Helping My Kids to Work Through A Gap

The Last Week Of Our Season But Work's Not Done

Tiger Lilly Working On a Chatbot 

Program for her Game Server and Friends

Speed Racer and Pops Paintballing

Preparing for the Holidays was harder this year.

We used to travel every holiday from Thanksgiving to Christmas, but now that we live here, traveling is very expensive and well, we love it here and aren't anxious to go. So we are struggling to redefine our traditions. We aren't big tree families, and so we are doing a Christmas Chair, and going to volunteer on Christmas day as we did on Thanksgiving day. Hopefully, this will spark a heart of giving in our kids. They have been less forthright in asking for presents and have instead told us to just pick another name off the angel tree at church.

Working Through Some Writing Gaps

Speed Racer can write well, however, he can't write fast. We discovered this during his pretty intense college Writing course this semester. Therefore, I had to actually work with him two nights a week to edit his work, give it back to him, and have him fix it to motivate him to write faster. The class is over and he passed with a good grade, however, this is something we need to triage. During the break, he will be doing some speed writing drills to prepare for the next class. He will also be finishing his homeschool Java class to prepare for his college Java class he is starting in March.

Working through learning or skill gaps is a good way to keep moving your child forward, despite their struggle.

KIDS PROGRESS

SPEED RACER's extra activities are slim this season. 
Since his classes were pretty challenging for him, we decided not to sign him up for any outside of his martial arts the last few months. He complained, but we all needed a break from ripping and running for sports. He now just has a Monday and Wednesday obligation until January when dance is thrown back in. April is when canoeing season starts and it's hectic again.

SPEED RACER desired more one on one time this semester.

This school year has been challenging for Speed Racer becuase his sister Tiger Lilly isn't home with him. He spends the day sleeping until noon, waits for me to get home at 2:30pm to actually start his work, and sometimes doesn't finish until 10:30pm since he is having to redo some work for improved quality.

College Online Courses:

Wrap up of Fall Semester Classes

Finished all with 'B' or better

8 week courses

UMUC.edu

Biol 101 and Biol 102 (lab) - 4 credits

Info Sys in Org - 3 credits

Research Writing - 3 credits

College Algebra -3 credits

Business Writing - 3 credits

Homeschool Classes:

Wrap up of Fall Semester Classes

Investing: The video course on Youtube was informative, we even purchased stock (that tanked) and played the investing game (which the kids hated by the way). The game was a bust, the kids found it frustrating and even I thought it was a bit depressing, so we shelved it.

Recreational Pilot License Training: Speed Racer is enjoying the self-directed, online course. He doesn't love it, says it has boring moments, but he desires to learn the information. He is about half done this course and will pick up on it in January.

Black History: We spent this semester watching movies, documentaries and having long discussions about them. We both learned from this class.

Astronomy: We failed to work this into the schedule this semester.

Bible Review: He is actually enjoying the TruthUnedited Bible videos, and we are almost finished them. We watch them together, and discuss the topics.

Cooking and Car Repair: He cooked dinner about two times a week and did great at it. The videos were a bust, because he said they were boring and he'd rather just fix a car. So he helped his dad change the oil and do some minor checks of our vehicles.

PE: Started with three sports and went down to one by October, we need to step back and focus, and mom needed to relax.

JavaScript and Unity 3D Programming: He finished the Saturday classes in November and started with CompuScholar (formerly Homeschool Java) in December and is getting through it pretty easily. This class is to prepare him for his college Java class starting in March. He's had to have some help from his sister in the Compuscholar course.

TIGER LILLY the Homeschool Graduate

BS Degree, now Working on MS Degree

17 years old

This is the last semester I'll be updating Tiger Lilly as she is officially working full time, found hobbies such as group meetups for Dungeons and Dragons, gym workouts 3 days a week, and completed two semesters of graduate school.

WORK and HOME BALANCE Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: These few weeks we've been just tossing something together. Eating out, and making sandwiches have been getting us by. 

HOUSE CLEANING: The chore chart only works when I go to it, point to it, and tell these older teens to do it or else.

LESSON PLANNING: I did more day to day lesson planning. I would send Speed Racer a 'what to do today' email, call and check on his progress from work, then call on my way home and tell him what better be done...or else, no video game or cellphone. That seemed to work since his sister is no longer home to make sure he stays on task.

