The Organic School

While we have been “schooling” most of September, this week marked our first FULL week.  And there is so much more I wish I had gotten done.

Sigh.

Sometimes it is a curse loving to learn.

We focused on our Classical Conversations memory work, reviewing weeks 1-4, and learning week 5 since I am a tutor and will be introducing it next week. 

I have found four fabulous helps in our Classical Conversations journey:

• Half a Hundred Acre Wood – great blog posts and excellent printables . . . all around good encouragement
• Sola Gratia Mom (I purchased her CC lesson plan . . . as I need some help narrowing our scope.)
• Wisdom and Righteousness (featuring lapbooks that compliment Cycle 1 of Classical Conversations)
• YouTube: Exodus 20 hand motion video from MegaVerse Ministries, 160 point Time Line Hand Motions featuring the new timeline song from Classical Conversations, time line hand motions we are using in our CC group, and the Preposition Song (directions and motions timed to the song)

Awana

In addition to Classical Conversations memory work, Awana entered the picture. 

Asher plugged in his TNT CD and recited his verses, while Ezra and I accomplished All About Reading Level 2. 

(Yes, it was distracting.)

Math

Asher continued working on Teaching Textbooks 4 independently.

Ezra is enjoying Saxon Math 1.

Gabe has found a happy spot with Math-U-See, which makes me VERY thankful.

Phonics

Asher is reading independently.  We also began All About Spelling Level 3.  I am so thankful that Marie Ripel has plenty of practice and repetition. 

Ezra is LOVING All About Reading Level 2.  You can read about his success from earlier this week.

Gabe is plodding through Saxon K.  He is in limbo land with his phonics right now.  We can’t move on to All About Reading Level 1 with him . . . and this mama isn’t going to do All About Reading Pre-Level 1 with him A.G.A.I.N. (Not that it is bad – because it’s not.  I just need some variety. And I am finding that Gabe really needs the repetition of focusing on one letter for a full solid week.)

Language

We haven’t begun Rosetta Stone Spanish. 

Our fourth hard drive was installed this week.  That is the fourth time I have had to make a mirror image.  Praise the Lord, He gave Carbonite the idea to back up alllllllllllllll files off of someone’s computer.  If you haven’t backed up your files, do it NOW.

Asher is using First Language Lessons book 3 (teacher’s manual) . . . and begs to do more than one lesson.  If we have time, I also incorporate Writing With Ease 3.

Ezra is reviewing First Language Lessons 1 and liking the short stories in Writing With Ease 1, but we are working on answering in complete sentences and listening skills.  {grins}

Science

We sometimes get caught up in Apologia Science.  You can read all about our excitement from a recent giveaway.  We are still rotating between Land Animals and Swimming Creatures.  This week we watched an amazing video on whales.

Handwriting

Everyone is using Handwriting Without Tears.  And it’s working.  No one is crying!

Asher also is working through Future Heroes copywork.

Physical Education

Asher is in his last few weeks of cross country.

We are debating what to do activity wise for Gabe and Ezra.  I really want to put Ezra in gymnastics.  Our local gym has a male instructor that I think Ezra would THRIVE under.  But the Engineer and I haven’t discussed it fully yet. 

I do know that we will be dropping our YMCA membership. 

Which leads me to contemplate using the Family Time Fitness curriculum.  Has anyone used it?

Linking up with: Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

What new thing did you learn this week?

Don’t forget to pick out our new Lamplighter book!