Somebody is almost finished Summer School

CYBERCAMP

Just part of his jam packed summer!

So far, Speed Racer has had a jammed packed summer. One to remember for any high schooler, and one I planned with precision. 

This is the summer is the last in which he can just goof off and have a schedule based on fun. Soon (planned in 2020) he will be a full-time student at the Airplane Mechanics school. The Community College he hopes to finish his pre-req classes this Fall or Spring so he can be qualified to enter the program. So this summer, I have given him lots of leverage and freedoms since I wanted to make it special.

CAMPS

This summer was exceptional with camps, he had no drama, which shows how much he has matured.

Jr Lifeguard Camp - it was totally free and a bit overcrowded

Cyber Camp - it was totally free and awesome for one week

FunDay Camp - he attended for an entire month with activities and included food

Sailing Camp - he loved it, even though it was really expensive

Christian Teen Inspire Camp - this camp was a pleasant surprise for him

EXTRA CURRICULA

He has been on the paddling/canoe team this summer and enduring intense practice 5 days a week. Then also squeezing in some breakdancing. His body is feeling it and has a sore shoulder we will get checked out. He's doing an awesome boat trip between Islands and ending the summer with a breakdance competition. This summer his friend pool has exploded and he's had a few girlfriends too. That meant dad and I spent tons of time driving him all over the place.

SCHOOL STILL HAPPENED

Luckily, he has friends who attended summer school and educational enrichment camps over the summer. That's the reason he didn't have a fit when he had to take classes this summer.

We dropped his second course since starting Dual Enrollment. His teacher was a dud and it was frustrating since the class was an elective in Movies and Theory which my son was actually excited about.

Classes he is taking:

Database Design - 5 weeks of the 8 weeks done with projects, discussion post and papers

Enterprise System Architecture - 5 weeks of 8 weeks done with papers and discussion post

Marketing- 5 weeks of 8 weeks done with online test, papers, and discussion post

CHALLENGES

One major challenge is getting into the local Community College Airplane Mechanic program. Problems we are having will be worked through, but they are still irritating.

-They insist he needs to take the Accuplacer (Math and English) even though he has taken the required courses through Straighterline and they were approved by ACE (which the Community College states it accepts credit from.) The problem is the lack of knowledge on the side of the administrator and we have to be persistent and educate them properly on their own policies. Ugh!

-The CC is in the dark ages with technology. Filling out the application and updating it was a nightmare. Their application software is unsupported and literally only allows one application and no corrections. Everything has to be either emailed, faxed, mailed or taken to them. If my child was planning to attend this CC for Dual Enrollment it would have been even more frustrating.

WORK and HOME BALANCE Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: Well, the kids have been prepping and complaining about it. However, my work schedule has been a monster and I haven't been that great at cooking when I get home at 6pm.

HOUSE CLEANING: I did get around to washing and folding clothes. My son, through bribery, and the fact he wanted his friends to come over, actually cleaned. Then his friend who wanted to stay over, helped him clean and then cooked me dinner! Needless to say, that child can stay over my house whenever he wants.

LESSON PLANNING: I've been just writing his assignments on the dry erase board and basically holding his planned fun hostage until he finishes his work. It's been a struggle 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: Since we have been joining friends for a weekly game night, there has been a war going on. My husband won't let me win one darned game. He is really good at board games, talks lots of smack (which upsets me and makes me lose the game and sometimes threaten to not play anymore with him - only for me to have this horrible competitive streak that makes me want to play just one more time.) After weeks of losing every darn game I threw at him, I finally one a few in a row (that he swears he 'let' me win). So...we are at somewhat of a tug of war. It's fun, ads depth to the relationship and well, gets me riled up.

SELF CARE: After I have ran myself to death preparing for my promo (I still have a course I need to finish in 3 weeks) I finally was so exhausted I took a 3 hour nap and have been napping every day for a week. I really wanted to see the Lion King, but bailed on the hubs and my daughter because, well, I wanted to take a nap instead.

Get the Book Here

Classes and Debating

HIGH GEAR AND STEPPING OUT

of our comfort zone

Part of me wondered why I put my son in all these social justice and debating programs this year. It only makes his ability to 'debate' his point against what I want him to do much easier.

Hard to be the only kid homeschooling now, that's what my son complains about lately. He is looking forward to working this summer and hoping to keep doing so when the new school year starts. I am concerned about the distractions, but will let him try it this summer.

He misses the days he got to hang around with his sister who is now working. Now his schedule is to sleep all day, and work on stuff in the evening, then stay up all night playing video games.

Not Working, but fell asleep playing online Games

He was supposed to be doing Computer homework

KIDS PROGRESS

SPEED RACER has a mildly packed schedule
He literally hardly gets anything done while I am at work and his dad or sibling that works from home is there.

Basically, I get home, I tell him to get off the video games and lets get to work. We work for about 3 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Monday and Wednesday only an hour or so. Most work is getting done on Sundays afternoons where it's our finish everything for the week. He will do the work, I check it, give it to him to revise, he fixes it, then turns it in.

Homeschool Classes 
Bible Study (online) with discussion with mom or dad
Pilot Training (online) mom reviews his test and quiz success and helps
Java Programming (online) sister reviews his projects and CompuScholar checks his test and quizzes


College Classes

C Programming
In week 1 of 8
-Finished Lab Project
-Finished 3 paragraph discussion
-Finished 1 page paper

Information Technology Ethics
In week 1 of 8
-Finished Ethical Analysis 5 page Paper
-Finished 3 paragraph discussion
-Finished Current Event Review paper

Foundations in Information Systems
In week 1 of 8
-Finished 3 paragraph discussion
-Finished 1 page paper

WORK and HOME BALANCE Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: This is on schedule. Thank goodness. My kids help with meal prep and planning for the week, then we do actual prep on Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This has been working well the last two weeks.

HOUSE CLEANING: Chore chart is being used for a reference and if they aren't done, they don't get to do their fun stuff...most times. I'm a softy so I have to work on this.

LESSON PLANNING: I now do it on google docs and share it with him. We get through it for the most part, now less then when both kids were homeschooling. 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: We've been setting up a weekly game night with friends and family, not much alone time, but we are having some fun since the kids spend time playing with the other kids.

SELF CARE: My coworker bought her neck massager to work and gosh, I love it! Every morning I massage my neck for a good 10 minutes. Best way to start my day!

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...)

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.

Staying Motivated And Building Friendships

STAYING MOTIVATED

Well we are nearing our homeschool stretch, at the beginning of Spring. The kids are a bit ready for it all to end and summer to begin.

So I decided to put in place some incentives to get us all through this time.

SPRING BREAK CAMPS

I found some local spring break camps that the kids are interested in. They will still be doing their college course work, just at a slower pace, so thay can participate in the week long camp.

It's the break they need and allows them to meet new kids their age and just have fun.

BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS

SPRING SPORTS

I have Speed Racer in Breakdance, Martial Arts and now Paddling for the season which starts in the Spring and ends at the end of Summer. He is super excited to meet the neighborhood kids in this group/

Tiger Lilly is working with a personal training group, Martial Arts and I am trying to find a Paddling group for her, she doesn't want anything competitive.

WEATHER CELEBRATING FIELD TRIPS and PLAY DATES

We are having several 'cook outs', 'paint parties', 'movie parties' with friends and family this month that really made the kids happy with the interaction with friends and their kids.

The kids are also participating in the Homeschool Prom!

She is irritated that I am taking pictures of her working

The activity that keeps my highly active boy relaxed most times.

KIDS PROGRESS

SPEED RACER's Progress this past month.

He is on a roll and has matured so much. We did give him an incentive for passing his Straighterline, Study.com and UMUC.edu classes with B or better. He got a video game of choice. it worked. He is on track.

Now his is comfortable completing his Straighterline class independently during the day. I do review his chapter assignments, notes, and give him a quick review before he attempts his test.  With Study.com he does completely on his own, however, he request that I review the flashcards and his practice exam with him (I think he likes just talking through things).

His online college classes with UMUC he just works with the tutor to answer his Math problems and to tell him what he missed on his papers. He usually revises the papers, I read them, then send them to the tutor who tells him what he needs to fix before turning the papers in.


Straighterline Classes: Does in Evening with Mom available if he needs help
College Credit Earned: English 101, IT Fundamentals, US History 2, Environmental Science, Religion, Western Civilization = 18 college credits earned
College Credits Working On: Intro to Business, College Success, Cultural Anthropology, English 102
College Credits Planned: Business Ethics, Psychology, Business Management


Study.com Classes:
Paused taking them. Myself and Speed Racer realized he can finish the Straighterline courses faster so he wants to concentrate on those.

Dual Enrollment ~ UMUC.edu (Online University - 8 week classes)He is enrolled and taking classes as a non-degree seeking homeschooled student.

College Credits Earned: Speech, College Math = 6 college credits earned

College Credits Working On: Concepts and Aplications in Info Sys, Pre-Calculus



TIGER LILLY's Progress this past month.

Tiger Lilly  is officially finished her required college course work at UMUC.edu and will be getting her degree this May.

She is traveling this week to go to MD for her final interview with one of her Internships and to tour the facility. Since she is only 16 yrs old, her dad opted to fly with her (she better take this internship since it cost us airplane ticket for her dad O_o oh my.)

Her online business she does with her sister just got two new contracts. She does the artwork for the logo and helps with some of the programming. They are excited about it.

We are now looking at graduate schools, and scholarships. So stay tuned.

WORK and HOME BALANCEWorking and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: I've successfully created 'boring' dinners my family said most every week. A protein and a veggie. If momma has to diet, so does everyone else.

HOUSE CLEANING: We had guest over quite a bit, so that motivated the family to really work at cleaning the house. It's better since the dishwasher is now working. We even finally got rid of some of the clutter and boxes we had yet to unpack from our previous move - 3 yrs ago. 

LESSON PLANNING: It's a breeze. We work together to build their schedules now and they do them for me, since they want the control. I add in what I want them to finish. 

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: We've gone to see the Black Panther at a great premiere night together. Had a blast, and went out to bowling.

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. 

The winding path of raising kids with goals

There Is No Straight Road

When it comes to raising kids

According To Their own Rhythm

This was taken on our way home from kid's computer class

Speed Racer doing a safety check of the glider before he flies it.

Still learning to surf

My boys have been my most challenging kids to raise. Yes, my girls had their own set of interesting twist and turns, but my sons have beautiful, wild, and alpha male spirits. It has made me a better person to be part of the molding and shaping of them. 

Speed Racer has matured so much in the last few years. Each year I see more growth. I do give him direct focus on his goals, careers, vision after he answers many questions I have for him. When I do come up with a new focus, I am willing to change it if he voices a change. Lately, he's enjoyed everything I've thrown at him.

Our Vision For him (which I put on his bedroom door is)

Be a Pilot

Become a Martial Arts Teacher

Sail around the world

Become an Aeronautical Systems Engineer

Learn how to fix airplanes

The unconventional plan to get there

1) Get his Info Syst Degree with CLEP, DSST at Online University (graduate between 18-19 yrs)

2) At 19 yrs, attend 2 yr college get degree in Aircraft Mechanic

3) Get Commercial Pilot license

4) Learn to Sail at the local Youth Sailing program

5) At 21 yrs, attend Master's program with Airforce funded degree and scholarship program

WEEK IN REVIEW

SPEED RACER

13 yrs

Speed Racer has made progress in the following classes.

Online Daily Independent Classes
College Math Prep (Acellus) 6 lessons completed
US History 1 AP (Acellus) finishing from last year (has 80% to do) - 8 lessons completed
Psychology (Acellus) finishing from last year (has 10% to do) - 6 lessons
English (Acellus) 8 lessons completed
Algebra 1 review (Teaching Textbooks & Modern States) - 5 lessons completed
Basic Math review drills - 5 lessons completed
Time4Writing (Writing Mechanics High School) - 5 lessons 2 quizzes & 2 submitted assignments.


Work through with parents
Logic - completed chapter 3
Bible Devotinal - completed 3 devotionals
Computing & Info DSST  - working on 32 terms in Instacert
College Math Clep Review (Modern States, REA Clep Book, & Tutor) - Week 1 finished (Chp 1 & 2) ~ also worked with tutor

Classes In Person
Java Programming - attended first class and loved it
Dance - was in a competition this past weekend and practiced 4 days
Martial Arts - attended 2 days
Young Pilot Program - flew Glider plane
Sailing - signed up, went by Yacht club
Leadership Retreat

TIGER LILLY

16 yrs

This week we decided to drop one of her College classes (even though she finished 2 major assignments) due to the group that she was put in. It was confusing even for me in helping her and the professor was no help. Now she only is working on 1 college class for this coming week and her business homeschool class. Her in person programming class in Unity 3d is extending to add Blender so she is excited. She did the leadership retreat with her brother, martial arts and her older brother has become our (mine and hers) personal trainer. He is wearing us out.

WORK and HOME BALANCE

Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: This week ran smoothly. I had a bunch of meat prepped and did a quick meal with more veggies and no starch (no potatoes, no pasta, no rice) and my family hated it. They did like the mashed cauliflower though.

HOUSE CLEANING: I appointed pappa as the enforcer. I tapped out. He took over and stuff got done. Not to the level I would like, but the house is cleaner than it was. Now I am still trying to figure out how we ended up with sooooo much clutter in just 2 years since our move when we had nothing really.

LESSON PLANNING: Did it on Monday, my day off from work. I even gave them the day off. It took just under an hour.

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: Still having some logistic issues with finding time together. Mostly, because when I finish with kids at 8:30pm, my hubs takes over til around 10pm and I am sleep. Then the weekends, we were taking kids to all day events and I didn't want to stay up to go out (even though my husband is a night owl, I am not).

SELF CARE: I took a 3 hr nap on Sunday. Best day ever! Then waxed my eyebrows, exercised and read an entire book over the weekend.

My Crazy and Unorthodox Way Of Homeschooling

THE SECRET IS

KNOWING THAT

WE CAN DO ANYTHING

I reflected on the last few years over my homschooling journey. I've always been a 'survivor' a 'never accept a NO until I find my own YES' kind of person.

Therefore, when it came to my kids, I wanted to expose them to everything while pushing their minds and abilities as far as I could until they grew, or asked for a reprieve. 

WHY PUSH and CHALLENGE MY KIDS

It's a method used in private schools, high schools and most work places. However, REMOVE THE STRESS by making it a DISCOVERY.

1) Reach for the MOON

Expose your child to BIG DREAMS but allow them a PASS TO REDIRECT.

2) Fall to the STARS

The redirect is , finish the road started, but revise, and repeat if you have to.

For example, Speed Racer, has taken Alg 1 for 2 years. He started at 11 yrs old. He got a 'C'. Then at 12 years old, we used a different curriculum, he got a 'B'. This year, we are combining Alg 1 with College Math, so far, he's working on an 'A'.

We encouraged him to pursue 3 careers since he enjoys flying glider planes (1) Aeronautical Engineer (2) Pilot (3) Aeronautical Mechanic

I don't actually expect him to do all three. However, both my husband and I have had to or more career or businesses at one time. I am an Engineer, an author, have been a College Professor, Mortgage Lender, Travel consultant, all why maintaining my engineering career. My husband has done the same. Therefore, we want our kids to know, that if you want to experience two or more complimenting careers in a lifetime...go for it. Just figure out a way to do it.

Also, we plan to have him finish a degree in at least 2 of these areas with a minor in Computer Science since he also loves coding.

3) If they want to CHANGE DIRECTION, let them.

4) Don't accept a direction without them researching, defending a new plan.

NOT FOR EVERYONE

This isn't the approach many parents choose to take. However, our minds are incredible gifts and when we encourage our kids that there are MANY MANY ROADS to their GOALS, that FAILURE doesn't mean DEFEAT but a CHANGE OF DIRECTION, they won't lose.

OUR WEEK IN REVIEW

SPEED RACER 

13 yrs old

Blended High Schooler

Speed Racer has matured so much in six months. I know he would, but sometimes as a parent, we are impatient. I try lots of methods to encourage positive growth, and never really knows what has worked, but I know, never giving up is the key.

CHANGES MADE TO CURRICULUM in 1st 3 weeks of SCHOOL

Removed curriculum (1) Logic with Compass Classroom (2) Physics removed completely to year before he officially starts Dual Enrollment at online college (3) Added in person Java class (child requested) on Sundays.

STRIDES MADE

Speed Racer doubled his quiz scores for study of the Computing DSST EXAM review with Instantcert. He has finished all independent work on time, before Friday, with good grades.

OUR WEEK IN REVIEW

TIGER LILLY

16 yrs old

Blended High Schooler

Tiger Lilly is pretty independent with her college classes. On Friday's I review all her work before she turns it in.

She requested another in person computer class. She's taking C#, Unity 3D and now Blender on Fridays for 2 hours. Her in person Japanese class will be moved to Spring since we both think her schedule is pretty booked.

Her homeschool business course is going well. Her website and blog are being created in the coming weeks.

