Wordless Wednesday – Square Foot Gardening

Corrections & Grades

In our homeschool, grades are recorded.  I correct the assignments, add up the total, subtract the incorrect from the total and record it all in Homeschool Tracker.  Homeschool Tracker can create a variety of reports for me … report cards, transcripts, books read, etc.  It’s a report to show grandparents, but mostly it’s used for our record keeping in each child’s binder.  I like grades; they motivated me as a student.

“But, do the grades really mean anything?  Why can’t I just have some wrong?” asked Angelina, recently.  Dash has asked the same question.  What they are really wondering is ‘why do I have to correct all my mistakes’ and then ‘if I correct all my mistakes, what do the grades mean.’  My response is that I want each child to know the material and understand the ‘why’ behind a correct answer.  Therefore, if your answer is wrong, it needs to be re-worked or corrected.

I don’t remember if I was required to go back and correct errors on assignments in elementary, but I know we weren’t required to correct errors in junior high and high school.  In the course of studying for tests, I usually went back and figured out the correct answer, but I’m not sure everyone in my class did this!  That’s just how I studied, and I carried those study habits through my college coursework and now into our homeschool.

As a homeschooling mom, if the kids get a problem wrong in Math, English, or Latin, I require that they correct the problem and figure out the error.  I rarely let incorrect problems go, even on tests.  I figure if they got it wrong, they don’t understand and need to figure it out before moving on to the next page/lesson.  So, I can see the argument against giving grades … they’re all A’s, aren’t they? 

Except, they aren’t.  In math, I usually don’t give full credit for a problem that has to be reworked.  I’ll give half.  I want the kids to have something to strive for… I want them to put forward their best work the first time… basically I want our kids to learn from mistakes and develop a desire to ‘make it right.’ 

I’ll continue to give grades.  Eric and I have sometimes tied a reward to grades when it’s needed as incentive, and we’ve even paid the kids after report card ‘time’ at least once.  Grades do mean something, but that is between my child and I.  Grades are different for each child.  THEY ARE SUBJECTIVE.  I’m not going to attach a statement about my homeschooling methods to their transcript!  … maybe I should… 

Chick Update

Sadly, one of the sickly chicks died this afternoon.  During the morning chore time, I could tell the little one still wasn't thriving, so I dipped its beak in water again.  This afternoon, I saw the little chick not even move as others ran over and around it.  I quickly made up a sick box for the little one - complete with food, water & heat.  The little one still wouldn't drink, so I knew the end was close.  I stayed with the little bird until the end, then wrapped it's little body in paper and packaged it in a small box.  The older boys buried the little chick shortly thereafter.

The other chick I was worried about has been doing well.  So well, in fact, that I cannot find this chick among its sibling chicks.

Lesson: Separate a weak chick immediately so that it can rest, eat, and drink without being hassled by energetic siblings.

Peter and the Wolf

On Sunday night I realized that somehow Zeke’s music lesson plans hadn’t been updated to include a couple book/CD combos.  Since his work is winding down, I thought this week would be the perfect time to let Zeke and Graham listen and look.  I love sneaking orchestra and classical music study into their lessons!  This particular set is great because it explains what the music means … each character is represented by the music or melody from a different instrument.

Both boys sat still for the 10-15 minutes of listening … and they were interested. 

 

 

For the past couple months, Graham, our 3yo, has been very worried about wolves because he has heard them howling at night.  At one point during the reading, Peter’s grandfather says, “Silly boy, a wolf is dangerous.” With those words, I remembered his fear and thought maybe this wouldn’t be a good story for him to hear.  Then, later the wolf swallows the pet duck in one gulp.  Mmmm… 
But, Peter is brave and captures the wolf.  Graham hasn’t brought up the subject of wolves, yet.  If he does, I’ll have a story of bravery to which I can refer.  Hopefully the story and music instilled a lesson – walk with someone! – and courage in my little guy.

Monday DayLook – May 3, 2010

For Today:  May 3, 2010 – Happy Month of Mary!

 Looking out from my back porch... cloudy, but very green.

 I am thinking about… all needing to be accomplished this month: finish up formal homeschooling, work on 4-H static & animal projects, building a new hen/brooder house, planting the garden, finish up Spring planting, prep the house for a homeschool field trip, last EC meeting of the college school year, FMCHE year end meeting (need to prepare the budget)…

 I am thankful for... good friends who are willing to listen.

 I am reading…through my stack of magazines, slowly.

 I am hoping... for a break in the rain so Spring planting can be finished up ‘on time.’

 I am hearing... lip-smacking from the snacking kids around me at the table.

 I am wearing… jeans, floral t-shirt, white socks,

 From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… Dash and I stopped at a fabric/quilting store last week.  We purchased fabric for Dash’s 4-H pillowcase project and also found the inspiration for a cute 4-H childcare project for Angelina!  I’ll post pics later.

 From the school room... inching closer to the close of formal schooling.  Some subjects are already completed for the year, making for very happy children! 

 From the kitchen... tried out a new breakfast recipe … Harvest Apple Bake.  It was yummy!

 State of the house… it’s a little dusty.  Is it possible to keep up at this time of year??  Then, there are the piles…

 A successful moment… Eric & I finished up teaching another NFP series (it ended Sunday afternoon).

 A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Dance for Angelina.

 Tuesday: My sister’s birthday – Happy Birthday, Jules!

 Thursday:   CAT test for Angelina & last EC meeting of the college year for me

 Friday/Saturday/Sunday:   My MIL and I plan to visit Sheyenne Gardens if the weather is nice, planting in the veggie & flower gardens, family friends for dinner & a visit on Mother’s Day

 A picture memory...

Plant starts … just waiting for the weather to improve

 

Graham was having fun until his airplane got stick … still haven’t taken it down.  He hasn’t asked for it, either.

Chick update

My, they do grow and change fast.  Some are already starting to get their feathers at four days old.  They run around at full speed, doesn’t matter if another chick is taking a nap … they run right over each other!  And, they like to scratch in the wood shavings.  It’s really cute when they imitate each other or my hand, when a finger is poked in their feed tray.
I’m worried about two that seem to be on the small side and don’t have as much energy.  I had to wash up the back end of one because it got ‘pasted up’ and couldn’t poo.  Then the chick needed to be dried with a hair dryer.  Poor little thing was exhausted when put back in the brooder.  I dipped their beaks in water again and pointed them toward the food.  The one drank quite a bit.  Hoping they snap out of their slump and catch up.
Tomorrow the big chore will be to clean out the litter and replace it with fresh.  
On a side note, the laying hens escaped from their fenced outdoor area and had a heyday under the pine trees in Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres’ yard.  I didn’t get to see them, but Eric said they thoroughly enjoyed scratching around.  I bet they did!  With all the rain we’ve had the past few days, the worms and bugs were probably quite near the surface.  Eric and I wouldn’t mind letting them free range around the farm, but Grandma isn’t quite as sure and she has the final say (it’s her yard).  In the hens’ defense, they did go back to their coop without too much hassle.