A few little changes...

OK, only a few weeks into our school year and already I am making some changes. I have read from a few different sources that if something is not working, it will be very clear, very quickly! This was the case with our writing and spelling books. The girls did not care for them at all. I decided to hold off on spelling until next year with Marney first of all, and I purchased Simply Spelling by Laurie Hicks (a Charlotte Mason approach to spelling) for Madeline, it covers grades 3-12. In theory it will be the only spelling book my kids ever need. I've also changed to Writing With Ease by Susan Wise Bauer, I like her concrete and scripted approach to teaching and I think the kids will benefit from more one on one training in this subject. Everything else is working well so far. Also, I ordered the kids planners from Notgrass Company to record their year in, it looks great!

A play

The kids put on a cute play for us this evening about a swan(Marney), a killdeer(Madeline), a bear(Owen), and a dog(Rosie). Just had to share this picture. Owen got a good laugh at his own expense when he saw the picture, "look at my big tummy!"

First Official Week!

We have had a busy week. The kids worked very hard, even though to them it is still technically summer. We are very proud of their willingness and enthusiasm in taking on this huge life change! As I reflect on our week, I realize just how much they accomplished. They took apart an old modem with Jim, to see what everything looks like and how it all fits together. I'm glad Jim knows the names of all the parts and can explain how it all works, because I have no clue! They made drawing of animals, classified them, painted, and labeled the anatomical parts. They made lapbooks, and a Nile river replica. All this in addition to spelling, phonics, reading, grammar, math, and History. Amazing!

Curriculum we are using

We are following the outline from "The Well Trained Mind" by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer pretty closely, since we are new and fairly clueless.

Mad (9)

Math-Rod and Staff, Level 4
Grammar-First Language Lessons, Level 4
Writing-Writing Strands, Level 3
Handwriting-Zaner Bloser, grade 4
Spelling-Spectrum, grade 4
Phonics-Spectrum, grade 5
Histroy-The Story of the World-The ancients
Science-Apologia, Zoology 1
Latin-PrimaLatina
Copywork-Copywork for Girls, Sandi Queen
Dance classes

Moo (7)

Math-Rod & Staff, grade 2
Grammar-FLL, grade 2
Writing-Writing Strands, Level 2
Handwriting-Zaner-Bloser, level 2c
Spelling-Spectrum, grade 2
Phonics-Spectrum, grade 3
History-The Ancients - The Story of the World
Science-Apologia, Zoology 1
Latin-PrimaLatina
Copywork-Copywork for Little Girls, Sandi Queen
Music-Piano Lessons

O (4)

Reading-"5 in a Row"
Really Reading Program from Tanglewood Education (eventually, not sure he is ready yet)
Science-"Bubbles, Rainbows, and Worms"

Too much? Not enough? We will soon find out!

Finger knitting and pirate ships!

Finally we found an easy way for the girls to learn to knit! While browsing one of my favorite blogs, by sun and candlelight, I noticed a link to the crafty crow.
There was a great step by step tutorial on finger knitting. After just a few minutes, the girls took off and have now knitted half my yarn collection!
Owen couldn't wait for his Dad to come home and save him from all the "girl" projects. As soon as Jim walked in the door, Owen talked him into building a pirate ship that he can sit in. They had lots of fun doing "guy" things, while the girls knitted away and I made dinner. The pirate ship turned out cute. "Can I take it to the pool Daddy?"