tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16268704231643938572012-01-09T08:21:25.530-05:00A blog about my Homeschool, education, music, and whatever else suits my fancy.Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.comBlogger3591100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-62681924923091309292011-10-12T19:26:00.002-04:002011-10-12T19:26:59.402-04:00

I just read this lovely article about a girl facing the challenges in her first year of college.  Top of the list? Boredom! Next on the list was an unfair teacher. Are these really things all children must suffer to be properly educated? While I have no intentions of preventing all boredom and troubles, I can't see going out of my way to make it harder for them. I also recently noticed how

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-74470918219518966892011-10-07T10:35:00.002-04:002011-10-07T10:35:50.237-04:00

I spent a good 10 minutes yesterday trying to find a way to visualize making pie charts from really weird fractions. 26 out of 81 ugh, just not nice and simple. I couldn't do it, and honestly the point of the activity was learning how engineers communicate and record date, not math.  Why didn't I pick simple numbers, having a total of 100 items, or 50 would have made life so much simpler! I

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-38730302246094567642011-10-05T09:46:00.002-04:002011-10-05T09:46:27.749-04:00

I put a lot of effort into teaching the kids behavior (and academics).  But sometimes I have to admit they don't seem to be learning anything.  I keep reminding my kids: "The lesson has been taught, if you choose not to learn anything from it, there is nothing I can do about it" We spend a lot of time working on behavior, character, honesty and personal responsibility. Most days I feel

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-19986423240139313762011-10-04T12:43:00.001-04:002011-10-04T12:43:24.333-04:00

For some reason the past few days Princess has been barreling ahead with her math, doing two or even three lessons in a day. She said she wants to finish the book early so she can do something different, which is rather cute. I am thinking instead of getting her another book, letting her play with Khan academy.  I tried it for Little Man and it was a bit difficult, though the work starts with

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-2913610428008879392011-10-03T18:08:00.000-04:002011-10-03T18:08:40.462-04:00

I tried the 'edible finger paint' for my Punk (1 year old) from this site here. I was not impressed. Though I did decide that dinner time was a great time to amuse her in her highchair. If she can play I can cook, the older kids can clean. So one day we tried oatmeal, I thought it might be like a sandbox, only edible (sorta).  In truth it kept her the most occupied of just about any toy in

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-29667865073425880232011-09-30T09:41:00.001-04:002011-09-30T09:41:38.651-04:00

Cookie dough bites I made them in many different ways, I even bought Almond butter, which is pretty good but REALLY expensive.  Wonder how much it costs to make from almonds? One thing I did was use less sugar.  I generally find if you are going to put chocolate in it, folk don't mind a slightly less sweet base. Anyway, do try these, I still have to try with peanut butter, but every

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-19587263396713182182011-09-28T13:36:00.000-04:002011-09-28T13:36:00.261-04:00

I do a lot of work with various groups, some are homeschooler only, some half and half, and for others we are the only home schooled family participating. For events that are half and half I constantly see the PS parents complaining that 'It's not fair, Homeschoolers have more time to go places and work on badges." I don't quite get how a parent who has chosen a schooling option that requires 8

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-79351707117287259342011-09-27T10:30:00.002-04:002011-09-27T10:30:45.038-04:00

My son came to me asking 'which one do I multiply by the reciprocal?' today. I really had no idea what he meant so I asked him to bring me the math book. And he threw a tantrum because "There is no need for the book, just answer my question" "I can't, I don't understand it." "Well the book wont help." Really?  So then don't bring me the book, and I still wont answer the question. Good

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-5048858186096193542011-09-26T13:35:00.000-04:002011-09-26T13:35:53.582-04:00

Today I tried piling all the electives into an hour. I suppose we did get a lot done, Composer, Timeline, Art, Nature. But still not all the work. I think we might need to do more than an hour, or we could do two days of it. I also can't decide if I want to continue with drawing, or switch to painting for October.

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-78599553750273359892011-09-24T15:05:00.001-04:002011-09-24T15:05:51.226-04:00

We have been muddling along getting most things taken care of with few tweaks here and there. About half the time the kids get the basics done before lunch time, some days without me having to pester them. The trouble lies in the electives. I wanted to spend a few minutes each day on art, or nature or whatever. Sadly by the time 11rolls around I have a fussy baby, antsy toddler and bouncy

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-12165754747938347022011-09-22T13:59:00.001-04:002011-09-22T13:59:11.909-04:00

Today my three older kids have headed out to various activities. Piano lessons, We do robots, FLL, and hopefully a few errands and dinner in there somewhere. And the biggest trouble, they took the laptop! I am typing this on our new toy (not yet sold, but soon). So here I sit typing with a touch pad that is way to small for traditional typing, fingers all placed properly. In stead I am using

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-44283622999224574482011-09-21T15:34:00.000-04:002011-09-21T15:34:15.744-04:00

I keep finding new fancy exciting things to try online, and yet...why is there never time to do any of them! I though we homeschooled to get more time, instead I seem pushed and pulled in every direction desperately trying to find the time to take a shower, much less check out a cool craft. How do all those cool moms who bake cookies every day, make a neato craft and still have clean fed kids

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-6313245495218909612011-09-19T15:22:00.000-04:002011-09-19T15:22:06.645-04:00

My husband won an ipad the other day.  It was one of those pure luck, boy I would kill to be him type days.  he got paid to be fed breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus he wins an ipad. Our first plan was to sell it, and actually our new plan.  But in between we decided to check it out and see if it is a fun toy. It is!  I love being able to download a free ap and let Baby Girl play games for a few

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-48367370080089459212011-09-19T15:13:00.000-04:002011-09-19T15:13:00.063-04:00

I found this site with a free trial called ReadingEggs.com Baby Girl was pretty enthralled with the cartoon characters right from the start. There is a placement test, but after asking a few letters it immediately asks you to find the sentence "I am Sam" That is a pretty big jump from recognizing letter sounds. The game is set up with a series of 12 'maps' that have a curvy road of 10 lessons

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-69580743248395293942011-09-17T13:13:00.002-04:002011-09-17T13:13:29.861-04:00

4h is wide open with lots of different activities.  Which is pretty nifty. this fall the kids have started working on: Robots Nature Sewing I get to plan most of that for my kids.  I really aught to stop volunteering for things.  But the truth is, my kids will work harder if I focus on helping a group at a certain time, than if I just say 'oh doing such and such would be nice'.   My try me

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-40752631356614020492011-09-13T13:58:00.003-04:002011-09-13T13:58:47.233-04:00

Jim Weiss read the audio version for 'Story of the World' by Susan wise Bauer.  His voice has been called 'liquid gold'.  I don't know if it is quite that amazing, but I do enjoy his story telling. After we finished that book I went to my library website and searched for other books he has read.  Turns out there is a whole collection of story CDs read by him, from Egypt, Arabia, Renaissance, and

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-78005080074557019542011-09-12T13:57:00.000-04:002011-09-12T13:57:21.460-04:00

One thing missing from all the data of homeschooling, are apathetic parents.  I sometimes hear in political discussions how homeschooling is "all well and good for you people, but most parents would never teach their own".  And I have my suspicions, but I would love for a real large scale study with control and everything to look into it. If we could take a group of parents who are currently in

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-8608394743459206842011-09-10T15:22:00.000-04:002011-09-10T15:22:00.432-04:00

We are listening to the Odyssey, by Homer, in the car.  I have a bad habit of never remembering to put a story on from the computer, so when Dude asked again to listen to it, I headed to our wonderful library site and borrowed a copy. I really enjoy the readers slight accent, and clear reading.  BUT every time we hear a name there is a qualifier!  'Clear Eyed Athena", Discerning Telemachus, or

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-74931479406621542412011-09-09T16:34:00.001-04:002011-09-09T16:34:11.282-04:00

Oh dear.  I have found multiple times in the last few weeks that I am using their/there wrong!  I know the rules. I just seem to have lost the brain function to type them correctly! If I caught half a dozen problems, how many more slipped through without my notice? Am I only noticing now because Dude has been getting it wrong?  Have I always been one 'of those people' who can't use their/there

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-72321957137774664382011-09-08T13:32:00.000-04:002011-09-08T13:32:23.764-04:00

Today I: Woke up about 6:30, Started a load of laundry Made smoothies for the girls and my breakfast,  Took Little One potty (she peed in the REAL potty!), got her breakfast Took a mile walk with Baby Girl Used the weed eater to do the whole yard and around the house Finished edging the front yard Took the kids to the playground Had second breakfast (convinced Little One to eat more too!) Read

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-91644219069121702732011-09-07T06:24:00.000-04:002011-09-07T06:24:00.153-04:00

I just read this article, and what really struck me was the reminder of the absolute apathy so many parents have toward their children's education. I know some parents who are rather interested and do some research to move into a 'good school district', but I know many more who simply assume that whatever school is near will be OK. And truth be told most kids are OK, not like they are being

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-74035805510158839332011-09-06T12:05:00.000-04:002011-09-06T12:05:00.473-04:00

Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to be going wrong.  Or one of those weeks?  Or worse, one of those months.  Ugh It can seem like nothing we do makes a difference, every little attempt we make to encourage our children to be somewhat civilized, healthy and educated seems to backfire. And then comes the self doubt, why on earth did God give me kids if I am so terrible at

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-55242311372202551552011-09-05T14:18:00.000-04:002011-09-05T14:18:00.832-04:00

Blogger changed their interface.  Which is fine, free services can do whatever they want.  And in this case, the new version is not half bad. But it does bring up a few questions: Why does the most viewed post have zero comments? Why would someone google search 'forced mediocrity'? Who in Russia is clicking on my blog and WHY? While we are on the subject, India and Germany?  Really?  Who

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-89604639300287855172011-09-03T20:40:00.000-04:002011-09-03T20:41:43.832-04:00

I requested several drawing books from the library.  Princess was rather fond of 'Jill Bays Drawing Workbook, A Complete Course in Ten Lessons".  I was hoping to find something I could use for art lessons with all the kids, and some of it could be. The ten lessons cover topics such as 'tone' or 'colour' (yes spelled the British way).   Each lesson has lots of useful information, and plenty of

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-80646680067721907532011-09-02T15:38:00.000-04:002011-09-02T15:38:19.785-04:00

Why on earth haven't I ever studied this fellow before?  His work is cute, fun, floating.  I like it.  Not that I object to much art we study, just that for the first time I really do like more than just a piece of two. The kids picked their favorites from the Wiki.  Dude especially loved "The Swing", "Look they have to use ropes to pull, they aren't just pushing her!"  Trust the dude to find

