I have spoke with a few moms that have had the same rough start with Abeka that we initially experienced.  Abeka is an excellent, well written, effective, high standard program.  It can be used in schools, or at home.  The program is very similar to a regular 8-5 school day.  No two children are alike, so learning how to make your curriculum work for you child can be challenging, especially when you like "school" at home, but are aware that it isn't necessarily working for your child. 

Using trial and error, I found a way to use the program in the way it was intended WITHOUT exasperating my child.  I hope if our version looks like it would solve a discouragement in your home, that we will save you the time and heartache of trial and error.  :-)

A little background...  I could put Emily in front of Abeka DVD instruction and she would graduate with honors.  She is easy to teach and doesn't mind to learn information that doesn't necessarily matter to her at this point in her life.  She is like me; she just likes information.  Jbear on the other hand would be perfectly happy to play legos all day everyday.  Now, that doesn't mean his is unintelligent, or doesn't learn.  It just means learning information on a topic not of his choosing is boring to him.  Now, I understand that telling him WHY what he is learning is important.  Gotcha... Got that down...  but that does not increase interest beyond civil behavior.  He is they type of child that has to be tricked into learning with clever ideas, and some fun games.  HA!  To his future wife: trickery is the key!  Works on his dad!  Just kidding :-) 

I think there is this unspoken pressure we put on ourselves to see
immediate results in home educating our children.  People, whether
they admit it or not, are constantly questioning our ability to "pull
off" home educating.  We feel that we have to PROVE ourselves, when
the only One who's approval that believers should seek is our Heavenly
Father.  He formed our children in the womb.  He knows them much
better than we ever will.  If we move at a pace that pleases the Lord...
that should be our plan.  Now, don't put words in God mouth... what he
wants, he says in His Word.  A verse we use often in our home is Ephesians
6:4, Father's don't exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the
training and instruction of the Lord.  That is why I often use the word
exasperate.  When the Lord laid that passage on my heart, I realized that I
regularly EXASPERATED my children by trying to make them who I wanted them to
be... to prove MY SUCCESS to others.  If they are above Grade level then I
will be ACCEPTED AND APPROVED.  Wow, sounds like a me monster in
there, huh!
Here is what we came up with for our Math time.
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In the Teacher's Manual there is suggested time lengths to spend on each topic.  What I found myself doing was continuing on with each topic until it was mastered, DAILY.  A 40 min math instruction became 2 hours, REGULARLY.  Don't do this...  a house isn't built in a day.  It is totally okay to take more than one day to learn the multiples of 4.  This pressure crushed not only their spirit, but mine as well.  By allowing myself to STOP when the allotted time is up regardless if it is mastered, I don't exasperate the kids. 

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So, setting limits was our 1st step.  Prompted by how we organize our time in Classical Conversations, I wrote my plan down on the white board.  As we complete each drill, I mark it off.  This helps Jbear to see that THE END IS NEAR!  ha!  He knows that there is a staring point and a stopping point.  He needs this.  Not every child needs this.  This has seriously changed our lives.  It is a way that he can SEE what I expect of him, without needing to be verbally reminded... over, and over, and over. 

Another way we had to adjust Abeka Arithmetic is this:  My children did not learn how to skip count with every number 1-12 during the years they were in public school.  The Abeka program teaches at a young age and assumes that your child can already skip count, thus, mastering multiplication fact VERY SWIFTLY!  With both children, we elected to take a 10 day break from our traditional math to use Math Wrap-Ups to master multiplication facts.  Whether you like it or not, upper level math is much easier if you have basic facts memorized.  Don't be afraid to move away from the Teacher's Manual.  You seriously don't need a manual to teach basic math, it just eliminates having to plan that subject yourself.  I like the prep time that it saves me.

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This sheet of paper is the only "calculator" my kids are allowed to use.  Thought I'd throw that in there for anyone who had a mini heart attack when they saw the word calculator on the whiteboard.

I'm not crazy about all the games listed in the Abeka guide.  They seem more group friendly to me.  So, we use flashcards, or write on the whiteboard, or use chalk on the sidewalk.  Manipulatives are always fun, too.  Pinterest always has fun math games.  I don't always use "fun" ways to teach Math, but when we need a fun boost then I do.  I have a friend who's child panics under timed learning.  This method would not be a good idea.  She and I think frequent easy games are a great way to make Math enjoyable.  A game idea we were just kicking around the other day was to use base 10 blocks (ones block, tens block, etc)  to make oral drills more enjoyable. (10+5+23+8=)  Let me stress again... Pinterest has more ideas than you could ever imagine.

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For other subjects, here is what I used to review the 8 parts of speech.  I used this in the Classical Conversations class I tutor, too. 


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Here is an activity that we used today, and will use again tomorrow.  We reviewed the definition of verbs today and began with Action Verbs.  As we work through each type of verb, the kids will write examples on each paper and give the verb it's name, "linking verb."  My purpose is that they will continually review each type of verb and visually recognize the difference between each one.  All it took was a marker and sheet of paper... easy!  I am sure A.J. will draw all over them, as well!

Hopefully, everyone is finding their groove for this school year.  Use the outdoors to your advantage!  It's Fall soon, start counting leaves.  This Winter, write in the snow with water and food coloring.  Next Spring, teach math facts when you plant your garden.  4 rows times 8 columns equals how many plants...  Next Summer, who knows!?!  Allow yourself to enjoy this time with your children.  If it is exasperating...  reach out to a trusted homeschool friend... bounce ideas off each other... be honest.  The grass is not greener on the other side, you just need to learn how to take care of your own grass. :-)  Once again... I refuse to proofread this and it may be evident...

 
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We are about to wrap up our 1st quarter! Yay!!  I am planning to take a 1 week break between each quarter.  We have made a few changes over this 9 weeks.  Frustrated over my inability to teach organizational skills when I don't actually have any, led me to a container for assignments.  It will help foster independence as well.  I was hesitant to post anything about this method until we had tried it for several weeks.  It has been a huge blessing.  It has OFFICIALLY ENDED the "how much longer, are we almost done" questions!!!   (screams of happiness)  Here is the brief version:  1 container is filled with hanging file folders.  I have numbered each folder with fun paper to keep them in order.  I think I have 7 or 10 (im too lazy to walk over there and look) folders for each kid but the amount is only because that is the amount I had on hand at the time.  When I need more folders, I just combine assignments in a folder.  So, each folder has 1 lesson, or assignment, or worksheet, or set of flashcards, or book, etc. placed inside.  I ask the kids to go through them in the order I put them in the container.  I do that because I alternate a more difficult activity with an easier activity.  For online activities, I printed out directions on a piece of paper and glued it to cute cardstock. For example, "please bring this to mom to complete the typing assignment online" is printed on paper.  I do this since we all share the laptop.  They do as much independent work as they can (handwriting, flashcards) and I work with each child when appropriate.  It was suggested to put breaks in a folder too so to have schedule breaks but I need to buy more folders before I can do that.  We just take breaks when convenient for now.  They usually happen when I need to work quietly with the other child.  The 2nd container is left empty to hold finished assignments.  A.J. dumps all his finished work in his empty container, which is acceptable by me.  Emily just places hers back in her folders.

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We are using the white board WAY more this year.  It makes us all happy.  We have actually rearrange the office/school room to accommodate White Boarding.  Here is a photo of my sharing MY white board with A.J.

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I still love SPELLING POWER with all my heart.  This evening I was trying to decide what I could use for the tactile reinforcement other that the beach sand we are currently using because it is so messy.  I prayed over it and felt like I need to just no spend anymore money and make do with what we had.  Then the Lord led me to use this as a way to teach the kids to clean up after themselves with a duster.  I printed out directions and placed a duster on top of it.  I'll post a pic below of it.  That will show the rearrange room.  Here is a pic of Emy wearing her Little Purple Riding Hood sweater while taking a spelling test.  She received it for her birthday from Ray's parents.  She LOVES it.

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The basket on the left side is where we keep mittens and hats in the winter and swimming items in the summer.  The colorful box on top is the reward box.  It contains small items such as pencils, erasers, cheap coloring books etc.  Most recently added are coupon type items like 30 min of iPod time or computer game time.  The kids are cut off from the iPods until they memorize their math facts.  It just got really serious around here ;)

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Lately, crafts around here have been of the outdoorsy nature.  No pun intended.  They did soap carving last week, pumpkin carving this week.  Here is a picture of a Buckeye necklace Emily, Ray, and A.J. made today for a family member that is ill.  Ray said Buckeyes bring good luck.  They had about 50 Buckeyes and I mention that they ought to make something for this particular family member for good luck.  You should have seen their eyes light up.  Anything that involves dangerous tools and things found in the woods is right up their alley! ha!

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The beautiful late summer, early fall weather opened the door for LOTS of nature walks.  I have mainly delegated these activities for when I am working.  I can't keep my Hostess Cupcake figure if I exercise all the time.

So that is pretty much a wrap.  We have been moving steadily through the school work.  I still don't love My Father's World but have finally come to a routine with it that seems to work better for us.  Less daily work and more chunk work... does that make sense??  Abeka Math seems to be going good this year.  Language Lessons has actually been quite fun, however, I added a grammer workbook, "The Complete Book of Grammar and Punctuation," for A.J. to tie up some loose ends.  So, the rest of this post has a disclaimer.  Do not read if you don't have your big girl panties on.  It isn't pretty.
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Down to the dirty
I've been waiting to post for several weeks because I have had a bad attitude toward homeschooling.  Many days have gone by that I wished we never homeschooled.  Even typing this makes my guts hurt in horror that I could say such a thing, but had I posted even a week ago it would have been full of artificial jabber or raw emotion that questioned all my homeschooling motives.  Just being real here.  It seems to have resolved, so I feel safe posting.  Some back story on my not-so-normal vow of silence...  The summer after our 1st couple months of homeschooing, I told a woman (in front of her homeschool child) that we were putting the kids back in public school, and homeschooling just wasn't for us.  The next time I saw her SEVERAL weeks later... we were homeschooling and she had put her child in public school.  I am well aware that her decision had absolutely nothing to do with me, she probably didn't even remember my name, but I still regret saying that to this day.  I remember the look in that girls eyes.  I learned from that situation to keep my mouth shut to homeschooling acquaintances when I am going through a "give up" season because it doesn't always last and is, in my situation, sometimes related to disobedience and lack of faith.  We all have "go-to" people.  They don't have to be homeschoolers.  Go to those people 1st and check your motives.  I have a friend that has older children and even though we have chosen different educational routes, she has encouraged me on several occasions.  I respect and appreciate learning from her life experiences.
Anyhow, God has been close by at every moment of this season of my homeschooling journey.  Not so much by the carrying seen in the famoun Footsteps in the Sand picture but probably more like dragging a cat to the bathtub or trying to kennel a Velociraptor (see above photo).  Just kidding.  God has been comforting and gentle.  By that, I am led to believe that He is teaching Endurance.  I was under the impression that I was the teacher.  Apparently, Not :)  I am thankful for God being patient with me.  I have a lot to learn.  We have had some great experiences in this 1st quarter.  I learned a lot about self-discipline, even when I want to give up.  I learned to be willing to see the gray, because not everything is black or white.  God is always there, you have to chose to listen.
I also chose not to proofread, but go to bed instead ;) HA!

 
We have successfully completed our 1st two days of planned learning.  Planned learning is now my new favorite word.  I have grown tired of my overuse of the word homeschool.

I feel that we are off to a better start than we were last year.  If things didn't go as planned or the kids weren't understanding, I would get low grade frustrated.  Nothing crazy, just sighs and eye rolling.  I told Ray that I needed him to pray along with me.  (which he has been fervently praying)  God has delivered!  Our attitudes are much better!  I want to share an excerpt from a book God used to reveal to me an area that I was not up to par in. 

It's so hard to see our pride sometimes - especially when we sacrifice so much for our families, and our goals are for their own good.  Look a little deeper, however, and see if there are some mixed motives driving you.

During your school day when you react impatiently toward your kids, ask yourself why.  Whose agenda was interrupted?  Who was offended?  Whose time was encroached upon?  Whose tranquility was shattered?  Whose goals weren't reached?  Whose schedule was derailed?  Whose expectations weren't met?  Have you ever thought,  "I'm sick of their attitudes and waste of time.  I have better things to do with my time!"  Let me ask:  can you think of a higher, holier calling or a better way to steward 'your' time than to joyfully and patiently train your children?

       -take from Homeschool Supermom ...Not! by Susan Kemmerer p.36


I realized that I had all these set plans and ideas of how school was going to be and look and feel.  When these plans were thwarted, I became frustrated.  Through my frustration, I somehow amazingly made my kids and my homeschool life miserable.  Good thing I read that chapter last week, huh!!  I'm going to blame it on God's perfect timing. :)  So, to keep it short, I am holding my attitude accountable instead of excusing it on unruly children.  Then we all can REACT less.  I am thankful that I realized I was fueling the problem before getting fed up and placing them back in public school.  Just being real here.

SO BACK TO THE FUN STUFF!
Again, we are using My Father's World - Exploring Countries and Cultures.  I think the only area we deviate from that plan is that we continue to use Abeka math.  We use lots of supplemental type materials, but I will cover these as the year goes on.  (example: etiquette factory, lifepac drawing basics, a reason for handwriting, Sonlight readers for reading comprehension, stossel in the classroom, learning our history, etc)

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We have been super flexible in our time schedule because I totally forgot I was providing childcare for the neighbor girl this week.  Normally, we would be learning in the morning but the girls are outside playing.  Yesterday, we did social studies and science before bed.

I went ahead and printed out the DAILY LESSON PLAN from Homeschool tracker basic.  I intended to just use the daily plan as a cheat sheet on Monday but quickly realized I like using it VERY much!  So, I am going to use them regularly so that I am less tied to the computer schedule for guidance.  I placed them in a handy dandy notebook, separated by child.  Not recording the work complete that day will require me to make an extra step for each lesson to enter the correct completion date rather than it automatically entering the current date.  So, I will need to be diligent if I want to avoid that inconvenience.

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Another tidbit I wanted to share is that I save all the workbook material the kids complete until the end of the year.  I put them in binders and separate them by subject.  At the end of the year, I will decide what I want to keep permanently and discard the remainder.

I keep records in totes that have the scope and sequence, worksheets, any tests given, etc. for previous school years.

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Here is where and how I keep my paper records.  Since I use a laptop I don't need to use this area for the CPU.  The folders you see on the top shelf are just a ton of extras.  I always buy folders and I NEVER use them.  As I have said before, I keep ALL my records online.  That make printing transcripts so much easier!  Homeschool Tracker Basic is my application of choice.

I don't by any means mean to imply that my way is the only way to organize.  This is just what works for me.  I work with the resources that I have and are within my budget.

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This is how I organize my curriculum.  It is separated by subject.  It is only the bottom 3 shelves.  Science is in the black magazine holder to the right.  Math manipulatives and writing instruments are in the tote to the left.  We use different bookshelves for the books we read.  However, now that I live in town and interlibrary loan exists, I am trying to borrow more, purchase less, and give away books we no longer read.  I did force myself to get rid of all the unused curriculum from last year that I will not use this year.  "What if...", says the borderline hoarder.  Just keepin it real.

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And Last But Not Least -
I want to show A.J.'s beautiful artwork!