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!