Homeschool Highlights - Week of November 29, 2009

Days 55 - 60

*Note to self:  I don't know why I continue to track our days.  Our state requires 180 days of instruction.  Hubby and I made the executive decision that we will probably choose to homeschool all year around. 

I realized that some may wonder why I include children's church, King's Kids, and other activities as school.  Since my daughter still has sensory and separation anxiety issues, I attend all of these things with her.  I am not only her mother, but her 24/7 educational/social aide.  Overprotective?  Yes, I admit, but I feel like I am forever educating people on celiac disease, food allergies, and learning differences.  There are still many activities my daughter can not do, or must do differently.  How on earth do you plan for all this?  I'm sure most people think I'm totally insane!

Last week for example, the kids were making a paper chain to decorate the church.  However, they didn't glue or tape the chain together, like I always had as a child.  They had pre-cut, pre-pasted pieces that you had to lick to stick together.  Ugh, that's a no-no for celiac!  Envelope glue contains wheat, so I'm assuming these did to.  That was easy enough.  I wet a paper towel and Shayla was able to join in the fun. 

The same day they were supposed to design something perfect using playdough.  Shayla loves playdough, we use it all the time, BUT, again, the playdough you buy in the store or make at home contains flour, flour is wheat.  Not safe for celiac.  I don't have a problem with Shayla playing with regular playdough.  We use it at home, because she is at the age where she does not typically put her hands in her mouth.  And I tend to remind her once.  After clean up we immediately go and wash her hands. 

Back to this week!

Sunday:  Children's Church.  Living Inside Out:  Starquest Program. 

Shayla must be improving in many areas.  I thought it was going to be a recipe for disaster, but she handled herself well. 

This week was not like any other.  Michele, the children's church leader was called into worship to play piano.  Her daughter and helper, Abby, was called in to lead the praise team. Shayla adores both these gals because they have a good control over situations and that is really an important security issue for her. 

 And there were SEVENTEEN children in the children's church room.  Ages from 1 to 11.  Normally small children and babies make Shayla nervous because she associates them with crying.  Crying hurts her ears. 

We quickly came in and she took her seat.  I could tell she was very uncomfortable with her back turned to the small children who where playing with toys on the floor behind her.  She was probably worried about getting whopped upside the head with one of those annoying, noisy toys.  Anyway, since she was on the end of the table, I asked if she would like to sit on the very end so she could face the children.  She liked this idea.  She was able to do her papers without incident like this. 

Phys Ed:  We played outside for quite a bit of the afternoon.

Working on self-help/life skills:  She made peanut butter crackers for hubby's snack and folded wash cloths and dish towels and put them away.  I've learned to give up my perfectionist tendencies.  All the ritz peanut butter crackers were "inside out." And never mind how many verbal lessons I had to give on folding the squares.  Top to bottom, left to right.  Instead, praise, praise, praise.  She was using her hands and building her self confidence.  As an additional bonus, while she was working beside me, she was not making another mess for me to clean up.

Monday: 

Fine Motor/Christmas/Math:  I'm so tired of real school.  It's not as much fun, so we got out the playdough and made many creations.  Then we made simple addition and subtraction problems with playdough cut-outs.

King's Kids Program.  Seeing increased self-confidence.  More facial expressions.  Again, she is walking across the room and throwing away her trash at snack time and trying to complete the craft by herself. 

*Note to self:  I started Shayla on Super NuThera supplement today.  This is supposed to be the gold standard in ASD vitamins.  We'll see. . .

Tuesday: 

Reading:  Finished reading The Sheep Mess.  This is the last book of Series 2.  Shayla also earned another circle for her caterpillar.  On the circles, I write the names of all the books she has read aloud to me.  This is a good visual reminder for her.

We finished up the phonics review workbook we had been working on.  Instead of jumping into the Abeka (because I want to use the language, spelling, reading programs together), I am having her work on a packet of workbook pages each day from various workbooks.  Some are even preschool level, but it is good review for her. 

Continued working on the All About Me section on Starfall.  She did the section Where Do I Sleep?  She is enjoying making these stories about herself.

