Kindergarten Begins…

The start of our new normal has begun today as Luk was introduced to his first few pretest so that I could determine exactly where he was, and so that our evaluator could see our starting point. Today, I put in some basic critical thinking tests in math and reading/phonics. It was a care-free testing so that he could just do his thing. They were built so that he could self-administer, really. It turned out pretty pain free. As he did each one, I let him know that when I give him the tests that it would done like this and this.

The first test: Pre-primer Dolch Sight Word List Assessment

Luk scored 35%; he 18/40 words, which was pretty good this we’ve been focusing more on phonemes and blends. The sight words that he did know were ones that have been seen in his Explode the Code books and readings that we have done on our own. I wanted to make sure that I didn’t push him before this year. I have to remind myself everyday that he is only five years old. This can be quite a challenge when he talks like teenager many times!

The next test I put in front of him was one on a critical thinking basis with the alphabet. Each section was covered once he finished the top sections.

My husband and I really want to make sure that he knows his stuff, not just something that is routine. In that sheet there are above are blanks in random areas, but the third section is completely empty. Sure, Luk can sing his ABCs, but to write them with no help in the correct order proved that sometimes the Y goes before the X… interesting. Luk scored 34/38 so 89%.

The third sheet is a number sheet with blanks. I only made him do half of it, and he will complete the other half for tomorrow. He also did number recognition from a 1-100 chart (random picks).

He did perfect on it.

We also incorporated Mama Jenn’s “Read It, Spell It, Write It” page. He really liked it. So, we will keep on keeping on.

After we did these things, there was 30 minutes of quiet/reading time. So, we had a little Star Wars action going because well, we like Star Wars. Luk was in a battle field mode as we began our day reading the book of Judges. He drew a photo on how the Canaanites had chariots and the Israelites struggled with this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think he wanted to pretend some fighting scenes. Logan tagged along (waiting to get him his Education Cubes also from Mama Jenn)

As our day came to climax (dinner making time = stress time) Luk pulled out his US President Flashcards (shocked me). I pulled out our $1 Wal-Mart place mat of the Presidents, and we had a nice matching game going on.

Luk’s favorite President: Abraham Lincoln. Why? He was such a good one. (nice)

Luk’s bad President: Richard Nixon. Why? He did a bad thing. (Watergate, just in case)

Luk’s actor President: Ronald Reagan. Why? He was an actor. (DUH!)

However, we learned a bit about Theodore Roosevelt about the “Teddy” Bear story. As Luk would say, “he didn’t kill the bear when he went hunting… I don’t know why though.” In this we also learned about Pres. William McKinley who was President and Teddy was Vice President. What Luk and I really liked about him was the fact that when he was shot before he died he asked the people around him not to hurt the man that shot him. We were really impressed with that response. I am going to look further into his spiritual life especially after reading this I am curious to see where he stood.

How do we end our school day? We end it with a bit of unschooling in the science area with daddy.

I, also, wanted to share one of the many many many reasons why we love our public library. Our wonderful Mrs. Dee who does story time did a theme on cupcakes… did she know this is Logan’s favorite little treat… hmmm…

YUM!!!

Florida Portfolio

Sometimes it is nice to just be told what to do. You know when you don’t know where you want to eat, and you ask the person with you wherever you want and they comply with an answer. That’s how I feel about the Florida Statute on End-of-the-Year Portfolios. It is pretty lax, but then you have to make the decision of just what is the best way to put it together. Well, the past three days I have been doing just that.

Research…

Research…

More Research… (no, I’m not from Pinellas, but they are a neighboring county)

Yes, I am a bit OCD, and on top of that I have to plan. Surprise on what the gender of your child is? Nope, not me. If I can find out and get things in order, that’s me. I am not a fan of procrastination. So, before our crazy summer begins I have gotten a move on with what our Portfolio will look like. It is finally done, and now all that needs to take place is for Sept to come and start adding Luk’s school work to it.

Starting point is knowing what needs to go inside this portfolio:

Simple Portfolio Evaluations

port·fo·lio noun  5: a selection of a student’s work (as papers and tests) compiled over a period of time and used for assessing performance or progress

A homeschool portfolio is a sampling of your student’s work over a certain period of time, whether year-round or a traditional school year.  To use your portfolio for your annual evaluation, in the state of Florida, it must be reviewed by a Florida certified teacher and must show educational progress.  The average cost of a portfolio evaluation is $50 and a list of certified teachers can be found on our website (www.herijax.com). You can expect an evaluation to take about an hour.  Book an appointment for the evaluation at least 6 weeks prior to your anniversary date, so you are not rushed.

Your portfolio should have 5 – 9 work samples for each subject for each quarter. Dating all your students’ papers and organizing each subject in separate sections is very helpful.  In most cases the teacher will look at the portfolio and speak with the student to see that they have made progress from the beginning of the year to the end.  Most teachers are looking for simple and to the point work that the child has done.  Extra work, projects, lapbooks or a piece of artwork that cannot fit into the portfolio can be shared with the teacher as well.

Other items typically found in a portfolio are:

§  Your letter of intent to homeschool

§  Program description (Tip: photocopy the table of contents from your students text books)

§  Daily, Weekly or Monthly logs of your student’s lessons and activities

§  Reading log (this includes what the student has read, what you have read to the student and what you have read about homeschooling or any subject you are teaching your student.)
Tip: Keep your book receipt from the library for your records

§  Pictures (some things cannot be documented as well as a good photograph)

§  Extracurricular activities log

§  Awards and certificates

§  Completed “Home Education Evaluation Form” (always keep a copy for your records)

With this here is what my last few nights and today have looked like:

Yes, Play time is essential!

