Excelsior Academy

Monday, June 22, 2009

Progress is exceedingly slow

Due to much stress and everyone working, my lovely school plan has not yet manifested. We did start the work but have failed to finish. I'm not sure exactly what I will be doing about this especially since it affects everything and everybody. I'm praying about how to proceed so that all things are covered.

Riley didn't graduate and we didn't go to the homeschool convention in Va. We did get to go to the Charlotte Mason Conference in NC, that was very good for us. I'm recharged and energized which is definitely needed right now. I'm hoping to get her all finished up before Christmas and have her take the ACT & SAT so if she decides to go to school in January she'll be ready but I'm thinking she'll have to wait til next fall.

We all work in retail and have been hit hard financially. There have been little to no hours which is hard when you are trying to payoff some bills and maintain. I've recently taken on another part-time job and am considering leaving the retail job but will probably stay through the holidays. My new job is at the library and will allow me to homeschool in peace and completeness. Something that I believe we desperately need at the moment. I start today and I'm looking forward to it.

I'm going to go and complete the 3 things on my to do list. More later ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 12:13 PM 0 comments

Friday, March 27, 2009

Progress for today

Today was quiet ~ no school. Da Boy decided we needed to start on Monday so we will. I'm not sure who made him the boss but whatever works. I did manage go to the library and print off math sheets and order our books. Yeah me! We will be able to get started on Sunday actually with our devotional. Still prayerfully considering which book to use though I'm leaning toward finishing up Mere Christianity.

Thats all for now ~ more when we get started next week and the books come in.

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posted by Dawn ;) at 11:37 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Spring is here

I've finally got my groove back and am excited about getting back to the books. I spent yesterday and most of this morning getting our schedule and booklist locked down. I'm pleased to say ~ its done. I'm looking forward to learning alongside the kiddos and to spend time reading/researching CM more since I've let it fall by the wayside. I've tried to be more diligent and now I've actually put it in my weekly schedule to make sure I do it. ;)

Here is our schedule ~ its simple yet very effective for us especially with me working full-time. I've also listed the daily plan below it and the booklist.

Sun – Bible Devotions
Mon – Home Eco, Health, Computer & English
Tue – History & Math
Wed – Arts: Art, Music, Poetry, Bible, Shakespeare & Plutarch
Thu – Science & Math
Fri – English & Math

Lessons and review in the mornings (7:30a-10:30a); Composition, free reading, drill, copywork and recitation in the afternoons (12:30p-2:30p).

Current Booklist
Math ~ MEP Yr 5 & 6
Grammar ~ Grammar Smart Junior & Grammar Smart Perfect
Literature ~ Ivanhoe, Scarlet Pimpernel, The Good Earth, The Great Divorce
History ~ Romans & Birth of Britain
Science ~ Earth Science
Poetry ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson & Keats
Bible ~ Strong's Concordance, Ephesians, Proverbs & Psalms
Art ~ Botticelli & Friedrich
Music ~ Liszt & Mahler
Shakespeare ~ Love's Labor Lost
Plutarch ~ Titus Flamininus
Computer ~ Mavis Beacon 9

Extras
Health ~ weight training, walking, skating
Life Skills ~ CPR, cooking, gardening
Hobbies ~ knitting, woodworking
Videos ~ Standard Deviants
Skill Bldg ~ Where in the World Carmen Sandiego, Crossword puzzles

'09 Schedule
Sun
8:30a ~ Devotions
~ write journal entry

Mon
7:30a ~ Bible Reading
8a ~ Home Eco
9:30a ~ Health - Computer
10a ~ Computer - Health
10:30a – 12:30p ~ free time/lunch/rest
12:30p ~ Recitation
1p ~ Copywork
1:15p ~ Literature
2p ~ Home Eco

Tue
7:30a ~ Bible Reading
8a ~ Bible Study
8:45a ~ break
9a ~ Bible Study cont'd
9:45a ~ break
10a ~ Shakespeare
10:30a – 12:30p ~ free time/lunch/rest
12:30p ~ Plutarch
1p ~ Art & Music

Wed
7:30a ~ Bible Reading
8a ~ Math – History
8:45a ~ break
9a ~ History – Math
9:45a ~ break
10a ~ Narrations
10:30a – 12:30p ~ free time/lunch/rest
12:30p ~ Recitation
1p ~ Math Assignment
1:45p ~ Reading/Narrations

Thu
7:30a ~ Bible Reading
8a ~ Math – Science
8:45a ~ break
9a ~ Science – Math
9:45a ~ break
10a ~ Narrations
10:30a – 12:30p ~ free time/lunch/rest
12:30p ~ Recitation
1p ~ Math Assignment
1:45p ~ Reading/Narrations

Fri
7:30a ~ Bible Reading
8a ~ Math - Grammar
8:45a ~ break
9a ~ Grammar - Math
9:45a ~ break
10a ~ Narrations
10:30a – 12:30p ~ free time/lunch/rest
12:30p ~ Recitation
1p ~ Math Assignment
1:45p ~ Reading/Narrations

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posted by Dawn ;) at 9:39 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 25, 2008

~ Merry Christmas ~



Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 12:08 AM 0 comments

Monday, December 8, 2008

Progress Day #3

Wow three days of doing school ~ yipee! It did feel good to get organized today and find my balance. I also enjoyed teaching the lessons and getting the results expected. Still tweaking the schedule and must find all our books but for now its good. I think Riley & Da Boy enjoyed their lessons too.

Tomorrow they will work on their assignments based on today's lessons. I'm working out how often I'll be able to do lessons so we covered 3 today and I assigned reinforcement work. Their reading is challenging and I hope they enjoy it. I've added recitation to their schedule and plan to do art/music/history on friday most via the musuem. Yeah looking forward to a field trip this week. Gotta go now, more later.

Til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 8:11 PM 0 comments

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Teaching v Assigning *updated

This an interesting topic and one I've been studying for sometime. I find that I've fallen into the assigning side of homeschooling and it isn't what I want or helpful to our goals. It isn't CM either. I received my Winter issue of the OCHEC Informer and this is the title of one of the articles. It was a confirmation and eye-opener to what I've been sensing in my heart. I'm not done reading and ponding but I'm ready to make the change back to teaching ~ it is more fulfilling and rewarding. I'll share more when I'm done.

*So I've now finished the article but it didn't reveal anything on the subject directly. I did enjoy the last part which the definition of teaches & understanding from the Strong's Concordance. Outside of that the article made no sense to me. Hmm...I'm not sure what the main point is but I'll read it again tomorrow and see if I can decifer it and if not will prolly email the writer for clarity or write my own article. More on this topic later.

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posted by Dawn ;) at 10:34 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Progress Day #1

We managed to get some subjects in today ~ woohoo! The plan was to do the bare minimal and we succeeded. We completed the following:
English
~ reading & writing
History
~ Old Testament (Ps/Prov)
Bible
~ same as history & copywork
Math
~ 2 lessons

The plan is to consistently accomplish something then gradually add in the rest. This past Mon we went to the OK History Center, I'd been trying to go for 2yrs since they re-opened. We had a great time and the weather was wonderful. We have even planned our next field trip and return visit ;).

Well, off to enjoy my quiet evening of reading.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 10:38 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Schools in session

Well I'm working on it. Wow we've been off for awhile and its been a long time since I've blogged. Still no progress on school though its on my mind. I've been working on grad requirements, booklists and finding books. We moved at the end of September while working the fair and everything is in boxes. I have boxes labeled but what I need was packed by dh and I can't find it. LOL

I'm spending time in prayer about this school year so I focus on what's important. I feel like I've been going in circles and there is no progress. We need peace and progress, living outta boxes doesn't help. We'll manage, its been worse. ;)

Well better get back to work. Have an awesome day!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 12:43 PM 0 comments

Sunday, July 6, 2008

~ Week 4: Summer School ~

its suppose to be Wk4 of summer school but I must confess ~ "we haven't started." The kiddos have been getting out more, I've been working more and its just not happened. I don't really have an explanation for it, its just not the right time for us I guess. I do plan to pick up soon though b/c I want the Da Boy to finish up his Pre-Yr 7 stuff and move on. Riley, along with some friends, has started a Jane Austen Book Club, and she's reading everyday now ~ so not too worried about her. Summer school was to focus on reading and math along with getting better at some of the basic methods of CM (narration, dictation, recitation) but I'm confident it will happen.

August is looming around the corner which means we all will be getting back to work for the fair and that will put our school plans off too; one of the reasons I was doing a 6wk summer plan. I'm thinking God has a better plan and I will just enjoy the moment. I will implement a simple plan of reading with lots of narration and great discussions on the side.

Here is our pending booklist:
~ Group ~
Mere Christianity
Plutarch ~ AO 07-08 Term 3 selection
Poetry
Shakespeare ~ AO 07-08 Term 3 selection

~ Da Boy ~
Story of the Greeks
Story of the Romans *to be finished
It Couldn't Just Happen
Kon Tiki
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
The Bronze Bow
The Cricket on the Hearth
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

~ Riley ~
Story of the Greeks *to be finished
Never Give In
The Sea Around Us
The Cricket on the Hearth
Jack and Jill *to be finished
More than a Carpenter
Little Men

This should be doable over the next few weeks or so. I'll update as we finish them.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 1:36 PM 0 comments

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Studying CMSeries

I'm in 3 different studies for Charlotte Mason's (CMs) writings. ;) I'm enjoying them all and really need to start writing my thoughts down. I'm posting here the schedules for these readings and will start writing my thoughts here ~ it will help me to be accountable as long as I don't forget. LOL

Vol 1
~ this is being studied weekly on the CMSeries yahoo group
Jun 28th ~ Part 1 p1-10 (10)
July 4th ~ Part 1 p11-19 (9)
July 11th ~ Part 1 p20-27 (8)
July 18th ~ Part 1 p28-34 (7)
July 25th ~ Part 1 p35-41 (7)

Aug 1st ~ Part 2 p42-50 (8)
Aug 8th ~ Part 2 p51-61 (11)
Aug 15th ~ Part 2 p62-71 (10)
Aug 22nd~ Part 2 p72-79 (8)
Aug 29th ~ Part 2 p80-87 (8)
Sept 5th ~ Part 2 p88-95 (8)

Sept 12th ~ Part 3 p96-104 (9)
Sept 19th ~ Part 3 p105-114 (10)
Sept 26th ~ Part 3 p115-123 (9)
Oct 3rd ~ Part 3 p124-134 (11)

Oct 10th ~ Part 4 p135-141 (7)
Oct 17th ~ Part 4 p 142 - 148 (10)
Oct 24th ~ Part 4 p149-158 (10)
Oct 31st ~ Part 4 p159-168 (10)

TBD ~ Part 5 & 6

Vol 5
~ local CM group reading on a monthly basis
July ~ Under a Cloud p33
Aug ~ Dorothy Elmore's Achievement p41
Sept ~ Consequences p68

Vol 6
~ this is studied every 2 weeks on the CMSeries yahoo group
Jun 15th - Jun 28th ~ Three Instruments of Education p99-104
Jun 29th - Jul 12th ~ Three Instruments of Education p104-111
Jul 13th - Jul 26th ~ How We Make Use of Mind p112-118
Jul 27th - Aug 9th ~ How We Make Use of Mind p118-127
Aug 10th - Aug 23rd ~ The Way of the Will p128-132
Aug 24th - Sept 6th ~ The Way of the Will p132-138
Sept 7th - Sept 20th ~ The Way of the Reason p139-144
Sept 21st - Oct 4th ~ The Way of the Reason p144-153
Oct - Dec ~ The Curriculum

Feel free to join us and you can read CMs writings here for free. ;)

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posted by Dawn ;) at 11:31 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Refreshed

I'm back from the CM conference in NC and I'm refreshed. My passion for homeschooling has been restored and I've renewed my commitment to finish. It has been difficult at times and I'm glad I've not given up. I've also decided I still need a place for my homeschool thoughts so they don't get buried in my everyday stuff. So, welcome back to our homeschool blog ~ grab a cup of coffee and sit for a spell ~ not long though you've got your own stuff to do. ;) I've given this blog a new look and will be adding my links back soon along with moving the homeschoolblogger entries over too, I think my season for blogging there is over but I will keep my account to visit my fellow hs'rs.

I've posted several thoughts on the conference already and I won't re-type those but you are welcome to read them at the links below:

~ '08 CM Conference ~
~ '08 CM Conference ~ Pt 2

As I finalize my booklist, schedules and plans I'll post ~ right now I'm still in the planning stage. What has been decided is ~ we will school for 6wks then take a 1 week off then I'll decide whether to go 9 wks on and 1 wk off ~ I believe I need to start planning an off week so that I can re-group and not burnout. I've also decided that Riley will use Yr 7 lite and Da Boy will finish Yr 6 during this 6 week period.

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posted by Dawn ;) at 6:50 AM 0 comments

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Change is good!

I'm working on changing the blog's look. I think its time for something new and some cleaning up around here. There won't be much going on til the first week of January since its holiday break but sprucing up will be taking place.

Have a very "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

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posted by Dawn ;) at 12:26 AM 1 comments

Sunday, September 9, 2007

~ Something to think about ~

Charlotte Mason says that we are to give our children "something to do, something to love and something to think about." As I prepare to begin this school year, I want us to have these 3 elements in our homeschool. I know in the past I have failed but I tried. I think the following quote needs to be lived with in order to grasp the fullness of its meaning. Enjoy!

"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing yet had been done."
~ C.S. Lewis ~

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 9:51 PM 0 comments

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Summer's ending....

Wow! Summer is over and its time to hit the books. Well, not necessarily hit them but its time to crack them open. For some, they have already started or haven't stopped. ;D Around here, we will begin the day after Labor day. I decided to change things abit this year and we will mimic the public school schedule a little bit since our school year begins with work at our state fair. We will be spending lots of time there and so school needs to start differently. I plan to ease us into our studies to allow us time to really enjoy both. I don't want us to burn out and then nothing gets done. That would be too much after working so hard to get us back on track. This week is my first week back to school ~ lots of planning, scheduling and organizing. I am hoping to get the schedules done today, at least my own so that I can be more organized. I find that if I'm organized and confident than the rest falls into place no matter what. I'm planning out my entire quarter like I did when I taught computer classes. This way, I am able to tweak the plans and fill in the gaps as needed instead of being ready for a few days or a couple weeks then nothing.... which we all knows leads to nothing getting done after such a great start. I'm creating lesson planning times for myself, schedule quarterly planning too so that I can have the next ones ready. I'm enjoying the planning process and I look forward to moving into the learning process.

Changes will be made this year too. I will be separating them this year. They will both work on the same AO/HEO year but we will only do the electives together and projects. This means they will each have the same courses but at different times of the day. I've decided to do more of a tutor/class style this year. I was reading the new TOS and got some ideas on de-stressing and I'm finding that we work well together on certain subjects but not all. Yes, this will mean that I will have to do lessons 2x but they are worth it and my peace of mind is too. As I think more about this, I am more at peace and confident that this will work well for them. They are 13 mos apart and quite different in a lot of ways but academically have always been about the same. However, I will create the difference needed for each to see what they strengths and weaknesses are without the pressure to compete. Now there are times when I will need to have that pressure and its healthy but my nervous system doesn't need that kind of stimulation daily. LOL

Today, I will continue to rest and read. I'm also getting ready for our Volume 1 Study at CMSeries, our book study at CMasonStudy and helping with our local CM support group. I'm looking forward to the stimulation that comes from sharing, pondering and listening to others discuss something you are passionate about. It should help me stay focused and connected to others as we move along this wonderful learning journey. I admit I had gotten a little discouraged and was wondering why I was doing this. After the CM conference, I regained my focus and took much needed time off. We never did get to our summer studies but you know what, its ok and they are so much happier for it. I believe they just needed to hang out with me. It will all work out for our good and thats that.

You all have a wonderful sunday afternoon.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 3:10 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Who knew....

I sure didn't ~ I have been out of high school for over 20yrs ~ all the paperwork and blah, blah, blah you must provide to go to college. Well, at least its for a good cause ~ my dc. ;D They are worth all the paperwork, hoops and blah, blah, blah I must do to get them in.

I've spent a good portion of my day w/Riley applying for culinary schools and requesting info. I will work on Da Boy's stuff tomorrow. We need to get ready with some prep tests and such but one thing at a time. I will be re-evaluating our current school plans to include all these wonderful additions. They must take the ACT here in OK but I will have them take the SAT too and Riley will have to take a few AP courses/tests for one of selected schools. I believe that they will do marvelous wherever they go and I will do my part to get them there.

I will update on our progress more now that school will begin soon. We thought it best to get some basics lined up and then after the fair we will have full course load. I'm excited because they are really wanting to do this. Sk8Chick got a full-time job and is planning to go to school now with the help of her employer. I will be helping her get her paperwork done too and that will be fun. Well, off to listen to a book on cd and sip some lovely tea.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 6:55 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Plans of Mice & Men

As you can tell we have not done summer school. Oh well, life happened and I am not concerned. We will resume in a few weeks but then the fair will begin so I’m prayerfully concerning our next steps. I’m not concerned anymore because I’ve been thinking about this for a bit and realized that I was stressing myself out. This will not help us in anyway so I’ve let go and will let God help put the pieces together. I was reading a friend’s blog this week and she was talking about the same thing. I took away a lot from her posts and realize that I too will need to trust the Lord for His guidance and direction especially since He called me to this vocation. He knows better than I what will need to be done and when.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer. I’ll be back soon.

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 11:32 PM 0 comments

Sunday, July 1, 2007

1st Day of Summer School

We did it ~ we had our first day. My first day's plans was to introduce the order of our days, subjects to be covered and to review our reading goals. I gave them a mental math test which helped me to know which areas need more attention for better planning. I gave each of them a copy of the MEP Summer School homework book, a list of the literature read during AO Yrs 1-6 and plan to give them each a book log to record books read during the summer. I had them check the books read on the literature list, mark the ones they didn't finish or are currently reading. I think this will help us stay focus and we can get ready to move forward. Sk8Chick has agreed to do some of our lessons with us and had fun taking the mental test too. I will try to update weekly and it will probably be on Sundays since that is my most relaxed day on the net and when the computer seems to cooperate.

Weekly schedule:
We will meet 3 days a week for 2 hrs ~ tues/wed/fri
Tues/Wed ~ review work, complete independent assignments, group work in reading/art/music/poetry
Fri ~ introduce new lessons and assign next week's work
Mon/Thu ~ are volunteer days for 4hrs ea
Weekends will be reserved for rest/chores/trips

Off to write my lesson plans. Have a wonderful week & Happy 4th.

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posted by Dawn ;) at 2:04 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

~ Term Ending ~

As our school term comes to a close, I realize that I will need to work on finalizing our school year. I will have to start working on transcripts and such so that I am ready. Its been a very interesting term, which didn't go as I thought it would. Not only did I not blog as I'd like nor did we do all the things I'd hope we'd do. The field trips were none existent, the art projects ~ none after the first one, the books read ~ not many at all, however, I believe we had a very productive term because we focused on what was important.

Well, I must go now and I will post a full update of our term plus the plans for our summer school. Yes, we will be doing summer school because we have missed so much time during the 17mos I worked. LOL However, the work will not be strenous nor will it take all day and everyday to accomplish. The kiddos are pleased with the suggestions I have made and I think we will have a wonderful time especially since they will be working, I will be working and then we will get to go on mini-vacations. Woohoo! thats the part I'm looking forward to.

Til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 11:59 AM 0 comments

Saturday, April 14, 2007

~ School Out ~

Well, our term will be ending in about 2 weeks. We are suppose to be on break this week but due to the upcoming volunteer opportunity at the end of the month, we move things around. Overall, everything is going well though we are still moving slowly thru math. No big deal, its all a process and we take it one day at a time. I'm thinking about starting my week in review again so that I can see our progess. I do it for my own teacherly purposes, you know so I know that I know what we are doing. ;D So stay tuned, I will be posting our weekly updates on Weds again but am considering switching to Mons.

Have a great weekend!

til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 3:57 AM 0 comments

Friday, March 30, 2007

No School....Well kinda ;D

Today, we had school at a local convention center. Woohoo! We had praise & worship, awesome prayer and a dynamite, much need message on "The Blessing." I am so glad I choose to do this. Now to get back to those books. LOL
Hope you all had an awesome day too!
til next time ~ in the life & times of the Excelsior Warriors!!

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posted by Dawn ;) at 1:27 AM 0 comments