Ethaniel Off To School

Since a few months ago, I knew that Joel's education would be settled. So, I just had Ethaniel to worry about.


About 1 month ago, a homeschooling Mother advertised that she was going to open up a learning centre. So, I did meet up with her and was happy with the prospect that Ethaniel will be in good hands of such an experienced teacher.


Unfortunately it did not materialize and I knew about it a day before I had to send him. I was out of the country for almost 1 month - the whole of December 2009. A little dazed, I knew there is something better for him.... On the same day, I discovered another learning centre and called up. It was promising and even better than the 1st one.


To summarise it, Ethaniel has been going to this place for 1 week from 5 - 9 Jan and he totally LOVES it. He has made some very nice little friends. He is also learning well. He has some complain about the lunch but other than that, he is having heaps of fun.


"I am very sure that I want to go to this school. For sure. Until I am big." Ethaniel said with such joy on his face.


I am just a blissful Mother!!!


Both the boys are enjoying school so much. What more can I ask for?

Nervous, Scared & Excited!!

Mother and Son was nervous.


Probably Mum was more nervous. Not exactly sure, it was difficult to tell.


At 13+ years old, this is his 1st day at formal school. Not exactly formal. Its a learning centre. He is preparing for O Levels Cambridge... for the nex 3.5 years. There were 17 others boys and girls who was probably as nervous as him.


"I am so nervous, scared and excited all at the same time!!!" Joel exclaimed just the night before. He has been expecting to start his classes on 4 Jan 2010, since 3 months ago. Emotionally he is prepared, I think.


Today, Friday, after attending classes for a whole week, Joel has declared that school was, "Awesome!!" He is really enjoying his subjects, especially Math, because of the Teacher. The Teacher is an exceptionally good teacher. Science will be conducted at the Zoo next week. Seems like heaps of fun and practical learning moments.


He has sports curriculum on Thursdays and a Badminton Coach has been engaged for those students who would like to learn the basics. Well, he is going for that. He had heaps of fun and I was joining another Mother at the other side of the courts, just for fun. Even Ethaniel has agreed to go under the Coach. This is a good thing. At least, I don't have to make additional effort of getting a Coach for him in the future.


This marks the end of my journey as a Homeschooling Mother. 2010. A start of a new journey, new season. I have been homeschooling since Joel was 5 years old. He is now 13+ years old. That was 8 years ago...


Time to move on.


But to what?

Day Out at Rot Fai Park

The Bangkok Homeschoolers had a day out at Rot Fai Park. Its our family's first visit to this place eventhough it's very near to Chatuchak Park. We had almost perfect weather. Cool and windy.


The children and I really enjoyed ourselves. It was a great park! Why didn't I discover it earlier???


Rental of bicycle was only THB20 (RM2) per bike for a whole day. The bicycle was in great condition and fun to ride. There were practically hundreds to choose from.

In Thai, its called Suan Rot Fai

My children really enjoyed this part... Its a replica of Bangkok road, equipped with traffic lights. The only thing missing was the Bangkok traffic.

Ethaniel really liked this bike... I want a new bike, Mummy!

The boys having a great time, sweating it out!

Do you see my pink bike? So girlie..

Ethaniel playing with J, 15 years old homeschooler at the lunch table.
He likes Ethaniel... kept pinching his face and say, "So cute". It was so funny. Who says that homeschoolers don't have social skills? A 7 years old playing perfectly well with a 15 years old.
They genuinely liked each other.



This is my 2nd time going out with this little boy. It was difficult to get him smile or to hold my hand. His Mummy says that he is shy. After a few hours later, I came over to him and told him to give me a smile. He looked over his shoulder for his Mummy but Mummy was not around. He decided that its OK to smile. I am so proud to have had captured this photo. So cute.

We were there from 11am to about 3pm. With an hour lunch break inbetween.


There is a small swimming pool but we didn't bring extra clothings, so, the children go for a dip.


Great place for the family to hang-out! We will definitely be back!

Training

I have been going through a very intensive homeschooling training from the ACE curriculum for the last 3 days.


I must admit that I was not prepared to undergo the training in such a manner. Let me explain... We were required to sit at a desk which is called "office" for the last 3 days, doing worksheet based assignment. Meaning, read some information and fill in the blanks. The information is required to be checked, corrected and re-checked. And eventually we had to take a test.


There were memorization of scripture, merit and demerit points depending on good or bad character behaviour and etc.


To sum it up, I am now brain-dead! When I return home to Bangkok, Thailand, I will be more gracious to my son. I can emphatize with him.... having to sit down and do the work requireds A LOT of concentration, focus and energy.


Anyway, I am glad the training is over.... It will take me a few days to recover and rest.

I Can Read!

I teach a phonetic program to Ethaniel and we have been at it for the last 2 years. It's a very comprehensive program which includes Math as well. Its called Christ Centered Curriculum (CCC) by Advanced Training Institute (ATI) from the United States.

The 1st year was slow. Many breaks, holidays, interruptions and lazy days. Difficult to get him to sit quietly, still cannot get him to sit quietly. I have almost done away with the dream of having my sons sit down the whole day without having to pee 20 times, tease each other 400 times, joke around 600 times and miscellaneous stuffs about 800 times a day. Yes, a little exaggeration. That's what Mothers do.

