Yesterday was such a nice day! We took my dad’s ’54 Ford Coupe out for a drive. It is currently “residing” in my garage as Brian plans to put the air conditioner in it this summer for my dad. So we took the opportunity that the gorgeous weather provided and went for a drive along part of the Natchez Trace. It was simply beautiful! Our drive gave us a view of the Pear River, the Reservoir, Cypress Swamp, and other stops along the way. In addition we saw turtles, hundreds of lily pads (no frogs though), and an alligator! After leaving the Reservoir Overlook we were longing for the “coast” that we left behind in Mobile and ways we can start enjoying the water where we live now--even if it isn’t salt water and sandy beaches. We all talked about how much we would love to live on a houseboat, and how the water and coastlines would be our backyard. After we arrived back home Brian fired up the BBQ grill and we grilled hamburgers and veggies while the kids played in the pool. We topped our evening off with a freshly sliced watermelon and a friendly-albeit competitive-game of Monopoly.
Sundays have become one of my favorite days of the week. We’ve somehow, unintentionally, made this a ‘family day’. Sunday Drives, trips to the museums, playing at the park, cooking on the grill, and playing Monopoly have become so common to Sundays now that my kids look forward to Sunday all week long. I am thankful for this time in my children’s lives when they enjoy being with us. I am also thankful that our lifestyle affords us a more casual, unhurried approach to life. I believe that the lessons my children learn during these family times--be it academics, character, morals, or other life lessons--are as valuable, if not more so, as anything we learn at the ‘school table’.
And...speaking of school...be sure to check out the new pictures--Making Molecules. The boys both used marshmallows and toothpicks to make molecules today. While Ben’s molecules were a little less structured, Gavin’s molecules had to follow ‘rules’. He made a number of molecules including, H2O, NH3, CH4 and CH3OH. I know at least a couple of you reading will know what those are!!
Monday, May 21, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
First Week WOWS
Brian tells me that I say this at the beginning of every year, but WOW, this is going to be a very busy year for us. He asked me about mid-day Monday how it was going and my reply was “Well, there’s definitely going to be a learning curve!” He asked who the learning curve would be for, Gavin or Ben. I said ME! Our first day this week took 7 hours to complete! I am relieved to tell you, though, that yesterday took 5 hours and today took 4 1/2.
The biggest thing that took me by surprise was Latin. I had pre-read, planned, and studied up but still I was nearly speechless when it came time to teach it. We are getting it though, it will be something that Gavin and I are truly learning together.
I expected Chemistry to be my biggest obstacle, and as a result I have spent the past couple of weeks studying and trying to remember my college sciences. It paid off because we were able to conquer a discussion of atoms complete with protons, neutrons, and electrons. Tomorrow is “experiment” day.
Sonlight has made some improvements this year in their Language Arts, particularly in the area of writing. I think that will definitely go a long way in helping Gavin to build his writing skills and in helping Ben build a stronger foundation in writing skills. So far we are really pleased with the changes. Last year’s writing assigments sort of threw an assignment at us with no guidance as to how to instruct them in it. This year, however, all grades have writing instruction that is improved.
We are combining two math programs this year, alternating them from day to day. Math U See is a manipulative based math that teaches for understanding and mastery. I had Ben in mind mostly when I chose this, thinking that the ‘hands-on’ approach would benefit him most. But surprisingly, it is the opposite. Ben is very resistant to Math U See, maybe it is because he doesn’t like the change, maybe he doesn’t like the format (plain white pages with black print). Whatever the reason is, he still loves Singapore so we will continue using that as his “main” program and add in the other when we can. Gavin on the other hand loves the Math U See. The program has a DVD that goes along with it and a math instructor presents each week’s lesson either for the teacher to watch or the student can watch. Gavin really enjoys watching this. Mr. Demme is a good mixture of humor and math and his approach is interesting. Gavin still likes Singapore as well, so I think having the two programs will give him some variety from day to day as well as encourage him to expand the way he thinks about math.
We have begun enjoying the Sonlight readers and read-alouds. Gavin’s year begins with a quick study on South America and then moves on to the westward expansion of America. Ben’s year begins with a look at some missionaries and we are reading The Boxcar Children.
Ben’s reading is progressing at a wonderful pace. I kept him reading a bit while we were on our break and he was able to jump right back in and is reading through his readers rather fluently.
Luci has joined us a bit this year for school as well. Perhaps this is why we had such a shock on Monday! I am doing a “letter of the week” theme with her and have a few cute ‘toddler’ workbooks for her to color. We also are doing a lot of reading, looking at pictures, expanding her vocabulary, and just talking.
The biggest thing that took me by surprise was Latin. I had pre-read, planned, and studied up but still I was nearly speechless when it came time to teach it. We are getting it though, it will be something that Gavin and I are truly learning together.
I expected Chemistry to be my biggest obstacle, and as a result I have spent the past couple of weeks studying and trying to remember my college sciences. It paid off because we were able to conquer a discussion of atoms complete with protons, neutrons, and electrons. Tomorrow is “experiment” day.
Sonlight has made some improvements this year in their Language Arts, particularly in the area of writing. I think that will definitely go a long way in helping Gavin to build his writing skills and in helping Ben build a stronger foundation in writing skills. So far we are really pleased with the changes. Last year’s writing assigments sort of threw an assignment at us with no guidance as to how to instruct them in it. This year, however, all grades have writing instruction that is improved.
We are combining two math programs this year, alternating them from day to day. Math U See is a manipulative based math that teaches for understanding and mastery. I had Ben in mind mostly when I chose this, thinking that the ‘hands-on’ approach would benefit him most. But surprisingly, it is the opposite. Ben is very resistant to Math U See, maybe it is because he doesn’t like the change, maybe he doesn’t like the format (plain white pages with black print). Whatever the reason is, he still loves Singapore so we will continue using that as his “main” program and add in the other when we can. Gavin on the other hand loves the Math U See. The program has a DVD that goes along with it and a math instructor presents each week’s lesson either for the teacher to watch or the student can watch. Gavin really enjoys watching this. Mr. Demme is a good mixture of humor and math and his approach is interesting. Gavin still likes Singapore as well, so I think having the two programs will give him some variety from day to day as well as encourage him to expand the way he thinks about math.
We have begun enjoying the Sonlight readers and read-alouds. Gavin’s year begins with a quick study on South America and then moves on to the westward expansion of America. Ben’s year begins with a look at some missionaries and we are reading The Boxcar Children.
Ben’s reading is progressing at a wonderful pace. I kept him reading a bit while we were on our break and he was able to jump right back in and is reading through his readers rather fluently.
Luci has joined us a bit this year for school as well. Perhaps this is why we had such a shock on Monday! I am doing a “letter of the week” theme with her and have a few cute ‘toddler’ workbooks for her to color. We also are doing a lot of reading, looking at pictures, expanding her vocabulary, and just talking.
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