My Little Soapbox

Our year is off and running. I’d like to have some sort of recording of what we’re doing so if you aren’t interested in the details of our schooling feel free to pop over to a more interesting place for the remainder of this post!

Still here? Okay let’s go!

Handwriting: We are working on retuning how Jr. forms some of his letters and of course on improving the quality of his writing. From the very beginning he has formed letters from the bottom up. He’s attempting to remember that letters start at the top and when they do he sees an immediate improvement in the quality of handwriting. We are also encouraging him to remember to use lowercase letters when writing. In some cases his persistent desire to make ALL THINGS IN UPPERCASE has been amusing given my propensity to view it in the internet way of yelling. Example how about this: I SEED MI DRAGIN. HE ATED PEEPLS. (That was one of his sentences from last year’s independent journaling. This year his journal is leaning more towards comic book illustrations with words. Thus far we have two picture stories with a sentence description in his journal.

Math: 1000’s place along with practicing addition and subtraction into the 100’s. His grasp of the concept behind “carrying and borrowing” is beginning to solidify. I have consciously used more place value terms than just “carry it up” or “borrow it over”. I think our focus on place value has actually advanced him in his thinking more than what I’m able to draw out at this time. He’s been able to do several of the problems with more complexity….with ease. Once again I am a bit amazed at his embracing of the language of numbers. (Also note we are still talking about 2nd grade math here! I’m discussing a natural aptitude not declaring him a member of mensa.)

We are also adding a “homework” component with math to introduce the idea of self-regulated work, assignments, deadlines and general responsibilty. I’m assigning a word problem packet for him to complete by a specific date. He’s responsible for completing it though he’s welcome to ask for assistance if he get’s stuck. So far so good on this one.

Science: We finished our Butterfly unit with the release of our third Monarch that we raised this year. We also had an impromptu field trip/speaker when we attended the Butterfly talk at the State Fair. We learned a lot about the butterflies of Iowa and both boys were able to see several examples of the 5 families of butterflies flying around here. It was fun to see Jr. recognize several of the species as one’s he’d found here at home. The DNR representative did a good job of keeping Jr. engaged while still maintaining the adult-level of conversation. I found two different art projects to tie in with this unit as well. Between the art projects, our reading and the two labs we’ve just about wrung all we can get out of Butterflies!

History: It has been a slow start to history. However I think that will be a theme this year slow and steady. We’ve introduced the end of the Romans and the beginning of the Middle Ages. We’ll be circling around again to touch on those things this coming week as well. We’ve read several storybooks, spent some time with the encyclopedia and what I think was the most fun for Jr. visited a website about Trebuchets. He’s keen on this time period especially the weaponary. Due to timing of our supplies arriving I’ve actually pushed History back a week or two so we are spending a couple weeks just introducing the Middle Ages before settling into the Units themselves.

Grammar: Finished up the Nouns Units with Proper, Common and Pronouns.

Reading: We’re adjusting ETC Online to better suit where he actually is in knowledge. Jr. also read Mouse Soup by Arnold Lobel this week as a specific read aloud. I am debating on tracking our reading books for the year. But I best hurry up and decide as we’ve already read over 10 “assigned” books (Don’t you LOVE kids books they add up so quick!)

Geography: Review of Oceans and Continents as well as two states of the Unites States (Texas, South Dakota). Map work for our walls.

There you have it! Our first two weeks in a large nutshell. I’ll be back in two more with another update!

1. Pin Oak Tree
Common Name: Pin Oak
Scientific Name: Quercus palustris

We have spent a lot of time in years past identifying the trees in our yard. This lovely tree is one of my favorite trees on our place! It is lovely and often keeps its leaves far into fall. A family story that is attached to this tree and several others is that one hard winter we attempted to save them from damage by hitting the forming ice off the sagging branches to lighten the load on the trees.

A few things we learned: Pin Oaks are a Red Oak. They are native to Iowa and are a faster growing oak. They can see heights of 75 feet and ours is nearing that! Often planted for shade they have fantastic drooping lower branches that provide nice cover.

Are you participating? We are!

The Rules: (Original Post located HERE!)

1. Participants should include a copy of these rules and a link to this entry in their initial blog post about the challenge.

Our first post with an actual plant photograph will go up this week yet. I was thwarted by the rain this morning.

ob·fus·cate /??bf??ske?t, ?b?f?ske?t/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ob-fuh-skeyt, ob-fuhs-keyt] –verb (used with object), -cat·ed, -cat·ing.

Nothing tickles me more when reading through my emails than finding new word. I’m going to try very hard to work it into a sentence today - for no other reason than to have a chance to say it. Where did I find this one? In an email about email cloaking on websites.

Words have been having an interesting place in the mind of my dear Jr. lately too. Specifically he’s been asking me about why things are called such or where did they decide that a “A” made an “ay” sound. Which has been fun for me because although I don’t know the answers off the top of my head. I do know enough bits an pieces about where words come from to entice him along while we find the answer.

Which brings me to my next thought:Latin. I’ve been seriously toying with the idea of introducing the boys to latin. I know many will say it is a “dead” language but my mother’s four years of latin was wondrous help in her Nursing studies. And I’m not necessarily wanting fluency - just exposure. Well actually I’m completely hoping that they will have an ear for language similar to their uncle. That they too will be hardwired to pick up languages with interest and ease. I like words and find languages beautiful to listen to but I do not soak them up like the sponge my brother can be with language.

Surely some of that genetic “spongeness” is in me too right?!

Last week our puppy Harley sniffed out this little critter.  We are assuming on his location that this little bat had an unfortunate fall to the ground.  Before we put him in a different tree we took a moment to shoot some quick pictures and take a careful look at his structure. We were even graciously shown his little teeth as he did not appreciate the large “giants” moving around him. We attempted to be careful not to stress him more than necessary and the little bat calmed down once the dog was in the house. (Have you ever called a six month puppy off a bat on the ground - not exactly fun!). This photo makes him look like he’s already dead but he’s really just trying to cling to the bucket!

Isn’t he/she neat? This snake had a fake rattle so between the dog cornering it and us shooing it into the container for relocation - it was a little agitated. I ran into one of these last year and when non cornered it runs away. We snapped just a few quick shots and then moved it to a better location (ie not near the dog!)

The Worm Farm Project

Jr. started by getting a bin ready with some help from Mama

Step 1: Try to Find the Drill
Step 2: Take a break from locating the drill and rip up newspaper
Step 3: Ask Gramps where the drill is - Get the drill!
Step 4: Watch TV while Mama drills air circulation and drainage holes
Step 5: Rip more newspaper into shreds!!

Next prepare the bin with the bedding!

Step 1. Dampen the newspaper and mix it all up.
Step 2. Repeat
Step 3. Check the depth - rip more newspaper!
Step 4. Dampen the new batch of shredded newspaper!
Step 5. Make your bin ready: Bedding, food, etc!

Now go visit the Worm Farm (Arpeggio Farms) to pick up your worms! Talk to Mr. Lees all about the worms and your spring project. Make sure Mama & Daddy listen well so they learn what you already know (from your worm farm field trip last August!). When you get home put your new pets to your bin!

Finally take a look at your new Worm Farm!

Leave your new pets to settle in for the night. Don’t forget to check on them in the morning when you get up!