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-2496892432059766352011-09-01T13:29:00.004-04:002011-09-01T13:29:52.815-04:00

Most homeschoolers are either in a perpetual 'everything is ducky' glow, or they give up and send the kids to public school. I don't think things are just ducky, and I am not giving up.  But it is hard.  Make that Hard, with a capital H.  No better make that HARD All capital.  Maybe even REALLY HARD. But I also don't see much choice.  It is kinda like saying parenting is hard.  It is REALLY

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-78290318859937484482011-08-31T14:26:00.002-04:002011-09-01T10:47:15.906-04:00

This week in Biology we have been looking at Cells.  (of course we looked at the Wiki) I found this video narrated by 5th graders which was cute. And this one by Khan which is VERY in depth, except where he says 'but we covered that in other videos'.  I am frustrated at not getting a  clear overview, but the kids are pestering me to watch the videos where he explains the extra points.  So I

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-75353954742490622522011-08-30T12:49:00.000-04:002011-08-30T12:49:13.310-04:00

I sat down with the kids and talked about what sort of subjects would need covered for one to be 'well educated'.  I talked about what seemed most appropriate in those subjects based on their age. Then together we planned a daily schedule to get them all covered. It was fun, it was color coded, it is adorable, and nifty and you can even see all the kids work at the same time! We all had a

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-23670521929526562402011-08-27T09:02:00.000-04:002011-08-27T09:02:54.271-04:00

No matter how many times I tell my friends, and especially new homeschooling families, "relax, teach what your kids are ready for, ignore the national standards".  I still find myself trying to compete with them when it comes to my own kids. Only worse, you see I want my kids to be able to explore everything and anything they want to the depth they want.  Which takes time.  I want my kids to

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-20249009004508619092011-08-21T12:13:00.000-04:002011-08-21T12:13:41.660-04:00

I have in general good kids who do as they are told.  But, I get a little tired of having to do all the telling. Every once in awhile I come up with a 'system' of rewards, consequences and lists of todo tasks. they generally encourage the children to accomplish their tasks, and I can trade my 'go do X, Y and Z" for "go check the list. Generally I get tired of having to keep track of points,

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-65544087395691235862011-08-18T13:47:00.000-04:002011-08-18T13:47:58.777-04:00

The other day we took our molecule set, graciously given to us by Grandma, and we made a fun chemical reaction. I learned it is REALLY REALLY hard to keep track of various atoms when your baby is constantly trying to dump them out all over the place.  Throw in a 3 year old who just wants to goof off, various online models that can't make up their minds if oxygen or carbon is black (or maybe

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-1653237852203341152011-08-16T14:54:00.000-04:002011-08-16T14:54:09.396-04:00

Found this post on my wall today: 'Misconceptions about Public school'. First up is "I wont have any say in what my child is exposed to" which is countered with a lovely story about a teacher checking to see if a discussion about heaven would be ok with the family. While right off the bat that is lovely, see the teacher was concerned, even if I assume that all teachers eavesdrop on their

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-74629411658503617702011-08-15T09:30:00.001-04:002011-08-15T09:30:02.612-04:00

This link here has a nice graph showing test scores compared with money spent per student. Every time I hear another person complaining about education spending I get all hot under the collar.  We do spend some money on the kids, I like my saxon and singapore math, enjoy the classical academic press language, and we even enjoy some local classes.  But really I fall into the less than 600 spent

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-73120875657501822962011-08-10T10:09:00.000-04:002011-08-10T10:09:00.135-04:00

They say "Those who fail to study history are condemned to repeat it"  Or rather George Santayana said "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." and plenty of folk expound upon it. We spend a lot of time talking about politics when we read history.  I want the kids to understand the political bias of a history, as well as some of the thoughts and feelings that encouraged

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-32156154370290618492011-08-09T10:01:00.000-04:002011-08-09T10:01:01.477-04:00

We got an Ikea Catalog in the mail!  It is big thick and full of rooms with all sorts of lovely furniture options! I promptly sat down and showed the kids how to play.  Princess started with a budget of $1000 and started to design the dream bedroom for a 'grown up girl'. She started subtracting pretty well, but then started to get confused between dollars and cents.  Some prices are listed like

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-87391656944018933482011-08-08T10:24:00.000-04:002011-08-08T10:24:01.490-04:00

Oh dear, how on earth can a terrible speller ever learn to spell Botticelli! Sheesh, I have had the hardest time this month trying to spell his name correctly every time we put in on the time line and do a google search. The kids have chosen their favorite works from this site with what it claims are his complete works, Botticelli.net   there are several repeats, and quite frequently 'detail'

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-8593890178836781752011-08-06T14:05:00.000-04:002011-08-06T14:05:53.129-04:00

Right before a trip to PA, the kids borrowed a book called Magyk.  I found it decent in plot, but far to obvious. Many times through out the story the author would repeat herself.  But all in all it filled the time to PA quite well.  The ending was also rather obvious, and the 'big secret' given away in the first few pages.  Still we enjoyed the story. When we returned Dude decided he wanted to

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-3669402306270474862011-08-05T13:47:00.000-04:002011-08-05T13:47:03.407-04:00

