End of summer horseback riding

Summer in review - collage

The summer before 8th grade in pictorial review.

Haley had a very full and productive summer. She attended Awesome Math Camp which is a big deal.  There she took algebra 1.5 and geometry.  She *continued* geometry over the summer, completing 110 lessons in Teaching Textbooks with the assistance of her tutor after the camp.  Now she is ready for Algebra 2 this year!!  (She insisted *she* wanted to do it, and she did it!!).

Haley also participated in the 1st fencing camp; but the 2nd fencing camp she signed on as a "coach in training" and lead the younger children in exercises and drills.  We had the opportunity to visit New York City (and peek at Columbia and Julliard).

We had a few out of town guests (Great Grandma Nellie, Grandpa Harry, and Uncle Marquis), and bonding with family is always educational. Of course there was some time to hang out with friends and family.

Haley did extemporaneous speaking camp (in preparation for a switch to extemp this academic year). She spent some time shadowing a prominent elected official.  She continued her piano and harp studies.  And she enjoyed waterpark fun and horseback riding.  We already "met the teacher" and Haley jumped right into reading her biology and watching videos on Cornell note-taking.

All we have left to do is a tiny bit of organizing, and we'll be all ready!!  #ExcitedForHer

Wedding harpist

Open fence day - for family

Its fun to have your family come and try to do what you do - Haley

Extemporaneous Speaking

Equestrian - learning about horses

Every summer we take some time to spend with horses.  The school year gets busy, and the weather is unpredictable.  But summer evenings are PERFECT for connecting with nature.  And caring for horses, riding horses, learning to control a horse, is very empowering....and FUN!!

Home from camp

Haley is HOME from Math Camp.  She had geometry class in the mornings and algebra 1.5 (transition from algebra 1 and 2) in the afternoons.  9 - 5p, Monday - Saturday.  Plus evening homework and weekly exams in each class.  That's 42 hours of math instruction, not counting group homework sessions or private office hours EACH WEEK.  Times 2.5 weeks 105 instruction hours in intermediate math for this 12 year old!!!

She is eager to jump right into summer geometry class (her choice, not mine) and has already (in less than 1 week) completed 10 lessons.  "After that math camp, Mommy, this geometry is very easy!"

7th Grade

The year of TWELVE has been phenomenal for this little girl!!  From a speech that helped win a Peabody, to a premier math-camp opportunity, this girl has been a shining star.

Her curriculum this year has focused on HER.  Whatever she vaguely thought she might want to pursue, we tried to give her a taste.  Afterall, this is the last year of "whimsical fluttering" from flower to flower.  Its time to FOCUS and specialize!!

There are a few *staple* foci, which include math, and language arts.  As stated here:  math is the metronome for the cadence of education.  We focus on math - regardless of the desired ultimate field of study.  Additionally, being able to read well is the foundation of being able to "self-teach."  Ultimately, "self-teaching" is how all teaching is done.  

This is what we did this 2014-2015 7th grade academic year:

• Algebra - we spent last summer doing pre-algebra so she'd excel this year
• Language Arts - Excellence in Writing, Elegant Essay, and lots of time spent doing Analytical Grammar.
• Physical Science - PLUS science fair.
• Debate:  Team Policy
• Piano
• Harp
• Orchestra
• Fencing
• Choir
• Jack and Jill

Also it's important to mention that this year was the year of the Talent Searches. Haley took the ACT and qualified for Talent Searches (in qualifying for 1, it is very likely qualifications have been met for the others).  So we opted to participate in the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and Duke TiP.  These additional merit badges are intrinsically great (especially for a homeschooled child) as external validation of "smartness."  Also, though, they have GREAT online courses (which are outstanding resources for homeschooled students) and summer camps.  It is our intention to have Haley participate in an online course this upcoming year, and go to a CTY camp in upcoming years. 

