The Works For Us category includes:Science Co-ops - My 11th grader is attending a weekly Chemistry co-op with an amazing teacher. Not only is she learning the basics of high school chemistry, but also note-taking and study skills that will prepare her for college. The junior high teens are just around the corner during the same block of time studying physical science.While they are attending Friday afternoon classes, I have time to work individually with the younger children. And as icing on the cake: A dear friend has volunteered to take my younger kids to an elementary school science co-op on Tuesdays! I owe her BIG TIME! Finally, I have time to work with the teens without the usual distractions of bored and incessantly hungry siblings. There are no words to express my appreciation for the women who host these weekly sessions for the local home schoolers. The kids are loving the time with their friends and they are really learning more when all is said and done.
History Co-op-This is our turn to pay it back. The American History group meets here on Wednesday afternoons. It is a small group but we are looking for extra participants for the upcoming Civil War Re-enactment. I cannot wait till we begin preparation. The boys are ready to scout the Good Will Store for Navy blue and Gray. I will be online with my Maryland friends to get all of the details from their successful encampment.
Ballet Class- Three daughters are taking ballet this year and of course, they are scheduled on different days. Luckily for me, the library is across the street and the adoration chapel just a block away. On Mondays while the younger girls are in class, my 16 year old babysits so I can have an hour before the Blessed Sacrament. What a gift! Then when the 16 year old has ballet on Tuesdays, I bring everyone else to the library. My family LOVES the library. This gives me an hour or more to grade papers without interruption. There is also the added benefit of a perfectly quiet house for the rest of the evening (since everyone has his nose in a book). Since dance classes are held in the late afternoon, we still make it home in time for dinner as a family. Another gift!
Piano lessons- My next door neighbor is a music instructor for the local schools, and offers piano lessons in her home after work. On top of the convenient location, she charges about half of the going rate. What a score! Unfortunately she only had room in her schedule for 2 new students.
Hockey- The boys are not into ballet, but they certainly love to practice stick handling and deeking their opponents on the hockey rink. Dear husband takes the rest of the family to the inline rink, which is 40 miles away, while I connect with women at our parish for a Bible study. This is our crazy night out with no time for a real dinner together. But so far it has been great fun and worth the extra drive for the boys. I love my time with the women to discuss our roles as mothers, wives, and daughters of the King. Very refreshing for everyone. Then on Saturday mornings the boys have scheduled games and I get to go to the gym for a guilt free workout.
Kolbe Writing/Literature/Theology/History with Enhanced Evaluation- Now that's a mouthful. We are using the 9th grade writing program to develop basic rhetorical skills, and 12th grade Lit/Hist/Theology since they are better integrated with our American History Unit. This is only the second time I have used a boxed curriculum in all my years of home education. By opting for the Enhanced Evaluation Service, my daughter has the opportunity to get another perspective on her writing. She is learning very quickly that mom isn't the only one who will challenge her beyond her comfort zone. So far I am very pleased with the course selections, paper topics, and instruction she is receiving. Today she participated in an online symposium to discuss if man can truly be good without God. I was impressed by the student's comments. Socratic discussion rocks!
Crock pot meals- This morning our entire dinner meal was prepped in the crock pot in less than ten minutes. I switched it on and went to mass. After mass, I simply lowered the cooking temperature and forgot about it for the rest of the day. Smells wonderful now. A crock pot is, in my not so humble opinion, indispensable for a homeschooling family. We have many favorite recipes on file for busy days.
What Isn't Working?Ballet Lessons 4 days a week- had to drop the extra 2 days. The girls would benefit from 2 classes each per week, but the schedule was really crunched. Besides, we do not need more than 2 hours a week at the library. So I nixed it.
Hockey 3 days a week- We also had to drop the second day of hockey practice. Once a week practice with games on Saturday are enough for us. Maybe in the summer we can add the extra practice at the rink. For now the boys will have to practice skating and moving the puck around the drive way after school. I am a mean mom with too many pesky rules. The boys actually do not mind. They love the freedom to play "unorganized sports" too.
Morning Piano lessons- Since our neighbor did not have room for extra students, two of my younger children began lessons with a very talented homeschooler on Friday mornings. She is wonderful with her students and they are learning very quickly. But- and this is a VERY BIG BUT- once we leave the house for an activity it is almost impossible to get everyone back on task. Fridays are especially difficult since we have to finish schoolwork early enough to get everyone to Science co-op by 1:00. I dread cancelling these lessons, but sometime you just gotta do it. I am a VERY MEAN MOM. There has to be another way but we haven't figured it out, yet.
Boxed Curriculum- Let's face it. I am a do it yourselfer. It is very difficult for me to follow someone else's lesson plans. I like to coordinate all grade levels to cover the same basic time period and literature unit simultaneously. But for various reasons I did choose to use Kolbe for my high school junior. Overall I am pleased with the materials, especially since Kolbe follows the classical approach emphasizing primary sources. However, there were so many frustrating mix ups with our lesson plans and textbook order that dear daughter was unable to begin school on time. The staff was very apologetic and did work diligently to rectify the mix up, but it was a time consuming and expensive experience. Dear daughter is now 2-3 weeks behind the syllabus and I am wondering why I spent so much money for this "service" that was supposed to make my life easier. Hopefully the kinks have been worked out and classes will run smoothly from now on.
Rain- I must complain to those in charge about weeks of continuous rain. How am I to keep order in the homeschool when my bouncy tiggerish boys are wrestling around the living room and using the sofa as a trampoline? Mean Mom was on call for too many days weeks in a row. I am however, grateful for the reprieve of the past couple of days. I would like to put in a request that it only rain on days when we can schedule time at the gym or hockey rink. Otherwise, please let the skies rumble at night. We do not mind being lulled to sleep by a gentle storm, as long as the sun shines in the morning. After all, I do have a reputation for being solar powered.