WORK and HOME BALANCE

Working and Homeschooling 

MEAL PREP: I haven't gotten back on track with the mail planning or prep yet. I'm just throwing dinner together our we are grabbing fast food.  I am giving myself a month with our new schedule to get this corralled again.

HOUSE CLEANING: Not happening. This new schedule is wearing me down a bit and I haven't been enforcing (verifying that chores are done correctly and completely) like I should.


LESSON PLANNING: I do it mostly on Sunday evenings and it takes about an hour. We still use the Sue Patrick workbox system and the kids get a daily and weekly schedule. I am still working out our schedule. There are many changes in the first week and I am trimming curriculum down that I don't think is working.

MARRIAGE CHECKUP: With my husband and I co-teaching this year, with a more HANDS ON APPROACH to HOMESCHOOLING our Speed Racer, both of us have been. Date night hasn't happened in 2 weeks. I owe him big time and sent him an IOU and he did the same. We set a date over the holiday weekend to have a day together.

Full Blast and Sputtered

ALL CURRICULUM for our FALL Has BEEN ADDED
Yikes!


Great Weekend Doing Martial Arts at the Beach

Actually held Speed Racer's Interest
And Even Tiger Lilly Grudgingly Participated

We went to the movies to see Kubo.
Enjoyable, Captivating yet a dark tale.

We also did a FAMILY FITNESS CHALLENGE
where Tiger Lilly and her Dad came in 1st Place

SPEED RACER's WEEK
12 yrs

Changes? We dropped the JAVA HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMMING for .... da da da ... Prodigy. My son, Speed Racer stated, "Mom two programming classes? Really? I'm smart, but not that smart". So I laughed and told him I would introduce another practice in Math.

If you've noticed, I am really working on building his Vocabulary, Math Skills and Writing skills in prep for his next year of CLEP/DSST and SAT testing planned for 2017-2018 *plans on how I will tackle that will be coming soon. I am contemplating using Dual Credit At Home (http://www.dualcreditathome.com/ ) or using this free CLEP Prep lesson plan for homeschoolers created by this awesome lady named Tricia (clepprep.tripod.com/cleplessonplans/) .

(7am-8:30am) Online Live Class
Landry Academy Classes

Had to make him go to sleep early - which he totally hated, but conceded in order to get his cellphone back. He is adjusting to the classes overall.

Writing ER: is on Monday's.  I woke him up and logged him in with no problem. His homework in this class isn't bad and the teacher is engaging. He does a bit of the weekly homework a little each day.

Algebra 1 (Saxon): is on Tuesday's and waking up, getting in gear for class worked out better. The class also can be done independent of the time since the teacher pre-recorded the video review of each lesson. He does a bit of the weekly homework a little each day.

Python Programming is on Wednesday's: This class gave him a bit of a challenge, he doesn't like the reading homework, but I read it with him later in the day to get him engaged. He does a bit of the weekly homework a little each day.

(9 am-11am) Daily Independent
Study.com
Psychology, Sociology, Macro Econ, Physics and Information Systems is going well and only takes him 10 minutes each to get through videos which also have the written transcripts to each and 5 question quizzes. He found a method and is doing well. What quizzes and test he doesn't pass, he saves to do with me in the evenings or weekends.

(11am-12:30am) Online Live Class
Landry Academy Classes

Spanish  is on Thursday's: This teacher posted a Quizlet list for the kids to go over daily with homework. He started working through the list on Monday. He does a bit of the weekly homework a little each day.

(12:30-1:00pm) - lunch

(1pm-2pm) Daily Independent

Membean he does this for 15 minutes a day and is on level 2 now.

Geometry (Teaching Textbooks) this takes 30 minutes and he thinks it's easier than Abeka Geometry.

Speed Reading & Comprehension with Ace Reader is a 10 minute online interactive reading comprehensive program that he's zooming through.

(2pm-2:30pm) Daily Independent

Prodigy (Math Game) he noted that the lessons are getting more difficult with not much instruction.

Copy work is doing Great Writer's Quotes in cursive, he writes so well in cursive and to think he's a lefty! It takes him 10 minutes

(2:30pm-3pm) Snack Break

(3pm-4:00pm) Daily

Geometry AbekaAcademy he finished his test and got a 78% but still had some concepts he needed help with. We called the student tutoring line which seemed to put him back on track.

Sequential Spelling  still seems a bit easy for him (I think membean is really helping). I am considering giving him the chapter test to see if I should just move him on. This takes about 10 minutes.


(5pm) Martial Arts  or Soccer
Soccer & Martial Arts: Which he loves having something to do everyday to break the school monotony.

PE Is done 6 days a week. He is in Civilian Airforce Program (or CAP), Young Eagles on Saturday's

(6:15-6:30pm) Does these 1 time each a week interchangeably

3-minute devotional for guys Bible Devotionals he actually loved spending the one on one time with his dad doing this.


(7-7:30pm) Dinner

Late Night doing Chemistry.

(7:30pm - 8:15pm) 5 days week
Chemistry with Abeka he passed all of his test so far with A's.

(8:15pm-8:30pm) 5 days week
Wordly Wise yes I added this and it takes him 10 to 15 minutes to do it.

(8:15pm-9:15pm) 3 or 2 days a week 
English Literature and American Literature this he says has a lot of overlap, so he happens to do well on test in both classes. He doesn't like reading the classical stuff though so I got movies.

Weekend Plans: He's going to a Homeschool Carnival at one of the homeschool parent's home. And hopefully surfing lessons.

Tiger Lilly's Week: High Schooler /Dual Enrolled 15 yrs old

Tiger Lilly is my complainer, but she eventually gives in to the fun to be had.

Tiger Lilly started her DUAL ENROLLED COLLEGE classes this week. Woot! (she didn't say that).

(9 am-10:30am) Daily Independent
Landry Academy

Network Pro cost us an additional $89 for the online cbt interactive lab membership with Testout.com that is used by the Teacher. He gave the wrong code and had to later make adjustments to our account, but all went well.
 
10:30am-11:30am - 3 days a week
Software Development class (Homeschool Class by mom) She is correcting her draft Trade Analysis paper on game development frameworks.


11:30am-12:30pm- 3 days a week
Calculus with Saxon & Dive and CTCMath The CTCMath is working out better for her, but she does extra practice with Saxon.

1:30pm-4:30pm- 3 days a week [Dual Enrolled College Course with UMUC.edu]
Nutrition is a class I am hoping will help her make healthy food choices. It's a required science that she could've CLEP out of, but decided she actually wanted to take a class. This week she wrote essay, on nutritional choices, did some discussion answers.

Relational Database Design This is a required course for her major and she will work with Oracle DB products, design her on database structure, build it using SQL and work on it with a group. This is mom's field of work, so I look forward to any questions she will ask. She had a Database Design project, discussion question, and diagram to create.

Technical Writing She hates technical writing but likes creative writing. I am hoping she will find a medium here. She had an essay, introduction of herself, and some discussion post to make.


5pm-6:30pm - 3 days a week - PE
Soccer, she is liking her team and is now looking forward to practice.

7pm-8pm - 1 day a week
Japanese with 1.5 hr tutoring is going well. I am looking for an in person training class though.

8pm-9pm - 2 days a week
3-minute Devotional for Girls she likes it and it gives her and I a reason to discuss tough issues.

9pm-10pm - 3 days a week / and 2 days a week
Homeschool Programming Android Programming has staggered to a halt. We are working with them to find out why the plug in's don't work.

See the Light Art Class is down to 2 days a week.

WORKING PARENT's LOG

Meals We failed to do the Freezer meal prep this week. Sigh, so it was back to winging it. I went to Sam's Club and got bulk meat and just had to figure out what to cook each day. Not good.

Cleaning.Even though we have less space, it seems there is a lot of clutter building up than anything. However, this weekend we should be able to re-configure this weekend.

Work & Life Balance. Is crazy, crazy, crazy since my oldest daughter Rose lost her driver's license - yet again. That makes three times in 1 year. Yep, you heard me. Well now we have to drop off and pick her and her oldest brother up which is running myself and hubs ragged. Soon they will have their own cars and this shouldn't be a problem.

Lesson Planning. Had to be adjusted again. I seem to just keep waiting til the last minute to do this. I am aiming to do better this week.

Rest. I actually did pretty good this week. Making the 12 year old go to bed at 10pm (okay, at least by 11pm) allows me to unwind and get 6 to 7 hours of sleep a day - this week.

Marriage Check Up. We didn't get time alone this week to go out and eat or chat. Also, we were just so tired we couldn't move when we finally didn't have to drive anyone somewhere.