New Beginnings: November 2010

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Not Homeschool?

Because of my sister's illness... thoughts of moving to N.C. keep circling in my head. Its very possible I will move and if that does indeed happen... I've got an interesting dilemma. It turns out that the county my sister lives in happens to have a program for exceptional children. It is based in the public schools but it caters to profoundly gifted kids from grade K to grade 8th. (High School is in the works) There are stringent requirement to get into this program (IQ of at least 145, 99% on all grade level tests, an impressive portfolio, recommendations, and interview) but I have little doubt of Aidan getting in. Work is student-driven and has a classical bent. I really like the sound of it but I don't know if I can NOT homeschool her. I planned on homeschooling Aidan before I knew she was "different." Giving up this dream would be hard for me. I especially worry about social issues with public school (gifted kids or not) and I LOVE teaching her, having our time free for whatever, exploring and learning with her. I'd also miss her.

BUT!

There are many positives for a place like that...

*She'd be with peers that are at her level (or near it)
*She has begged to go to school since she was 2.
*She would probably thrive in a structured environment.
*She'd probably work hard for her teachers.
*She would have teachers who could teach at her level because frankly, at some point, she'll surpass my level.
*The school would offer her opportunities I could not.
*It would look great on her resume and open doors for her
*It is very rare to find a school like this. Perhaps it is fate's binding hand that is leading us to it??

Anyway, I contacted the school and they actually recommend for me to have Aidan tested for early enrollment and for her to start next year. WHOA! Although Aidan is perfectly capable of going into Kindergarten... even now at just-turned-4... the idea causes me to panic. I do not want to give up my daughter that young. So, I'd probably keep her and we'd homeschool until she reached legal age to attend. But then should I have her apply?

This is a decision I never thought I'd have to make. Regular public school was always out of the question.

Yay! Our Week

AIDAN

Math

This week we've been practicing a lot of arithmetic. Aidan and I play the arithmetic game where we make up problems and ask in turns. I really want her to have her math facts down so that she'll never have to stumble like I do. (I'm only now learning arithmetic) We've also continued playing with the numbers in our heads. For example she'll see 8 and say "5 & 3." It's fun and it's great reinforcement. She has also started using Dreambox again. For a little while now she has refused to play it because she became frustrated over something she had been doing. So I've let it be and this week she finally asked to play it again. Whatever she was having problems with beforehand seems to not be a problem now. She decided to use her abacus to work out the math problems that she doesn't automatically know.

Writing

She's worked in her workbook a few times. We haven't found a lot of time for labor- intensive schooling this week.

Reading

Again, Aidan read a lot of books this week. There isn't really anything I can say about her skills anymore because I just keep repeating myself. She is continuing to move forward in leaps and bounds. Sometimes, this week, she hurried through her words but mostly she figured them out.

Art

Aidan is on a kick lately of using tracing paper to draw things. I have no problem with it because at her age I think its a great way for her to learn to add all the little details. When she is older I might find a curriculum or book or whatnot and require her to draw it all on her own but really she draws wonderfully for her age so its not a big deal. She spends most of her free time either reading or drawing/coloring. I'd like to add that her coloring is really improving as well. She's started using different colors for depth and for shading although she has no clue that she's doing so.

AINSLEY

Ainsley played with the 24 piece puzzles I had brought with us. She really enjoyed them this week. I was somewhat shocked at how easily and quickly she'd figure out where the pieces went. One of my sister's neighbors happened to be here while Ainsley was putting one together and I think her head started spinning. LOL! Also this week Ainsley demanded her time with me to read as well. So she practiced reading CVC words that I wrote on a portable wipe board. Next week I'm planning on using the first Bob book with her and seeing how she does. It wont be long before I'm pulling out all the 1st step readers again. If there was any doubt in my mind if Ainsley would turn out to be profoundly gifted like Aidan.... it has definitely disappeared. Watch out Aidan... Ainsley is right behind you!!

**********

Schooling for us has completely become "unschooling." Amazingly its actually working. Our piddly efforts combined with discussions and usage of the computer have moved both Aidan and Ainsley forward exceedingly. However that doesn't make me a supporter for unschooling. A lot of their progress is because they are exceptional children and will move forward without help. Anyway, I've been torturing myself lately over the lack of schooling. Aidan needs school. Her brain wastes away if its not fed and I expect Ainsley to be the same. I feel so terrible that I let our family situation interfere with what she needs. I have the best excuse in the world but Mommy Guilt doesn't care. I know that my slackness is "holding them back" and I know too that it probably doesn't matter and that there is no reason to have them at the level they could be at. But I read blogs of others who do so much with their kids... projects, folder games, etc that I feel downright negligent. Aren't I just silly?

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Just a Glimpse

As of this Tuesday our traveling back and forth from state to state will be severely lessened. The girls and I will be staying in N.C. for a while so that I can help my sister and her family. I refuse to let school get pushed aside anymore so my plan is that during the mornings... when the other kids are at school and my sister is still sleeping... I'll be working with my girls on their stuff. From 9am to 12pm we can do school and then after lunch, while Ainsley naps, Aidan and I can read together or she can play on the computer.

I pray pray pray that it works smoothly. I hate that so far all plans I've made have never worked out. I know that mostly it was due to circumstances I couldn't control but still. I keep telling myself that no matter what is happening... I need to find the time.

I'm excited about working with both of them. With Aidan I'm excited because we can get back to what we do best. She is much happier when her brain is engaged. With Ainsley I'm excited because she's truly interested in things now. She's trying hard to read words, is interested in educational videos, enjoys playing learning games, and is asking lots of questions. I knew that eventually she'd let me know when she was ready and now she's ready. I'm so excited to see Ainsley hit 3! With Aidan 3 years was the most forming year and she learned so much in such awe- inspiring leaps and bounds. I can't wait to watch the connections and the maturing of Ainsley this coming year.

Of course we haven't done nothing. Much of our play is educational. I've also used T4L and Dreambox as a heavy substitute. However, I really want to do more so that we'll be in the habit before January 10th. (Official start of 1st grade and PreK)