Math:  Calendar:  Each month we change our perpetual calendars and talk about special dates coming up.  She also enjoyed playing the virtual calendar at Starfall. 

Exercises:  We enjoyed the unseasonably warm temperatures for an Ohio day, on December 1.  Just the usual stuff.  Shayla has really come to enjoy the outside time.  Luckily, we have been able to go outside everyday since we began the brain balancing program!  I do have backup plans, though, because it is OHIO!

We use this board to practice balancing skills.

Writing:  We will be finished with badge 4 this week.  She has been counting the days since she mailed in for badge 3. 

Exercises:  No I didn't forget that we did that already.  It was such a nice day that we spent another half hour outside exploring and playing.

Reading/Art:  We started a small unit study for Bible - letter T.  She learned about trees.  I read A Tree is Nice and she made this tree craft with paint and tissue paper pieces. 

Wednesday: 

Exercises:  We snuck outside today before the 3 inches of rain we're supposed to get came.

Reading:  Shayla started with series 3 readers today.  She was in for a surprise!  There was a big difference between level 2 and 3.  There were more words, the print was smaller and was not in bold type.  Still she did great!  I think this boosted her little ego even more!

Writing:  Finished up Badge 4. She gets the rest of the week off from handwriting.  LOL!

Scouts at Home:  We have neglected this this year.  We are starting to work on the Puppets and Plays badge that we started on previously.

Thursday: 

Reading:  Shayla enjoyed reading her reader to Dad today. He was also impressed by how well she is coming along.  It boosted her little ego even more, if that is possible.

Writing:  Shayla recited all of Badge 4 for family members.  We addressed the envelope and sent off for badge 4 today.  She gets the rest of the week off of handwriting. 

Unit Study Day:  We did a one day unit study on Letter T.  It was a fun break to do a unit study.  As usual, we had lots of hands-on fun!

Friday: 

Nothing noteworthy. 

To find out what other homeschoolers are doing, visit Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

Letter T Bible Lesson

Reading:  We read and watched the story of the apostle known as, Doubting Thomas.  I was unable to find any internet resources to use, so we just used what we had.

T is for Tree.  I have a confession here, I was not a Wilderness Gal from the beginning like Shayla is.  My husband has taught her to identify trees by the leaves and bark.  I can tell a pine from a maple or oak, that's about it.  Anyway, if it had not been deer hunting season this week, we probably would have went on a hike and Shayla could have identified the trees for me.  LOL! 

Last week we learned the ASL sign for tree from a Signing Time DVD.  I am so pleased to see her retaining and applying that knowledge!

We read A Tree is Nice by Janice Udry. 

Then we made our own trees.  She painted a trunk and we added tissue paper leaves.

T is for Time. 

First, Shayla solved this clock puzzle.  The pictures of the mice on it are good conversation starters about what time to do things.

We used our plastic Judy clock and Hap Palmer's Paper Clock song to have fun with this song.  If you don't have these resources, make a paper clock with a paper plate and brad.  (music, math)

Lastly, using the Judy clock or a paper one.  We took 2 dice and rolled them.  Shayla added the numbers together (ie 2 + 5 = 7 o' clock).  She would then move the hands accordingly.  (math)

T is for Taste.  We read Tastes Good.  We did a more thorough study on all the senses earlier, so we didn't do much here.  (science)

T is for Truth.  We read a book called Tell the Truth, Tyler by Jodee McConnaughhay.  I really liked this book because it addressed flat out lies, but also half-lies and how not speaking up can also be a lie.  (character)

T is for Trying.  We read Keep Trying, Travis!  by Jodee McConnaughhay.  Again, I liked this book because it addresses that it's not ok to give up and say "I can't" in a Biblical way (around Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me).  This verse should be painted on the wall of every room in our home as a reminder. 

T is for Trust.  We read The Value of Truth and Trust:  The Story of Cochise.  Cochise was a great  Apache Indian leader.  He was respected because he always told the truth.  He was able to make peace between the settlers and Indians.  (character, social studies)

*Another reason I love homeschooling.  I think I learn just as much as my children!  LOL!  Even 2nd grade phonics! 

