Sunday, November 23, 2008

Annual Reading List, 2008/2009: Benjamin

Literature:
Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen (read aloud by Mama) (finished 10/08)
The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Orczy (August)
Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson
The Book of the Dun Cow, by Walter Wangerin
The Man Who Was Thursday, by G.K. Chesterton (mid-November)


History:
Corrie ten Boom, by Sam Wellman (September)
Gladys Aylward, by Janet and Geoff Benge (September)
Amy Carmichael, by Sam Wellman (September)
Cameron Townsend, by Janet and Geoff Benge (September)
David Livingstone, by Sam Wellman
Run For Your Life!, by Betty Swinford (10/25/08)


Science:
The Great Dinosaur Mystery Solved, by Ken Ham (August)
Connnections, by James Burke
Refuting Evolution, by Jonathan Sarfati

Progress

Our seventh week break is over.  It's hard to believe I started this blog seven weeks ago, but, there it is.

We were able to make good progress in some areas and not so good progress in other areas.  I'm making a few changes for this next several weeks to see if we can improve.

The first change is that, for content areas (as opposed to skill areas), we're going to a weekly block schedule.  That means we'll study science for a week, getting at least 3 weeks of science done.  Then we'll study history for a week, and then we'll focus on composition, using the kids' writing from the previous weeks' study of science and history.

The second change has to do with our daily routine.  There are certain health issues that are affecting my ability to get up early and Drew's schedule doesn't really give him much time at home with us.  To adapt to these two situations, we're drastically changing our daily routine.

Drew leaves very early for work and is gone for 13-14 hours each day.  Because he leaves so early, he goes to bed fairly early. The kids and I normally get up on the latish side, so we're going to work with that (most of the kids are night owls, like their mama).  We'll aim to get up at 9, give ourselves an hour or so for quiet time, then we'll eat breakfast together and have our morning Bible reading, memory work, and discussion time while we eat.  Once we're dressed and breakfast is cleaned up, we'll start our daily work.  

Our daily work will consist of math, English, Latin, French, phonics, spelling, copywork - those things that really are more skill-based and that need daily practice.

Since the little ones have so much less daily work than their older siblings, I'll take some time to work on their block subject while the older kids finish their daily work, most of which is independent.  Once everyone's done with their daily work, we'll eat lunch and clean up.  After an hour of working on whatever block we're tackling that week, we'll take some time to work on housework, yard work, baking, other creative pursuits, and begin preparing dinner and to spend the evening with Drew.  Once those tasks are finished, we'll read quietly until he gets home, when we'll put the books away.

After Drew goes to bed, we'll pull the books back out and study for a few more hours.  The little girls will go to bed when Drew does.  Joel will go to bed before the older kids, as will Rebekah, although they'll both work for awhile each evening.

I think that we'll get more done without the distractions of the phone ringing, email and mail arriving, and the other random things that happen during a busy day.  I also hope that we can get more done by doing fewer things each day, allowing me to concentrate and provide better accountability.

I also like the idea of the older kids having time to work without the little ones underfoot.  And I'm looking forward to some time to write and sew in the evenings.

So, that's the plan.  We'll see how it goes.

Since I didn't read as much of Jack's Insects to the kids as I'd planned, I'll be re-posting what we do read this week.  And, since this is Thanksgiving week, the kids started their science assignments Saturday and will work next Saturday for awhile, too.  I normally let things like Thanksgiving go, but we haven't been diligent enough, so this year our noses stay pressed to the grindstone.

