Week 36: FINISHED!!!

Yes, last week we finally crossed the finish line for school. Jessie completed the last two sections in her CWP book. We put together our science lapbooks (see Monday and Tuesday for pictures). That means for the remainder of May all we have is a bit of history to read. Last week we finished covering Nathan Hale. We also read about Washington crossing the Delaware and the battle of Trenton. Friday morning we added timeline figures for Nathan Hale and the battle of Trenton and put together a booklet for the latter. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture. Actually the camera was already packed in my hospital bag, I was just waiting for the contractions to become regular enough and strong enough to drop off the kids and head out.) This week we're just taking some time off while the baby and I try to figure each other out. Hopefully, we'll pick up with our reading again next week.

Wordless Wednesday: Meeting their little brother...

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Violet's science lapbook

Jessie's science lapbook

IT'S A BOY!!!!

2008-09 Goals for Violet: Math, Logic, and Foreign Langauge

GOALS	RESOURCES/COMMENTS
MATH
1. Improve mental addition and subtraction	Singapore Math 2B
2. Continue multiplication and memorize facts for x2, x3, x4, x5, and x10	Singapore Math 2B, Multiplication Wrap-up, and drill
3. Cover remaining topics in 2B	Singapore Math 2B
4. Numbers to 10,000 and addition / subtraction of larger numbers	Singapore Math 3A
CRITICAL THINKING
1. Continue to develop reasoning and analytical skills	Building Thinking Skills 1, Visual Perceptual Skills 2
2. Develop logic and problem solving abilities	Mind Benders Beginning Book 1
SPANISH
1. Learn the Spanish alphabet
2. Increase Spanish vocabulary	Spanish for Children (library) Learnables Spanish 1 Other library resources??

2008-09 Goals for Violet: Language Arts

The grammar section is expanded beyond what I would normally do for goals. This is simply because using FLL as written for a few weeks this year was not accomplishing our goals. One of my projects over the next couple of months is to make some modifications to how we will use FLL. Basically, we'll keep the parts that I feel are useful, discard the portions that overlap with other areas (AKA narration, picture study, and copywork), and modify how the material is presented so that it is not primarily auditory and has more application of concepts.

GOALS	RESOURCES/COMMENTS
GRAMMAR
1. Memorize the definition of a sentence.Recognize that a sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark.Memorize the 4 types and sentences, be able to correctly identify them in a story, and correctly use the appropriate ending punctuation with each sentence type.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
2. Memorize the definition of a noun. Identify nouns in a sentence. Explain the difference between common and proper nouns, correctly identify them, and use appropriate capitalization.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
3. Memorize the definition of a pronoun. Learn the pronoun list. Use the list to identify pronouns in a sentence. Correctly capitalize the pronoun I in a sentence.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
4. Memorize the definition of a verb. Identify action verbs in a sentence. Memorize the state of being verbs and correctly use them in a sentence. Understand the concept of linking verbs. Memorize the list of helping verbs.Use the list to find helping verbs in a sentence.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
5. Memorize the definition of an adjective. Identify adjectives in a sentence when located in front of the noun. Identify adjectives in a sentence containing a linking verb.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
6. Memorize the definition of an interjection and be able to give examples. Memorize the definition of a conjunction and be able to identify the 3 most commonly used.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
7. Memorize the definition of an adverb. To be able to correctly use adverbs in a sentence.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
8. To memorize the 3 articles.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
9. Memorize the definition of a preposition. Memorize the list of prepositions. Use the list to identify prepositions in a sentence.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
10. Understand how to correctly form a contraction with an apostrophe. To correctly apply basic capitalization to writing. To correctly use commas in a series. To understand the difference between direct and indirect quotations. To correctly punctuate a direct quotation. To understand the terms synonyms and antonyms and be able to give examples.	Accomplish using modified version of FLL.
SPELLING
1. Continue to improve spelling skills and vocabulary.	To be practiced using SWO C and D.
2. Continue to improve editing skills.	To be practiced using SWO C and D.
PENMANSHIP
1. Improve legibility of printing	Copywork
2. Learn correct formation and connection of cursive letters.	Copywork
3. Improve narration ability	Practice narrations from assigned reading.
READING
1. Increase variety of books read beyond fiction.	Assigned weekly history biographies and science books.
2. Increase attention to details and content.	Assigned literature readings to be discussed with Mom.
3. Improve reading speed and ability to sound out longer multi syllable words.	Continue reading aloud to Mom at least twice a week.

Wordless Wednesday

Why is it that every time I ask them to play together they end up fighting; but whenever it's time to play individually, something like this happens?

Ways to make the time pass.....

I finally have that end of pregnancy organizing energy spurt. Knowing that the baby could come at any time is a wonderful motivator to get things done. It started out as that if-I-don't-do-it-now,-I-might-not-be-able-to-do-it-later mentality. Now it's become more of a I'd-much-rather-be-on-my-way-to-the-hospital-now-but-since-I'm-here-I-might-as-well-do-something waiting game. On the other hand, my house is benefiting tremendously. What I've accomplished so far...

