Valentine’s Cookies
Posted on | February 15, 2009 | 1 Comment
Mica had a crash course on baking this weekend when she tried to make some Valentine’s Cookies. (She really loves baking, by the way.) Let’s just say her first attempt to make a dough didn’t go so well because she skipped a few directions that she thought were unimportant. Lesson learned – nothing good comes out of rushing things.
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| But all is well. I encouraged her to try again (with my supervision this time). You can’t learn if you don’t make mistakes. And now she’s a happy camper. |
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| Auntie Jona is helping Mica cut some shapes from the dough. |
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| And Rinoa is trying to help. |
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| Here are the lovely cookies from Mica’s creative imagination. |
Rinoa’s Homeschool Curriculum
Posted on | February 12, 2009 | 1 Comment
One of my personal challenges in homeschooling is that I have two daughters – an 11-year old and a 4-year old. They can’t exactly share a program or even use the same books because they are so far apart in age. Imagine what a crazy life I have, trying to teach both of them everyday.
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Since Rinoa is still preschool age, her curriculum isn’t as strict and formal as Mica’s.
1. Phonics
A great online resource that introduced Rinoa to phonics is Starfall.com. It made learning the different alphabet sounds fun and exciting.
Everyday, we read at least two pages in the book Phonics Pathways by Dolores Hiskes. I love this book – I saw a big spike in Rinoa’s learning curve in just a few days of using this book.
As a challenge from her sister, we bought Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham a few weeks ago and Rinoa was able to read it by herself – just like how Mica was able to read it herself when she was 4.
2. Math and Handwriting
We just use whatever good workbooks I find in the bookstore. Right now, we’re working on the Kindergarten Ultimate Skill Builder by Learning Horizons. It’s got Math, Phonics, and Handwriting exercises.
I also make custom worksheets to give Rinoa lots of practice.
3. Science
I think what’s important at Rinoa’s learning stage is that she gets introduced to different subjects and concepts. We read a lot of books that discusses animals, plants, and other interesting topics. One of the books she enjoys is The Berenstain Bears’ Big Book of Science and Nature. It’s actually fun to read it.
4. Reading
So aside from reading books about Science, we also read story books – lots of story books. I want to instill in her the love for reading.
5. Art and Music
I also teach Rinoa how to play the piano, just like I teach Mica. And she takes part in our Friday Art activities.
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Chocolate-Filled Hearts for Valentine
Posted on | February 11, 2009 | 1 Comment
Found this cool idea for a candy-filled heart-shaped container and thought it would be a lovely surprise for my girls on Valentine’s Day. They were out the whole day today so I did a “dry run”.
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I made four containers using 12×12 papers for each container. I attached some ribbons, hung them on the doorway of their room, and filled them up with yummy chocolate. We already have four hooks set up on the top frame from a previous project – so it’s perfect.
Well, after I took a picture, I removed all of them and hid them – I’ll be hanging them again Friday night to give them a sweet surprise on Saturday.
Mica’s Homeschool Curriculum Part II
Posted on | February 10, 2009 | No Comments
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So to continue with yesterday’s curriculum discussion:
5. Science (3 hourse a week)
My goal for Science this schoolyear is to brush up on topics covering Life Science and Earth Science. Mica has already learned some in grade school but I want to give her more exposure on these topics without overwhelming her with lots of facts. Books we’re using are Usborne’s Complete Book of The Human Body and Reader’s Digest’s How Nature Works, How The Earth Works, and How The Universe Works.
We have just finished learning about the human body (the Usborne book has internet links, some of which Mica found really interesting) and are working on topics and experiments in “How The Earth Works”. I will post some resources for experiments next time.
6. Foreign Language (1 hour a day)
I asked Mica what foreign language she wanted to learn first and she chose Italian. We use Rosetta Stone – good for quick word to image recognition and to get pronunciations right but it doesn’t teach formal grammar. To supplement Rosetta Stone, I use a couple of online resources. I found this free and very informative site where I get all the grammar lessons I need. This online dictionary has proven to be invaluable. And here are some easy Italian readings for beginners that Mica and I will be working on deciphering. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to borrow Italian books from the library from time to time.
7. Reading (at least 1 hour a day)
By “reading”, I mean literature and not textbooks. The love for books is in our blood so it’s not hard to encourage Mica to read a lot. She’s actually a fast reader. She read Twilight by Stephenie Meyer in one day.
