We try to have something special for the girls at the end of our school year. It may be a family outing or a small "program" or celebration. I want them to know that I appreciate their hard work and am proud of them. I do not want them to feel like it is "just homeschool." We homeschool for a reason. I have seen the "village" and I do not want it training my children.
This year, I had each of the girls "perform" something special that they had learned. Kayla and Kalli both played a piano piece. Kammy made lemonade as a Math project in which she learned cups, pints and quarts. Kaite sang an alphabet song. =)
Their daddy read a summary I had written regarding our year and presented them with special certificates. At the closing of the program, I gave them each an award. They each got an item of clothing and a book, small craft or toy.
Kayla Richelle has successfully completed the 9th
grade. Her first year of high school is history!
This was Kayla’s first year of Algebra and I’m sure she is
almost as glad as I am to have Algebra1 behind her. Actually, she breezed
through and I was blessed to have a tutor to help me through. Her final Algebra
average was 87.3%
Kayla’s English credit was in English Composition. Kayla
claims to not care for writing, but I saw her style improve this year. Her
final English average was 95.4%
This was Kayla’s last year of spelling. This year she had
Etymology (or word study). She is a great speller and her final average was
96.8%
Science this year was Biology complete with lab studies and
educational DVD’s. Ninth grade Biology can be challenging, but she studied hard
and her final average was 93.7%.
Her Social Studies credit this year was in World History,
and in spite of that last timeline of world events that she had to learn, her
final average was 97.9%
Kayla’s elective this year was New Testament Survey. I think
she found it pretty interesting. We enjoyed reading some of the New Testament
book assignments together and that made them more interesting and gave us time
together in an otherwise very hectic school year. Her final average was 96.6%.
A new credit was added this year—that of PE. Most of her
hours here came from simple outdoor chores and walking.
Kayla also started piano this spring. Next year, she will
receive half a music credit for it. She also kept learning useful household
skills. Last spring, she basically took over the household chores and kept
things running smoothly while I was sick. It was a real blessing to me having
them nearby and yet not having full responsibility. She can sort laundry, make
a simple meal, and clean a mean bathroom. Perhaps her best talent is putting
her little brother down for his naps. He LOVES his big sister!
Kayla is by nature, a night owl and would like to sleep in.
Therefore, I doubly admire the fact that she gets up without being told at 6:30
on school days. She has her bed made and devotions before breakfast and is hard
at work by 8am.
Kayla tested above grade level on ALL her SAT’s and post
high school in almost every grade.
We are proud of you!
Keep up the hard work—always mind Jesus. You passed the 9th grade
with A Honor Roll (94.6%). Welcome to
your sophomore year!
Kalli Julynne has successfully completed the 5th
grade.
Kalli is very glad to be dome with Math until this fall! She
spent many a tearful morning near despair. She never seemed to want to put it
away and do it later though—if the task is unpleasant, “let’s get it over
with!” In spite of her struggles, she finished 5th grade Math with
an 82.9% average.
Kalli likes to write—in and out of school. In fact, I wish I
could give credit for those “Barbie Closet” sagas. Her final English average
was 93.3%.
Kalli does well in spelling most of the time too. Her final
average in World Building
I also enjoyed reading most of Kalli’s Literature books with
her this year. Once again, it’s time together, a little reading time for me,
and makes it more interesting when you study with someone and can discuss as
you go. Believe me…..Kayla is quite the thinker. Her final Literature average
was 98.8%.
Kalli finished Science with an average of 97.8%. She enjoyed
learning about plants.
Kalli’s final Social Studies average was 98%. She especially
enjoyed learning about some of our presidents. Maybe she will be a fan of
American History like her mom!
Kalli started piano this spring, and came home from her
first lesson in full Kalli form. Bouncing!
As I have depended on Kayla more for help with the baby,
Kalli has stepped up to help with more housework. I am proud of the effort she
is putting forth!
