Homework!

Anyone else sick of HOMEWORK yet?  Ugh.  I dread it every night.  4th grade at the kids' school is rumored to be the worst year of Lower School.  They are only graded on tests & quizzes!  Math and Language grades are weighted 67% Tests and 33% Quizzes.  They've only had 2 tests in each subject but multiple quizzes.  Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out those test grades are critical to earning a good grade.  I hate high stakes testing situations which is what is created in 4th grade.  No room for error.  A lot of 4th graders are struggling with math this quarter too.  Every mom I've talked to about it is having the same problem regardless of what class they are in (there are 3 classes and they teach/test the same).  It makes me feel a little better that other kids are struggling too - that means Riley's struggles aren't because he just moved in last April.  If I survive 4th grade without becoming an alcoholic, it will be a miracle...Just kidding, but it's tough!

Well, I'm grateful for my 11 years of experience in the classroom because I've been finding all kinds of different ways to teach my kids their lessons at home.  Thankfully I have the time during the day to come up with ideas.  I've created games for math for Riley.  He's always up for a challenge that includes chocolate chips or m&m's!  

Kendall has a memory verse, sight words and family words that she gets tested on every Friday.  I've made her flash cards but that gets boring.  I've found some great coloring sheets where you can type words on the pages.  I have her trace and then copy the words she's learning and then I write the words in the picture and she must "Color By Word" instead of color by number.  She LOVES it.  

As much as I hate all the homework of 4th grade, I absolutely ADORE Riley's teacher.  She's awesome and a very dear friend of mine.  She is a workaholic and puts her heart and soul into our kids and I couldn't be more thankful for her.  Kendall's teacher is like the grandmother we all wish we had.  She's the most positive person I've ever met.  She calls literally everyone "Precious" and she shines the light of Jesus wherever she goes.  

Now it's time to have the kids "hit the books!"