Weekly Report : Sept. 15 - 19

More of the same -o in terms of the three r's this week. I guess that's a good thing.
I did want to post some pictures from Batman's class at co-op (American History). They've been covering a different topic every week and it's been really good. He's enjoying it a lot.
















Week 1 - Leif Ericson, the viking who first discovered America.
















Week 2 - Christopher Columbus
















Week 3 - Jamestown

Weekly Report : Sept. 8-11, 2008

Well, this week was a big week for us - we started co-op! Superman is taking a FIAR class and Batman is taking American History. It was an even bigger week because I'm teaching FIAR! Phew, am I ever glad that the first week is over.

B has been working on his math and copywork steadily. We are trying to commit to memory even and odd skip count numbers by 2. He's coming along. We added FLL and narration of Aesop this week. Narration is a little rusty from the summer break. On the other hand though, he sat down today and wrote a report on the book Leif the Lucky all by himself (aside from the spelling of certain words he asked)! I don't know what propelled him to do this. He just sat down and started writing away and told me not to look. He's written a lot of stories, comics, and letters but they were all dictated to me. I think this is his first piece of writing (long writing) that he has written (both composition and handwriting) that he has done by himself. He did really well. Way to go B!

I've read that writing is really a two part process. The first is the formation of words and ideas in the head, then the second part is putting the words on paper. They are two separate processes. Composition can be learned in the mind before the hand is ready to put it to paper. Maybe B's hand caught up to his thoughts today.

For Superman, we continued with his letters from Handwriting Without Tears and followed up with this week's FIAR material.

I'm still trying to figure out how to juggle a toddler in there. Haven't really implemented my plan yet. Just wasn't the week for that yet I guess.

Weekly Report Aug. 23-28

Well, this week has been all about a slow re-entry. Slow. B started copywork and math, and that's about it as far as academics goes (aside from free reading). Tried to spend some time with S reading and writing letters. This week was more about trying to find our rhythm and routine. How do I spend time with each child and get the others to be productively occupied during that time? Tonight I thought about starting the day reading to D after breakfast and chores. B can spend that time reading the bible then moving onto some independent work. S can have independent room play. Next, I will move onto spending time with S while B plays with D. And finally, I will spend time with B while S and D play together and maybe watch an educational show. (How confusing was that?) Would that work I wonder? After that we'll break for snack and reading then move onto table time all together.

This week I got easily frustrated and upset at my own inabilities. Of course, I took it out on the kids. Next week is a new week though. I just have to remind myself to relax and to take things slowly. The most important thing for me is to spend time loving them and enjoying them. This is what they need most right now. I've got to learn to laugh and play with them. So, note to self for next week: laugh and play and dance!

S worked on building a fort with the pegs and wanted me to post a picture. So here it is.




And our sunflower finally bloomed!