Snow by Emily Platt

Snow

by Emily Platt

On the crunchy ground

under kid's feet

is slippery, sloshy snow

being smashed by feet.

The Mystery of the Tossed Newspaper

The Mystery of the Tossed Newspaper
by Karli

     That afternoon while Teegan was doing her homework she heard a crash.  She hurried outside and saw Ms. Cupseye cleaning up some of her tea cup that spilled.  

"Good afternoon, Ms. Cupseye, what's the problem?  It happened again?  You spilled your cup?"

"Yes, but this time I didn't spill it and my newspaper's gone."

"Didn't you see it?"

"No, because I went inside."

"Oh. Ummmm.... why don't you make a new one?"

"I can't drink because I need my newspaper."

"Why can't you drink without it?"  Teegan asked.

"Because I need to see the news, so I can see if anybody put poison in my cup."

"Well...where did you put your cup when you went inside?"

She replied, " On the edge."

"Hey, did you let your cat out?"

"Yes."

"Where is his favorite spot to lay?"

"By the bushes."

She looks by the bushes and looks on the cat's tail.  Ahhhhhhh, that weded.

"Your cat knocked the cup over" Teegan said.

"How?" she said.

"You put your cup on the edge.  You went inside and your cat came out and knocked over the cup that made the newspaper fall."

Teegan handed Ms. Cupseye her newspaper and walked away with a smile.   

A Snip and a Snap

A Snip and A Snap

by Karli

That day we went to the hairshop  I didn't want to go because I had long, black hair and it was winter.  It was a chilly, cold day.  My ma took my hand and I followed along.

As we walked in a nice man took me in.  He placed me in a chair and put a towel on me.  Then he washed my hair.  Next he snipped and snapped.

After I was done, I looked in the mirror with amazement.  I loved it.

I thanked the man and I walked out the door.  I felt a chill, but it was a nice breeze.  I think I'm going to have a wonderful winter.

Baseball Player

John Platt

by John Platt

I am a baseball player

I wonder what will happen in the game

I hear the coaches yelling

I see the pitcher on the mound

I want to steal a base

I am a baseball player

I pretend to be Jackie Robinson and steal home plate

I feel that pressure is on me

I touch homebase

I am worried what the call will be, I hope I will be safe

I am a baseball player

I understand I might be out

I say I must be safe for the umpire stretches out his arms "SAFE!"

I dream what will happen for we will celebrate

I am a baseball player

The Monster by Karli Platt

Once there lived a monster, very hungry and smacky.  In the forest lived a pretty little girl named Saige who had brown hair.  She lived on a tree.  When it stormed she always had a shelter.  One day when she slept the monster crept to find food.  When he heard a yawn the monster ran toward the noise.  Saige heard the paws.  She was scared.  So she went away to the city.  She never, never knew how busy it was because her parents left her in the forest.  She hurried toward a High School.  When she entered everyone stared.  She looked around the corner and saw the monster.  AHHHHHHHH..........  She ran out of the High School, but the city was filled with monsters.
She woke up.  "Where am I?  Did I get swallowed up by the monsters?  I can fight him," she thought.  "Saige, it is time for school." She heard her mom yell.  "But what about the monsters," she thought.  "It was probably just a bad dream.  She actually lived in a house.  She got dressed and went to school.  And there were no monsters.  Just Saige.

The Baseball and Bat by Emily (another homeschool literary adventure)

The Baseball and the Bat

One day the Baseball said

to the Bat

"Why do you hit me?"

"Because I like to," replied the Bat

Then the Baseball and the Bat 

got into a fight (or duel)

And everytime the Baseball was about to get hit

It covered its eyes

And how do I know?

Because the Mit told me so.

By Emily Platt

Homeschool Literature Project

My daughter, Karli, wrote and illustrated this book.  We hope you enjoy.

Chicago Virtual Charter School

This year for homeschool we have done something a little bit different.  J was getting older and heading into fourth grade and the twins were now going into second and our youngest is finally in first grade.  So, God lead us to Chicago Virtual Charter School.  It is perfect for what I needed.  I did like lesson planning, I like to be able to see how much we have accomplished and how much more we need to do, I like to know where I should be for the year and also needed someone with more expertise to guide me with my kids writing skills (which I stink at!).  So, we signed up.  J was the first one to be accepted and slowly the other three were enrolled.  By the beginning of November we finally had all of them in the school and we are now caught up to where we should be and are excited to head back into it after Christmas Break. 

The curriculum is from K12.  It is a great curriculum and it is even offered as a private school and you can purchase it for your own homeschool.  Check it out!  Post a comment if you have any questions regarding the program.  Especially if you are looking into it.  I would love to help out! 

