Hello World,
In case you do not know yet, I have migrated to several websites.
If you are interested to find out how to homeschool through college, visit my new website called "STUDY AT HOME WITH JOY"
If you want to get an idea of how Catholic Robinson Curriculum works, visit CATHOLIC ROBINSON.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
ESSAY on CONSPIRACY
Joseph, 16 year old wrote this Essay:
The Conspiracy
There is a high probability that the United Nations are planning to unite the whole world. A step they taken is through the uniting of currency of the European nations which are now called Euros. It wouldn’t be surprising if the whole European continent decided that they are going to be under one ruler. Knowing this, I have made a prediction on how the world will be within fifty years. The world will be divided into three regimes: United Nations, America, and the Taliban.
United Nations will have control of the entire Eastern Hemisphere and eventually found a way to control the Chinese. Since the United Nations have control of one of the largest manufacturing countries, it’s come to the point where if you do not side with the United Nations, your benefits on everything are severely reduced. This means that if a person isn’t siding with the United Nations, everything they buy will be very expensive which creates a system where it will be very disadvantageous to be in opposition.
America represents freedom and occupies the North and South American continents. Despite this, America’s influence doesn’t stretch far beyond its borders because everything is censored. America would be the only nation that still allows freedom of speech but the President is decided by the higher-ups. America’s role is trying to spread the word that living on peace and freedom will bring prosperity to all nations instead of forcing unification.
The Taliban is the terrorist organization that creates unease in the world. It is hard to go after the members blindly because they have infiltrated the high offices of both America and the United Nations. When corruption becomes so deep, it is very difficult to root out the evil. Also, the main reason the Taliban is able to exist is because high ranking officials are bribed for the safety of their family. Also, there are rumors circulating that the President himself pays off assassins from the Taliban to kill certain key people to secure his position.
At this point, the world can change dramatically depending on which side gains control. When America is able to influence United Nations in adopting a policy to promote freedom, the war against the Taliban as well as against corruption will soon be over. However, if the power falls into the hands of the enemy, darkness will soon spread.
The Conspiracy
There is a high probability that the United Nations are planning to unite the whole world. A step they taken is through the uniting of currency of the European nations which are now called Euros. It wouldn’t be surprising if the whole European continent decided that they are going to be under one ruler. Knowing this, I have made a prediction on how the world will be within fifty years. The world will be divided into three regimes: United Nations, America, and the Taliban.
United Nations will have control of the entire Eastern Hemisphere and eventually found a way to control the Chinese. Since the United Nations have control of one of the largest manufacturing countries, it’s come to the point where if you do not side with the United Nations, your benefits on everything are severely reduced. This means that if a person isn’t siding with the United Nations, everything they buy will be very expensive which creates a system where it will be very disadvantageous to be in opposition.
America represents freedom and occupies the North and South American continents. Despite this, America’s influence doesn’t stretch far beyond its borders because everything is censored. America would be the only nation that still allows freedom of speech but the President is decided by the higher-ups. America’s role is trying to spread the word that living on peace and freedom will bring prosperity to all nations instead of forcing unification.
The Taliban is the terrorist organization that creates unease in the world. It is hard to go after the members blindly because they have infiltrated the high offices of both America and the United Nations. When corruption becomes so deep, it is very difficult to root out the evil. Also, the main reason the Taliban is able to exist is because high ranking officials are bribed for the safety of their family. Also, there are rumors circulating that the President himself pays off assassins from the Taliban to kill certain key people to secure his position.
At this point, the world can change dramatically depending on which side gains control. When America is able to influence United Nations in adopting a policy to promote freedom, the war against the Taliban as well as against corruption will soon be over. However, if the power falls into the hands of the enemy, darkness will soon spread.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Our Current Life with Saxon Math
There are many details in our family's Catholic life that will not be interesting in my other blog (mrstreasures.wordpress.com) so I decided to write back here like a journal.
In 2002, I used Saxon 5/4 with my 4th grade boy. Ever since that time, he was getting high grades in math in public school.
Now, that we are using Saxon Math program again with my children, I can see where other parents may have a difficult time with this program.
It is challenging because you have to do 25-30 mathematical problems a day. In the elementary and middle grades, there is a 20 minutes MATH fact drill, 5-10 minutes mental math exercises, lesson (another 10 minutes), practice set problems, and the 25-30 exercises. It takes one hour and a half to do it. It is very self-teaching. There is almost no teacher help required. I personally allot 2 hours for Saxon Math with my children.
The concepts are explained very simply. The exercises spiral back to previous lessons and skills. Thus, you will not really forget the lessons as they are delivered in increments.
Yet, the difficult part for most students is to be “accurate”.
