2019-20 School Year

2019-20 School Year–Week Six

We finally had the outdoors field trip that I’ve been waiting for! On Monday morning, I walked outside, and realized that the weather was too nice to stay indoors. So we headed to the St. Louis Zoo, where we enjoyed a beautiful walk and learned a few things (especially about the zoo’s resident polar bear).

The rest of the week we focused on our regular work. Turkey and Bunny worked on applying the functions they’ve learned for the last few weeks in pre-calculus to different triangles. They started the first of two chapters on two-dimensional motion in physics, and practiced the graphical method of adding vectors. Their history lessons focused on India. In their literature study of “The Purgatorio,” they began a chart detailing the different cornices of Purgatory.

Ladybug read one of my favorite obscure Bible stories this week…Balaam and his talking donkey. In math, she started working with powers of ten. She finished the third chapter of her science curriculum. In history, she learned about the Defenestration of Prague and the 30 Years’ War. The Company found Smaug in her study of The Hobbit.

Chickadee finished Little House in the Big Woods this week. (She has also started calling me “Ma,” and I assume the two are related!) In math, she reviewed adding three two-digit numbers. She continued to read about Mercury in science, including learning how many Earth days are in both a Mercury year and day.

I have one more nice-weather field trip planned before we get too far into fall…I’m hoping we might make that happen next week!

2019-20 School Year–Week Five

It took until the fifth week of the 2019-20 school year, but we finally went on an actual field trip!

This was actually the second “Homeschool Day” at the Missouri History Museum for this school year, but the first one didn’t fit into our schedule. I was really excited about the topic of this month’s event, because I knew we needed to see the new Pulitzer Prize Photographs exhibit.

I won’t lie…this was one of the hardest field trips we’ve been on, because the content was so heavy. There were a lot of disturbing photos, and I had to constantly make sure Chickadee especially was doing ok with what she was seeing (to be honest, I think she didn’t really understand a lot of the more distressing photos, which is ok with me). I think it was very important to see, however, and we certainly learned a lot. And there were a few more light-hearted activities, too, including a cool microphone craft that Chickadee loved (although, giving her even a pretend microphone may have been a questionable parenting decision on my part!), and a newspaper assignment that allowed us to research and write about John Philip Sousa, and his connection to the 1904 World’s Fair here in St. Louis.

The rest of the week was pretty standard. Turkey and Bunny learned about arc functions in pre-calculus. They finished the second chapter on one-dimensional motion in physics. They also finished finished the third chapter in their health curriculum. Their literature study had them comparing “The Inferno” with what they’ve read so far in “The Purgatorio.” We finally made it to the Plantagenets in our four-year history cycle, while in US history, Turkey and Bunny learned about the Jamestown settlement, which led to a disturbing conversation about some details they remembered from the their last study of American history.

Ladybug learned about inequalities in pre-algebra. She also reviewed adding decimals. Her history lessons focused on Africa and the beginning of the slave trade. She did a few experiments about the surface tension of water in science. In literature, she read about the dwarves and Bilbo’s escape from the Wood Elves, which is one of my favorite chapters of The Hobbit, because I really like imagining Bombur getting shoved into a barrel! She also finished reading through the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which I still think must be confusing as she’s only about a third of the way through The Hobbit, but she really enjoyed the books!

Chickadee reviewed carrying while adding in math. She started a chapter on Mercury in science. We’re almost done reading through Little House in the Big Woods. Her language arts lessons have overlapped a bit with catechesis, so she’s memorizing in both classes, as well as reading Bible stories for both.

I’m hoping that it might cool off enough next week for an outdoor field trip…or at least for a more enjoyable game of tennis. A week of constant 90+ degree temperatures makes it difficult to want to be outside at all!

Redecorating

At the beginning of the school year, I was…I don’t even know what the right word is. Disappointed? Confused? Relieved? That the school room hadn’t undergone any major changes. It, for the most part, looked the same as it had the year before (and maybe even the year before that!). You have to understand, this is unusual for me, because I’m always moving stuff around, looking for the best possible use of space.

Well, I lasted exactly two weeks into the 2019-20 school year before I made a major change. Really, it all started because I was desperate for more seating downstairs in our living room, so I moved the over-sized red chair that was my seat in the the school room, and that, of course, was the beginning of trouble.

In the end, you might notice four major differences in the school room. The new recliner (the first brand-new, just-for-me, chair I’ve ever had!), is maybe the most noticeable. If it’s not, the curtains I purchased to replace the old ones, which were hand-me-downs from our kitchen years ago, probably catch the eye first. But there’s also a new lamp, something I’ve been meaning to add to our school room for years, and a signed picture of Rick Steves, which was sent to us as a recognition of our summer school this year from his company.

So. it took a few weeks, but I finally made some noticeable changes. And they’re improvements to our learning space that I really like, and hope will make our educational endeavors even more successful!

2019-20 School Year–Week Four

Honestly, the busier our weekends are, the more exhausting the school week is…and last weekend was very busy! We went to the St. Louis Science Center on Friday night, where we learned a bit about biology as it relates to Pokémon…that was a lot of fun! And on Saturday, we spent the day at an air show, where not only did we get to see groups like the Aeroshell Aerodynamic Team and the Blue Angels perform, but also the Red Arrows, all the way from England on their tour of the US and Canada! That was a complete thrill…it’s something I’ve wanted to experience pretty much forever!

So, it was once again hard to get to work on Monday, but as always, we persevered. Turkey and Bunny used trigonometric ratios to determine the lengths of sides of triangles in pre-calculus. They studied the derivatives of equations in physics. In health, they learned about mental illnesses. They also both started their choir season, and are looking forward to singing some new pieces, and having a few special performances!

Ladybug worked with radicals in pre-algebra…she was thrilled, and I had some flashbacks to the last time I taught seventh-grade math. In history, she read about the Mayflower, and also the founding of New Amsterdam (and how it became New York!). She finished her second chapter in science, which focused a lot on using the scientific method. We’re both continuing to enjoy her study of the The Hobbit…and even though I have read it before (and taught its literature study), a lot of it seems new to me!

Chickadee spent a lot of time practicing her subtraction facts in math. We got to read my second-favorite chapter of Little House in the Big Woods…the one about the dance at Grandpa’s. In science, she read about solar eclipses, and she was excited that she’s had the chance to see one. She also enjoyed learning about New Amsterdam in history…I couldn’t believe how much of the information she retained over the course of the week!

And time for a school room update. Two weeks ago, I mentioned that I did some rearranging…it’s finally complete, so here’s a look at the updated portion of the room, including my very own, brand-new, teacher recliner!

We have a fairly relaxed weekend planned, and I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to not setting an alarm tomorrow after so many busy weekends in a row! We’ve done some amazing things, and had a great time, but I need to just chill!

2019-20 School Year–Week Three

After a super busy Labor Day weekend, where we visited both the Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Greek Festival at St. Louis’ St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, it was hard to get back to work on Monday, but we managed.

Turkey and Bunny conquered their third pre-calculus test and first physics test this week, and I’m happy to report that they’re still doing great! Their study of “The Inferno” is almost complete, and I think we’re all looking forward to finding out what happens in “The Purgatorio.” They wrapped up an overview of the nervous and endocrine systems in health. Their world history chapters focused on China and Japan, while they learned about the constant search for the Seven Cities of Gold, particularly Cibola, in US history.

Ladybug also had her first science test, and received a perfect score. In pre-algebra, she learned about exponents and how they fit into the order of operations. She also read about Japan in history, although she’s a little further along in the timeline, and her lessons focused on Hideyoshi. She’s still really enjoying her study of The Hobbit.

Chickadee started working with thousands numbers in math. She continued to work on narrations, this week based on the story of Rumpelstilzchen. She learned a little bit about light (especially as it relates to the sun) in science. She also started catechesis at church this week, which is very exciting!

As was the case last year, tennis is our main physical education, but every once in a while, I find something fun to add in…this week, we visited a Ninja Warrior-style course at the Carondelet Park Rec Complex in St. Louis. This course was a little less intense than the one we visited two years ago, which meant it was almost too easy, but it was still a lot of fun…the climbing wall was especially popular!

We also continued to add some board games to our school days when there was time, including one inspired by some “what if” conversations we had in history (Chrononauts), and the latest expansion for Sagrada:

Tonight we’re going to the Science Center for their monthly “First Friday” event, and tomorrow we’re going to the air show, where not only will we get to see the Blue Angels, but also the Red Arrows…it’s going to be a busy weekend, but I can’t wait!

2019-2020 School Year–Week Two

One thing I’ll say about this school year so far…I hardly have time to catch my breath!

Turkey and Bunny worked with a chart of trigonometric ratios in pre-calculus. They’re both really enjoying their study of The Divine Comedy…they’re over halfway through with “The Inferno.” They finished their first chapter in physics, and are looking forward to their first test next week. In history they read about the great failure that was the Second Crusade. They also learned about some of the first European explorers who visited the Americas in US history.

Ladybug reviewed prime factorization in pre-algebra…she really enjoys making factor trees. In history, she learned about King James, as well as Samuel Champlain and the search for the Northwest Passage. She continued her study of The Hobbit, and finished her additional reading of The Fellowship of the Ring, and started The Two Towers. She also finished her first chapter in science, which focused on the history of scientific discovery.

