Normally our homeschooling day is finished by 1 p.m. sometimes... it takes us until 2, but not normally.
Today I was faced with a highly distractable child...HIGHLY distractable. I think i can safely blame it on the weather. We had snow last night and the air feels odd today.
Since I only have one child I can work with that. So if it takes us all day to get through schooling, that's okay. If it means he doesn't get to do what he wants until later in the day.. I'm totally fine with that. Fighting doesn't do a whit of good and only makes for hard or angry feelings, none of which I deem as in good keeping with followers of God.
So we started off the day doing some chores that needed doing in light of his animal care responsibilities. Things that today just spelled hard times for a lad with the world in his head and not enough focus to get at them.
"Lad, can I help you with these things?"
"Yes mom" was the quiet response. "I just can't do it today".
So together we got out the hose and topped off the crayfish and river fish tank. We even helped Dad out with his tank since he wasn't around and it needed doing. With sadness we noted that our 10 year old pleco has died....
Together we cleaned out the vole tank. The lad's rather disappointed with the voles right now. They are starting to feel too much at home and are starting to defend their territories...(ie...nipping). So we'll be reducing their population by sending some to the raptor rescue where they will start a vole colony for the raptors.
Today I was faced with a highly distractable child...HIGHLY distractable. I think i can safely blame it on the weather. We had snow last night and the air feels odd today.
Since I only have one child I can work with that. So if it takes us all day to get through schooling, that's okay. If it means he doesn't get to do what he wants until later in the day.. I'm totally fine with that. Fighting doesn't do a whit of good and only makes for hard or angry feelings, none of which I deem as in good keeping with followers of God.
So we started off the day doing some chores that needed doing in light of his animal care responsibilities. Things that today just spelled hard times for a lad with the world in his head and not enough focus to get at them.
"Lad, can I help you with these things?"
"Yes mom" was the quiet response. "I just can't do it today".
So together we got out the hose and topped off the crayfish and river fish tank. We even helped Dad out with his tank since he wasn't around and it needed doing. With sadness we noted that our 10 year old pleco has died....
Together we cleaned out the vole tank. The lad's rather disappointed with the voles right now. They are starting to feel too much at home and are starting to defend their territories...(ie...nipping). So we'll be reducing their population by sending some to the raptor rescue where they will start a vole colony for the raptors.
The lad then ran off to do something or other as he just needed to.
When he got back he settled down enough to work on CTC Math (though he tried two lessons that just left him frustrated... we eventually found a lesson that his mind could work with), reading kingdom and science4Us.com. His time was interwoven with mom this and mom that. Different stories and ideas that he comes up with when doing things. His creative side was in high form today. :)
Over lunch we did some reading... we've started reading interactive books where you can choose where you go next in a story. He is thoroughly enjoying them and normally he's able to tell me quickly where he wants the story to go next but today I needed to repeat the options before he was able to make a decision. We are currently reading through "pirate treasure of the onyx dragon".
When he got back he settled down enough to work on CTC Math (though he tried two lessons that just left him frustrated... we eventually found a lesson that his mind could work with), reading kingdom and science4Us.com. His time was interwoven with mom this and mom that. Different stories and ideas that he comes up with when doing things. His creative side was in high form today. :)
Over lunch we did some reading... we've started reading interactive books where you can choose where you go next in a story. He is thoroughly enjoying them and normally he's able to tell me quickly where he wants the story to go next but today I needed to repeat the options before he was able to make a decision. We are currently reading through "pirate treasure of the onyx dragon".
Since we needed to take a break from the house and all it's distractions we headed off to the library to return some books. The lad is required to read a book a day.. We've been going through the leveled readers at the library but the lad was highly resistant to getting any of them out today so I asked him what he thought he could do instead.
"Mom, can I read a chapter of Geronimo everyday?" That sounded like a great plan to me so we came home with "Geronimo Stilton and Mighty mountain Kilimanjaro". "Mom... do you think Geronimo gets hurt alot in this one??"
"Mom, can I read a chapter of Geronimo everyday?" That sounded like a great plan to me so we came home with "Geronimo Stilton and Mighty mountain Kilimanjaro". "Mom... do you think Geronimo gets hurt alot in this one??"
We finished our day reading from our history and science book and doing Logic of English. Our day didn't end until 4 p.m. but it ended peacefully and well. :) The lad was helpful when asked to be, focused for short periods of time and it all worked out as it should. :)
I used to find days like this highly vexing and wearing on my brain, body and spirits. We'd be so fed up and angry with each other. Just relaxing and being patient is definitely the way to go. :) Besides, it gives him a chance to slow himself down as he watches me just going slow and easy with him...
Did we get to making cookies? No.
Did we get to french, music or such like extras? No.
But did we do good schooling? For sure. And that is what matters on days such as today. :) We got done what needed doing. :)
I used to find days like this highly vexing and wearing on my brain, body and spirits. We'd be so fed up and angry with each other. Just relaxing and being patient is definitely the way to go. :) Besides, it gives him a chance to slow himself down as he watches me just going slow and easy with him...
Did we get to making cookies? No.
Did we get to french, music or such like extras? No.
But did we do good schooling? For sure. And that is what matters on days such as today. :) We got done what needed doing. :)
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