Writing

Jacob's copywork for today. Please ignore the fact that he forgot his name and used his brother's instead.





















Joshua started Handwriting Without Tears last week. He is doing the first grade book which reviews capitals, numbers and then works on lowercase letters. I already think that it's going to be an excellent choice to correct the bad writing habits he has.

















Leanna started the Handwriting Without Tears Kindergarten book. She will learn each of the capitals, numbers and then some lowercase letters. She is thrilled to have her own book and is doing quite well with it so far. She can write most of the capitals already, but I believe this will help to ensure she doesn't develop any bad writing habits and help her transition smoothly into lowercase writing.

Creative writing, turkeys, and more

Instead of copy work today, Jacob wrote a story about Joshua's hamster, Hammie. He wrote two pages and illustrated them both. I'm always very proud of the creative writing that he does. He has a great imagination and it really comes out in his writing. He also usually enjoys creative writing much more than just copying something.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Leanna made a pine cone turkey! Great practice for her fine motor skills and a craft project always makes her happy.

We also got quite a bit of other things accomplished today. Quid agis? Jacob knows that means how are you? in Latin. Today I think he would answer with Sum bene, which means I am good. We also read about Abraham, Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; Miles Standish and the Pilgrims and Indians; and both boys practiced their new math concepts. Joshua is doing well with phonics and today he worked on writing a lowercase g. He confuses it with e which makes his work very difficult to read. We did an experiment with water to show how some things float and some sink.

We're on the way out the door to MOSI for even more science! Our days are jam-packed with learning, even if it's not a formal school setting.

Leanna wrote her name!

Leanna's been working on writing, mostly just tracing letters and playing at it. I'm not concerned with anything other than letting her "do schoolwork" since she begs and getting her familiar with things. She's been "writing her name" as she thinks, but it's usually one or two right letters mixed with a jumble of others. Today she wrote her name on her paper all by herself! It was during reading time so the kids were all quiet and I'm pretty sure nobody helped her spell it. I'm so excited!

Abraham Lincoln

One of Jacob's assignments in February (2008) was to write a story about Abraham Lincoln. He did a great job and I'm so proud of him!