I AM good at math!

If I had a nickel for every time I heard a girl say "I'm not good at math" I would put them all in a bag, tie it to my foot and jump off the nearest bridge. There is nothing worse than hearing those five little words together (okay, there are worse things, but that's not the point). Math is like everything else in life, it requires practice. I'm not saying that some people don't find math easier than others. Some brains are wired that way, but the idea of not being good at math is demoralizing. If you were only filled with the idea that you're not good at something, you'll never do it, and if you don't practice math skills the idea becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sure math may be difficult or challenging, but having the attitude that you're not good at it is harmful.

Today those harmful words escaped the lips of my wonderful daughter. My own daughter! How could she say something so terrible?! She is actually quite good at math. It may not be her strongest subject, but compared to her peers she does excellently. The problem is that she is comparing herself to her brother. This is the brother that capped out the pattern recognition and problem-solving sections on the IQ test. Needless to say math is his strength.

So now I'm having a dilemma. I know that Zoë is capable of doing the math book she has. Things have slowed down for her, and it takes her longer to complete the assignments now (much longer actually), but she does get the concepts. On top of that she has begun trying to avoid doing the math at all. My dilemma is whether I should make her keep plodding along with her current level, or ease her back a little and do some more review stuff. I lean more toward the review idea. She would still be working ahead of her grade level, but could solidify more of the basic mental math computations. If she were stronger with the basic facts, the later stuff would seem easier.

Basically, it all boils back down to trying to find the line between challenging and too much. That is such a difficult line to find. Not only is it different for everyone, but I think it changes with time for all people. One day you're being challenged and the next you feel completely overwhelmed. I will say that I'm proud of myself for recognizing today that she was feeling overwhelmed. We were able to have a nice discussion about it and thought of some solutions that we're going to try.

Two Poems

Lava
by Zoë

Liquid
Aa
Viscous
Active

About the Crater
by Aiden

Cinder cone volcano
Round and big
A large hole
Top of a volcano
Eruption
Red hot lava

These were the poems they wrote in class today.

Wow, the focus!

The children continue to amaze me. They both spent an hour and a half this morning working on math. Zoë of course spent her time meticulously doing problems, while Aiden was struggling with a basic concept of regrouping. I was really surprised by this. It is so strange to me that the child can add the numbers in his head, but when he looks at it on paper, he got confused because the example problem is not how he does it in his head. He seemed to be over-thinking things and missing the general idea. I'm not even sure I could describe what he was doing, but I noticed it as a problem right away. Basically, his ability to see the bigger picture was getting in the way of the small details (like forgetting to carry the one). With a wipe board and some simple visual examples, he mastered the concept in one try. I showed him how if you line up the numbers vertically, you don't have to think of them in terms of multiple digits. As soon as I showed him what would happen if you didn't line up the numbers, he figured it out right away. I am literally floored every time he does something like this (and it happens A LOT). It certainly helps to know that he is a visual spacial learner, but man is he fast!

After math was finished they each wrote a poem and practiced their spelling words. Then we spent the rest of the morning going over ideas for their final volcano presentation. They decided they were going to make it a newscast and have some commercials as well. They really had great ideas, and I'm looking forward to working on this. Their next step is to write a script, which we will work on tomorrow. After some set design, we should be ready to start filming.

The first week

Although I wouldn't say quite yet that we've settled into a routine, things have definitely been pretty smooth so far. I do think we are well on our way to meeting my overall goal of getting the children back to being excited about learning. Every day they have pursued their task lists with enthusiasm and vigor. Quite frankly, I'm amazed at how much they have learned in really just 3 days of work. They have poured over books, webpages and documentaries hunting for answers and piecing things together.

They decided today that for their final presentation they are going to make a movie about volcanoes. We've spent the morning diagramming the information they've gathered on our giant dry erase board, forming an outline, and working on ideas for the movie. All next week will be spent organizing facts and writing scripts. I'm guessing that the movie will be ready sometime in early March. I thought this would be a great way for them to creatively express all of the things they have been learning. It will certainly be more fun than a plain old report or power point presentation! By the way Nana, don't be surprised if they hit you up to make costumes for the set (they need a silver suit like a volcanologist).

