ALIEN science

First I gotta say I am just amazed at how on top of this blog I have been (sarcasm). I decided to enroll Matthew in ORVA (Oregon Virtual Academy) which uses K12 curriculem. It is a public school but still gives us the freedom of homeschooling and even skipping ahead as needed. While it seemed a bit too structured, it is very flexible. There is a good structure THERE but you do not have to color in the lines. lol. As long as you take and pass the checkpoint tests to show you are learning they are happy. The student has to check in twice a week but if he attends the online classes (like a conference call with powerpoint) it counts, as does their email program. You record attendance but learning fieldtrips are ok and of course as many sick days as regular school. You can set your own scedule and even continue into summer, only drawback is if you are having school on an "off" day you will not be able to phone for help (oh no...sarcastic again).
Well anyway, that starts wednesday though we have been working on testing ahead all week. It is SOOO BORING though. They start with shapes and colors in math and letter names/sounds in reading. Figure we will get halfway through the reading and 3/4 through the math before we need to actually do lessons. When you get close to the end of a book they just send you a new one. Oh ya, you have books. But the workbook pages are also online so its kinda repetitive.
Saturday we had a fun activity from a little book mom gave me. Mostly for larger school groups and mostly get to know you stuff but some good ideas. This one was to pretend you were an Alien from another planet and you find a creature (stuffed animal) to "observe". Drawing it, measuring it, and talking about why it would need this or that (like feathers). We spent TWO HOURS making our alien costumes only to find that while a balloon makes a great extra head in THEORY, when you attempt to attach it in some way it tends to pop. And when it pops on your shoulder, near your ear, it is not fun. And even less  fun when you have spent hours decorating it (poor Matthew).
For pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/108897241237976546614/ALIENScience#5513948446020445602