It’s time once again for my annual portfolio review giveaway. If you would like to be entered for a chance to win one of two free reviews (services only, no cash value), send an email to: lisammcafee@gmail.com.
The giveaway will end on January 31, 2023 and at that time I will randomly select a winner. Those who have won will be notified on February 1, 2023 via email. You do not need to do anything to be entered into the contest.
However, if you wish to schedule an online appointment with me for your student(s), go to: www.calendly.com/schoolmarmohioI am scheduling reviews now through August.
Happy New Year! How are you doing? How is your school year going so far?
The fall has flown by and now we are in winter. How did that happen? You may be feeling like the outline you submitted to the superintendent is not going as you planned and isn’t working. Don’t fret! You can change things if you need to do so. The outline is what you intended to do, not something that is set in stone. Take some time to determine what is not working for your student. Evaluate why it isn’t.
Is the material too hard? Try slowing down the pace of what is being covered. If your child is not mastering multiplication facts, do not move onto division! It will be very difficult and cause a lot of tears for them (and probably you too). I suggest at least 85% mastery of the material in order to call it complete. Of course, completing 100% of the curricula is your goal.
Is the curriculum not your child’s style? Find something that is better suited to them. Here is a quick quiz for you to ascertain what type of learner your child might be. Learning Styles Test
Here are some good resources to check out various types of curricula should you wish to change.
Rainbow Resource I love their reviews on products. I have used and recommended their company for many years.
I am available to do a consultation and coaching with you if you would like to do that. I have hour long Zoom appointments or can meet in person if you are local. (Cincinnati, OH). We can discuss my rates and your needs. You can message me and I will respond within 24 hours.
There are certain times when it can be difficult to fit in homeschooling along with the other situations you may find in your life, whether that is a new baby, a sick relative, or a busier than usual time of the year. While it is important to see to the educational needs of your child, you can also take a break from your regular work or routine if needed. School can still be done, just perhaps in a different way than you thought. You can return to your curriculum and/or school schedule once things settle down. Here are some ideas to help you.
Audiobooks– Don’t have time to read aloud to your child? Find a book that your child will find interesting. If you have a library card, your system may have Hoopla or Libby, both are free to use. Your child can either write or narrate a summary of each chapter or the book. Everyone can tell you the main characters and the plot of the story. You can go into depth with your older child by discussing the themes of the story (Language Arts, other subjects depending upon what you or your child has chosen.).
Educational Videos- You can find documentaries, places to travel, science experiments, and other interesting topics. You only need to do a Google search and a great big list of videos to watch will appear! You may need to preview the video to make sure it is appropriate for your child (age level, content, etc). For older students, this is a great way to incorporate Language Arts. Your student can take notes and summarize the video. Have them give it a thumbs up/down and support their answer.
Project- This can be done in a manner of ways. You can assign an activity that can enhance the audiobook or video. Your child can draw a picture, create a PowerPoint, make a poster, create a photo collage, act out their favorite scene or create an additional one, and so on. They might find additional videos and make a list to share with you and others.
Do your children like to craft and can do some things on their own? Great! Let them create something (Art). They can make cards (Language Arts), organize their toys (Math- logic, counting, spatial intelligence), make a model (Science, Art, History), read to a younger sibling (Language Arts), bake cookies and take to a neighbor or friend (Math, Health).
Shopping- If you celebrate a holiday event, making a list of things to purchase (this can be drawn or written) can be counted for Language Arts as well as for Math (order items according to price, like rating system 1- I would like to have 5-I don’t want anything else!).
Games- Do you have games the children can play? Many of these are actually math and logic games. You can also play games in the car. Have math races- call out a multiplication problem and see how fast they can solve it. Do you have a little one who is just beginning to learn their alphabet, colors, numbers? Find examples of these as you travel in your vehicle. You can also listen to an audiobook in the car.
This is just a list to stir up your own creative juices. Feel free to add more of your own ideas. Of course, if things are extremely hectic and you can’t get school done, take some time off! Scheduling a school break is fine; it just might have been an unexpected one and that’s okay. You will have time to make up the time missed within the rest of your school year.
Fall is the the time colorful leaves and fun hands-on experiences science activities. Here are two things to do with your children.
Grab a bag to put goodies in and go on a nature walk to gather leaves of various colors, including green ones too. You would like to have at least 5 of each color of possible. Return with your finds and do the following:
Classify the leaves according to color. You can tape a different color of leaf to a cup or jar and have your student place their leaves in the appropriate cup. Idea and picture from http://www.steamsational.com
Have you heard of leaf chromatography? This is where you take colored leaves and draw out its color through rubbing alcohol. This is a great time to discuss chlorophyll in plants. I have done it with my sons and it is neat to see what colors are in the leaves. Here is the experiment given with terrific instructions. (www.farmanddairy.com)
Materials Needed:
Paper towels or coffee filters, rubbing alcohol, a clothespin, small mason jars or glasses, scissors, pencils for each jar/ glass, leaves of different colors and something to grind or crush the leaves, a small tray
Directions:
Cut your paper towels or coffee filters into 1 1/2″-2″ strips that will fit into your mason jar. Next, cut the leaves into small pieces, make sure to keep them separated by color.
Take a rock or smooth, rounded object and grind up the leaf pieces. Place the cut-up leaves into mason jars or small glasses, putting the different colored leaves each in their own jar or glass.
Next, pour just enough rubbing alcohol to cover the leaves in each jar. (1-2 tablespoons)
Place your strips of paper towels/coffee filters far enough into the jar that they are barely immersed into the rubbing alcohol and secure them with your clothespin to attach them to a pencil that you lay across the top of the jar. This is to keep the strip from falling down into the container.
Place the jars on a small tray and put in a secure dark place (a closet) overnight and allow the rubbing alcohol to absorb into the paper strips. Remove the strips and allow them to dry.
I was reading various sources that said the color will become more apparent when the strips dry. Look closely to see the various colors. I am thinking that a magnifying glass may be beneficial.
Take the experiment farther: As you are waiting to see the results of the experiment, create a prediction of what colors you think will appear on each of the paper strips. Check your predictions. What color were you the most surprised with the results?
If you haven’t noticed, I love homeschooling and believe in the right of the parent to choose the education you want for your child. I am blessed to live close to my grandchildren and I have the privilege to be homeschooling again! It’s just one day a week, but I am looking forward to all the things we will be doing and what the children will be learning.
Last week we worked on the letter B and did all things bat related. The children made bats out of toilet paper rolls from this book and here is the link: I am Not a Toilet Paper Roll
We also counted bats and matched the numeral to the number counted, identified shapes within the bats worksheet, played an echolocation game (the children loved it!), and watched a video of the reading of Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats.
Have you heard about Dot Markers? They are washable, not toxic markers that have sponges on the end of them and are perfect for young students, those who have difficulty with small motor activities, or someone who doesn’t like to color. We used these and they were a huge success!
Schoolmarm Ohio 