The Sinister Scribe

So if anything looks wonky… it will disappear (I hope) fairly quickly.

Since Sam and I are trying to get in the habit of journaling I thought I’d type something quick before jumping in bed. Hope it all makes sense and there aren’t too many typos. LOL!

Going camping this weekend with the dojo. Lots to do tomorrow to get ready. We’re all excited. Bob does Hospital Hill on Saturday. (Go Bob!) I hope he can make it camping for Saturday night.

Told Sam today that if we do 2 more regular weeks of school work, we can start summer break a week early. He’s excited, so is Jessie. I think we will sit down that first week and the three of us decide on a daily schedule. It may fluctuate but I hope it will give them some experience in time management. *crosses fingers* And keep us from floundering through the summer.

One thing I’ll be doing on those “off” weeks is detailing out the first quarter of next year. Have all the books and have planned out the quarter so what I’m really going to be doing is planning out the lessons I hope to cover in the first quarter.

Will be continuing to use the modified workbox system. For some reason, not tieing every lesson to a time has helped. Rather I’m just listing an order. Somehow it all gets done faster. Weird! Some things, like 4H, have a time but others, like Latin, are just done that day.

I’m really excited about next years curriculum and can’t wait to start using it. The kids are too which is a definite plus.

K. Nuff rambling. Time for bed. G’Nite!

Tonight was one of those classes where I didn’t really feel like going. I’m blaming the weather but… whatever. In the end I was very glad I went. I hope all this makes sense in the morning. I kinda feel like I was in that moment where I’ve just woken up from a dream and things make sense… for a moment.

Zen stances… One of the Senseis (can you plural that?) told me to really emphasize the cover and another told me to keep the front foot on toe until executing the block. Hehehe! I did it! My gi made noise! And I was complimented {insert big cheezy grin}.

Cat stance. It is not new. But… Finally realized tonight that the hips are square to the front and it is ONLY the shoulders that are bladed. Ah-hah! Makes one hip feel torqued a bit (torqued hips was a recurring theme) which helps position the foot better. And then… the turn for it… is weird. Dunno if I can explain it but here goes… the hand that is lower in the block moves up and covers the opposite ear. The hand that is out pulls in and then shoots out when you’ve turned (performing the cover) then you perform the block.

Orizuki or is it orezuki? (I really need to find these things out) Did it “on the line” rather than slightly angled. Back leg is bent and up on ball of foot. Hips feel torqued and there’s this whole body twist going on. Leading with hips to punch. Turn doesn’t have to step when you’re on the line.

What else… I’m mostly doing a brain dump here so bear with me… ummm… zenkusadachi gedanuke… we worked on just turns. Must remember to do that this week. It helped a lot today. Also the front foot was up on the ball of the toe too? I think. That clear moment is fading. Oy!

Things to practice for yellow belt test: basics (jodanuke, chudanuke, zenkusadachi gedanuke, sekansuki, giyakuzuki, orizuki, nekoachidachi chudanuke and gedanuke) fukyugata ichi, oyotanren, count to 10 in Japanese, Orginator of the system, name of the system, origin (birthplace) of the system (which island), Current Grand Master. Teacher’s lineage wasn’t mentioned tonight but has been previously. Better add that to the list.

I WILL PRACTICE THIS WEEK.
I WILL PRACTICE THIS WEEK.
I WILL PRACTICE THIS WEEK.

G’Nite!

where we get to Sam’s subjects…

Citizenship: Didn’t find anything more in depth for Sam. Perhaps it will come out of the discussions naturally?

Composition: Will happen with several subjects. He’s such a great writer!

History: I’m so excited about this! Found a new resource in Pandia Press’s “nonsectarian classical approach to history.” SQUEEE! They have a try before you buy offer which is enough for a quarter of the year. We have or can borrow all of the items necessary and are going to test out Early Modern Level Two. Woot!

Instrument: Ocarina. We have a 6 hole and he’ll start on that but by the second half he’d like to give the 12 hole a try. Saint Louis Ocarina has this ocarina and this book we will probably get. (personally I really want one of their teacarinas!)

Dictation:  SCMs Spelling Wisdom Book 3 . Debated about this one for a while but went with it in the end. It is worth the $15 for me not to have to search them out. Even skipping a few we’ll have more than enough to do two a week. We’ll see how this goes.

