Thank you notes are writing exercises!

 Yes, thank-you notes are writing exercises.  Help your child create a template to use to write notes.  Create a beautiful picture to go with the note.  Break out beautiful stationary.  Yes, this counts as writing!

TI 83/83: Solver

 Rob and I are introductions how to solve equations.  The textbook’s graphing calculator explanations did not help.  After a struggle and some research, I found this video which works!

Read, See, Do!

 In another life, I did some consulting to bring interactive education to science teachers.  You don’t need training.  Instead, pick a topic.  Read about it, watch a video, and then do an activity.  I use this approach when I teach religious education, teach Co-op, or lead VBS.  Here is an example.  When I introduce the microscope, it’s more interesting to use currency and examine anti-counterfeit devices.  Before you break out the microscope, read an article, answer questions, and watch a video.  Tonight I’m teaching The Ten Commandments, where we’ll read.  I might play a short video. Then I want the kids to review an Examination of Conscience, a guide for Confession.  Kids remember what they do more than anything you say.  

A Little Tech….

 I teach Co-op classes in my basement.  I’ve always had to rig tech.  Instead of using a Smartboard or LCD projector on a whiteboard, I connect my laptop to an older TV with an HDMI cable.  You can use an adapter to connect an iPad to the TV, too.  Generally, once you connect the HDMI to the TV and device, the image broadcasts immediately to the TV.   If you have an iPad or touch screen tablet, you can write on an online whiteboard and display on the TV.  Below are the laptop and iPad connected to the TV and the iPad adapter.  (The calculator is GraphNCalc83.)

Algebra I Progress

 I’ll keep you posted about our progress in Algebra I along with a few topics and resources.  Here’s where we are now. The kids took their first test last week.  

Graph Matrices with TI 83/84 Graphing Calculators

The Algebra I class is graphing matrices next this coming week.   Rob plans to show the kids how to handle matrices (matrix singular) both by hand and on the calculator.  I haven’t done any matrices since I figured them out for Rob last year for Algebra 2.  Here is the most useful post I found.  I like screenshots!  We’re starting by adding and subtracting.  [A] + [B] or [A] - [B] instead of multiplying two matrices.  Yes, I had made a video!  Hope it helps!

Graph Histograms with TI 83/84 Graphing Calculators

The kids graphed histograms (bar graphs) on their TI83/84 calculators during Thursday’s class.   We didn’t calculate the statistics; we just graphed the histograms.  Here are instructions for entering the data, calculating the stats, and graphing histograms in the STAT function.  Try this guide to learn how to enter simple data and zoom in and out.  Yes, kids can simply draw bar graphs.  We’re trying to increase the depth of instruction by adding the graphing calculator exercises.

Linear Regression Graphing Calculator Worksheets

 We’re using several data sets to practice linear regressions with the graphing calculators.  Let me share a few.  This guide has fairly clear instructions with steps to follow.  These same instructions work with either the TI83 or TI84 graphing calculators.  

1.  Here are 17 data sets for practice with an answer key.

2. This Regressions Packet has Quadratic and Exponential regressions, along with Linear regressions.  Teens can try different equations in STAT to see which equation best fits the data.  This is a form of math modeling.

3. This worksheet has graphs to graph by hand or to sketch the graph from the graphing calculator.  N.B. None of the data in these problem sets is at all interesting.

Graphing Calculators: Linear Equations, Histograms, and Linear Regressions

 The Algebra 1 class is learning how to enter data and graph it with the graphing calculator.  In another life, I taught at private schools and was certain my students were deprived because I wasn’t teaching graphing calculator exercises in my science classes.  I went to conferences, ordered videos, and learned how to use the TI 83/84 calculators with my classes. We’re using both TI 83 and TI 84 calculators; all are a mix of TI 83 +, Silver Edition, etc.  The Algebra 1 Co-op class is doing most of their graphing on the calculator.  Let me share a couple tools.  Here is the tip sheet I made for my husband, Rob, with a little trouble-shooting.  Here, here, here are good overviews.  Below is a video I made largely for Rob.  Before you start to enter any data, clear the memory (2nd +).  It will save you tons of grief!

Good Will for the Win!

 I adore Good Will.  I shop both online and locally.  I stopped on my way home from the gym and bought foam, story comprehension blocks.