I have learned a few things this week that I'm still mulling over. I still haven't quite found the line between challenging and too much. One assignment in particular Zoë hated and was finally able to express to me. I had to remind her that I'm new to teaching and it wouldn't hurt my feelings if she said she didn't like something. Eventually, she was able to tell me what the problem was (too much writing), and I will adjust things in the future. I expect this to be a process, so I have no problem continuously evaluating how things are going and making necessary changes when needed.

Tomorrow they go to JET and I will be able to get some of the things that have piled up over the week done. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to some time alone, but I'm not in the least bit excited about spending the time doing laundry and cleaning!

Off and running

As I expected the day went great. Everyone seemed thoroughly excited to turn over our new leaf and happily completed their assignments and chores. Who knows how long that happiness will continue, so I'm enjoying it while it's here. It is wonderful to see my "little sponges" return. With wide eyes filled with wonder they devoured all the information I could give them. It was the first time in a VERY long time that when someone asked them "what did you learn at school today" they not only had an answer, but were excited to share it! Now my job will be to remember that feeling when things get more difficult.

We started our day by entering "the portal" to the school room. Everyone was ready early for class, so we dove right in. They both started by entering their spelling words into their spelling journal. After that was finished, they both did their pretest for the math chapter. Then we went on to read together from our magic school bus book about volcanoes. After a chapter of reading together, the kids split apart and read to themselves, entering in any definitions they found for their spelling words. We also researched different types of lava, had a discussion about why the lava is different, and watched short clips of eruptions. They also did a typing lesson and another lesson in their math book. I'm amazed at what they accomplish in a rather short period of time. The afternoon was spent doing art at the Painted Pot with Nana.

I've already noticed that the math isn't challenging enough for Aiden. I had planned on having him work diligently through the grade 4 book I got for him, but I'm rethinking that idea at this point. Instead, I think I'll have him complete pre-tests for each chapter until I find one where he actually gets some answers wrong, then we can start from that point. There's no sense doing assignments based on skills he has already mastered. I honestly had no idea he was that far ahead!

The plan is to spend at least the rest of February studying volcanoes. After that we'll move onto the curriculum I purchased to finish out the school year. We also have a science experiment with tomato plants ongoing. Zoë hasn't decided how long she will be collecting data on that yet. My guess is it will be completed when grandma starts planting her garden and adds our tomato plants to it.

The last real day of public school

The kids had their last day in their regular classes today. It was filled with Valentine's, candy, and a little sadness. For me it was a bitter sweet moment. Honestly, I'm tired of being in a holding pattern...waiting to get on with another chapter in our lives. I'm sick of thinking about what issues may arise. It's time to get down to business and start dealing with the real issues.

I almost cried when I looked through their math books. No wonder Aiden has taken to repeating the same word or phrase 300 times. He is bored to death! The kid adds or subtracts double and triple digits in his head, and the math book has problems like 5+2=?. His teacher told me that she completely understood our decision, and she really wished there was more that she could do with Aiden, but the curriculum was already dictated. Zoe told me she has taken to counting ceiling or floor tiles when she can't read her book. This is the state of public education in Missouri for highly gifted kids. You can imagine how ready we are to move on!

I did get to have my first experience (of MANY I'm sure) with people against homeschooling. There was a mother at Aiden's party who noticed that we were cleaning out his desk. She asked us if we were moving. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to say. Keep in mind I had already seen the giant tramp stamp of 2 handguns on her back. I decided after a long pause to be honest and replied, "no, actually we're starting homeschool." Her daughter's eyes lit up at that prospect, and she said "I want to do school at home." Her mother started in on a tirade about how there was no way her daughter was going to miss out on the MOST important things in life like PROM! Now I don't know about you all, but I remember my proms. Let me just tell you that the thought of my children (don't read the rest of this Mom and Dad) doing what I did at prom scares me to death!! I was so proud of myself for not only saying absolutely nothing, but pretending like I didn't even hear her. There was no reason to argue or even give her facts. We were never going to agree. And anyways, who knows....maybe they will go to high school and prom. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

So with backpacks filled with supplies, a trunk full of artwork, and hearts filled with hope and fear we left our last day of school. Now the real work begins. We can't wait for the joy and challenges that life will bring us!

