We started with great intentions- really, we did! We sat down, pulled out the folders and books, and did our Bible work.
And then I got a call that a little girl Sweet Pea is friends with had had a difficult night and would like to come over- and that was fine with me, of course!
So there was no school today.
We'll catch up tomorrow!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Daily Report
Last night we went to a picnic where my kids got to see some animals and even get donkey rides. A great time was had by all, despite the weather and Little Bird falling off a donkey.
We were out late last night, though, so this morning we started late and slow. This means that we did things out of order and ended up even doing some of the work after rest time.
We started the morning with writing because I can set Sweet Pea up with it, do the lesson together and then she can work on her part independently. This gave me extra time with my coffee and my tired little children. This is what works looks like before it's corrected- Sweet Pea is a pretty good speller but obviously needs some more time and work!
We talked about the Garden of Eden today, as well as prayer. My girls have very different perspectives at this point!
The we worked on the Third Commandment and it's meaning. Sweet Pea knows the 10 Commandments, but we are still working on the meanings.
After that we did French. I like that we do one lesson a week so we have all week to work on pronunciation and vocabulary retention.
We did 1/2 of the math I had planned for the day. Today we mostly did addition.
We had lunch, then rest time, and then Sweet Pea finished math and we did history. We talked about Hammurabi and his written laws. I like having examples of what he considered fair to discuss. Sweet Pea always really enjoys the mapping portion of our lessons and seeing where things happened and what is there now.
Just one of the many flashcards we laminated so Little Bird can have lots of practice with the dry erase markers.
We were out late last night, though, so this morning we started late and slow. This means that we did things out of order and ended up even doing some of the work after rest time.
We started the morning with writing because I can set Sweet Pea up with it, do the lesson together and then she can work on her part independently. This gave me extra time with my coffee and my tired little children. This is what works looks like before it's corrected- Sweet Pea is a pretty good speller but obviously needs some more time and work!
We talked about the Garden of Eden today, as well as prayer. My girls have very different perspectives at this point!
The we worked on the Third Commandment and it's meaning. Sweet Pea knows the 10 Commandments, but we are still working on the meanings.
After that we did French. I like that we do one lesson a week so we have all week to work on pronunciation and vocabulary retention.
We did 1/2 of the math I had planned for the day. Today we mostly did addition.
We had lunch, then rest time, and then Sweet Pea finished math and we did history. We talked about Hammurabi and his written laws. I like having examples of what he considered fair to discuss. Sweet Pea always really enjoys the mapping portion of our lessons and seeing where things happened and what is there now.
Just one of the many flashcards we laminated so Little Bird can have lots of practice with the dry erase markers.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Week Two
Week two started off really well. We did the same morning routine as last week- Bible, Catechism, then French. Then we did writing (Rod and Staff) and spelling (also Rod and Staff). After that we did math- Sweet Pea did Math Mammoth Addition 1 and Subtraction 1 work as well as Primary Mathematics work. I'm pleased to say she's doing really well with the introduction of subtraction. After that we did our first lesson from Artistic Pursuits.
Sweet Pea was really excited to get to do art as a class- I suspect that this will be a big favorite each week. I like that it includes picture study along with technique.
Little Bird had a great time with dry erase markers and a set of letter flashcards that I meticulously laminated last night. I really wish I had a laminator- using an iron takes forever!
Sweet Pea was really excited to get to do art as a class- I suspect that this will be a big favorite each week. I like that it includes picture study along with technique.
Little Bird had a great time with dry erase markers and a set of letter flashcards that I meticulously laminated last night. I really wish I had a laminator- using an iron takes forever!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Weekly Report, Week 1
I can't believe week one is already finished! It went really well, and really quickly. There were some minor speed bumps, but it was a great opening to our year.We did not do all of the subjects that I plan for the year- I wanted to go into this week with an easier schedule to let every one adjust. We did Bible, Catechism, French, History, Science and Math. Next week we are adding in Writing, Spelling, and Art. (OK, I know that I do not need to capitalize the subjects- it makes me feel special, OK? OK?)
Language Arts
Sweet Pea
We didn't do any official language arts. Sweet Pea just recently finished the Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading (OPG), so we reviewed a few of those lessons and read out loud. We went to the library and Sweet Pea picked out some books for afternoon reading time. Sweet Pea's reading stamina and comprehension have really made some incredible leaps in the last few months.
Sweet Pea
We didn't do any official language arts. Sweet Pea just recently finished the Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading (OPG), so we reviewed a few of those lessons and read out loud. We went to the library and Sweet Pea picked out some books for afternoon reading time. Sweet Pea's reading stamina and comprehension have really made some incredible leaps in the last few months.
Little Bird
Little Bird is doing really well learning her ABCs. We are doing them on a dry erase board still. She knows a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,m,o,p,q,s,u,w, and z. We're almost there! Next we'll work on sounds, then we'll start OPG with her.
Little Bird is doing really well learning her ABCs. We are doing them on a dry erase board still. She knows a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,m,o,p,q,s,u,w, and z. We're almost there! Next we'll work on sounds, then we'll start OPG with her.
Math
Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea is my only one studying math right now. We restarted Math Mammoth Addition 1. Next week we'll jump into Singapore again, but this was a great refresher.
History
Sweet Pea and Little Bird
History is a combo subject. I don't expect any output from Little Bird, but she listens right along with us. We did Ch. 6 of Story of the World 1: The Ancients (SOTW). Sweet Pea was really impressed with the opportunity to make a comic book (graphic novel?) of Joseph. This is going much better then last year- it seemed to be a little much last fall but is perfect now.
Science
Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea is my only current science student, as well. We worked on a Rod and Staff science lesson about farm animals. It makes me laugh a little- we are pretty rural, but we are definitely not on a farm here, so the emphasis on farm life isn't a perfect fit for us. I think beginning next week we're going to change to a study of the animal world.
French
Sweet Pea and Little Bird
This is another group subject around these parts. We started Le Francais Facile. I like it. Her accent is French Canadian, and I'm pretty sure it's also a Quebecois accent, at that. Doesn't really bother me. There isn't ONE proper French accent, and if we ever plan a trip to a French speaking area we'll worry about accent then.
Initial reaction is that I'm pleased with it. I think it introduces a good amount of vocabulary, it's quick to do, and it appeals equally well to my 6 year old as it does my 3 year old. That's a winner for us right now!
Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea is my only one studying math right now. We restarted Math Mammoth Addition 1. Next week we'll jump into Singapore again, but this was a great refresher.
History
Sweet Pea and Little Bird
History is a combo subject. I don't expect any output from Little Bird, but she listens right along with us. We did Ch. 6 of Story of the World 1: The Ancients (SOTW). Sweet Pea was really impressed with the opportunity to make a comic book (graphic novel?) of Joseph. This is going much better then last year- it seemed to be a little much last fall but is perfect now.
Science
Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea is my only current science student, as well. We worked on a Rod and Staff science lesson about farm animals. It makes me laugh a little- we are pretty rural, but we are definitely not on a farm here, so the emphasis on farm life isn't a perfect fit for us. I think beginning next week we're going to change to a study of the animal world.
French
Sweet Pea and Little Bird
This is another group subject around these parts. We started Le Francais Facile. I like it. Her accent is French Canadian, and I'm pretty sure it's also a Quebecois accent, at that. Doesn't really bother me. There isn't ONE proper French accent, and if we ever plan a trip to a French speaking area we'll worry about accent then.
Initial reaction is that I'm pleased with it. I think it introduces a good amount of vocabulary, it's quick to do, and it appeals equally well to my 6 year old as it does my 3 year old. That's a winner for us right now!
Bible
Sweet Pea and Little Bird
Another group activity 'round these parts! Seeing a common theme? This went really well. We did creation (Genesis 1) all week. The girls enjoyed reading the many and varied accounts we read and they liked filling out their workbooks.
