This week was our first week of official homeschooling for the 2011 – 2012 school year. We had a blast! First, we love our new curriculum. {more about that soon} Also, we had a light load this week. I like to “ease” back into the new school year by starting with a few subjects and then adding a few more the next week. Starting a new school year this way is so much easier and less stressful for us all.
We began the week with filling out applications for our passports {from My Father’s World curriculum ~ Exploring Countries and Cultures}. We will be visiting places all around the world and learning more about the cultures, people, and ecosystems of those areas.
One of our projects in geography was to draw the continents and equator onto an orange representing the globe. Then we carefully peeled it and tried to make a flat map. We found out that it is quite difficult to make an accurate flat map. (The objective of the lesson.)
One of the things that I loved most this week was the books we read together. During our Bible time, we read the book, God Speaks Numanggang. This book is about a family who moved to a foreign land and helped the people write down their language. They then taught the people to read/write this language. Then the family went on to translate the Bible into the language of those people. The book moved me to tears.
Another great book this week was Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman. Last year, we began Sonlight American History (this book is part of that curriculum) but we went so slowly through it that we are going to complete it this year. The waterworks flowed as I read this book also.
Earlier I mentioned that we did not cover all of the subjects this week. That’s not totally accurate. Actually, we start our day with Bible and memory work time. During memory work time, we memorize verses, Latin/Greek roots & meanings, parts of speech, geography, history facts & dates, science terminology, math facts, and much more. In those few minutes a day, we cover many subjects worth of information. On certain days, we also complete notebooking pages about the info that we are memorizing.
We ended our week with our first field trip to an art gallery. We were able to work on some art projects such as:
tissue paper flowers
creating sculptures
weaving
We also were able to tour the art gallery and learn some American history while on our tour.
Guess who made this bell?
Love it when you see the history you’ve read about with your children right before your eyes!
It truly was a great first week back to school. We are looking forward to this new week where we add a few more subjects into the mix. The kids are even excited. I’ve been told that they “can’t wait for a new school week”. We’ll see if they’re still singing that song when grammar, spelling, and writing get added to the weekly lesson plans! {smile}
{Our Kindergartner and Preschooler will have a separate post about their first week posted soon.}
This post will be linked at
Sounds like you guys had a great first week! Easing back into any routine is the way to go. Hope your second week is just as wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had such a great week! We're starting Monday and I'm hoping for the best. Because of a move, a trip, and other things, this has been the longest break we've ever had. I also like to start with a few things and add stuff in over a couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great first week back. We also started our first week out kinda slow.
ReplyDeleteYAY!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be hanging onto the edge of my seat to hear all about your travels around the world this year!
Hey girl, this is totally off the topic of this post and I was going to try to email you but I don't see your email address anywhere. Anyway...I just wanted you to know I thought of you this morning when I got out my Holiday Grand Plan Stuff! Since it starts today! Hope you are going to do some posts on it (hint, hint, nudge, nudge) :) Hope you guys have a great day today!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melissa. It is going very well just very busy. I've not had time to visit any blogs lately and I miss you all. Soon... :) And about your other comment below...I'm thinking on it. I've got it on my blog list to blog about so we'll see how it goes. So, have you started your Christmas lists yet? I sat and thought about it and tidied the porch up on day (week one's focus) but other than that...not much else. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is nice to start very slowly, isn't it? This week has been a little harder with grammar added into the mix. (They are not fans of grammar so it is a little tough to get them to do it.) Next week it will spelling and phonics for the girls. It's busy but I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I remember when I would just jump in full force on the first day and try to tackle it all. It was not a good idea for us. Slow and steady win the race!
ReplyDeleteSo far, I am loving MFW. We all are. The kids are so excited to travel this year. They ask me everyday when are they going to get their passports. I tell them when we leave the US. Of course, my littlest ones look at me kind of funny!
ReplyDeleteForgot about the email part of this when I commented above. You should be able to go to my profile and email me. I think. At one time I had it set so you could. If not, let me know and I'll get my address to you.
ReplyDelete