The kids have some great teachers they are assigned to and I am technically their Learning Coach.  They provide the computer needed to access the school and provide all the curriculum.  The teachers are amazing and help out in any way needed.  It has been helpful and taken a lot of stress off of me and has met the needs of me to keep homeschooling.  They kids get to attend award ceremonies and work towards a goal of completing their studies.  I am excited about this opportunity.  The kids were really hesitant, but enjoy it (most days). 

The PERFECT way to organize your homeschool!

So, if you have read my last couple of posts every year I try and find the best way to organize my school. 

Have you ever had a situation where people tell you over and over and over again about the way you should do things...but to.no.avail because you DON'T LISTEN?

Yeah, well this is that. 

This is the perfect site for all of your homeschooling needs:  donnayoung.org.  I have had friends telling me for years about it and have gone there, looked and left.  Not this time.  I have chosen to use the quarterly planner for my subjects to keep track.  I kind of started doing it the hand written form before, but was able to find a fill in form on her website and quickly did three subjects for 9 weeks for next year.  I can't wait.  I found THIS YEARS' organizational plan.  Each year I seem to change with how life is changing.  What new thing are you doing this year?

My Organized Homeschool Schedule...yeah, right!

So, I saw this picture on Google and fell in love with it.  Why, because that is how I feel.  Especially at the end of our homeschool year.  At the beginning, yeah I had it all together (at least it looked that way!).  But, truly it is hard to be organized trying to teach four kids, in three different grades.  So, as I do EVERY YEAR at the end of school I search the blogs.  For what, you ask?  For more ideas on how to coordinate our schooling, to make it better.  I take what I learned from last year, and try and tweak it.  I ALWAYS get to March or April and start DYING!  Literally.  I drop all my good ideas, creative incentives and just push toward the goal we all have...to be done!  I have many different ideas I have done in the past: 
*Progress Report Night
*Revised Workbox Idea
*Summary of things learned a couple of years ago

This year I started out with a new idea and it was great, but hard to keep up.  So, I switched to another one during the year.  Here is what I learned this year.  Hopefully, it will help you, if not be entertained.

I started this year with a chart (thought I had a picture, but can not find it. Will have to post when I do.) that my kids could move over a subject tab (that had velco on the back) to the done section.  I did this so they could keep track of their progress and then they wouldn't keep asking me if they were almost done.  This worked great, but I only got two done in time for school to start and the other two never got one...yeah, remember I am only semi-organized. 8-)  So, since I didn't have ones for all the idea went by the wayside.  So, I also found that one of my students (I won't label which one) kept saying he was done with his work, but would not complete all said tasks.  I would not figure this out until I would grade everything at the end of the week.  So, then I had to come up with a new system.  They all had a notebook and I would write the assignments in the notebook and then as they accomplished the work I would grade it and check it off.  Then they could get a sticker at the top of the page, should this happen they would get their three school dollars for the day.  At the end of the week, the school store would open and they could buy items (priced differently) at the store.  This worked great and if they didn't listen then I would take a school dollar away.  This worked great until March...then I just wanted to plow through and didn't enforce it so much...I paid for it.  We will do this next year. 

These are some of my ideas, and I have been researching some more.  I am always open to hearing new ideas.  Please let me know yours.  I will be posting soon about how I scheduled things.  It wasn't perfect, but maybe it would help you out in your scheduling.  That is what makes us all better picking ideas from others to work.  Now, if I could just finish what I start I would be on the right track!  One day at a time!

Homeschool, Year 4, has come to an end

Crazy, four years ago I didn't not think that I would be here.  Ending.  Year 4.  Four crazy years.  Each year I learn something from the previous and use it to make it better the next year.  Maybe by the time they all graduate I will actually have a great system down.

As we tie the last strings it gets harder and harder to focus, with the springtime air and the fun that can be found outside.  It is hard to look at math facts and see what you are suppose to be learning.

This year we made an awesome school room (see previous post here) and now we are MOVING IT

yeah, after ALL.THAT.WORK. last year...it is changing AGAIN!

What worked this year:

*School store (check)

*Report cards (check) (at least I had them at the beginning of the year)

*Set schedules (check)

*School check off sheets (check)

What DIDN'T work:

Yeah, I am not up for that right now...too overwhelming, I'm going to have to check back with you on that....

I still can't believe that I have a fourth grader next year, two second graders and a first grader.  It still does seem possible.  Not at all possible.  But, it is.  Each year flys by.  They get older, look older, you feel older, and you can't stop it.  It is a wonderful process.  To look back over a year and see the leaps and bounds your child has made.  That is MY FAVORITE thing about homeschooling...I have been there to see every step of the way.  I mean EVERY.  I might not have loved EVERY moment, but I have cherished EVERY moment. 

This is so not where I was headed with the blog post.  But, here is it.  Another down and another one to look forward to.  Exciting times to find.  I would love for you to share any of yours.  Good and bad.  We can all learn from both. 