Yesterday they both summarized the week for a book I'll make for each of them. I'm including Sweet Pea's and I'll just tell you Little Bird's since I wrote it for her. :) Little Bird said, "When God made the world He made animals." They both drew pictures to go with it today.
Catechism
Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea worked through the Intro to the 10 Commandments, the 1st Commandment, and 1/2 the 2nd Commandment.
Sweet Pea and Little Bird
Another group activity 'round these parts! Seeing a common theme? This went really well. We did creation (Genesis 1) all week. The girls enjoyed reading the many and varied accounts we read and they liked filling out their workbooks.
Yesterday they both summarized the week for a book I'll make for each of them. I'm including Sweet Pea's and I'll just tell you Little Bird's since I wrote it for her. :) Little Bird said, "When God made the world He made animals." They both drew pictures to go with it today.
Catechism
Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea worked through the Intro to the 10 Commandments, the 1st Commandment, and 1/2 the 2nd Commandment.
Family Fun/ Field Trip
Tonight we went as a family to the county fair. The kids had a really great time on the rides and we ate a bunch of fair food. It was a great close to the week. Sweet Pea made a picture of a roller coaster to commemorate the fair.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
daily reporting
I'm making out pretty regular with this, for now. ;) At the end of the week I'll post pictures of all of our work for the week- so stay tuned for that.
We added in science and math today, so the schedule is getting closer and closer to normal. Sweet Pea is still at the table working on finishing her math, but the other two kids were done sitting.
I'm really happy with our line up for this year- everything seems like it's a great fit.
Also (and unrelated) the Well Trained Mind forum and boards are down. I hope they are back soon- I use them a lot!
We added in science and math today, so the schedule is getting closer and closer to normal. Sweet Pea is still at the table working on finishing her math, but the other two kids were done sitting.
I'm really happy with our line up for this year- everything seems like it's a great fit.
Also (and unrelated) the Well Trained Mind forum and boards are down. I hope they are back soon- I use them a lot!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
It's quiet time
I am a big believer in the importance of quiet time and rest time in the afternoon for everyone when you homeschool. We spend a lot of time together as a family. A lot. And short breaks for everyone really helps keep the peace. It's also good for Sweet Pea to h ave a good chunk of reading time.
Right now Little Bird naps about an hour and I have her spend the next hour playing with quiet toys, looking and books, and resting. Moose (the baby) sleeps until the kids wake him up. ;)
I use the time to clean, read, rest, or do other things that need to be done.
Today was day #2 of the new school year. We did Bible, Catechism, more of lesson 1 of Le Francais Facile, and history. For history we did chapter 6 of Story of the World 1.
Right now Little Bird naps about an hour and I have her spend the next hour playing with quiet toys, looking and books, and resting. Moose (the baby) sleeps until the kids wake him up. ;)
I use the time to clean, read, rest, or do other things that need to be done.
Today was day #2 of the new school year. We did Bible, Catechism, more of lesson 1 of Le Francais Facile, and history. For history we did chapter 6 of Story of the World 1.
Monday, August 2, 2010
First day of school!
We did our first day of the year today. I wanted an early August start date so we could easily fit 18 weeks in before Christmas this year.
Today we did Bible, Catechism, and French. All three we did together. Little Bird also spent some time coloring with dry erase markers and some pages I have for her while Sweet Pea did the writing for Bible and Catechism.
I wanted to start with the first part of our day and see how it went before adding more in. And I'm glad I did- I really like what we've got going for the first part of the school day. It's less then an hour, so it fits really well into my total time goals. Tomorrow we add in history, and by this time next week we should be running full school days!
Today we did Bible, Catechism, and French. All three we did together. Little Bird also spent some time coloring with dry erase markers and some pages I have for her while Sweet Pea did the writing for Bible and Catechism.
I wanted to start with the first part of our day and see how it went before adding more in. And I'm glad I did- I really like what we've got going for the first part of the school day. It's less then an hour, so it fits really well into my total time goals. Tomorrow we add in history, and by this time next week we should be running full school days!
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