Weekly Report

This week, we were all a bit under the weather - nothing serious, just coughs and sniffles. We still got most everything done in school.
Latin: Prima Latina 14. I think we might start Latina Christiana over the summer and take it really slowly - maybe three weeks a lesson, then pick up the pace again in the fall.
Math: We are a bit behind in Saxon 2 - lesson 78. We had a good bit of Saxon 1 to finish up last fall. This week, Nutmeg continued "carrying the 1" in addition (although Saxon does not refer to it that way - they call it trading 10 pennies for a dime and then putting that dime in the "dime "column.). We also introduced "mixed numbers." One of Saxon's strengths is the emphasis on manipulatives. Nutmeg still thinks it is a treat to get out tangrams, pattern blocks and the geoboard. You could buy and use those items separately, but I love that they are incorporated into the Saxon lesson and plan and are an essential teaching tool. Before we did any worksheets, I wrote mixed numbers on the board and she represented those numbers with pattern blocks. Then, I she wrote the mixed number for the patterns blocks I put together.
Memorization: We started Wm. Blake's "Little Lamb." We are still reviewing our last poem, "Pocahontas" by Rosemary Carr Benet. (found in The Harp and Laurel Wreath.)
History: SOTW3 we are still talking about India and reading folk tales. We found several picture books about children in India. The pictures are from a museum. We went to see the India art after eating at an Indian restaurant. We started a museum sketch book. Nutmeg chose to sketch things in the Egyptian exhibit. I wanted her to sketch things from India, but I cannot blame anyone for preferring Egypt! She may be picking up my obsession!
Language Arts: We are still really enjoying First Language Lessons 2. We are doing Spelling Workout B plus spelling copywork sentences. Nutmeg also did worksheets from Seton Grammar 2. I like the worksheets and the idea of incorporating religion into school subjects. I would not want to rely on Seton Grammar exclusively at this point because I like the review and variety in First Language Lessons. Seton is good, but I do not want the "unit" approach right now. Also I like the oral exercises and dictation in FLL.
Science: We did not get as much done as I would have liked. We just looked at the rhino.

We did not go to swimming or piano this week. The girls really missed the swimming.

Wordless Wednesday

Thank you, Anne!

When I told Nutmeg we were going to study Latin, I was afraid she might balk. Instead she thought for a moment and said, "Oh, that is what Anne of Green Gables studied." And immediately, she was keen on Latin. This week I told her we were going to do formal spelling work. I told her to look at the word, say the word, spell the word out loud, then say the word again. (Nutmeg has a habit of immediately balking at anything new.) She actually got excited, "Oh, that is what Anne of Green Gables did." Maybe I should reread the Anne books. Maybe Nutmeg would like to memorize "The Lady of Shalott?" Nutmeg has an iPod filled with great children's literature. (librivox.com) I can tell when she has been listening to the Anne stories. One day, I was warning her not to engage someone when they wanted to pick a fight; Nutmeg said, "If she starts then I will sweep her a scornful glance." I was a little taken aback, but thought, "she has been listening to Anne." Listening to great children's literature early and often cannot be overemphasized. We have the Beatrix Potter tales read by some wonderful actors and actresses. Nutmeg listened to them constantly when she was 2-4. One evening when she was 2.5 or 3, my husband told her it was time for bed. She calmly faced him and said, "It is time for me to watch another program, whatever you may urge to contrary." That was from "The Tale of Samuel Whiskers," and used in context! Thank you, Anne and Beatrix!

What is homeschool without coffee?

Weekly Report

We had another great week! Needless to say, we had homeschool on Presidents' Day.
Latin: We are on lesson 13 of Prima Latina. Nutmeg really loves M rs. Leigh on the DVDs!
Math: Saxon 2. We are still very happy with Saxon! The explanations are clear and you practice components of a concept before that concept is officially introduced. My husband and I are learning math like never before!
Language Arts: It is funny to me that I hated First Language Lessons last year, and this year I love it. Nutmeg enjoys the variety of the lessons.
Science: We are still doing the Savanna unit of the My World Science series. We do the lesson and then add in animal studies as recommended in The Well Trained Mind. The animals we do are of course Africa-related. This week we studied naked mole-rats. Nutmeg and I think they are adorable. That reaction is not universal. Check them out for yourself if you have not already. A eusocial mammal!!
History: We are studying India (chapter 11? of Story of the World 3). We are spending two weeks on India, because it is fascinating and there are so many great resources. I would love to do that LibraryThing that I have seen on some of your blogs for all these great India-related books, but I cannot get the HTML down. Help! Please? This weekend we will of course be going to an Indian restaurant (We hope The Chipmunk will not steal Ganesh's offering and be chased around the restaurant by the staff this time!), then to a museum that has an India exhibit. We are really looking forward to that!
Art: As you can see in the picture, Nutmeg and I are learning to knit! They were learning in her Colonial Girls' Club, so I had to stop by and learn as well. A very patient 10-year old stayed with me the whole hour and fixed my mistakes!
Music: We are still happy with Harmony Row as we approach the end of the fourth (out of six) year.
The last two pictures are from last weekend. We went to a museum exhibit called Into the Dark (see my most recent Wordless Wednesday post). Then we went to my parents' house for Interpretive Dance!!
I hope you all had great weeks as well!

World Gone Mad

My grammar is far from perfect. My writing skills are weak. I hope to improve as I go through the First Language Lessons series with my children. But will someone tell me please - who started forming all these plurals with an apostrophe? I have seen signs that advertise "taco's." I have received gifts from "The Thompson's." This week, my husband's law practice was ordering a new sign. My husband walked in on the two secretaries arguing over "Attorney's at Law." He was horrified. He suddenly had a vision that the sign was in the front with the horrible grammar gaffe -- and no one noticed!!! I live in the South; I am all for regional eccentricities. But this is not regional or eccentric. It is just strange! Will my grandchildren learn this usage as part of Standard American Written English? Will I send them card's, present's and Animal Cracker's???

Wordless Wednesday

Weekly Report

This weekly report is a bit late. We had a very busy, fun-filled week. We were studying China this week along with our history lesson from the Story of the World 3. Nutmeg and her friend made dragons from enchantedlearning.com and then the Great Wall of China out of Rice Krispie Treats! The Chipmunk started taking swimming lessons about three weeks ago. She absolutely loves it! She loves going down and touching the bottom. The Chipmunk goes to pre-school, and Nutmeg and I went for the class Valentine's Party. Nutmeg enjoyed playing on her old preschool playground! The other subjects were the same: Prima Latina, Saxon Math 2, First Language Lessons 2 and My World Science Savanna.