Since yesterday, Ethaniel has been able to read his blends and make words. Wow! Double wow! He has been a little slower than Joel to catch the phonetics thingy but somehow, he has GOT IT. Something must have clicked in his little cute brain.

Ethaniel: J-U, ju... M-P...mp... jump. Is it correct?

Me: Yes!!!

Ethaniel: Yeah! I can read!

Me: Wow! I am so proud of you!!

Ethaniel: I am so happy! I can read.

Me: Why?

Ethaniel: Because I don't have to ask Mommy to read to me. I can read it MYSELF.

I can see pride oozing out of his ears. He has been wanting to read for a long time. He usually pick up some books, sit on the couch and flips it. I think staring at the pictures. Must have been very frustrating not being able to understand the words. Sometimes Joel will read to him.

Phew! My effort is bearing fruits. A proud moment for Mommy. But actually more relief. Its tiring teaching phonics day in and day out... Its about time!

He makes jokes, faces and laughs THROUGHOUT teaching sessions

My Little Son, Who Likes to TEST His Mother's Patience

A Homeschooler Mother's pre-warning to his 6 years old homeschooled son.

(I was in the toilet and he was not far away)

Me: We are going to start studies in 10 mins AND no whining when we begin! (He has the tendency to whine for the sake of whining. Just to show that he prefers to do other things then to study)

Ethaniel: Can I whine NOW?

Me: What did you say? *stretching my words a little, added with a touch of "I didn't hear you"* (Wanted to know if this child is THAT rebellious)

Ethaniel: Nevermind.

Good idea. Smart boy.

One of Those Days

Yes, its one of those days when Ethaniel drives me up the wall and OUT the window.

In the middle of our studies, his constant jokes, funny faces, dawdling, "Can I have a hug and a kiss?", "I am tired", "I am hungry", "Can I have my dessert now?", "Can I have my 10 mins break now?". I have to repeat request again and again AND again! Not forgetting his new found habit of making funny noises with his lips which absolutely drives his brother up the wall with RAGE! So, both of them were at each others throat whole morning (They had to sit beside each other for studies).

When it was time to finish his Math, he insisted on doing extra 6 pages of work. I had enough of teaching for the day!!!! Let's finish NOW! But this little boy was having so much fun doing the Math exercise that he MUST continue for another 6 pages. There were those days I had to threaten him to do his work. I don't understand this boy.

"Ethaniel please close the door," I screamed from the kitchen.

"Yes, Honey!" exclaimed Ethaniel.

Now, how do you stay angry with this little boy?

A Typical Homeschooler's Day

Today's blogging is very late... I have just finished EVERYTHING I need to do... almost...

Let's see, what is a typical homeschooler's day...

• Wake up
• Devotion
• Teaching
• Prepare lunch
• Short nap
• Teaching
• Read aloud stories
• Prepare dinner
• Dinner
  
• Drove the children to the barber
• Send them home and went to Tesco to do grocery shopping
• Unpack, rearranged the foodstuff, clean up the kitchen
  
• Correct Joel's books
• My own free time

Its about 11.49pm now. Its been a long day.... But a good day because I have accomplished quite a bit.

Back to School... At Home!

After taking a long break, homeschooling was back to schedule yesterday Friday, 4 January 2008. Our first day of schooling in 2008.

I started with a pep-talk with both Joel and Ethaniel. The usual thing about completing their work, not getting distracted, they are getting a year older - therefore have to do a little more work and etc. Afer that, I laid hands and prayed blessings on them.

I must say, that it went better than expected. Ethaniel sat through his Phonics and Math without making too many jokes and funny faces, I had to keep reminding him that he needs to concentrate :-/.


Joel did finish most of his work but not all. Joel has been having problems with Math due to multiplications. So, I sat with him to memorize his multiplication table from 2 to 12. He had problems with 8, so we skipped it and went to 9. I also prayed for him so that God will help him grasp his Math. I was thinking of sending him to Kumon... Not sure if that will work... Anyway, I will try praying for him and working through his multiplication table and see how he progress.


I plan to come up with a schedule for them to tick-off when they finish it. I will implement that next week.

Whilst we were in the car this evening, Joel commented that he enjoyed doing his homework on Friday. It sure shocked us! Usually, he will find every excuse under the sun to avoid homework! Ivan said,"You are the only one in the whole wide world who enjoys doing homework!" Eventhough Ivan was an "A" student, he hates studying. Too much of studying in his younger days, I think.

Homeschooling is not easy and downright tough at times! There are many struggles, frustrations, tug-of-war, daily practice on patience, creative ways to stop myself from hitting my head on the wall, self-control to not rip my children's limbs apart and uncontrollable urges to purchase industrial cellophane tape and hand-cuffs.

Homeschooling is so closely related to parenting. E.g. His diligence in completing his work now will determine his attitude in his future life an employee, employer, husband, father and son. Its difficult to be a lazy son but a diligent employee. But if he is diligent at home, the likelihood of him being diligent outside is much greater.

Enough for now, I will blog more about our homeschooling journey as we go along...

Joy of homeschooling. See, so cute!