Regularly Scheduled Programming

With the Christmas celebrations officially over we've jumped back into our regularly scheduled programming full force.  We resumed school last week but were finding it difficult to get our groove.  This week we are falling back into the rhythm and it's such a great feeling.

In Science we are learning about metamorphosis as we continue a study of animals (particularly invertebrates).  Such a great example of the enormity and power of God!

I was pleased to see that both children drew their butterfly with 3 parts - head, thorax and abdomen.  We've been singing the insect body parts song for a week now.  

{To the tune of Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes:

Head and thorax, abdomen, abdomen, abdomen (while touching your head, sternum, tummy)

Head and thorax, abdomen, abdomen, abdomen

That's an insect (while clapping with the beat).}

History is getting a bit complex.  Truthfully I would like to set it on the shelf and do unit studies instead.  However, the children LOVE the timeline portion of the curriculum and so I've settled on feeding them an introduction and brief synopsis of each piece and letting them move on with the timeline. I am amazed at their memories and we sometimes take ALL the pieces off and do a Q&A while putting them back on.  They are able to give bits of info about most of them and do amazingly well getting them back in order without prompting, most especially the earlier ones that they are more familiar with (creation, Adam and Eve, Noah, etc) and the ones we've also studied in our Bible curriculum.  

I, however, am learning a ton and am thoroughly enjoying reading the curriculum lessons in their entirety to myself each day.  Finally the timeline & stories of the prophets, kings, etc are falling into place for me!

In Bible we are following Joshua's journey.  The children are memorizing Romans 3:23 which shows us why we need God.

And then there's math and reading/language arts.  Natalee has begun having a 5 word spelling "test" daily and is truly excelling with her reading program.  She is DEVOURING books and almost always has one with her or nearby her.  We are reading Little House in the Big Woods as a family and she has found the 4 picture books we have that go along with the chapter book and reads them all daily.  She is falling in love with Laura and Mary and enjoys traveling back in time to their home. 

 She also spends a lot of time writing.  I found this slip of paper laying upstairs yesterday...

We are studying when the proper time is to use capitals and punctuation and this week we are beginning basic alphabetizing and picking out the subject in the sentence.

In math, Natalee is finishing the study of addition and moving to subtraction.  I'm anxious to see if working with subtraction helps her addition facts to become more automatic.  If not, we'll begin more daily review so she can pull those addition facts out quickly without always needing blocks.  Of alllll the subjects math continues to be her least favorite.

Xavier is continuing to work through the alphabet - one letter a week.  This week is letter Qq and we've gotten to talk about the marriage of Mr. Q to Mrs. U and how she is his helper and helps him make his sound.  He got a new "math" book last week and is excited about it, as he always is when he gets a new book.  This book has cutting/gluing almost daily, which is good for busy little boys. 

He is also plotting for this fall when he gets to be a kindergarten homeschooler and get a big red math book (Math-U-See Primer) and a reading work book and reading books!  He loves to learn and learning comes quite easily to him (stinker!).  His biggest challenge is tuning in when he wants to tune out, but as long as his body is engaged he's soaking up the knowledge (kinesthetic learner!).  I had considered holding him off another year but the last few weeks all signs point to his readiness and holding him back would only make for a frustrated and discouraged little learner!

There is still lots of time for play and tromping about during our days.

  

Doesn't everyone have roller skates and a skateboard in the house?  Gives a whole new meaning to indoor recess now doesn't it?

 

 

Oh the fun we are having together!!