tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post1973445737542123774..comments2024-03-08T13:52:22.224-07:00Comments on LAJOY FAMILY: Getting ThereCindy LaJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486626867331586704noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-73238884999136325772010-03-03T19:50:53.944-07:002010-03-03T19:50:53.944-07:00Dear Cindy,
It's so awesome to "feel"...Dear Cindy,<br />It's so awesome to "feel" you getting your sea legs again. I have to say, "I told you so," about the Saxon math. People either seem to love it or hate it, but I'm glad you like it. I think with more tactile learners it might fall short, but with an academe like Matthew, it is easy to see why it's a perfect fit. It really helped my boys.<br />As for the girls, your academic plans sound well thought out and a lot of fun. You are such a great mom and teacher, putting such careful thought into your program just as we benefit from your amazing insight in posts. I am also glad sports are coming in pretty fast, given Angela's background. I do think she would be highly resentful if that were taken away, even though I can definitely see the merits in bonding through some isolation for awhile. I would frankly support your decision either way, but my personal gut tells me that Angela will bond better if she is happy in her environment and her self-image is all bound up with being an athlete.<br />My last comment is about home school organization. Since there is a teacher component and a student component, I had shelves in their closet where they could stash their materials. That way things could be put in sideways (their preference) like in a locker, but be behind closed doors for company or when the day is done. Each closet has the standard organizer w/rods on each side and the shelves in the middle (I think I added shelves so each space was about 12" high). It's just too messy for a bookcase. Then, when we got our new home, I had a bookcase w/doors built in, as tall as it goes, for my stuff. Each kid had their graded materials in a set of paper folders and the grades were in the middle 3 hole binder in the middle of each paper folder, one folder per subject or area (like language arts). I had my teacher books and even the novels for literature & math facts cheat sheets for preparing for annual exams all on those (adjustable) shelves. For their weekly assignments, I used an expensive bound binder for each kid, which had a planner, their pens, paper, un-graded assignments and separators with tabs for each subject (to match my folders). As they completed assignments they put them behind the right tab, then I pulled it out to grade when I got around to it at the end of the week. They each had a lap pad of some sort for working on a couch or bed, and the kitchen table got lots of use, too. With multiple kids, keeping the stuff in one place for each was important, hence the binders. They each had a bookcase dresser in their rooms also for their own books (non-school books) and stuff. The only thing I could never organize was art, so let me know if you come up with something good for that! However, that's the same problem as public school so basically you just wait till they're grown to get your life back! SherryOhiomom2121https://www.blogger.com/profile/03512342459339771734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-13773541893288261402010-03-03T13:07:37.266-07:002010-03-03T13:07:37.266-07:00And someone else asked awhile back how to pronounc...And someone else asked awhile back how to pronounce Olesya? I've been saying it Oh-lay-suh, but I'm probably wrong.<br />Nancy againAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-51387336389253230722010-03-03T13:02:15.738-07:002010-03-03T13:02:15.738-07:00You are so right that learning is so much more tha...You are so right that learning is so much more than traditional academics. I think for now, as your girls are learning to settle into the love and form of family, your approach is excellent. I love that you have homeschool friends and others who are stepping in to offer classes or less "formal" teaching times with your kids. One thing I think you are teaching your kids that is invaluable, is that learning is a life long and varied experience. That will set them up to be learners throughout their lives.<br /><br />I also think just doing these fun and educational activities with the girls is certainly encouraging bonding. Learning alongside them, being excited about the things you are doing together, is surely doing great things for your relationships. They can see that Mom is on their side, excited about and interested in their learning.