Good Will online has loads of materials for education.  I’ve had great luck buying graphing calculators and different science kits, such as MEL Chemistry kits.  I have bought a few microscopes; however, I’ve had mixed luck with microscopes and electronics.   Take a look!

Co-op Composition

We added a student to Composition.  All five are reluctant writers.  Class is really English with Writing at the core.  Each class, we’re breaking the 90 minute session into small chunks; brainstorming, revising, proof-reading, editing, and doing a bit of grammar.  I’m using an elementary-level textbook to teach a high school level class.  The real challenge is to engage the teens without overwhelming them or being condescending.  Our next writing exercise is Film Reviews.  Here are a bunch of templates.  Teach with Movies has instructions and a film study worksheet with more depth than the templates.  We’re starting with this template to help the kids learn how to craft a paragraph.  

What do you do when a child bombs a test?

 ob and I have two different approaches to tests.  He mainly teaches Math and Physics.  Rob grades the test and then allows half-credit for corrections.  I make kids edit their Biology tests, which are largely essay tests.  However, some tests in Chemistry, like Algebra, are skill-based.  If a teen blows the test, he or she retakes the test.  In the Algebra I class, Rob is doing both this time.  If the kid misses one or two questions, he or she gets half-credit for corrections.  If the kid really bombs, Rob or I review the original test with the teen, line by line.  Then we give the child a new test to take for full credit.  What is interesting is that most of the class thinks this approach is fair.  Everyone knows he or she could bomb a test, too.  None of the kids want to retake a test.  Essentially, there is a safety net.  However, this approach emphasizes understanding over raw achievement. 

High School Literature: Go with Stobaugh!

 Are you familiar with Stobaugh Literature?  MasterBooks sells new copies.  Used copies are available at Abebooks, eBay, ThriftBooks, Amazon, etc.  I use Stobaugh for British Literature and plan to use it next year for American Literature.  I’ve taught the  British Literature course  from Kolbe Academy.  (BTW, it’s excellent!). However, much of the material was in Stobaugh’s course, which is much cheaper.  Use the Ignatius Critical Editions; the Commentary is outstanding.  Sure, you can supplement he course.  But, if you use Stobaugh alone, you’ll have a solid foundation in British Literature.  

Art!

 I love art!  How can you add more art to your school program.  One easy way is to make art projects as presents.  Frame the piece as a gift.  Want ideas?  Try Dick Blick’s Free Lessons, such as The Paper Square Challenge or Bling Bling Mosaics.  Look at these Free Online Art Learning Resources from the National Gallery of Art.  I taught at a tiny Christian school.  The Art teacher taught all twelve grades.  She picked a different artist as the theme for all students each week.  For example, one week the kids all tried to mimic Jackson Pollack.  Another week, she taped paper under the table; the kids painted on their backs like Michael Angelo.  I thought this approach was genius.  It accommodated all of the kids, who approached the lessons with different levels of maturity.  Hey!  The kids are supplying birthday and Christmas presents for the entire family!

What about Art?

 My son, Fr. Josh’s parishioner recommends Little Holy Hearts’ Online Art Classes.  I rarely promote a website.  However, I’ll make an exception for his parishioner.  It’s hard to create an Art class at home.  Many of the online schools, such as Kolbe recommend art projects at the holidays.  I’ll write about more ideas in the next post.  For now, take a look at the class.

Write a funny story!

 My Composition class is working on Narratives.  I asked them to write a funny story.  I make it a do the assignments.  Otherwise how do the kids know you can write?  Here’s my funny story, a true story.  However, I omitted my brother’s colorful language.

Play Bingo!

 Does your family like games?  Ours does!  Add some Bingo!  There are so-o-o many Bingo games!

1. Grammar Bingo

2. Math Facts Bingo

3. U.S. States Bingo

4. Map Symbol Bingo is a UK game. Here is a version with symbols only.

5.  License Plate Bingo

6. Algebra Bingo

7. Element Bingo

Do some grammar!

