Tues. June 30

Right now we are starting the grammar book by Jessie Wise "First Language Lessons". It has short, easy lessons.

For writing, I'm going to let the boys choose if they want to do copywork or original work. Yesterday Alex chose to copy and Nathan chose a journal. He wrote, "I love candy. Candy is nummy. Vegetables are dumb. I like birthday cake and ice cream the most." Then when he was done he put "fancy" dots all over his letters. Crazy kid! I'll start dictation a little later and start small.

For spelling, I'm still confused. Some say do dictation, some say create a list from their own writing, some say a workbook, some say a workbook is useless. I ordered a workbook to look at, that Susan Wise Bauer uses. If it's not worth the money (update-- it's not), I'll use the free spelling lists on the internet http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/spelling-levela.html, combined with dicatation and copywork, and their own writing. Todd and I decided that we both learned to spell with spelling lists, copying the words and other activities, and reading and writing and we can spell.

For math, we're going to try Singapore math (primarily) with K12 math. Singapore math has good reviews, has bright pictures, and moves fast. During the summer, I'm having the boys play add/subtracting games on the computer to drill the skill. Funner than flashcards and easier on me.

We're starting Rosetta Stone Spanish and German. We get this free from K12! I'm doing it, too. I don't know that it is great for kids as young as mine, especially Nathan, so I'm trying to think of ways I can do some supplemental teaching, and when I have the time to fit this in.

For reading, I have the boys read with me each 30 minutes a day. 30 mintues is sometimes long for Nathan, so I'm happy with 15 if we can't do 30. We get readers from the library, and Nathan also uses Bob books. I also read aloud to them every day. I read the books they choose at the library (nonfiction, fiction and historical novels) and what I find on great book lists (sonlight.com, Honey for a Child's Heart book, Provo library lists, and the list from amblesideonline.com). If we start it and the kids aren't in to it, we start another one. I want them to enjoy it.

We always start with scripture study. Right now we are reading the Book of Mormon. We have had success by starting with a prayer, and I'll read straight from the real Book of Mormon (no readers or anything). After I read a few verses, I paraphrase what is going on, and we talk about concepts and how to apply it, etc. I try to keep it short enough for them, so sometimes we only read a few verses and then talk about it. I try and end with a "cliff hanger" so it will get them excited for the next reading. Many times they beg us to read more (and we do:)). Then we memorize scripture verses. We are using the scripture mastery list. They use picture prompts that I made (see them here), and I tell them what the verse(s) mean, and we go over it a few times until they have it. We also review old ones. I have loved this a lot. I am learning to memorize along with them!

Alex started taking piano lessons, but we decided that I am teaching him starting this week. We're using Hal Leonard. I also decided to teach music appreciation on Sundays, listening to classical music and learning about composers. Last Sunday we listened to Carmen Suite No. 1: Les Toreadors, and the boys ran around wild and Nathan said, "run for your lives!!" They had a lot of fun. Then we listened to "Peter and the Wolf" downloaded from itunes, and it had a (child's version) biography of the composer beforehand. We liked that one, and I got out my flute after and played the bird part on my flute. We'll get more music from itunes, cd's from the library, and I want to buy the "Meet the Masters" CD collection and the "Classical Kids" collection, both with stories about the composers for kids. Update: and have these talks with the kids about music: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14339

Art- We are getting how to draw books at the library and the kids are loving it! Their drawing has greatly improved! This year I want to use the book "Discovering Great Artists", and maybe do art once a week as a "class"/art appreciation. Update: On Sundays we'll have art appreciation in this method: http://amblesideonline.org/PR/PR12p501PictureTalks.shtml

PE will be at the public school next year.

I want to get a typing program--Typing Instructor Deluxe the kids can do on the computer.

history- I think I've decided to go with the K12 history, which is the first part of world history, and add to it with Susan Bauer's "History of the World" and her activity books, and lots of activities and historical novels/picture books. We'll put up a timeline.

Science- I haven't decided between the Apologia series or the K12 science and adding activities and books to it, such as the Discovery Channel Science books series and lots of experiment books such as the "Hands on Science series" and "Science Activties" series.

Life skills- lessons I used as a counselor at Sage Creek, woodworking, cooking, typing, dressing, brushing teeth, cleaning

Daily: math, spelling, grammar, reading, writing, piano, scriptures
1-3 times a week: history, science, art, typing, music, spanish, pe, life skills

Our school time right now is a checklist instead of a schedule, but when public school starts, we'll have our school from 9-2. If we finish before 2, we can stop, but we won't go past 2. We'll have recess, snack and lunch breaks, and boys club and Friday Fun class breaks, and lots of field trips. And of course, lots of trips to the library!