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: Weekly date nights haven't happened in the last few weeks, but I purchased tickets to see Sheila E. and some comics my husband likes to get us back on track.

SELF CARE: I decided to take off several days from work to just relax, help my son catch up on his work and ...clean my house (but I didn't get around to doing that so...)

Knowing when to Chill Out

Something Accomplished, Just Not What We Planned

A hectic week of storm prep ~ and not storm

Where we live had a major storm and hurricane watch. Many of our activities were canceled, and hubs and I were home from work. We basically, decided to do the work that had to get done and play games and do family bonding activities.

I did a paint nite with my 17 yr old.

Storm prep, but the storm didn't come

KIDS PROGRESS

SPEED RACER's starts of in good shape.

We focused on finishing his college-related work first, then fit in the other things over the weekend.

Here's what we accomplished and plan for the weekend.

Homeschool Classes:
Investing: Curriculum is the Cashflow Game and Youtube Playlist Tutorial on Investing in the Stock Market.

-We've been watching and chatting about our stock moves through an app called Robinhood. And watched two videos in the tutorial playlist.

Recreational Pilot License Training: He wants to get this next summer so we are adding it into his curriculum.

-He finished the second 1/2 of the 1st video lesson.

Black History: We are deep diving into specific events like Black Wall Street and Pilots that have to do with our subjects.

- Went to movies to see BlackKKK about an African American police detective that infiltrated the KKK. We discussed what we liked about the movie and researched the original story.

Astronomy: Something he wants to explore.

- Didn't get to these.

Bible Review: We are doing this together with videos.

- Watched one video from the Bible video series we found on Youtube.

Cooking and Car Repair: The cooking I am letting him build his own recipes and prep dinner. Car Repair, he is helping his father and brother fix our cars. Oil Changes, Brake Pad changes, etc.

- Cooking was done two days this week. Steak (which he cooked too long) and did a good job on cleaning up after himself.
- Car Repair - nothing was done this week.

PE: Distance Canoe Team, Martial Arts and Breakdancing.

- Practiced with Distance Canoe Team - 1 time it was canceled due to weather
- Martial Arts - practiced once and it was canceled due to weather
- Breakdancing - canceled due to weather

JavaScript and Unity 3D Programming: A Saturday small class with a teacher that meets from 8am til 1:30pm. All other kids are public school kids.

College Classes
Started 1 class this week

Biology with Lab (Aug to Oct)
-Finished class discussions
-Finished Week 1 of 8 class Labs
-Finished Week 1 of 8 paper
-Finished Week 1 of 8 quiz

Introduction to In-depth Research (Sept to Oct)
Information Systems in Organizations (Sept to Nov)
Advanced Business Writing (Oct to Dec)
College Algebra (Oct to Dec)


TIGER LILLY the Homeschool Graduate with a BS Degree, now Working on MS Degree

We are homeschooling GRAD-SCHOOL 'sort of'. 

I reveiwed her final assignment of her current class. She starts the next class in 4 weeks. After she starts her new job, which allows her to get reimbursed for it. 

Tiger Lilly got a full-time job offer as a Software Developer. She starts in three weeks. She is happy that the company will be paying for her Master's Degree which she had planned on paying off herself.

WORK and HOME BALANCE Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: I cooked dinner two days this week, my 14 year old cooked 1 day and I am trying to get my 17 yr old to cook over the weekend. Delegation is the key.

HOUSE CLEANING: This week we were storm prepping, getting sand bags, taping windows, bringing stuff inside. The house is wrecked and I have tons of clothes to wash over the weekend. I may have to just go to the laundromat to get caught up. 

LESSON PLANNING: I finished the coming week's schedule and emailed it to my son, who asked me to take something off. Go figure, these kids are owning their own work and I feel like I am truly working for them. 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: Well the forced days off from work, hubby and I have been relaxing, watching movies and playing card games with the kids.

SELF CARE: I got my first subscription box that I paid only $20 and I LOVE IT. I got perfume samples and jewelry.

The First Day of School ~ Again

A SLOW START

Is most times, the best start

This week, we started back at school. The summer was great. Filled with new adventures like my son's new love with Paddling which led us to Distance Canoeing this Fall.