Copywork: I am thinking of having him start (and possibly make) his own commonplace book. Where, in his best hand, he writes down quotes from books he has read throughout the year. Or from things he comes across that impress him for one reason or another. Making the book itself would make it even more special I think.

Latin: We’re doing well with Lingua Latina. He’s reading the passages easily most times and some of the mechanics are starting to stick. Someone told me that learning Latin was like learning math. IOW, stick with it and you’ll get there. At that point I was close to giving up but I think we’ll stick with it. In the first half of the year we’ll finish up Familia Romana and maybe switch for First Form Latin for a more grammar intensive approach… the next school year. (it is scary that I’m already filing things away for the 2011 – 2012 year)

Japanese: Sigh. I am happy that he is still interested but the thought gives me a headache. For the second half of the year we’ll give Latin a brief break and study Japanese. I will go back through the resources I have on hand and see what I can come up with. I am thinking of arranging it like our Spanish studies where we have relevant phrases and vocabulary each week. I would just let him take this over but he will need someone to practice with and that will probably be me.

Writing: Wow! He is such a good writer that I am really scared of this subject. LOL! I have a copy of The Writer’s Jungle and will be using its suggestions. I love Julie’s website!

Reading: Connect the Thoughts has an interesting reading program where books are assigned points based on complexity of words and number of pages. I’ve had it in my collection for a while but haven’t tried using it yet. I need to go through his literature selections and see how many points each would have. This would also include some spelling as he is to keep a list of new to him words to learn definitions and spelling.

Literature: I’ve had Sam pick out some books he’s interested in. See the reading section above. These will follow that plan. Here’s what he’s picked so far: London, White Fang; Wells, War of the Worlds & Time Machine; Collodi, The Adventures of Pinocchio.

Math: I am so proud to see how far he’s come. We’re using Singapore Math’s Primary Mathematics 5B for the first half of next year and Primary Mathematics 6A for the second half.

Phys Ed: In addition to Karate, Sam’s going to be training to run a 5k based on the training schedule found here. He’ll be half way through the program by the time the school year changes and still has to decide on a 5k to run. Hopefully he will continue after this one. We’ll see. I am going to let him decide.

Science: Living vs Non Living. Another item from GLEs I thought should be included. Teacher’s Domain has a promising lesson plan.  How Stuff Works also has a video (but you have to listen to the ad first. And essortment has a brief outline list that could be a helpful starting point. I don’t think this will take up too many sessions.

Science: Ecosystems. Another item from GLEs but I think doing a Bottle Biology will make it fun. Found some books at the library to learn more about the others. Maybe we’ll do drawings or dioramas for the others. ‘Course Jessie will probably want to participate in this too.

Social Studies: Bill of Rights & Constitution. Based on this unit at Oklahoma Homeschool’s website, I’ve found some good books at the library. These will probably count towards his reading points.

Spelling: between Spelling Wisdom and CtT’s reading program, we should be covered. Granted he’s a darned good speller already!

Handcrafts: Build a robot from a kit like one of these (a small one), beginning calligraphy, Japanese Calligraphy ( to coincide with Japanese language study) and wood carving (with help from dad)

And that IS it. Whew!

I still have some work to do in places but I’m gonna continue on and try to find them in the process. Blogging about it has been helpful because I’ve discovered new resources (or discovered their absence) in the process.

Going to have to come back to the present for a bit and get next week’s lessons laid out. Makes for a much smoother week if I do.

Not sure if I’ll blog about our weekly and daily schedules for next year. Don’t see how they’ll be helpful to anyone but me. ‘Course I could say that about all of this. LOL! But hopefully someone will find the links and information useful.

Moving on, here are Jessie’s subjects. Wait! One thing I forgot yesterday is our group hand crafts… to work on hand sewing skills I thought we’d make small catnip sachets and donate them to the humane society or second chance. We’ll probably change and do something else at some point but that is what we’ll start with.

Narration: will happen. I will be asking her more specific questions along the way but nothing more formal than that.

Hand crafts: Jess wants to do weaving. I’ve got inkles, hand looms and potholder looms. Want to make a weavette-type bookmark loom so that she can make gifts from all this leftover sock yarn I have.

