Parent Teacher Conferences

Well, sort of, parent teacher conferences.  In our house, it's more of a parent/teacher child conference!

I'd recently seen several lists of "year in review" type questions (see here or here) which got me to thinking.  First thing back to school Monday morning, we met on the couch.  It's a new aspect of our routine the last month, and it's working well.  Other than saying to Lena, wait for me to start this, etc....they do breakfast, chores, and then free read on the couch until we're all gathered.  I'm usually last ready, so they're not waiting for the day to start but having a good read until we can begin together.

Jack, of course, could start school on his own...but then by the time I sit down for a proverb and a prayer, he's already into a subject and hard to draw out.

But, I digress. 

So this morning, as was usual before our holiday break, we met and read the first chapter from our new novel "The Great Turkey Walk," had a proverb and prayed for our day.  Then we got down to brass tacks.  The kids traded chores as we do every few months.  They like switching around and picking new things to do and pawning the dishwasher job onto someone else.  Then we went through some questions to gage where we're at in school for the year.

Are we having fun?

Jackson:  Well, in parts, its fun, yes.  Like, not having 7 hours of school.  So it is kind of fun, in a way, yes.

Lena:  Sort uh.  Umm, hmmm.  Let's see.  All the different craft projects from around the world we've been doing is fun.  Painting.  Nature study and science projects.  There's not always so much interesting stuff. 

Mom:  The mornings are fun, definitely.  I really lose steam after lunch, though, and the tasks that we leave until then seem more of a struggle to get through.  I try like crazy to get it all done before noon, but some things (like Jack's math, craft projects with Lena) are better left when PJ is in his room for a bit resting or playing.  I'm finding having a hot cuppa coffe or tea is really helpful and helping us relax and enjoy the tasks after lunch.  Oh, and pandora radio, too.  I have a new station "January Music" I'm really digging.

Are we making progress?

Jackson:  Yes, we are, for sure.  In places like division, cursive, history, quite a few places.  Science, nature study. 

Lena:  Yes.  Uh-huh.  Ooh, I don't know.  I practice reading so much and can read books on my own.

Mom:  Slow and measured, for sure.  That is the kind of progress we want, for sure, though at times teacher and student get impatient!

Is the curriculum working?

Jackson:  The books, for sure.  I've learned a lot of different words from books.  The computer, it's just as good as doing any normal studies.  Even though I'd like to learn more of my age group, like archery.  I like more active things.  Like, football flashcards.

Lena:  Yes, but I have no idea.  What does "how-so" mean.

Mom:  Yes, but there is always room for better planning on my part.  I try to do as much with the basics in our learning as possible.  I much prefer to teaching skills without worksheet and without purchasing things.  Pre-assembled curriculum, however, is beginning to sound more appealing.  So, I'm doing a little poking around into that topic.

We hope you join us in the next semester!