Plan for highschool

We plan to continue with homeschooling through high school however, since I will be working on a master's degree and earning an income, we will change our method from blended to fully aligned. Chip will work on correspondence modules for pretty much all of his subjects. We will be relocating to a new city so I will have to locate a new art instructor, tae kwon do college and gym to round out Chip's education. And, depending on our accommodations, I may even find a private drum instruction for him since he seems to miss playing his drums!

Almost at the finish line!

Chip's school year is nearing an end. He is determined to complete everything by the end of May since he will be heading overseas to spend his summer with family and friends.

The following is a summary of Chip's grade 9 year to date:

Math: Chip continues to work on Canadian Mathematics and is doing really well. He is roughly mid-way through the chapter on algebra and has 2 other chapters to complete: the coordinate plane and data management (statistics).

Language Arts: Chip completed Language Works 9 (a workbook) and Resource Lines (an anthology) in January. He is now working on Writing Strands (a workbook of "challenging writing projects for homeschoolers") For his novel study, Chip is reading To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is using a workbook published by S&S Learning Materials and is using a web source for vocabulary and allusions.

Science: Chip continues to focus on classical physics and is currently working on lecture 19 of 24 of Professor Pollock's Great Ideas of Classical Physics. For this, he views the DVD lecture, works on the "essential computer sim," answers related "questions to consider" and writes short papers on the various scientists covered in the lectures.

Social Studies: Initially, we started off reading Prince Among Slaves by Terry Alford, however, this did not work well for Chip. He did some work on it but somehow the book was not captivating enough to sustain his interest. So, I reverted to the provincial curriculum and took out textbooks necessary for him to learn a bit about the US and Russia. He actually completed the textbook on the US, answering some questions and is currently working on the textbook on Russia. He should be able to complete the textbook and questions on Russia by mid May. We have been supplementing the texts with DVD documentaries as well. Also, the novel study To Kill a Mockingbird ties into social studies too so he is actually getting through quite a bit this year. Additionally, he continues to compare news reports daily and keeps some notes of the headlines.

Physical Education: Chip continues with tae kwon do (twice weekly) and is working on obtaining his red stripe by the end of the school year. For swimming, Chip is working on obtaining his Bronze Cross certification. Additionally, Chip attends the gym twice weekly to swim and use cardio equipment. Also, now that it is warmer outside, Chip walks and rides his bike more often. To complete curriculum requirements, Chip will have learn a dance routine at home and will likely prepare a hip hop routine.

Health: Though this subject is covered through other subjects like social studies, language arts and physical education, Chip is working through a workbook on this topic to fulfill provincial curriculum requirements.

Computer Studies: Chip is working through a workbook on this topic to fulfill provincial curriculum requirements.

Art: Chip continues to take private art instruction and will continue with this until May 27th.

Second Language: Chip completed 1 level of Spanish lessons and may return for more levels next school year. He continues to practice Turkish (reading, writing and speaking).

Busy, busy, busy...

... and will be busier soon. We move in a matter of months so I can complete graduate studies. Yay!

I hope to post a detailed account of how our homeschool year has been progressing soon.

Dark-eyed Junco

I noticed the slate-coloured Dark-eyed Junco for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I say noticed because they are supposed to be common around my city, especially in the spring, however, I've only just discovered them! They must be migrating south to the US. Anyway, here's a link to a photo: http://www.pbase.com/hemlepp/image/73342060

Canim

And then there was....

Canim, Chip's new crown tail.

Farewell Fancy

Our beautiful little beta of 2 years, Fancy, died today. Her bowl now sits in it's usual place, empty, barren.

Fancy in happier times, full of life and colour.

Borrowing Materials

Chip started using the Teaching Company DVD lectures by Professor Steven Pollock: Great Ideas of Classical Physics, however, the lectures alone are not going to be sufficient. Professor Pollock lists essential and recommended readings which I feel are necessary for Chip to fully grasp the concepts he covers.

Professor Pollock lists the following essential and recommended readings to supplement his lectures:

1. Paul G. Hewitt, Conceptual Physics, Addison Wesley;
2. Art Hobson, Physics: Concepts and Connections, Prentice Hall;
3. Robert March, Physics for Poets, McGraw-Hill;
4. Feynman, Leighton, and Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Addison Wesley;
5. William H. Cropper, Great Physicists, Oxford University Press;
6. James Gleick, Isaac Newton, Vintage;
7. Alan Lightman, Great Ideas in Physics, McGraw Hill;
8. Robert P. Crease, The Prism and the Pendulum, Random House; and
9. Larry Gonick and Art Huffman, The Cartoon Guide to Physics, Collins.

I wonder if anyone out there has any of these collecting dust on their shelves? We only need them for this school year and would gladly return them once we're finished in June, 2009. Please post a comment if you can help...