One of these days we will make it through a week without someone crying, either myself or the girls. One day! Until then, we plod along.
There were more good moments than tearful moments at least. For starters, #1 is flying right along in math. I really like the way that Saxon has so much review of concepts that have come before, adding just enough of something new in so that they are constantly learning, but enough review that nothing ever really gets rusty. It is exactly what #1 needs. She has confidence when she looks at a lesson and already knows and understands 90% of it, which goes so far in her attitude about completing the lesson. I'm so thankful that her being the oldest and all my experimenting with different math curriculums didn't set her back at all!
Another huge triumph was #2 writing a paper completely on her own, and having it actually be a really excellent paper. Up to this point we have brainstormed together and then she has dictated to me what she wanted to write and I would type it up for her. We would then go over it together and make any corrections and she would write the final draft by herself. This time we brainstormed together and then I told her she was on her own for writing her rough draft and then we would go over it together to make any corrections. She asked a couple of questions as she was writing her rough draft, but it she wrote the whole thing on her own. I was kind of dreading reading it wondering how much correction there would have to be. Imagine my delight when there were just a few grammatical errors that needed correcting. She had added all of her dress ups as she was writing, she didn't have to go back and add anything. I was one happy mama! I could see the mechanics of IEW finally starting to click in her brain. First you do this, then you do that, followed by that, and when you've done all of it you'll be ready to write your paper just like you planned. So awesome!
Our tears this week come to you courtesy of #3. I don't know if it's because we've had several weeks lately that have been short because of travel, or if she never really grasps the concept before we moved on, but she is really struggling in math. I can not get her to understand these two concepts. Individually she understands them, but put both kinds of problems on the page and she is at a compete loss. Adding manipulative into the mix just seems to make it worse. She can't remember how she is supposed to build one or the other. Thankfully, Math-U-See has online resources so we've completely stopped working in the book and are going back over the material until she is ready to move on. And part of it is my fault. I really dislike teaching the younger grades of math. Honestly, sometimes I feel like if I have to say, "Nine wants to become ten" one more time! Well, you get it. But next week is another week! Hopefully with no tears!
Today #1 had a mock tournament for her speech and debate club she is a part of. She just did the speech part this time. I'm not crazy about the debate topic: "Bio-surveillance is better at fighting bio-terrorism than bio-security." Yeah--that's what I thought too. I judged a couple rounds of debate and I had to watch myself so I didn't go cross eyed just listening to it. So #1 was prepared to go in and give her speech that she had prepared. Turns out she also had to do impromptu speaking as well. Something she wasn't prepared for at all. #1 doesn't do well with things suddenly sprung on her. But she handled it very well and the feed back she got will help her improve. She and I are exhausted after our long day, but it was worth going to!
Lastly, I have finally started moving forward with trying to organize a homeschool choir. We got a lead about another choir in the area, but they are even more expensive than the first one we looked in to. If we only had one child interested in choir we could swing it, but since we have three right now it just isn't an option. I put the question out there with three different groups as to whether there would be any interest in a homeschool choir. There was enough interest for me to start seriously looking in to it. I'm actually really looking forward to this challenge. I know there is going to be a lot of work involved, but it's about something I'm passionate for my girls. It'll be worth it in the end!
My weekend is not over yet. I still have three dishes to make for the luncheon tomorrow at church. Hubby promised to help though so hopefully it won't take long and I can sit down and do nothing for a bit before falling asleep! And then we'll start all over again with a new week. At least we get to start with the Lord's Day!
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