Mid-Year School Update

So, what I did to simplify at the beginning of the year…is it still working??  For the most part, yes.  Being the type of person I am, I always have super high expectations.  Sometimes we meet them, sometimes we don’t.  It’s been a much better year in some regards because combining subjects for a couple kids always helps.

Still works for us:

1. The tablet.  Still believe this was a good decision.  Zeke and Graham use it for the following:

*States & Capitals review

*  Review and memorize Baltimore Catechism No. 1 & 2 questions.  Both sets are on Google Play, so the boys listen each day.

*Classical music on Google Play

*Spelling practice and tests.  I found an app!  I type in the list of words and the boys each have an account in the app.  They practice each day and are rewarded for correct answers.  The reward is linked to a game associated with the app, and they both enjoy playing.

*Math tables practice

*Kindle app on the tablet allows the kids access to  52 Art Lab (book we are using for Angelina, Zeke, Graham, and Louis).  This has been a lot of fun for the kids and I’ve enjoyed the results of their work.

2. Zeke & Graham together for Phonics (Logic of English) and Science (Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures).  We finished up Zoology 1 and are into Astronomy.  It works great to have them together.

3.  Greg’s Religion and History & Literature taught by a friend.  Well, at least I KNOW he won’t fight me on doing these subjects and they are the ones he has kept on track through the year.  Why he won’t just do this in his other subjects, for me, is a mystery.

4. On cleaning.  This continues to be a struggle.  The chore chart is up and it does work…when the kids choose to refer to it. 

Needed to make a change:

1. Dropped Literary Analysis for Greg.  He made it through one semester and that is where we will end.  No matter how much I desire to have an intelligent literary discussion with my oldest, it’s just not going to happen at this time.

2. First Form Latin for Zeke is on hold.  We’ll try again next year; it was just too much.  He has an interest in and wants to learn French, as well.

3. Zeke & Graham finished their current Writing Can Help cursive books and we won’t begin another until next year.  They’ll do handwriting in the writing of their other subjects.

4. Greg decided to try wrestling.  It’s been good for him physically; he’s in better shape.  His dad and I have made it to most of his meets.  He’s pinned a few guys, which I’m sure is thrilling for him.

October Recap in Pics #2

Louis’ craft day fell on Leif Erickson Day.  Since we are of Norwegian descent, it was an excellent craft!

The boys did not want to go up to bed.  They insisted they were not tired and wanted to wait for dad to arrive home.  Well, they were tired and dad carried them up to bed.

This fire was south of our farm.  I understand the good in burning off sloughs, but this looked big and fast moving.  I was thankful for the rain throughout the night to make it ‘good and OUT’.

Marcus, my favorite photo opportunity.

37-44 (or there about)/52

Boy!  Have I fallen behind in the 52 Weeks posts.  Here’s a huge ‘catch-me-up’ that shows just a bit of what’s been going on around our home.  Sorry, Barbara, there is no linking up with this one, but she started this commemoration of the year.… just whatever is going on in your life: the mundane, the crazy, the normal, the everyday.

Zeke is enjoying the tour of countries in his history studies.

Graham and Angelina made Marian Grottos for art.  Just really enjoy Illuminated Ink art projects.

Zeke and his lego creations and Louis is on the go with anything that moves.  Thomas the Train is a big hit.

 

We were all entertained with another Awesome Magic Show by Graham, the Awesome Magician.  His assistant, the lovely, Angelina was dressed appropriately, as always.

The next five are of our family in various stages of getting ready for a family member’s wedding.  The wedding was on October 21 and we had a wonderful time seeing relatives.

 

Fun swimming at a hotel pool (we were in Fargo for a Bison game – they beat UNI and are #1).

I skipped a few, but those are another post.  My dad and I flew to CA for a wedding and had a great time.

Art ‘shake-up’

 

 

We’ve enjoyed using Childsize Art Masterpieces (Levels 1-8) and ‘How to Use Child-size Masterpieces for Art Appreciation’ since starting to homeschool, but it was time to ‘shake’ it up a bit for Zeke.  A recent e-newsletter mentioned ‘Spot the Differences’ and after checking it out, I tacked it onto a recent book order.