Happy school ending!

O.D.E. to Joy

Other than my kids loving the new "Friday" song by Rebecca Black, they love Friday because of O.D.E. (One Day Enrichment).  That is why I call it Ode to Joy.  It brings them JOY.  Seriously, it is one day a week where, as they like to call it, they go to school.  Yep.  I am not school.  O.D.E. is school.  It is a day where the kids have the classes that are harder to do at home, and are a lot more fun in a group.  This includes Science, History, Art, P.E. and Unit Study...and of course Lunch Period.  My husband is the gym teacher at O.D.E. and he took these pictures during a few classes that he has.  I mean, I would want to go instead of being with mom AGAIN...wouldn't you? 

 I like that they have this opportunity to go and learn from other teachers and learn in a different way than I might teach them.  They love their classes and have a chance to get a taste of "real school".  I do have to say that I am glad that I don't have to pack school lunches every day.  Once a week is enough for me. **Smile** 

I am thankful to Mr. Jones, the science teacher, this year.  He has made John realize that he loves science and now he wants to become a scientist when he grows up (or an artist).  Kiley has realized that she LOVES art.  I am excited to see where that goes.  Karli has learned to make a new friend this year, which has been a big thing for our shy one.  Next Friday will be the last one for the year.  I don't know what the kids will do without it for the summer...oh I know...more time with me!!!  I bet they can't wait!! 

The Bone Song

Our School Room

So, this year we actually have a school room. 

I know a lot of families who do their school work on the kitchen counter.  We tried. 

Could. not. focus. 

We tried it in the living room and dining room.

 Too much distraction. 

Not for the kids, for me.  All I could focus on was all the other things that needed to be done.   

Then we moved upstairs to the middle room between the two bedrooms.  It got to messy because that is where the toys are too.  We were stepping over things to get to our desks (which we got because I thought that would help us focus). 

Unable to concentrate. 

And the temptation to play with the toys was too much. 

There is so much to teach to four kids in various grades I needed a place to focus.  So, out went one of the bedrooms and we turned it into a class room.  Here are some pictures of our room:

 Here are the desks against the wall (so they won't get distracted (*smile*).  The green school desk use to be my husbands when he was little, so it is special to have in our house.  The one to the left we found on http://www.craigslist.org/ and the other two a great friend of mine gave to us. 

 Here is our craft area and a relaxing couch to sit on to read.  You can't see it in the picture, but on the table we have a classroom pet (we are pet sitting).  His name is Hamilton. 

 Above is my school des and to the left is a place to store things and my copier sits.  We have art and so some of the projects are displayed behind my desk. 

Here is a special computer station which the kids are doing a Spanish program on.  The closet is perfect because it is separate and less distracting.  I also can print out anything we need on the copier. 

So here is our school room.  The best part is I can close the door when we are doing school AND when we are not doing school.  It is used for just that.  School.  And nothing else. 

I would love to hear where you do school and how it works for you?

Progress Report Night

Tonight was Progress Report Night at our house.  This is the first year we have done this.  My son last year said he would really like our school to be like a "real" school...homework and all.  So this year, I have done just that.  I will post more about that in another post.  So, tonight was our first Progress Report Night and the kids were excited. 

They got the school room ready.  Cards for Dad made.  Excitement to find out how they are doing. 

We had a special meeting with each one.  J.W.,our third grader, knew there were days he did not do his best and was worried about getting a "C".  I went to Donna Young website and printed off templates for a report card and had it all filled out.  They showed off the art work they have done so far this year and enjoyed explaining things they do during the day.  It was a great night to encourage and guide.  It was an "easy" way to let them know where they needed to work harder or where they were doing a great job.  In six more weeks there is a Report Card that will go out.  There are a couple of companies near our house that reward good report cards and the kids can't wait to get their grades where they need to be to get the extra special treat. 

New website for homeschooling only

Hi, if you followed my blog because of the homeschooling aspects then just to let you know I have moved over to a new website.  You can check it out at http://www.teachertofour.blogspot.com/ .  We look forward to seeing you over there.  Thanks. 

Personal blogs will continue soon on here. 

Is homeschooling right for me?

So, the common question is, is homeschooling wrong or right?  I think it is neither.  Every kid is different, every family is different, every city and every school is different.  So, I can't say if it is right for you or not.  For my family, right now, this year, it is right.  Next year. We shall see.
                          We take one year at a time. 
Some people ask me all the time if we are going to do this the whole time they are in school.  I. don't. know.  Only God know that. Literally. 

So, you are wondering about homeschooling.  I prayed.  I asked God if that is what He wanted me to do.  I looked at all the situations. 

Do I have a degree in teaching...NO WAY!  Can I learn.  YES!  I will be honest.  My first grade teacher never taught me phonics.  Yep.  I learned phonics with my son, as I taught him.  My husbands saying, "You only have to be one lesson ahead."  I told my son, as I was teaching him, that I was learning with him.  He appreciated it. 