Summer Plans

• Math Camp (geometry and algebra 2)
• Geometry 
• Piano
• Harp
• Fencing camp
• Debate camp:  extemporaneous 

What she's done from then to now (2014).  

Camp list (updated)

Linen/towels

 Bath towel (2)
 Beach towel (1)
 Hand towel (1)
 Face towel (5)
 Linen (1 set)
 Extra linen (1 set)
 Pillow
 mattress/pillow cover
 Blanket

Toiletries

 Shower caddy
 Shower cap
 Deodorant
 Bath soap
 Feminine hygiene products
 Face soap
 Face scrub/mask
 Face astringent
 Face lotion
 Face spot treatment
 Lip balm (Enos)
 Q-Tips
 Brush (hair braided)
 Comb (hair braided)
 Shampoo
 Conditioner
 Hair Products (braid spray & grapeseed oil)
 Hand cream
 Vaseline
 sanitizer
 Toothbrush (storage)
 Toothpaste
 Floss
 Tissues (pocket and box)
 Nail clippers (manicure set with tweezers)
 Shaving cream
 razors
 Soap carrier
 Sleep bonnet/scarf
 Body Lotion
 Body spray/perfume
 Cotton balls
 Shower puff (2)
 hair accessories (scrunchies, headbands)
 jewelry (inexpensive)


Medications
 Motrin
 Execdrin
 Zofran
 Benedryl
 Lactaid
 GasX
 First-aid kit





Fun in the sun
 Swimsuit x2
 Swimsuit cover-up (2)
 Sun glasses
 Sun block
 Bug repellent


Clothing
 Bras (6)
 Panties (18)
 Jeans (2); jean jumpsuit (1); black pants (1) = 4 pants
 Shorts; (1) skort; (1) biker shorts; (2) jumpsuits; (1) capris; (2) jeans = 6 (outer) shorts
 Sweatshirt (1)
 T-shirts; (10) T-shirts; (4) college shirts; (2) sleep T-shirts; (1) under cami = 16 outer shirts
 Sweat pant (2) for sleeping
 Pajamas (use T-shirt and sweats)
 Terry-cloth bathrobe
 Flip flops (2) pair
 Shoes (tennis shoes)
 Socks (13 pair)
 House-shoes/socks (4 pair)
 Shower shoes
 Dresses (2)
 Warm jacket
 light weight jacket

Extras
 Glasses
 ID
 Stationary/stamps (email)
 belt
 dressier shoes (dressy shoes = sparkly flip-flops)
 Umbrella
 Camera (with charger)
 Flashlight
 Laundry bag
 Reusable water bottle or canteen
 School supplies (pens/paper/pencils/scissors/color pencils)
 Calculator
 Spending money (cash and gift-cards; $200)
 stuffed animal
 Entertainment (computer and Nintendo DS)
 Small purse
 Garbage bags for storage
 Ziplock bags (big and small)
 Fan
 Little rug
 Cell Phone and Charger
 Books and/or magazines (Divergent, Dork Diaries)
 Backpack
 Dishes (paper/plastic)
 This list
 Gifts/notes
 Hangers
 Paper towels
 Lysol
 Tide
 Snacks (gummies and protein bars)

*Label Everything, including luggage

UPDATED:  6/8/15
What we DIDN'T have but ran to the store and got after we checked her into the dorm:

- night-light
- hand soap
- adhesive wall hooks
- private stash of toilet paper
- keychain
- insurance card/paperwork


Updated:  6/15/15
Additional items she asked us to bring during our visit:

- more detergent 
- headphones
- more hangers
- piano music

And we took her a couple of small gifts (bracelet, journal, card, pin). 

MHP Show

It's not very often when you get to see the "behind the scenes" of a TV show when you don't work in the industry.  This experience was very educational, and inspiring to Haley as she watched Melissa (and her team) make quick adjustments and improvise as breaking news streamed in despite their full pre-planned schedule.  It was amazing.