As I go through life I am trying to improve myself.  I try to be less of a lazy bon bon eating housewife, and more of a productive healthy woman. There are a thousand and one things that I do wrong, and I want to fix most of them (not giving up my chocolate!) Rather than sulk in despair at how far I have to go, I choose one or two simple steps and focus on each for as long as my short attention

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-46471661716465571492011-08-03T14:02:00.000-04:002011-08-03T14:02:19.620-04:00

Last week my plan was to keep the email inbox at less than 50 items.  This week I was to bump it down to less than 40. Or at least that was the goal, if I could plow through my todo list/email inbox I would feel so accomplished. But as in many things real life is far harder than bedtime plans. Apparently I already 'cherry picked' all the easy stuff, and now I am left with hard things.  Which

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-67481334677248791012011-08-02T12:44:00.000-04:002011-08-02T12:44:02.430-04:00

We have a small house, and WAY to much stuff in it. I finally sat down with the girls and reorganized their room, tossed a bag full each  of toys and clothes.  And now I really need to do the boys room, and my room, and the living room, and hey how about the kitchen? I work better in a cleanish mostly organised environment, I have known this for a long time. So why is it so hard for me to keep

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-18814856781848649762011-07-30T08:33:00.000-04:002011-07-30T08:33:21.700-04:00

My 'dashboard' no longer shows me any blogs that I am following.  They are all in my google reader, but I cannot add or remove blogs anymore. It is a little annoying to come on here to read some updates like the cool crochet book on Almost Unschooling and not find even one. Thank goodness for google reader though, otherwise I might be forced to go do something useful!

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-30122434903471379942011-07-29T23:09:00.000-04:002011-07-29T23:09:00.268-04:00

I have a todo list a mile long, and in general when I am awake one part of my brain is constantly checking the list, updating it with new items, prioritizing items, re-prioritizing, and sometimes even checking items off the list. I have noticed, no one else in my family has this list. While I wake up knowing that, among other things, I need to do laundry and dishes -because I always need to do

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-20469524164249110722011-07-29T09:56:00.000-04:002011-07-29T09:56:20.459-04:00

I have been using http://pinterest.com/ for a week or so.  You download a button to your favorites tool bar (you have to make sure to show your favorites on your browser) and when you see something you like you can 'pin' it to a board. I have used it to make a 'try me' file of all sorts of interesting websites, projects, science, or crafts for the kids.  And I wasted some time pinning a few of

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-15453325889372251552011-07-28T15:48:00.000-04:002011-07-28T15:48:30.976-04:00

So this morning while walking the dog I passed a spot on the sidewalk with a good deal of change. While picking it up I kept wondering why anyone would lose this much money and not stop to pick it up. Part of me envisioned some terrible fight, or a mad dash to escape.  Mostly I assumed someone came home late and the coins fell out while fetching house keys.  It was hard enough to see the coins

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-63339875793586325702011-07-27T13:13:00.000-04:002011-07-27T13:13:51.865-04:00

I was all by myself for an hour today! Well, Almost by myself. I went to the pool today while Little One napped at home. The other girls were with me, but they both can swim so I really didn't have to hold anyone or wait for anyone to walk off the edge and fall in. It was heavenly!  Really I had forgotten how freeing it is to be in a pool, I could float on my back without having to look past my

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-33320765189200772842011-07-26T09:17:00.001-04:002011-07-26T09:26:54.353-04:00

I am not a very nice person, so being kind is a bit of an oddity, being random and kind is way out there. But nevertheless the last two days I have done a couple 'nice' things, and ... it was worrisome. First I turned a garbage can around.  Our city has huge 4 foot tall rolling carts with a metal bar that the garbage tuck can lift up to dump, if the bar is not street side, the truck can't empty

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-63222715281505164432011-07-25T09:58:00.000-04:002011-07-25T09:58:00.431-04:00

Princess wanted to study Georgia O'Keeffe's art.  So we borrowed a few books from the library about her, read the Wiki article, and perused the 'image' option of Google search. Dude learned an important lesson, not all images that appear in a search are by the artist in question.  He loves this picture of a 'Bearded Iris'  which is tagged O'Keeffe, because the inspiration came from her. If you

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-38766954028935459462011-07-22T14:16:00.000-04:002011-07-22T14:16:43.316-04:00

I was out at the pool today trying to determine how it could possible feel better to be directly in the sun, than home in shade with a fan. It struck me how energizing direct sun feels.  When in the heat of the sun I honestly feel my skin tingle and yes start to burn (I am a pasty skinned Irish gal if you didn't know!)   I think in five minutes you can watch the freckles start to pop up. Right

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-17211887630841761372011-07-22T08:31:00.003-04:002011-07-22T09:08:38.324-04:00

I have a standard simple method for solving all word problems that tends to take the trouble out of them.  First determine which kind of trouble the student is having: Easiest to solve is the "I can't do this because I didn't really read it".  All I have to do is have the kids read the story outloud to me, maybe with some help pronouncing a strange name, or unusual word. Slightly more

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-12539785825074533662011-07-21T10:10:00.000-04:002011-07-21T10:10:00.395-04:00

Thank goodness, one less book to feel like I ought to be reading every day.  Bitter sweet though, we loved that book.  short sweet chapters, plenty of humor, and a history lesson just to understand the analogies.  It was published just after WWI during prohibition. The final chapter discusses maybe humans are just too young and that is why we fight all the time!  It is done in a hopeful manner,

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-36014450551274314602011-07-20T10:46:00.001-04:002011-07-20T10:46:00.525-04:00

I spend a lot of time researching the best way to teach my children.  I spend a lot of time trying to make sure they know enough to make homeschooling look good.  Oh and that they grow up more or less civilized and able to make their way in the world. Some days I really really want to just hand the torch over to someone else.  The ability to just relax and assume someone else is in charge, and

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-68190128915314184072011-07-19T14:19:00.000-04:002011-07-19T14:19:00.518-04:00

We finished 'Story of inventions' the other week.  I considered not even mentioning it, since I am mostly planning on complaining.  Plus I borrowed the book, and already gave it back, so this is only based on my memory -which is pretty faulty at times. Ah well, if I don't get to complain here, I will do it in person, and this is so much easier for all to skim past and ignore. The first few

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-26821209048518964782011-07-18T13:33:00.002-04:002011-07-18T13:44:28.082-04:00

Truth be told, I grew up with a dog, along with various other animals, and I always felt a dog would be a good idea. Mostly what held me back was the expense (that and talking my husband into one).  When it comes right down to it, I don't feel families that are generally broke (which we are) should be spending extra money on a pet.  A pet is something to be coddled, and cared for - with no

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-42616554800522889692011-07-16T14:02:00.000-04:002011-07-16T14:02:00.362-04:00

This month we are working on logic grid puzzles.  The kind where you get some clues and you have to figure out which kid is on which street with which color bike. The kidz page has a few very simple ones.  A good place for a young kid to start, Dude finds them pathetically easy, but still fun. (He asked me, "Mom do other pages have more like this?")  Princess and Little Man have had some trouble

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-62784800150903785562011-07-15T08:57:00.000-04:002011-07-15T08:57:54.775-04:00

My kids have been in a Christmas mood.  First they made Christmas presents, and hid them in their rooms. Then they started making Christmas decorations out of q-tips.  I have a whole box of Q tips that got just a smidgen wet one day, so I don't think they are clean enough to use for faces.  The box is perfect for crafts.  Unfortunately the decoration making began before I woke up so they already

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-33478697340641828392011-07-13T14:28:00.000-04:002011-07-13T14:28:19.864-04:00

Our community HOA comes with a pool (and some cranky folk who don't like non grass plants growing in the yard) - but the good part is the pool. Anyway, not having any AC on we are in it every day, trying to cool off.  (I say trying because the water isn't very cool!) This year has been a great year to see all kinds of improvements in the kids swimming abilities. Little One is a total fish,

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-45269081055102990762011-07-10T13:02:00.000-04:002011-07-10T13:02:00.199-04:00

Does that opener make you panic?  While I was always fairly good at BSing on any topic.  I never developed the habit of being able to write 'something good' with no starter.  And in fact even with one I wouldn't call it good, I just managed to pass highschool with it.  (which these days is getting easier and easier!). So why do we think children should be able to do it?  I see so many different

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-59334563736558080522011-07-09T07:06:00.000-04:002011-07-09T07:06:00.239-04:00

I went over the the 'kids and curriculum' page and updated some info. Not that much changed, I just happened to be awake at a silly hour of the morning thanks to my Little One, and of course playing with my blog is far more fun than say dishes, or laundry! One thing I noticed, is how plain my history and science look.  I don't have a fancy program to point out and say 'look how cool we are'.  

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-82942668760404948262011-07-08T06:09:00.000-04:002011-07-08T06:09:32.723-04:00

Some very nice lady in a grocery store told my husband he and I should write a parenting book. Really?  I am flattered, intrigued, and scared. What if I did write a book, then folk would see my bratty kids and say 'She wrote a book, like she has any idea what she is doing?'.  Well no I don't, I try, but I really don't know what I am doing. Mostly I just have opinions, lots of opinions.  It is

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-28600384872777185002011-07-07T19:43:00.000-04:002011-07-07T19:43:01.554-04:00

Once in a blue moon I actually have a kid set the table.  Usually kids are reading, or playing or working on something, and really I need to find excuses to stay in the kitchen and not burn things myself.  (becuase scrubbing cabinets might be useful, but oh so hard) Today Baby Girl really wanted to help, I was growing tired of her dumping the beans out of the pot in her overearnest efforts to

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-49938321862553035102011-07-07T19:09:00.001-04:002011-07-07T19:32:12.392-04:00

Wouldn't it be cool to have a history show fascinating and full of information that just so happened to correspond with what you were reading in the history books? Sure, and if I actually played it at the right time you would have to check and see if aliens came and replaced me! Ah well even playing it at the wrong time is fascinating, and trying to figure out which show is supposed to be next

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-24204058746609670762011-07-06T10:08:00.000-04:002011-07-06T20:44:59.076-04:00

This month the kids asked to study the Beatles for music.  We have mentioned them and heard their music before but we thought we might actually put them on the timeline and look up a little history about them. I listened to a lot of 'oldies' as a kid but I never really put a name to any song, so I have a lot of trouble remembering good songs.  I thought I would make my life simpler, I posted on

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-25859781523118559292011-07-06T10:01:00.000-04:002011-07-06T10:01:26.131-04:00

I have discovered something about myself over the past few years.  Books were meant to be finished.  I hate reading just part of a good book.  I also hate spending three years reading one book. I quit, I am finishing the good books we find, and I am doing it at a reasonable rate of speed. I get the point of taking time to really think about and internalize a good story, so no speed reading.  