T is for Trains.  This was just fun stuff!  We read several books about trains.  The Little Engine That Could, some Thomas books.

Then Shayla solved several train puzzles and got out her wooden train set. 

She also watched a Thomas the Tank Engine movie from the library.  Needless to say, it was an extended school day, but for some reason I didn't hear any complaints!  LOL!  BTW, Dad also joined in the homeschooling fun!

T is for Toe Touches.  We added these to our daily brain balancing exercises.

Another Perspective on Speaking

I've been reading Proverbs lately.  I love to read the wisdom in these chapters.  If it were written today it would probably be called, The Dummies Guide to Living Right.

Anyway, I'm always concerned about my daughter not speaking in public.  It's not that she can't - she won't!  Proverbs 10:19 jumped out at me.  It's from the Good News Bible for Children - Today's English Version.

The more you talk the more likely you are to sin.  If you are wise, you will keep quiet.  Proverbs 10:19

How many times have I been told and told my other two girls, (who are chatty things) if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it!  Or, God gave you two ears and only one mouth.  That means you're supposed to listen more than talk!

Who's teaching who here? Maybe I'm the one who's being taught by a little girl that doesn't want to speak.   I have definately stuck my foot in my mouth because of things I've said!  I think I need to learn to be quiet more!

Homeschool Highlights - week of November 8, 2009

Days 46 -

Maybe I'm suffering from a mid-life crisis or something here, but I have really been freaked out by how much I have yet to teach my kids. 

My middle daughter, Morgan, will be 16 in less than 2 months.  She is an honor student with a 3.8 GPA, but I need to teach her about cooking, health and nutrition, child care and budgeting.  True, she did pick up quickly on the CVS/coupon shoping thing, but still.  She will soon be taking her driving test.  In just two short years, I will have no say over her choices.  She becomes an adult. 


Shayla is 8-1/2 now.  She has many learning disabilities and social problems, although not diagnosed with ASD.  Nothing comes easy for this child.  I really freak out when I think that we only have 9-1/2 years with this child before she becomes an adult.  There is so much she needs to learn, where do I begin?  Life skills seem to need to be learned, in addition to reading and writing.  Does anyone know of a curriculum that teaches common sense?  I would like to incorporate this more into our day and not separate it as another subject. 

Ok, composure here.  Back to our week. 

It has got to be better this week.  I feel like a new woman.  Last week was a one week break from football to basketball season.  It was less hectic than normal. 

I actually planned out our menus for several weeks (something I haven't done in quite awhile).  We will be using out of our freezer and pantry until December.  I plan on not stepping foot in stores (except for a weekly trip for fresh fruits & veggies.  Oh, and of course, Christmas shopping.  That ought to help our Christmas budget!

I finally found time to get a new haircut.  Three months past due.  I showed the girl a picture, she totally did her own thing.  I'm not happy with it, but hey, it'll grow back, right?  My husband agreed, but he said, "It looks better than it did."  I guess I was looking pretty shabby.  LOL!  It looks like something from the 80's, but hey, retro or vintage is in . . . right?

I bought a new organizer for Shayla's many school supplies - clutter control. 

We also got our computer fixed again.  My husband was able to do this over the phone with our ISP tech support.  Yay!  A big time saver there.

I was able to go through and clean up two piles.  I am a bad paper pilot. 

I have been decluttering.  My pantry will be looking better after this month's meals.  I have been going through closets and getting rid of clothes like crazy.  More on that later.  We have been participating in the 30-days of giving.  Maybe at the end of this challenge my house will look more like a home and not a storage shed.  LOL!

I have been involving my girls in the 30 Days of Giving Challenge.  That is part of our homeschool day for now.  I am thrilled to see the change in both of them!  Shayla wakes up now and says, "What are we going to give today?"  and she's actually excited to be a part of it!  What better time of year to do this challenge, before they get all the Christmas gimmes. 

Monday:

Phys.Ed:  Someone commented on another post about trusting a chiropractor for my daughter's neurological problem.  I realized that many would not understand my decision regarding this.  I worked with my daughter's preschool teacher and OT (occupational therapist) the year she went to preschool.  Since my daughter was born I have read volumes.  One book was The Out-of-Sync Child.  There are different exercises that help sensory processing problems.  One common denominator in sensory processing is low muscle tone. 

Another good read is Last Child in the Woods.  It talks about ADHD actually being caused from Nature Deficient Disorder.  The kids need to feel where they are in relation to the world and this does not happen in the house in front of the television. Boys especially, need a minimum of two hours outside a day.  My daughter needs about the same.

When I read Disconnected Kids, it made me more aware of the fact that my daughter does have low muscle tone.  I remembered many things from my OT friends.  One such thing is children like this have problems crossing the mid-line.   If you don't have any learning differently children, this probably sounds crazy to you.  It means that riding a bicycle is very difficult, crawling,  toe touches, writing letter x or y.  We have been working on exercises to improve this and the low muscle tone.  Shayla has also visited our holistic chiropractor for two sessions. 


After four weeks of these exercises and two chiropractic adjustments, I am pleased to say that we are seeing noticeable improvements.  Shayla began quietly speaking in the car again.  She is riding her bicycle mostly independently now and enjoys it.  Her sit-ups, push-ups, and toe touches actually resemble the correct way.  Her handwriting has greatly improved. 

To the naysayers, I say, do what works for you and your situation.


Calendar:  We have one of those magnetic calendars.  Each day Shayla likes to talk about what month it is, what day it is, events that we have going on that day.  On the back of it, you circle the season and weather.

Character Education:  Thankfulness.  We are making a paper cornucopia.  Each day Shayla colors, cuts out and glues a piece of fruit to her cornucopia.  On each fruit we write something she is thankful for.

Geography/Social Studies:  We are continuing our learning about harvest festivals in other countries.  This week we learned about the Wheat Harvest Festival in France.

Discontinued AGAIN!

If you've ever wondered what it's like to live with food allergies.  Let me assure you it is not fun!  Never mind the fact that you're going to suffer if you unknowingly consume those foods. And going out to eat is next to impossible!   But there are other considerations that go with food allergies.  Having food allergies is time and money consuming. 



Here is the list that Shayla and I have to avoid:   corn, gluten, yeast, milk and dairy (including cow and goat), soy (can tolerate very little), sugar (if not organic), strawberries, cinnamon, avocados.  I'm sure there is probably more, but that's all I can think of now.



While the new green movement is in and many people have went to organic foods, the cost of these foods are still high.  Not to mention we haven't found that ideal One Stop Shop for all the food products we use.



The biggest problem we have with our hypoallergenic foods is that we find something that we can tolerate and the company for one reason or another discontinues the product. 

The GF/CF, yeast free sour dough bread used to be at Whole Foods, we bought all they had in the store and was even special ordering it by the case until suddenly they couldn't do this anymore.  Now this product was not actually discontinued.  I called Food for Life, the manufacturer.  They could ship it to me direct (as a consumer), but the shipping would be more than the cost of the bread.  UGH!  Luckily, we found a small, independent local health food store that was willing to place the order for us.  That way we only have to pay just over $100 for a dozen small loaves of bread.


Another time, we used to buy Kroger's Naturally Preferred line of rice milk.  Discontinued for an undisclosed reason.  We pleaded to the management online and at several stores.  To no avail.  It was discontinued at the production source because they couldn't keep up with the demand.  Is that bad business sense or what?!? 


After we depleted our supply of rice milk in the tetra bricks.  I bought them when ever I could find them so I had a little wiggle room to find another source.  I found a powdered organic white rice milk powder.  We have used this stuff for almost four years.  Once again, when I went to place my annual order, I found out it was discontinued. 


Why this time? 


Unsafe ARSENIC levels in the rice growing process!  The company reassured me that it was within acceptable levels, and that it was probably fine for adults, BUT, HE didn't think it was safe for children and was pulling it from their catalog. 