My 17 yr old, graduated from college, started an internship, registered for Graduate School and planning on applying for a new full-time job.

KIDS PROGRESS

SPEED RACER's starts of in good shape.

He's successfully finished his Straighterline courses which transferred 45 credits. Then finished summer classes (2 with one being a repeat). He passed both with A's.

Now he is taking the following 

Homeschool Classes:
Investing: Curriculum is the Cashflow Game and Youtube Playlist Tutorial on Investing in the Stock Market.

-He finished the first 5 videos, downloaded app Robinhood, and he researched and purchased his first three stocks in Groupon with his $15 allowance.

Recreational Pilot License Training: He wants to get this next summer so we are adding it into his curriculum.

-He finished the first 1/2 of the 1st video lesson and said he needed a break.
-He basically just skimmed through the study book.

Black History: We are deep diving into specific events like Black Wall Street and Pilots that has to do with our subjects.

- We watched documentary on Black Wall Street and researched some additional written stories we discussed.

Astronomy: Something he wants to explore.

- Didn't get to it this week. Had big plans, but they failed

Bible Review: We are doing this together with videos.

- Didn't get to it this week. 

Cooking and Car Repair: The cooking I am letting him build his own recipes and prep dinner. Car Repair, he is helping his father and brother fix our cars. Oil Changes, Brake Pad changes, etc.

- Cooking was done three days this week. New recipe for chicken and homemade soup.
- Car Repair - nothing was done this week.

PE: Distance Canoe Team, Martial Arts and Breakdancing.

- Practiced with Distance Canoe Team - 3 times and did Canoe Race
- Martial Arts - practiced once
- Breakdancing - practice daily, formal rehearsal one day

JavaScript and Unity 3D Programming: A Saturday small class with teacher that meets from 8am til 1:30pm. All other kids are public school kids.

College Classes
Start next week O_o eek!

Biology with Lab (Aug to Oct)
Introduction to In-depth Research (Sept to Oct)
Information Systems in Organizations (Sept to Nov)
Advanced Business Writing (Oct to Dec)
College Algebra (Oct to Dec)

One of the reasons we selected this online University is because: (1) classes are only 4 or 8 weeks long (2) all classes are online but it's a brick and mortar college also (3) this college took Straighterline, Study.com, CLEP and DSST credits up to 90 credits (4) we got IN STATE college rates once son completed 4 Straighterline courses


TIGER LILLY the Homeschool Graduate with a BS Degree, now Working on MS Degree

We are homeschooling GRAD-SCHOOL 'sort of'. At this point I am Tiger Lilly's accountability coach. Her graduate school only allows her to take one class at a time. 

My job (she asked me to) is to review her papers and projects before she turns it in. Truth be told, she started her first grad class in July. It is ORIENTATION class and she has needed no changes to her work other than a few questions here and there.

She's come a long way since we started homeschooling.

She filled out some online job applications with me guiding her, then followed up with email cover letters when needed. 

Her last week of her first grad class is this week until September. She plans to work on her art commissions she's earned by marketing of her micro-business.

WORK and HOME BALANCE Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: I have moved the task of cooking and prepping dinner to my youngest kids. My 14 yr old sun is turning out to be a great cook. My 17 yr old is a reluctant but decent cook.

HOUSE CLEANING: It's been a good cleaning week on the kids part. The main rooms and kitchens are pretty decent. I just need them to do better at cleaning the floors and dishes, but hey, I'm happy they are doing a good job. 

LESSON PLANNING: I have done a loose lesson plan. They are both in programs that plan the lessons for me. I do adhoc planning of the few homeschool classes I created. 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: Hubs and I are finding more time together now that the kids are in a practice of spending time over friends houses and doing their work consistently.

SELF CARE: I signed up to get monthly massages and bought myself a subscription box that cost only $20 a month of perfumes and jewelry. I am so excited I treated myself.

Experimenting in Learning with CLEP, Straighterline and Study.com

We Are Doing It All

Dual Enrollment with 

CLEP, DSST, Straighterline, Study.com, Online College Classes

Don't give up when one method doesn't gain results, try others, and see where your kid blossoms.

