Mapping Italy for WWII Studies

Prior to our last visit in Germany, 3Gs labeled each German "state" (lands).  So, in preparation for our World War Two study, I asked the to map the states in Italy. I hope that while they read about where battles took place there will be some comprehension of the terrain and location.  This map was completed with some identification of physical land forms as well. It was done by G3, and I'm so glad that he wrote clearly about the one place he thoroughly enjoyed visiting. It was after our 2009 visit to Rome that he accepted a general interest in learning Italian.  I do hope he continues to learn more about it (and not hate the Latin study either).

Latin, French & German Foreign Language Study

G1 Finishes Latina Christiana!

Well, we're supposed to be a classical homeschool, but I never talk about Latin study. So, I'll tell you, it was too much for us at one point to do Latin. This year, as a seventh grader, G1 reviewed and resumed Latin study with such success!  

It was the right time to 

pursue Latin study for him.  

He thoroughly enjoyed it this time.  No prodding from the parents was necessary.  He used a block of time on Mondays for Latin, French and Logic.  Mondays go so smoothly this school year, and I'm glad of it.  I'm also glad that he will work with the Daddy on his Latin because it helps the Daddy review what he was taught.

SNOW, Mountains of it!

Music Lessons

As home educated kids, these 3Gs can practice as much or as little as I will manage. The kids are in 3rd and 4th grade and play at imaginative efforts a great deal of the time, but must be managed to study and pursue wisdom. Two Gs study piano and the third, violin. However, the third received a guitar for Christmas. He is interested, more interested than he has been with the violin in the past year. It's a new stage of music learning. Music study, right along with Latin and art are essential subjects that I'm not afraid of anymore. Mostly, I'm not afraid, because the Daddy handles Latin and the piano teacher handles my "otter-ish" two quite well, and art is a step-by-step, pick-up-and-go process from the book I chose to invest in last fall.

But what would it be like here if they didn't study the mechanics of music, Latin and art? It's not just an excuse to get them active and thinking, it's a way of thinking that we hope they choose to process choices and discern in life. And, an outlet for creativity is essential here. One might think that the Daddy wasn't creative, but that would be incorrect based upon how he solves problems in his work. And, of course, I'm a bit on the far side of creative, which can be reigned in sufficiently based upon reality. Is it Einstein who said that imagination is more important than knowledge? Maybe he did, but based upon how the kids use their imagination to pursue wisdom, I think we're on the right track.

Mango Language Practice

With Gramma! French and German are much more fun this way!

BTW, our adventure with Explode the Code is finished. Everyone completed the final section and we're on to bigger and better uses of our hard won phonics knowledge.

French Lessons with a Saint

I first called her an angel, but I KNOW that she'd never accept that title. BUT, she can not deny that she is a SAINT. She memorizes scripture because she lives for Jesus. Or the other way around. She is a full-time wife and mother, daughter and sister. She glows in front of us and aches with us when we hurt.

She is taking over French lesson duty b/c the Daddy has seen his limitations with working for our living AND teaching Latin. God said, "Here." Our saintly French teacher came into the scene and took over the French lesson yesterday with a swhoosh.