SDG!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Science: Joel, week 6 (3-7 November)

Monday: read pp. 42-43: 'Water in the air'

Tuesday: complete experiment: 'Humidity tester'

Wednesday: read pp. 44-45: 'Couds and fog'

Thursday: complete experiment: 'Making clouds'

Friday: complete experiment: 'Clouds and nuclei'

Science: Littles, week 6, Thursday, 6 November

Ch. 15: A Flying Visit to Mexico

Fire Beetle, cucujo


Science: Littles, week 6, Tuesday, 4 November

Ch. 14: A Queer Trial Without Any Verdict

Glowworm

Great Lantern Fly


Candle Fly


Great Lantern Fly


Candle Fly


Biology, week 6 (Nov. 3-7)

Mon: test 4

Tues: read pp. 236-middle of 244

Wed: read pp. 244-247; quiz 14

Thurs: read pp. 248-258

Fri: read pp. 259-middle of 264; quiz 15

English, week 6 (Nov. 3-7)

Mon:
composition: 7.1 Metonymy, pp. 63-65, ex. 7.1.1, 7.1.2
grammar: read ch. 13: Adverbs

Tues:
composition: 7.2 Synecdoche, pp. 65-68, ex. 7.2.1, 7.2.2
grammar: ch. 13, ex. I

Wed:
composition: 7.3 Personification, pp. 68-70, ex. 7.3.1
grammar: ch. 13, ex. II

Thurs:
composition: Style Check 7: Freshness, pg. 71
grammar: ch. 13, ex. III

Fri:
composition: Review Questions, pp. 71-72

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Science: Joel, week 5 (27-31 Oct.)

Monday: read pp. 36-37: 'Optical effects'

Tuesday: complete experiments: 'Using a prism', 'Shimmering heat', and 'Making a rainbow'

Wednesday: read pp. 38-39: 'The water cycle'

Thursday: read pp. 40-41: 'Plants and the weather'

Friday: complete experiments: 'Releasing gases' and 'Catching water'

Science: Littles, week 5, Thursday, 30 Oct.

Ch. 13: Jack and Maggie Are Found Not to Be Quite in Tune

Great Golden Digger Wasp




Science: Littles, week 5, Tuesday, 28 Oct.

Ch. 12: A Remarkable Autobiography

Cicadas, cont.

13-year Cicada, just after molting



Annual Cicadas





Biology, week 5 (Oct. 27-31)

Mon: read lab 10 to prepare for tomorrow.

Tues: lab 10 w/Mrs. Lambros

Wed: read pp. 217-223; quiz 13

Thurs: read pp. 224-top of 230

Fri: read pp. 230-235

English, week 5 (Oct. 27-31)

Mon:
composition: 6.1 Simile, pp. 47-51, ex. 6.1.1
grammar: read ch. 12: Adjectives

Tues:
composition: 6.2 Analogy, pp. 52-54, ex. 6.2.1
grammar: ch. 12, ex. I

Wed:
composition: 6.3 Metaphor, pp. 54-57, ex. 6.3.1, 6.3.2
grammar: ch. 12, ex. II

Thurs:
composition: 6.4 Catachresis, pp. 58-59, ex. 6.4.1
grammar: ch. 12, ex. III

Fri:
composition: Style Check 6: Demetrius on Metaphor, pp. 59-60, Review Questions
grammar: ch. 12, ex. IV

Monday, October 20, 2008

Biology, week 4 (Oct. 20-24)

Mon: read pp. 187-190

Tues: read pp. 191-199

Wed: read pp. 200-206; quiz 12

Thurs: read pp. 207-212

Fri: read pp. 213-217

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Flag Football!

Practice before the game.


He caught a pass!  Run, Joel, run!!!


A moment of contemplation.




His coach, Mr. Tong, shouts encouragement.

Science: Joel, week 4 (20-24 Oct.)

Monday: read pp. 28-29: 'The albedo effect'

Tuesday: complete experiments: 'Insulation' and 'Comparing albedo'

Wednesday: read pp. 32-33: 'Everyday Weather'

Thursday: read pp. 34-35: 'Sunshine'

Friday: complete experiments: 'Focusing heat', 'Aiding evaporation', and 'Making metal grow'

Science: Littles, week 4, Thursday, 23 Oct.

Chapter 11: A Very Classical Insect


17-Year Cicadas



Science: Littles, week 4, Tuesday, 21 Oct.

Ch. 9: A Very Distinguished Musician, and 10: Jack and Maggie Go to a Concert


Katydids




English, week 4 (Oct. 20-24)

Mon:
composition: 5.1 Distinctio, pp. 39-41, ex. 5.1.1
grammar: read ch. 10: Exclamatory Sentences

Tues:
composition: 5.2 Exemplum, pp. 41-42, ex. 5.2.1
grammar: ch. 10, ex. I

Wed:
composition: 5.3 Amplification, pp. 42-43, ex. 5.3.1
grammar: ch. 10, ex. II

Thurs:
composition: 5.4 Metanoia, pp. 43-45, ex. 5.4.1, 5.4.2
grammar: read ch. 10 summary

Fri:
composition: Style Check 5: Clear vs. Opaque Writing, pp. 45-46, Review Questions
grammar: read ch. 11: The Parts of Speech

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Pride & Prejudice Ball

A waltz


Nathan, Lynne, Drew, and Judith


The gentlemen lined up for the 'Shoe Dance'



Nathan waltzing with Miss Trudy.



The ladies lined up, sans shoes

Science, Littles, week 3, Thursday, 16 October

Chapter 8: All Full of Glory and Grandeur

Plague Locusts



Australian Locusts




Science: Joel, week 3 (13-17 Oct.)

Monday: complete experiments: 'Measuring melting ice' and 'How much latent heat?'

Tuesday: read pp. 24-25: 'Pressure and the weather'

Wednesday: complete experiments: 'Is air heavy?' and 'Measuring air pressure'

Thursday: read pp. 25-27: 'Heat and temperature'

Friday: complete all three experiments: 'Convection: warming fluids', 'Making air expand', and 'Radiation'

Science: Littles, week 3, Tuesday, 14 Oct.

Chapter 7: Jack and Maggie Have Their Lives Saved

Leaf grasshoppers


Biology, week 3 (Oct. 13-17)

Mon: read pp. 153-159; read through lab 9 to prepare for tomorrow

Tues: labs w/Mrs. Lambros: #9 & owl pellet; test 3

Wed: read pp. 160-168; quiz 10

Thurs: read pp. 169-top of 177

Fri: read pp. 177-186; quiz 11

English, week 3 (Oct. 13-17)

Mon:
composition: 4.1 Metabasis, pp. 29-30; ex. 4.1.1
grammar: ch. 8, ex. III

Tues:
composition: 4.2 Procatalepsis, pp. 30-32; ex. 4.2.1
grammar: read ch. 9: Imperative Sentences

Wed:
composition: 4.3 Hypophora pp. 33-35; ex. 4.3.1
grammar: ch. 9, ex. I

Thurs:
composition: Style Check 4: Transitions of Logic, pp. 35-36
grammar: ch. 9, ex. II

Fri:
composition: Ch. 4 Review, pg. 37
grammar: ch. 9, ex. III

Monday, October 6, 2008

History: Middles, week 2

Revolutions of 1830 and Australia

Mon: look over questions, read and research

Tues: continue research

Wed: write answers to questions/ Ben: write 2 paragraphs on each topic (due Friday)

Thurs: continue reading and writing; timelines

Fri: map work, written answers due, compositions due

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Weekly Report: Rebekah

Week 1 of 6, ending 10/3/08

Morning Time: reading Philippians, A Gospel Primer, Northanger Abbey; memorizing Psalm 23 and William Blake's 'The Lamb'

Math: worked diligently, made good progress

English: not so good this week: she didn't do any of her verb/verb phrase worksheets and she only did part of her spelling each day - she'll make up her missed work this week, along with continuing on in both spelling and grammar.

History: not so much done this week; more make-up work next week

Science: reading all week

Rebekah didn't have such a good week. We increased her thyroid meds on Friday and I think she'll be more energetic and not so foggy next week.

Weekly Report: Joel

Week 1 of 6, ending 10/3/08

Morning Time: We began reading Philippians; continued the Gospel Primer and Northanger Abbey.  We also worked on memorizing William Blake's 'Little Lamb' and the 23rd Psalm.  

English: Joel has worked diligently this week in both Mother Tongue and Simply Spelling.  He's reading Stevenson's The Black Arrow for his boys' book club.

