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!

Weekly Wrap-up: Weeks 10-12 - Summer is Wrapping up!

Whoa! Is it really September less than 2 weeks? You know what that means, don't you? Our first day of homeschool is just around the corner! I've been planning the last couple of weeks, putting together 8 weeks worth of lessons plans. Are you ready? or have you already started the new year?

But in the meantime, we have summer to celebrate! And the temperatures are proving that summer isn't over yet!

We've been to the lake to cool off as the rain blew in. See to left of the picture? It poured at the other end of the lake! And then passed us right by without a single drop.



Tom and I have been exploring new lakes in search of Bass...and gorgeous sunsets.

Sam's been doodling and writing, a rarity for him. Isn't this kid awesome? His honesty. (And yes, his room is a mess.)

I finished up my first ever afghan for Jake. And planning on my next...

And the garden has turned into a jungle! But I don't have photos of that...

Summer School Day Counter

Cate - 20 days | Sam -  24 days

Cate - 40% Completed Math | Sam - 29% Completed Math
Cate - 3 books read | Sam - 4 books read

Cate - walk, swim, kayak,  garden | Sam - walk, swim, bike, fish, kayak, garden
Cate - Band Camp & Concert
Sam - Scout Camp
Field Trips/Activities - PEAR's Ice Cream Shop, CPL Mad Science, More to Life Campground, Casco Days Parade, Summer Reading Program

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

 

"When one teaches, two learn." - Robert Heinlein

Weekly Wrap-up: Weeks 8 - 9 - Summary of Summer Studies

What happened to last week? Somehow posting my weekly wrap-up got away from me! And I don't remember being particularly busy...Has that ever happened to you?

Look! Cate and Sam completed their first 12 days of summer study lessons. (And then some!) I ordered Cate's book from Amazon for her, and Sam had a Chinese take-out. (It was supposed to be ice cream, but.) They may even exceed my goal of 24 days this summer!

Sentence diagramming through Cate for a loop last year. We've been focusing on her understanding of parts of sentences and the method of diagramming them. Our FREE resources have been:

• Diagramming Sentences in English Review Part 1 (You Tube)
• Diagramming Sentences in English Review Part 2 (You Tube)
• Diagramming Sentences: The Basics of Sentence Structure (Website)
• Grammar Ninja (On-line Game)
• Mark Twain Media Publishing Company Diagramming Sentences Worktext (PDF)

She's working on the lessons in the worktext now, but her understanding has grown and I don't think she'll need to continue reviewing diagramming afterward. (Just between you and me, I'm not sure the value of DIAGRAMMING if you know the PARTS and their MEANINGS anyway.)

I'm impressed with Khan Academy! Have you used it in your homeschool? Cate is reviewing Pre-Algebra, another struggle from last year. The combination of video instruction, review of previous concepts, and commutation hints (rather than straight textbook learning) has deepened her understanding (and kept her happier with math). 

From an instructor standpoint, I love the ability to get on her profile and see what concepts she worked on, how much time she spent, what she's mastered, and what she struggled with, and I can print it all out.

Sam is moving along with Handwriting without Tears Cursive. He was super excited to learn cursive, but that initial feeling has waned. With delays in fine motor skills and visual tracking challenges, he's finding some of the letters hard to form and he holds his pencil so firmly that his hand tires quickly. (I'm on the search for a chunky pencils grip that might help him.) But his handwriting is impressively neat considering.

He's also reviewing 4th grade math with Khan Academy. His understanding of numerous concepts are shaky, so this review is necessary. He definitely benefits from a combination of visual instruction and kinesthetic (i.e. tapping keys) learning.

Summer School Day Counter

Cate - 17 days | Sam -  18 days

Cate - 38% Completed Math | Sam - 29% Completed Math
Cate - 2 books read | Sam - 3 books read

Cate - walk, swim, kayak,  garden | Sam - walk, swim, bike, fish, kayak, garden
Cate - Band Camp & Concert
Field Trips/Activities - PEAR's Ice Cream Shop, CPL Mad Science, More to Life Campground, Casco Days Parade, Summer Reading Program

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

"When one teaches, two learn." - Robert Heinlein

Six Word Saturday: Hooked it!

Join Cate at Show My Face for Six Word Saturday.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

Happy Homemaker Daybook: Journal of a SAHM

The Clock Reads...

7:18am

Weather in My Neck of the Woods 

Another rainy overcast day. The difference? It's supposed to be a steamy day too, warming up to the mid-80s. I'm thankful that the sun won't be shining. I think.

In the Garden

I harvested most of the green beans. Unfortunately the last batch went uneaten and the hens will get to enjoy them. Next time I'll freeze them. I'm excited to see that the cucumbers have taken off and are going like weeds! I just wish my peas would...

Looking Around the House

The carpets need vacuuming, but the dishes are done. The floors need a mop, but the laundry is caught up. We're getting there. (Notice I said WE'RE?)

Menu for this Week

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with Rice Pilaf and Veggies. Crockpot Beef au Jus on Homemade Crusty Bread and Veggies. Grilled Hot Dogs with Baked Beans and Veggies. Scrambled Eggs with Pancakes and Fresh Fruit.

What's on my TV Today 

I grabbed Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 2 from the library. Perhaps we'll actually watch them today...

What I'm Creating from the Craft Basket

Do you have a craft basket? or bag? I found a "clam basket" at a yard sale recently for $1.00. It's perfect to carry my crafting and books along with me to the lake or doctor's offices or wherever I go to help pass the time.

I'm Reading

Things that Make Me Happy and Thankful

Lots and lots of blowing fans.

I'm Wondering

When my van will be repaired and ready for pick-up? Tomorrow? Wednesday?

Devotional

I've recently gotten into scripture journaling. Some do the journaling and drawing right in their bibles, but I've chosen to do it in a small hardcover notebook. Some have fancy-dancy supplies, but I just use a few Sharpie pens, a mechanical pencil and Crayola erasable colored pencils. It's a great way to focus on specific scripture!

 I'm linking up to The Simple Woman at The Simple Woman's Daybook and to the Diary of a Stay At Home Mother at Happy Homemaker on Mondays.