Many parents using Saxon Math just do even numbers one day. Some parents allow for odd numbers on another day. I did that with my 15 year old when she was in 9th grade last year. It was a huge disaster. She had to repeat the book this year. She was not able to master the concepts and skills required. And she hated it so much.
I had to insist to her because I believe in the program. But, does it work for ADD kids?
Honestly, ADD kids, if not medicated, may possibly have a hard time focusing on Saxon Math. It is very easy to get distracted because it is hard work. ADD kids like anything easy so they can go in their own world. They cannot pursue tasks that are super boring.
Saxon Math becomes boring because it is a discipline, a mathematical training and conditioning. Even if it is presented in bits and pieces, it does not have the “funfare” that would entice a child to stick with it. I took the risk and jumped into the program with 7 kids. We are doing Saxon 5/4, 6/5, 7/6 , 8/7, Algebra 1/2, Algebra 1, Precalculus.
The first few months were peaks on some days and valleys on others. It is not just consistent. On good days, the kids get 1-2 mistakes. On bad days, they get 6 mistakes.
Eventually, I realized that I have to be there when they are doing Saxon Math. I check their work. Yet, I cannot force them to have a good day. But, I noticed that if they try their best, they really do well. So how do you motivate kids for the rigors of Saxon Math.
I do not have the answer. I hate motivating kids for what will be eventually good for them. Bribing them to study is not my cup of tea.
So, to cut to the chase, I am like a policewoman in our house during our Saxon Math study period. I make sure they are on task. If they are distracted, I let them read aloud the problems.
This January, my goal is ”accuracy”. If other kids can do it, why can’t my kids do it. Well, in the past, when I was a student. I was not good in math. I did very well with teachers that were patient, approachable and clear. I discovered that mathematics is accurate. There are many ways to do a problem. Thus, many roads to lead to a solution. Yet, the answer is exact.
So, I always tell my children that “accuracy” is possible. It is very likely that if they will be able to discover where they are being “careless” and why they are making the same mistakes over and over again, they might have made an important discovery in their way of studying. What is the point that makes their mind careless? Why can’t they achieve accuracy when it is not impossible? Why can other kids be accurate and why can’t they be accurate? What are they doing right? What are they doing wrong?
They can wait until they are adults to figure this out or we can help these kids explore their weaknesses in an environment where you can cheer them up to do better. We can encourage them to try again. We can help them understand themselves.
Recently, I tried to do 5 exercises at a time in Saxon Math. I let them re-do those 5 exercises. I let them note the differences with their first set of answers and compare it to their second set of answers. I let them check if they copied the numbers right to be able to calculate it right. I make them re-read the word problems again to make sure they have the “givens” and the “mathematical sentence” right. I let them double check their decimal placement. I let them look if it requires a “$” sign. I let them take a quick look if they put the right “units” in word problems. These are common errors in Saxon Math that hinders them from achieving 100% error rate. It is very frustrating for a child to know how to solve a mathematical problem and to realize that their error was due to carelessness.
I give them credit for trying their best. I grieve with them on having the right process and the wrong answer. The hardest part is encouraging them that there is a purpose for to this “accuracy” thing.
For my 16 year daughter doing Prealgebra 1/2 she finally is getting 100% accuracy for the last four days. We initially tried doing exercises 1-30, and then re-doing it and checking the difference. She had 1-2 errors using this technique. So when I switched to every 5 exercises, her error rate went to zero. Well, except today. We figured it was because she has tonsillitis.
I tried the every ” 5 exercises and then check” method with my highly distractible son and it is not really working for him. He memorizes his previous answers which defeats the purpose the re-check.
I’m afraid I had to let 4 kids start from the beginning of the lesson for various reasons. The 17 year old started on Saxon Algebra II and gave up. So, I had him do the placement test and he is on the Saxon Algebra level. So far, I am not getting feedback yet on this.
My 16 year old volunteered to start over again with his Precalculus after being stuck somewhere.
My 12 year old started Saxon 7/6 from the beginning again after showing severe erratic scores. I just learned a few days ago that he forgot to multiply two-digits which was extensively covered in Saxon 6/5.
But, we are not giving up because I am not allowing them to give up. If I had Saxon Math when I was younger, I would have done better in Math. I mean, I would have felt confident with my mathematical skills. In Saxon Math, the method gives you considerable confidence that you can tackle math problems because the repetition makes mathematical calculations automatic.
Detractors say it discourages word problem solving. For me, it helps the kids see “patterns” in identifying the appropriate mathematical sentence and solution for the word problems.
So, that is our life in Saxon. And, yes, despite being challenged with my children, I highly recommend it.
My bottom line with this long post is Saxon Math is what “strengthening, conditioning, endurance” exercises are to our body. It is a discipline to achieve accuracy, endurance and confidence to make the mathematical part of our brain invincible and strong.
