Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Homeschool Evaluation

Today we had our 1st homeschool evaluation to determine how well Ellie is thriving academically while being homeschooled. We already know that medically she is thriving and is at her healthiest for the first time in her life.

As soon as we entered the office area for the administrators, Ellie squealed with delight and ran straight into Mrs B's office and gave her a huge giggling hug. Mrs. B. used to work at her old elementary school before taking her newer position. We pulled out our collection of workbooks and the main 3" binder we keep her other work in as well.

We talked about how last year she had missed so much school due to illness, hospitalizations, appointments, and other procedures I discovered through some simple assessments she was slightly behind in a a couple areas, especially reading and writing so that was our main focus to work on catching up on. Through the Reading Reflex program assessment her reading score shows she needs she needs help with segmenting words, and her auditory processing is slow. This combination slows her reading rate and comprehension level. However, if she is read to, her listening comprehension is amazing.

So to help out with this so far we have been working on reading skill building through Kumon and Sylvan Learning program workbooks as well practicing reading. She also has a Common Core workbook with short stories to read and questions to answer. These daily skill exercises seem to be helping to increase her reading level.

Math is her favorite subject (other than science) and to help build her math skills she has 4 math work books that we pull from. Her word problems workbook offers 10 problems each week so she works on 2 problems each day. Then Mon and Wed she works from her addition workbook, Tues and Thurs her subtraction, and Wed and Fri her geometry and measurement. Her Common Core Math workbook also has daily skill exercises and she does one exercise a day in that workbook. She is getting lots of the math skills needed in the 2nd grade keep her math loving brain happy and active.

Grammar is by far her least favorite lessons because these lessons have to follow the directions. This one lesson plan she is not able to just bounce around like we can in science and art. Vocabulary and handwriting also follow a specific order. The lessons following an order like this are not her favorite, however, once she understands the lesson and what is expected, she stops arguing and fighting against the lesson.

Science is loved as much as math because in her own words "I want to be a scientist, because there is just so much to learn in science. A scientist can always learn something because there is always something new to learn around you."

Art is another subject she loves because she can experiment with colors, brushes, glue, paper, or whatever we are using that particular day.

One of the best things about music lessons when homeschooling is the child can take instrument lessons in place of music in school. In Ellie's case, she has started with violin lessons. For her learning to play the violin is not just about playing an instrument. While at the elementary school she was working with the OT/PT team as needed for the fine motor skills she needed help with. While homeschooling she The benefit that learning to play the violin and piano provide especially with her hands is the needed movements require both fine and gross motor skills. These are not only in the hands but work the arms, shoulders, back, and neck muscles as well. All these muscles are used as the student learns to pluck, bow, proper posturing, looking at the music and the teacher, and in addition to this comprehension skills are also used as the student learns the notes, follows along, and plays with the group all while keeping track and up.

Once we were finished talking about Ellie, her lessons, her favorite, least favorite, how she is doing academically and health wise, we were given an okay with her homeschool program. The only change we have been asked to make is to add a date to the top of her workbook ages. With that in mind, we do not have to return again until May.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

For the first time in weeks I was able to attend church today. Between my having bronchitis, migraines, and joint issues it was wonderful to be back. Even Ava was so happy to be there. She was so excited to greet some of her favorite ward members. 

Getting out the door was an adventure though. We had all the kids loaded in the truck, buckled and I started to back out just as Jade let me know (in a very excited voice) that the bad had just exploded everywhere and the truck seat was now flooded with formula. Well, it was very clear we would not make it in time for Corbyn or Jairon to help pass the Sacrament, nor for any of us to even make that portion of the meeting.

We all unloaded, Corbyn helped to fill and prime a new bag with formula while I washed the pump. Zach unzipped Ellie's dress, and she went to change. The now soaked dress and pump bag rinsed and placed in the laundry. Jade, Jairon, and Zach helped clean up the truck, while I made new milk to place in the fridge.

With everything cleaned up, Ellie changed, a new backpack prepped and on her, we loaded and finally left for church arriving 20 minutes late. After missing the announcements, we discovered we arrived in time for the Sacrament after all.

The main theme of the day... trials. What makes our trials small or big and how we deal with them. Yes, leaving this morning was a small and simple trial. Especially with all the kids helping as a team like they did.