Yes, this looks like a beautiful idyllic scene. Older sister and brother quizzing each other with their Latin flashcards, younger brother explaining to little cousin about the Lego boat. Actually there was so much noise that Turtle and Chicklette are yelling the answers to each other while Turtle bounces on his knees. And Sunshine is so very patiently explaining to Grasshopper that he cannot touch the Lego creations.
Math - I started Chicklette and Turtle on a new Friday math because they weren't enjoying Family Math very much. I was hoping Menu Math was written more towards the student, but it is teacher-centric. I'm still trying to figure out a Friday math schedule where I can direct my three math groups at one time.
All About Reading - We, Ladybug, Sunshine, and I, moved on to Lesson 39 today. We got to read a cute little story about a boy that shrank after drinking pink milk. Ladybug really does not like to answer questions that begin with "Why do you think. . . ?" She always immediately says, "I don't know." So I just ask her what she thinks, that there is no right or wrong answer or I ask Sunshine and then she will open up a bit more. Turtle is getting so close to being done with Level 2. He did the fluency sheet for the AU and AW lesson today. He is getting to be a much better reader and I am so excited for him to be able to start reading library books easily. They all, Racer, Turtle, and Chicklette, got 100% on their spelling tests today. Yeah for All About Spelling!
Science - We skipped science on Wednesday for Sunshine and Ladybug because Racer and Chicklette's dental appointments took so long. So today we did a collage for when it is hot and when it is cold. Racer did his science and history work on his own because the house was quiet, the kids were all playing outside, and he and I were both enjoying the peace. Then Chicklette, Turtle and I did the science together. Today we read out of our encyclopedias about seasons. Did you ever realize that some years, that you would assume to be leap years, are not leap years? All the century years are not leap years, but all the millennium years are leap years. There is actually a reason for that, which I never knew. We add a day every four years, but that takes us just slightly over the mark for making up the days so all the century years don't add a leap day. I think I had heard that you don't add leap days on century years, but I never knew what the reason was.
History - We started talking about the Mayans. They were a little bloody and they had some interesting ideas about the appearance of their gods. All I can say is, I'm glad I wasn't living during that time.
Language Arts - Now that Chicklette has finished All About Reading, I am trying to have her read more and longer books. I really wanted her to read A Door in the Wall, but she said it was too boring. I decided to buy her a lapbook to try to liven it up. It's only been one day, but so far she is getting into the book a little bit more. I need to find a time to talk to her about the book and decide if we are going to really do the vocabulary. I am having Racer read Henry V. We had to go through the obligatory, "Do I really have to read it? But it's hard." We have watched the video and read the Cliff Notes, so I think he is prepared for it. I also found a version that has the modern translation right next to the Shakespeare. I know he can do it, but yes, it will be a little challenging. We are going to do a Shakespeare night for our co-op showcase in May. We moms are very excited for it, and some of the kids are also.
Thankfully, I've found a variety of study tools for Racer that are making his Latin a little easier. There is a quizlet group that is based on the exact textbook he is using so I think that is helping the most. You really have to know your declensions and conjugations. That is the major downfall of the textbook we are using, I think. It does not have nearly enough practice on those areas before it asks you to start translating sentences.
Math - I started Chicklette and Turtle on a new Friday math because they weren't enjoying Family Math very much. I was hoping Menu Math was written more towards the student, but it is teacher-centric. I'm still trying to figure out a Friday math schedule where I can direct my three math groups at one time.
All About Reading - We, Ladybug, Sunshine, and I, moved on to Lesson 39 today. We got to read a cute little story about a boy that shrank after drinking pink milk. Ladybug really does not like to answer questions that begin with "Why do you think. . . ?" She always immediately says, "I don't know." So I just ask her what she thinks, that there is no right or wrong answer or I ask Sunshine and then she will open up a bit more. Turtle is getting so close to being done with Level 2. He did the fluency sheet for the AU and AW lesson today. He is getting to be a much better reader and I am so excited for him to be able to start reading library books easily. They all, Racer, Turtle, and Chicklette, got 100% on their spelling tests today. Yeah for All About Spelling!
Science - We skipped science on Wednesday for Sunshine and Ladybug because Racer and Chicklette's dental appointments took so long. So today we did a collage for when it is hot and when it is cold. Racer did his science and history work on his own because the house was quiet, the kids were all playing outside, and he and I were both enjoying the peace. Then Chicklette, Turtle and I did the science together. Today we read out of our encyclopedias about seasons. Did you ever realize that some years, that you would assume to be leap years, are not leap years? All the century years are not leap years, but all the millennium years are leap years. There is actually a reason for that, which I never knew. We add a day every four years, but that takes us just slightly over the mark for making up the days so all the century years don't add a leap day. I think I had heard that you don't add leap days on century years, but I never knew what the reason was.
History - We started talking about the Mayans. They were a little bloody and they had some interesting ideas about the appearance of their gods. All I can say is, I'm glad I wasn't living during that time.
Language Arts - Now that Chicklette has finished All About Reading, I am trying to have her read more and longer books. I really wanted her to read A Door in the Wall, but she said it was too boring. I decided to buy her a lapbook to try to liven it up. It's only been one day, but so far she is getting into the book a little bit more. I need to find a time to talk to her about the book and decide if we are going to really do the vocabulary. I am having Racer read Henry V. We had to go through the obligatory, "Do I really have to read it? But it's hard." We have watched the video and read the Cliff Notes, so I think he is prepared for it. I also found a version that has the modern translation right next to the Shakespeare. I know he can do it, but yes, it will be a little challenging. We are going to do a Shakespeare night for our co-op showcase in May. We moms are very excited for it, and some of the kids are also.
Thankfully, I've found a variety of study tools for Racer that are making his Latin a little easier. There is a quizlet group that is based on the exact textbook he is using so I think that is helping the most. You really have to know your declensions and conjugations. That is the major downfall of the textbook we are using, I think. It does not have nearly enough practice on those areas before it asks you to start translating sentences.