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-14584164750055082272011-07-05T14:04:00.000-04:002011-07-05T14:04:55.384-04:00

We think of Public School like ice cream.  You know the stuff that tastes so good, but is made with unpronounceable ingredients, and often has weird chemicals that are totally not needed (really why would you put red 40 in ice cream?  Who cares what color it is, the sugar and fat is why folk eat it.)  Of course there are good things in icecream, calcium, and umm.  Well yeah, that. Along those

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-31277982053100789672011-06-23T13:11:00.000-04:002011-06-23T13:11:26.752-04:00

We love the magic school bus, silly, missing a few details, and just plain fun. Right now we are trying to get through all the major body systems. So far we have watched 'For Lunch'  - all about digestion 'Flexes it's Muscles' -More about joints than muscles really. 'Inside Ralphie' -which is more about germ warfare than the circulatory system, but it is still good. I haven't found any

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-24326369493645162572011-06-21T09:03:00.000-04:002011-06-21T09:03:30.698-04:00

My kids finished reading the required books for the Barnes and Noble summer reading, but it wasn't until yesterday that we were able to make it to the store to pick up their free book. Princess picked 'Sleepover Sleuths'. Little Man picked 'James and the Giant Peach'. Dude picked "Gregor the Overlander " Baby Girl only managed to read 4 books so far.  We will let her keep working on the list.

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-75906804399115626232011-06-20T11:28:00.000-04:002011-06-20T11:28:00.973-04:00

One of the things I have been trying to help my kids do more of are 'logic puzzles'.  Both the 'who wore what and went where kind, and the simpler 'how to get a ball to point B' type. I would occasionally pull up a game site and let the kids experiment, but nothing formal. Till now! Because Dude is doing the 'fifth grade' thing and because TWTM and other sites recommend logic work for that

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-51803241711246398452011-06-13T11:58:00.017-04:002011-06-13T11:58:00.764-04:00

Some days I think the best lessons we can give a kid have nothing to do with academics. Don't get me wrong, both the unschooling half and my Classical half agree a well rounded education is invaluable for life. From skills such as reading and math for basic bills and taxes, to the basics of science and history to deal with politics  a good foundation really helps smooth the path for whatever

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-16268303168073490132011-06-13T09:26:00.000-04:002011-06-13T09:26:52.368-04:00

It is official, we have a bunch of odd kids. As in their ages.  Actually they are all rather odd, but they are also 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. So nice and simple to have their ages perfectly odd. Little One can walk, says 'mamum' (that means momma's milk-not me), and 'ha' (meaning hi) along with the sound an elephant makes.  She can also find someone else's nose, and put her hands on her head.  

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-45991795679999215932011-06-10T09:14:00.043-04:002011-06-10T09:14:00.730-04:00

While I enjoy the idea of really getting into the masters from classical art.  The truth is I am lazy. I have fallen into a simple rut with 'art study': 1. Borrow a book from the library that has some of the artists work and let the kids read it (or just browse) 2. Let the kids read Wiki about the artist. 3. Ask the kids to draw or describe on of their favorite works (from wiki or the library

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-70626466380008108042011-06-07T08:54:00.002-04:002011-06-07T10:47:29.565-04:00

Princess gave Daddy a homemade card that says "I love You"  and had space for him to write a story. Daddy being the wonderful amazing man he is, took up the challenge and penned a cute story in a few moments. Once upon a time, there was a Pirate Captain.  For his birthday his crew built him a little ship just big enough for the seven of them.  They sailed for days in their little ship until

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-73273677818392039062011-06-06T13:02:00.000-04:002011-06-04T13:47:50.955-04:00

My two oldest both began piano lessons about 1.5 years ago. Dude took to it like a duck to water, he loved playing, and he did rather well.  He isn't a Mozart or anything, but he certainly improves, practices willingly and enjoys the piano. Princess, while she liked piano, had NO rhythm!  She couldn't keep a steady beat, and that really effected her playing ability. Dude continued playing,

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-40596692537079553002011-06-03T13:38:00.000-04:002011-06-03T13:38:31.181-04:00

Interesting observation by my kids this morning.  Both Little Man and Princess were goofing off testing temperature of their breath. They breathed in and out with their hands up to see if the air they breathed in was as hot as the air they breathed out. Later in the day I suggested they 'purse their lips' and breath out.  Of course that made a nice cool breeze. We talked about air flow, and

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-67657626288162578012011-06-03T10:52:00.002-04:002011-06-03T10:52:00.643-04:00

We have looked at Chopin's work before, but it came around again in the AO rotation so I figured a month wouldn't kill me. I may have been wrong. The only Chopin song, I have heard, that I like is This.  (the last 20 seconds are an ad for their work) The rest of Chopin's work varies  from 'meh' to 'oh please make it stop'. Either I am finding uninspiring piano players on youtube, or else I

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-20705525396708888512011-06-01T22:43:00.000-04:002011-06-01T22:43:27.888-04:00

We headed to the creek again today.  For one reason or another I had my Little One with me, so we opted to stay close to the hill and play on the 'beach'. (a 15 foot strip of sand that is 5 foot wide at the max-and quite rocky in general) I have no idea why anyone would find a beach relaxing! I spent the entire time trying to keep Little One from eating sand!  Well that and helping Dude dig a

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-35161166143972684532011-06-01T06:54:00.000-04:002011-06-01T06:54:19.547-04:00

Today starts the beginning of the Boarders book challenge.  Read any 10 books, fill out this little form, take it to Boarders, and get a free book. Last week the Barnes and Nobel began their 2011 'Imagination's Destination' reading challenge.  Only 8 books for the prize. And yet the Library doesn't start their challenge until mid June.  I assume marketing suggests starting before school lets out.

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-53504295284538755772011-05-30T13:11:00.000-04:002011-05-30T13:11:00.618-04:00

If you are going to spend some time...doing nothing important..... At least take a lesson from kids.  Make it educational. Not that children tell us they are working on educational subjects, just that if you watch a kid with no TV, pretty soon it becomes apparent their brain is working. The past two days have been blissfully unscheduled.  Over the course of 48 hours I watched my children: -

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-7304911081301968782011-05-27T10:40:00.007-04:002011-05-27T10:40:00.662-04:00

Oh brother. I just caught Dude chanting: "I finish all my work, to finish, I will finish all my work, I finished all my work. I finish you finish he/she or it finishes we finish you'all finish they finish" I suppose if it was a Spanish or Latin vocabulary word  I would be glad of him studying, but as it is - I find it mostly babble! Do folk studying English as a second language conjugate

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-32288104211482045062011-05-25T14:26:00.000-04:002011-05-25T14:26:47.502-04:00

How do you do your mental math? Do you have a picture of manipulatives or objects in your mind? Do you have a 'chalkboard' to write or draw needed pictures in your mind? Or do you just 'do the math' without a picture of any kind? Several recent discussions, with friends working on math education, brought to mind the variety of methods people use for mental math. My oldest (Dude) finds

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-5363814653108824372011-05-25T11:25:00.002-04:002011-05-25T11:25:00.104-04:00

I recently visited a 'fancy brainiac only charter school'.  I wasn't trying to visit a school, I was there for a meeting.  But along the way I walked past rows of cute art projects, towers of ribbons and awards for math and science, adorable stories written by kids only knee high, and the big giant roller coaster. So for the FIRST time I am having a panic attack.  Oh I have had plenty about

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-29088753734929855252011-05-24T11:18:00.002-04:002011-05-24T11:18:01.132-04:00

For awhile I was hunting up a variety of ideas to explore each new composer.  Then I got burned out from all the work. I have currently settled into a routine.  It might be minimalist and somewhat boring for me to plan, but it gets the job done. First week we make a youtube playlist - following some favorites of our own (if we know any) then adding any AO recommendations. And we read the Lives

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-503380756641054762011-05-22T21:46:00.002-04:002011-05-22T21:52:12.714-04:00

I was recently asked for my opinion of homeschooling - based on being a homeschool graduate, not a homeschool mom.  To be fully honest, I was only homeschooled until high school.  I then had the interesting experience of attending 4 very different types of school.  Both a small and large of each Public and Private. Before I begin I would like to state I am very glad for all the different

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-69530801139410086032011-05-19T14:38:00.000-04:002011-05-19T14:38:01.156-04:00

It was recently pointed out to me that the word 'homeschooling' implies just that.  'school at home'.  Only what most homeschoolers look for is anything but school at home! There is very little about school that would appeal to me or my children. Sir Ken Robinson gave an excellent Ted talk regarding how the assembly line method of education works (or rather doesn't work) Children don't learn

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-46283106708522014372011-05-18T14:00:00.000-04:002011-05-18T14:00:03.518-04:00

From one of those 'girl' books Princess discovered a smoothie recipe and really wanted to try it.  I have never liked smoothies, but I aim to let her try any and all healthy foods as often as possible. It was super quick and easy to make, only 3 ingredients, barely any measuring.  Princess can do everything herself, except find the 'blender' attachment.  (which is buried under a huge pile of

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-26562251897933383392011-05-17T13:19:00.000-04:002011-05-17T13:19:19.241-04:00

I never thought I would have that 'end of year' thing traditional schoolers have.  We school year round with slightly more swimming in summer, and slightly less paperwork, but other than that, there is no real change. As the kids get older, more and more events follow the traditional school year. So far we have had the 4H presentation show, Co-op play, and the piano recital.  Tonight is the

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-35248523946255652202011-05-07T12:25:00.002-04:002011-05-07T12:25:00.535-04:00

This week from the library we borrowed "The Girl's Book of Excellence"  and "The Boy's Book of Greatness". Each book as short simple instructions on skills and tips such as "How to be the best cheerleader"  or "How to make perfect popcorn". Some are VERY gender biased "How to look beautiful tomorrow", which is actually skin care tips.  And of course sticking "How to pitch a tent' in the boys

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-79240702249697040752011-05-05T11:34:00.000-04:002011-05-05T11:34:00.659-04:00

I hear so often today of the horrors of a mother 'all wrapped up in her children'.  Apparently it is dreadful that a woman would want to spend time with her kids, and would put their needs over her own. Now don't get me wrong, I fall firmly in the camp of 'put your own oxygen mask on first'.  I know a good momma has some time to herself to relax, goof off, and prepare for the day.  In my case it

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-27627175767636309042011-05-03T12:35:00.000-04:002011-05-03T12:35:00.552-04:00

