Not a good sign

It can't be a good sign when your kids math homework regularly requires them to write more sentences than numbers. Just saying...

Everyday Hell

So my kids are getting deeper and deeper into Everyday Math. It seems like every day I have google some new algorithm in order to help my totally confused kids.

Yesterday, we learned all about Partial Differences.

Of course today, when my daughter had to go back to the standard algorithm she was completely confused, and started mixing up the two methods.

One step forward, two steps back.

Final Wrap-Up

I know the phrase "wrap-up" is probably wrong considering the sparse posting I have done lately, but here it is anyway.

8th grade girl - Straight A's - Honors classes next year in High School

5th grade boy - Straight A's - Scored 600 our of 600 on the Math SBA (NCLB test) - Taking pre-algebra at the local middle school next year.

5th grade girl - A's and B's - Scored advanced on math SBA's

3rd grade girl - Improved 2 grade levels on reading in a single year - Scored advanced in reading and math - Definately gets the "Most Improved" title

3 year old - Can count to 10 - Can say her ABC's - Thinking about starting her on 100 Easy Lessons to read next year

Soon to be born girl (Octoberish) - Trying to decide on a cool old school name - Kicks pretty well

Test

Ing

Straight A's

Yey!  I got two A's in college courses, despite being TDY (traveling) every other week during the entire session, and basically hacking the final projects and papers in a few hours on the day they were due.

Four classes to go to get my Bachelor's degree!

I am taking the next 6 week session off though.  I think I am going to do one class at a time starting in the summer, finishing up sometime in October.

Time to start looking at graduate degrees.  I am thinking about accounting.

Volcano update... and stimulus dollars

The wind was with us... no ash here in Anchorage.

On education funding, Palin, and Alaska.

I am of mixed emotions regarding the possibly rejected education stimulus funding.

On one had, it just seems silly to turn down free money.

On the other hand, for a few years now, I have been utterly convinced that the secret to improving our education system is curriculum reform, not more money.  I am also sort of sceptical about whether the school districts will be able to go cold turkey in two years once the money runs out.

For example, let's say the funds go to free after school tutoring for disadvantaged kids... great idea, but expensive.  In two years, once the money runs out, is Alaska just meant to turn of the spigot?

Too bad we couldn't take the money, spend it all on building brand new insulated fuel efficient schools, and set ourselves up for less spending over the next 10 - 15 years.

Strings attached, blah, blah, blah...

Mt Redoubt Eruption...

Regularly scheduled blogging will be suspended due to volcano eruption...

Unfortunately, the ash looks like it's heading for Anchorage.  Going to make things nasty here for a while.

Kid Update

Collectively my three kids in 5th and 8th grade earned 14 A's and 4 B's.

My 3rd grader doesn't get grades, only S's and O's.  She is still struggling with reading, but was recently diagnosed with ADD.  Supposedly a classic case.  She is now on a mild medication that is will supposedly help her "focus" during the day.  We will see.