Jr. Related Notes:

We’re settling into our new routine with a few bumps and adjustments. I had been thinking after reviewing what I had scheduled in a typical day for Jr. that we may need a mid-lesson break. Turns out I was right and we are now having a bit of a recess before lunch. Then returning to studies after lunch or in the evening. I’m actually amazed at how much Jr. is able to work on independent of me this year. The ability to read his own directions is freeing to us both.  In the photo he is working on his Grammar. I am enjoying that he has a series of work that he can work on independently like his handwriting, grammar, copywork and phonics review. That is allowing me to easily work with his little brother for a focused time period.

Jr. has read two chapter books from the A to Z Mysteries series by Ron Roy. I’m allowing him to make his own selection for his chapter books. I’m hoping to move to giving him a selection of a few choices but I’m not finding a lot of series that suit him at the moment. We’re always on the look out for fun, adventure series for the young reader if you have any suggestions I’ll gladly take them.

Cursive has been a really good fit! I am amazed at his interest and the quality of his cursive writing. History is again a hit and the audiobook version of Story of the World is still tops for Jr. I got a huge kick out of the question he thought up to write to his international pen pal about history. He followed it up with a sentence about his favorite story from last year’s history: Ottoman Turks conquering Constantinople. Science (Chemistry) is going slowly unfortunately because it’s been a little more difficult to separate the boys for science that I’d hoped. Turns out that Lil’B is not happy being left out of the mix at the same time he’s not quite old enough to fully participate. Some rethinking on how to approach science with them both wanting to be little chemists.

Lil’B Related Notes:

This little boy knows how to add numbers! What a surprise it has been to work with math with him. He’s quickly shown me that we either need to speed up or add to what I’ve got planned. Even with the hands-on math related things he’s a little bored. So next week I’m hoping to add a bit more spice to his math related activities.

Handwriting is going well. I’m always pleased to note this since he’s my lefty. I can’t take credit for any of his skill though because I’m positive that his fine motor skill development is in direct porportion to the amount of drawing he’s done since he was little. I am grateful that my lefty is also artistic leaning.

Reading is consistenting mostly of phonics review and lots of book reading with Mommy. He’s easily frustrated here so I’m treading lightly. It has been a difficult summer with regards to reading. His brother is now able to read much faster in his head than aloud and thus prefers to read silently. That has left Lil’B out of the story and it is increasing his awareness that he can’t read which in turn increases his angst. With his phonics review he’s proving to have a lot of the hard consonant sounds and short vowel sounds already learned. I think once again we’re all just waiting for that moment when the pieces click into place for him.

Science for Lil’B is consisting of units of animals at the moment. We covered Ants last week and this week (along with the next few) we’re covering butterflies. Unfortunately we’re struggling to keep our caterpillars alive again. Last year we had some trouble too. I’m wondering if our house isn’t a bit to cold. We’ve got five eggs in the garden that we’re watching. And I checked today three have hatched so we’ll bring them in tomorrow but try a new location and housing for them. In the caterpillar-butterfly weeks ahead we’ll cover elephants and eagles. I’m going to see if I can find a place to order tadpoles from too. We didn’t have any luck locating any in the wild. And I think both boys would like that project.

Well that’s all I’ve got this time!