PRE-REQUISITES FOR COLLEGE LEVEL WORK

Your kid should know how to study for test, take notes, WRITE WELL, use logical deduction (take logic course), have a decent vocabulary (used membean.com), read fast (speed reading with ACE Reader), good computational skills (math drills and review ctcmath.com) and be motivated.

THREE KIDS and THREE DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS

Since starting homeschooling my kids about six years ago, I really have been amazed at how having control of their High School years was so incredibly freeing for us.

Each of them approached Dual Enrollment in different ways, partially, because of my lack of knowledge on the subject, and because of what they wanted to do.

Finding what fit their LEARNING STYLE and LEVEL OF MATURITY is really what mattered. In addition to that, since my husband and I worked out of the home, the kids had to do most of it independently with me checking progress.

CLEP and DSST Test 

Taking these test usually took my students 8 to 9 weeks if they weren't familiar with the subject. The best trick is to use the CLEP or DSST as a FINAL EXAM or sorts when your child finishes US History, ALGEBRA, ENGLISH, GOVERNMENT and more. We used the study lesson plans for homeschooled students found here: (Free Lesson Plans - Provided by  Tricia McQuarrie)

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH CLEP and DSST

Rose, my oldest girl, did three CLEP test for credit. If I'd known about this type of testing, I would have had her do many of her credits this way, she is a great test taker with wonderful study skill discipline. She was 15 yrs old when she took her CLEP test. She finished her AA degree in 1.5 yrs and BS in 2 yrs, and is now working on her MS, which will be finished in 20 months total.

Tiger Lilly was 13 yrs old, studied for about five of these test, only passed one, and requested to just take Community College courses and online college courses. She finished her bachelor's degree in 3 yrs. 

Speed Racer, 14 yrs old, started studying for CLEPs and DSST and although he did well, he really didn't do well sitting still during testing. He wasn't used to doing it, since I no longer required stillness for study for him. If I let him roam, he tested well. When I told him he couldn't have music while testing, and  he had to remain in his seat, he told me that doesn't work for him. I realized that although, he could do the test, retain the information, he just wasn't mature enough to adhere to taking a test in a testing center with rules. So, I had to find another way. No test for him. We decided to use Straighterline and Study . com.

Razor Ray, was 18 yrs old when he took three CLEP test for college credit while in Community College, he passed two, but failed the Calculus test since he didn't realize the calculator was in the test. He decided to take the actual class and felt the 3 week review he did of Calculas for the test was a good start.

DUAL Enrollment Courses

with Community College or Direct to 4 year University

As far as Dual Enrollment into a college setting was concerned, I needed a setting that was different for each child. We did it three different ways.

Rose was 15 yrs old when she was enrolled in Community College and took online and in person classes there. Her older brother was attending and playing lacrosse there, and she ended up joining a team also. This really served  her well as she and her brother attended CC and University together. She went to a brick and mortar college since her major was only offered at 2 local universities.

Tiger Lilly was 14 yrs old when she was enrolled in Community College. She took one class in person and didn't like it. We moved her from CC to online university named University of MD, University College which is local and have the online course structure that we both liked. Eight week classes, course work spelled out clearly and great support system with free online and in person tutoring. She is finishing her degree there and she will be just turning 17 yrs.

Speed Racer is now 14 yrs, we've registered him at University of Maryland, University College  and Bluefield College as a non-degree seeking student, sent his homeschool official transcript. He is taking 2 classes online for 8 weeks with UMUC, but not with Bluefield College since BC didn't have any of the courses he wanted or needed to take towards his degree at UMUC.

So, Bluefield College didn't work for Speed Racer, no classes that fit his schools requirements. So we backed off that option.

DUAL ENROLLMENT COLLEGE CHOICES

Many Community Colleges and some Universities offer Early Entrance or High School in College programs starting for students as young as 12 to 15 yrs. Community Colleges and online colleges do so with minimum requirement.

The best Universities in this scenario allow a LARGE NUMBER OF CREDIT TRANSFERS.

The BIG 3 Colleges that allow you to transfer the highest amount of credit are:

Thomas Edison State College 

Charter Oak State College

Excelsior College 

HOW I USED STRAIGHTERLINE and STUDY.com TOGETHER

TO SHORTEN Degree Goals

Tiger Lilly started using Study.com when they were free and called something else. At that time, we didn't really understand the transfer to university credits and she used it for High School instruction and CLEP prep.

BUT NOW, I understand the benefits much better.

Speed Racer we are going for both. We are USING both STUDY.COM and STRAIGHTERLINE.COM to help Speed Racer earn college credit faster, cheaper with an easy credit transfer since UMUC.edu is a PARTNER COLLEGE to BOTH.

I figured this out completely by accident as I was researching other methods besides CLEP testing for credit.

WE DID IT!
2017-2018 school year for My

Speed Racer

14 yrs

THE END OF OUR SCHOOL YEAR RESULTS

UMUC, my son's university of choice, allows 90 credits to transfer.

STRAIGHTERLINE courses will be the FIRST COURSES Speed Racer takes for lower level credit classes (100 to 200 series credits) to transfer to UMUC.edu which is a PARTNER COLLEGE. Speed Racer is attempting (he's already started 2 classes) will have these characteristics (1) Open Book Final or (2) No Final (3) Possibility to pass prior to final if pass all test, quizzes and assignments prior to final. -40 credits can transfer from Straighterline and AFTER completion of 4 classes, he qualifies for UMUC.edu IN STATE RATE!

Total credits FINISHED and transferred: 15 classes = 45 credits
Cost $99 a month (we used for 6 months) + $59 per class

STUDY.COM courses will be focused on HIGHER LEVEL CREDIT COURSES (300 series courses that transfer to UMUC.edu) and REQUIRED COURSES not provided BY Straighterline. There are classes that meet my son's elective requirements that are for his high level credits. Straighterline doesn't have any high level transfer credits, BUT Study.com does. This is where we hit jackpot. Also, the have a Scholarship called the GUARDIAN SCHOLARSHIP which allows 2 free exams (6 credits) a month without upgrading from the $29.99 fee to the $199 monthly fee!

Total credits FINISHED that weren't offered at Straighterline: 2 classes = 9 credits
Cost $29 a month while taking online quizzes and watchin videos (2 Months) + $ 129 a month upgrade to college credit plan for 2 months

DUAL ENROLLED: University of Maryland, University College accepts up to 90 transferred credits.This school has his desired major, so we transferred credits from both Straighterline (after taking 4 classes they gave him IN STATE tuition, and accept up to 60 credits as direct transfer and through ACE (transcript) service). They take homeschooled students and high school students for early entry enrollment and allows them to take 7 credits a semester. Their classes are offered online, in person and a hybrid of both in 4 week/8week increments.

Total credits FINISHED at UMUC.edu: 3 classes = 12 credits
Cost $882 per class (In State tuition cost gained after taking 4 Straighterline classes)

18 Classes left for Speed Racer to finished with a BS DEGREE at UMUC!

THE AGE FACTOR

And Graduating Early

Graduating with a BS degree by 18 yrs old isn't a bad thing. I wanted my kids to be able to have a gap year or two after college to volunteer, do internships, attend grad school, study abroad or work. Whatever they wanted to do with no rush.

Rose, my oldest girl studied abroad for a summer, stayed at the beach in Maui for a month with friends, then decided she wanted to start working while pursuing her MS degree.

Tiger Lilly, my 16 yr old that will be 17 yrs when she gets her BS is working a summer internship, enrolling in a MS program, but also taking Art and Japanese classes at a local community college. She plans on volunteering at the tech center near us and working on building more clients for her Micro Business. She wants to go to Japan, but with her sister instead of a study abroad program. She's our shy one. We are encouraging her to do a study abroad during her pursuing her MS degree.

Speed Racer will be about 17 yrs old when he finishes his BS in Information Systems. He wants to attend a 2 yr college program to learn to fix airplanes while getting his Commercial pilot license. Then attempt to get a job as a Pilot. Also, plans on using his IT degree and experience fixing planes to invent stuff (I don't know what, but he seems to think he will come up with something). In addition, he wants to tour the world dancing professionally (yeah, he said that and is a pretty good hip, hop and breakdancer).

So, for them, they are making their dreams work, without the traditional college experience in some cases. Their dad, nor I had a 'traditional' college experience full fledged and found it highly over rated and over priced.

TAKE AWAY 

Don't assume that all methods work for every kid. Try a bit of them all. I do find that online learning that allows me to keep my kids accountable on finishing assignments on time has made the transition to college courses much easier for them than in my case, or the case of my older 2 kids who went the 'traditional' live on college campus direction.

Maturity and your kid's learning style matters. Teaching them to study, take notes, write well is important for the transition to college courses.

Life can be so much fuller when you do things a different way.

Transitioning Kid To College, Working Parent Challenge

Fun Times and School Grind

Visiting a friend for a Yummy Southern Cooked Dinner

Girls Day Out, Makeup Class at Sephora

Finding ways to play and have fun with our older kids has been fun. We've done dance competitions, Poetry Slams, Martial Arts Tournaments and more these last few months.

SCHOOL IS LOOKING A LOT LIKE COLLEGE NOW

I've promoted Speed Racer to college classes and he has a tutor, Tiger Lilly, who checks his work before he turns it into me (which saves mom a lot of time and effort). Then I verify he is doing okay, and give him the approval to move on. 

Meanwhile, we are planning a wedding for my oldest son, helping Tiger Lilly land her first internship and launch her new micro-business with her sister Rose, while considering what she wants to do for graduate school.

OUR WEEKS IN MOTION

I'm updating you all monthly as our schooling viewpoint has changed now in my sixth year of homeschooling. 

Mom's and Dad's day looks like this:

Mom leaves early for work. Dad gets kids up, reviews work from the night before when mom bailed and went to bed, tells them what to review, or fix. Kids do work, mom gets home, or drops in for lunch, reviews work, answer questions, reviews work prior to them turning it into their online class, then verify work assigned for the day is done.


SPEED RACER's Progress

Started New Plan in January. He is now taking all College Classes. This is where the rigor of Abeka and mom's curriculum is really helping him with time management. He is doing well with retaining a lot of the information in these courses and doing pretty well in them.

Why the Change?
He told me that he was bored studying for CLEPS and DSST, that he'd rather just take a class. Also, the thought of sitting still for 2 hrs to take an exam outside of our home, made him anxious. So, we tried Straighterline, and he suggested Study.com since he liked the format. I figured, why not try both. He liked both. He just kept surprising me as he really caught on, and has been moving a decent pace. 

Concerns?
He hasn't taken the proctored exam yet. With both Straighterline and Study.com he has to. So we practiced me watching him during one of the practice exams using a program called join.me and after a few tries, he did okay.

Does It Seem Like Too Much?
Since I've pretty much groomed my kids to have a vigorous, and intensive school day, this to him seems so much easier than mom making him do long assignments and tons of work that is out of his control. He told me this was easier O_o 

How do We Manage the Tough Spots
He has a tutor in Math, and English who helps him with his papers he has to turn in.

The Plan?
The plan is for him to finish as many classes with Straighterline (that are open book finals) and with Study.com that he can use for upper credits and courses that Straighterline doesn't have to transfer to his online college of choice (UMUC.edu). Both programs transfer direct to UMUC.

Then, when he finishes his online BS degree in Information Systems, he wants to get his pilot license and go to school to learn to repair airplanes. So...we will see.


Straighterline Classes: Does in Evening with Mom available if he needs help
College Credit Earned: English 101
College Credits Working On: English 102, US History 2, Environmental Science
College Credits Planned: Nutrition, Religion, Intro to Business, Business Ethics, College Success, Cultural Anthropology

Study.com Classes: He does these during the day without help
College Credits Working On: Intro to Computing , Business Information Systems, Personal Finance
College Credits Planned: MicroEcon, MacroEcon, Marketing, Business Management, Sociology & Psychology (he finished these last year but didn't take the final exam ~ so he is retaking it and will take final.

Dual Enrollment ~ UMUC.edu (Online University - 8 week classes)
He is enrolled and taking classes as a non-degree seeking homeschooled student.
College Credits Working On: Speech, College Math (already on week 5 of 8 week course)
College Credits Planned: US History 1, Research, College Algebra

Overall, he is on schedule to finish these courses by June. If he does, he would officially be a Sophomore in college at 14 yrs old.

TIGER LILLY's Progress

Tiger Lilly is finishing up her final requirement for her degree in Information Systems with minor in Computer Science, and Graphic Arts. She is taking Principles in Web Design, Digital Marketing and Trends in Application Management-Capstone Course.

