Sunday, November 23, 2008

Cyberschool Adventure!!


I have now entered the world of Cyber education!! As of Friday, I am officially homeschooling my six year old via Cyberschool. (If you're curious about why, feel free to visit my other blog- God's Shining Stars. As my daughter would say, "We are high-tech, Mom!" Due to this transition to Cyberschool, I haven't had a second to spare to blog all of these creative ideas running through my brain!! I'm sure that I'm going to have lots to blog about, but until I get into a routine with my daughter,my time is going to be limited! Here is a sneak peak at my Cyberschool day tomorrow!

I'm going to do some morning activities with both of my girls!

Calendar activities:
Days of the Week Song
What is today? What was yesterday? What will tomorrow be?
Is today an odd or even number??
Create equations with today's date!!
For example: Tomorrow will be the 24th, so we will create equations that equal 24.
12 + 12 = 24
24 + 0 = 24
25 - 1 = 24


Weather: My girls will take turns being the meteorologist each morning. They will predict the weather and then check the weather outside. Next, they will make a predication about the type of weather they think will occur the next day. Using a weather sign, they post the weather of the day on a chart.

After we do our morning routine, we will go online and check my daugher's announcements from her teacher and any email messages she may have from any of her new teachers. She has a 1st grade teacher for her basic subject areas, and then an art and music teacher, and a gym and health teacher. They will communicate with her all via the computer. Basically, they plan the activities, lessons, and materials, and I teach with their support. They provide videos, websites, powerpoint presentations, and live chats. They will be able to see her during live chats via a webcam.
Other activities that I will be helping my daughter with tomorrow are orientation activities such as organizing her work space, taking care of and using her computer, and get to know you activities to send to her cyberteacher. If we have time, I will let both of my girls work as a team to complete a math scavenger hunt around the house.

This will be our morning and then we are off to a Thanksgiving performance for little sis and a Thanksgiving feast. She will be wearing an adorable turkey hat!!



I plan on doing some Language Arts and Math in the afternoon. We are still waiting for all of our curriculum materials to come in the mail, so I'm basically winging it for now with what we do have- luckily I have a teaching background! The great thing about teaching at home is the flexibility. I'm so excited that my oldest can attend her little sister's performance.

After teaching her in the afternoon, we have girl scouts (she'll be a Daisy!) after dinner. I just signed her up for this, because I want to be sure she has opportunities to be with children weekly. Life is getting crazy, but exciting!

Wish me luck with this new adventure!!!

One creative tip for Thanksgiving before I sign off!!! Have your child create their fanciest turkey. Trace hand on card stock like traditional turkey projects. Next, let them go to town with all kinds of craft materials- glitter glue, pom poms, fabric, feathers,google eyes, etc. Their challenge is to create the fanciest turkey to win an award in the Annual Turkey Fashion Show!! My girls loved this!! Their turkey's were way over the top!! I'll try to share photos later this week if I get a chance. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Many blessings,
Jen

7 comments:

Tara Bennett said...

Wow - I love your action plan! I think the turkey fashion show sounds especially fabulous!!!

Lynnie said...

WOW! Good luck! That's a pretty big adventure! I'm sure your daughter will LOVE it since you can tailor all you do to exactly what she's interested in! As a teacher myself, I can understand how hard it is to be giving other children 100% and then find that your own child isn't getting the education you'd like. So far, lucky for us, I LOVE my daughter's preschool. And I've heard a lot of things I like about where she'll go to Kindergarten next year. But if anything starts to feel "off", I know I'll be feeling the urge to take her out too. Can't wait to hear about all you do!

Jen said...

TMI- Hope today goes well,but I need to realize that sometimes things don't always go as planned and to be flexible. God bless your and your family!!

Jen

Jen said...

Lynnie-
Thanks a bunch for your positive and encouraging words!! I love my younger daughter's preschool, too. It is so nice to be able to trust a teacher and know that she truly cares about the kids and sees them as individuals. Have a wonderful day- hope mine goes as well as I planned!!!
Blessings to you and your family!!!
Jen

ParentingPink said...

Very cool indeed! Someday (I know you are busy) you should write and article on cyberschool for ParentingPink. I'd love to know how it goes & if you think it's worth it :-)

Btw, yes, BUY the Pink Tinkertoys...I'm so excited I want to break open the container! LOL

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lynnie said...

Hey, I just gave you an award on my blog! Feel free to post it on your sidebar and pass it on, or just smile to yourself and know that I like your blog!

Preschool Playbook said...

Your school sounds fun and exciting. Lots of new adventures awaitng you and your girls. Good luck with all and I'll be following.

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