<br /><br />I can understand why you are overwhelmed! But you're making great progress.I can understand why none of this looks like anything you've ever done before, though some of it has similarities to things you've done with Matthew's schooling or your others boys' language learning. So you do have some great experience to fall back on. Academics in a new language is really hard. It's almost what made me not want to add another older child. I'd seen how hard it was for our first ELL (ESL) daughter at 10 1/2. But I knew, as you know, that family is what they are going to need all of their lives, so the academics just have to come as they can. We're in this for the long haul. If it ends up looking a little different than their peers, as far as how long they take to graduate or to be ready for college, that's just the way it is. It's not always easy for me to relax about how far behind they might be, but I just have to keep reminding myself. It's going to be what it's going to be. We can do all we can to help (ours are in public school), get extra helps at school, during the summer (we're going to hit math in a more structured way this summer than we have other summers), whatever. We just keep evaluating and "tweeking" as we go along. This is still new to us, having seldom needed to help our four older girls (3bio, one joining us at 12days old). But it's what we wanted to do...give another child the blessings of a family. The tough stuff comes with it, so we keep on keeping on. You will too, and with great help and creativity of your own.<br /><br />Nancy in the MidwestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-60336095784394318262010-03-03T09:07:20.184-07:002010-03-03T09:07:20.184-07:00While I heartily agree with all the praise and enc...While I heartily agree with all the praise and encouragement everyone is giving you, and I add my admiration and praise, I looked at my Redneck calendar this morning. It said: You might be a Redneck if you've ever argued over the fine line between home schooling and chronic truancy.<br /><br />Greetings to you who walk the fine line,<br />Lael<br /><br />P.S. And you walk it so conscientiously, organized, and creatively.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-23803090705644662362010-03-03T08:45:56.309-07:002010-03-03T08:45:56.309-07:00Cindy - You're doing great with the homeschool...Cindy - You're doing great with the homeschooling. Keep going and have confidence in what you're doing. The minds of children are like sponges - they're absorbing things all the time without even realizing it. Believe that they're getting what they need, both academically and - most importantly - emotionally. You're doing great.<br />-SusanC on the other side of the county<br />(where the sun is out and the snow is finally melting!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-30294189159841248832010-03-03T07:57:54.468-07:002010-03-03T07:57:54.468-07:00My prompt word this morning, in able to leave this...My prompt word this morning, in able to leave this message is "diggen". How appropriate--you are really diggen in. Can I hold your hand at least through the Theological Education Institute studies? Do you have an artist to encourage the art studies?<br /><br />LaelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-37485261476069746242010-03-03T06:57:11.216-07:002010-03-03T06:57:11.216-07:00I teach kindergarten, which is too young for your ...I teach kindergarten, which is too young for your kids. However, I think www.kidscount1234.com is an excellent resource. You can always change things to make them appropriate for your children. That website has some great math games that could help the girls with basic fact. Plus most activities use dice or cards, stuff you already have. Also, have you ever subscribed to mailbox magazine? They print different magazines for each grade and they are a great resource. When you subscribe you are also able to use their website which has tons and tons of ideas, worksheets, and crafts. A great thing about mailbox magazine is that it is not random. It is well planned out not only to follow seasons but also standards. Worth the $30 a year.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15967418540127005723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-74145992120353912172010-03-03T05:16:10.737-07:002010-03-03T05:16:10.737-07:00hi Cindy
you can delete my comment if you want.. ...hi Cindy <br />you can delete my comment if you want.. just wondered if Joshie and Kenny feel a bit left out going to school while all this is going on at home. I dont mean to be rude but wondered on thier take on it. Or is it that already they were used to it with Matthew in homeschooling. Again I wont be offended if you delete this comment.<br />Love JoyceJoycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11103468879639388287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-13145539474974878552010-03-03T04:37:19.627-07:002010-03-03T04:37:19.627-07:00Cindy
Here are some sites I used when teaching fir...Cindy<br />Here are some sites I used when teaching first grade. Readingatoz is a pay site but has a wealth of printable books from the lowest level through I think grade 5. Carls corner is just amazing with all sorts of phonics and stuff :)<br />I hope you can use some of it.<br />Kim in Korea<br /><br />http://www.carlscorner.us.com/<br />readingatoz.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com