Starting in April (after her college classes are done) she is building some software products for her marketing clients (she has 2 clients). Then she plans on working on more art, her web comic and novella.

Internship interviews, are over and she landed two summer internships. She doesn't have to make a decision until April.

WORK and HOME BALANCE

Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: This is going well now that we decided to eat healthy and remove the rice, potatoes, and pasta.

HOUSE CLEANING: Well, this has been touch and go. Kids don't want to do the dishes since the dish washer was broken. 

LESSON PLANNING: So much easier!!! I just ask them to send me their plans for the week. They now do their weekly schedule and I just verify it. Mom delegation works! 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: Hubs and I are making our time together more of a priority. We have gone to some comedy shows together, had some friends over for his birthday, and just went for some long drives.

SELF CARE: I've failed miserably on this. Like, haven't done a dog on thing to pamper myself. However, I've been pampering my girls. I got to stop doing that. Soon.  

Planning for Next Block Semester

How do we position ourselves and our kids to go beyond the normal? We take a plunge. Try it out. Decide then to keep going or redo. Nothing is wrong with the experience of a repeat. We see ourselves get better.

TAKING A CHANCE

Well, I decided to just enroll Speed Racer in a College Class for Algebra! I don't know if he is ready. I will just get a tutor to help him. It will only be an 8 week class. If he does well, I'll sign him up for another, then another and who knows.


Truth is, I am a bit impatient with progress on studying for the CLEPs and DSST when my son can add up the college credits in just 8 weeks. So it will be an extra expense, but we will find a way to fund it.

PLANNING OUR NEW SEMESTER to START in JANUARY

After, evaluating what work for us this semester and what didn't. I realized that Speed Racer is maturing as a student. He likes to have ordered task that he can do independently. He also, is now rather good in math. Not so much in writing, but, we will recover that skill next semester.

We decided to change somethings up from what we originally planned for January to May 2018 semester.

1) College Math - Enrolled Speed Racer into college Dual Enrollment program. He is allowed to take up to 7 credits which we will break up into 2 - eight week classes. They will be MATH to include Introduction to Algebra (aka College Math) and Intermediate Algebra. These are the pre-requisite course to take prior to Pre-Calc.Speed Racer has to take up to Calc 2 for his selected major.

2) Writing Intensive - Writing Tutor for Intensive 3 Month Writing Class. Speed Racer can write, he just is lazy about it and needs to learn how to better correct his work. Since he and I seem to clash at this, I am hiring a tutor for writing to review and help him with his writing of 350 word / 5 paragraph essays to improve his speed of reasoning and writing. He will need this skill for college level courses I plan to enroll him in next fall.

3) Programming Intensive - The local coding school offers one on one tutoring for programming. I am hiring a tutor to help Speed Racer with this. I have a curriculum selected and want him to have some one on one help with getting through it.


All his other classes will be on Acellus since he seems to like the platform and is learning.

OUR WEEKS IN MOTION

We went to the GLOBTROTTERS! Loved it! I have seen them when I was a kid, when my oldest were little and now with my little ones.

GETTING AUTOGRAPHS

Art Gallery Trip

SPEED RACER's Progress

He is loving using  (1) Quill (Language/Writing) and (2) Knowre (Algebra 1 practice)

I've fallen off the wagon for Daily Status Checks but when I checked he only had a few items left to finish with his Algebra review.

His progress with combine math review of College Math Prep, Algebra 1 and Basic Math is going well. I am shocked how much he retains and works through easily.

English and Writing is not going so well. He is putting in very little effort and will need more hand holding in the future. Reading is going at a steady pace as his father is reading a book with him, essentially they have their own book club.


For History he is working with Acelles. His Coding with Java is going well although I don't think he is grasping it as deeply as I'd like. Still using Quizlet and Instantcert to study for the DSST Computing Exam. He is doing just okay and this may take longer for him to prepare than I thought.

Bible consist of a daily devotion he reads and chats about with his dad. We dropped Logic for now as we don't have time to finish it during the day.

TIGER LILLY's Progress

She finished one class with an A and is now finishing up her Software and Hardware course. Her 2nd half of classes just started and they are pretty challenging. She is taking Business Continuity Planning, Motion Graphics, System Analysis and Design and Information Systems Management.

