Weeks 2-3: Settling into Routine Again

Yeah, I didn't get to a wrap-up last week, and I wasn't sure I would get to one this week. Sometimes life just gets busy, full of family, juggling this and that, and easing into a new routine, but I do enjoy sharing our accomplishments with you all.

Integrated Language Arts, History & Technology

Cate is learning to write a 5 paragraph essay based on one main topic with supporting information. This has been something new for her as she prefers creative writing. And Sam is learning to master the "perfect paragraph". With his fine motor delays and visual processing challenges, his writing (and handwriting) are straggling behind, but I hope to have him up to grade level by the end of the year.

This Week's Lit

Sam - The Cricket in Times Square (Selden)

Cate - Travels with Charley: In Search of America (Steinbeck)

Mathematics

Cati has completed 58% of her Khan Academy Pre-Algebra, and Sam has completed 39% of Grade 4. Not really much to report here. They continue to steadily work on their understanding and mastery of math concepts.

Science

Cate finished her first General Science module on Science History. It was a challenging mod, but my girl got a 100% on her test. She buckled down, even made some flash cards, and really committed to memory a lot of scientists and their contributions to science.

Sam finished up his first chapter in Astronomy called "What is Astronomy?" and started the next chapter on "The Sun". He made a model of the solar system using balloons, did a scientist biography on Nicolaus Copernicus, and finished a basic information notebooking page.

But can I tell you how awesome having the Apologia science kits for these texts are? Really, really!

Extras

Cate started Jazz and Concert Bands and clarinet lesson again, and Sam is back at Cub Scouts.

Sam and I went on a wonderful kayak this week, picnicking and exploring a small island in the middle of the pond. We saw pond plants under the water, various species of fish (including bass), freshwater clams and snails, and 3 species of birds, mallards, loons and a hawk. Nothing better than a paddle on a sunny day!

Jake's Journey

Jake flashed his class schedule at the end of week 1. I had a 30 second glance before he whisked it off to be buried in the bottom of his book bag. I wish I could remember all his courses...He has statistics which he says is his "most boring class", and FAB LAB which he describes as a classroom of "junk" that the students will design and build something. He's joined a writing group on Flex Fridays and is working on a "fan fiction" book entitled Slayer of the Stars; 34 typed pages completed in 6 days. Stats aside, he's excited about another year at B_____!

At A Glance

Days Completed: Cate - 32 | Sam - 35

Books Finished: Cate - 3 | Sam - 4

Wrapped Up: Cate - Sentence Diagramming
Math: Cate - 58% | Sam - 39%
Science: Cate - Mod 2 | Sam - Chapter 2
History: Cate - Day 13 (Music) | Sam - Colonial America
Extras: Cate - Band | Sam - Scouts
Phys Ed: Cate - Walking | Sam - Kayaking, Biking
Field Trips: Hacker's Hill, Panther Pond

As always, special thanks to these bloggers for their weekly homeschool blog link-ups. Click on over to see what other homeschoolers are doing!

Happy Homeschooling!

Weekly Wrap-up: Week 1 - And so it Begins

Welcome to Year 12!

It's sure to be one filled with ups-and-downs-and-this-and-that with a sprinkle of the unexpected.  We're ready. I think. So, onto our first wrap-up of this year!

Days Completed: Cate - 23 / Sam - 26

Integrated Language Arts, History & Techology 

Cate is continuing her Grammar studies with English Grammar 101. She started Nouns. Since she didn't finish her review of Sentence Diagramming this summer, she continued in her booklet. She also spent a few minutes on Vocab Test. (True vocab learning coming from reading a variety of wonderful literature though.) With The Complete Writing Program, she reviewed the "perfect paragraph" along side Sam, and began her first 5-paragraph essay.

Do you remember the Scott Foresman Grammar and Writing Handbook free downloads from several years ago? and they deleted the link? I found a copy of the 5th grade workbook on Amazon for just $2.99! Sam worked in his Handbook, learning about sentence structure. He also worked on his HWT Cursive from the summer and started back up with Spelling.

