Jacob's Blog Entry

Jacob's Writing/Grammar assignment for today.

Dislike : I don't like school because it is boring when I have to wait for Mommy. I don't like science because my microscope doesn't even work!

I also dislike writing. It takes up too much time.

Like : I do like a few things about school. I like reading and math. I really like lunch! I like about everything not mentioned in the Dislike section. I like computer time also. I can play something educational on the computer, but the best thing of all is definitely FINISHING!!!

Microscopes and Barbarians

Today started with science for Jacob. Let's just say my microscope-using-skills could use a little brushing up. It took a few different tries, but we were finally able to see a few skin cells. Unlike high school, I did manage to not break any slides or slide covers! With a little more practice, I think I'll be confident enough to be able to assist him. And yes, that's Liberty peeking over the table at me. Such a cutie!

And here she is again munching on some cheerios.

 

Last year after Halloween, I bought costumes for this year on clearance. Well it just so happens that the ones I found for the boys were a knight and barbarian. Perfect for our study on the fall of Rome at the hands of the barbarians! The boys dressed up today and did a little role-play fight while Leanna looked on.

Sir Joshua the Brave

Jacob the Barbarian

Sword fighting

Jacob is triumphant!

And So It Begins....

It's been a long time since I've blogged about our school adventures! The last two years have been crazy with different life issues so blogging took a back burner. We still schooled, but very non-traditionally with a lot of unschooling. This year will be different.

Yes, this year we'll be buckling down and keeping a tighter schedule. Yesterday was our first day and things went extremely well. We now have a 5th grader, 3rd grader, 1st grader and a very mobile 16 month old tottering around. We're starting our school day at 9am with a short Bible devotion. The next 5.5 hours are scheduled out in thirty minute increments for each subject, including lunch and a 15 minute snack break. After today though I'm thinking about trimming the times down. The kids work very fast and we've been able to cover the needed material with time left over. My goal has always been to finish by lunch time so maybe we'll get to that.


We're using a few new things for curriculum this year. Tim picked out LIFEPAC for science for both Jacob and Joshua. It's a little bit more "textbook" than I like, but it can be self-guided which is a big help since Jacob can mostly work on his own.


For grammar, I found Mastering the Mechanics for all three levels. I ordered them online so we're still waiting to get them in. I'm very excited about starting and keeping the same format with each child. 


Today we started reading The Story of the World: The Middle Ages: From the Fall of Rome to the Rise of the Renaissance. History is one of my favorites because of the classical approach we're using. If I could have learned this way, I think I would have enjoyed it so much more! I'm looking forward to finding some supplemental activities to bring history alive. 


Math and spelling are staying the same, progressing at our own speed. At Tim's request, we'll also be doing US Geography. And then there's the usual extra activities. The kids are excited that they each have 30 minutes of "educational" computer time on the schedule. We also got MOSI passes again this year with the IMAX so we can go see movies any time we want. 


All in all, we're all pretty excited about starting the new year. It's going to be a great one!

Working hard on handwriting

Individual reading time. Not sure how MY bed was chosen as the spot.