History: Ancient History. Discovery Ed has a brief lesson plan and I have History Pockets: Ancient Civilizations. I hesitate with this because I anticipate covering this area again in only 2 years so that both kids are studying the same period of time. If something has to wait, this might be it.

Instrument: Ukulele. Yes, she WANTS to play it. We have one that was her grandfather’s and the library has some books. Wish me luck on this one. Have a line on someone who knows how to play and might be willing to give us a lesson or two to get us started. (fingers crossed)

Handwriting: Going to go back through Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, this time doing their handwriting sections. Donna Young has handwriting worksheets that correspond with the chapters too! Jess has really done well with the reading lessons in TYCTR. She’s very interested in writing now which was my biggest hesitation last year. Last year she wanted to learn to read IMMEDIATELY! LOL! Now she brings me snippets of writing frequently. Yay!

Spanish: Spanish Fun Activity Calendar. In addition to the family lessons, Jessie will be doing this. Heck, we might all do this! So much for an individual item. LOL! Looks like a good way to reinforce counting, days of the week, months, etc.

Reading: Bob Books. I have 3 of these sets from when Sam learned to read. I remember him going through these so fast! I don’t think it will take her all year to go through them so I might buy more or if she’s reading well, use easy readers from the library based on her interests.

Literature: Will follow her history lessons… or not. The DBRL library has a great website where I can make reading lists. I’ll post hers later.

Math: Math will be for Jessie as reading was for Sam. I’ve been so impressed with Singapore Math in Sam’s lessons that I’m going to try it with her. I’ve bought their Essential Math Kindergarden A workbook but worry it will be too easy.  There is a lot of matching at first but later on it gets into some number correspondence and I think she does need a little work there.

Phys Ed: The local track club has a kids group. Jessie is very interested in this!

Science: She’ll be doing much of this with Sam but at her own level. Found Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants at the library and planned on using it with her but the kids got a hold of the it and have already listened to it all… over and over… and over. Good stuff but beware that once you hear them you’ll be singing them! As the year goes she’ll probably have various lapbooks on science subjects she’s interested in… like aquatic dinosaurs. Specifically, aquatic ones. I dunno why!

Social Studies: National Symbols. This comes from her Grade Level Expectations but is something good to cover regardless. Found this lesson plan I like. Instead of the CA symbols part, we’ll do MO of course. Hmmm… maybe we’ll do a lapbook for it. Jess seems to like those.

Social Studies: Maps. Well shoot! I can’t find the resource I’d written down for this. Blarg. “K-2 Maps Rev 1.pdf” is what I put there but I can’t find it anywhere on my computer or online. Blarg. Beginning Map Skills looks interesting but my lost resource was free. This looks adaptable (and is free). Will find something. This is another from the GLEs.

That’s all! Seems like soooo much but I know the lessons are 10 to 15 minutes at most and not all of them will happen every day. (deep breath in…. and oooooouuuuuut)

More soon…

Continuing on the planning thread…

I’m not going to bore you with my 12 year plan. A bunch of X’s isn’t all that exciting. And it doesn’t really tell anyone but me a whole heck of a lot. So, what are we planning to do?

Together:

Music/Art App: One of our favorite things is listening to classical music during lunch. Seriously! The kids ask for it. We will be using Harmony Fine Arts Grade 7 this year. Barbara has created some great resources. This will be the third HFA product we’ve used (but not the last!) Jessie will “tag along” for now and I’ll do more in depth with her when we can all start ancient history together.

Drawing: Sam will Finish Mark Kistler’s Draw Squad. Both will do Sketch Tuesday. (another great resource from Barbara) I’d like to use Drawing with Children with Jessie and possibly Sam.

Foreign Language: Together we’ll all start on Spanish. The main resource for now is The Fun Spanish for all of us and The Spanish Fun Activity Calendar for Jessie. May have to supplement… we’ll see how it goes.

Citizenship: I’m feeling the need to explore what it means to be a part of a family and community with the kiddos. More than just casual mentions but not lengthy debates.  The why’s of being a good person (when you don’t follow an organized religion). Thought CharacterCounts.org had some good ideas to use. I’m still kinda rough here.

Geography: We’ve been using Our Great 50 States from about.com  and liking it but will need to finish next year.

Nature Study: Using Barbara’s Outdoor Hour series and our local group’s creek days.

Physical Education: Karate!

Poetry: Going to revisit Homeschool Share’s poetry unit . Sam is really getting into writing his own poetry so I think I’ll have him write/find his own examples of each type.

Science:   Habitats of the World: Might use this; this Weather unit has some neat ideas; Bite Sized Physics will be fun too (each will only span part of the year)

That’s all of our group subjects! All? Gah! It seems like TOOOOOO much when I write it down like this. Makes me feel overwhelmed again. But when it’s broken down to the daily level it doesn’t seem that way.  So I’ll continue on tomorrow. I think I’m ready for a shower and bed now!

Can’t seem to settle tonight so I thought I’d blog about one of the things I’ve been so busy doing lately… planning my kids education. Not just the next year but starting with a 12 year overview. Criminy! The idea is still so overwhelming that it gives me chills.

What really got me started was an ebook called “Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education“. You’d think after 3 years of doin’ this, I’d know what I was doing. You’d think I’d have a handle on things. Nope. Every year has needed something different. Next year, with Jessie fully into the mix, needed more planning. Frightening, but true. This ebook really broke it down into doable chunks. I needed that! Now I know what I need (and have it) with a few minor exceptions (where I’m looking for the right resources). That feels good! And exciting! Lots of fun things planned WITH input from kids and dad.

But why CM? I love importance placed on nature studies, language, and hand crafts, not to mention the organization. Those things are much in line with our educational beliefs to not just learn the facts but to learn to live.

Next up… Year Overview…

GF Dingle PIes

These were quite yummy but I did forget the Xanthan Gum. Oh well. I have plenty of filling so I can try again tomorrow.

It was good to finally get to Karate class tonight. We did super-slow-mo katas and I think I finally got Ichi. Woot! Been having trouble with those big turns and getting those low stances LOW. It also helped to have Sensei Komez right there to watch. I realized she drops her stance a bit right before those deep turns. Aha! I know I still need TONZ of practice but it sure feels better now.

Th-th-that’s all folks. I’m getting to bed on time tonight! More new recipes tomorrow. And eventually I will also post some of the homeschooling things I’ve been up to lately. LOL!

Gluten Free Pizza!

Thought I’d comment on the GF recipes we used yesterday. They were all awesome!

The Quiche went pictureless as it disappeared too darned quickly. We did the crustless version. It was very good! And we’re not really quiche people, so that was a surprise.

Since breakfast was more of a brunch, we skipped lunch and had pizza for dinner.

Wow! This was our best GF pizza ever and I think it is because of 2 things… 1 resting time for the dough and 2 longer cooking time. AFter I mixed the ingredients, I let it all sit in the mixer bowl for about 30 minutes (covered in a warm spot). Then mixed it some more with a bit more water. Bob cooked the crusts for 20 minutes on regular baking cycle (not convection) This may be more due to our oven than anything else so YMMV.

The result was a crispy crust that was completely done through… no gooey center and no collapsing!

Oh! I used this recipe from Living Without but substituted this flour blend with garbanzo flour (because it has become a cupboard staple here).

Here’s the recipe for the Deep Chocolate Meringue pie. I substituted the above flour blend for he AP flour indicated. The crust was a recipe from the back of a Bob’s Red Mill rice flour package. Here it is. It cracked a lot but otherwise worked fine.

Hope your Pi Day was delish!

I know I’ve skipped a few weeks and I may get them up here eventually but for now… moving forward to next week’s menu. I’m trying to smooth out the process by creating this list as I print recipes and make my shopping list. If you use Shopping list Software from Home Plan, you can use this “itm” file. I’ve tried to include everything (except the frozen peas, blech!) so there will likely be a lot you can delete if you use it.

For Pi Day:

• Quiche
• Irish Cottage Pie
• Pizza Pie (gonna use pizza crust mix)

Rest of the week:

• Beef & Guinness Pie
• Corned Beef (on sale at Gerbe’s) & Champ
• Boxty & Dublin Coddle
• Dingle Pies (GF crust)