Weekly Report...Week 1

I don't even know where to begin! I wish I could say things went smoothly. They mostly did, but there were are few bumps in the road.

History (Both)
We are finishing up a Pirate Unit Study we started over the summer. We are reading through Pirate Diary and doing the corresponding lapbook/notebook elements. We've also been using the illustrations in the book for picture study. What swashbuckling, adventure seeking boy wouldn't want to look at the details of a Pirate battle!?! We should be done with this unit in two weeks.

Science (Both)
I am WAY excited about science this year! We are using NOEO Chemistry 1. The boys and I are going to complete the scheduled reading and narration pages on Tuesday and Thursday. On Friday, we are getting together with my friend (Tina) and her boys to do the experiments!

This week we read What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew...great book! There wasn't an experiment planned but we wanted to get the boys excited about learning chemistry, so we found one. A really cool one. You can read about it here, but this is a sneak peek...


Language Arts (Magnus)

Grammar...Still working through Growing With Grammar Level 2. I am slowing down a bit in this subject as I am planning to use Junior Analytical Grammar in 4th or 5th grade. It is intense and to the point. The creators of this curriculum recommend you not having a background in grammar. So, the plan is to finish this up and then just review what we have learned for the rest of the year. Of course, the plan may change.

Spelling...According to Magnus, "Spelling is my favorite subject!" You wouldn't have known that the day I introduced his new list to him though. Tears. And lots of them. After a long talk about expectations (his...not mine) it was all good. We are still using Phonetic Zoo (IEW) and have progressed onto list 2 now. Being an auditory learner (him...not me) I thought to put some of the more "troubling" words to a rhythm and that seemed to help! He (and Thane!) know how to spell 'conveive' without a problem!

Writing...I spent some time watching my IEW Teaching Writing: Structure and Style DVDs to refamiliarize myself with the program. I am debating whether or not to get the U.S. History Based Writing Lessons or just work though the Student Writing Intensive Level A. I think we will add in a "keyword" outline project next week.

Copywork...This will be a post fo it's own soon. We had great sucess this week!

Literature...He read Robinson Crusoe by Defoe and A Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis.

Language Arts (Thane)

Grammar...We completed the first four lessons in First Language Lessons. The second lesson he had a short poem to memorize (The Caterpillar by Christina G. Rossetti) and he did it beautifully! We are learned about nouns (common and proper) this week.

Phonics...This kid had/has me stumped. I bring out the nice, blue book (OPGTR) and I get a fit. "Mom! I don't want to read from that book. Those stories are stupid (the boys are not allowed to use that word, so I knew he was serious). I want to read a real book." How can I argue with that? Problem is, he doesn't have a strong phonics foundation yet. Harmony Art Mom Barb, shared her wisdom and experience with me so I have a clearer idea of how to proceed. I am not getting rid of the big, blue book...he just won't know I am using it! He'll continue working his way through the ETC books and playing games from our Happy Phonics bin. He's also going to be reading more from real books. To track the books he has read to me, he is creating a caterillar on his wall. For every book, he gets one circle. He has to record the title on it and place it on his wall.

Copywork...As I mentioned, look for this to be it's own post soon!

Math

Magnus...We reviewed a bit and completed a few lessons in Right Start Level C. I had hoped to get him cought up a bit this summer, but that didn't happen.

Thane...He is moving right along in Level B. Still comes pretty easy to him.

Latin (Magnus)

We're going to add it in next week. I gave hime the option of starting Latin For Children Level A now or finishing up Song School Latin. He chose to finish SSL.

In two weeks, I am planning to add English from the Roots Up. We will only be learning one root word a week. Should be doable.

Nature Study (Both)
We captured a California Katydid and observed it for awhile before sketching it in our nature journals. The boys also "adopted" a tree. We are going to pay attention to how it changes from season to season. Thane chose a Black Cottonwood and we are still trying to figure out what kind of tree Magnus picked out.

Composer Study (Both)

These next few weeks will be full of Johann Sebastian Bach. We read a biography, Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers by Mike Venezia, and have been listening to his works. I am sure at some point we'll listen to Mr. Bach Comes to Call again.

Artist Study (Both)

I haven't been able to get this planned yet. It's on my "to do" list.

Activities

Tuesday...Homeschool Park Day with our friends

Wednesday...Fencing Lessons (Magnus)...more about this in another post soon
...Science Experiment Day

Hope you will check in with us next week! Thanks for stopping by!