Week #14~We Need A Break Addition

Four more weeks to the half way point! Yeah! Though we work all year but technically you get what I mean. This week just seemed to be a slog. Nothing horrible but a grumpy mom and poky children resulted in something like this

F-man~He got a 98 on a LA test which is awesome. LA is, well let's say it's far from his favorite subject. We're at the halfway point in his LA books so right on schedule there. Math is going well. He totally has his multiplication/division down. We're finishing up a reading book he started last summer and then we'll go back to his CLE reading.

Miss Mel~We're pushing to get her LTR books done so we can start her reading textbook in Jan. That is my fault because I think they cram an awful lot into one lesson. Of course if we're not right on target it's not a crisis. How many PS teachers are off their syllabus too? Math is fine though I'm trying to add in more math games for fun.

History~We're still working with the Pilgrims. We've spent a lot of time on day to day life so they get a better sense of what things were like and not so much time on dates. This site has really given us fun stuff to do and a quiz to boot. We've also been watching videos from various places and doing the Magic Treehouse study guide. This was the favorite book of the week

Of course we've done umpteen art projects and crafts and a thankfulness tree.

Science~Insects were the topic of the week. Along with our science book we used this site from the University of Illinois. There's lots of other stuff there. We also watched

We finished up insects and watched the Magic Schoolbus Bugs and played this game.

In addition to our co-op Spanish we've been watching these programs from GA public television. They are extremely well done and are a nice complement. Of course there were lots more art projects and walks and read alouds but I'm to tired to remember them or go take pictures now. Here's to next week and only having two days in the schedule.

Week #13

We spent last weekend at Pokagon State Park camping with my older boys Boy Scout Troop (thus no time to post last week's review). We had a great if chilly time. We totally enjoyed their bird watching window and nature center full of interesting things to touch and lots of animals. Of course we also hiked (PE) , cooked s'mores (home ec) and played games (taking care of that negelcted socialization).

We've used this handout this week to research all the birds that come to the nature center window.

On the academic front

F-man~He finished another LU and began math 309. We started in 305 so he's moving right along and will be ready for 402 after Christmas. He also started a new LA LU. FOr reading we've been using a vintage Open Court Reader A Trip Around the World which is full of good literature bits and geography to boot. He also completed a 5 paragraph report on praying mantids. I hope to do a report on something weekly to build his shaky writing skills. He rocks the history and science so I hope to make those the topics to make the writing palatable.

Miss Mel~She finished CLE 105 math and is ready to start 106 so she's basically done with her first semester of 1st grade. She's way ahead in Learn to Read too. I think she would be bored in public school but I know she misses the kids. She goes to Daisies, Kid's Klub, HS Spanish and PE and goes to Boys&Girls club afterschool programming and she still wants more kid contact. I think unless she lived in a dorm she would feel it wasn't enough. Quite the people person Miss Mel.

History~I structured it so that this week and next we are studying the Pilgrims. Here are just some of the things we're using

Science~We've worked with the above mentioned birds and also studied insects. We've also experienced them as all the nasty Japanese Beetles have woken up in the Indian Summer we've been having. Of course that same Indian Summer has let us be outside at parks and the reservoir so I can live with a few insects.

What would first grade be without art projects too? F-man has no interest in this stuff, much preferring to go build something out of legos but Miss Mel has made turkeys galore and this pilgrim mouse and cornucopia. The mouse goes along with our viewing of The Mouse on the Mayflower.

We also went to L's Veteran's Day choir and band concert. For family viewing here's a very short video. She's the one with the dark hair right above the director's head.

Thank You Veterans

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army


In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow