We had a pretty good week. My oldest daughter still has a poor attitude toward math, and sometimes, that translates into a poor attitude in general, which morphs into me getting upset with her poor attitude in math ... Vicious cycle. Math needs to be done. That's it! You can not be a math drop-out in the 6th grade, no matter much you excel in your other subjects. She may love literature, and do very well with writing, but math is a necessary evil. So we sat together every. single. day. And we did allllll the bridge exercises in Life of Fred: Decimals & Percents to bring us up to Ch. 21. She was not happy - with me. This child wants to take herself to her room after breakfast and be left alone - as in, I-am-my-own-island alone.
She also began Central Asia in her Eastern Hemisphere Explorer studies. The map for this assignment was ... oh. my. I helped her with this one, only because, well, did I say ... oh. my.? One more "... istan" and my hand was going to fall off. We also completed one lesson in Latina Christiana II and Ludere II which was another exercise in mental anguish. I like the challenge of Ludere puzzles, but the derivative crosswords are so nonspecific - they are almost impossible to complete without the aid of the teacher's manual. I am glad we switched back from Ecce Romani, however, as the structured assignments were just what my little Einstein needed to get her motivated with Latin again. She read, probably three or four books while locked up in her lair, and we are working on Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? together. It is quite insightful to read this book in the presence of an 8 and 6 year old - they have much to add in regards to government, work ethic, and the evils of taxes.
The younger twin continues to work his way through CLE math. He finished another four assignments and a quiz. We also studied the origin of the Olympic games, watched a video on the geography of Greece, and read about Persephone in our mythology book. He is also close to completing The World of Captain John Smith, quite an endeavor, especially at the sloooooow pace recommended by Ambleside Online. I have him studying the origin of Jewish holy days, as well as reading a number of books to the younger children, when he can corral Rocky long enough to get him to listen to the story. He is also making wonderful progress in his SL Science studies, and really enjoying the readings. It is especially wonderful that he is totally independent in this course. Once he had the hang of using the schedule and the activity sheets, it was not necessary for me to sit with him. He is required to be near me, and I am available to answer questions or clarify something he may not understand. But he is pretty much on his own, and loving science this year. SL did a really good job revamping their science this year. It is so user friendly and really written to the student. When you have four levels of science going, it is good to know that your 10 and up kids can be independent.
Little Bear is very near completing her 2nd grade studies. I am looking into ordering for her new year, which we will begin after the Christmas holidays. We were very eclectic this year, especially with history and geography, sometimes doing her own studies and other times folding her in with one of the older children. She has learned a good amount of general world geography. She has also done well with her level of SL Science. Give her a worksheet and she fills it in with gusto! Math is her love. Her work is so neat and organized. It is wonderful that she has acquired this skill so early in life. No need to scold her for misplaced books, or sloppy figures. Each day, she sits at the table and copies a paragraph from her McGuffey Reader - not because I assigned it, but because she wants to do it, and enjoys it.
Little Bear, Rocky, and the Younger Twin completed many Draw Squad assignments this week. Their drawings are so unbelievable - the enrollment in the on-line academy was some of the best money I ever spent. They have learned so much. My older daughter much prefers her lessons in God & the History of Art. As a group, we began the Classical Era in The History of Classical Music. And the twins completed two more lessons in grammar, as well as one worksheet. I have also begun implementing many of the ideas from Writing with Ease across the curriculum, resulting in much improved written work.
It was a beautiful week for being out of doors. So we included lots of time outside in our days. And those are the highlights. Hope your week was good, too.
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