Home's Cool: Week Three

I think we are getting into our groove! Week 3 was a huge success and lots of fun. We even took a mid-week break to attend the home school day at the Witte Museum and an end of the week break to go to the McKenna Children's Museum. We were blessed with free admission to the McKenna museum quite unexpectedly at the end of the week. Thank you Lisa!!! Why not take two field trips in one week?!  Next week we will begin attending REACH, our home school co-op, once a week until November. So it was nice to get some field trips in before our weeks get busier.

This is what we have been learning this week...

Bible - Through MFW, we have been learning more about Jesus by reading prophetic scriptures. We also talked about living like Jesus and made WWJD bracelets on Tuesday to remind us of this. In fact as we were making the bracelets, Caleb spilled the box of beads....AGAIN. Yes, this is the second time he has done this. I even had them put away out of reach, or so I thought. Anyway, I had an immediate opportunity to practice what we were talking about. Instead of getting frustrated with Caleb I handled it calmly.... which I will be honest doesn't always happen. Thank you God for giving us(me) a real life lesson this morning!!

What Would Jesus Do?

This is just half the spilled beads. The other half are in every crack and crevice imaginable.Teachable moment for sure!

We are also doing a devotional in the mornings that comes from their Sunday school program at church. This week we have been discussing grace. Last night at the dinner table, we were reading the Bible together and talking about integrity. Gabe asked the kids if they knew what Romans 3:23 said. Without hesitation, Isaac recited that verse. I was delighted and impressed that God's Word is tucked inside his little heart.

History - This week we have been learning about Jamestown, John Smith, Pocahontas, and Squanto. We have been learning about what life was like during the time of the early settlements. Both Isaac and Julia, really enjoy listening to the read alouds. I confess that I equally enjoy it. One of the things I love about home schooling my children is that I get to learn everything all over again. I have to say I have a deeper appreciation for it now that I am an adult.

Adding Jamestown to our time line

Jamestown narration for history notebook

Julia reading some books about Pocahontas and Jamestown during book bucket time

Science - We are enjoying our Apologia Botany book. This week we have learned more about seeds. On Monday we "woke up" a baby bean plant with warmth, water, and air. We observed and investigated bean and sunflower seeds and learned about the different parts of a seed and their functions. They got to design their own testa or seed coat. They also made a germination animation.

Getting a closer look at our seeds

Working on labeling the parts of a seed

Making their germination animations

Art - On Tuesday we looked at and discussed the famous painting by Van Gough, The Starry Night. The kids enjoyed this one. They talked a lot about how the painting made them feel and how they thought the artist made it look like the painting was "moving". Then I set them up with some paint to create their own starry night paintings. Even Caleb got in on this. He did really well and was so serious as he painted. I have never seen him sit so still and concentrate on something for so long. Interesting to see that side of my little guy. Here are their paintings...

Julia's painting

Isaac's painting

Caleb's painting

Spanish - Isaac and Julia are both still working through Lesson 1 and are both getting rather tired of doing the same thing over and over, but repetition is the key here. I am impressed that they are picking up a lot from this program. So far Rosetta Stone is working!

Spelling - Isaac has apparently gotten over whatever bothered him about spelling the first week. He had another great week with spelling and got the words all correct on his first test. Well done Isaac!!


Reading - Isaac has still been working his way through the McGraw-Hill book. This is a reader that was given to me by a friend who works in the public school system. They were adopting new curriculum and getting rid of a bunch of stuff. I don't even know what grade level this book is but he can read it and that is all that matters. He has really enjoyed the stories. This week he read Baseball Saved Us which is about a Japanese-American camp during WWII. Deep subject matter for a 7 year old. I was impressed with what he was able to get from that story. He also read The Hatmaker's Sign which is a story about Benjamin Franklin. After he read the story he researched more about the Declaration of Independence and wrote about it in his journal.

Have I mentioned how much Julia loves her new Circle C books? I have her read about half a chapter a day, but Julia usually wants to just keep reading!! Love it!!! I love that this author has also provided additional activities to go along with the book as well as the lapbook. Julia loves it all! She has also been zipping through the MFW reading activities.  Here are a few videos of Julia reading...

Math - We finally got Isaac started in his 2A math book. The beginning is just review which is music to both Isaac and my ears. He was able to breeze through math is week!! That contributed a lot to why we were finished with school on time or early every day. Hallelujah! Julia started learning about addition this week. She did well making up addition stories and writing number sentences. Easy breezy!

Smiles at math time... a welcomed sight!

As I mentioned above, on Wednesday we spent the day at the Witte Museum for home school day. We spent the first part of the day just enjoying the museum and the exhibits. Then at 10:00 we attended the Animals in Action program. Very fun! The kids even got to touch several snakes, a tortoise, rats, and a cockroach. EW!!!!! Julia opted out of the roach petting, but thought it was cool that she touched a rat. Disgusting! We had the best day playing in the science treehouse, exploring the Texas wildlife displays, and walking through the Amazon. I love being a home schooling family!

So there you have it, another week of school. Lots of learning and lots of fun. 'Til next week....