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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

So Far, So Good!

Well Mommy School is going strong. It's now Week 1 and the girls and I are moving ahead. They have learned about Verbs, Adding 2 and 1 digits numbers, tenth place and ones place, weather, seasons, exercising, and they are increasing their vocabulary. Both of them received an A+ on their spelling test this past Friday. We also went on a field trip to Lowe's Build and Grow, our local city square, and Chick-fil-A. I also stopped by the library so that they can participate in their reading programs. In addition, I'm finding more websites that follow the Common Core Standards and websites that are geared toward education.

The following are websites I've used and will continue to use:

Below are pictures from our 1st week of Mommy School.

They needed some much needed down time
Music by Judy Tune and they fell asleep
Mr. Edwards
Our Music Teacher
Psalm 19: 7-8
He made it into a song
My oldest daughter made
a hat for baby sis during Arts & Crafts

Play Day @ Chick-fil-A
Play Day @ Chick-fil-A

Play Day @ Chick-fil-A

I had to in order to teach
She love's it
Thank You Evenflo

Home Economics
Making Tarter Sauce for our fish sandwiches

Home Economics
Gathering the ingredients 
Home Economics
Adding the ingredients


Lowe's Build and Grown

Lowe's Build and Grown
Monster's University
With Ms. Ciana (Student Assistant)

Lowe's
Skylar with the finished product
Lowe's
Trinity is ready to get up

Lowe's

At a Gathering at our local city square
The Chick-fil-A Cow greeted us

Confused or Hot??? 

Honestly, I am pooped. This week VBS (Vacation Bible School) is being held at one of our neighborhood churches and the girls will be there faithfully everyday. In the meantime, I will be trying my best to rest, but that hasn't been going so well.

Stay tuned. I see another field trip in the making.


Monday, June 3, 2013

Mommy School!!!!!

So, for the past couple of years, I have been conducting summer school in my home. It consists of my 3 girls and it is called "Mommy School." I come from a long line of educators. (I for one didn't think education was for me, therefore I my post graduate studies consisted of a MBA in Healthcare). But somehow, I am doing what I'd never thought I would do; TEACH!!! Who knew!!!!! 

I must say that my girls love it. The school is only conducted in the summer months. Since, I am a stickler for organization, structure, and schedules, I just could not have my girls doing nothing for the entire summer. I also wanted them to continue learning, but somehow make it fun for them. So in the Summer of 2011, I began "Mommy School." Every weekday morning, my girls are required to get up and get completely dress (teeth brushed, clothes put on, & shoes), eat breakfast (which is prepared by myself or they independently fix cereal), and put on their school shirts. Yep, we are in the process of designing schools shirts. These shirts are to be worn every school day and on field trips. 

The back of our T-shirts

As I stated above, my family are educators, so it seems befitting to have their assistance. In teaching, I follow the The Common Core State Standards. The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. I also use Google and Bing to find free printable worksheets that are coherent to the Common Core State Standards. Mommy School's curriculum consists of the following: ELA (English, Language Arts, & Writing), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Music, Home Economics, Arts & Crafts, Technology, Health, and PE (Physical Education). I also include Movie & Popcorn Fridays and of course Field Trips. Our field trips, which takes place during the weekday or weekend, range from going to swim parks, the library, and outdoor parks, to free events for children like Lowe's Build and Grow or Homedepot's Free Kids Workshop. Grocery store visits or errands can be made into a field trip as well. You just have to use your imagination and be creative. 

I am so excited to be doing this. I treat my classroom and students as if it were normal school. Raising hands, asking to do something, lunch, school nurse, custodian, and principal. Everyone is involved and takes their jobs as if it were open to the public (although I think this make be a great idea in the near future). Here is the Mommy School Volunteer Staff and Students Roster for Summer 2013:

Mommy School Roster
Mommy School's motto is "Every Parent Can Teach." I believe this whole hardheartedly. I have learned to be more patient, kind, understanding, and I thrive on the fact that I am doing my part as a parent here at home. I believe that it is not just up to professional educators to teach my children. It is also up to me as a mother to do what I can to make learning attainable for my little ones. And besides, it also helps the educators out when school returns. I am trying to do what I can now as a SAHM, because who knows when I will return back to work. I also want my children to have lasting memories as children. 

Below is our school schedule. I do it weekly; something like Lesson Plans. Every week changes. The following calendar is for the final schedule w/o June 3rd- June 7th:




At the end of each week, I monitor the children's progress via weekly log. The following is my weekly log:




Oh, I almost forgot. I have two student volunteers (my nieces). My older niece will be assisting me full-time and I will give her volunteer hours. This is the sign-in and sign-out sheet that is used. 




Here are just a few photos of the students (my babies)  at work. I also forgot to mention that I also have a nursery for my 5mth old. So, of course I included her as well.

Just getting started

ELA

Doing Math

My little one in her bouncer while school is in session

More to come from Mommy School!!!