 Did I mention how Composition class was more of an English class?  The four teens need help with a number of English topics.  Each class is centered on writing; however there are several ancillary activities to support good writing, such as editing or grammar.  We’re doing some editing and grammar lessons along with exercises such as Descriptive Sentences.  I’m starting the grammar next week with Subjects, Predicates, and Objects and Diagramming Simple Sentences.  Diagramming sentences is a lost art.  It helps analyze sentences.  Each week Composition will be working through tons of exercises.  Class runs 90 minutes.  I need several different exercises to keep kids on task anyway.  If you want a textbook to teach grammar, consider Easy Grammar.  These books are available used. You may want to start with Easy Grammar Plus.

9/11 Co-op Composition

 What did we really do?  We followed the lesson below pretty well.  We reviewed all of the military and birthday letters.  (No, I didn’t actually plan to have the military letters coincide with 9/11.  It was just a happy coincidence.)  The kids took and evaluated the Learning Style Inventory, discuss3d a little grammar, critiqued my letter, read The Ransom of Red Chief, and started a narrative paragraph about a funny, personal story.  It always takes time to draw out teens and help them craft their letters.  Their homework is to jot down notes about their funny story.  No one is reading aloud, yet.  Thank goodness Rob is team-teaching!  Things went pretty well.

Read and Write! Start with O. Henry!

 Last year the four kids in Composition class all loved to read.  This year, the kids are totally different!  Reading goes right along with writing.  So I’m adding a few short stories, beginning with The Ransom of Red Chief.  The essay will be about the funniest aspect of the story.  (We’ll do The Gift of the Magi later with an essay about sacrificial love.)  Since I’m going to need to add a little grammar, too, Composition is becoming more of an English class.  I’ll let you know how things go!

Composition Class: Schedule for Sept 10th

 We’re reviewing the letter and descriptive essays first.  I want to have kids do a learning style inventory and start using the textbook.  I’ll try to make a point to post my plans here along what actually happened.

Use your dining room as a classroom!

 We use the basement for the Co-op classes.  However, our dining room is also a classroom.  A few kids stay for extra help, Latin, and Guitar.  When we only have a few kids, we meet in the dining room.  I bought felt bins to hide binders and books. (I bought the felt bins at Five Below.  Temu has similar felt bins.). However, I found that a little decor camouflages books fairly well, especially on the bottom shelves.  We have a small desk in the dining room, too.  You don’t need a dedicated space for school.  You can combine shelves, a desk, and table into one multi-purpose space.

Send a Service Care Package!

 The Co-op Composition class is writing letters of gratitude to service personnel.  We’re sending a care package, too.  This is a simple way to combine service and writing.  Have your kids write letters.  Lovingly crafted cards and hand drawn pictures are also well received.  Ask you kids to think about the sacrifice these men and women make to serve our country as they write or draw.  Shop as a family for snacks.  (The dollar store is fine!)  Wow!  Just think how much your own family will benefit from this simple service project.

How do you know how to address issues which arise associated with learning differences?

I realized you might want to know why I think I can offer advice for kids with learning differences.  My son was diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age.  We all scrambled to find ways to help him learn. He’s a priest and studied in Rome.  Things worked out.   At the last high school where I taught, I had two classes of Chemistry where kids with ADD, ADHD, autism, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, etc were all thrown into Conceptional Chemistry.  I had these classes for many years.  Most of the kids were assigned to case managers, Special Ed teachers who kept track of their studies and progression.  I worked with team teachers, too.  Some students had an aide.  Many of the kids who didn’t have a defined learning difference spoke English as a second language or were reading at a third grade level.  Was this a circus?  Sometimes.  What did I do?  I learned how to make accommodations.  I talked to everyone! Through trial and error, I learned the kids do much better with hands-on labs or activities.  They completed and competed in Science Fair in groups.  The best reader read labs out loud.  The kid with the best handwriting recorded labs.  A few labs or activities were just to hard.  We scrapped them.  I taught the names of the equipment, reviewed, and immediately tested before the names would leak out of their brains.  I created templates to use for lab reports.  My experience working with a wide variety of kids with learning differences helped me devise a number of strategies.  I’ll share them with you.

