State Testing

I am happy to report that we are still plowing on course for a leadership education. There have been some bumps in the road but we are still on course! Yeah! The kids are happy, I'm happy, dad's happy....

There is one "thing" we still do though that has us occasionally showing up in the public school world. The dreaded state testing. I know several of you wonder why we are still doing it if we've chosen leadership education. It does seem contradictory.

• The money. Sometimes things always come down to money, huh? We get several thousands dollars a year from the state to buy curriculum (if we test) of all sizes and shapes. We can get computers, internet, classic books, math books, games, art supplies, office supplies, copy paper, on line resources, magazine subscriptions, reading resources, music lessons, etc.
• The accountability. Even though I'm a fairly motivated person it's nice to know that I have to keep inspiring, keep asking them to play games, and just plain keep going because I've got a report to fill out at the end of the month!
• I still get to do everything my way. I just have to give a monthly report, a year end report and state test.
• Testing is real world. In my husband's occupation he regularly has to take tests of all shapes and sizes from state testing, national testing and business testing. We just have to take tests in this world. So in our family we find it helpful to have them experience it.
• Protection. In our world you never know when the law is going to come down on you. Since we are technically enrolled in a public school we feel a sense of protection.

Those are some of the reasons. I think it really depends on the family. Leadership education is family led, so we each get to structure our learning based on our own needs and desires as well as what we see in the future that our children need.

I also wanted to throw in that we don't practice to the test. We just show up and take the test. It's not a big deal. it's just what you do. No stress. Secure, Not Stressed (the 8th Key to Great Teaching).

I hope that answers some questions I've been getting. I love the personalization of home school. Homeschooling is the best!!!

State Testing

We had to leave for state testing at noon. Since it's an hour away we stayed and went grocery shopping and ran errands while we were in "town."

Family Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 17 (finished last half)
Weekly Family Memorization: 1 Timothy 4:12
Chores/Animal Care
Testing: Luke and Caleb had state testing.
Library Trip
Lots of Grocery Shopping
Music Store
Book on Tape: Harriet the Spy

Caleb: Read his scriptures, played Raz-kids, worked on a phonics game for an hour, shoveled snow, learned how to play Stratego, looked at and read several books.

Luke: Read his scriptures, practiced the piano, worked in his sketch book, read in The Ranger's Apprentice, wrote a blog post about his day, played Risk and Stratego, read a book about World War II, wrote a blog post about what he learned, played Rush Hour, Jr., and worked on a lot of math problems dealing with double and triple digit addtion and subtraction.

Jared: Read his scriptures, practice the piano, read in Peter and the Starcatchers and the Shadow Thieves, played Quarter Mile Math and was quizzed on his typing skills, played Raz-kids, learned about the Periodic Table from a short science video, and played Stratego and Risk.

Olivia: Read her scriptures, practiced the piano, read and finished The Red Scarf Girl, finished her scarf that she made on a loom (it took her a couple of weeks), did a lot of price comparison and helped me a ton with the grocery shopping, played Stratego and Risk, and read several articles in a horse magazine while she waited for her brothers at the library.

Deanna: Read my scriptures, wrote in my journal, word of the day, practiced the piano, read and finished Agamemnon by Aeschylus, and started The Trojan Women by Euripides.

Alex: Read his scriptures, read in the church handbooks, word of the day, went to work, attended a district scout meeting, finished 10 Great American Short Stories and started The Ranger's Apprentice.

September 16, 2009 (Wednesday): Testing

Family Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 14

Mom School
Pray
Song: Rhythm poem
Bible: Enoch from The Old Testament Reader
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 3 Nephi 11:29
Friend Article
Idaho History: Learned about Idaho's State Fossil, State Gem, State Song and State Dance.
Read-a-loud: We read two chapters from Leven Thumps and The Gateway to Foo.
Biography: We read a biography about Albert Einstein.
Science: Played our spin the bottle science game with vocabulary words. We looked up pictures of several sea urchins, sea stars, coral, jelly fish and other colorful ocean life.
Chores
Lots of Lego's

Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in Genesis.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 7/6 lesson.
Math Drill: Did a multiplication fact drill.
Language Arts: Did a Daily Grams lesson and 1 lesson from Root Words.
Creative Writing: She also did her 30 min writing assignment from her scholar class. (She typed it up so she did typing also).
Reading: Read Pride and Prejudice for 30 min.
Science: Did a science lesson her science textbook.
Spelling: Did a spell drill
Music: Practiced the piano
Life Skills: Went to work with Alex and did several office projects and answered the phone with his other employees.

Jared
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 6/5 lesson.
Math Drill: Did an addition math fact drill.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a lesson in Let's Write.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Reading: Read in Peter and the Star Catchers for over 3 hours.

Luke
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did 2 Saxon 3 lessons.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Spelling: Did a spell drill.
Creative Writing: He did his 30 min writing assignment for his Scholar Writing class. He typing his final draft just in time for his class tomorrow.
Testing: Took the IRI state test today.

Caleb
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did two Saxon Math 2 lessons.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 4 pages of Explode the Code
Reading: Read in The Cat and the Hat Comes Back to me. Practiced his sight words by using a highlighter and finding them in The Friend.
Computer/Reading: Played Starfall reading games.
Testing: Took the IRI state test today.

To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, practiced the piano, wrote and typed a paper for my Eng 314 class, and practiced my Greek.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to work and went to Young Men's and taught a scout merit badge.

June 2, 2009 (Tuesday)

• This morning I had a Primary Presidency Meeting. (I was just released as the Young Women's President and I'm now the second counselor in the Primary. My third primary presidency. Maybe this time I'll learn my lesson! Elder Hales was a Bishop four times so I'm sure I'll have many more Primary callings to come.)
• Went to town and presented our year end portfolios to our teacher supervisor. Whew! We passed!
• We went to the library.
• While traveling we listened to Power Glide Spanish Jr. The kids really liked it.
• Ran errands in town. We don't get to town (50 min away) that often.
• Went to t-ball/softball games-our first of the season.
• Another round of spending the night with our cousins again. I'm so glad they like each other!

May 6, 2009 (Wednesday): On the move

Another busy Wednesday. In the morning I attended the temple while Alex and the kids did some school work. Twenty minutes after I got home we left again. We dropped Olivia off for scholar school a little early and then went back to town for some more state testing. This time it was for the little boys. They did great. I know most homeschoolers are against state testing, but we are not. We do not study for the test however like the public school. (blah, blah, blah-anyway). Then we picked Olivia up and came home just in time for the Primary Activity where I was asked to help. Then tonight Alex and I were off to mutual. Alex is in the new Bishopric now so we both get to go on Wednesday nights. The kids were invited to their cousins out at the farm/ranch while we were at mutual and they played hard and long and came home tired.

Olivia: Math lesson, editing lesson, classical roots test, vocabulary word of the day, grammar lesson, spell drill, reading in Robinson Crusoe, attended scholar class and went to the primary activity.

Jared: Math lesson, multiplication drill, spell drill, cursive handwriting, listened to 3/4 of Peter and the Starcatchers on CD, did his piano lesson, took a state reading test and went to the primary activity.

Luke: Did 2 math lessons, geography lesson, spell drill, read 3 McGuffy lessons, 5 pages in Explode the Code, spell drill, took a state reading test, listened to the book on tape with Jared and went to the primary activity.

Caleb: Played two math games with Alex, spell drill, several pages in Explode the Code, sight words practice, read a McGuffy lesson, read phonics reader, took a state reading test and went to the primary activity.

Deanna: Scriptures, word of the day, went to the temple, read a couple of chapters in Freckles, helped at the primary activity and went to mutual.

Alex: Scriptures, reading yet more church manuals, word of the day, went to work, listening to Reaganomics and went to mutual.

April 29, 2009 (Wed) More Testing

Another long day. We were all up early to get to "town" for testing. The kids did amazing! I'm so proud of them. On our way home we dropped Olivia off for scholar school. She stayed with friends until the evening when Alex came and picked her up. I came home and dropped the kids off at home with a babysitter. Then I went to the temple. By the time the day was over we were really tired. Wah! Moving on...

April 28, 2009 (Tuesday) State Testing

What a long day! Today was day one of state testing for Olivia and Jared. They did excellent. I am so proud of them. We have to leave early tomorrow (7:15) to get there in time, but we'll be done a lot earlier. (1 PM) Caleb stayed at his friends while we were gone. Luke went coupon shopping with me. See my family blog posts for the details here. Alex worked in the temple and went to work. The kids listened to lots of Story of the World vol 2 while we drove and drove.

Tomorrow will be even more nuts. I'm going to bed...

April 27, 2009 (Monday): Horatio

Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Song: Beautiful Savior
Theology: Chapter 44: The Millennium from Gospel Principles
Book of Mormon Stories: Mormon dies
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read a chapter from A Child's Story of America about Texas and the Alamo. (Davy Crockett, General Travis, Sam Houston and Santa Anna)
World History/Literature: Read 2 chapters and finished The Ulysses and the Trojan War by Usborne. They loved this book!
Memorization: 12 apostles, books of the Old and New Testament and books of the Book of Mormon.
Family History/WW II: We read several more chapters in my grandfather's book "Memories of a Flying Tiger," about his WWII experiences in China.
Music/Character: Rythm poem about making good choices.
Science: Read a chapter in Our Father's World about animals. New words: hibernate, forage, and migrate.
Movie/Literature: Watched an episode of Horatio Hornblower. The kids have loved this series and watched a couple over the weekend. This is based on the old classics of the same name.
PE: Lots of trampoline jumping.
Chores.

Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in The Book of Mormon.
Family History: Prepared a power point on the importance of doing family history.
Social Studies: Memorizing the states and capitals-up to 35.
Music: Practiced the piano.
Science: Reviewed a multitude of science vocabulary words for her state testing tomorrow and Wednesday.
Testing/Computers: Did some practice tests on the computer for the state testing tomorrow.
Math: Lesson 132 from Saxon 6/5
Writing/Research: Started writing a talk for church. (Our family is speaking on Mother's Day for Sacrament Meeting).
Research: Learned about Thoreau.
Writing/Oral Presentation: Wrote a report on Thoreau she will give orally for her scholar class on Wednesday.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Rudimentary
Literature: Read Emerson's essay: Self-Reliance and answered 35 questions from the text.
World History: Listened to Story of World vol. 2 on audio.

Jared
Religion: Read a chapter from the Doctrine and Covenants Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson and had a piano lesson.
Computer/Testing: Did several practice tests on the computer for his state testing this week.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 5/4 lesson.
Logic: Did a Sudoku puzzle.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Literature: Listened to Journey to the Center of the Earth on audio.

Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon Reader.
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor 2.
Math: Did two Saxon Math 2 lessons.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Creative Writing: Working on his story for a while.
Literature: Listened to Journey to the Center of the Earth on audio.

Caleb
Math: Right Start math lesson (telling time)
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 4 pages of Explode the Code.
Reading: Read a phonics reader, read a McGuffy Primer lesson to me and I drilled him on his sight words.
Literature: Listened to Journey to the Center of the Earth on audio.

Family Home Evening:
Song: Give Said the Little Stream
Testimonies: Alex, Deanna, Olivia, Luke and Caleb
Article of Faith: 3rd
Character: Saying thank you, excuse me, I'm sorry and I forgive you
Proclamation: Read and discussed the 2nd paragraph.
Lesson: We went over a conference talk and we talked about sustaining our leaders. (We are getting a new Bishop on Sunday). "Respect and Reverence" by Sister Liffereth (Caleb)
Activity: (Alex ended up having to help a family move at the last minute so our activity and visiting the elderly was axed tonight).
Treats: Cookies (Jared)

To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, spell drill, word of the day, read a conference talk, read a lesson from the Joseph Smith manual, practiced the piano, studied for a lesson on Sunday I'm giving, and read Elantris for 1 hour.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, studied for his seminary lessons he's teaching at the end of the week, went to work, and finished Journey to the Center of the Earth.

02/24/09 (Tue): Test is done!

Mom School
Pray, Pledge and Song
Theology: Chapter 18 Faith in Jesus Christ from Gospel Principles.
Book of Mormon History: Lehi and his family leave Jerusalem.
Friend Article
American History Literature: Proceedings from the Virginia Convention of 1775.
Greek Myths: Echo& Narcissus, Daedalus & Icarus and Bellerphon & Icarus from Usborne Greek Myths
Tall Tales: "Johnny Appleseed," "John Henry" and "Joe Magarac" from American Tall Tales by Adrien Stoutenburg-finished book.
Family History: The biography of John C. Hancock
Science: Types of Bones from The Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia.
Health: Good and Bad Fats from chapter 5 of Eat Well and Keep Moving by Lillian Cheung.
Science Experiment: Delta Science Experiment from the Flowering Plants kit.
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.

Olivia
Religion: Read 1 chapter of Book the Mormon.
New Era Articles: Read several New Era articles.
Friend Articles: Read some articles on www.friend.lds.org .
Music: Practiced her vocal solo and listened to a bunch of music from www.newera.lds.org .
Math: Lesson 104
Logic: Did scripture suduko's from www.newera.lds.org .
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Verbs and Helping Verbs from Easy Grammar.
Creative Writing: Did a lesson from Editor-in-Chief about editing.
Writing/Typing: Wrote a blog post.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Proliferate
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Did a classical root words lesson.
Business/Computers: Played around again on Microsoft Info Path.

Jared
Religion: Read a New Testament chapter.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Math: Story Problems math lesson from Singapore Math.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Free Reading: Read for two hours in Eragon. He's almost done!
Creative Play: Lego's and Star Wars
PE: Had wrestling practice.

Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon Reader.
Math: Did a math lesson from Saxon.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Writing: Wrote a book review for his book on Good Reads.
Free Reading: Luke finished The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis!
Creative Play: Lego's and Star Wars
PE: Had wrestling practice.

Caleb
Computers: Played and colored on www.friend.lds.org .
Phonics/Handwriting: Did 8 pages of Explode the Code.
Creative Play: Played Lego's and Star Wars.
PE: Had wrestling practice.

The kids also went and bought flooring and carpet with Alex while I took by test.

To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talks, spell drill, word of the day, studied for my test and took my test!
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, worked at the temple, went to work and listened to The Iliad by Homer.

01/28/09: Testing

Mom School
Pray, National Anthem and Song
Theology: Gospel Principles Chapter 4
Bible History: Gethsemane
Friend Article
Biography/American History: 2 chapters and finished The Alexander Hamilton You Never Knew by James Lincoln Collier, The Magic School Bus Builds the Statue of Liberty, The Liberty Bell Symbols of Freedom by Tristan Binns
Memorization: First 18 states of the USA
World History: Journey Through History: The Greek and Roman Eras by Carme Peris
Geography: Major Oceans, Greece and Rome
Science: Earth's Oceans by Bobbie Kalman, Volcanoes by Seymour Simon (Smithsonian series), and Gentle Giant Octopus by Karen Wallace
Life Skills: Test Taking! They went and took their state tests.
We went to the library.
Reading: We take turns reading all of the above material everyday.
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.

Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in The Book of Mormon.
Math: Lesson 90
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Prepositions
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- INCHOATE
Free Reading: 30 min of Jane Eyre

Jared
Religion: Several chapters in his Old Testament Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Math: Lesson 81
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Free Reading: 1 hour of Eragon.
Creative: Made several paper airplanes.

Luke
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Math: 1 Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Free Reading: Read for one hour in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis.
Creative Play: 1 hour of Lego building.

Caleb
Math: 2 math workbook pages
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 1 Explode the Code page.

In the Evening:
Rode horses with Alex.

To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, piano, spell drill, word of the day, had a meeting with the state for the kid's state testing, and went to mutual for my calling.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to work, and attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting.