A day in our home school, and some thoughts

We've just completed 4 weeks of schooling. I have not started James on kindergarten yet, so Daniel is the only student. As said at the start of the school year, I was and still am NOT well prepared at all; more subjects and chores need to be added. As a result, school has been quite relaxed for my student. I chose Ambleside Online (short for AO) curriculum which implement Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy.

Morning routine: He is a having a hard time following the routine (get up, get dressed, put away PJ, make bed, and come to breakfast), and I'm tired of reminding/nagging him. There got to be a better way to train this. I had used rewards before with some success, but it was short lived.

Bible reading:  After breakfast, it starts around 8:30 to 9:00. Daniel and I take turns reading selected passages from the Bible, while James doodles in his salt box. The passage is relatively short, 20-30 verses at most. We would have a brief discussion and a word of prayer afterwards.

After putting away Bibles, I have the boys recite Pledge of Allegiance in the kitchen. The magnetic U.S. flag on our refrigerator door comes in handy.

Between 9:00 and 9:30, we start Math at the kitchen table. I'm trying to keep it short at 15-20 min. Singapore Math (2B) Standard Edition is our textbook. Daniel likes math but his math facts became quite rusty after the long summer break.

Depending on the day of the week, next comes History, Literature, History Tales/Biography, Geography, or Science. Each lesson takes about 15-20 min, but sometimes drags longer. I read most of the books to Daniel, or have him listen to audio book, then he narrates to me what he remembers. I place him in Year 2 in AO curriculum.

I simply love those living books (not textbooks) used in this curriculum! Some I have read myself but many I have not.  About a year ago, it was an "Aha" moment when the living book idea was introduced to me while I was reading about Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy. I thought to myself, "It makes perfect sense! Aren't those books labeled by my parents as leisure or pleasure books (闲书) living books?" The limited amount of "leisure books" that I loved to read as a child were forbidden or discouraged by my parents because they were not textbooks and were considered useless for getting good grades. OK, here are some of the books that Daniel is reading with me now: A Child's Story of the World, This Country of Ours, Little Duke, Trial and Triumph, Pilgrim's Progress, Understood Betsy, and Tree in the Trail.

Usually I'm only able to do two readings before lunch, partly because both the teacher and the student is still learning this new way of schooling/learning, but mostly, I suspect, because we have a long way to go regarding character training and habit forming. Compared to academics, these are much much harder. I feel that I desperately need to be trained to be the trainer.

Noon is lunch time. Lunch is and has to be simple. Leftover dishes if there is any. Fried rice with scrambled egg. Peanut butter and Jelly sandwich. Microwaved  dumpling. Microwaved chicken nugget. While we eat  or prepare to eat, we listen to Radio Reading Circle on Family Radio. Current reading is a biography of Nate Saint, the missionary hero who laid down his life for reaching the unreached tribal people.

No formal schooling in the afternoon right now. Besides his piano practice and very few chores, Daniel has the afternoon for free reading and free play. He's very into Lego's now.

James is mostly on his own while I do lessons with Daniel in the morning. He is very good at entertaining himself, wandering from room to room exploring or digging stuff out. Feeling a bit guilty of having neglected him, I would read to him or play with him for while in the afternoon.

While the boys are having free play or free reading time, I do housework, check emails, and do reading and planning for home school.  The challenge is how to prioritize all the tasks. Several weeks ago, a minister in his sermon used this quote: "You are what you think." Come to think about it, my choices do depend upon what I deem as essential or pressing. Seems that I need to clarify my thinking now because judging from my doings my thinking is not very clear. :(

 I try to have a quiet time with the Lord after lunch clean up, while with a full stomach sometimes it becomes a drowsy time. ".. but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better,..." But alas, I have the Martha blood running deep in me. Running around doing all sorts of things, or sitting here reading and planning and scheduling; that's what I do so naturally. It takes the Supernatural to transform me to be a Mary.

So far, I wouldn't call any of our school days easy. Oh, maybe except for Fridays, which are reserved for P.E. with Dad and outside activities (choir, library trip, and piano lesson). Sometimes I became quite frazzled and the kids knew it too. Nevertheless, I will not trade any of these days (not even the bad days) with our old days.

James' 5th birthday

James' birthday is September 18. He was very proud that he turned 5 this year.

A dear sister at our light house fellowship remembered James' birthday. She ordered a Tiramisu cake that everybody attending fellowship that Saturday shared for celebration. With tiny candles too! Our family celebration took place on his birthday (Sunday) and we had ice cream in place of cake because we all had too much cake that week.

Yes, I'm turning 5! A big boy now.

James has become quite Lego-mania lately, He plays with those little Lego people (and their weapons/tools) all the time. So it's no surprise that he wanted Lego for birthday. We were lucky to find some Lego sets on sale at Target. I helped him pick two small sets. He was very happy and thanked me after we got home. Oh, he also received presents from 潘德爷爷 (an older brother at church who loves James since he was a baby).

After ice cream, we did the same thing for James. "Tell at least one thing good about James."
Dad: "He can do many things on his own now, like brushing teeth, picking up toys."
Mom: "He is thoughtful and thankful. He sees other people's needs."
Daniel: "Hmmm..." Too busy playing Lego with James.

Since babyhood, James has always been sweet and gentle (although lately he's becoming more rumbustious).  His tenderness and sweetness tugs at my heart. Could it have something to do with him being the younger one? Maybe. While we were at China this past August, my step sister asked me if I favor one child over another. I said NO, and I meant it.  I may have shown my love for them in a different way because each of our children is unique, but one simply can not do a math equation (>, =, or <) for the comparison of a parent's love for his/her children.

What's more blessed than becoming a mother of a child?
Becoming a mother of not one but two!

Daniel's 8th Birthday

Daniel's birthday is September 13. He turned 8 this year.

How did we celebrate? With present, food, cake, and good wishes. Daniel had several things on his wish list: Smurf books, an alarm clock, and Nook e-reader, etc. I bought him a digital alarm clock, something useful and practical. Because I didn't have time to wrap it, I played a little gift-hunt game with him, letting him guess where I put his gift. I gave out clues, and he guessed. After several rounds, he was still not getting it. Then James burst out "trunk of your car!" That's how Daniel got his birthday present. He liked it and I liked it too, something useful and practical. We went out to one of his favorite place--Hometown Buffet for dinner and had a mango cake too. While at the restaurant, I asked each family member to say something good about Daniel. Here are a few of them:
Dad: "He has grown a lot and did not lose his temper as often."
Mom: "He is becoming sweeter. He's willing and quick to admit his wrongdoing."
James. "He plays with me."

Dad and mom also prayed for Daniel that he will grow bigger, stronger, and wiser in the coming year.

It's hard to believe that he is already 8 years old. The tiny little thing that entered the world with a full head of hair and a very loud cry. The extremely chubby baby who crawled through the hall way like a champion and who clung to mommy like a magnet. The hot-tempered toddler who tested his parent's limits again and again. The kindergartner who loved to draw and play basketball. The first grader who struggled with classroom and home rules. The second grader who excelled in math and cannot resist origami.

God, thank you for putting this precious little people into my care. What a blessing to be a mother!

Daniel is 8 years old! 

Mid-Autumn Festival

A walk of the whole family toward community park after dinner. The sun has just set, leaving subtle and soft hues of pink, blue, and purple above the horizon. Temperature is just right. A very pleasant walk under the twilight.

Tonight is Mid-Autumn Festival. As we were looking at the bright round moon ascending from East, several Chinese poems that I had memorized as a child came back to my mind. I recited two of the most familiar ones to my boys on the way back home. Daniel got the basic idea of the first one after my explanation, but showed no interest to Su-Shi's poem. Hope one day that my children could know the language well enough to appreciate the beauty of these poems.

Oh, we did had moon cake after our walk.