Tips for kids with learning differences

 Yesterday, in Biology Co-op, the kids were learning how to do a classification exercise with dichotomous keys.  The first key has 15 images.  Several kids have learning differences in this Co-op class. I set a minimum of completing six images.  Everyone else worked until the last group completed keying six organisms.  I picked six images because it should be enough for all of the kids to master the idea of keying or classifying organisms.  Some of the groups completed all of the organisms.  If I see the groups who only did six still need more practice, I have extra images available.  This strategy works for math, too.  The kids do not need to complete all of the problems.  They need to do a sufficient number to master the concept and demonstrate proficiency on a test.  If they botch the test, you can assign more problems and retest.  Fewer problems can really help a kid with learning differences.  Too many sets, worksheets, or problems can overwhelm the kid and he shuts down.  Try fewer.  You can always do more.

Thank you for your service!

 My Co-op Composition class is writing gratitude letters to the military.  My son, Fr. Josh, is a chaplain stationed in Japan.  I try to do the same assignments to add clarity.  We’re writing letters and mailing a package to the military police stationed at our son’s base, Kadena.  Below is the letter I’m sending.

First Day of Co-op

 This morning is the first day of Composition, a Co-op class.  Thankfully it’s a small class.  Rob and I are teaching Biology and Algebra, too.  Both of those classes are large.  I took screenshots of my plans: Thank you for your Service, Overview of Writing, Proof Reading, Picture Writing, and Prompt Paragraph.  We won’t finish everything.  I want to be sure I have enough material.  

We started with the thank you letter to the military.  Here are our notes.  Then we made a Thank you Template, did a little Proof Reading, and a writing prompt, describing family birthdays.

Yes, School might only take three hours a day!

  I bet you’ve heard criticism about short home-school days.  Many families spend about three hours a day with lessons.  Math might take longer for some kids.  But daily school takes place during the mornings.  Good job!  I taught in both private and public schools.  I know first hand how many distractions take place in a classroom: disruptive students, pep rallies, fire drills, shooter drills, in-service, announcements, home-room, half-days, review and standardized testing.  Not all electives are useful.  Some teachers plan for regular movie breaks.  Time leading up to the holidays are full of disruptions and distractions.  The last few weeks of school aren’t very educational.  I’ve lived the full experience.  

Instead, your teen is likely working one on one with you or in a small Co-op setting.  Tomorrow, I’m laying out my threats the first class of Co-op.  Class time is extremely focused.  Misbehavior is addressed early.  (My best threat is to have to reorganize the basement classroom.  We start with my Christmas decorations.) My point is that most home-schooled families get down to work and complete their work efficiently.  In fact, often kids want to finish all their school work well before the end of the year.  This leaves loads of time for your child’s interests: choir, golf, fishing, horses, chickens, drawing, video graphing, etc.  The next time you are criticized for a short class day, explain how vigilant your family is about school lessons in order to leave sufficient time for reading, gymnastics, orchestra, or apprenticeships.  Explain how you just can’t afford to waste one minute.

Tips for Kids with Learning Differences

 This year several kids in our classes have learning differences.  I’ve had some experience teaching kids with all manner of learning differences, including my son, who has dyslexia.  I have a few tips I’ll share as situations arise this year.  BTW, the families, Rob, and I email, text, and conference all the time.  Here are a few tips.

1. Talk to the family!  One mom just shared that her son doesn’t process words well.  He needs pictures.  So I made a slide show, Owl Pellet Animals, to help him process.  Evidently, he needs to see the item or organism to understand what’s going on.  

2.  Select partners for kids.  In our Co-op, we have a teen aide.  Additionally, the kids partner with a stronger student to manage writing.  Labs are frustrating when you can process the lab, but not all of the writing—at least simultaneously.  Lab groups need scribes, someone to write things down.  

3.  Create templates such as this Lab Report Guide.  Teens can just add text to complete their lab reports.  Stronger students use the same guide for their labs written in a document.

4.  Communicate!  Ask the family what works.  Network with friends who have kids with learning differences.  

5. When our son, who is dyslexic, was little, the experts offered a diagnosis and no tips!  Friends offered ideas.  One tip was to record the book yourself.  Audiobooks can be too fast for the child to read along.  You can read a book more slowly, allowing the child to read along.  (BTW audiobooks are NOT cheating!  The kid still learns the content of the book.).  Another friend’s son was profoundly dyslexic.  She coded letters into numbers he could read.  She also suggested putting a blue, transparent sheet over the page to make it easier to read.  Often, the words on the page swim a little.  Use a ruler under the line to help keep the words from swimming.