In 2002, I used Saxon 5/4 with my 4th grade boy. Ever since that time, he was getting high grades in math in public school.
Now, that we are using Saxon Math program again with my children, I can see where other parents may have a difficult time with this program.
It is challenging because you have to do 25-30 mathematical problems a day. In the elementary and middle grades, there is a 20 minutes MATH fact drill, 5-10 minutes mental math exercises, lesson (another 10 minutes), practice set problems, and the 25-30 exercises. It takes one hour and a half to do it. It is very self-teaching. There is almost no teacher help required. I personally allot 2 hours for Saxon Math with my children.
The concepts are explained very simply. The exercises spiral back to previous lessons and skills. Thus, you will not really forget the lessons as they are delivered in increments.
Yet, the difficult part for most students is to be “accurate”.
Many parents using Saxon Math just do even numbers one day. Some parents allow for odd numbers on another day. I did that with my 15 year old when she was in 9th grade last year. It was a huge disaster. She had to repeat the book this year. She was not able to master the concepts and skills required. And she hated it so much.
I had to insist to her because I believe in the program. But, does it work for ADD kids?
Honestly, ADD kids, if not medicated, may possibly have a hard time focusing on Saxon Math. It is very easy to get distracted because it is hard work. ADD kids like anything easy so they can go in their own world. They cannot pursue tasks that are super boring.
Saxon Math becomes boring because it is a discipline, a mathematical training and conditioning. Even if it is presented in bits and pieces, it does not have the “funfare” that would entice a child to stick with it. I took the risk and jumped into the program with 7 kids. We are doing Saxon 5/4, 6/5, 7/6 , 8/7, Algebra 1/2, Algebra 1, Precalculus.
The first few months were peaks on some days and valleys on others. It is not just consistent. On good days, the kids get 1-2 mistakes. On bad days, they get 6 mistakes.
Eventually, I realized that I have to be there when they are doing Saxon Math. I check their work. Yet, I cannot force them to have a good day. But, I noticed that if they try their best, they really do well. So how do you motivate kids for the rigors of Saxon Math.
I do not have the answer. I hate motivating kids for what will be eventually good for them. Bribing them to study is not my cup of tea.
So, to cut to the chase, I am like a policewoman in our house during our Saxon Math study period. I make sure they are on task. If they are distracted, I let them read aloud the problems.
This January, my goal is ”accuracy”. If other kids can do it, why can’t my kids do it. Well, in the past, when I was a student. I was not good in math. I did very well with teachers that were patient, approachable and clear. I discovered that mathematics is accurate. There are many ways to do a problem. Thus, many roads to lead to a solution. Yet, the answer is exact.
So, I always tell my children that “accuracy” is possible. It is very likely that if they will be able to discover where they are being “careless” and why they are making the same mistakes over and over again, they might have made an important discovery in their way of studying. What is the point that makes their mind careless? Why can’t they achieve accuracy when it is not impossible? Why can other kids be accurate and why can’t they be accurate? What are they doing right? What are they doing wrong?
They can wait until they are adults to figure this out or we can help these kids explore their weaknesses in an environment where you can cheer them up to do better. We can encourage them to try again. We can help them understand themselves.
Recently, I tried to do 5 exercises at a time in Saxon Math. I let them re-do those 5 exercises. I let them note the differences with their first set of answers and compare it to their second set of answers. I let them check if they copied the numbers right to be able to calculate it right. I make them re-read the word problems again to make sure they have the “givens” and the “mathematical sentence” right. I let them double check their decimal placement. I let them look if it requires a “$” sign. I let them take a quick look if they put the right “units” in word problems. These are common errors in Saxon Math that hinders them from achieving 100% error rate. It is very frustrating for a child to know how to solve a mathematical problem and to realize that their error was due to carelessness.
I give them credit for trying their best. I grieve with them on having the right process and the wrong answer. The hardest part is encouraging them that there is a purpose for to this “accuracy” thing.
For my 16 year daughter doing Prealgebra 1/2 she finally is getting 100% accuracy for the last four days. We initially tried doing exercises 1-30, and then re-doing it and checking the difference. She had 1-2 errors using this technique. So when I switched to every 5 exercises, her error rate went to zero. Well, except today. We figured it was because she has tonsillitis.
I tried the every ” 5 exercises and then check” method with my highly distractible son and it is not really working for him. He memorizes his previous answers which defeats the purpose the re-check.
I’m afraid I had to let 4 kids start from the beginning of the lesson for various reasons. The 17 year old started on Saxon Algebra II and gave up. So, I had him do the placement test and he is on the Saxon Algebra level. So far, I am not getting feedback yet on this.
My 16 year old volunteered to start over again with his Precalculus after being stuck somewhere.
My 12 year old started Saxon 7/6 from the beginning again after showing severe erratic scores. I just learned a few days ago that he forgot to multiply two-digits which was extensively covered in Saxon 6/5.
But, we are not giving up because I am not allowing them to give up. If I had Saxon Math when I was younger, I would have done better in Math. I mean, I would have felt confident with my mathematical skills. In Saxon Math, the method gives you considerable confidence that you can tackle math problems because the repetition makes mathematical calculations automatic.
Detractors say it discourages word problem solving. For me, it helps the kids see “patterns” in identifying the appropriate mathematical sentence and solution for the word problems.
So, that is our life in Saxon. And, yes, despite being challenged with my children, I highly recommend it.
My bottom line with this long post is Saxon Math is what “strengthening, conditioning, endurance” exercises are to our body. It is a discipline to achieve accuracy, endurance and confidence to make the mathematical part of our brain invincible and strong.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Too Many Blogs
It is not easy to maintain many blogs, yet I want to write for specific audience. However, I have realized that I cannot separate my Catholic identity to how I raise my children, to what I want to become and contribute in our world.
It is for this reason, that I decided to go back to my original blog www.mrstreasures.wordpress.com, the scratch pad of my ideas. So, if you cannot find me in this blog, feel free to visit me over there.
It is for this reason, that I decided to go back to my original blog www.mrstreasures.wordpress.com, the scratch pad of my ideas. So, if you cannot find me in this blog, feel free to visit me over there.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Discrimination Against Large Families
Is there such thing as discrimination against large families in the US?
Oh yes!!!
It is very difficult for many to imagine how two people can raise so many children without snapping. Traditional families with 2 to 3 children are already overwhelmed.
The family of Maria Howard is now experiencing such discrimination. The DSS in their area has decided to investigate the family for abuse or negligence. This came about due to the recent incident when Maria had a brain tumor. THe person who filed a complaint is saying that the parents of Maria Howard are medically negligent by bringing her a bit too late for medical attention.
For all the drama they experienced in finding out their daughter has an inoperable brain tumor, the surgery and recovery, DSS knocks in the door (not literally, by protocol DSS has to give them advance notice) to tell them that they are going to be investigated for an indicative abuse and neglect.
WOW... call that a misuse of precious taxpayer money. Why are we paying knuckleheads to do this?
The least I can do for this family is to pray the Chaplet of St. Michael, the archangel to protect their family from evil.
The knuckleheads are not evil. But, Satan sure does know a way to stir a boat.
Oh yes!!!
It is very difficult for many to imagine how two people can raise so many children without snapping. Traditional families with 2 to 3 children are already overwhelmed.
The family of Maria Howard is now experiencing such discrimination. The DSS in their area has decided to investigate the family for abuse or negligence. This came about due to the recent incident when Maria had a brain tumor. THe person who filed a complaint is saying that the parents of Maria Howard are medically negligent by bringing her a bit too late for medical attention.
For all the drama they experienced in finding out their daughter has an inoperable brain tumor, the surgery and recovery, DSS knocks in the door (not literally, by protocol DSS has to give them advance notice) to tell them that they are going to be investigated for an indicative abuse and neglect.
WOW... call that a misuse of precious taxpayer money. Why are we paying knuckleheads to do this?
The least I can do for this family is to pray the Chaplet of St. Michael, the archangel to protect their family from evil.
The knuckleheads are not evil. But, Satan sure does know a way to stir a boat.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
The Grace of Hope
Maria in ICU now...
From Julie:
We just got out of the recovery room and are now in ICU in the children's
hospital. She only had a strip of hair removed during the surgery so that is
good as that was one of Maria's worries. Bald at 12 for a girl is rather
unappealing.
I hope you will remember her beautiful smile as it might be a while before we
see it again. There is drooping in her left side which wasn't there before
surgery. She did speak to us, though it was a big effort. The right side is
not functioning well at all. The big party in the recovery room was she wiggled
her toes on command a tiny bit.
On the bright side her nurse is wearing a shirt with pictures of Jesus, Mary and
Joseph, the Blessed Trinity, The 3 Kings and the Flight into Egypt.
From Julie:
We just got out of the recovery room and are now in ICU in the children's
hospital. She only had a strip of hair removed during the surgery so that is
good as that was one of Maria's worries. Bald at 12 for a girl is rather
unappealing.
I hope you will remember her beautiful smile as it might be a while before we
see it again. There is drooping in her left side which wasn't there before
surgery. She did speak to us, though it was a big effort. The right side is
not functioning well at all. The big party in the recovery room was she wiggled
her toes on command a tiny bit.
On the bright side her nurse is wearing a shirt with pictures of Jesus, Mary and
Joseph, the Blessed Trinity, The 3 Kings and the Flight into Egypt.
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