Science class

I had to assure myself that we actually do science albeit in a different fashion than a typical classroom experiment. We took the boys to the Ecotarium where they explored animals, habitats, dirt, wind, water, and sound; that is how science should be done. This week we also made spaghetti structures which covers math, history, science, and culinary arts. In addition, Cannon finished making his rocket so in science at Crossroads they placed various substances in a flame to see how they reacted with fire. This he loved the best of all. Anytime I feel that I am not teaching him enough I have to pull away to see that he is learning through a variety of activities I just need to help him record some of his observations to track all of his experiences.

In pursuit of organization I found a wonderful post on WTM forums with links to a variety of examples from mothers using the SWR program. The best advice is to replace the binding with spirals along with laminating all of the cards. I have a folder for Cannon to keep all of his stuff organized; now I just need to add the “stuff”.

Tomorrow will be a day of organizing and preparation, after soccer and hiking are done. I need to take a trip to the UPS store to get the new bindings and lamination. Once I get this done, I can just study, study, study.

This week I felt uptight about covering more material. We are not really doing science yet Cannon listens to Jonathan Park and learns so much from the stories. I am fascinated by the information included in these audiobooks. I need to add a follow up activity to reinforce the main points of the audio. Bible has also suffered this past week. Hopefully, we can get some things done next week.

While I don’t wish to compare our lessons to those of government schools I do want him to at least have an introduction to the things standard second graders are expected to know. Granted they will not know all that he knows concerning world history, geography, and the abacus but he should be aware of what they are working on, so should I. Here is my quick update on our current status

Math-We finally started Singapore 2A and I am so thankful we waited. We started the year reviewing 1B to reinforce all that he learned and missed last year. We struggled with math last year because it is an area that requires concentration to focus on the task, I had to work alongside of him to get it completed appropriately. Even in K I did recognize that he frequently missed questions because he hurried through the work. By reviewing before starting the year he had success right from the start. He completed the first 2 lessons in the book on his own saying “this is easy”. I fear his ego may get in the way when he encounters addition with hundreds but for now he is confident and independent. I cannot forget that he is working on math in the abacus class.

Reading-we were using McCall-Crabbs but I set it aside until we got through the inital stages of SWR-all phonograms, including the multi-letter phonograms, along with a solid grasp of phonemic awareness, and completion of spelling lists A-D with efficiency, fluency, and confidence. Camelot still takes books to his room where he silently reads or looks through for words he knows or does whatever I am letting him take the lead before we go back to the readings which, he did fairly well on.

SWR- we completed section A-C in the Wise guide. For reinforcement and practice on the words we are creating the spelling booklet rather than taking a test on all words, he is spelling 95% correct with a bit of trouble with the phonogram “er”. I did not fully understand the process whereby grammar was included in the Wise Guide supplemental activities until this past week. We worked on prepositions, subject-verb, and completed the subject-object chart for pronouns. This is why I need to do my planning in advance so I am aware of these additional activites. I also like our WTM First Language Lessons and try to incorporate those into our lessons when possible. I think I may just use it over the summer to keep us up to date. I also like our copywork book but while trying to teach cursive this is not helpful.

Writing-I am slacking in both cursive writing practice and in writing projects.

History-we are listening to SOTW when driving to and fro along with reinforcing activities at home and in class at Crossroads. I have decided that I must use class to continue our study of middle ages rather than cover the ancient world. Originally I thought I should do a unit on wonders of the world but I can’t plan for two sets of history lessons. This will reduce a huge weight off my shoulders. At Crossroads we will cover geography terms and middle ages history. Tapestry of Grace will be covered at home while the SOTW activities will be completed at school.

Science-Camelot is taking rocket class, we attended a science festival last weekend, and he listens to Jonathan Park which is full of science. Reading books about science is also part of our learning model but he needs experiments. He really wants a microscope and I think he will get one for Christmas.

That about covers it…Goals for the next 3 weeks

SWR- complete words through section F, cursive phonograms, along with practice on all phonograms and words in sections A-F

Math- continue working through 2A and practice book.

Over the weekend I am going to work with Camelot to find out what he needs to perform his daily tasks with a more positive attitude. Perhaps, we will both come to the realization that we all need quiet time alone to reflect and dream. Our days are awfully harried and we need to streamline. I have take some pressure off by reducing our “must-do” list of activities. I should revise this now that I think of it.

