We'll attempt to homeschool for the duration, Just because we can

Love what you do even when you don't like it all the time, especially when you get to invest in what matters for eternity :-)

Stewardship

Nope, it's not time to volunteer at church for child care during stewardship month. You know, that month when the pastor focuses his teaching on our tithe or giving back of what God's given us. The nursery is ALWAYS less populated that month.  Didn't you know?  Remember, I'm not an elementary teacher.  I'd rather walk without a flack jacket into a junior or senior high school to substitute teach than spend a day with first graders. BUT, I digress.  After thinking about priorities for a few days, I began moving onto the next thing, stewardship. I'd define that place in life (stewardship) as the stage in which we use all that we have been lent by a merciful ORCHESTRATOR with prayer and gratefulness.

I can think about this concept of stewardship because I've been without.  So, when I talk to my kids about living on hashbrowned potatoes for at least 3 years in graduate school, I meant that 10 pounds of potatoes carefully used along with the peels intact through a salad shooter and a tub of Iowa farm-produced lard was the protein, starch and fiber I had to sustain me.  Besides the point that God was really telling me that I wasn't supposed to be in that location doing that job/study in my life misses the issue that stewarding what we do have is essential.  Even when we aren't listening and obeying, we still must regain a place in life where we steward what we have according to how we've been directed.  That takes obedience.

I've been teaching so much about wars during the historical period from 1850 to WWI and the loss of life involved on epic proportions lends me to discuss stewardship of life as well.  We're getting closer to having a plan for college and thus building the high school curriculum that supports that plan.  Someone in my house mentioned going into the service of the nation. I'm wrapping my brain around a government who doesn't steward their people, natural resources or economy well, and I'm supposed to be all fine-and-dandy with them trying to flub up stewarding my kid.  But then again, so many of those who survived the Depression gave up their kids to the Second World War. They were great people who I've learned from, and so my children will learn too.  And, I will cover my kids in prayer, because "to whom much is given, much is expected."

PrIorItIes

Recently, I read from a post of Paige at Elemental Science about things she didn't predict as she conducted her work-at-home-mom life.  Number three on her countdown of things she wished she'd known was about remembering priorities. Well, around here, we all have differing priorities, but a few things unite us.  Music is very important here.  Reading is essential here, whether you listen on the text-to-voice kindle or read word-for-word from the screen/page.  Outside time with the lawn mower or gardening is a wonderful escape and exercise.  Lego time is, dare I say, "Holy" here.  There's a room dedicated to it, or mostly because the guest couch and sewing machine also live there.

The Mommy on the other hand continues to aim at doing the best she can with what she has. So many lessons I learned about life from My Grams who was born in 1914.  That was a tough time to be a little kid, especially one in rural Iowa amongst 8 brothers and sisters.  Their parents were first generation in the United States and the Old Folks still spoke lots of harsh Swedish over their heads. The Great War and the Depression were R-E-A-L to them and she shared so much of that with me as I was the only one of my siblings to go to get my bachelor's degree back then (since then my sister who came 20 years later has done the same as me).  I lived with My Grams in order to go to teacher's college.  And so much of that time is very evident in how I teach, guide, cook, clean, organize, drive, all of it. Waste not, want not, so don't even think you are going to get away with dawdling.

But mostly, TRAVEL IS ESSENTIAL AND NECESSARY.  It's how we think about all of our studies and church events and purchases and chores (frugal living-stewardship affords us to plan our errands to save fuel).  Band participation, science lessons each week (this can fall thru the cracks if spelling seems more important) and Bible study are those hills I'm willing to die on here at Paisley Classical Academy.  What would my kids say is the priority in their lives? Why is that what they classify as a priority? Take a minute to visit with them or a nature walk to discuss it.

A day in the life... Homeschool: Year Eight

How to Rally the Troops

And, as always, support independent work with discussions and follow-up in their student planners. So very thankful for this way of life and these special people.

Where to Rally the Troops

Half-way Through Summer

June is almost over. G3 was in Utah for grandparent's camp. All kids and the Mom survived church VBS.  G2 is off to Bible camp.  G1 heads to Tennessee next week for a service opportunity with our church group.  G3MOM is packed and ready for a trip to Teach Them Diligently via an entry paid by 2:1 Conference.  I then continue on to serve in an English camp in Montevideo, Uruguay.

At some point in early July and before the end of the World Cup on Sunday, July 13, I need to fly stand-by on the Other airline back to the Chicagoland area.  I will then have 2 weeks to complete the first quarter planning before our school year begins.  That'd be year 8 here on the homefront.

Below are the subjects we aim to pursue.  We'll continue notebooking through Physics from our Elemental Science work four years ago with the Noeo Logos teaching plans.  We add quizes, timelines, literature studies and hands-on activities to our SOTW4: Modern Age (1850-present day) binder.  We get to add grammar in the form of Editor in Chief program.  G2 and G3 will begin Student Writing Intensive level B and G1 will perfect this writing program with in depth research along the Excellence in Writing format.  Each student will continue in their Saxon math challenges.  Our 3Gs really enjoyed the soft pastel art lessons from Nana at HodgePodge Art and will continue those until January.  We've decided to start the third pass through each of the world's nation flags with the same continent and the same questions to answer.   G1 will continue his French studies with French in Action for the first 13 lessons this school year as a goal using the website, text and workbook.  G2 and G3 will review their First Start French materials from Memoria Press and aim to finish the entire book for the school year.  G2 is determined to continue studying German (still working on the materials for this goal), and will tackle the Greek materials from Memoria Press as well. Finally, each has their own Latin goal. G1 will continue with Logic study in The Thinking Toolbox,  and G2/G3 will work through The Fallacy Detective. 

Bible & Health

G2 Math EIC IEW

G3 Math EIC IEW

G1 Math EIC IEW

SOTW4

Art Music Appre

Flags- Geography

noeo science-Physics 3

Band

G1 French ForLang, Latin, Logic

G2 Greek German French Latin Logic

G3 French Latin Logic

All three will continue studying music with band.  There are plans for G1's participation in an elementary Turkish class, but nothing is finalized yet. His goal is to be able to communicate for survival in an summer student exchange next year.  The Turkish may help him as well as his French.  Our Bible studies will follow a Community Bible Study format through the "Return to Jerusalem" syllabus.

April Field Trip to GHC-CVG with the Whole Family

When we decided to take the last break before the end of school the week after Easter to coincide with G2's and G3's birthday, the Cincinnati Great Homeschool Convention became an attractive goal.  I made arrangements to volunteer for our family admission costs to the convention.  I'd done this here in Chicagoland at ICHE and wasn't afraid of the tasks involved.  We made arrangements to cash in some hotel points for a relatively free stay at the nearby Hilton property in Cincinnati.  We are trying to fly stand-by, but we still don't know how that will pan out until we're returned.  We researched the plan to visit the Creation Center (per Judy Hoch's advice in her February blog post), but found that without a car and an additional adult entrance fee (G1 became even more expensive), we'll pass this time. Each G is geared up for a busy schedule in the REAL FAITH for the REAL WORLD Teen Track and doesn't actually know anything about Cincinnati chili yet.  We have three different museum field trips planned and it'll be good to get to at least one of those.  Probably looking at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center or the William Howard Taft National Historic Site (so the Nat'l Park passports are packed).

I've made lists for each of our family members to visit various vendor booths while at the convention, i.e. Memoria Press and Teaching Textbooks (per Marci Goodwin's advice in her February blog post).  I seriously need G1 to have his hands on the geometry textbook in order to give me feedback.  I am going to try to teach all three on the same science curriculum so do I need 3 copies of the text?  Will I continue to use the Classical Education method for high school science and will it be hands on science?  I wanted each of my students to see the science books available to them in high school and get their input.  I'll keep Paige's recommendations about science study in mind during each science speaker I hear.  I'm taking Tina Robertson completely serious when researching the options for homeschool history choices.  I will very much enjoy meeting some of my homeschool mentors from the blog world and eat some Cincinnati chili with Jimmie Lanley.  I just love the way Amy Maze presented justification for more family bonding.  I seriously needed the encouragement that Heather Woodie promised I'd find.

So, here goes another family adventure. (Family Adventuring at http://t.co/J8BTsgC8bt "We’re not on a vacation, where we seek relaxing pleasure experiences every day.")

Curriculum Choice: Bible Study Decisions

We've participated in a Community Bible Study for four years now. I've relished the fellowship with other moms, women of faith and kids.  I really know the value of well-written study questions.  I enjoy studying the same Bible chapters that my kids are reading and studying each week.

