Off to a Great Start

We're cranking right along after having moved on into "5th Grade." So far, they're doing well. Of course, the talk E had with them about changing attitudes or losing the privilege of being homeschooled may have a little something to do with their being quite motivated to do their schoolwork these days. In addition, I've tried to make things more interesting overall.

We're going to stick with the Spectrum Language Arts workbooks (unless I find something better.) I've seen the kids (especially K)incorporate what was covered in the 4th grade book into their writing. We're keeping up the literature studies with one minor change,less worksheets and more discussion (to avoid detracting from the enjoyment of a good book.) We've had some good conversations kicked back under the willow tree in the back yard lately. I envision us having many more discussions under that tree throughout the summer.

Writing is still a pain in the neck. We won't continue with the Spectrum Writing workbooks. Currently, we're doing journal writing twice a week. I'm still searching for a good writing curriculum. For now, I'm winging it. The Spectrum Spelling book was dropped midway through 4th grade. It was a bit redundant, mostly busywork, and much too simple. I'm building their spelling lists from the literature and Dr. Frye's books. The only spelling work I'll require from them are definitions, sentences, and tests. They're downright tickled about that.

Math has been going great since I ended 4th grade explaining to them that all the math they were doing all these years was really just addition in different forms. At first, they didn't want to believe it & informed me that I had lost my mind. I persisted furiously writing example after example on my portable whiteboard. I watched as gears turned, lights came on, and brains fried. After what I was saying finally clicked for them they both exclaimed, "That's so cool!" (Oh, how I wish someone had guided me to such an epiphany when I was their age. I might not have cut math class so much had I known how simple it all was.) Anyhow, I decided early last Fall that we wouldn't spend 4th - 8th grades doing the same old math problems. I never did understand the logic behind beating the four basic operations to death while simultaneously drumming the love of mathematics out of children. Therefore, I gave them the choice: Algebra I or Geometry. T chose algebra & K chose geometry. I thought we'd have to proceed slowly giving them time to absorb the material. It's been a pleasant surprise seeing how quickly they're learning and with such enthusiasm, too!