Sagrada

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!