Break Time ...

We are off this week. Technically, although we are not counting the week towards our school year, we are finishing up a few odds and ends. So, to me, we are off - to the kids, not so much. They really can't complain. A few math bits to solidify, a few pages to read, one grammar test to finish up a unit, and some Hamlet.

That which does not kill you, only makes you stronger, my children.

I have also been working on our schedules for the next six weeks. We will be returning to Latina Christiana, reviewing the first book and beginning the second. The Oldest Twin wants the structure of the video, workbook, and activity book. I have spent today reviewing the first book myself, making some notes, and wondering why we left. Oh, yeah, the little bothersome bit about me dozing off during the videos played a part in that decision. Really, it is a good, structured program. But, as I was reviewing it today, I wanted to be clear about my goals as to why we are pursuing this particular subject. While the grammar is interesting and reinforces what we are learning in our formal studies, and translation is fun, I want to emphasize roots and derivatives, and I feel that is a shortcoming of the program. But I have found this to be lacking in Lively Latin and Song School or ... oh, whatever other one I tried out. So I need to be more vigilant with this aspect of our studies, and make sure I add the emphasis which the program itself lacks. We may start up our Greek studies again, if I can find the time. Adding another area of study that just serves to compromise our core studies is not going to serve any purpose. Slowing things down, going into more depth is really reaping the rewards around here. Both of the twins scored in the high 90s on their grammar unit test, and their narratives in their respective history studies have blossomed.

If I had to pick one subject that has had the biggest impact on our studies it would have to be grammar. The twins have been with Rod & Staff for three years now, beginning with Book 3. They have really utilized the skills they are learning - in particular, this year, outlining - across the curriculum. I only schedule grammar three times a week, with two or three actual lessons and the supplementary worksheets. Most of the lessons are done orally. And, while I often look longingly at other grammar programs - ones with fancier books, a bit of spice to them - I realize, if it ain't broke, don't mess with it. I tried to jump into the R & S 9 book with my oldest in my earlier days of home-schooling, and it was impossible. So my goal is to bring these two along the path from the beginning. By Book 6, my understanding is that they will have more grammar than most high school graduates.

Well, back to the schedules and my Latin studies. I will leave you with a snippet of an Emma video. I was supposed to see her yesterday, but I felt unwell. Can't be too careful around her. (At least, that is what I say to console myself and ease my guilt. It doesn't work too well.) She is currently at 10 ml on her feeds, and weighs a whopping 6 lbs 5 1/2 oz. Go, Emma ... Go, Emma ... Now, to appreciate this video and its content, you must imagine having a child with whom you have had limited contact from the time of their birth - almost as though they have been in a coma, unable to respond to you. And slowly, over the course of many, many, many months, they begin to awaken and attain the many milestones your other children came to with ease. You just cannot imagine the way a simple interaction such as Emma displays here has made my heart soar with hope. I watch, rewatch, and then ... play it again. It is simply a miracle. She is simply a miracle. And if you want to put a price tag on that miracle, go right ahead. My question to you is, what are we developing all the new technologies for, if not for the attainment of these types of miracles? Allow smokers to sue tobacco manufacturers and continue to smoke, and then provide them with surgeries and drugs to combat the damage they have inflicted upon themselves. Let alcoholics drink themselves to the brink of death, and then give them a life-saving transplant. Allow motorcyclists the "right" to choose whether or not to wear a helmet, get mangled in an accident, and, after emergency personnel have finished cleaning their brains off the pavement, allow them to rehabilitate in expensive facilities so that they may one day feel the wind in their hair again. But, if you allow all that in the pursuit of the individual's right to choose for themselves, then do not tell me that the child born too soon - without any fault in that event - has no right to at least be given a chance at life.