Weekly Wrap-up

I've been struggling with whether or not to do weekly wrap-up posts, as they are not easy to make interesting most of the time. They are a great way for me to see that we actually did accomplish a few things, despite my paranoid version of perfectionism! So if you'll bear with me, I think I'll give it a whirl.

The biggest hits for the week with Cullen all had to do with our unit on space and the solar system. We've been reading from several sources, and got in on an astronomy workshop at the Tellus Museum nearby. Even though it meant staying up really late, this event was very interesting and informative. Though the cloud cover prevented us looking through the big telescope at Jupiter, we did get to see inside the observatory, learn about the night sky in the planetarium, (good weather guaranteed in there!) and hear talk on Jupiter and its moons - with giant photos on screen - by an astronomer. Cullen ran down afterward to ask for his autograph. The classic styrofoam model was fun for me, too, because my little guy let me paint a planet or two!

You are here...

Our history study has focused on early colonists and Native Americans for the past couple of weeks, with Jamestown, Pocahontas and the Powhatan the week prior and with the Mayflower, Separatists & Strangers, Squanto and the Puritans this past week, with a bit of map work included. Some of our favorite books have been:
    













For math, we are primarily working from Singapore 3A and learning multiplication facts. The computer game Timez Attack is Cullen's favorite way to practice - no surprise here. We currently only have the free download, but I'm planning to purchase the full version just because he enjoys it AND it's working!


We are using some new things this year for language arts, which I'm very pleased with so far. Look for more detailed posts soon on All About Spelling and especially about MCT Island level series. I am LOVING both, and Cullen asks often to do lessons from these. We are also giving Wordly Wise Vocabulary a try with an easy, unrushed schedule. Cullen is currently reading The Whipping Boy.  



I've not yet added in Latin, but plan to do that this week. Also, we'll get back on track with some memory work with a poem and scripture verse. Enrichment classes are still a favorite part of his week, with chess, acting and a Lego simple machines class every Wednesday.


It seems I've misplaced my camera somewhere, and I'm lost without it! Hope to have it in-hand very soon. My phone doesn't take the greatest photos, as you can see. Maybe it's in my car...

Wordless Wednesday - Cullen's Favorite Things

Cub Scouts...

      

A new super-cool comforter for his bed...

Playing chess with big brother...

My Excuse

This is the biggest reason that I didn't get a wrap-up post done at the end of last week...

My oldest son, Eric, and our little grandson, Gavin, spent time with us this past weekend. Cullen got to work on becoming the coolest uncle ever!

I'll catch up soon!

Moments That Shine

There are moments of this journey that just seem to rise up above the everyday - moments that encourage me and keep me motivated to do this work. If you teach children, you know exactly what I mean!

One example from our week: After riding in the car for just a few minutes with the local public broadcasting station playing, Cullen asked me what we were listening to on the radio. I answered that I couldn't tell yet.

"It sounds a lot like Bach," he offered.

Music lover that I am, my heart just swelled up that he even cared! My grin got even bigger when I realized that it was indeed a piece by Bach. Way to go, kiddo!

I wish I knew the story on this particular image!

School Room Pics

For School Room week at the Not Back-To-School Blog Hop, I'm sharing pics of our classroom. If you caught my earlier post in which I revealed the huge mess this room was in, I especially hope that you'll take a moment to see these "after" photos! Although, if you are one that doesn't tolerate visual clutter very well, you may not see much difference in the before and after shots. This room is a party for the eyeballs, thanks to inexpensive posters, old artwork, favorite toys and other oddball decorations.

Though we truly do use the entire house - kitchen table, couch, a bed, even outdoors when the weather suits - most of Cullen's seat work is done here. Our school room is also a playroom and the puppy's bedroom, which makes keeping it neat a bit of a challenge! (Cookie posed for this photo.)

You want to see what? Inside the closet? the cabinets?

Umm...how about I save that for another post. ;o)

Third Grade - Seriously

This is our first day of school this year. Cullen is a big third-grader now.

No more baby-stuff. Time to get serious.

Don't let that photo fool you for a minute! There is still more than enough goofiness around here!

This year, however, I am feeling a little more - no, a LOT more pressure as far as academics are concerned. I'm a bit of a perfectionist in recovery. (If I'm fighting the worry now, can you imagine what middle grades will be like!?!) Over and over, I keep reminding myself that this should and can be fun. Forgetting that will never be a problem, really, because I am quite certain that Cullen will be quick to remind me!

Today was an easy first day for us, with only about half of what will be a full day's workload. Fun hands-on math, silly drill for facts, a little handwriting, a little... you get the idea.

Alhough Cullen loudly announced several times this morning his great displeasure at having to do any schoolwork, my husband and I both noted that he seemed awfully happy to be so miserable!

8th Birthday

Cullen is now 8 years old! I'm still a little puzzled at how the years have flown.  Here's the birthday boy with two of his buddies:

This afternoon, his party was at a nearby place with the usual giant jumpy things and also an indoor playground in a huge sand play area. We had a beach playground with air-conditioning!

This is our last big hurrah for summer break. We begin school on Monday - whether I'm ready or not!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a little work to do!

Curriculum for 2010-2011

It's Curriculum Week for the Not Back-to-School Blog Hop at Heart of the Matter. Of course, I am posting my entry on the last day possible! Here is our plan for the year:

Bible/Devotional - Explorer's Bible series, 365 Days to Knowing God for Guys

Memory work - scripture and poems

Handwriting - D'Nealian Cursive, copywork

Spelling - All About Spelling levels 2-3

Math - Singapore 3A-3B with selections from Horizons Math (because Cullen likes it!) Hands-On Equations and plenty of games

Latin - Latin for Children A

Language Arts - MCT Grammar Island, Sentence Island, Music Hemispheres (poetry) with additional poems, Practice Island, Building Language (vocabulary,) IEW Writing incorporated throughout LA, science & history, reading from Junior Great Books and selected novels with some read-alouds from me, as well

Geography - Geography Songs, mapwork

History - Tapestry of Grace Year 2 (second half) Beginning American History (We may or may not get into Yr 3 this year.)

Science - Lego Simple Machines classes, Real Science 4 Kids level 1, space and ocean units, plenty of time in nature

Art & Music - various projects from Artistic Pursuits, artist & composer studies via Harmony Fine Arts, piano, boys choir, 

Other - Critical Thinking and Logic with Critical Thinking Press software, keyboarding skills, Etiquette, Chess, gymnastics, acting & improvisation class

Mix in a generous helping of field trips, fun outings and pajama days for an exciting year!

I've been asked more than once if I've finished the big clean-up project! Every time I think I'm close, I end up pulling another stack of things out for planning. You know how that is! Photos coming very soon!

Wordless Wednesday Warrior

100% boy...

Even George isn't safe.

Guess who stayed VERY close to me while all of this was going on?

Oooops! I wasn't supposed to use any words. ;o)