I choose a book that we read out loud – usually something that’s related to what we’re discussing in Social Studies. For example, we were discussing Ancient Egypt in Social Studies and her read-aloud book was The Golden Goblet by Eloise McGraw which is set in Ancient Egypt. We usually do the read-aloud before going to bed.
Aside from the read-aloud, she gets to choose a book that she wants and reads it on her own for at least 30 minutes a day.
Mica is currently reading L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables in the Kindle. If you have a Kindle, great sources of free ebooks are Feedbooks and Project Gutenberg.
8. Art and Music (at least 1.5 to 2 hours every Friday for each subject)
I divided Art and Music into art/music appreciation and art/music skills.
To develop Mica’s music skills, I teach her how to play the piano. (I play the piano so I am able to teach her.) We use Piano Adventures by Nancy and Randall Faber. For every lesson, we go through a theory book, a technique and artistry book, and a lesson book. Aside from those, I give her piano pieces to study. For example, she’s already learned a simplified version of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and Mozart’s “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman”. She is also required to practice her piano for at least 30 minutes everyday.
For music appreciation, we listen to this Classical Music CD for a few minutes every Friday before her piano lesson begins. The CD includes a pamphlet that is meant to be read while listening. It briefly discusses the different classical periods and composers and explains a little bit about the musical samplings on the CD. I intend to take her lessons in classical music further when she learns about the Renaissance in Social Studies.
Our art program is less formal. For art appreciation, we briefly discuss art styles and architecture in whatever period we’re learning in Social Studies. I believe this would get more formal and involved once we reach the Renaissance in Social Studies (which would be next schoolyear, if we’re still homeschooling). To develop her art skills, we’re currently working on exploring watercolor painting and charcoal drawing.
9. Technology (30 minutes every Friday)
Troy is currently teaching Mica how to use MS Word. We also have the Meavis Bacon Typing software that Mica will use to learn how to type efficiently.
10. Health (30 minutes a day)
We’re currently learning about food and nutrition and for that we’re using Food and Nutrition for Every Kid by Janice VanCleave
11. Physical Education
This is where we’re lacking. Mica started taking dance classes last year but because of conflicts in schedule, we have yet to enrol her back. Hopefully, she can resume this week. I’m also encouraging her to do Wii Fit at least 30 minutes a day – hey, it’s still exercise, right?
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As a closing note: one of my favorite things about homeschooling is that I learn together with Mica.
Mica’s Homeschool Curriculum, Part I
Posted on | February 9, 2009 | 2 Comments
One of the big questions about homeschooling is what to teach your child. I’ve researched extensively on a proper curriculum based on the learning style I want Mica to adapt. I wanted to be ready with a lesson plan before diving into homeschooling. I wanted to have a clear picture of what the schoolyear ahead would be like. I wanted to be confident that Mica will learn everything she needs to learn. We’re five months into this and I’m fairly comfortable with what we’re currently using. Most books are suggestions from The Well-Trained Mind.
I also want to point out that I’ve learned that it’s ok to switch curriculums in the middle of the schoolyear. If you’ve started with one and feel that it’s not working for your family, go ahead and make the necessary changes. Trying out things is part of the process – how else will you know what will work and what will not?
Moving on, here are the subjects we have every week and the books and resources we’re currently using. (BTW, Mica is in 6th grade.)
1. Mathematics (1 hour everyday)
We use Saxon Math. To determine Mica’s skill level, she took a placement test that’s available in the Saxon website, and from there we determined that she was ready for Saxon Algebra 1/2 (Pre-Algebra) which is usually studied in 8th grade. The Saxon homeschool kit comes with the student’s textbook, a test packet, and an answer book (which just shows the answer, not the solution). I like how Saxon continually reviews Math concepts throughout the book to ensure that students doesn’t just learn and forget.
Mica tries to finish one lesson a day, Mondays to Thursdays; and on Fridays, she takes a test.
Aside from just learning textbook lessons, I want Mica to understand how math can be used in the real world. For this, she does an activity with Troy every Friday from the book Family Math: The Middle School Years by Virginia Thompson and Karen Mayfield-Ingram.
2. Language Arts
Our Language Arts program is divided into Handwriting, Spelling, Grammar, and Writing.
Handwriting (15 minutes a day). To practice Mica’s handwriting and teach her how to write properly, legibly, and neatly, we use A Reason for Handwriting. (She’s using Cursive F.) The book contains border sheets that she can color and collate at the end of the year. I bought both the student book and teacher’s manual, but in my opinion, I could have done without the teacher’s manual.
