Eclectic Momma

We've completed school for the 2017-2018 school year. The school year has been an interesting one. Overall, I felt this was one of the smoothest school years we have had in a few years. I'm attributing that to the structure I had in place for each subject we were studying and how these kids have matured. It's been phenomenal when I look back on it. So, I'm taking a chance to brag on the kids and a highlight of their accomplishments.

My top ten:

1. Tera's first fencing tournaments

The kids have been participating in a non-competitive fencing club for several years, but Tera decided to purchase her own equipment to compete for the first time. Cutting out sugar. Training for several hours every day. Two tournaments--one in Georgia and one at UTK--University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

2. Tera's honor society presentation

Tera was a presenter with our local home school honor society chapter during a forum on preparing for the future. Tera's group researched non-traditional paths. She has worked on this project for months! All the work you see (including the handout you don't see); Tera created! Not only were the visual components excellent, she was a natural when it came to the public speaking portion. She and her partner gave the same 30 minute presentation--FOUR times during the evening. I received multiple compliments from those in attendance (which I passed along to Tera) about her presentation and visuals.

3. Daniel's creative writing project

Daniel signed up for a course in creative writing through Gale courses (it's free with your library card). I was totally gobsmacked when I read one of his completed assignments! It's one of those moments when you are like..."I was worried about this? Why?"

"Leaning over, he pounded his head on the pile of notebook paper. He couldn’t concentrate. Birds were screeching and squawking out on the lawn. The sun cut through the window making the temperature unbearable. The room was suffocating, stifling. How could writers do this? The ceiling was pressing down, he was a captive of plaster! With a cry of frustration and anger, he swung his arm, sending the contents of the desk smashing to the floor!

His mind cleared. A bird was singing outside. He turned, watching it swoop down and flutter off. Clouds were slowly swimming through the sky. The sunbeams streaming down, coated his body with warmth. The walls seemed protective now, a shelter. He had done enough work for today. He still had two days to complete his assignment. He could whip up something tomorrow, and the last day could be used for revisions. It wasn’t like he needed to complete an entire novel."

4. Daniel joining band

During this school year, Daniel joined the local community and college band in addition to his flute choir and a high school community choir. He performed in over NINE concerts this school year! He has grown so much as a flutist!

5. Michael drawing

Michael has been bitten by the art bug. He loves drawing! One of our friends is mentoring him by giving him tips on his drawing and helping him.

6. Acing the ACT

Tera has been preparing for the ACT for over a year. She had a goal and wouldn't stop until she reached it. We were so happy when we got her April scores--a composite of 28 and two sections with a score of 30 or above. Daniel took the ACT for the first time--a composite of 26 with one section with a score of 30. I know it's just a test and it doesn't measure all kinds of intelligence, but I was so happy that all the hard work they put into preparing for it paid off!

7. Michael winning Lego contest at library

If you asked him, Michael would say this was the highlight of his school year. He worked for weeks, maybe months on his entry. All that hard work...

8. Creative projects

When I was planning American History, I decided that we would do projects, creative timelines and map work to accompany our reading and memorization projects. I loved seeing the creativity! Our American Literature curriculum culminated with a research paper.

9. Blue tip and Black Belt Club

Michael started karate when he was 6 years old in the Tigers class. When he turned eight, he moved up to the beginner class. Now, he is in the advanced class, a blue tip and a member of the Black Belt Club that meets to learn self awareness and defense. Sometimes I have to turn my head when they are getting thrown and kicked, but he always comes out with that sense of accomplishment. Tera and Daniel joined the BBC with Michael. I bury my head or leave the room a lot!

When he isn't holding up stacks of broken boards, he is celebrating finishing up our big read of the year--The Moral Compass compiled by William J. Bennett.

10. Dual enrollment and A's

Tera completed her first dual enrollment class in the fall, College Algebra, with an A. Both Tera and Daniel finished this school year with all A's. We used Virtual Homeschool Group for Chemistry and Algebra 2. I was available to facilitate, but all the lectures, quizzes, tests, and labs are graded by someone else. It has been a great experience for our family. Next year, Daniel will be taking Physics, Advanced Math and Personal Finance through VHSG and Tera will be taking Advanced Biology and Personal Finance. Tera will also be doing statistics through dual enrollment for her senior year! Unfathomable!

Some years it's so hard to look back and see what you've accomplished. So hard to put things in perspective. It's very satisfying to be able to see quantifiable growth and accomplishment. Hard work has been the theme of the year! I've seen these kids deal with difficult situations and grow stronger in their faith because of it. They've learned to work with a wide variety of people in many situations. I've seen them discuss the Bible with clarity and insight. I've seen them find clarity and purpose in their own lives. All these things make me walk away from this school year with the thought..."Best School Year EVER!"

1. Michael has been drawing a lot lately. One of my favorites...

2. When your field trip is cancelled, but Mom already made a sack lunch...you have a picnic lunch while watching a video instead!

3. JP and I kinda got the short end of the ice cream stick with these McD sundaes.

4. Michael updated my letter board with his favorite verse.

5. This kid...

6. There is just something awesome about belting out a song at the top of your lungs driving down the road!

7. I'm sitting here waiting for a phone call to pick up Daniel. That will make 4 trips into town today. Gym this morning with grocery shopping and pharmacy stop. Home. Meeting with a friend in a neighboring town for Tera. Home. Left with both boys to drop Daniel off for flute, turn in Michael's comic book superhero entry at the library and karate. Home. One more trip out....it's been a long day.

8. While waiting for Tera, Michael and I happened upon a small, quaint library that still has a card catalog and checkout cards in the back of the books. I was overcome with nostalgia when I saw the rubber stamp sitting on the counter and the library organizing the checkout cards. They have all the historical dramas that I love to watch. Michael found many books to read while we waited. I asked about getting a library card, but they do not issue cards to out-of-county patrons. BUT I was welcomed to come back and hang out any time! That is definitely something I will do with this little card catalog lovin' kid.