Our CBS teaching leader's graphic last week to teach about Philippians 1.

As we move forward, I'm torn between continuing with the kids in a lower level study (for their ages and knowledge) and the alternatives. But, what are those alternatives?  I'm anxious to know more about what's available beyond.  Yet another question to answer in prayer and the next homeschool conference (GHC-CVG).  

Support from your Local Homeschool Parent Group

How does your homeschool parent support group support you?  Mine offers many wonderful opportunities. They organize field trips, ice skating free-skate (along with other sport related activities), parent curriculum discussion, project fairs, curriculum re-sale opportunities and sharing time for uplifting parent-educators. But now, my support group provides dissections.  The Mommy became the RockStar of the month by signing up two Gs for a cow's eye dissection.  The third G was asked to be an assistant to the medical presenter-educator.  The Daddy and I helped each G with the scalpel, but really, there wasn't much to the process.

It just seems that there is more to dissections (science in general) when the parent-educators try to take on such a task independent of any outside help.  We tried to dissect two years ago on our own from a mail-order kit. We got through the seastar, clam and worm, but the frog remains to be dissected. So, when we got an incredible lesson about the eye from Dr. Callentine, I was ecstatic!  So grateful for making this memory with my kids.

Logic Stage Week Six and a.little.about.Scheduling

My theme for teaching these homeschooled Logic Stage students is DIVIDE AND CONQUER. Now that doesn't mean anyone will meet their demise.  Of course not!  But, it means that each student has a different subject that they engage in during the days of the week. For example, Wednesday G1 does his history readings, narrations and writing while G2 researches her habitat, flag study and Illinois state study questions.  G3 reads and investigates science.  I patrol and guide from their elbows as needed.  Each must accomplish breakfast and Bible study first which takes some "herding" toward task accomplishment, but once they decide which topic or source to start with each day, the Logic Stage is for me to ask the "Why" questions as often as possible and encourage discerning thought.  G3 tends to get his maths done early because it works for him. G1 does his intermittently with other subjects, because he can sometimes hits a wall that needs a change of direction in order to clear the mind of vexation.  G2 gladly works independently in her room and gets her music practice time done along with her maths, because she's all about visiting with her friends when they get home. 

This is in contrast to the Grammar Stage in Classical Education when I taught all three students the same subjects at the same time.  However, I was divided and conquered most often.  I gladly gave up early each day back then because I was so very weary.  I'm grateful for independence seeking tweens during school time.

Week Six of Chemistry and Early Modern/USA History found us using new sources as well as our Kindles.  Did I tell you how much I appreciate the Heritage History resources that bring non-fiction, fiction and biographies from the public domain to the Kindle with images and maps that enhance our learning? Me included!

READ AND SKETCHaRESPONSE or Narrate

Tiner, Exploring the World of Chemistry Chapter 1: Ancient Metals  p. 4
Kindle:  Wonder Book of Chemistry, Chap 11 (Burning Metals) & Chap 12 (Salts)
Hands of a Child Notebook with questions
·         Read Sections:  METALS Intro, Properties of Metal and *The Periodic Table
·         Define:  Elements, Lustrous, Malleable, Ores, Ductile, Reactive, Electrical Conductor, Thermal Conductor, Atom, Periodic Table, Atomic Number
DK Chemistry pages 16-17

SOTW3CHChapter 6, begins on page 61

New Colonies in the New World
I.                    Strangers and Saints in Plymouth
·         Synge Awakening of Europe:  The Pilgrim Fathers
·         Marshall –Our (An) Island Story:  ch. 75 The Story of the Mayflower (1620)
·         Marshall – This Country of Ours:  15. How the Colony Was Saved 1610-14, 22. The Story of the Pilgrim Fathers 1606-1620, 23. The Founding of Massachusetts 1620-1692, 24. The Story of Harry Vane 1636, 25. The Story of Anne Hutchinson And the Founding of Rhode Island 1638, 26. The Founding of Harvard 1638, 27. How Quakers First Came To New England 1656
·         Guerber Story of the Thirteen Colonies:  Pilgrims 1620, Ch. XXVIII, The Mayflower (1620), 1620.  Pilgrims, Ch. XXVIX
PAST FACT:  1625, Charles I becomes king of England
II.                  The Dutch in the New World
·         Synge Awakening of Europe:  The Founder of Pennsylvania, The 'Pilgrim's Progress' (Read Pilgrim's Progress)
·         Marshall – This Country of Ours:  Part 3 Stories of New England, 33. How the Charter of Connecticut Was Saved 1687-89, 34. The Witches of Salem 1692, Part 4 Stories of the Middle and Southern Colonies, 35. The Founding of Maryland 1632-34, 36. How New Amsterdam Became New York 1626-1664, 37. How a German Ruled New York 1689-91
·         Peter of New Amsterdam.   by James Otis
·         Guerber Story of the Thirteen Colonies:  New York, Stuyvesant, Ch. XXXVIII, The Beginning of New York, 1620-1664. 1614-1702

ABOVE: G3 DRAWS A LIFE-LIKE  BIRD AS DIRECTED BY ARTISTIC PURSUITS FROM DIRECTIONS IN THE DRAW, WRITE NOW SOURCES. HE IS AN ARTIST.

LOGIC STAGE THIRD YEAR: WEEK TWO WRAP UP

After watching and discussing the "Dangerous Journey" video from AIG, we worked on completing an outline to SOTW3CHchapter 2, begins on page 25 of Dr. Bauer's book which is our spine from Grammar stage history.  The title of the chapter and sections helps us organize the extra readings which build us up for high school and college expectations in Social Studies.
Protestant Rebellions (Oh good, a review of who is fighting who)
The Dutch Revolt
Kindle Readings:  Synge Awakening of Europe:  Story of the Netherlands, Brave Little Holland, A Wealth of Herrings, Beggars of the Sea, The Massacre of Bartholomew, The Siege of Leyden, William the Silent, The House of Orange, William's Invitation
Guerber Story of the Thirteen Colonies:  Ch. XVIII, The French in Canada, Spain, Netherlands.  1579.  Ch. XIX, French and Spanish Quarrels.  Ch. XX, The Sky City.  Ch. XXI, Around the World
Along with this reading we created a venn diagram compare/contrast William and Philip.
In conjunction with art, we read Mike Venezia's Rembrandt.

The Queen Without a Country  (And another bonus is a review of why John Knox is important to good Scottish stock.)
Kindle Reading and Narration: 
Synge Awakening of Europe: England, Elizabeth's Sailors, Drake's Voyage round the World, The Great Armada, The Golden Days of Good Queen Bess, First Voyage of the East India Company, The Dutch at Sea.
Guerber Story of the Thirteen Colonies:  Ch. XXII, Nothing But Smoke, Scotland.  1587
Encyclopedia References:
Usborne pages:  Pgs. 310-311; The Rise of the Dutch
KHE pages:  Pgs. 228-229; Dutch Independence  1477-1648
KHE pages:  Pgs. 210-211; Tudor England 1485-1603

The SOTW3 student guide recommended reading Always Room for One More by Sorche Nic Leodhas.  I read The Wheel on the School by DeJong when these three were in 2nd and 3rd grades, so I was able to narrate back to them about each part of the book.  The discussions were fun and enticed us to go to Europe again soon, and maybe even look for storks, and find heather on the moors with bagpipes in the wind. 

Chemistry study found us with the same sources this week and the task to READ and SKETCHaRESPONSE from:  HSW: inside and atom, elements and compounds
Kindle:  Wonder Book of Chemistry, Chapter 3 (The Slice of Toast) and Chapter 4 (Simple Substances) [PLUS WE USE EVERNOTE TO NARRATE ALOUD ABOUT THIS SOURCE]
Hands of a Child Notebook with questions:  Atoms, Molecules, Bonding, Changing Molecules, Elements.  DK Chemistry pages 8 and 9; http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/multimedia/; https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry".  EXPERIMENT OF YOUR CHOOSING found G3 freezing a water balloon, G2 discussing the product packaging in the grocery store and

Math, Grammar and Spelling went right along schedule. G1 reviewed French lesson 2 and Latin lessons 3 and 4 seamlessly.  He also managed the logic in lesson 2 of Fallacy Detective.  Flag study, habitat study, Illinois state study and art were done with much less stress than any other time - ever.

Below you see Grampa telling the 3Gs why this tractor was sitting on 3 pop bottles with the engine running and wheels engaged... That was quite a story about this 1938 John Deer tractor!

