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Thursday, 24 April 2008

  • Planning history for next school year...

    I didn't expect this to be so challenging!  I'm torn about what to do...  Right now I'm loving Sonlight's scope and sequence, though I'd probably scale down the literature and add in a few more classics...  I like the fact that they include some fun historical fiction selections too. But Ambleside Online makes so much sense to me, and I love the idea of spending more time on each time period.  Oh, and the literature selections are awesome!  Then there's the four year history cycle that keeps tugging at me.  Somehow combining the children into the same time period for history makes sense too, and I keep thinking this will lighten my load...  I don't know!  I did come up with a tentative scope and sequence I want to follow for history, but deciding what curriculum to use is the big decision!  I'm really close to making my own up, combining all the elements from my favorites...  But I keep thinking that will be too much work....  Ugh!  Especially having 5 kids.  The honest truth is that I never follow a curriculum guide completely... Here's my scope and sequence (I think this is my final draft, but I keep changing my mind!):

    K- Community awareness, holidays, family tree

    1st- Ancient World Cultures (Sonlight Core 1?)

    2nd- Middle Ages/Medieval times (Sonlight Core 2, AO Yr2 and Yr3?)

    3rd- Amercian History with a focus on famous Americans, 50 states

    4th- Geography, CA history (Beautiful Feet?)

    5th- American History

    6th- Ancient World History

    7th- Middle Ages/Reformation/Renaissance

    8th- American History/Modern History

    9th- Ancient/Middle Ages (Notgrass?)

    10th- 20th Century (Sonlight Core 300?)

    11th- US History (Notgrass)

    12- US Government/Civics (Notgrass or Sonlight Core 400)

    More thoughts to come...

Wednesday, 12 March 2008

  • Books we're reading...

    It's a standard requirement to be reading a book here at our crazy, busy home...  Except for dad, he prefers ESPN and the Golf Channel.    So here's the update...

    Mom




    Chris




    Mimi
       


    Xav



    Audeez
      

  • A quick thought on abbreviations

    I was reading my blog, as well as others, and a thought crawled into my mind... Do you use abbreviations?  At the moment when you are trying to type as quickly as the words are running out of your mind to your fingertips, it may seem like the logical thing to do.  But honestly, it gets annoying reading abbreviated words/chat acronyms in blogs after a while. (I hope I didn't offend you if you use them... I totally understand why you do.  I actually just decided not to, at this particular moment!  Let's see how long that lasts!). Hey, please don't feel like I'm judging anyone for using abbreviations, bad grammar, not capitalizing, etc...  I'm not correcting blogs for grades, seriously!  Just expressing a thought here.  Not only are blogs a great way to vent and decompress, but they are a creative outlet that allows you to articulate your thoughts and feelings in your own personal prose.  I think it's so cool when you can get a feel for a person's personality, just by their rambling words. I loved to write in high school... Hopefully I won't go nuts on you all, writing 5 paragraph essays every blog!    I just went back and changed some abbreviations in my last blogs.  HA!  Oh well, call me a freak...  But one thing is for sure...  I can't stop using my favorite--LOL! 

Monday, 10 March 2008

  • Now I remember why I got out

    of working in a Skilled Nursing Facility, aka a Nursing Home or Convalescent Home...The last time I worked in one was about 10 years ago.  I returned to working more hours due to financial needs right now.  I took this job because it was close by and had available hours. Last night, I was the only nurse for 45 patients!  We were short staffed, so I was on my own.  Another nurse did come in early for her shift to help, but for the most part, I was providing substandard care.  It was the best I could do for the moment.  And the administration (who are all salaried employees) didn't step in to help.    That's just plain WRONG! The other staff members say this is usual.  I usually work in hospice, providing one on one, quality, compassionate care.  Last night, I provided none of those, but did alleviate some physical pain with pain medication.  I don't want to do this anymore, and will be looking for another job this week; as soon as I recover from the emotional and physical exhaustion from that night! 

Sunday, 09 March 2008

  • CA homeschooling hype

    I've really tried to be calm and not affected by all this homeschooling hype...  If you don't know what I'm talking about, a recent court ruling stated that basically, parents cannot homeschool their children in California unless they are credentialed teachers... One thing to keep in mind is that the law has not changed.  I am still legally "homeschooling" my child under a Private School Affidavit (PSA) and in compliance.  They better not come knocking at my door, accusing me of truant kids!  The governor is getting involved now, and from what I'm reading and hearing, it's a good thing!  I just watched Terminator 2 on TV the other night... I can see Arnie bum rushing the courts, shot gun in hand, and saying to them "Hasta la vista... Baby!"  LOL...  But seriously, I'm not worried, but more annoyed that the government thinks they have the right to take away our rights as parents...  We tried the traditional public school system, and it didn't work for us, to put it kindly.  Hopefully, this will settle down, and legislators will find something else to entertain themselves...  I don't have time to read every article, post, or opinion on this matter.  I'll just pray instead and leave it to God to figure out!