A Fly On My Homeschool Wall

College is very expensive.  Getting college credit from home is a much better deal.  That's why we were so excited to have the opportunity to use SpeedyPrep . Our family learned about CLEP exams last year when a friend took his first one, passed it, and received 6 credits for Analyzing and Interpreting Literature at the university he plans to attend next year. We were stunned! We asked every question we could about CLEP exams, and decided that preparing for and taking CLEP exams would be a wise decision for most of the students in our family. The question was--How do we prepare? Enter SpeedyPrep . SpeedyPrep is an online, subscription-based, drill program. Each exam for which SpeedyPrep offers preparation is subdivided into focused subjects.  For example, Rose Red has been working on American Literature .  Preparation for this course is divided into 18 study sections.  Each section includes "flashcards."  The flashcards are question...

CompuScholar, Inc. offers interesting, engaging, practical computer science courses.  My Super Star (age 14) is enjoying Digital Savvy , a preparatory course for future information technology courses. Some years ago, Super Star (age 14) expressed a real interest in coding.  Knowing that computer skills are empowering, I half-heartedly allowed her to work on that for a while, but I eventually cut her off because she was so young, and I have strong opinions about the amount of time children spend in front of computer screens. She's not a child anymore, and her interest in computers and technology has not waned.  I've had a desire to find a way for her to re-engage in this interest, and this new class by CompuScholar, Inc . fits the bill. Before signing up for the course, we browsed through the information on the CompuScholar, Inc. website.  We were able to open the course syllabus and see whether the material covered would be appropriate for Super S...

I spoke to a treasured old friend about how to cope with pumping 'round the clock--she's been-there-done-that.  She had several good suggestions, one of which was, "Watch documentaries with your kids." That is what we're doing. Textbooks, workbooks, pencils, pens, and notebooks are put away because I simply cannot keep up with them.  The computer monitor (we don't have a TV) is out on display, and we're watching DVDs borrowed from the library. This week we learned about: Meerkats Lions and Cheetahs The Statue of Liberty American Founding Fathers Cultural differences in how babies are raised and how people live around the world (The movie Babies is so outstanding!  I cannot recommend it highly enough!) Komodo Dragons Polar Bears Caves Dolphins How Things are Made (roller skates, ice cream sandwiches, strobe lights, etc.) Our dinner table conversations are more interesting than they've ever been as I ask leading questions and the kids ...

It is early on Saturday morning.  I2 woke me at 5:30, and because I am now getting up at 5:10 on weekdays, my body is awake whether it feels rested or not. He's asleep again. I'm glad.  He seems to be suffering from the same lethargy that has affected the whole family this week. I have used my awake time to get a batch of granola into the oven and read a few "inspiring" blogs about homeschooling.  I have been feeling discouraged all week, and I hoped to find a little something that would help me feel less so. I did not. I should have known that what I would find is opportunity to compare myself to others and come up wanting. When I need inspiration and uplift, I know the place to go is the word of God.  I will do so in just a few moments.  (I've done it now.  I'm glad.  I have no idea why I didn't keep my usual routine and start with my scriptures in the first place!) This week Dad was really sick, J10 had a fever on Sunday and Monday, t...