2014-15 School Year Summary

We started today! I’m excited to get going, but hope I have everything ready.  Anyway, here’s what’s up for this year for each of the kids.

GREG – 17yo and Senior

It’s Greg’s Senior year, so is bittersweet in some ways.  We are both ready for him to move along and head out to college.  We’ve knocked heads more than I care to remember!  However the past year was one of much growth for him.  Maybe we’ll enjoy this last year together more than we have since he was in single digits.

Greg’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), ND State 4-H Ambassador, member of the Catholic Youth Advisory Council, FFA president & member, Crop Judging, Football (he was elected one of the team captain’s), wrestling, altar server, and teen ministry/study group at our local church.

MODG’s Catholic Doctrine using Following Christ in the World. 

Math-U-See Calculus (after we finish up the last couple lessons of Pre-Calculus)

MODG’s British Literature

MODG’s World Geography

American Government & Economics (he’ll be finishing up the last half of this class)

Exploring Creation with Physics (and he’ll also be finishing up the last few lesson of Exploring Creation with Chemistry)

MODG’s Health using the encyclical Casti Connubi

Physical Education – weight lifting twice a week

 

ANGELINA – 14yo and Freshman

Aaak!  Another high schooler!  Angelina will be a freshman this year.  I think she’s excited.  Well, she’s excited except for when Latin or piano are mentioned.  I’ve asked her to continue so that her language requirement can be met with Latin and without starting another language.  She didn’t have much to say.  I’ve asked a friend to help grade some of her papers so that she’ll have outside input on her writing.  She is the creative one in the family.  While organization of her room is not a priority, she can make just about any activity fun for her siblings or those around her.

Eva’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), first year member of the Catholic Youth Advisory Council, FFA member, Crop Judging, dance (two nights a week for ballet, tap & jazz), and teen ministry/study group at our local church.  We are unsure at this point, if she’ll be able to be a part of the Ballet Academy production, as lessons are to be held on Friday nights….it’s a possibility.

MODG’s Religion 9

Grammar & Composition 9 using Warriners English 3rd Course

Math-U-See Geometry

U.S. History & Geography

American Literature

Exploring Creation with Biology

Art: Drawing with Nature & Landscapes in Pencil

Music: Music of the Great Composers & Piano

Poetry

Latin: Fourth Form Latin

ZEKE – 11yo and Sixth Grade

Zeke is growing up so fast.  He’s fast approaching me in height; I have no doubt he’ll pass me in the next 2 years.  He’s a hard worker when he sets his mind to it and loves to be outside helping his dad in the field.

Zeke’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), Crop Judging, Wolfpack Football, possibly basketball, wrestling, altar server, and religious education classes at our local church.

St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 2

Math-U-See Pre-Algebra

CHC’s plan for Grammar/Composition/English

Logic of English (plan to finish it up this year)

Phonetic Zoo Level A

Poetry

ND History & All Ye Lands

Exploring Creation with Zoology 2

Prima Latina

Art 7 For Young Catholics (1st Semester) & Art Lab for Kids (2nd Semester)

Piano & Ready to Use Music Activities

 

GRAHAM – 8yo and Third Grade

Graham is also a hard worker.  He’s determined and sometimes a little stubborn.  He has a twinkle in his eye when he smiles and always has such great enthusiasm.

Graham’s planned activities & extra-curriculars: 4-H member (in two different clubs), first year Crop Judging, Flag Football, wrestling, religious education (he’ll be studying for both Holy Eucharist and Confirmation) class at our local church.

St. Joseph’s Baltimore Catechism No. 1

Math-U-See Delta

CHC’s plan for Grammar/Composition/English & Spelling

Writing Can Help Book 3

Logic of English (plan to finish it up this year)

Poetry

CHC’s Tour a Country

Take it to Your Seat Geography e-book

Exploring Creation with Zoology 2

Prima Latina

Art Masterpieces (1st Semester) & Art Lab for Kids (2nd Semester)

Let’s Learn Music #2 & Piano

 

LOUIS – 4yo and Pre-School

Louis has an endless supply of energy.  He’s hardly ever in a bad mood and according to his sister, ‘says the most random things.’  He loves super heroes and especially likes to wear his Superman shirts.  He likes legos, Thomas the Train, Link, and being read to by anyone.

His day will consist mainly of play, but he’s also learning more about the letters and numbers.  He enjoys workbooks and art with his sister, who has been the one to lead him through the majority of his workbooks.

 

DAC – 2yo and Resident Toddler to be Entertained

Dac.  He’s a busy 2yo, but also knows how to entertain himself when needed.  He likes books, but doesn’t treat them the best, so we try not to leave him unsupervised with our favorites.  Colored rice and magnets are a favorite activity, but he pretty much likes to do anything Leo and his older siblings do.  He’s frightened of our puppy, Lily, because she’s about his height and tends to knock him over.  I have no set plan of activities to do with him this year, aside from the list of toddler activities that I printed out years ago.  We’ll see how it goes and adjust as needed.

Monday DayLook: August 18, 2014

Looking out my back porch... It’s partly sunny and the wheat field is ripening.  Another couple years and the tree rows will block my view of the field…I don’t look forward to that day.

I am thankful for... living on the farm, cuddly two year olds, snuggly four year olds, chores to get the kids out of the house.

I am praying for...  insight into how to encourage good work ethic in my kids.

A random thought… my oldest son has his work space in our school room and my work area is in the schoolroom, but situated behind him so that I can see his computer screen.  He dislikes me working on my computer or being in the room behind him during school hours.  I think it’s because he feels guilty.  Maybe it’s because whenever I walk back into the room, after being gone, he’s not doing schoolwork and switches his screen??  Trust is earned my boy…it’s earned.

From the School Room... while the room is more organized than last week, it’s still not ‘there’.  Too many piles on the windowsill, dirty windows, old wall posters, remnants of summer that need to be stored away.

From the Kitchen...  peach crisp in the making thanks to Angelina.  If all goes as planned, she’ll be canning peach something for a 4-H project.

From the FarmYard… another load of hogs goes in to the butcher tomorrow.  We are also planning to move our older laying flock this week.  I plan to have the boys help me move two sets of nest boxes to the Wahoo and then we’ll move the flock.  Ya see, there are rats in the barn where they currently live and we want to get rid of the rats.  They eat the feed meant for the chickens and also drink the water, which prevents any poison from working properly.  It’s a big project, but hopefully one that will improve the property.

A successful moment… the basement is cleaned and a couple loads of laundry were taken care of this morning.  Went through a pile of magazines and papers to donate, store or throw.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Cleaning and organizing. 
Greg has practice every day this week. Football practice for Zeke on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
A massage and meeting in Fargo for Suzie!
Harvest of the wheat begins this week.

A picture memory...

The picture is from last August, but this little guy turned two last week!  And, he is little.  10% for weight and 25% for height…very different from how his older siblings grew.  But, much easier on his older mama!!

Update:  Since I couldn't quite figure out the whole google+ (I really just don't have the extra time), I shut off that feature.  I'm sorry to those who posted comments under google+ because your comments are now gone.  It's another of those tech quirks.

Marcus

I’ve finally figured out a blog name for the youngest.  My sister-in-law inspired this one…but it completely fits. 

He’ll be Dac. 

When Marcus gets mad or wants our attention, be makes a sound that is used to portray (not quite the right word, but you get the idea) pterodactyls.  Yep, he pretty much sounds like a squawking pterodactyl.  So, Dac it is.