In my life this week…
It started out with me needing to get the portfolio for this semester ready and up on the web. That took way more time than I was planning. Adding a kid to the homeschool really adds to the work at portfolio time.
To add onto that my website went down Saturday night and it was becoming questionable as to whether we were going to be able to recover. We did and immediately did backups. That also added to the stress of getting the portfolio’s out given that they are hidden on my website so I couldn’t work on them while it was down.
I got them finished Monday night and double checked them with my wife Tuesday night. So they are out of my hands. On to term two.
The only other interesting thing was that I got my winter tires on. It is the first time in years that I have gotten around to it before out first real snowfall.
We also have a new rule in the house that I really didn’t think we needed, that it should have been obvious. “No TV before 7am.” Philip woke up at 4 am and couldn’t go back to sleep so he got up and started watching a Dr Who special. Ian who normally comes and joins us at some point in the night didn’t. He instead joined Philip watching TV. And here I was happy that he had spent the night in is own bed.
In our homeschool this week…
We spent some time on Sunday night planning for our new term. My wife want to take part in the planning so we agreed to do it out of school time. We have a good plan down and I think an improvement on our routine that will make portfolio time less stressful. She wants to implement something they use at work called Agile. I like the sound of it but the hassle is always in the implementation. The bottom line is it is a good way to work and is actually used in business. She has also promised me a guest blog post on it once we have it implemented.
The cool thing we did this week was use the microscope. I managed to get a picture through the eye piece. I have looked up online and a tripod would help getting a better picture
I’m working on…
My daily updates of our trip to California got dropped as I had to focus on finishing that portfolio. I plan on starting it back up on Monday. In the mean time a picture of a California sunset.
I’m cooking…
This is one of those weeks where I called fend for yourself night too many times. My 4 year old now fully understands the term and immediately heads to the fridge and starts digging through it.
I’m reading…
I am currently reading “I am Malala”. It is the biography of the girl shot by the Taliban for attending school. Philip read it in 2 and a half days. Given that I though I might have trouble getting him to read something that heavy and non fiction I was pleasantly surprised. For him I think is came down to the story being told. From my own reading of it I think the style of writing also helped. I have only read 10% according to the e-reader but it reads like she is telling us a story. Already it is a book that I highly recommend and believe that it is an important book to read. I will have to write more on in once I am done.
A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…
You know you are using an e-reader when you answer 53% to the question of “How far have you gotten?” rather than “About half way”
Linking up at:
I am anxious to read I am Malala. I’m glad to see your recommendation. My daughter and I have been watching stories about her on CNN Student News this year.
_I am Malala_ sounds great. I’m going to have to check that out!
I can’t imagine having to do portfolios. It is strange how different the homeschooling laws are from state to state. Congrats on getting that done!! Love the microscope shot. I LOVE your California sunset. Beautiful. And yeah we do most of our reading on the Kindle now too. I thought I would hate it but I love it!!
Your TV and thinking that Ian had slept all night story is pretty funny! Beth’s seizure medication sometimes gives her insomnia. When it does we suddenly hear Barney singing in the middle of the night! Now that’s really scary! I saw Malala on one of the talk shows. She is a remarkable and brave young woman!
Congrats on finishing the portfolios. I’m so thankful we don’t have anything that detailed to do here, but it might make everyone a little more accountable.
I rarely read physical books anymore. I use my iPad for everything, including recipes. I still prefer the Nook to the iPad for reading but I also prefer to keep track of fewer devices.
Your picture through the microscope turned out pretty good, I’d say. Better than my attempts anyway.
You know you do most of your reading on e-readers when you come to an unfamiliar word in a “real” book and try to touch it to get a definition. Not that this has ever happened to me…
Visiting from HMJ – have a great week!
I’ve gotta say I’m glad we don’t have to do portfolios here in Georgia. I do keep records and we do have to write something up each year about each child’s progress, but no portfolios to be reviewed.
That book sounds good; I’m going to be offline more in the coming month so I’m looking for a few good books to read!