Curriculum, Books, Portfolio, and Logan’s Puppy

Cover

Who is Luk?

Letter of Intent

Curriculum List

Curriculum Excerpts

Monthly Calendar/Plans/Objectives

(our days differ, so this will only be filled out each week)

Journal Log 

(daily thoughts on progress)

 

Book List

Field Trip and PE Log

Subject Folders

These are the 27 Right Start Worksheets

 Previous Work to show initial progress

Show some of Luk’s responsibilities

Quarterly Nature Journal (Science)

Quarterly Book Reports (Chapter books read together)

Vocabulary/Spelling (English)

Quarterly Historical Figures Report (history) 

Short Break for Cheetos

(notice orange ring around lips & orange smudges on shirt) 

Last are the Pre-Assessment Sheets for Reading

Also, there is going to be a copy of the Evaluation.

Inside the subject folders will carry the work throughout the year, and some already have what will be done so that I have it all in one area. Lesson plans will look at the monthly objective alone with the table of contents from each curriculum since it shows the scope of learning. 

Our days change due to illness, behavior issues, or just having dad home on Monday. So, my plans will only be a scope of learning along with journal entries. For those things that are done on the computer like his Math supplement, I will take photos. 

Hopefully this will be an adequate portfolio. I will only know so at the end of the year. I do think that it a good plan. I’m sure that over time things will be tweaked, but that’s fine. Stay tuned to see what the final product will be. 

**The pages like the Nature Journal, Historical Figures, etc came from TOS Planner with me editing some for our needs.**

Not Back to School Blog Hop

It is a new year for many of us homeschooling families. Over at Heart of the Matter, they are having this year’s “Not Back-to-School Blog Hop.” I figured I would participate as I want this blog to be as informational to newbies as possible. If you want to know why we chose the items we did, here is my original post.

Here is our Curriculum for the year (and if it works will be used throughout all Elementary):

Math: Right Start Level A

Phonics: Explode the Code Book 1

Bible: Positive Action K

Science: Real Science-4-Kids Pre-level K-3 (Biology)

Geography:  Maps Charts Graphs (Levels A & B)

 Handwriting: Handwriting without Tears K 

Critical Thinking: The Critical Thinking Company Pre-K/K K-2 (Mind Benders)

Spanish: Hooked On Phonics (we will be using another curriculum in the middle of the year)

This is our first year homeschooling, and Luk is four. He has an inquisitive spirit, and I feel it is my responsibility to nourish it. Will Logan start at four, I’m not too convinced, however Luk is ready and we are pressing forward. I will be posting my further thoughts on this curriculum as the year progresses.

Handwriting without Tears Pre-K Book Done

Well, today was our last day doing the Pre-K Handwriting without Tears Book. We only use the workbook and Teacher’s Guide. I just recently bought the large chalk board for him at the Convention.

He did his “Check Readiness” pages, and I thought I would share them with you.

Page 1

Luk likes to color, but not all the time. So, it took some time to get him to focus and stay in the lines. It is that method of making sure there is control in the writing. Luk has good control, but after some time gets a bit messy (but don’t we all).

Page 2

This is a page that is extra. The book asks that the child be able to draw a person (themself or someone else) and draw ten parts: head, eyes, nose, mouth, ears/hair, body, arms, hands, legs, and feet (note extra parts).
The extras for Luk were the eyebrows, eyelashes, neck, and fingers.
He drew his cousin, Gregory. He was so excited to do this, and asked that I write “I love Gregory.”

Page 3

Here Luk did well, I am curious why he has a heard time identifying “R.” I gave him a hint by saying the sound, and he got it. I almost wonder if he did just out of being ready for nap. He, also, did this with the number “9.” Again, I gave the hint that it is before “10” and after “8.” He then said it.
As for the writing his name, the first time he just wrote is after I asked him to. Then on the right I asked that he stay on the line. Pretty good, I thought.

Mommy Thoughts:
I was thinking I would start the Kindergarten Book when I started Explode the Code (since it uses lowercase letters), but I may start him now so that he is prepared when he sees it. Hmmm, we’ll see. Those are my thoughts on how he did with the his first “test.” Now, to figure out how I want to start the next book.

I almost forgot! We got the Right Start Math Curriculum in yesterday. I was shocked; I thought it wouldn’t be in for another two weeks. Now, we are awaiting the Science curriculum. Then to really kick it into high gear the planning of the school year!

Field Trip to Lowry Park Zoo

Well, we excited to be taking our first field trip with friends tomorrow. We are going to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. They are very proud to be Parent Magazines top rated zoo, and having been there I would have to agree. Luk has had quite a blast each time we have gone, and they have added more since our last visit. For our trip, I have put together a Folder Scavenger Hunt with Animals to find in the Zoo. I think the kids are really going to enjoy this. I went to the site and used the animal photos to create this little game. I’m hoping the kids love it, and that the moms enjoy the interaction with the pictures. I will post tomorrow how the trip went.

Here is our Folder:

I am also going to have Luk take pictures of some of the animals he sees and play a matching game.

FPEA Convention & Seminar Suggestions

I am excited! The Homeschool Convention is coming up soon here in Florida. I don’t know what other conventions look like, but this is like a Mega Superstore of Curriculum. My first year going was last year (which was ridiculously overwhelming). I went with a group of other moms that were planning to homeschool, but no husband. This year, we are making it a family treat. We are going together with the boys. After checking today, the seminar listing is up and the Exhibitors are now posted.

Exhibitors

Friday Schedule of Seminars

Saturday Schedule of Seminars

For those that have been homeschooling, would you mind taking a peek at the Seminars? What would be some good ones to attend?