Spelling (15 minutes a day). We use the Spelling Workout Series by Modern Curriculum Press. (She’s currently working on Level F.) We do a lesson a week – pre-test on Mondays, post-test on Fridays, and in between, Mica does the exercises in the book.
Grammar and Writing (1 hour a day). We use the English 6 Rod and Staff Grammar book. The set comes with the student’s textbook, the teacher’s manual, a worksheet book, and a test packet. I love using this LA course – it teaches formal grammar and writing/composition. And each lesson includes oral and written exercises of both current and past topics. From time to time, it also includes pop quizzes.
The only thing I don’t like about the Rod and Staff Grammar is that it sometimes refers to the Bible for sample sentences, and when it does, it uses the words “thy” and “ye” which confuses Mica.
Writing (2 hours a week). To give her more training in writing, I supplement the writing course in the Rod and Staff Grammer book with Writing Strands. I like how this book talks directly to the student.
Other Skills. As part of her Language Arts program, we do dictation twice a week. I read a paragraph from a book she’s reading and she writes down the paragraph as I dictate it. We also do memory work – right now, we’re working on Robert Frost’s “A Road Not Taken”. To develop her speech and audience skills, she will have to present the poem to an audience.
3. Logic (3 hours a week)
We use Critical Thinking by Anita Harnadek for Mica’s logic program. Troy is the one currently teaching Logic to Mica (since I’m starting to get overwhelmed). The book isn’t bad, although at the end of Book 1, Troy and Mica feel that the examples and exercises are not well made.
4. Social Studies (3 hours a week)
Our Social Studies program is divided into History, Geography, and Current Events.
History. History is a tough one. How do you make an 11-year old appreciate history and not get bored reading about it? I’ve changed resource materials three times before sticking to the one we’re currently using. The book we’re using is The Story of The World by Susan Bauer. Now, some comment on how the book gives little distinction between myths and actual history but I think it’s the “story-telling” that keeps Mica interested – so I see this book as just something “to get her feet wet”. We supplement the book with Usborne’s Encyclopedia of World History and online resources. I also created a blank timeline for Mica to fill up as we encounted important dates – it’s several sheets of paper taped together and rolled in a scroll.
Geography. We use the Geography Coloring Book by Wynn Kapit. It’s fun and informative. I supplement it with blank maps online, and for the US states and their capital, Troy created a fun application.
I expand on the Geography program by letting Mica outline the countries of the different continents, as she encounters it in the coloring book. For every country, she writes down the type of government, current leaders, demonym, language, currency, and major exports (among other things).
Current Events. At the start of each Social Studies session, I ask Mica to read a news article online. One of her favorite sites is Time for Kids.
Memory Work. One of the things that Mica needed to memorize for Social Studies are the US states and their capitals. She’s currently trying to memorize the US Presidents in order.
Phew! I’m beat! And I’m only halfway done describing Mica’s curriculum. So there’s more coming tomorrow.
Intro to Watercolor
Posted on | February 6, 2009 | No Comments
Mica and Rinoa have art lessons on Fridays. Eventually, we dubbed Fridays as “Art Day” which means everybody in the house need to complete at least one artwork every Friday – this gives Troy and I a dedicated time to make art as well.
For the girls’ art session, we did some exercises from the Klutz book, Watercolor for the Artistically Undiscovered. (I suppose we’re big fans of Klutz books.)
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| Plate No. 1 by Mica Redington |
| The first plate is all about being comfortable with the paintbrush and discovering what happens when different pressures are applied and when different amounts of water are used. We just filled up the paper with brush strokes and in the end checked to see if there’s a critter in the making among the blobs of paint on the paper. |
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| Plate No. 2 by Rinoa Redington |
| Next we did a splatter page. Surprisingly, the girls (especially Rinoa) didn’t make a lot of mess as I had feared and expected. |
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| Plate No. 3 by Rinoa Redington |
| And for the last plate, we did a color study – seeing how a spot color is affected by different background colors. |
We had a great time! :D
Kid’s Craft: Loom Beading
Posted on | February 5, 2009 | 1 Comment
Mica just bought the Klutz book, Bead Loom Bracelets – a pretty cool book that comes with a bead loom and a small supply of beads to get one started. Here’s her first attempt to make a bracelet:
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She finished one after 2 hours. I thought she did a really good job. The only thing I helped her with is finishing the ends – weaving the threads in the bracelet because after a while it gets pretty tight in the bead holes.