All the kids have had fun! 

Some of the changes to the pictures are easy enough for three and four year-olds to spot, so the book is geared for all ages.  In addition, there is an answer key in the back.

Craft Basket Wednesday

Stations of the Cross: Part II
This craft is not for the faint of hand!  The cutting is definitely an adult task … or at least an older child with steady hands and an eye for detail.  Last Thursday, I made it through the cutting and piecing/layering of 6 stations.  Graham placed the description on each station, while I positioned the Roman numerals.  I was able to complete the cutting and layering of the last 5 stations last Friday morning. 








 






On Tuesday afternoon, Angelina, Zeke and Graham helped apply the rock (obsidian, coral quartz & amethyst quartz).  Zeke and I took turns applying the glue.  The kids lost interest by the time the stations were dried fully, so I glued the pipe cleaner hangers on the back of each.






 






    

We are DONE!  Just in time to use the stations during Lent. 
 

To see more Craft Baskets, check out Knit Together

Monday DayLook – February 15, 2010

For Today: February 15, 2010

Looking out from my back porch... I wish I could see roses!!  But, I’ll take the snow.  After another dumping on Saturday (6+ inches), the wind picked up and whipped the snow across our prairie backyard to look like meringue.

I am thinking about… how much fun this next week will be if the weather remains peaceful.  I’m also thinking about the start of Lent.  What am I going to add and what am I going to sacrifice??

I am thankful for... having our material needs met (and then some).

I am reading… well, I’d like to be reading ‘From Tyndale to Madison: How the Death of an English Martyr Led to the American Bill of Rights’ so that I can officially cross the book off my list.  But, I’m actually taking time to finish the reading needed to complete our certification for CCL’s expanded class series.

I am hoping... for calm and moderately warm weather each day this week!

I am hearing... the wind blowing around the house.  Baby Louis making cooing noises.  Zeke’s pencil moving across his paper.

I am wearing… my favorite jeans and a grey long-sleeved BISON t-shirt.

From the sewing/craft room (aka. laundry room!)… last week we made Valentine’s for the homeschool Valentine Bowling Party.  They weren’t very elaborate this year; hopefully the chocolate kisses made up for the lack of creativity!

From the school room... lesson plans were completed for Latin and grammar, so both Angelina and Dash have been using their new workbooks.

From the kitchen... I did make caramel puff corn this past weekend.

State of the house… we are really missing our vacuum!  The carpets are going to need a thorough cleaning with the replacement part finally arrives.

A successful moment… the kids and I wrote ALL of our Christmas thank-you’s … and we included them with our Valentine’s.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Monday: Dash is skiing with the Cathedral Youth Group today & then staying with a friend’s family until Eric picks him up on Wednesday. Angelina will hopefully have dance tonight, after three weeks of no class.  The youngest boys and I are excited to visit the library.

Ash Wednesday:  No school today and we will try to attend Noon Mass … weather providing.  Eric and Dash will be home by this evening.

Thursday:  Zeke’s 7th Birthday!  We’ll celebrate with a birthday supper and cake.

Friday:  Leo’s Godmother is coming to visit and she’s bringing her four children!  All of us are excited.

Saturday/Sunday:   Dash and Angelina will crop judge on Saturday.  We have a 4-H meeting this weekend, too.

A few picture memories...

View Full Album

View Full Album

View Full Album

Craft Basket Wednesday

  Stations of the Cross: Part I

This Stations of the Cross kit from Illuminated Ink is a craft I have wanted to complete since I first saw it … and we are finally getting it done … just in time for Lent 2010!  The kids and I made it about half-way through the kit today; we hope to finish up tomorrow after the grottos are completely dried.  Zeke and Graham have done the bulk of the work up until this point (with me distributing glue where needed).  Dash and Angelina helped towards the end of the popsicle stick gluing.  Baby Louis was entertained by all the commotion throughout the project!

 

To see more Craft Baskets, check out Knit Together