the woods. Unfortunatly this winter there's hardly any snow. We got about an inch Friday night but that's all there is right now. If the girls went to school, there would be no February trip for them since they'd be in school.
This year, besides getting in some big mountain skiing/snow boarding, they get to play with their "new" cousin. He's 8 months old and as cute as a button. All Rosie Jane wants to do is play with Z. We haven't been able to play in the snow, but the girls did go tromping in the woods. Not snow shoeing though. Maybe next year.
This year, besides getting in some big mountain skiing/snow boarding, they get to play with their "new" cousin. He's 8 months old and as cute as a button. All Rosie Jane wants to do is play with Z. We haven't been able to play in the snow, but the girls did go tromping in the woods. Not snow shoeing though. Maybe next year.
20 February 2012
It's only February
Yep, it's only late February and I'm already thinking about school next year. I have most of the courses/curriculum picked out but still have a few glaring holes to fill. I also have some weaknesses that need to be addressed next year. The main thing both girls need work on is writing; all sorts of writing except creative writing in the case of Sweet Pea. I've been mulling over IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) since I keep hearing really good things about it but it's really expensive. I just spent some time (again) looking over their website since it's been a few years since I last looked at it. I think I've found a way I can make it work for both girls and be affordable, I just need to think about it a bit more. I'm thinking I'll probably get it and have them work on the writing together next year and also do some separate grammar and vocab with Rosie Jane.
Apparently I'm procrastinating in figuring out what science to do with Sweet Pea next year. I'm pretty sure it'll be biology but I'm not sure what we're going to use. I'd kind of like to do something totally out of the box with her but really don't feel comfortable pulling something together myself especially at the high school level. Science really isn't my thing.
We're all looking forward to our mini-vacation later in the week. It's time for our annual trip to New Hampshire to play in the snow. Only problem is that they don't have any snow! I guess it'll be time to play with the 8 month old nephew (who is as cute as a button!!) instead of in the snow. After that it's back to school probably for the duration. I don't think we'll take a spring break this year and instead just a few days off here and there to enjoy the nice weather.
Apparently I'm procrastinating in figuring out what science to do with Sweet Pea next year. I'm pretty sure it'll be biology but I'm not sure what we're going to use. I'd kind of like to do something totally out of the box with her but really don't feel comfortable pulling something together myself especially at the high school level. Science really isn't my thing.
We're all looking forward to our mini-vacation later in the week. It's time for our annual trip to New Hampshire to play in the snow. Only problem is that they don't have any snow! I guess it'll be time to play with the 8 month old nephew (who is as cute as a button!!) instead of in the snow. After that it's back to school probably for the duration. I don't think we'll take a spring break this year and instead just a few days off here and there to enjoy the nice weather.
13 February 2012
We've been busy!
We have been so busy recently. I can't believe that February is already halfway gone; it seems like it should still be January! I've been heading down to Massanutten Resort with Sweet Pea at least twice a week since late December for snowboard team practice. As long as she's focused, she has time to get her work done in the mornings before we have to leave. It just makes the week kind of hectic since I'm gone all afternoon/evening on Wednesdays and Thursdays. One of us has been taking her down on the weekends as well, so the time has just flown by! Rosie Jane has been keeping us busy as well; it's just been trying to keep up with everyone's schedule that's hard. March is coming up soon enough though and with that the end of snowboard season. I think they only have practice through the first weekend although the resort will hopefully be open later into the month.
Besides snowboarding, school has been moving along well. Their French and German classes have started up again. After a rough start (the company changed virtual classrooms) they're back on track and it's going well. Sweet Pea found out that their teacher might be offering an introduction to Russian class this summer. She really wants to take it but I'm not sure it will fit in with our schedule; we'll have to see.
It was a good move to ease up on some things while we're so busy with winter sports. It's almost time to start thinking about school for next year. I have a general outline for what the girls will be doing, pretty much just the next thing, but I still have some decisions to make. I need to figure out what Sweet Pea is going to use for biology and English, I need to decide if Rosie Jane is going to do two science classes next year (I'd like her to), and a few other things. I still have some time, catalogs will be out soon (look for Sonlight's April 1!), the convention is in June (I'd better check the calendar and make sure I can go). We'll probably start the new school year in August, but we'll just keep working for now and worry about next year in a month or so.
My "why we homeschool" for today - I was just sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper (yes, I still get a newspaper) and happened to glance up. The boy next door had just gotten home from high school and was letting his dog out, at the same time I was hearing Sweet Pea getting into the shower. Yes, she did all her work this morning in her pj's. Nothing unusual there. The only reason she got in the shower when she did is that we were supposed to have Girl Scouts this afternoon so she needed to get a move on and get dressed (had to cancel - one of our few girls was sick - feel better!!).
Besides snowboarding, school has been moving along well. Their French and German classes have started up again. After a rough start (the company changed virtual classrooms) they're back on track and it's going well. Sweet Pea found out that their teacher might be offering an introduction to Russian class this summer. She really wants to take it but I'm not sure it will fit in with our schedule; we'll have to see.
It was a good move to ease up on some things while we're so busy with winter sports. It's almost time to start thinking about school for next year. I have a general outline for what the girls will be doing, pretty much just the next thing, but I still have some decisions to make. I need to figure out what Sweet Pea is going to use for biology and English, I need to decide if Rosie Jane is going to do two science classes next year (I'd like her to), and a few other things. I still have some time, catalogs will be out soon (look for Sonlight's April 1!), the convention is in June (I'd better check the calendar and make sure I can go). We'll probably start the new school year in August, but we'll just keep working for now and worry about next year in a month or so.
My "why we homeschool" for today - I was just sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper (yes, I still get a newspaper) and happened to glance up. The boy next door had just gotten home from high school and was letting his dog out, at the same time I was hearing Sweet Pea getting into the shower. Yes, she did all her work this morning in her pj's. Nothing unusual there. The only reason she got in the shower when she did is that we were supposed to have Girl Scouts this afternoon so she needed to get a move on and get dressed (had to cancel - one of our few girls was sick - feel better!!).
20 January 2012
Readjusting
Like the lovely voice in the GPS says, I'm readjusting the direction of our school. We're only a few weeks into the new year but we need to readjust already. We've become super busy with a few things and I've decided that at least for now school needs to be simplified. Sweet Pea is on a snowboard team and since we live no where near a ski resort, she and I are doing a lot of driving. Totally worth it, but it takes a pretty good chunk of time out of our Wednesdays and Thursdays (not to mention Saturdays and the occasional Sunday).
I think at least for now, I'm going to set aside the French unit study I wanted Sweet Pea to do. It's an extra that she doesn't need right now. Maybe this summer. I'm going to focus on some basics with her for a couple of months, until the snowboard season is over; mainly math and science and her writing. Rosie Jane is another story, with other problems. I just need to figure out how to use my morning time more efficiently with them. I do need to keep them on track, especially Sweet Pea since she's in high school. Since she's a freshman, it's not quite a make or break year, but still things need to get done.
I think at least for now, I'm going to set aside the French unit study I wanted Sweet Pea to do. It's an extra that she doesn't need right now. Maybe this summer. I'm going to focus on some basics with her for a couple of months, until the snowboard season is over; mainly math and science and her writing. Rosie Jane is another story, with other problems. I just need to figure out how to use my morning time more efficiently with them. I do need to keep them on track, especially Sweet Pea since she's in high school. Since she's a freshman, it's not quite a make or break year, but still things need to get done.
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