I think we'll call today the official last day of school at B.L.I.S.S. Academy. This year's wind down feels a little different than years past, but we have wrapped up the *bulk* of our learning, so we shall consider that a win!
In all honesty, Xavier is finishing up his reading curriculum, Natalee is going to do a page a day of cursive handwriting, and Mia and I need to continue phonics instruction through the summer. But, while those things will be worked on, they will take a back seat to playing in the sunshine, park days with friends, lazy days spent playing games, and enjoying a break when we need it.
Natalee, Xavier, and I dove into the Eastern Hemisphere in our History curriculum this year (Sonlight Core F). (Sonlight is also our Bible curriculum.) This was not our favorite history set ever, but we did have a lot of fun with several of the countries and read alouds and we learned a lot. The Journey to the Eastern Hemisphere book that made up the spine of the set was a wealth of knowledge and a lot of fun to read through.
These two did a TON of independent reading this year, also, with so much of life shut down, and have had many adventures.
Natalee also made huge growth physically, managing the symptoms of her cerebral palsy, with weekly hippotherapy and physical therapy and every other week occupational therapy. Natalee took several sessions of private swim instruction and is working on passing her swim test at the Y. She takes piano lessons each week and is working so hard at getting her brain and her fingers to respond to each other, and is making great progress.
Congratulations, Xavier, on your completion of fifth grade. In addition to Sonlight Core F, Xavier did Teaching Textbooks math 5 and half of math 6 (we'll finish 6 next school year and start 7). He worked really hard in his reading curriculum and completed Rod & Staff reading and spelling level 3 and will finish level 4 this summer. We worked through WriteShop book D, and did a simple machines and bird science unit, and will do another science study this summer, after a break. Xavier also worked on his cursive handwriting this year.
Xavier was ecstatic when things began opening up, and played basketball at the Y this winter and baseball this spring. He very much enjoys the challenge and camaradarie of sports. Xavier is also taking piano lessons and is excelling.
Zayden, Ameliya, and I journeyed around the world for social studies this year and had such fun visiting different countries. I actually had three units planned for them for this school year, but such is life, we completed one and completed it well. We did an art/food/activity of some sort with most of the countries we visited and those reminded me to enjoy their childhood dearly.
We read all of the Secret of the Hidden Scrolls books for Bible/History, and began the Little House series at the end of the year. After we finish Little House, we will read the Birchbark House series.
In Science, we learned about Dinosaurs and how they fit into Bible times, using the free lapbook from homeschoolshare.
Congratulations, Ameliya, on your completion of 1st grade!
In addition to the units above, Ameliya completed level 2 of Masterbooks math and has worked through 3/4 of Sing, Spell, Read, & Write Level 1 (we'll finish this summer!). She has enjoyed the Draw Write Now writing/copyright as well as some age appropriate writing prompts in her journal.
Ameliya has also enjoyed lots of art time this year, both the planned activities we've done on fun Fridays, and independently. She loves to create and craft, and has also had a lot of fun playing soccer this spring.
Congratulations, Zayden, on your completion of Kindergarten! Zayden took Kindergarten by storm and rose to every academic challenge thrown his way this year. He loves to learn, and if I tried to pump the brakes on something, he would just teach himself. Zayden completed level K of Sing, Spell, Read, and Write reading and is almost halfway through level 1, right behind his sister. He was through with level 1 of Masterbooks math by April and has been working on math fact fluency and quick response. Midway through the year, we bought Zayden his own writing journal and he, too, enjoyed Draw Write Now and age appropriate writing prompts.
Zayden had an excellent soccer season this year and loves to try anything new. He views the world as his personal parkour course and has a unique brain that I am learning about and how to best reach. I wasn't sure we'd finish kindergarten this year, but he sure showed me and we're very proud of him.
In an effort to keep it real....here's how the school hutch looks at the end of the year. A frazzled mess just like my brain.
It's been a great school year, both with a lot of growth and a lot of personal challenges. Schooling 4 with a toddler in the mix is no joke, but we got it done, and some days even got it done well. I have learned in this year of slowing down, that there is great happiness in just enjoying our days and my children. Snuggling up and reading together, talking, painting, writing stories - these were all memories that I have stored up like treasures in my heart this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment