Memory Review

When passages are learned, you have established a good basis upon which to help build the rest of the memory structure. However, the remaining portion is just as important as the original learning foundation.

To assure proper and adequate review, make out a schedule of learning and review that will tell you, every time you have 'class,' just what will be learned and what portions will be reviewed.

Since forgetting sets in almost immediately after learning, the sooner a passage can be reviewed after the original learning of it, the better. Therefore, what has been learned should be reviewed once or more times each day for many days after originally learning it. After all, why memorize if you are just going to forget it in a month?

 

In planning your memory schedule, divide the class time into two or three sections, depending on the ability of the children. If you feel the children are capable, new material can be learned each day. This could be the first part of the class. The second part could be daily reviews - reviewing portions learned over the past several days. The third part could be reviewing material learned earlier in the year or in previous years. This time could also be used for testing.

 

If you only have time to split into two sections you do not need to learn new passages every day. In the first part of the class, you can alternate learning new material with the review of "older" passages. As the second part, have tour daily reviews.

 

Whatever plan you use, your overall emphasis should not be only learning new passages, but the solid retention of older ones.

Homeschooling and prepping for college - Part 1

Preparing for college is stressful for any parent. 

First of all, you are admitting that your baby is growing up. Second, you are admitting you are old enough to have a college age kid.

Third, there is SO much to think about!

 

If you have a child in elementary school, start looking.  If you are dealing with a jr high student - you're running out of time.  Get busy!  If you are like me and have a high schooler (freshman here) HURRY UP!  With my son being the oldest ad my 'guinea pig' I am learning a lot. I know that there is no reason to re-invent the wheel, and I don't want to.  I am not the first home school mom to send a child off to college.  There is so much more information available now than when I was in high school looking for college info.  That many years ago (not admitting how many!) we didn't even have internet at home!

 

Step 1:  What are you (your child) interested in?

Step 2: What scholarships are available?  Is there something you     should get your child interested in? 

Step 3: What obscure scholarships are available?  Is there something you and your child could become interested in?  (ie golf - do you know how many golf scholarships there are?!)

Step 4: apply apply apply

 

Since we homeschool, there are even more opportunities, I believe, to get involved and get qualified for scholarships.  In public school you are limited to what is offered, and what activities you can participate in outside of school.  Being homeschooled, your school day/year can revolve around those activities.  For instance; my son is a boy scout. Don't get me started on the changes to scouting - that's a whole other convo.  There are more than 100 merit badges he can work on.  As a freshman he took Literature, Biology, Geometry, and History/Geography.  His electives were art and chess.  Two possible merit badges he could earn are..... art and chess.  Next year he will take chemistry.  Again, there is a merit badge for that.  I could focus his entire h.s. curriculum around boy scout merit badges and he wouldn't miss a thing!  There are fun adventure badges too; camping, hiking, canoeing, engineering, entrepreneurship, life saving, shotgun shooting, archery....  The list is never ending. 

 

While we know LOTS of boys in public school who are scouts, I just fully believe that because we can make the time, my son has more opportunities to work on those merit badges - which lead to scholarships.

Along with scouts, there is CAP, canoeing classes, 4H, music lessons, art lessons, private lessons for baseball, college prep math, English and science.... Not just one or two, but all day everyday we do all these things. 

I know a lot of people who can argue home vs public school.  It is a personal choice.  The point is Apply now!

 

 

 

Hurricane Season

Living as close to the coast as I do, the beginning of hurricane season means that it is time to get my supply kit together again.  I unpack it at the end of the season (and I am positive that there is no threat) and use what was in it. 

In the last few weeks there have been several natural disasters and a lot of talk on cnn about disaster clean up from the last year.  I do not want to be on the news - ever because I was unprepared.  I have always lived in this area and hurricanes are part of the life.  I missed Ike, but got hit during Rita.  Besides being prepared, I know that with my babies, without a doubt, I would evacuate. 

We evacuated during Rita and I have no regrets.  I will do it again.  We know of a few places in Dallas and San Antonio that we could go.  Problem is, during Rita (as a city we all learned a lot during Rita) if you don't leave early enough there is a lot of traffic and hotels fill up quickly.  We know of a few other places to go that are either west or further north.  You have to have a back up plan.  We always have a plan B.  and a plan c,d,e,f,g..... for everything.  So, even though we plan to evacuate, you have to have a box of supplies ready to go in an instant.

At all times in my truck I keep:

• jumper cables
• first aid kits (always need to be kept re-supplied)
• toys (small tote, just in case)
• suit case with a spare full change of clothes for everyone (changes with each season)
• box with swim gear (swim suits, sunblock, towels, goggles, etc)
• Bottles of water
• Small box with car chargers for the game boy, kindle, cell phone, etc
• Picnic basket with plates, forks, spoons, cups
• Blankets

Obviously I drive a large suburban (with a cargo topper on top!)  Now that I need my hurricane kit as well, I will get a few totes and put the following supplies ready to grab in a hurry.  The key is to get the boxes ready, but not so heavy that I cannot pick them up by my self.

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities  - in the drawer.  Also, the knowledge to turn everything off!  You may be surprised at the number of people (women's especially) who do not know this.

Water, 8+ gallons

Food, granola bars, microwaveable meals (stuff that doesn't need to be refrigerated), cans of ravioli, cans of fruit etc

Flashlight and extra batteries

Whistle to signal for help

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Manual can opener for food

Local maps - you cannot guarantee that the gps will work

Inverter or solar charger for my cell phone, it won't ever hold a charge for long.  I have my car charger, but you can never be over prepared.

Dog food and bowls

leashes

$100 in cash (or more) for gas, hotel, and more food

I dread having to evacuate, but I would hate to have to evacuate and not be ready.  If I never need this stuff, it gives us some junk food for the pantry for the winter :)