Math: He loves math and I don't really have to push him much at all.  He's working faster than I expect him to.

History: Joel was a bit frustrated at my lack of specific direction this week.  I'll be more detailed in his assignments for next week.  He read about Simon Bolivar and Latin American independence.

Science: He's excited about learning about weather and eager to begin the experiments and activities.  We need to take him shopping to see that he has everything he needs.

Flag Football: his team lost this week and he caught his first touchdown pass, but it didn't count on a technicality.  Oh, well!  He's pretty optimistic when they lose, as long as they did their best.  He's learning a lot about the game and sportsmanship, and enjoying that time with the other boys and their dads (as is Drew).  I hope to get pictures next Saturday.  The running around is good for him, too.  I can tell when he hasn't had enough exercise during the week - he gets the grumps and doesn't know what to do with himself.

Weekly Report: Melody

Week 1 of 6, ending 10/3/08

Morning Time: We're reading Philippians, The Gospel Primer, and Northanger Abbey.  We worked on memorizing the 23rd Psalm and William Blake's 'Little Lamb'.

History: we read about Handel and classical music this week.  The girls spent quite a bit of time listening to the works of Handel, Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven.

Science: we only read half as much as I wanted, but we can easily catch up.  Melody is also reading one of the Christian Liberty Nature Readers on her own.  And, we saw a Blue Morpho butterfly in Madagascar last night.  How cool!

Math: Melody tends to drag her feet in math, but she's making progress.  I'm trying to watch to make sure she doesn't get behind like her older siblings did.

English:  She's reading Ginger Pye and is eager to start the other books that arrived from Amazon this week, but I won't let her until she finishes GP.  She's doing well in Mother Tongue.  She especially likes the picture study assignments, where she gets to spend some time contemplating a painting and then write about it.  She started Simply Spelling this week.  I think this will be a good fit for her.


Weekly Report: Elizabeth

Week 1 of 6, ending 10/3/08

Morning Time: we started reading Philippians this week since our pastor will be preaching through it now that we've completed Acts. We're also working on memorizing the 23rd Psalm, which Eliza is getting down pretty quickly. We read aloud from and discussed The Gospel Primer and are working on memorizing (or at least familiarizing ourselves with) William Blake's 'Little Lamb,' which was also her copywork for the week - she's learned the second stanza by heart and can recite the first along with me. She's been listening to Northanger Abbey and has been able to follow the story. At first, she thought it was too hard for her, but after awhile she asked if her making pictures of the story in her head was understanding it. I assured her it was and she's been content to listen ever since.

History: We read about the history of music this week. Then she and Melody spent quite a bit of time listening to Handel, Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart.

Science: We only read one section of science this week, but that's easy enough to catch up on. Bonus - while watching Madagascar last night, we saw a Blue Morpho Butterfly flitter across the screen (which Alex tried to eat, but didn't succeed, to our great relief!). The girls were delighted to recognize it.

Math: She did great in math this week and is understanding her lessons.

English: Eliza is working diligently on her phonics and making great progress. Even if we miss a day of work, she continues to improve in her reading daily. She's been reading the word problems in her math book with just a little help from me.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Science: Joel, week 2 (Oct. 6-10)

Monday: read pp. 18-19: 'The atmosphere'

Tuesday: complete experiments: 'Atmosphere ingredients' and 'Air expansion'

Wednesday: read pp. 20-21: 'Light and weather'

Thursday: choose two experiments to complete

Friday: read pp. 22-23: 'Water and the weather'

Biology, week 2 (Oct. 6-10)

Mon: read pp. 130-134

Tues: read pp. 135-138; quiz 8

Wed: read pp. 139-143

Thurs: read pp. 144-146

Fri: read pp. 147-152; quiz 9

Science: Littles, week 2 (Oct. 6-10)

Tues: Ch. 5, Caterpillars Extraordinary

Snake Imitating Caterpillar


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Caterpillars imitating bird droppings and leaves

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Thursday: Ch. 6, Very Surprising Adventures


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