So the biggest part of our week came when we were able to experience a Threshing Show with Grampa.  He grew up using teams of horses to prepare, plant and harvest the farm fields where he, then I grew up.  He knows all about the machines used to farm from growing up and inheriting his father's farm.  Why is there a basket atop that steam engine exhaust stack? Grampa said that the sparks from the fire that ran the steam engine would start the wheat field on fire back in the day. Also, which came first, the railroad steam engine or farm tractor steam engine?  Sounds like G2 has a science fair project for next spring! 

First Day of 6th and 7th Grades

Week One Wrap Up (7th&6th grades)

We began this week with a clarinet lesson for G3 which accommodated the carschool component of outlining the history chapter in Story of the World:  Early Modern.  We reviewed the role of Creation from the recording of the Introduction.  Prayed and commenced with a review both SOTW Ancients and Medieval. 

Then:

SOTW3CHChapter 1, begins on page 15

OUTLINE Chapter One from Text and carschool recording.  (Pictures of outlines in a later post)

World of Empires

The Holy Roman Empire

(Bachman) Great Inventors and Their Inventions:  John Gutenberg and the Invention of Printing

Guerber Story of the Thirteen Colonies:  Ch. XVI, The Fountain of Youth, 1500-1600

·      PAST FACT:  1555 - The Peace of Augsburg allows each German state to follow its own religion Charles V relinquishes the title Holy Roman Empire Philip Il inherits the throne of Spain from his father, Charles V.  1556 - Ferdinand I, Charles's brother, inherits Charles's lands and title

·      FAST FACT:  1637, The Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II dies

Stories from Pilgrim's Progress.   by Mary Macgregor USED WITH TEACHER’S GUIDE

What was the inquisition?

The Riches of Spain

Synge Awakening of Europe:  How the Trouble Began, The Storm Bursts

Stories of Don Quixote James Baldwin (G1) & Margaret Hodges adaptation (G2and3)

C.F. Horne Greatest Nations – Spain, “Spain under the Hapsburgs.”

Marshall –Our (An) Island Story:  ch. 71 How England was Saved From the Spaniards (1588-9)

Guerber Story of the Thirteen Colonies:  Ch. XVII, “The Father of Waters”, Spain. SA gold.  1555-1598

·      PAST FACTS:  1598, Philip II of Spain dies

Usborne pages: The Power of the Habsburgs Pgs. 308-309; Pgs. 320-321; Early Settlers in the Americas. KHE pages: Pg. 222; The Hapsburgs 1273-1556    ; Pg. 220; The Conquistadores 1519-1550. Pg. 221; The Spanish Empire 1533-160

Everyone read about the topics from the Kindle and wrote one sentence narrating the topic.  There were videos online that we projected up to the big tv and completed the quiz from SOTW publishing. The SOTW3 Table of Contents is my guide for arranging further readings from Heritage History sources including Mrs. Synge's version of Story of the World that comes in volumes we've used.  This week we used her Awakening of Europe volume.   

 

 We were able to listen to a little of Pilgrim's Progress and watch it from the web to answer a bit form the teacher's guide I collected somewhere.  This takes the place of a Bible study until AWANA and CBS begin in September.  But, I'm encouraging G1 to memorize Psalm 78 verses 2-8. 

 

Math and grammar were carried on as usual. Spelling was held for G2and3, while G1 reviewed French lesson 1 and Latin lessons 1and2.  Art, Flags and Habitat came off relatively well.  State study began for everyone from materials produced by Knowledge Box Press and a text book I collected from somewhere too.  Logic lesson one from Fallacy Detective went well with G1, and I was grateful.

 

Chemistry study for science went well as they READ and SKETCHed a RESPONSE in their notebooks. 

They read How Science Works: Matter, chemicals, Solids, liquids, gases.  They also read in their

Kindles:  Wonder Book of Chemistry, Chapter 1 (Introduction) & Chapter 2 (Mixing & Combining) and reflected on what Uncle Paul taught his nephews. It reminded each of my kids about different memories and made it real.  They completed parts of the Handsof a Child Notebook with questions from the section called Intro to Chemistry:  Define: Chemistry, element, compound, molecule and Matter: What are the three different forms of matter found on Earth? All of these pieces are stored in our ELEMENTAL SCIENCE CHEMISTRY binder which was begun 4 years ago with Paige's excellent grammar stage materials.  (BTW, I'd already bought so many things prior to the Logic stage materials being released this week, that I couldn't justify adding more and removing some of the reading/ philosophy materials I already had from the science plan.)  So, we finished off my making a few notes from the DK Chemistry pages 6and7.  Last night we were able to watch some Khan Academy videos on Chemistry and youtube/education videos about kitchen chemistry with The Daddy. The websites with simple information were http://www.mcwdn.org/chemist/chemist.html. 

 

G2 conducted an experiment about matter and wrote her report along the lines that Paige from ELEMENTAL SCIENCE has taught us.  G3 conducted his experiment along the kitchen chemistry format with making granola. He enjoyed recording his results while munching on his freshly made granola recipe from Alton Brown and so did The Mommy. G1 made dinner on Monday evening and we ALL enjoyed his work.

It was a tough week as we tried to get up earlier rather than starting the day after morning tea time. But, by Thursday after a youth group ice cream event for the twins, things went much better. I'm still glad we homeschool today as I post this weekly update. That's saying quite a bit.

She Can Still Hear Herself (Band Happy)

Mid-year success in band attitudes (See right side picture of G2). Thankful that the broken clarinet was successfully take apart and mended by G3. That boy will never cease to surprise me.  G1 still thinks that percussion is the best place to be. Maybe he hopes to take over from Phil C someday...

 



Goodbye Elk Grove Pool

 

We've enjoyed finding this pool since last October when the homeschool kids' swim lessons ended and the teacher advised we do more swimming for ENDURANCE. So, when the director of the facility gave our homeschool group the resident rate, we snapped up the opportunity to spend more time at the pool during the winter months.  The pool is in the right direction for us on Tuesdays and sometimes on Thursday, but our kids decided that the summer pool experience that they traded for winter swimming was tough.  You see, their friends visited our nearby pool more often than we could without a pass.

 

This coming summer we will spend the swim fees on a summer pass to the 2 nearer village pools instead of the year-round pass to the distant village pool. These three will get to swim in December for sure and maybe some in the late winter, but they continue to gain ENDURANCE while exercising elsewhere that can only support their swim skills. Very glad for the time we spent in the pool over the past year. FUN FUN FUN!

ENCOURAGING OTHERS

September is such a wonderful month on my calendar. I've traveled to return a visit to a long-time friend and took the boys along to see Lake Superior for the first time.  We visited a new airport along the way and G#1 got to do an unaccompanied minor trip to boost his growing confidence. 

I would always live at the average temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit and less than 50% relative humidity, but that is not always the case in this county east of the Mississippi River.  But to encourage others in September is so much easier when I've been encouraged by the cooler weather and settling into our school schedule. (more about school schedule's later)

My long-time friend is a strong lady and has taken on the job of educating her very bright children at home because of the classroom choices she faced.  I've been ready to see her across this threshold, but praying for her just the same.  I was able to leave this Dayspring Card as I left her home last weekend expressing my gratitude (my opinions are negative about cards available at the store, but I've a growing appreciation of Dayspring words). 

I was allowed to pass along these greetings for free based on the opportunity a fellow home educator informed me about.  But, really, I feel the urge to encourage others often, and don't because I'm moving so many "balls" in the air or, plainly, too busy.  Thanks to Dayspring for decent cards to encourage and thanks to my friend for the visit. And to inCourage it's a wonderful place with helpful words (a love language I'm not well-versed in, and necessary for the edification of my marriage).

AND, thanks to my boys for making it a wonderful visit with my friend's kids.  My boys did the two subjects of school work I asked of them last week, along with their sister.  However, the boys didn't get to go to Mickey-land like their sister did. (more about Disneyland later)  They've been in the past as an invitation to the Daddy's sister, and they were truly glad for their sister to get to Disneyland only after she had done the same amount of school work she had done.  Justice must be done in the eyes of a logic stage male. YIKES!

If you could study one thing all year long...

G#1 is at AWANA camp, but G#2 says she'd study art or math. G#3 says he'd stick with spelling or math.
Don't be deceived, I'm not deleting science or history for either. But, is there a way to teach  either with math, spelling or art? Yep, & I'm almost ready to start their 6th year of home education. Very soon.

