Friday, September 11, 2009

Week 4 in Review

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Have you ever read this book?

I actually do not care for the book too much, but I have to admit that Tuesday, the first day of our homeschool week, ended with me thinking much like Alexander:

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

Oh sure, it could have been worse, and I felt foolish for being so grouchy about it, but it was not the start to our week that I was anticipating. The problem was that even though Anna had spent several hours on Saturday and Monday (Labor Day holiday) working on homework, she still had a mountain of work to do on Tuesday. I realized she was going to need much more of my attention than I could give while still homeschooling Ryne and Grace, so I had to send them off to play while I worked with Anna. And then Anna and I ended up working almost non-stop until 10:00 p.m. I was fuming at the amount of work she had been assigned and that some of the instructions were not very clear. One of the main reasons we enrolled Anna in this school was so that I would be able to more effectively homeschool Ryne and Grace. And they were down in the basement fighting over who-knows-what (which added to my terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day). We knew when we enrolled Anna that at this school 6th grade is a challenging year and that she would have to work hard, but this seemed excessive.

Turns out I was not the only parent who felt this way, so the teacher apologized and adjusted the workload. Wednesday went well, but then on Thursday we had trouble again. The morning was taken up with kid's dentist appointments, and even though they all worked on school stuff in the waiting room, Anna needed enough help in the afternoon that I had to put Grace and Ryne on hold again. And it wasn't just them, but the laundry and the dishes as well. So this morning I woke up to a disastrous house (and we have company coming this weekend) and the realization that there was no way we were getting all the schooling done this week. We didn't even get to our Outdoor Hour Challenge today.

Oh, and did I mention that the dog burst an artery in her ear and had to have emergency surgery last night? Don't worry, she's okay now!

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No, we're not super-homeschoolers, but we probably don't deserve that title on our best weeks, LOL! If I base our success as homeschoolers on how much we get done in a week, then I've really missed the point of homeschooling.

Instead, I got over my pity party, and rejoiced in the little successes of our week. This afternoon in the car, a student at the local university crossed the street in front of us, carrying on her back a large instrument in its case. Both Ryne and Grace immediately yelled out, "It's a cello!" I was pleased, not only because our five minute "instrument of the week" lesson had helped them recognize it was a cello she was lugging around, but that they were excited about what they learned and wanted to share it with me. I love my job!

Happy Homeschooling!

8 comments:

  1. If you ever need some peace and quiet to help Anna, just give me a call and I'll come pick up the kids! They can do school here!! OR, we can go have "recess" at Airzone or someplace fun.

    I thought you might enjoy this blog and, in particular, this post:

    http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/09/the-world-is-our-classroom.html

    Casey

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  2. What a week!!!! I bet you're glad thats over.
    Thank goodness every week isnt that way. Hoping your next week is better!
    -Jennie :)

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  3. I hope next week is much smoother! Have a wonderful Sunday, hope the company went well- Laura

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  4. Oh, Kellie! I hope this next week goes better for y'all and I hope the teacher figures out the proper amount of workload.

    We start the new year tomorrow - it should be interesting. Hmmmm . . .

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  5. So sorry you had such a tough week. The poor dog looks so sad in that picture. Hang in there. We all have those weeks.

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  6. Gosh! Sometimes I feel like you are ME - lol!

    I haven't had time to blog about it yet, but we, after 4 weeks of hs days like this, put our 8yo ds in Christian school also this year. My 6yo dd has more specific learning needs than he did his 1st gr year an I just could NOT meet them while teaching him 3rd gr.
    But the homework or the not understanding what's he's being taught is what I'm a little worried about might happen as well. And added to the time constraints we now have (driving)it would certiainly make me grouchy!

    I hope though, that maybe these things will get better as you and she adjusts?? As for you - just keep juggling, girl! Even if you lose a few marbles in the attempt - lol! Our goal is never perfection in homeschooling of course. But it always helps to be grateful to God on days like this, doesn't it?

    Blessings,
    Andrea

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  7. Hi Kellie,
    I hope Week 5 goes a lot better. You have my commiseration on the dog's medical emergency - I know how things like this can throw everything out of kilter. Just remember that God has a purpose in all the things He throws your way. Perhaps he just wanted you to not be able to deal with Anna's extra homework, so that her teacher would cool it a little. Just imagine if you'd had an easy day and been able to help her and never said anything about the amount being too much; the problem could have continued. Remember, "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me".
    ~ Sharon

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  8. Our 11th grader (David, NT) went to school for the first time ever by his choice. He joined the marching band (bass guitar), which limits his homework time. To my amazement, he does not have nearly as much homework as I anticipated. He is getting A's in Economics and Spanish (which he studies on his own) and in Percussion (easy A there).

    The problem class (as we expected) is precalculus. We had one ugly Saturday like the day you described because he had forgotten that my goal is to help him understand and let him think. After I washed my hands of ever helping him again and he stewed over the chances of passing precalculus without free tutoring at home, he realized he was being mule-headed and sincerely apologized that day. Now, he is willing to work with me and it is smoother.

    What is with Anna's teacher and all that homework? Is it busywork? Is it meaningful? Does it have a point?

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