In addition to those above, her Business Management homeschool course is finishing up. She finished her company's website. Putting together her marketing plan.

Internship interviews and applications are going out. She is learning to do it, and she thinks it difficult, but she is getting better at it. She even attended some virtual Internship fairs.

WORK and HOME BALANCE

Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: I had good intentions, but fell off the wagon and missed two nights of prepared dinner. Oh well.

HOUSE CLEANING: I had to stand behind kids on 'CLEAN UP' patrol for some reason they haven't been doing a good job at keeping everything clean.

LESSON PLANNING: This is on track for now. It will be easier in January when we are on a set curriculum.

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: So excited that we are going on a vacation with no kids in November! My hubs mentioned he wanted some time alone with just me when I started planning this as a 'family getaway' so I asked my older kids to take over while we go on vacation and I spoil my hubby. I have a plan to send him romantic text and notes leading up to our weekend getaway.

SELF CARE:Working out now on a regular schedule of at least 4 days a week. Trying really hard to keep us as I tend to slip after two weeks :P  

Stumbling Along and Still There is Progress

HOW THE TIME FLIES and STILL I WONDER 

IF I AM DOING THIS RIGHT.

Speed Racer our first Year

Both Speed Racer and Tiger Lilly Now

Two WEEKS in REVIEW

I've been rather lax in daily accountability, but the kids are doing fairly well with a few days here and there of slacking.

My oldest got engaged and we are now in the beginning phase of wedding planning. We had many friends and family illness so attending to that has put a damper on our energy.

The kids are involved in several collaborative efforts regarding state legislation and political awareness.

SPEED RACER's Progress

Added two new courses (1) Quill (Language/Writing) and (2) Knowre (Algebra 1 practice)

Overall we've finished a lot of curriculum. He's been working mostly independent but falling behind on subjects that I don't do Daily Status Checks on regularly.

He has a lot of MATH review to get him prepped for the College Math Clep I hope he will be ready to tackle in May. His Math includes, Algebra 1 review, College Math (working with tutor and Acellus) and basic math fact review. He is actually pretty darned good at Algebra 1 and Geometry and rarely if ever uses a calculator for his problems. He is getting high 90s and is progressing well.

English and Writing are some of the major areas we need tuning. His Time4Writing stint is almost over and I will be using Quill and Egump for language arts tuning as well as LifePac. Also, we are starting to do weekly Writing Prompts that we will work through weekly. That's planned for this coming week. He hates writing so I am prepared to negotiate

For History he is using Acellus and is doing well, hopefully, he will be able to retain it for when he starts to study for the CLEP. He is doing Coding with Java with Acellus and in person at a local computing lab, and using Instantcert to study for the DSST Computing Exam. He has to make at least 80% on the practice exams in order to be ready and now he is only making 50s, so we have a way to go.

Bible, Reading and Logic are both being covered with dad so they are having some great conversations and starting to develop an enjoyment for the same types of books.

TIGER LILLY's Progress

After dropping two classes due to incompatibility with the teachers, Tiger Lilly only had 2 college classes until October.

She is doing well in her college classes that remain. Tiger Lilly is working on her micro-company website and blog. Also, building up her product list for sell. Her sister Rose is helping and they are collaborating to have a big launch in May of next year.

Tiger Lilly and her sister are now taking Adult Ballet classes (I scheduled it in order for them to have a hobby they could do together and it's working).

The in person Blender and Unity 3D class Tiger Lilly is taking is fun and she hopes to continue after the fall.

WORK and HOME BALANCE

Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: I've been on a roll these last few weeks. I prepped meat, seasoned it and we had fun and interesting dinners. I am tired though and was slipping this last week.

HOUSE CLEANING: It's been tidy, but cluttered. We didn't get around to cleaning our own rooms, but the kids cleaned the common areas and it lasted oh, about two days.

LESSON PLANNING: Only taking me an hour, but did it at the last minute on Monday mornings and had to email it to the kids.

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: We were able to go out alone two times in the last few weeks. Then we took a nap when the older kids took their siblings out.

SELF CARE: I am doing a decent job at exercising now. I sneak it in while I am at home with the kids in the evening and checking their work.