Two Weeks Down

Two weeks of school are down. I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised at how smooth it has been going. Usually our first few weeks are hard for us all to get back in the swing of things. Maybe the new plan of attack is working better this year. We start the school morning with a fun breakfast doodle placemat or we have a fun thinking activity to start the day. Next we work on History and Science as these are the two classes I teach them together. I then give Nico his list of assignments for the day. He takes his list and sets to work on some of them by himself while I work with Luca. We take a 30 minute break for lunch then regroup. I work with Nico on his assignments he needs help with and then finish up with Luca. It seems to work as we having been starting around 8:30am and finishing up most days around 1pm. (give or take an hour).

 

Here's a little bit of what we have been up to. We had to move school into the kitchen this week due to the heat wave we suddenly got. It had been a very mild summer. We finally hit 100 degrees this week. The school house was just a bit too hot for any of us to be comfortable to learn.

 

 

Nico is in 7th grade (give or take a grade) You know how it is with homeschooling. He was not thrilled to get his picture taken on the first day of school.

Luca is in 1st grade. He is starting to have more fun and get the hang of what school is about this year. He is still a lot harder than Nico ever was. His learning style is quite different and we are still trying to figure out what works best. It seems workbooks and computer work are his favorite.

We are using Shurley English 1st grade this year. Luca really seems to like the interaction with it. The first 5 weeks are grouping and learning how to look at things. This is a change from when Nico was in 1st. I used First Language Lessons with him. I knew it wouldn't work for Luca as it is based on reciting and answering back questions. Luca  has to be moving.

We are really enjoying WinterPromise Adventures in the Sea and Sky for World History and Science. Here the boys are working on adding people to the Egyptian reed boat. By the end of it Luca had a guy ziplining and Nico had a guy jumping off the top mast.

This is one of the experiments I found while using Discovery Education Streaming. Homeschool Buyer Co-op had a free month with the option to purchase a year subscription. I love it! We watched the video on ocean currents and then conducted the experiment with different colored ice cubes in hot water to see the convection currents.

I bought Sing Song Spanish last year and we got through 3 chapters. (Although we were meeting weekly with a group so I didn't push it too much). This year we are going to get through the book. I bought Rosetta Stone for Nico to move onto after the book. We have fun singing and using the puppets to learn our words. It gives a little break from doing a lot of writing.

This week we made sails and the boys practiced furling and unfurling their sail. The history study is history but as seen through the ocean and sailing aspect of history. For Nico it puts a new light on World History. It is stuff he has learned before but from a different angle. For Luca it is all new. I am liking all the hands on activities. As long as I can stay ahead of the game we will be good. We are moving into Pirates soon and there is going to be a lot of fun there!

Nico hard at work. He is very meticulous in his work. It has to be just right.

Luca demonstrating

Luca enjoying his math. McRuffy 1st Grade Math is what I am using with him.

I was working with Nico on US History while Luca watched a video on Discovery Education on Octopus (for science and ocean). He then had to draw a picture of an octopus and tell me about what he watched. He froze the screen when he saw one he wanted to draw.

 A trip to Big Joel's Safari was our first field trip of the school year. Joel walked us through his family farm and talked about the animals he had. The kids got a chance to feed them and really see them up close.

Nico was full of giggles from the camels fuzzy lips.

 

So, here's hoping our weeks keep continuing on a positive path. We have a back to school picnic, ice skating, and a week break all coming up in September.



School Is In!

It was tough, but we started school this week. I kept thinking I should put it off a couple more days due to my work schedule. I am glad I didn't. We have had a great 2 days of school so far. This is pretty impressive since I work Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday night this week. This means I work 12 hours (6p-6a), sleep for a couple of hours in the morning at my sister's, drive home (one hour), and hit the books. Both days we were finished in 3 hours. Both boys worked extremely well. (This is amazing for the first days back - usually it is quite a struggle for some subjects.)

I am enjoying Luca's language and the History through Sea and Sky. I am incorporating more game type learning because this is something they really enjoy. They also learn so much more when we make it a game and not so much a read and regurgitate (as public schools do).

I am trying to set our schedule where we do subjects together and separate giving the boys little breaks after a couple of subjects. Wednessday, Thursday, and Friday are going to be HEAVY days. I am making Mondays and every other Tuesday half days (due to work and time constraints).

Last year I was really bad about letting Nico complete things as 'homework'. Things didn't get completed properly and sometimes not at all. This year there are two subjects where is going to be held accountable for getting assignments completed on his own. These are geography and world history. I want him to be able to manage his time. Reading is the one subject I am not going to let him wait on. Our reading is consisting of books to go with our science and world history study. The first book he is reading is Robinson Crusoue. I am starting out the year with the simplified versions so I don't lose his interest in reading and enjoying the book.

Luca is really wanting to try things on his own first and then I check them. I am really excited about this as I want him to gain the confidence and indepence he needs. We are struggling a little bit with reading due to some speech issues. However, we are working through all of that.

All summer I have been wanting to get to the fruit farms for fresh fruit. Today peaches were ready to pick and I have time this week to make jam and goodies. I made myself get up after 2 hours of sleep so we could get to the farm early enough to pick peaches and get back home for school work.



One of the best things about picking your own fruit is getting to eat all you want for FREE!
The boys had no problem chomping on the peaches this morning for breakfast.

A Family Vacation

My husband and I have been crossing paths for the last month, barely seeing each other except for minutes at a time. We finally scheduled some time to go on a family vacation. We went to Oregon to visit with his family. His brother, sister-in-law, and nieces came up from California. (it was actually his brother's idea for us all to meet there)

We were all set to start school this week, but instead the vacation was much needed. His family reminds me a lot of mine growing up. We hung out with our cousins all the time. Family get-togethers were a blast! His was no exception.

 

We spent some time during the day doing things with the kids and then in the evening hung out with the family.
Below are pictures (crazy out of order because this blog was doing crazy things when I went to write captions). The pictures include Skinner's Butte, Spencer's Butte (much taller), Sea Lion Cave (without any sea lions - very disappointed), horseback riding, and family time.

 

 

Skinner's Butte. Nico couldn't pass up a chance to climb. He was really wanting some rock climbing equipment.

Hubby and me

A little friend came to visit at the top of Spencer's Butte. Nico had to take the opportunity to get close.

Who can resist hanging on a branch? Not us!

The boys are out numbered in this family. There are 3 boys and 8 girls.

We went up the Oregon coast to Sea Lion Cave. Unfortunately this time all the sea lions were out to sea :-(
 

A first for Luca---horseback riding by himself! He was so excited.

Nico looking so handsome on his horse Bailey.

A bit of the trail on the sand dunes of the Oregon Coast.
 

Having the best time!

Luca and the girls.

Luca and Sophie are the same age and have so much fun playing together.

Brothers

Terry, getting his cook on.

A hike up Spencer's Butte

Very tall trees. It is such a beautiful place.

On top of Spencer's Butte

Skinner's Butte

The two older boys trying to escape the camera.

Hanging with cousins from Oregon and California

We will be starting school this week on a full load come Wednesday.





 



What We Are Doing For School Year 2013-14

WOW, is about all I can say about how fast this summer has gone by!

We finished up our school year last year the end of May. We have taken off two months to butcher our chickens, attend dance Nationals, attend the Lincoln County Fair, and do some camping.

 

I have been working all summer on math and reading with Luca (6) and Nico (11) has been working on science since he did a geology project for 4-H. My intention was to start back full swing on August 12. Plans quickly changed to us leaving on a trip to Oregon to see Mike's family during that week. YAY for homeschooling and being able to make that adjustment. So, we are starting back very low key this week, a week of vacation, and then hitting the books on August 19.

 

This year's curriculum is going to have the boys working together for world history, science, and Spanish. I am very excited about this year once again and hope we have some super fun days.

 

Here is what I have planned:

 

Nico - age 11 - 6th/7th grade

 World History and Science - Adventures in the Sea and Sky by WinterPromise

    Spanish - Song School Spanish we started this last year and didn't get very far, so this year will finish it and then have them move to Rosetta Stone

     Math - MathUSee (continuing on with this as Nico has done very well with it)

     Language - Classical Conversations Essentials This is new for us this year. A Classical Conversation group has started in our town. I am hoping for more of a challenge for Nico in writing and hoping this helps.
      US History - finishing up Westward Expansion with Intellego Unit Studies (I love these). We will then move onto Missouri History and move into US Government by 8th grade.
       Spelling - All About Spelling (love this program) Nico has always struggled with spelling so we started from scratch with this program last year.
      Reading - Reading will come from readers from History and Science.
      
Luca - age 6 - 1st grade
     World History and Science - Adventures in the Sea and Sky by WinterPromise

     Spanish - Song School Spanish we started this last year and didn't get very far, so this year will finish it and then have them move to Rosetta Stone

      Language Shurley English for 1st grade
      Math McRuffy 1st Grade Color Math. I started using MUS with Luca and we were getting nowhere. I have found McRuffy math to be more enjoyable for both of us.
      Reading- Using Hooked on Phonics K and a variety of other books and hands on activities.
      Writing - Handwriting Without Tears and Write Shop

I think that has us all covered. It is going to be a busy year but really planning on making it fun and adding in field trips that are overnighters for more fun!

 

    

 



Dance Year 2012-2013

Another season of dance is coming to an end. Recital just finished but we still have Nationals in Kansas City to attend the end of June. They dance for Aim High Elite in our home town of Troy, MO.

Luca couldn't wait to get on stage like his brother. I know he is anxious for competitive dance, but has a couple of years to go before he is at that level. I just love watching them both dance and the joy they get from it.

Here are some photos from the year.

Putting on his charm.

Luca participates in the tap, ballet, and jazz group. This years recital was tap.

His favorite dance is hip-hop. He couldn't wait for recital to be over so he can wear his costume at home.

He has all the right attitude.

On stage with the girls. It doesn't bother him in the least he is the only boy.

Nico has had a great year! This is the first year he did a solo for competition. Here he is with his coach/instructor, Nathan and his friend Kara who also did a solo this year. They were great moral support for each other.

In the first competition of the year Nico cleaned house. He was in the Novice division and took home 5 awards, including a check for $35. He was moved up to competitive for the rest of the competitions and still did very well.

He favors the street style hip hop dance. He is often upside down. Many kids don't do this in competition.

He really gets into his dancing and loves to perform.

Here he is with his team, OZONE. This is the second year for this group to dance competitively. They are always a joy to watch. This year they have really grown to be a more cohesive group and working together.

I always hate the end of the dance season. I really enjoy watching the boys on stage. I think they are both ready to move onto new routines though. Nico is already planning his solo for next season and is planning on adding a duet with his friend Kara. (mama better start working some OT ;-)