Pileated Woodpecker

I was extremely happy yesterday, playing with a female Pileated Woodpecker during one of my long nature hikes. I followed her around for a while - vocalizing and watching. Here are a couple of pictures of my little friend as well as a photo of a Sharp Shinned Hawk that came over to check out what we were up to and another of a flicker (she's on the right hand side of the tree trunk in the last photo).

There was life everywhere! Chip joined me mid-way through my 3.5 hour hike and we came across flies, a lady but and a cricket - all living despite the fact that it is winter! I must say, however, that the temperature dropped over night and we were blessed with snow all day today.

I am so very happy to have had the sense to enjoy the mild/beautiful weather yesterday.

Slam

Shortly after we moved, Chip asked me to select a good book for him to read. I picked Slam by Nick Hornby. He practically ate that book up! He has since tried reading another book by Nick Hornby but hasn't been able to get into it as much as he did with Slam. I must, however, admit that I deliberately choose the second read for him, avoiding the one he preferred (I read the review and was a little worried... perhaps I should just let him read?!?)

Here's a brief description of Slam.

Grade 10 - a quarter and a bit into the year

It's been a long while since I last posted. We've been quite busy packing, moving, re-structuring our lives in a new city and studying.

Chip started his first year of senior high. As I noted in my previous post, Chip started the year fully-aligned with the Provincial curriculum. His courses are either delivered on-line (OL) or through correspondence (CORR). Currently, Chip is taking the following courses: Physical Education (OL), English Language Arts (CORR), Social Studies (CORR), Pure Math (CORR), Science (general) (CORR), Spanish (OL), Design Studies (CORR), Job Preparation (OL) and CALM (Career and Life Management) (OL).

Unfortunately, Chip struggled with the resources - both on-line and via correspondence. The correspondence materials were particularly problematic. This was our first time trying the correspondence method and it looks like it will be our last. The correspondence resources consisted of 5-6 modules for each lesson and an equal number of assignment booklets in addition to text-books and notebooks. Flipping from module, to text, to notebook, then back to module and finally to assignment book was not working for Chip. We dropped all modules and assignment books but kept the text books. This way, Chip was working between the text and notebook alone.

Social Studies: Chip is simply working through a text book, completing exercises in a notebook. In addition to this, Chip will write 2 research papers on any topic covered in the text. His first paper is due before Christmas. This course is a 1/2 year course. The teacher will assess his work based on the exercises he completes in the notebook and the 2 papers he will submit.

Pure Math: Unfortunately, the text book was not working for Chip. The font is quite small, the material is packed too tightly, it full of colour and illustrations and is too distracting for Chip to follow efficiently. Instead, we've switched to the Absolute Value Publications' Pure Math Grade 10 Workbook. This math resource is very much like the math resource Chip used last year - no colour, basic instruction and limited illustrations. In addition to the workbook, Chip will write exams using the Key. This course is was a 1/2 year course but we recently changed it to a full-year course. The teacher will assess his work based on the exercises he completes in the workbook and the exams he writes using the Key.

Physical Education: Unfortunately, the OL resource is not working for Chip. Instead, he will prepare his own monthly logs, logging in all the time he spends on physical education. This year, Chip chose to start competitive swimming. He decided not to continue with tae kwon do. He continues to trail biking and will try various other activities such as kayaking and wall climbing. The only curriculum outcome he is not looking forward to is the dance component but I'm sure he will enjoy it once he gets moving! He will also write 2 papers on any topic pertaining to physical activity. This course is a full-year course. The teacher will assess his participation based on his logs and papers.

Spanish: Chip is working through the OL resource which is supplemented with a workbook and disks. This is a full-year course. The teacher will assess his work based on on-line exercises he completes and conversations via the telephone (with teacher).

Science: Chip will use a textbook for Science. He will complete the exercises in a notebook and may use the Key for exams or may prepare 2 research papers instead. This is a 1/2 year course and does not start until the second term.

English Language Arts: Chip will work through an anthology, using a notebook for exercises. He will use the Language Works 10 workbook (only) for grammar. He will read a novel for this course and will write a paper on the novel. He will also have a textbook available as a reference book should he need to consult it at any time but will not be working through it. This is a 1/2 year course and does not start until the second term. The teacher will assess his work based on the work completed in the notebook, workbook and the novel study.

Design Studies, Job Preparation and CALM: These are all 1 credit courses and have short booklets with exercises that Chip is required to complete. His work will be assessed based on the work he does.

In addition to the above-noted work, Chip returned to drumming. He receives 1 hour instruction once a week. He is happy to be drumming again. We still have his acoustic drum set but, since we currently live in an apartment building, Chip is not able to practice at home.

We've had quite a few hurdles with the resources and are just settling into a smooth routine but at least we have choice and a little more freedom. I'm thankful for the flexibility we have with homeschooling!

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