Motivational Technique

I have discovered a motivational technique this week! I told the boys if they finish their K12 work by 12, lunchtime I will give them $1. Well they had totally new attitude this week with focusing and reading the K12 site to get the right book and work! It made it much easier to work through the daily plan having students that wanted to finish and focused. I am going to continue with this technique. The next goal is to have them choose something they want to purchase with the money and have save for it.

CAVA

We are moving to California and just found out that the K12 program is used in the CAVA California Virtual Academy program....Our kids will make an easy transition from our Charter School to CAVA! I am so excited...I am thinking our kids can continue with the K12 program while we find a house. The CAVA program is very similar to the Charter School program we are using now. The program gives you a computer, printer, internet connection and the K12 materials.. Also we attend the school once a week for an enrichment program given by their teacher. Also if we have trouble in a particular area, you can schedule a 'tutoring' session. For instance my son had trouble with double regrouping subtraction. After struggling with him to borrow and not subtract a small number from a large number I made an appointment for a 'tutoring' session. And he 'got it'!!
So just hearing the instructions from someone else help him immensely!

Scheduling the School Day

I have been working with my kids to see what works best with their schedules and maximizing the work they can do without getting frustrated. I found that when the kids are 'in the groove' to let them continue on their groove. Even if it's time to take a break, I let them finish what they are working on and then take a break. There are many distractions with the baby, my 2 year old, and the 2 boys, I have a constant struggle to keep each child busy and focused. All day I am running to each child setting them up on their next task, cleaning up after the baby and I don't feel like I get a break. I try to make the school day a typical school day ending at 2:30, but the kids don't seem to always finish their work. I end up completing work with them into the night!
We'll see how tomorrow goess.....

2nd & 3rd Grade Homeschooling

I have been homeschooling my 2 boys for 2 months now via a Charter school and they use the K-12 program. I am amazed at how much materials there is to cover and learn during 1 school year for each of the grades. My older son has obviously completed 2nd grade last year and he has not completed half the materials my current 2nd grader is doing now!