Summer Curriculum In Action

Math camp continues, and Haley is working on exponents and negative numbers...order of operations, and even a short introduction to square roots!!  She's feeling like a math whiz, and her teacher emailed me to share that Haley is engaged in class, asking lots of questions, and seems to be excited about learning!!

Writing camp continues.  Haley has learned how to write a theses statement, and is working on grammar.  Additionally, she is reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  During week 1 of her Art Camp, she was scheduled to miss writing camp, BUT the writing teacher agreed to teach Haley one-on-one so she wouldn't be behind the following week.  He said, Haley was very engaged in the 1-on-1 session.  And Haley said she prefers the 1-on-1 session.

Art camp was a HIT.  They painted, did paper mache' and sculptures.  Spent 2 hours each day with an art instructor and 4 other children was time they enjoyed.  There's one more session later this month.

Horseback riding continues.  Haley has already "graduated" to a larger horse.  They are comfortable on the horse, and know horse etiquette.  Ian and Hana are there as well, learning side-by-side.  Just them with the teacher.

Homesteading:  All the children continue to nurture our garden, care for the hens and dogs, and do light chores around the house.

Hana continues gymnastics.  The teacher said she needs to practice "following directions"...so we're working on that at home so she can make the Team in December.

Martial Arts:  Ian continues kung-fu, HOWEVER, we have moved him to a studio closer to home.  As the girls get busier, and Dad gets more contracts, it became increasing burdensome to go way across cities for him to do something that he can very well do a mile or two from the house.  Additionally, I appreciate the diversity and African American leadership at the studio close to the house, which I think is great for Ian since my own father (his grandfather) is dead.

The kung-fu place by the house ALSO teaches a karate component - so really it's "martial arts."  But NOT Tae Kwondo.  So, it works!!

Leadership training and Music:  Haley has started teaching Hana piano. This allows Haley to establish her teaching style, practice being a fair and effective instructor, and start working on writing her Intro to Piano book with her piano teacher!!

Haley watched an Artemis webinar on Branding YOU.  So she can begin learning about her *reputation* and personal style and brand (because its never to early).

Time management:  Haley has been introduced and is utilizing a *schedule*!!  It looks something like this:
10:00a - wake up/use bathroom
10:10 - make breakfast/get dressed
10:30 - Math assignments (or move ahead)
11:30 - break
11:40 - Writing assignments (or read if completed); speech
12:30 - Lunch
1:00p - Piano (for 2 hours)
3:00p - Harp* (for 30 minutes)
3:30 - DONE with schedule

Of course she can modify as necessary.  And on days that she actually has lessons or class, THAT is the time that is used for that activity.  She realizes she may need to "borrow" time from one subject if another is due sooner.  And on some days, her days are going to be longer (if her motivation to complete the assignments is lower).  It's lighter on the weekends.  But, essentially, this is her daily schedule (that she can modify, as mentioned).

*We have a new harp teacher that comes to our home - further attempts to maximize our time and avoid spending/wasting it in the car.

Ethics/Spirituality:  We have TONS of "Mommy Wisdom Lectures" whereby at teaching moments, particularly when it comes to leadership training (don't make your sister cry), and concept of humanity/ethics (sharing cautionary tales from the news, or delving into deeper conversations about self-image, self-respect, state of the World politically, socially, etc) we can engage in long (sometimes hours at a time a couple of times a day) exchanges that only a Mommy can with her Daughter!  I estimate at least 30 minutes of "this time" a day.  Always impromptu.  Primarily because I'm HOME and and TIME...so as things happen or issues arise, I am there and available to talk it out with her (and SHE is present and available to receive it).  As I spiritually feed myself (though various means, including Church and personal reading, Earthing and meditating) I allow myself to be a channel so I can share it with her.  (Of course its age-appropriately adjusted for the younger children).

Social etiquette:  We've been to, and plan to attend a few deliberately different social settings (scholarship dinner, formal dance, pool party with colleagues, dining out, being thoughtful and helpful, etc).

Of course there's plenty of time for fun socialization - water fun, pool fun, fun with friends, going out to eat, bowling, birthday parties, and church (socialization at its most effective).

Financial literacy:  Renewed bond with Grandma yielded cash gifts that were used to learn about shopping and saving.  For Haley, this entailed going to the bank and opening a checking account - with a real debit card!

Safety:  We practice water safety.  Hana now knows how to swim!!  (Still not super strong, but she doesn't sink to the bottom.  She only needs to practice breathing while she swims - coming up for air, dog-paddle, etc).

Debate:  Haley is doing a Speech/Debate Camp as well, which is scheduled for next week.

Homeschooling Workshop:  I attended a homeschooling workshop and discovered an entire university-type facility that offers classes in almost everything!!  Theater and social opportunities as well (such as dances and sports teams for homeschooled children).  At this workshop it was emphasized that we should really take time to get to KNOW our child's learning style.  So I'm reading this great book:  Discover Your Child's Learning Style.  The kids and I have been taking "quizzes" so we can all learn about our learning styles.  It has been enlightening.  One of those elements of being human that you tend to under-acknowledge, but it is SO important!!

Preparation for Fall:  I have purchased ALL OF THE TEXT BOOKS (except one book for Haley, and the supplies/books that need to be purchased at registration) for Haley and Ian for the 2013-14 academic year.  I also completely organized and created excel documents for the children's curricula.



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To do:
Get Classroom Ready
Finish Discover Your Child's Learning Style
Purchase that last Life Science Book for Haley
Try to find/connect with Secular Homeschoolers locally

Upcoming:
Debate Camp
New Karate/Kung-fu (consideration for Haley to take lessons as well, but possibly in the Fall)
Trips:  Portland and Atlanta (then later Washington DC) - that takes planning and preparing to maximize the learning time.