Who knew shoestrings were a metaphor?

As we're rushing to get ready for our last Tuesday of school, I found myself having to untie a extremely difficult knot in Aiden's shoe. After several minutes of struggling to get it undone I said to him, "you know, if you didn't pull so tight, this wouldn't be so hard to undo." It was just an offhand comment said out of frustration. Aiden looked at me thoughtfully and then said, "you know, I think that's the hardest thing about life. If you pull too tightly, things just can't be undone."

Throughout the day my mind has traveled back to this simple statement. The more I think about it, the more profound and insightful it seems. He is so right! There are so many examples of ways that people "pull" on things or people that in the end are very difficult to undo. We make statements to try to "pull" people toward our way of thinking. We drag others through situations or places they don't want to be. The tighter we pull, the harder it is to undo the turmoil that is created. Maybe if we were all cognisant of that idea, we would all be a little gentler with each other.

I'm getting much closer to being ready for next week. I've almost finished my research for the next few weeks of lesson plans, and I have a solid idea on paper about what we're going to do and what information they need to know. We mostly have the room set up (just a few minor organizing details left). A big GIANT thank you to Laura for her generous donation of a flat screen monitor and some cork and wipe boards, and my mom for 2 cpus and a filing cabinet. Thank you so much Laura and Mom! Tom's going to spend the evening upgrading the computer with XP and a different video card we have leftover from something, so I can load some of the educational software I've found. After that's done, we're set!

My mental road block

I've known for a couple of weeks now that I need to send a letter to the school stating that we're pulling them out for home school, but they will continue to attend J.E.T.. For some reason I just cannot bring myself to write this letter. I've sat down several times and have written a few sentences, but I just can't finish it and send it out! I suppose this is my final hurdle with the public school. I know it's a little thing, but in my head things are going to dramatically change once I send the letter. I will be in charge of their education. No longer will I be able to blame anyone else if the kids aren't doing well.

I'm not having second thoughts about the decision. It is the right way to go, and I'm reminded of that many times a day. It's just difficult to see in writing something that ultimately all parents know, but don't think about... they are MY responsibility. I remember having this same feeling minutes after each of them were born. You can see those thoughts on every picture you see of a parent holding a new born child. It is the glassy look in their eyes that says "wow, this being is my responsibility. Can I really handle this?" We forget about that most days when we're busy with daily activities, but here I am putting it in a letter and attaching my signature.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the support and encouraging words that we have gotten from people. I was fully prepared to defend our decision, but it's much nicer to have the unexpected support. Ultimately, I suppose it just means that people know us well and believe that we wouldn't make this decision lightly or without facts. So thank you to everyone for your encouraging words!

Nine more days, but who's counting!

We are all filled with excitement about the prospect of home schooling. Aiden asked me this morning if he could just start now. Panic set in at this statement, and all I could think of was how unprepared I felt. We spent a while this weekend getting the room in the basement all set up, and I've been researching and gathering information for over 2 years really, but for some reason I'm just not quite prepared to make the leap. I feel like I need nine more days!

The math curriculum I ordered came yesterday, and I'm sending it back today! Although I'm sure Saxon math is great for many families, it simply won't work for ours. It is entirely too repetitious, and although I gave the kids a pretest, it's still below their ability level. Something tells me that I'm going to run into a lot of this. The school doesn't even know the kids' ability level! We've decided to start with the Spectrum Math grade 4 workbooks. No wonder the kids are bored in school, Aiden is 6 and Zoë is 7 and they should be doing 4th grade math!

We're keeping our hopes high that the science and social studies curriculum is better. It is supposed to be for gifted children, but we'll see. We may end up taking the unschooling route for a while just because there is little available that isn't religious based and made for gifted children.

I am loving the homeschool tracker program that we got. It enables me to keep track of the things we study, time spent studying and even will create a daily agenda for each of the children. That was a great feature for me, the queen of to do lists!