Funny, I had read about arsenic in the rice growing process.  In fact, after I learned about this, I panicked and called every supplier of the many rice products we used to make sure that our products were safe.  We were reassured by all that our rice was safe, it was organic.


So here we are, not only wondering if the rice milk we drank and used for cooking exposed our family to toxic levels of arsenic.  And, we have to find another product to use.  Today I bought coconut milk, almond milk, and hemp milk.  I have samples of Vance's Dari Free en route to me.  The problem we usually have is the synthetic vitamins that enrich these products are made from corn.  UGH! 

Anyone have any ideas?  Any encouragement would be welcome.

A Table's Tale

I wish I would have thought to take a before picture of this stand.  My husband owned this thing before we got together seventeen years ago.  It has been painted and moved to almost every room in the house.

It started off in the laundry room housing detergents. 

From there it went to Cassandra's room, holding teenage girl stuff like make-up.

Next it was painted white with pastel sponge painting and teddy bears on it.  Then it's job was to hold stacks of diapers. 

After the youngest daugter grew, we didn't need it to hold diapers anymore.  Morgan decided she needed a fish aquarium.  We bought a small tank and it sat for years on top of the table that was painted a sky blue with dark blue waves sponge painted on it.  Like the ocean.  Oh, and some sparkly fish stickers that I decoupaged on the doors.

At last, the goldfish died and Morgan decided she no longer wanted this poor old table.  I moved it to my family room not having time to deal with or knowing where it's next stop would be. 

Last week I began painstakingly removing all the layers of paint.  My husband thought I was nuts.  Just buy a new table.  PLEASE! 

But that wouldn't be fun.  You would think my husband would be glad I'm frugal I hate to buy anything new.  I mean with the economy what it is, and with Christmas coming and there are so many things we really need, much more than another piece of furniture.  Besides that, just the other day we were talking about down sizing our home at some point. 

So I slapped on two layers of flat black paint.  It looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.  Black paint definately hides alot of imperfections.  LOL!

My hubby, well, when he came home, his opinion changed.  He liked it. 

S is for Samson Bible Lesson

Memory verses:  If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.  Judges 16:17

Storynory has an audio of the story of Samson and Delilah. 


DLTK has a whole lesson on Samson and Delilah.

S is for Sing (music):  I couldn't find any songs about Samson.  Instead we focused on letter S.  We sang:

• Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
• Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

S is for Sponge Painting.  Shayla looks for any reason to paint, so this was a fun treat for her! (art)

S is for Silhouette.  We learned about silhouettes, then made our own.  Attach a piece of black paper to the wall and place a lamp so that it shines on the paper.  Have child sit or stand near the paper so that her profile shows the correct size on the paper.  Parent traces the shape on the black paper with a white crayon or chalk.  Have the child cut out their face and glue it onto a piece of white paper. (art)

S is for Special.   This went with our current science theme, so I tied them all in together. 

We read God Made Our Bodies and God Made You Special.  Then we came up with a list of things that makes Shayla special.  Including abilities and physical characteristics.

Then we took a piece of paper and folded it into four squares.  In each box, Shayla wrote a sentence about herself and illustrated things that make her special.  (art, language, writing, science)

S is for Subtraction.  We recently started subtraction and it is proving to be rather frustrating for both of us.  Today we tried a new approach.  I took a handful of her counters and we subtracted using these.  While doing this, I wrote the problem on the white board. 

Then I made up Bible story problems to solve.  For example:  Adam and Eve had two sons.  One son slew the other, how many sons were left?

She was guessing the correct answers today.  I think it may have finally clicked for her!  Yay!

S is for Senses.  You could study all the senses, but you could focus on the sense of taste.  This will involve some advance preparation.  Blindfold children (if they will allow it).  Give them a sample of sweet foods and sour foods.  (lemons, cookies, grapes, apple slices, candies, limes, pickles, etc).  Have them try to identify each taste while blindfolded. 

After the blindfold is removed count up the number correct/wrong and make a math problem.  Then make a simple bar graph by cutting pictures of the foods out of grocery ads to see how many sweet vs. sour foods there are.  (science, math, fine motor)