Do I like teaching?  Nope.  I specifically didn't want to be a teacher.  But, I am.  And I am starting to find my way and loving it. 

Am I perfect?  Nope.  But, I can try.

Am I going to get everything right?  Nope.  But, I can try.

Do you get where I am going?  No.  You can try! 

Homeschooling is decided on what you think is best for your child.  In that time.  That is what matters.  Right now this is what is best.  Do I despise school, no.  Schools are great.  I use to go to one myself and loved it. 

Bottom line:  What is best for your family and your child... and do it!

Our Fall Harvest

This is our "farm" (as the neighbors like to call it).  We decided to do all corn this year.  There was a lot going on at our house when it was time to plant, so we decided to try our hand at corn again.  They said it couldn't be done.  But, look at this corn!

We had some with our meal the other night.  It was delicious!This corn is especially special.  It reminds us of my wonderful father-in-law who was the most amazing guy when it came to growing a crop.  This crop is in honor of him.  We happened to plant the corn the morning he past away (before we found out).  So, it was very memorable when we ate it.  We thought of him the whole time.  I think that must be why we did so well!  He taught us well!  Thanks Wes! 

Picture this!

The other day I found this great book at the library. So, on this fine summer morning I decided to do a small lesson on Impressionism. We discussed Camille Pissarro's painting entitled The Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning. As seen here:

After discussing his techniques there was an opportunity and activity to try out one of the techniques he used in some of his paintings. So here are some of our pictures using oil pastels/crayons and watercolors. We had fun. I made the rule that the kids only had one sheet of paper to work with so they had to really focus on what they wanted to do. Here are our "Pissarro" paintings.

Where we have been and where we are going

There has a lot happened since I last wrote in mid-April. Some I can't really talk about, but will sometime at a later date. It has been a hard couple of months, but also filled with love, learning, growing, heartache, teaching, unforgettable moments, and prayer. There have been big events which I just don't have time to put on here, but I we have the memories and some on our own computer. Our camera (and Jason's wallet) were stolen when our car was broken into early May. So, some pictures we would have taken but will be forever itched on our memories.

Emily and Kiley turned 7 and we celebrated by a "spend the night" party...the girls just didn't spend the night! It was a fun time. We made homemade pizzas, made our own lip gloss, gave each other manicures, told "ghost stories", decorated purses and then capped it off with watching The Little Mermaid on a big screen while enjoying some great popcorn. It was a great evening and I loved watching the girls just enjoy being fun little girls.

Jason graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with his Masters. It was an eight year track...but he finished strong and we were so proud to watch him cross that stage! My mom has those pictures...think of I need to download them from her computer...anyway he was the handsomest graduate out there and too bad I don't have the pictures to prove it. It would make you all jealous, really. Hmmmmm...

This past week we were able to enjoy some strawberry picking. I have gone blueberry picking, but I was really looking forward to trying my hand at strawberry picking. We had fun! Here are some photos (with our new camera!) of the fun time:

I'm a little bias, but are they the cutest kids ever!!!

Here is a picture of that handsome graduate I was talking about! Isn't he dreamy???

Below is a picture of some of the best in-laws you could have. Wes is such a trooper and fighter! He was diagnosed with brain cancer in April 2007 and given 6 months to a year...three years later he is still fighting and has such an amazing attitude. He has been an example to our whole family and tons of others who have had the privilege to meet him during this journey. We were so excited to celebrate 66 years!!!! He is such an AMAZING man of God!

We gave him a photo frame with pictures of him having some great fun times with the kids. The kids then told me what they thought of when they thought of Grandpa. So we had four frames filled with their description of him. John said he was AWESOME! Emily said she loved being with him and that he was fun and she loved seeing him. Kiley said he was funny and Karli said he was funny AND cute! He loved it. In this picture he is hiding his enthusiasm. 8-)

While we were there Grandma decided to have some special things to have around the house for the kids to play when...just when they come. The girls got some homemade paper dolls, which are amazing. Grandma told Jason and John to go to the store and pick out a basketball to have around. They came back with this:
John's first BB gun. Jason said, "At least it wasn't the skateboard he wanted"...hmmmm...
Here is a picture of John helping out Wes' physical therapist. John enjoyed helping out Grandpa. He sat up the longest he has "sat" up in a long time. I think the grand kids cheering him on had something to do with it! *-)

So that is where we have been. Where are we going...crazy, that's what! 8-) No, due to circumstance (which I can't blog about) the kids will be doing school during the summer, but that doesn't mean not having fun! Stay tuned for more about what our summer school is going to include. I can't wait to find out myself. Also, there has been some research going on in regard to ideas for workboxes and creative learning activities I want to blog about. So check back for more!