This Week in Learning: October 10th, 2014
This week was our first week back studying, our last term of the year, I’d be less than truthful if I said it was all plain sailing. I wrote an email on the first day to a new homeschooling mama encouraging her, words that are true for myself too, “… never expect too much your first day, usually a few tears all around, so hugs and prayers today.” After nearly two decades of homeschooling I have finally learnt to tone my hopes down to realistic bites. When PC asked how our day had gone, I was able to answer happily, “really good” and it was, even though we had only put in two hours of study, over the years I have scaled back my expectations for first days. Planning is another area in which I’ve finally learnt moderation, I used to spend days and days planning units that never happened, these days I’ve scaled back on how many hours I spend planning, always knowing it will need a tweak here and there for a few areas over the first week. All this ‘wisdom’ I hasten to add has been hard won.
This term Anna Maria (21) has offered to undertake teaching our younger children their maths, reading and Faith. This frees me up to focus on teaching the older children. As it is Einstein’s (17) last term learning with us:( there are several areas I’d like to strengthen before we call “it a day”. Our plan is, that I spend a couple of solid hours daily with our teenagers, studying various Language Arts; grammar, writing, literary analysis and for some; spelling and handwriting. We managed to spend 2 days out of the 4 this week, putting in several solid hours on grammar and writing skills. Studying the various types of nouns and pronouns, and the purposes of writing and different styles of writing. Aside from undertaking their Language Arts block with me the older children also have independent work to do.
Einstein’s studies consisted of reading more from the Beginning Apologetics Set and devouring at least five of the Louis de Wohl books we own. I totally understand as Louis de Wohl is worth gulping, he writes SO well. Einstein and a friend still have their Physics teacher coming out each week; currently the boys are studying the history of atoms and the periodic table, they have achieved so much with him, he has been a real blessing. Einstein also spent time researching University courses and then ringing the various Universities in regards to their entry requirements, and also enrolled in the STAT test which he takes next month. This has been a whole new steep learning curve for Einstein and I’m very proud of how he has gone about researching and communicating with the Universities. He continues to be popular with his work (local green grocers) and is one of the first employees they call.
Michelangelo’s independent studies included solid progress with his maths, and he also made great progress with his readings; beginning Science Matters and Modern Times and continuing with Brenda Runkle’s Geography and Beginning Apologetics Set. Reading is a favourite pastime of his a fact which always brings me pleasure when I recall how he didn’t become a reader until eleven. He enjoyed a couple of novels this week too, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and the newly released book The Blood of Olympus.
Our young lady turned thirteen this week and received her first ipod, also her brother uploaded Singstar onto her computer so there has been lots of singing happening. It is rather odd listening to people sing when they can hear the music and you can’t.
For this term I wrote on the children’s ‘expectation sheets’ that Jelly Bean (10) and Jack Jack (8) were to read for an hour a day, breaking the hour into 15 minute segments, they just need practice. JB is an independent and diligent soul and was determined to do her reading ‘on her own’ which she has done! So heartening to see her become enthused about reading again, re-reading a Mercy Watson book in one sitting! We’ve been at a plateau stage since March so hoping we move forward. JJ hasn’t been quite as diligent at reading, more hitting the 15 minute a day time frame, still happy with his progress though.
All three younger children; JB, JJ and Jem have powered ahead in maths, the boys particularly amaze me at their comprehension and quickness, the both certainly play with numbers in their heads. Jem (6) decided today to tackle the Grade 2 maths and it’s still within his capability.
Last year in Term 4 we began our Leap into Literature focus, whereas the younger children and I delved into piles of quality picture books, learning about a variety of topics in a most enjoyable way. Well it appears that it is now ‘a tradition’;) We’re enjoying a Leap into Literature term again, the piles of books are arriving from the library and we’ve begun diving in already:) I’ll be sharing booklists over the next several week, and am so excited with finds already:)
Bass was completely single minded and focused this week, he set out to master using scissors. He kept asking me to place his fingers in the correct hold, then he would struggle to move the scissors, I would have to manually move his fingers together then apart. He persisted for days, hours at a time, finally he began getting the ‘hang of it”. He is sooo proud of himself, as he should be:)
8 Comments
Cassie Williams
Thanks for sharing! We are having a language year here too. I'm trying to get my oldest ready for the high school level. It's been a challenge and we are slowly working towards our goal. I've had the apologetic books on my wishlist for high school! I'm glad to hear someone like them.
Theresa @ OrdinaryLovely
Loved this update!
Karen @ Pieces of Contentment
Sounds like a very successful first week back. I totally agree with you re planning and first days. I know I'm usually just as not-quite-ready as the children to jump in at full speed immediately after holidays.
Marijke VanderVlist
You must be so organised Erin! Just being able to switch to what every age group needs in terms of learning.
And how we loooove our new library! Reading is such a joy, we’re going through books here by the bag.
After 8 years, we’re still going without a television, all the commercials do my head in! The kids do get to see the occasional DVD (library!) on a rainy afternoon, or as a treat during the school holidays. Our eldest is only six, so not sure how long we can keep it up…
Jennifer Gregory Miller
You always inspire me. Your first paragraph is a goldmine. Nodding yes to most, and hoping to find that peace in other areas.
Melanie Bettinelli
Ooh thanks for linking up! I love seeing all the reading in your home, too. Louis de Wohl is most definitely worth gulping!
Angel
Looking forward to seeing your new Leap into Literature lists!
Erin
Cassie
Encouraging you in your goal{{}} More to the point the teen boys really like the apologetics set
Therese
Thanks:)
Karen
Well at least all these years of experience have some knowledge tagging along
Marijke
My knowledge has been a gradual over many years, decades learnt thing. Yeah for our library!!:):)
We didn't have any screens for the first 9 years, miss those days
Jenn
Thanks, learnt the hard way;)
Melanie
Another louis de wohl fan:):)
Angela
Knew you'd be keen my friend:)