Tyler:
Geometry leaves me constantly saying: "Did I ever learn this?" I had a 99% in Geometry...why don't I remember it? Well, there is no time like the present to learn. Tyler had his first Geometry test AND his first Chemistry test this week. Thank you Steve Demme of Mathusee for teaching us Algebra 1 so well that we were able to breeze through MOST of Chemistry's Module 1. Actually we only had one glitch. Thankfully, I have a REALLY smart husband who was able to explain the mystifying equation and set our world to rights again!
We are all plodding through Medieval History and learning lots of interesting facts we didn't know before. It is fun to watch Europe "take shape" as warring tribes shuffle lands and dominance between them. We've talked alot about why we study history and what types of lessons we learn from it. We applied it to discussions concerning the fall of the Roman Empire. What similarities are there between Rome's decline and America's present state? Are we in danger of overtaxing the middle class into extinction? Are we still selling our products to other countries? How many items in the house came from other countries? As we study history are we determined to repeat the mistakes of the past or learn from them?
Christian had a fun time this week because we did some geography work with labeling maps and also started his timeline. He loves both! He's a real history buff! He remembers all those things I have taught him and reminds me of all the lost facts! I learn so much from him...things I taught him!! Ironic, eh?
Here is one thing Christian does NOT favor...spelling!!! We read about a man, I think he was a Goth, who became a Christian and purposed to write his language into his own people's language so he could translate the Bible in that language. "See?" I said, "If you had been the first to write OUR language YOU could have decided how everything is spelled!" We had a good chuckle out of that.
Here is one little idea if you are homeschooling and have a child who also struggles with spelling. I wanted to find a way to help Christian focus on those pesky words that defy phonics rules. So, we came up with a "Rulebreaker" Book. Whenever he comes across a word that is not spelled as it sounds or in line with phonics rules, he writes it in this book. He loves this book and loves to dramatical pretend to be the "Word Police"! He records these "spelling infractions" in his book with glee! Voila! I got him to focus on these words painlessly! :) Here he is as the "Word Police" ready to write in his "Rebel and Rule Breaking Words" book!
Rachel is taking a fun class through our homeschooling group. It is centered on the American Girl Series. They are focused on the "Felicity" books. She is having such a great time. I never have to remind her to do her homework. She reads those books quickly and with a smile and completes the answers to the questions. Last week they did some needlepoint and it is being made into a pillow. Once she's done, I'll post a picture!
I love this time of year. Something magical happens when we start school...everyone starts reading for fun when they shunned books in the summer (except for bedtime reading). Everyone is deep into quiet projects. I love it! I'll have to share some of those projects soon. :)
Taking our history at a slower pace, we have gotten to add some books. Here a are a couple we have added:
I am reading "Genghis Khan and the Mongol Horde" by Harold Lamb as a read aloud to Christian. It takes place about 400 years later than what we are studying now but by the time we are done we'll be at that point or further I am sure!
This book, "You Wouldn't Want to be a Medieval Knight! Armor You'd Rather Not Wear" by MacDonald and Antram, is just plain humorous fun! It is a whole series covering different Ancient to Medieval times. This one is no exception! It is just so funny you never outgrow it. We are reading a few pages each morning to wake us up and get us started on a happy note!
We're in deep now and ready for Week 3. Hey all you homeschoolers, how is your year going?
4 comments:
It sounds like your year is off to a good start! Midieval history is my favorite. (Along with American, Egyptian, early post-flood) History is my favorite subject.
I love reading about your TOG days!
Do you borrow all of the needed books or buy them? :)
Have a wonderful week to you and your sweet family, hugs, Robin
Are you guys in year 2 of tapestry? We started that this year as well. My kids are loving it, as am I. Truthfully I'm probably way more excited about it than my kids. It is great to be able to connect all the pieces of information I learned in school into the big picture. We got a great timeline book for my son and he is really enjoying that as well. The maps are getting on his nerves though. He is doing the overlays and writing on them has proved to be challenging. But challenge is good. Makes you have to figure out another way.
It sounds like things are going really well!!!!
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