We will be integrating History with Language Arts and Technology:  researching, reading literature, and writing to create an on-line Google Slideshow. Maybe. I'm not sure how all this will go as I'm "giving the reins" to the kids. Cati has decided to focus on music history with Easy Peasy Homeschool. And Sam will watch American History videos and play Geography games through Sheppardsoftware. But I never know what direction my learners will take...

This Week's Lit
Sam - Little House in the Big Woods (Ingalls Wilder)
Cate - Travels with Charley: In Search of America (Steinbeck)

Mathematics

Both Cate and Sam continued on with Khan Academy Math review from the summer. Cate is working on Pre-Algebra, and Sam Grade 4. There were numerous concepts that both needed additional practice with and then we'll move on. Why on-line Khan "badges" are just the encouragement they need, I don't know, but it's working and I won't knock it!

Science

This year marks our return to Apologia sciences. I'm super excited to do notebooking again, and I purchased the accompanying science kits to make experimentation oh-so-much easier.  Cate worked on Module 1 in General Science, a basic science history, and Sam worked on Chapter 1 What is Astronomy? in Astronomy.

Extras

Cate loves Jazz and Concert band. (She plays the clarinet.) Practices start up again next week we believe... And Sam will continue Cub Scouts. 

Today was such a glorious day that we spent part of the afternoon at H___ H__ near by. Settled by the Quakers, it is a beautiful spot over looking the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire and the 2nd largest lake in Maine. 

But what about Jake?
Jake headed back to STEM high school for his junior year. Junior year! It's surreal for me that my "baby" is 6'2" and growing a BEARD. His days are long with 1 hour 45 minutes of commuting for school, but he thrives there. In fact, he became an ambassador for the school, welcoming in new students and their families. He's continuing on with his goal to become an Eagle Scout, now one of the oldest scouts in the troop, and went through leader training this summer.

As always, special thanks to these bloggers for their weekly homeschool blog link-ups. Click on over to see what other homeschoolers are doing!

Happy Homeschooling!

Wednesday Hodgepodge: Autumn is on the Horizon

1. What's on your September calendar? Anything fun? 

Warm days, cool nights. Days filled with learning, swimming, kayaking, fishing. Nights filled with fires and roasted marshmallows and fluffy blankets. Everything apple and pumpkin.  The return of hot cocoa! Changing colors of the leaves, the harvesting of crops, the allergies. But, above all, the continuing of giggles.

2. You might be described as a natural born _____________________?

Downeastah! (Or rather "downeaster" for those not from Maine.) I was born and raised on an island off of Maine. We are a, um, unique bunch!

(Obviously a parody, but funny just the same. Sorry about the cuss word. And believe it or not, this kid is like 17.)

3. September is National Courtesy Month...what one act of courtesy would you most like to see more of in your home, town, or the world at large? 

Simple acts of cheerful, honest kindness! The kind of kindness you give and get that makes the heart smile.

4. Eager beaver, chicken out, clam up, or let the cat out of the bag...of the phrases listed, which one have you related to most recently? 

Clam up. Sometimes you just need to let silence speak volumes.

5. What's your movie theatre snack protocol? Do you chow down on snacks during the previews or wait until the movie begins? Do you buy snacks or refuse to pay those kind of prices? What's the last movie you saw in a theatre? How many thumbs up would you give it?

"Left Behind". Wasn't that LAST summer? We had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's beforehand so didn't purchase snacks during the movie. But I do like nibbling on those overpriced jumbo boxes of M&Ms!

6. Henry Ford is quoted as saying, "Nobody can think straight who does not work. Idleness warps the mind." Agree or disagree? Why?

There's something about work that physically AND mentally awakens us. It doesn't have to be a 9 to 5 job, any work will do, but idleness slows us down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. So, let's rev up! Who wants to do my dishes??

7. What's the last job you completed or task you performed where you had to 'work like a dog' until it was finished?

Organizing my linen and master bedroom closets when it was 80 degrees INSIDE. (There are some days I do long for AC...) Unused, stained and worn clothing - gone! Everything is organized, and I can find things again! Although it hasn't helped my kids find things easier...

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I have a problem, readers...

Join Joyce from From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Share in the randomness!

Happy Hodgepodging!