Saturday, August 27, 2016
Monday, August 15, 2016
CLEP Progress and Homeschool
Oldest is still working on his CLEPs. We decided to work through Time for Writing to give him some review. It seems he has forgotten a lot of what he learned through Rod & Staff English, which was excellent for language mechanics, but weak on writing papers.
He's working through Khan Academy in preparation for his math CLEP.
Starbuck now pays for four years of college through ASU, so I am strongly encouraging him to apply there in the near future. He is still learning to drive, and will be going to a driving school to push him ahead toward a license.
For job experience, he is working as a volunteer with a cat rescue once a week. He's registered with Care.com as a pet sitter, but he needs a license to get to regular assignments. There hasn't been a lot of short-term offers.
For career exploration, he signed up for a free accounting class online, and seems to like it! I think he's found something he might pursue. Computer science may still be an option as well, but he seems more suited for accounting.
My youngest continues to use Time for Learning and Brain Pop for homeschool.
For learning adventures, we've been using Airbnb for inexpensive places to stay. So far it has been a good experience staying at people's homes. None have been shared arrangements, so we had the places completely to ourselves. Our next trip is to NYC where we will be staying near Chinatown(inexpensive food) in a small apartment. Good deal and much nicer than staying at a cheaper bedbug hotel.
He's working through Khan Academy in preparation for his math CLEP.
Starbuck now pays for four years of college through ASU, so I am strongly encouraging him to apply there in the near future. He is still learning to drive, and will be going to a driving school to push him ahead toward a license.
For job experience, he is working as a volunteer with a cat rescue once a week. He's registered with Care.com as a pet sitter, but he needs a license to get to regular assignments. There hasn't been a lot of short-term offers.
For career exploration, he signed up for a free accounting class online, and seems to like it! I think he's found something he might pursue. Computer science may still be an option as well, but he seems more suited for accounting.
My youngest continues to use Time for Learning and Brain Pop for homeschool.
For learning adventures, we've been using Airbnb for inexpensive places to stay. So far it has been a good experience staying at people's homes. None have been shared arrangements, so we had the places completely to ourselves. Our next trip is to NYC where we will be staying near Chinatown(inexpensive food) in a small apartment. Good deal and much nicer than staying at a cheaper bedbug hotel.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Free Comprehensive Homeschool Program: Discovery K12
I'll add this to the sidebar. DiscoverK12 covers all subjects from grades K-12, free online. See here.
My daughter wants to continue Time For Learning(paid), but I will keep this program in mind for the future. Time for Learning seems to be good for her attention issues.
My daughter wants to continue Time For Learning(paid), but I will keep this program in mind for the future. Time for Learning seems to be good for her attention issues.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Classic Novels and Food
See here,
The Little Library Café
Kate Young cooks and bakes food inspired by her favourite works of fiction. This is her blog, recipes included, as part of the Guardian Books Network. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram
Thursday, April 14, 2016
College English Composition CLEP
I am helping my son with CLEP preparation materials. I'll be sharing information here as I find it. If any one wishes to add helpful links, please do so in the comments. No advertisements, please. Free resources only, unless it's for tutoring
CLEP® College Composition Book + Online (CLEP Test Preparation)
CLEP® College Composition Book + Online (CLEP Test Preparation)
How to Write an Effective Essay: The Introduction
Trying this site out: Study.com(Not free)
Simplified Writing 101: Top Secrets for College Success
A Writer's Guide to Powerful Paragraphs
Saylor Academy
Thursday, April 07, 2016
And Then There Was One...
One little girl left to homeschool, and she's taken off with online school, so I'm not left with much to share in the homeschool department.
The fourth grader is working on Khan Academy and Time For Learning for her core homeschool. She does a lot of self directed learning where I help her with books and materials in her spare time.
I'll be signing her up for art class soon, and we've been taking day trips to museums, parks, and historical areas.
For some reason, it's not as exciting with the second child, and even a bit exhausting, but that might be my age. I think I miss the challenge which was invigorating. Homeschooling is old hat now, and the homeschooling community has grown and matured. We are no longer pioneers piecing together creative homeschool curricula and researching learning approaches. What was a homey grassroots endeavor is now big business, and educational materials are much easier to find. The internet has matured over the past 15+ years. Everything you need for school, almost everything, is accessible with a search. There's no longer the need for consulting and brainstorming with other homeschoolers. The ubiquitous tight knit communities have scattered. Those blog communities is what I miss.
The fourth grader is working on Khan Academy and Time For Learning for her core homeschool. She does a lot of self directed learning where I help her with books and materials in her spare time.
I'll be signing her up for art class soon, and we've been taking day trips to museums, parks, and historical areas.
For some reason, it's not as exciting with the second child, and even a bit exhausting, but that might be my age. I think I miss the challenge which was invigorating. Homeschooling is old hat now, and the homeschooling community has grown and matured. We are no longer pioneers piecing together creative homeschool curricula and researching learning approaches. What was a homey grassroots endeavor is now big business, and educational materials are much easier to find. The internet has matured over the past 15+ years. Everything you need for school, almost everything, is accessible with a search. There's no longer the need for consulting and brainstorming with other homeschoolers. The ubiquitous tight knit communities have scattered. Those blog communities is what I miss.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Homeschool Graduate!
New short term goals are CLEPing out of Algebra, Calculus, and English Composition. We take a tour of the local community college campus in April. He's leaning toward an Associate's in Computer Science with a transfer across town to the four year college to finish up with a Bachelor's degree. The community college is very liberal with accepting CLEP credits. He could CLEP out of as many as are available for his degree.
This link is super for finding free college classes online, then there's Khan Academy, and official CLEP study guides. All appear to be helpful for acing the CLEP.
All about the CLEP, only $80.00! This beats the cost of a class.
I'll be sure to update here with the CLEP experiences and results.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
Friday, February 12, 2016
Friday, January 29, 2016
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Preparing for the Spring Garden
Our dollar store has seeds out! I picked up veggie and wildflower seeds, and I'm preparing the beds with leaf and twig mulch, kitchen scraps, Starbucks used coffee grounds, and wood ash.
Pinning gardening ideas at Pinterest. Check it out here.
Our small pond sprung a leak, so I'm turning it into a veggie garden in the spring. I've been prepping it with aquarium prunnings, leaves, sticks, and kitchen scraps. In the spring I'll add a few bags of soil. Source.
The idea of this layering method is from this book:
Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No Kidding!Pinning gardening ideas at Pinterest. Check it out here.
Our small pond sprung a leak, so I'm turning it into a veggie garden in the spring. I've been prepping it with aquarium prunnings, leaves, sticks, and kitchen scraps. In the spring I'll add a few bags of soil. Source.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Etsy Store Experiment
I started selling on Etsy in April, and it's been slow going since that time. My expectations were to sell at least four items a week, but that has not happened. I'm lucky to sell two a week. You can make slightly more per item over ebay, but sales are much slower. So, I'll be closing shop in April at the latest.
My next venture will be clothing on ebay. I may fare better with these items. Although access to quality items in my area is limited, there may be a better return at ebay with the clothing. If so, I'll need to stock less at home - always a good thing. Etsy is great if you sell upscale sought after collectibles, or are talented with handmade. I find ebay easier to figure out as far as learning what sells, and it casts a wider net with the non-vintage sales. There's more opportunity for me there.
The remaining books in my Etsy store will be kept for our homeschool, and the other items will go to a yard sale and/or charity.
I'll probably list a few thing on Etsy in the future, but only unusual highly sought after items. I do find these a few times a year.
My next venture will be clothing on ebay. I may fare better with these items. Although access to quality items in my area is limited, there may be a better return at ebay with the clothing. If so, I'll need to stock less at home - always a good thing. Etsy is great if you sell upscale sought after collectibles, or are talented with handmade. I find ebay easier to figure out as far as learning what sells, and it casts a wider net with the non-vintage sales. There's more opportunity for me there.
The remaining books in my Etsy store will be kept for our homeschool, and the other items will go to a yard sale and/or charity.
I'll probably list a few thing on Etsy in the future, but only unusual highly sought after items. I do find these a few times a year.
Friday, January 22, 2016
Make Some Cash: Online Consignment Store
Quick guide to selling.
They are taking spring and summer clothing until May. If I try this, I'll report back with my experience. I might have some items that didn't fit my daughter stored away.
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