Intervention, Support, Mid-Terms, and Driving.

In order to get our oldest the reading help that he needs, we decided to enroll the boys in a virtual charter school this year. It's a public school, funded by the state, and the lessons are online. I am considered the "Home Facilitator" or "Home Dictator" as the boys might say.

It's an interesting switch from being completely responsible for planning and implementing lessons, as now I implement only. And implement I do. The first month was challenging. Getting into the routine of it and finally figuring out what exactly had to be completed and by when was the most challenging.

The oldest now receives the exact same reading specialist support as he did when we were paying for it (the school uses the same curriculum) and his tutor meets with him in-person once a week. For a virtual school, this is, well, virtually unheard of. He has one lesson with her at the office and one lesson online via a chat room where he's got a headset and camera. It's quite a sight I must say.

He also receives Resource support, which, is basically, a resource room teacher who spends at least an hour a week helping him with anything he needs help with. She's been focusing on spelling and writing, because those are two weak areas for him. And if that's not amazing enough in terms of support, he has also qualified for math support. So, starting in a week, he'll be receiving an hour of private math instruction in addition to all of the other support. Crazy amazing!

The best part of all of it was when we checked both boys' mid-term grades today. All A's for both of them. And they've earned it. They've been working hard and have figured out that the more they argue and fuss, the longer it takes to finish school. The longer it takes to finish, the less time they have to go play with their friends. The power of the play incentive.

And what's Little Miss doing during all of this? She's got her own little routine of practicing her letters, writing words that interest her (the new favorite is "star") and copying my phone number down repeatedly. She also plays "library" and has a scanner that she uses to "check the books out" for her imaginary friend and constant companion, Braida. She's my mini-me except that she kicks my butt at Mario Kart every time. Crazy.

And that is a day in the life.

Apparently, Spring Stirs Me Up.

Oh happy day! The sun is sort of shining, the birds are singing, the snow has disappeared except for a tiny patch under the evergreen tree, and the toddler is throwing a tantrum. Ahh....the sweet sounds of spring are like cacophony to my ears.

I was reading the local paper online today and there was a story about the school board turning down a proposal that a charter school organization had put forth for opening a charter school here in our community. While their proposal may have been shoddy and their plan not thought out, the thing that got me was the school board's assertion that there is no need for one here in our town. Are they kidding?!

Have they been to the schools where most of the parents would be pulling their students from to attend said charter school? Apparently not, or apparently they don't really care about buildings that are severely out of date and equipment that should have been replaced decades ago. The school where my children would be going if we didn't homeschool is not in a very safe area, nor is the building in good shape. For what we pay in school taxes, one would think it would be. And the scary thing is that that school isn't even the worst one in the district! No, the school board would rather spend money, millions of dollars to be more accurate, on a new football stadium. Football. Really? We're not in Texas; football is really not that important on a Friday night.

There's a desperate need for a safer, more modern, less politically run school here. While the charter school that lost its proposal last night may not have been the best option, there is no denying that a well-run, charter school would be welcome. I hope another one makes a bid and the school district looks beyond their pocketbooks and looks out for the best interest of the community's children.

Strange tangents and a political post? From me? I know....it's bizarre. Can I blame it on Spring Fever if it's only March 1st?

The ABCs...2 year old style.

So, Shaelyn loves being taped on my phone. It's her favorite thing besides pickles and black olives and rice. We made a few videos today...this one is her singing the ABCs. Sort of. She was trying to keep smiling and singing at the same time....didn't work out all that well. She also gives new meaning to the phrase "Hit it, sister!"

Conversations from School

Some tidbits of conversation from school today...

8yo - "Do spelling words count as math?"
Me - "No, spelling words count as spelling."
8yo - "What if I count the syllables and letters in each word, would it count then?"



6yo - "I don't know why I have to do this. I never see you and Daddy doing fact families for fun!"
Me - "That's because we do it when you're asleep."



8yo - "Mom, Shae has stickers on her face!"
2yo - "No, Aid, it's makey-uppy."



6yo - "I love this book. It's like a story in my head!"


8yo - "Look, I can make this pencil disappear! Close your eyes!"
6yo - "Can you make it disappear if I keep my eyes open?"
8yo - "No, you have to close your eyes so I can hide it."
6yo - "I don't think that counts as making them disappear."



6yo - "I need help!"
Me - "I'm not telling you the answers. You can do the addition on your own."
6yo - "Well, if you're not going to tell me the answers, just forget it. I can do them on my own!"


Somedays, my friends, there is just not enough coffee in the world.

Newest Goal

My newest goal for the first 100 days....

Don't be hard on myself for not accomplishing anything on the list.

Ha! ;-)

These have been busy days complete with a head cold and dripping nosed children. Getting back into the routine after our Christmas break is proving successful, but alas, time consuming.