We are in school...the rhythm is set...and it's working for us.
Our typical day is Work boxes, Snack, Work boxes, Lunch, Astronomy or Galloping the Globe (alternating) two days per week, then quiet reading time. Normally we start about 9:30 break for lunch around 12:30 or 1. Then we have about an hour of free time and chore time. Then lay Autumn down for a nap and start back about 2ish. Work on Astronomy or GTG after lunch.
I've been struggling a bit with writing for the girls. I want to give them a good foundation. I've researched way too much, talked to way too many people and have figured out...I think we are doing okay. Mikayla is doing a lot of narration, copy work and dictation...which is fine. She is reading very well. She finished Mudge and Pudge today and really enjoyed it. Hannah has been doing some narration from books she is reading. We've been working on adding more detail to her paragraphs. They are patient with it even though it is a challenge for them both.
I still consider Mikayla a second grader even though she had a VERY early birthday and could still be considered a first grader if we wanted to. I guess that is why I am not pushing the writing as hard with her.
We read a lot...did I say we read a lot...we read a lot...so I hope that will begin to inspire them to write well.
This week we studied about Spain in Galloping the Globe. If fit perfectly with the American History Co-op from August and September where they studied about Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella. We read Ferdinande the Bull. I have been working with this curriculum a friend let me borrow called Teaching the Classics. It is SOOO good. It teaches how to even at their age now, to critically think about literature we read.
We just started Astronomy and are working on our notebooks in this as well. We have learned about the solar system, gravity, gravitational pull, what a constellation(a pattern of stars) is, about the stone henge and how it was used to by farmers to tell what season it was (which was very important for knowing when to grow and reap their crops), how birds know to fly south for the winter, and why God put all the planets and the stars in the sky the way He did.
We also learned about Copernicus and his theory that the planets did indeed revolve around the sun not everything revolving around the earth (LIFE LESSON here). We've learned about Galilio and how he proved Copernicus' theory with the telescope. We also touched on NASA and what they do and what the people that work there do.
Tomorrow, we are having our first co-op meeting. Every other Friday, we will be meeting to do our Astronomy projects, piano lessons, Art Appreciation, and Praise and Worship signing. I am looking forward to doing this with one of my best friends.
The days are busy. Autumn is running around and in to everything. She wants to "do school" with the girls, so she usually sits at the table with us and colors then gets down and insist on watching Baby signing time.
The girls have been using their Bible Bee curriculum to memorize Bible verses. They are doing really well. We recited them for Chad the other day and he couldn't believe what they knew. I am amazed at their ability to retain them. They ask me why we do this....I tell them these will be written on your heart forever. God will speak to you with these verses. He has a plan for hiding His words in our heart.
Tonight was our quarterly home school meeting. It was VERY organized. I was disappointed in the number of people that didn't come but we understand this is a very busy time of the year. I did enjoy getting to chat with new and old friends. We had missionaries come to speak to us. They were inspiring and will be prayed for by our family.
The beat goes on....raising them up to be warrior princesses for the King!
Hannah's Leaf
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