Beginning Chemistry

Ugh, I already feel like I need to study this stuff a lot harder.

Homeschool Portfolios and Our Homeschool Classroom

I get a lot of questions about our homeschool classroom. Do we have a separate space with desks and laptops? No our dining room is generally speaking our classroom. The walls are filled with posters, maps, calendars and other learning devices. I have various storage cubicles for our books and other supplies. Sometimes the kids do have to be separated from this room, but for the most part this is where the learning takes place, at least book work. We do so many other learning things that anywhere could be our classroom.

Below are the finished portfolios, for our evaluations, which are next week. I made them a lot smaller this year. Each kid drew the picture for their covers. I do not care for these folders, you can only put like twenty pieces of paper in the binder part, and that is not nearly enough for me. The Florida statute does not state how many papers you need to bring. You need their reading lists, daily log, and papers from each segment of the school year. So technically speaking twenty could be plenty, but not enough for me. I did scale them back this year. Usually I bring way more than is needed. Between this blog, DJ's writing blog, the portfolio and each child's personal interview, the evaluator can tell whether your child has progressed or not. So I will have to scour the local Walmart for a binder that I actually like. Maybe them accordian folders, I have used them in the past.

Hooda Math Games

DJ really dislikes book work. Especially for math and grammar. So I try to mix up book work with online games, or other online learning resources to keep it from getting monotonous and boring. Hooda Math, is one of DJ's favorites to use. He is especially fond of the Geometry games. I will share a couple others in the upcoming days for grammar as well. There is also tutorials and printable worksheets, all for free to use. The tutorials are kind of dry and boring, in my opinion, but unless you absolutely love math, is there any other way to describe it? Check it out, and use it as you see fit.

Borders Going Out Of Business Sale Begins

In case you didn't hear Borders is going out of business, and the sales have begun. Right now items are 40% off at all Borders stores nationwide. This sale does not include the Borders website, which I don't really understand, but oh well it is what it is. If you love to read. and love a good sale head over to your nearest Borders store.