Algebra!!

Today I was helping Amy to review for her Algebra test. Since she is a kinesthic learner I had her use the dry erase board and instead of x's and y's as variables I chose to use sunshine and smiley face symbols. She can relate to those more than x's and y's. So in the middle of one problem I asked her how would the product of 5 plus smiley face and sunshine be written? (of course I used the symbols!) So she wrote the sentence as "5 smileyshines." We had a nice laugh over that, but the point is that she grasped the concepts. I explained to her that if she comes across an algebraic sentence that has variables which confuse her, replace those variables with symbols that she likes. It can be anything from Howard the Duck to a rainbow. It made her feel as if she was in control of the algebra, (which she is) and not the other way around. This is another reason I love having her home...being able to teach her concepts in a way that she actually learns.
Smileyshine for now!!

Dust is settling

So, Amy got off to a very bumpy start. Her schedule was just too overwhelming with honors classes as well as a class that she chose to take as a freshman but actually should not be taking until her sophmore year. The first week she was working until 9:00 p.m., not finishing, stressing out and just plain hating school.
After a quick consult with her counselor within 45 minutes her schedule had been changed and within a day I had my carefree daughter back. Love Connections!!
Amy is finding that this year Biology will be her toughest course. The teacher, Ms. Patzin, is super, but she is also super tough and the curriculum is very demanding. Amys favorite class is definitely Digital Photography-I think she will finish that class early because she ends up completing two or three assignments each time it is scheduled.
On a side note, we are leaving for a family vacation to Hawaii in two weeks (can't wait, have never been!!) And Amys teachers have been great about working with her to either work ahead, take some work with her for the plane trip or just catch up when she gets back.
So, goodbye to Summer, hello to Fall and it looks like the beginning of a great freshman year!

Braces for Amy

Yesterday Miss Amy had her braces put on. Everything was going fine until the evening, then the pain and discomfort started. I have never had braces so I do not know what she is feeling but I do know that she was miserable. Today she seems in better spirits, it helped that her orthodontist called this morning to check on her and also a trip to the comic store for an X-Men fix with her friends. Her best friend said that she is lucky that she gets to do school from home because no one will tease her for having braces. Well, actually no one will tease her for having braces because all her friends have braces too! (I didn't say that though.)

Harvest Time

Okay, so this does not technically have to do with school, but it sure is fun! We went to our little city garden yesterday and picked some nice, juicy red tomatoes and basil. I had one last night, dressed simply with a little bit of balsamic vinegar, EVOO, basil and some feta cheese. It was super yummy, reminded me of the ones I used to eat on my grandpas farm in Missouri!
Next to ripen is the cucumbers-can't wait :)

Summer Days

So our days of summer have not been too sunny, lots of fog and drizzle but somehow Miss Amy and her BFF have managed to find ways to enjoy their freedom from the books. Today I went downstairs to run some errands and found the driveway covered with their artwork. I think this is how the Rainbow Fish got started; chalk drawings being washed to sea! Afterwards they crashed on the couch, (teeth started hurting from the orthodontist appointment) and watched X-men for the four-hundreth time.
Love these long summer days!!

Book Drop Day

As promised the Big Brown Truck came today and Miss Amy signed for her 22 lbs of books. She opened the box to check out what was in store for the Fall and I was disappointed that the usual Course Handbooks were not included. Hmmmm, ponder, ponder...I guess a phone call is in order. I knew that she would not be receiving any Language Arts textbooks but apparently all her novels will be iTexts this year as well. The novels not being in the box were a big disappointment. Looks like a run to Borders is in our future.

To Much Time On My Hands Today

So, My darling husband woke up at 8:30 this evening (he is a vampire, works the graveyard shift) and wandered into the kitchen. He saw measuring cups on the counter and food coloring so he assumed I was baking a treat. When he asked me what I was making I said "urine." His forehead furrowed, he kissed me on the check and said "will we be having something other than urine for dinner?" Now, let me explain. I have a copy of my daughters biology book and I like to supplement her labs throughout the year. One of the labs is to check for glucose in urine. Well, naturally, I am not going to use the real stuff so here is the recipe on how to make your own urine. 1/2 cup water, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 drop yellow food coloring. This would be the normal urine.
For abnormal urine: 1/2 cup water, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp. honey or glycerol, 1 drop yellow food coloring (if working with glycerol remember it is toxic, so best to use honey if doing this project for younger ones.)
To test for sugar you use a grease pencil and draw a circle on a microscope slide, place a drop or two of the normal urine inside the circle and dip a glucose strip into the drop (available at most drug stores.) Do the same for the abnormal urine, right down results.You can have your child test other substances for sugar too-koolaid, coke, plain water, etc. Have fun!!