静夜思 
李白 
床前明月光，疑是地上霜。 
举头望明月，低头思故乡。 

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水调歌头 苏轼（北宋）

丙辰中秋，欢饮达旦，大醉，作此篇，兼怀子由。

　　明月几时有，把酒问青天。

　　不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。

　　我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。

　　起舞弄清影，何似在人间。

转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。

不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。

　　但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。 

I am by no means a fan of pop music, but I like this song which took the poem as its lyric.
     但願人長久-王菲

First day and first week of school

My two students holding handwritten signs.

I really haven't had the details panned out for the brand new school year for our homeschool when we started on  Tuesday, September 6, the day after Labor Day. I feel that I have to start with something and then add and adjust as we go.  If I don't start until all the planning and scheduling is done, I'm afraid that it probably will never start!

Anyway, week 1 has passed and I haven't lost all my hair ;). I stayed up till midnight everyday this week though, just to get ready for the next day. No, I'm not doing a whole of things with my students. In fact, for now we're only doing school in the morning. I need to add more subjects (Bible study, handwriting, nature/science, geography, Chinese, art, music, and handicraft).

Even for the subjects that Daniel is doing (math, literature, history, poem), I have not got the weekly schedule worked out yet. Oh, I have not even gathered all the books needed. I don't know how to use narration more effectively for his learning.  There is so much to do! Not to mention that I want and need to read Charlotte Mason's original educational series to really understand her educational philosophy. Yes, I do feel a bit anxious, but thankfully not overwhelmed. Because in spite of all these "not"s, Daniel is showing a love for learning, which is so precious.

Daniel working on math.

James working on math.

And let's not forget about James. He loves to learn too! I'm only doing minimal "schooling" with James, Math 15 mins a day using a simple math workbook that teaches numeral 1 to 10. Phonics (15 min a day): Noah Webster's Reading Handbook and the first set of Bob book. Besides, I do as much as possible read-out-aloud with him, in both English and Chinese.


Snack time of the first day.

Turning back the clock in Old Sacramento

September 5, Labor Day, Dad took Daniel to old Sacramento to the annual "turns back the clock" festival. The Sacramento historical district was transformed into a scene straight out of the 1850s. I wanted the whole family to go, but James didn't want to but insisted on going to a local park.

Gentle from the olden days.

Daniel panning for gold.

Trip to China (part 10), Qingdao, with grandparents

During our stay in Qingdao, we walked to my parents' place almost everyday, for lunch and/or dinner. The kids sometimes dreaded the walk, but they always wanted to be at grandpa's place. "Because grandpa's place has TV! Cartoons! And always something yummy to eat!"

Because it was hot and humid outside, because there was not much toys or room to play with, and because there was no book for Daniel to read, Daniel (and James) watched a lot of TV at grandpa's place, mostly kids cartoon. I didn't like them watching TV, but, well, at least they were picking up some Chinese that way. :)

Grandpa bought a cake for Daniel and James' upcoming birthdays. 

With cousin (my step sister's son).

Daniel was watching cartoon in grandpa's room. 

This cousin (my step sister's son) is closer in age with Daniel.  They just loved each other's company.

It was really hot! See, the cake is melting and we had to take our shirts off.

Family portrait in my dad's bedroom.

Farewell. At the airport.

Hope that we will go back soon!

Trip to China (part 8), Jinan, a short visit and college reunion

In front of a spring water pond/swimming pool.

Although I always consider Qingdao my hometown, I actually lived more years in Jinan, capitol of Shandong province, than in Qingdao. All but one of my elementary school years, middle and high school, plus 6 years of teaching job after college graduation.

Oh, hard to believe that I haven't been back to Jinan since I left China for U.S. 13 years ago. In my memory, Jinan was dirtier than Qingdao, but not this time. The tourist attraction that we visited was renovated several years ago; it was cleaner than what I had remembered and was expanded and managed much better. We went with my friend's family. The kids had fun wading in the cool spring water. James managed to get himself all wet.

Jinan is known as the City of Spring Water, with a long and rich history. Within the old city boundary, there are still many spring wells, bubbling with fresh water. People coming from areas with bad-tasting drinking water often comment on how sweet the water here tastes. I didn't understand it when I was young, until I went to Shanghai once. Oh boy, did the water there tasted awful.