Chickadee continued to review in math. She worked on several narrations about the story of Pinocchio in writing. She also finished her first chapter of science…at least she doesn’t have to worry about taking a test yet! She’s reading one chapter every day in The Beginner’s Bible for her phonics practice. We got to read one of my favorite chapters in Little House in the Big Woods today!

We also (finally) got back to the tennis courts this week, and had an absolutely beautiful morning to play…I’m looking forward to more beautiful fall weather in the days ahead!

I’ve also been trying to add some extra fun activities into our school days. For example, during lunch, we’ve been watching re-runs of Good Eats, which is a fun way to learn a little extra science (and find some new recipes we want to try!). We’ve also been playing more board games when we have time…our new favorite is Sagrada, which is, as the name suggests, based on the stained glass in the perpetually-under-construction cathedral (a place Ryan has actually had the opportunity to visit!). It’s a fun game, and very different from anything we’ve played before, which means we’re learning to think a bit differently to play…always a good thing!

I have to confess, I also did finally do some rearranging of the school room this week…I guess I just wasn’t satisfied leaving well enough alone! I’m not sure if I’m done yet, so photos will have to wait until I know for sure!

2019-2020 School Year–Week One+

We’ve already finished over a week of the 2019-20 school year! A week ago Wednesday, we kicked off 11th, seventh, and second grades with our traditional first day of school:

And spent the remaining two days of the week slowly easing into all of our subjects. By the beginning of this week, we had begun everything!

This year, Turkey and Bunny are studying the Book of Concord in religion, beginning with the Augsburg Confession. They’re doing pre-calculus for math, and started with a review of sine, cosine, and tangent before moving on to secant, cosecant, and cotangent. They began the third “season” of Analytical Grammar, and the first lesson is all about two common comma mistakes…comma splices and comma splits. (They also got to see me hop up on my Oxford comma soapbox! #TeamOxfordComma) They started their first literature study of the year, and it’s one year all excited about it: The Divine Comedy. They also got to work on the next level of Writing Strands, which is kind of a let-down after a year of creative writing. They’re taking both physics for science this year and an elective of health, which according to Turkey means they’re actually taking two science courses. They’re also taking two history courses…the third year of the history cycle as well as US history.

Ladybug is doing an overview of Bible history in religion this year. She’s also doing pre-algebra in math…I hope we both survive! She started with negative and positive numbers and absolute values. Her first literature study is The Hobbit. She’s already enjoying it so much, she decided to start reading The Fellowship of the Ring for fun…I hope she doesn’t find it too confusing! She also got started on all of her language arts topics, including writing, spelling, and vocabulary. She’s very excited about a year of general science, which promises to have lots of experiments (she’s already gotten to do two of them!). She is also on the third year of the history cycle.

Chickadee will be focusing on memorizing Luther’s Small Catechism in religion this year. She’s also reading through a beginner’s Bible in language arts, along with doing things like First Language Lessons, spelling, Explode the Code, and handwriting. She is working on second grade math, which has been all review so far. She has finally started on her own literature studies, beginning with Little House in the Big Woods. In science, she’ll be learning about astronomy, which is very exciting. She’s also listening in on the third year of the history cycle.

Here’s a look at some of our science fun from this week:

In addition to all of that, the children will continue singing in their various choirs, learning a language with DuoLingo, and playing tennis (when the weather permits). I’m very excited about this school year, because everyone is going to be learning such interesting things!

First Day of School 2019

The 2019-20 school year is officially underway!

We had our traditional first day of school, which was more fun than work. The Fab Five opened their schultüte:

And built a new Lego set to display in our schoolroom. This year, I bought the Hogwarts clocktower to go with the Great Hall that they built on the first day of school last year.

Most of the rest of the day was spent getting new books, organizing desks, and prepping for the new year…tomorrow the real work begins! I’ll leave you with our theme verse for the year, which is always appropriate, but even more so in a world that often seems crazy scary:

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

Schultüte 2019

It’s time to take a look at one of my favorite traditions of the whole year…the first-day-of-school schultüte! Not everybody got all of the things pictured here (for example, only Ladybug received a calculator because Turkey, Bunny, and Moose already have their own, and Chickadee doesn’t need one yet), but most things, including the pencils, pens, highlighters, tape, crayons, micro Squeezamals, and Hershey’s bars, were found in all of the cones:

The children are always so excited to see what’s inside:

It can be a little challenging to come up with new things every year, but somehow, I keep finding fun items to include!