More Ideas for Curriculum, But This Time 6th & 5th Grade

I've never done this before. I'm planning for 6th and 5th grade homeschool curriculum and I don't have a clue if it'll work.  Yes, SWB says that it will work (the Well Trained Mind), but will it really.  Last year I had grand visions for foreign language study, which didn't happen here. I was going to try to implement a literature approach to history, um, nope, didn't swing that one either. See last year's plan here:  http://expeditionswithg3.blogspot.com/2011/03/is-this-too-much-to-ask-from-5th-grader.html
So, after considering the general direction laid out in previous school years per this list: 

2010-11 Curriculum (with Well Trained Mind recommendations) 3^rd and 4^th Grade

Artistic Pursuits K-3 bk 3, Awana -- TandT, Physics for the Grammar Stage, Rod and Staff Grammar 5, First Language Lessons 3, Flags around the World: Latin America , Delta and Epsilon MathUSee, Handwriting w/ Donna Young Helps, Ocean Habitat with Swimming Things, First Start French at Memoria Press, Latina Christiana, Saxon 5/4 2nd ed., Spelling Workout DandE, Mango for Libraries, Story of the World 4, CBS- Daniel, Colossians and 1-2 Peter 

2009-10 Curriculum for 2^nd and 3^rd Grade

Artistic Pursuits, AWANA, Chemistry for the Grammar Stage, Explode the Code 7&8, First Language Lessons, Flags Around the World: Africa, Gamma & Delta MathUSee, Handwriting for a Reason, Kids 4 Truth Devotionals, Ocean Habitat, Prima Latina, Saxon2and3, Spelling Workout CandD, Story of The World 3

I've come to the conclusion that I can only wrangle so much out of my 3Gs.  For 5th and 6th Grade around here we will pursue the Medieval stage of history by a visit to sources from Gombrich, Synge, SWB, Marshall and Hillyer.  Those authors don't cover everything, so sometimes we won't visit them all each week.  I haven't decided if there will be a series of historical fiction that ties well into our needs as The Roman Mysteries did in the ancient stage.  The red Kingfisher will be consulted on a regular basis and Usborne History Encyclopedia will be used for the Internet links to graphics for our notebook pages.  Haaren and Poland's Famous Men of the Middle Ages  is very easy to use in car school as we travel from here to there. 

Math is delving into the Saxon realm deeply.  I was given the Math-U-See Epsilon book and will finish that with each G, but after that, the Daddy takes over the Math train around here.  Grammar is planted in Rod and Staff camp until the end of year 6, then we dive deep into Latin from Memoria Press.  Spelling is almost over for this 6th grader. He will spend more time each day on Spelling Workout H.  It will definitely stretch him.  The twins will work through level F for their year and maybe even attempt a bit of Level G if they wish to excel there.

Science for this year is anchored by the Elemental Science Astronomy and Earth Science materials for the Logic Stage.  I'm adding in Charles Kingsley's Madam How and Lady Why just because we didn't do many read alouds four years ago when "divide and conquer the mommy" worked so well to end science time.  There are also pieces of Dinah Zike's Big Book of Science Middle School that will be handy (kinesthetically speaking).  I was an earth science teacher and look forward to sharing some time with hand lens out wandering rock piles.

We'll continue with Community Bible Study for the books of Mark, Galatians and Ephesians.  AWANA will continue to be a part of our week too.  I look forward to how home school band participation works out.  There will be a percussionist and clarinetist, but maybe not a flute.  We still have our swim passes at the indoor pool a village over and we'll do all kinds of other activities including soccer.  Our art book from several years ago will be recycled and more mature artist will try again at the different projects.  I also plan to use DK's Medieval Life for 5 pages a week examination of various subjects that will involve sketches in our history notebooks. 

Finally, we will have a summer look into the human geography of Oceania per our study of flags around the world.  I hope to develop a second swing through all the flags we've studied, but add something more analytical about flag vexillology to each in order to develop our knowledge further.  The final habitats to study are grasslands and mountains per the Hands of a Child materials we've used in the past.  So much to do and yet a bit more realistic than ever before.  The schedule and checklist that we've come up with over the past few weeks is working well and I hope to continue that too.  It'll be another adventure with field trips that require passports, and maybe the last, but always together teaching to the moment.

Successful Home School Conference Visit

 

I got to hear Dinah Zike and the Daddy got to hear 4 speakers who were very helpful. Fun day!


The 3Gs got to be with my parents who came in from the Iowa farm to celebrate Mother's Day with us. Brilliant Weekend visit!