She too, rises early for devotions and to fold her many
blankets before breakfast.
Kalli tested above grade level on ALL her SAT’s. In fact, in
a couple of Math tests, she graded post high school level. The subject she
likes the least.
We are proud of you Kalli! Keep up the good work—always mind
Jesus! You have passed the 5th grade with A Honor Roll (94.1%).
Kamilla Dayle has successfully completed the 2nd
grade.
There is not too much to say about Kammy. Once you get her
started, she is finished in a few hours. School is probably too easy for her.
We jokingly tell her that we might need to give her some Algebra just to
challenge her.
Kammy’s Math average was 96.6%
English 99.6%
World Building 96.7%
Literature 98.7%
Science 99.8%
Social Studies 99.8%
I really believe that she could have had a 100% average by
merely taking the other half of her brain out from behind her back….or is that
taken herself off the horses back? =)
Kammy began horseback riding lessons this spring and is in
love.
She is also starting to step up and take over some chores.
She gathers laundry often and take great care of her dog, Rancher. She’s a
sweet compassionate girl who often asks if she can do anything to help mommy.
We are proud of you, Kammy! Keep up the good work—always
mind Jesus! You have passed the 2nd grade with A Honor Roll (98.5%).
Kaite Weslee has successfully completed coloring ‘gool and
helping mommy.
I think she might have the hardest job of all. It’s rough
being 4 and waiting all day for someone to play with you. It’s tough when you
are ‘dirsty and can’t pour your own orange 'duice. It’s hard when you want a
‘nack, but everyone says you didn’t eat enough good 'duff. It’s not easy having
to share mommys lap when you are used to having it all to yourself.
We all really, really admire Kaite’s desire to be good
though—and she’s doing great. We are proud of you, Kaite! Keep up the good
work—always mind Jesus!
The girls also participated in the Easter and Christmas
programs with scripture memory and recitations. We went on two main field trips
this year. Once to the zoo and once to the Warhawk Air
Museum
If I learn my
ABCs, can read 500 words per minute, and can write with perfect penmanship, but
have not been shown how to communicate with the Designer of all
language,
I have not
been educated.
If I can
deliver an eloquent speech and persuade you with my stunning logic, but have not
been instructed in God’s wisdom,
I have not
been educated.
If I have
read Shakespeare and John Locke, and can discuss their writings with keen
insight, but have not read the greatest of all books—the Bible—and have not
knowledge of its personal importance,
I have not
been educated.
If I have
memorized addition facts, multiplication tables, and chemical formulas, but have
never been disciplined to hide God’s Word in my heart,
I have not
been educated.
If I can
explain the law of gravity and Einstein’s theory of relativity, but have never
been instructed in the unchangeable law of the One who orders our
universe,
I have not
been educated.
If I can
classify animals by their family, genus, and species, and can write a lengthy
scientific paper that wins an award, but have not been introduced to the Maker’s
purpose for all creation,
I have not
been educated.
If I can
recite the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, but have not
been informed of the hand of God in the history of our country,
I have not
been educated.
If I can
play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that
moves men to tears, but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the
universe and worship Him,
I have not
been educated.
If I can run
cross-country races, star in basketball, and do one hundred pushups without
stopping, but have never been shown how to bend my spirit to do God’s
will,
I have not
been educated.
If I can
describe a Picasso, describe the style of da Vinci, and even paint a portrait
that earns an A+, but have not learned that all harmony and beauty comes from a
relationship with God,
I have
not been educated.
If I graduate
with a 4.0 and am accepted at the best university with a full scholarship, but
have not been guided into a career of God’s choosing for
me,
I have
not been educated.
If I become a
good citizen, voting at each election and fighting for what is moral and right,
but have not been told of the sinfulness of man and his hopelessness without
Christ,
I have
not been educated.
However, if
one day I see the world as God sees it, and come to know Him, Whom to know is
life eternal, and glorify God by fulfilling His purpose for
me,
I have
been educated!
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