Last Friday, I

• organized out my section of the closet
  
• cleaned the entire bathroom mirror and light fixtures over the sinks
• sorted through or straightened up all of the drawers and cabinets under the sink
• <><>cleaned all of my bedroom windows
  

On Saturday, I

• tackled the pantry shelves downstairs sorting out empty jars from canned food
• put away my miscellaneous pile of boy clothes into their appropriate boxes and closed the boxes up properly
  
• broke down empty boxes
  
• straightened the top shelf with wrapping supplies
  
• moved the consignment boxes over into the pantry while sorting through the fall/winter box and pulling out items to simply give away because it was too full
  

On Sunday, I

• put away the remainder of the girls' winter clothes
  
• washed all of the clothes that I bought at our consignment sale for this summer
  
• found and washed several baby toys
  
• washed two loads of laundry
  
• baked a ham
  

On Monday, I

• straightened up the girls' art supplies downstairs
  
• set up a spot for items to give my niece and to sell on Ebay
  
• put the Childcraft books on the basement shelves
  

Yesterday, I

• went through all of the paperwork in my office
• filed papers
• organized old bank statements into their appropriate envelope
• pulled out folders of taxes and bank statements to be moved up to the attic for storage
• made a lot of waffles
• dropped a couple of bags worth of stuff at the Salvation Army

Today so far, I've been playing catch up on household chores.

• My tubs and showers are clean.
  
• The hard floors are mopped
• My stove, counters, and microwave are clean.
  
• I have 2 1/2 loads on laundry hanging out on the line.
• We went to the library and ran some errands.

The question is now that I've given my back a rest what do I do next? I know it's still two days to my due date, but I wish the baby would decide to come on out and play.

2008-09 Goals for Jessie : Math, Logic, and Languages

GOALS	RESOURCES/COMMENTS
MATH
1. Continue to improve multiplication and division skills.Learn to multiply by a two digit number.	Singapore Math 4A
2. Continue to improve on understanding of fractions, addition and subtracting of fraction, and introduce mixed numbers.	Singapore Math 4A.
3. Improve 2D geometry skills by measuring angle, understanding parallel and perpendicular lines, and continue to work on area and perimeter.	Singapore Math 4A
4. Introduce the concept of decimals. Learn to do basic operation with decimals.	Singapore Math 4B
5. Improve 3D geometry skills by identifying solid figures and learning how to calculate colume.	Singapore Math 4B
6. Continue to improve computation speed in multiplication and division.	Math keys, drills
LOGIC/CRITICAL THINKING
1. Continue to improve reasoning and analytical skills.	Building Thinking Skills 2
2. Continue to improve logic and problem solving skills	Mind Benders A2, A3, A4
LATIN
1. Improve Latin vocabulary and grammar	Latin For Children Primer A
2. Make Latin more fun.	LfC Activity book and DVD?
3. Begin reading and translating Latin.	LfC History Reader
SPANISH
1. Learn Spanish alphabet.
2. Increase Spanish vocabulary.	Spanish for Children (library) Learnables Spanish 1 Other library resources ??

2008-09 Goals for Jessie: Language Arts

This will be my second year making academic goals for our homeschool. I've found that knowing what we are trying to accomplish with our school work helps in many ways. As far as curriculum goes, it helps me evaluate whether or not a certain curriculum will work for us, identify places where there is overlap (that can usually be eliminated unless we are using it as a means of reinforcement), and discover portions that may need to be modified slightly in order to make a curriculum meet our needs. During the year, our goals keep me focused on why we are doing what we are. This helps keep school from turning into an endless string of busywork and gives me a basis to evaluate how well our plans are working or where they may need to be altered. The one change that I've decided to make this year is to print out a hard copy of these goals to put in my teacher's notebook so that I will do a better job of remembering to check our progress more frequently during the year.

GOALS	RESOURCES/COMMENTS
GRAMMAR
1. Recite and understand the definitions of the 8 parts of speech.	Accomplish using R&S 4 exercises, Grammar work in CW Aesop, and memory work
2. Correctly Identify the part of speech of a given word in a list or sentence.	Create appropriate grammar work in CW Aesop. Use dictation exercises for additional practice as needed.
3. Given a sentence be able to correctly identify all the instances of a given part of speech.	Create appropriate grammar work in CW Aesop. Use dictation exercises for additional practice as needed.
4. Given a sentence be able to correctly label the part of speech of each word in the sentence.	Create appropriate grammar work in CW Aesop. Use dictation exercises for additional practice as needed.
5. Improve sentence diagramming skills.	Learn new skills using R&S 4. Reinforce those skills with additional practice through CW or dictation.
6. Improve punctuation skills.	Learn new skills using R&S 4. Reinforce through dictation and CW draft editing.
SPELLING
1. Continue to improve spelling skills and vocabulary.	To be practiced using SWO F and G, dictation, and CW.
2. Continue to improve editing skills.	To be practiced using SWO F and G, dictation, and CW.
WRITING/PENMANSHIP
1. Transition from handwriting paper to regular lined paper for writing.	Dictation
2. Improve legibility, speed, and length of handwriting.	Dictation
3. Improve narration ability by decreasing the use of passive voice, increasing variety in sentence structure, and increasing use of more descriptive vocabulary	CW Aesop
READING
1. Increase variety of books read beyond fiction.	Assigned weekly history biographies and science books.
2. Increase attention to details and content.	Assigned literature readings to be discussed with Mom.
3. Improve reading comprehension beyond basic plot and fact information.	Reading Detective Literature narration, discussion, and some book reports.

Week 35: Inches from the finish line

It's been a delightfully light week as far as school goes so the report will be brief.

MATH

Jessie is still moving right along in her CWP book. We have 1 1/2 sections left before we stop for the year and will finish up next week. I've decided to change how I schedule the CWP book starting next year. I think we'll do a page a day along with our regular math assignment. This will give us the review problems from CWP 3 to finish up until we've progressed far enough along in SM 4 to start the CWP 4 book. Violet finished her math for the year on Tuesday and would you believe she told me this morning that she misses doing math and wants to know when she'll get to do some more?!?

LANGUAGE ARTS

The girls have finished memorizing their last poem for the year. That leaves two poems that we didn't get to that I will simply move to next year's list. For literature, the girls read Daughter of Liberty on their own this week. They must have enjoyed it because I had to reclaim the book when they began arguing over whose turn it was to read the book a second (or was it third) time.

GEOGRAPHY and HISTORY

We put together our geography lapbooks this week. They were definitely the longest that we have ever assembled. I believe we went through about 5 glue sticks just for the assembly. For pictures see the two posts below this one.

For history, we are ever moving slowly through the revolutionary war. This week we read about the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock, and part of a biography of Nathan Hale. We added the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, and John Hancock to our timeline and assembled booklets for the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, and John Hancock.

SCIENCE

We finished up our last lesson until June in Apologia on flying reptiles. We're going to save the second half on insects for a summer study. We remade the bat booklet from last week that I had messed up and created one booklet for the last chapter. The only thing that we haven't done yet is assemble our lapbook. I hope to do that next week before the baby comes, but with only one week to go it may end up waiting a little longer.
BENNY'S PRESCHOOL

Benny's preschool is officially over for the year. We'll continue to informally read, review letters, and count over the summer break. I'll leave his current Kumon books available to work on whenever he chooses.

WW Part 2: Violet's US Geography Lapbook

WW Part 1: Jessie's US Geography Lapbook

Week 34: Almost at the Finish Line

We've had a great week. It's felt a little scattered because we have finished up enough subjects that we really aren't following our regular schedule. I'm hoping I can keep my brain focused for one more week and then we'll be finished and switch to a summer schedule.

MATH

Jessie is doing much better with CWP 3 this week. I think she finally understands the basic concept behind the bar graphs. She's been able to complete the sections on money and length as well as half of the weight section. YEAH!! It's still taking her longer to work through the problems each morning, but for the most part she is just sticking with it without complaining.

Violet has completely finished her 2A textbook and workbook this week. She has just a few pages left in her IP book to complete next week, and then she will be done for the summer.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Both girls have finished memorizing our poem, The Swing. We'll do some review this summer, but nothing new until next year. For literature, we've finished reading Mr. Revere and I. Jessie and Violet are both eager for me to finish the book so they can go back and reread it themselves. We've also finished up our last copywork (I Corinthians 13 for Violet) and dictation(the creation section of The Magician's Nephew for Jessie) for the year. Jessie completed one final CW Aesop assignment using the fable The Farmer and the Nightingale. We didn't do as much editing as in the last few assignments, but we're both ready to take a break for a while.

GEOGRAPHY / HISTORY / SCIENCE

We completed the last of our US geography booklets on Thursday. The only left to do next week is assemble the lapbook and decorate.

For history, we've read about the battles of Lexington and Concord, the capture of Fort Ticonderoga, and the battle of Bunker Hill. I have their narrations printed, but we didn't get time to put the booklets together this week. We're going to be continuing history throughout May and hopefully wrap up by mid-June.

For science we finished up our section on bats and finished another booklet. Unfortunately, I goofed in setting it up, so I'll post a picture next week after we rework and assemble it. We didn't get to the section on flying reptiles this week. So we'll take next week to wrap that up and assemble our science lapbook.

BENNY'S PRESCHOOL

Benny is almost at the end of the alphabet. This week we added Yy. Hopefully next week we can add Zz and then just review off and on for the summer. He also did some cutting in his Kumon book this week in addition to being Daddy's helper one day and spending plenty of time outside.