The Plan

The plan as it stand right now:

4th Grade

Growing with Grammar 4
Writing With Ease 2
HWT Cursive & Copywork
Math: Combination Singapore & Mammoth Math
Spelling – Phonetic Zoo
Piano
Spectrum Reading Comprehension Grade 4

1st Grade

Soaring with Spelling & Vocab 1
Growing with Grammar 1
HWT Printing
TCR Phonics Books 1
Writing With Ease 1
Piano

Together Subjects

SOTW 4 Modern World
Science: Various topics using Science in a Nutshell Kits

I still have a few things to decide for this year yet but this is our framework that we are working with at the moment. We’re completing more of the map work and outlining in History this year which has increased our time spent. One of the goals this year for Jr. is to have him writing more easily in terms of hand fatigue. We are increasing his daily writing a bit to help his hand muscles get stronger. Lil’B's main focus this year is to make that jump to independent reader. He’s right on the cusp! It will be such a delight to see him internalize the fact he is reading all by himself.

Star Wars in Concert

Today was the day! After three months of waiting we finally got to use our tickets and see a live performance of the music of Star Wars. It was fantastic. C3PO or rather the actor that played him was the narrator. We sat close enough that we could see the faces of some of the musicians without the giant screen. I am in awe of the brass section. Their lips would have to be numb after today. Especially since they played not one but two shows. Hopefully those few hours of rest between show saved their lips!

But the best moments weren’t on stage. They were in the seat next to me as my boys wiggled, conducted and acted with their favorite music moments.

Darth Vader’s music is still the number one music moment for them both.

May the force be with you!

Back in Session

It has not escaped my attention that I am more than thrilled to be returning to our school routine. In fact I’m certain that I am more excited than the boys. Though that giant box of art supplies that arrived last week helped to excite them a bit.

For me the return to our routine means a few things are happening this week:
1. the wii is off till the weekend (our wii days)
2. the tv is off more often (we do watch some during the week)

I gave the boys their first real summer vacation this year. We called an end to school for the year and I let them loose. No restrictions on entertainment options. I think they enjoyed it for awhile but it wasn’t too long before the squabbling started. Thankfully we also had plenty of time to be outdoors in those first few weeks. And we had a number of activities on the calendar too.

But last week it rained. And rained. Add to that the fact we had only a handful of activities to attend, left us stuck inside and mostly home. It was an “on” week for the boys. The TV was ON and the Wii was ON. By the end of Thursday, I was done with the TV and the Wii. I declared Friday morning that school was back in session come Monday.

In my head I was chanting “no more tv! no more wii!” but I refrained from dancing round the kitchen. But tonight was an excellent example of why I like our restrictions on wii and TV. Last week we would have had two boys parked on the couch unless we were outside. This week I had them in the kitchen helping me tidy up which morphed into Jr. reading aloud while Lil’B and I shelled pistachios for a cooking project. It was such a nice hum of activity versus the squabbles of last week.

The happy hum pleased my heart.