The most famous spring in Jinan.

There are many fish in the pond.

The boys with a relative, a cousin. 

With my friend's son.

Reunion with my college classmates.

Trip to China (part 8), Qingdao, family reunions

My grandparents raised me in Qingdao till I was seven and went to Jinan to live with my parents and my younger sister. My aunt's family had lived very close to my grandparents. During my childhood, I saw my aunt  (姨妈) and uncle (姨夫) more often than seeing my parents. Growing up with my cousins, they are more like sister and brother to me. So each time we went to Qingdao, we would always have a family reunion.

My aunt, uncle, my female cousin (表妹), my male cousin (表弟) , and me.

The kids. Cake for the princess' birthday, the only girl in this group.

My male cousin's family and our family.

Uncle (舅舅) was feeding James a Popsicle.

Trip to China (part 7), Qingdao, in the park

My female cousin and her son, my male cousin's wife and her daughter, plus our family went to the central park in Qingdao. My cousins and I had many happy childhood memories there. My male cousin's wife was very sweet; she bought passes for all the kids for rides. Adults and kids alike were very tired when we got home. Although the other two kids (second cousins of Daniel and James) are much older (14 yo and 13 yo), they all got along very well.

Daniel's favorite thing to do in the park was the laser shooting game. James' favorite was the boat and an indoor play structure with lots of plastic balls and foam balls (I don't have pictures for that).

James was sharing a coco drink with aunt Wenwen.

Good old carousel. Probably the only big thing that I had played there as a child.

Soldiers.

Inspecting the weapon.

How do I look? Cool!

Big brother helping Daniel with his helmet.

James was trying out Daniel's laser gun.

Gold old carousel.

Trip to China (part 6), Qingdao, at the beach

Due to the unusually hot and humid weather, we did not get to go on outings that often. When we did go out with relatives, we always had a good time though.

Although not as nice as the one in Haiyang, the beach we went to still gave us esp. the kids lots of fun: digging in the sand, looking for tiny crabs or clams, or just wading in the waves. It was not for swimming though.

James, Daniel, and Qiu-Chen (their second cousin)

My cousin and me. Growing up together, she is more like a sister.

The whole gang on this outing (minus Guibo)

Look what I've found!

Trip to China (part 5), Qingdao, constructions, smelly streets and more

Qingdao, the coastal city where I was born , where I spent my childhood and my college years. Although my last visit was only 3 years ago, although I don't consider myself disconnected with my homeland, I was still shocked at the changes that I saw, changes on the streets, changes sensed from talking with family and friends.
1. Cars, cars, everywhere.There were so many more vehicles on the road that traffic jam is becoming part of life. When not on the road, most cars are simply parked on the sidewalks because most streets are quite narrow. I often marvel at the driving and  parking skill of the drivers there.
2. Constructions everywhere. Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which connects the city of Qingdao to two neighboring islands, was just opened in June 2011, making it  the world's longest bridge over water according to Guinness World Records. A subway system has been under construction. High-rise apartment buildings and commercial buildings are mushrooming everywhere. Actually, the city has expanded to more than twice its size in the last 10 years.
3. Despite (or because of?) the rapid growth, some streets are really dirty and smelly.
Almost everyday we had to walk 20 minutes from our apartment to my parents'. The picture below showed how James (and Daniel) was responding to the bad smells on some of the streets during the walk. The stinky smell came from the community garbage cans by the roadside. The cans were pretty small (about 32 gallon each) with no lid, but based on my rough estimation each was used by hundreds of household. Even though they were collected daily, many of them did stink, badly. And, there were often dog poops on the sidewalk. We learned to be very careful about where we step our feet along the route.

"The streets were not like that before." I thought to myself sadly. I remember one long street on our 20-minutes routine, just outside my college campus. I used to walk that street with roommates, sharing the dreams and secrets of youth. No, it was not smelly at all. And definitely no dog poops.

Oh, eventually, the kids did get used to the smell and did not hold their noses anymore.