My greatest problem lately is a lack of single mindedness. I am spread out so thin that I can hardle cover anything. Frenetically running from one thing to another leaves me feeling worn out and inadequate. When I finally get a minute alone I think of all that I would like to get done which paralyzes me. The baby needs to sleep through the night, I need to plan lessons and organize all of our school stuff, I need to run, I need to read…what do I really need right now to function more fully?

My goals for the coming week:

1. Get outside first thing in the morning for at least 30 minutes. Out of the house by 9:30. This will make lessons go more smoothly in the afternoon.

2. Wake up by 6am to read the Bible, catch up on internet, and go for a run/walk/workout.

3. If I miss my workout in the morning I will have to do an inside workout later in the day.

4. Make a list of 4 things to complete for each day…Camelot can help with this. He needs to take ownership of his studies and this will help.

5. Everyday must include: outdoor time, chore time, music time, quiet time, reading time, math time, and SWR.

As with everything we will keep on revising as we go. We are truly blessed with time while other families are weighted down with homework and demands from an external source. Besides the homework in schools I find the rise in violent crimes on school grounds a scary factor. We will stay here and keep our boys safe.

In addition, we will be spending two mornings at a local montessori/homeschool co-op. I will be teaching social studies and overseeing the students during journal/reading time and, of course, on the playground. Camelot really needed to be with other children, he is a social creature with enough energy for the entire family,  this outlet provides the needed motivation to complete his work alongside his peers in a multi-age setting. I thought teaching with Trucker by my side would be terrible but Trucker keeps himself busy; he searches through cubbies, looks at the books, and hugs each of the kids as they walk past. It will be beneficial to all of us.

Here is our plan:

Math-Singapore Math 2A-2B-we started the year with a review of 1B with an emphasis on mental math and memory tables. Rather than memorize all the addition tables we started with 1′s and 2′s, added doubles, 5′s and 10′s. This to me seems to be a good basis. By the end of October we will move into 2A but, this year I plan to include more extra practice than last year. He is good at math although he does complain that the subtraction is “too hard”. He is learning to say “I’ll try”.

Reading-Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Reading-we started this last year and we are still plugging along. He resisted sounding words out for a short time complaining that it is for babies. His frustration stemmed from my insistence that he learn phonetic reading rather than the whole word memorization he was taught in government school kindergarten. He is progressing slowly but solidly. He still does not want to read a book on his own because it is tedious and he can’t enjoy the pictures while reading. I understand that it will take time so we are not pushing him to read chapter books until he is ready.

Spelling-????? I purchased Explode the Code and that was working out, I also have a Hooked on Phonics spelling book he enjoys, then I purchased Spelling Workout. While I liked EC and HOP they seemed to be going too slowly but spelling workout is not phonics based so the words are all over the place…that is not exactly true. Initially spelling words follow short vowel sounds. I think I might create my own program adapted from OPG reading list words. I don’t know. I just read about Spell to Write and Read and it sounds good. I wish I could get a cheap copy to check it out.

Writing-Zaner-Bloser-Camelot is a late bloomer when it comes to fine motor skills. Last year we used Writing with Ease and he hated it. He really needed practice writing the letters, he needed repetition. So this year we started with Z-B for 1st grade. For the first month we are reviewing how to write the letters and just strengthening his hand. We have Draw-Write-Now and Writing with Ease sitting on the shelf but I may move toward something else.

Grammar-First Language Lessons and Daily Review for 2nd and 3rd grade. These books coincide very well. To this point Camelot seems to be doing well with the pink book. I read the FLL and add any information into my introduction of the daily lesson. FLL provides memory poems, picture and story narrations, and other reinforcing exercises. I am also planning to use a sentence board, with arrows and words to build sentences and see the rules in action.

Science-Usborne My World and Hands On museums. We will take science as it comes. I have 2 DVD’s from Sonlight and we will work through those along with reading Magic School Bus and just exploring our world. I have a notebook for Camelot to write narrations and observations from our reading and adventures.

Bible-Leading Little Ones to God and Children’s Bible Stories along with Awana.

Physical Education-Soccer in the fall and spring and skiing in the winter. Plus our daily exercise. Maybe I need to make a chart for him to see his progress. Like one time running around the quad and add laps each day/week culminating in a short race. That might be fun.

I have a space for our classroom, we found interaction with other children at Crossroads Montessori, and we have most of our books. Now, it is time to set a routine and follow it.