Welcome back, my friends! Are you ready for another year of top notch, personally tailored teaching? Blah ha ha, me neither. Austin caught me with my files spread across the floor and asked, "Ooo, can we start early?" Um, no! Still, it's nice to see hm be so eager to get back to learning.
This year, we're still using a lot of Lifepac by Alpha Omega. I made the mistake of not reading the fine print in my used box sets because LIKE NEW CONDITION does not contain teachers manual, although you'd think like new means like all of the original pieces *_*. AOP was super nice about helping me get the correct edition via the publishing date on my used units. They were so nice to my cheap self and even informed me of a discount that was running at that time. How cool?! My package arrived timely, in its shiny respectable box. I'm not used to newness. Oh, I loved it. I definitely recommend shopping with this business!
The only core subject that didn't really work for us last year with AOP was their Language Arts program. Last year, we used Barron's 1,100 words with AOP. Austin's really enjoyed 1,100 words, but their new edition is almost identical to the previous edition. I went to Glencoe dot com. I entered my state and choose teacher. On the far right column, you'll see "Workbooks" for whichever subject you choose. These are FREE PRINTABLE WORKBOOKS! Get your toner printer ready.
Side note: One of the workbooks caused a paper jam by page 115 (a hefty print) because Austin delighted me with vomiting up dinner as I was printing it. Apparently, he's one of the 5% of people who get headaches from the Hep A vaccine, which probably caused his vomiting. Have you gotten your students wellness checkup and immunizations? Now would be a good time to get that out of the way, before the BTS crew floods the offices.
Field trip!!
After that heart blessing over-share, I want to share something VERY cool: The AAF Tank Museum! It's located in Danville, Va. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children under 12 or adults over 60. It's literally the coolest thing I've ever seen. I wasn't allowed to go the first time because it was "Guy's Day." We got a family pass for $50, which included the day's admission price, so $26 extra. 2 people going twice is the cost of a yearly pass. Today, they had a raffle for 3 chances to ride a real tank. They're operating a flame thrower on September 3rd and showing off their amazing model tanks on the mini battlefield on Septwmber 17th. Today, we met people from Russia, Georgia, and even (our birth state) Maryland. They have 3 huge rooms of tanks, a maze of uniforms and weaponry...oh, it's amazing. Austin was with his people and I was in awe. They don't offer a teacher discount, but (as educators) we need to support one of the few tank museums in the nation. Their gift shop is pretty sweet and the owner is always present. Fabulous place!
This year's school supply list includes:
*Binders - The puppy binder is duct taped and needs an upgrade. Also, our printed workbooks need a fancy cover to appeal to Austin.
*Post-It's - I don't even bother buying the tabs anymore. We use the standard square sticky notes for secure bookmarks, notes, and to quickly share phone/email information
*Filler Paper - Get it while you can! By November, all we could find was the reinforced pages, which are about $5 for 80 sheets. Nope, we resorted to cutting out our old spiral notebooks. It worked well, but I don't want to have to go there again.
*Composition books - I need at least 3 of them and one that is graphed. We use the graphed composition book for math. The lined books are great for storing a specific subject work or journal entries about a current novel. I love to tape/glue printed photos or thinking questions on the back of the last page he wrote on. Composition books seem to be cheaper than a pack of lined paper and they never blow around or get jumbled. Love them!
*Chalk - For some reason, we go through a lot of chalk. Austin loves to share his lessons with those who walk through our neighborhood. We've drawn a walkable digestive tract, all kinds of elements, maps, Pangea...I might be able to get him to write an essay if I call it a blog post and proofread the street lol
*A new Whiteboard - Our old one is a little grey from use. We put the family schedule on our whiteboard, which is very comforting to Austin. I update it every 3-4 weeks, even in the summer.
*A Planner for Austin - I live by my planner. Yes, I'm one of those people and Id like Austin to be one of those people as well, especially as we prepare him to be (early) College Ready.
Most of our supply purchases will come from Dollar Tree, maybe B&N and Walmart. I don't really see a need to travel an hour to Greensboro or Danville in hopes that Office Depot will respect me as a teacher on the rare chance I show up on their Teacher Appreciation day. God only knows when that is *^*. Their manager says it's July 30th for Danville, but even she wasn't 100% sure.
Tax free weekend
I've gotten into a lengthy debate trying to explain to friends that sales tax off of $300 in singular supplies is the same as the sales tax off of a $300 singular item. North Carolina doesn't do Tax Free Weekend, but VA does. Their tax rate is 6%. It'd cost me about $10 in gas just to get to/from Danville, so I'd have to buy $60 worth of stuff just to break even for the day. I could do it in clothes alone, but do I really want to go all Black Friday for a 6% off sale? No thanks, I'll wait for 20% or more. Really, if a store that's an hour away from you offered you a 6% off sale, would it make you bum rush their front door? Nope. Tax Free weekend is a nice gesture, but it's also a splurge plot. Don't fall for it!
2016-2017 Academic Goals
**This year, Austin will be in 9th grade. That means that he will be able to begin early college in the 2017-2018 school year. North Carolina offers the "Career and College Promise" program to all NC students, both public and non-public. Our main goal is to prepare Austin for independent learning.
- Limit questions until the end of a lesson unless they relate directly to the lesson
- Be responsible for completing work without teacher reminders
- Take notes that are important to you, include page numbers with notes
**We will be focusing on different forms of essay writing. Austin does not enjoy writing unless it is by his own choice, which is not always possible. I hope to entice Austin to write by calling these essays blogs, blurbs, spoilers, and using other forms of technologically enticing keywords.
**We will also be focused on PSAT practice, which means that we will be practicing to take the practice SAT. I would love for Austin to take the PSAT instead of the placement test, but I'm still investigating whether or not it will meet our state's yearly testing requirements and, if so, our local high school needs...um, a less than gentle push to include him. #MamaBear
We're SO ready for homeschool 2016-2017! That's a good thing because the family calendar is jam packed right up until July 30th, with church that Sunday, and we will be starting our school year on August 1st. Bring it, grade 9!
What are you doing to prepare for the new school year? Are you "so ready?" Also, how was your summer? Welcome back!