Pop-up Flash Diffuser and Sunday Morning
Posted on | February 4, 2009 | No Comments
Troy discovered this for our camera. I was never a fan of the pop-up flash but this neat, little add-on works great – it softens the light coming from the pop-up flash, giving me the additional light I need without the harshness I usually get with a flash. Best thing is Troy got it for just $3 here.
Here’s Troy messing with it:
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And here’s a glimpse of our Sunday morning (last weekend). Just hanging out, playing with the camera. I love how the flash diffuser gives a soft glow to the photos. (Mica, Rinoa, and I got haircuts last Saturday. So these are the first shots of the girls with their new do.)
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| Grandpa and Aunt Tonya visited that morning. |
Pop-up Flower Cards for Valentine’s
Posted on | February 3, 2009 | 14 Comments
Created two pop-up cards to give to Mica and Rinoa on Valentine’s Day.
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FLOWER BASKET POP-UP CARD
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| The actual flower basket that pops up in the card is made up of 12 pieces. I cut the pieces from white cardstock using an x-acto knife. |
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| Then I gave the flowers and leaves some color using brush pens. |
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| This is what the inside of the card looks like. The flower basket is attached to the card on two points with a thread that you wouldn’t really notice. |
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| The outside of the card has a simple design so it wouldn’t compete with the intricacy of the flower basket. |
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CHERRY BLOSSOMS POP-UP CARD
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| This card is simpler than the first one. The design is cut-out from the actual folding card. |
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| I used brush pens and rub-ons to color the branches and flowers. The metallic rub-on gave the flowers a subtle, glittery shine. I used a Sharpie to give the branches some shadow. |
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| Like the first card, the outside of this card has a simple design so as not to overpower the pop-up inside. |
Homeschool: The Beginning
Posted on | February 2, 2009 | 2 Comments
Last September, as Mica entered her 6th grade in school, Troy and I took the plunge – we pulled her out from public school and started homeschooling her.
Why? Are we crazy? I must admit Troy is most of the time … but I’m not. (*grin)
We have been getting frustrated with Mica’s education – she’s a very smart kid but we feared that she’s not being challenged enough in school. We had a glimmer of hope when she passed the entrance test to a magnet school in our area – but when we checked out the school, we didn’t like where it was located. Troy and I both agreed we couldn’t have Mica anywhere near that neighborhood.
The decision to homeschool wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment. We’ve been contemplating it for a few years. And of course, we asked Mica if she’s willing to give it a try. Just like us, she had to think about it – but the idea won her over.
There are so many wonderful reasons to homeschool a child but the bottom line for us is that we want to maximize Mica’s potential. I especially like the concept of one-on-one instruction – this way, she doesn’t have to follow the class’ pace and be able to accelerate based on her rate of learning.
The process of transitioning from public school to homeschool was pretty easy:
Step 1: Research homeschooling laws in your state. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you see it), homeschooling in Illinois is unregulated. When we called the public school system to remove Mica, they only requested that we send a withdrawal letter for their records. Guiltily, I have yet to send the letter.
Step 2: Develop or adapt a curriculum based on your style of learning. We researched different homeschool curriculums available and decided to go with Sonlight. We used it for two months before we realized it wasn’t for us. I wanted more structure in Mica’s lessons. Then I discovered “The Well-Trained Mind” by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise. I read it and loved their teaching strategy. It had more of the formality I was looking for. So I developed a curriculum based on the book and that’s what Mica is currently using.
Step 3: Prepare yourself for a most challenging but definitely rewarding journey. It has been five months since we started homeschooling. I’m definitely still overwhelmed, still anxious and fearful that I’m not teaching her everything she needs to know — but I can definitely see a HUGE improvement in Mica — to name a few: her study habits have become more efficient and her writing skills have improved tremendously. As Jesse Wise wrote in the book, “If I’d had a perfect school available, I would have enrolled my children in it. But I looked at the academic and social options, and concluded that, in spite of my failures, my children were doing better under my tutoring than they would have done in a group situation.”
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| I think what Mica loves most about homeschooling is that she can do her schoolwork anywhere. In this picture, she’s doing her schoolwork at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. |
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| And then here, at the Marriott in Montreal, Canada. |
Of course, I wouldn’t let my 4-year old daughter get left behind. She, too, gets her daily dose or reading, writing, and arithmetic.
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Please don't steal my text or images, it's disrespectful and you'll be subjet to karma! If you want to use any of the images, please email me for a written permission. Thank you.
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