A New Way Academy

03/20/2023

The past couple of weeks we have been using the Honest History books. N's choice has been learning about some Japanese culture and the history of the Samurai.
Great books... lots of visuals to dig into, but not so much that it's overwhelming.

03/20/2023

Today N chose to learn some Basic Algebra, so we discussed where Algebra comes from, how it is used, and some "nuts and bolts" regarding equations and variables.

10/23/2022

Today we did our Halloween art and looked at mixing of primary colors from a scientific perspective (since N. is a science lover).

We made hypotheses predicting what colors we would get from (red + blue), (blue + yellow), and (red + yellow), and we learned the difference between hypothesis and theory in the scientific process. We found that we learned new things when our hypotheses were incorrect.

After learning how to make colors, N. chose what color to paint his pumpkin (purple) and what designs to make. He decided on white stars and a white waning cresent moon.🌛

08/30/2022

Great lesson today!
We talked chemistry, reactions, and did an experiment involving double replacement and decomposition.
This lesson was an hour long.... and N loved it. 🤩

08/29/2022

Two points of interest for today.

1. It's good to let your student make goals for themselves.

Today, I asked N what he would like to see more of in A New Way Academy. What would he LOVE to do if he could do anything?... and we would work together to make it happen. :)
N decided he would like to work up to going shopping in our local drug store, which, considering his anxiety and sensory challenges, is a worthy goal.

2. Be relentless in communication, but don't pry.

Lately we have been trying to understand N better. Why he insists on the things he insists upon. So we have been taking some sessions for "social-emotional care" and practicing communication in self advocacy. When a child can express why a light must be turned OFF... or a cup must be placed HERE, then others can work towards understanding the child's logical pathways AND it opens the door to having a conversation with the child about that need. Sometimes, though, N feels timid about expressing why. I try gauge his feelings and whether he truly does not want to talk about it (teens need respect in this area), or if he is just having a hard time finding words for why. If he doesn't want to talk about it, I require him to communicate that.... saying NO is SUCH an important skill that is rarely valued!

Finally, on the menu for tomorrow, N wants me to "tell [him] about new ways to make states of matter."
After finding the definition of chemistry and reading it to him, he agreed that that is what he meant. Off we go!

08/20/2022

We use some of Lenae Crandall's math lessons in our homeschooling sessions.
We think they are great... and pretty thorough. :)

08/19/2022

Just had the greatest meetup with Autumn Grace Manzo from Thriving Heart Studio.

Plans are in the works.

Great things are about to happen for autistic homeschoolers, people.

*~Great things. ~*
💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

08/16/2022

Biology lesson today.
We focused on the nervous system and how our bodies move!
Terms we covered included:
-Central Nervous System
-Peripheral Nervous System
-Nerve
-Neuron
-Conduction
-Axon
-Dendrite

N.'s interesting takeaway was that our bodies have electricity in them.

08/06/2022

Found a GREAT website for our Sea Life science lesson.
Check it out! :)

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08/04/2022

Tomorrow's requested agenda as siblings start school and ANWA starts our own schedule:
Science. Specifically, SEA LIFE!

07/23/2022

The amazing lady who has used a TRUE assumption of competency to give a LEGION of people the possibility of REAL EDUCATION: Soma Mukhopadhyay.
The System loves to scream "NOT PROVEN" and at the same time ignore all the families using it effectively. Including mine. Even as a professional SLP with hours of recordings of us using it.
No matter. We will be busy doing the "impossible" as you label it so. ;)