Since Princess barely made grade level in spelling we decided to look into some kind of program to help her.  Dude managed his above grade level with nothing more than a few pointers along the way and lots of reading.  He has a near photogenic memory, all he has to do for a word is think of where he has seen it and spell it that way.  Must be nice! Princess is like me, she doesn't even spell a

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-49275640961844693602011-04-30T17:44:00.000-04:002011-04-30T17:44:00.772-04:00

I think one of the major problems with education today is the assumption that you have a certain amount you need to know and that is it. 'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing'.  I don't know who said that first, (neither does the internet)  but I have it rather ingrained in my head.  I have always understood the meaning as two fold.  Both that ignorance will work in favor of a government (

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-88615175887355166852011-04-29T14:44:00.001-04:002011-04-29T14:44:42.060-04:00

The kids finished up their Aleks trial today. Dude managed 78%, Princess 82%, of their pie completed. Both children really enjoyed being able to do their math on the computer.  I disliked having to lug around a Laptop when traveling for various events, but I was glad to see them looking forward to math. The newness and excitement wore off sometime in the second month, but they feel math is

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-90549209764989536402011-04-27T13:56:00.001-04:002011-04-27T13:56:13.746-04:00

I recently read an article describing a study on teaching and children.  I cannot for the life of me remember where, or even if it was in print or online.  Sorry. Anyway one study was that an adult brought out a 'goofy' toy that made some noises or lit up depending on the order that knobs were pushed or pulled.  There was no picture but I got the gist it was just an electronic box of some sort

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-65654869264110161692011-04-26T11:30:00.000-04:002011-04-26T11:30:23.389-04:00

Recently a question was posed on Facebook regarding counting with small children. I came up with a few dozen simple ways we sneak counting into our routine. I actually start when the babies are born.  While I dress them they usually dislike being 'held down'; Because to a small squirmy infant finally freed of their 9 month 'prison'  ANY down time is the end of the world! Of course I sing songs

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-83692524157535363552011-04-25T22:47:00.000-04:002011-04-25T22:47:00.227-04:00

Doing something is better than doing nothing - but think before you act. Have you ever been paralyzed by perfection?  The fear that you can't possibly do it right, so you don't do anything at all?  Or the never ending planning session trying to find the perfect path to get everything done, that takes up all the time for doing? I often have this problem, mostly I have learned that a false start is

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-88972227239010527082011-04-22T14:01:00.003-04:002011-04-26T09:52:09.688-04:00

NC Law requires some form of assessment testing every year.  We have always used the Woodcock Johnson test as it provides actual information on what type of Math or Reading the kids are strongest, and weakest at.  (plus penty of information in between) link to more info from me on WJ, and last years test results This year both Princess and Dude took the WJ test. Dude tests off the charts in

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-46233242902158590612011-04-20T14:01:00.000-04:002011-04-20T14:01:03.071-04:00

If you decided to take the plunge and teach your child to read without using any formal program - welcome to my world!  It isn't has hard as it may seem.  Only one of my children had a formal reading program. Though sometimes the Type A half of my brain feel a PLAN is needed.  In order to appease her (me?)  I made one.  I may or may not follow it.  Children are all different, and I have learned

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-73598484550673060732011-03-11T17:05:00.000-05:002011-03-11T17:05:14.160-05:00

Honestly, both the older children asked to take a test today. I had taken out the old Saxon placement test for grades K-3 just to see what Baby Girl knows and what she doesn't.  Tests are for information, not pass/fail around here.  Both the kids and I think they are fun. Baby Girl knows plenty for her age, and it is good to see where the gaps were.  I think we will be playing with more graphs

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-80346870296233729672011-03-09T10:20:00.000-05:002011-03-09T10:20:01.191-05:00

I have often tried to come up with a comprehensive list of what a person really needs to know. Basic skills like cooking and car car are always on the list, along with basics of history and communication. Sadly most advanced math never makes the list.  While I enjoyed Calculus, I have never used it in my adult life. I have never succeeded in a full list though.  I get pages and pages, I try to

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-22606223842799539402011-03-08T10:59:00.000-05:002011-03-08T10:59:00.745-05:00

When you stick some weight loss type goals on a list, the reporting tends to run like a dry boring workout list.  I really haven't the talent to make this interesting, but I feel compelled to list it to keep myself accountable. My first two goals are not even one tiny bit accomplished.  I ignored the ship to get a little more focus on some 4H work and kicked the overflowing game pieces back

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-36532976071318722322011-03-07T01:20:00.003-05:002011-03-07T01:20:00.441-05:00

I found myself hungry, long before dinner time.  I also found myself in need of a whole house cleaning.  Nothing major (well it needed something major, but it never gets that.) I was in the mood for some chicken, fries, veggies and ice cream.  A real junk food dinner.  Apparently these things take forever.  (though far cheaper and faster at home than so called fast food) So I decided to have

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1626870423164393857.post-589945051977765532011-03-05T11:09:00.001-05:002011-03-05T11:24:42.831-05:00

We had a long trip to make so I borrowed Blue Balliett's 'The Wright Three' on CDs.  I would have preferred the first one 'Chasing Vermeer' but the library didn't have that one.  (I did get it in paperback though) I followed the recommendation of 'Almost Unschoolers'  because she always has the best books! Anyway we were enjoying the story very much.  Or rather Daddy (driving) and Dude (never

Lady Chadwickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05292643345675146255noreply@blogger.com5