We have completed 2 full weeks in our new year. It's time to assess what is working, what is not, what is fitting, is not fitting or can fit into the schedule.
Trevor- Teaching Company high school courses and Math u See. So far so good, he is easing into a routine. This is not much different than what he did last year and it seems this type of learning, heavy on video, daily discussion and a small amount of written work is the best fit for him.
Hayley-Switched on Schoolhouse computer based learning with Math U See separately for math. These are both new to us this year. It has been hard to get going with the SOS but now that she has, Hayley feels she does want to use the computer curriculum this year. I think the Math U See will be very beneficial to her as math seems to be her least favorite subject. She also joins the younger boys for all our "extras" such as Spanish and drawing.
Colin and Tristan- math
Aleks Math free trial- not a good fit, neither boy likes it. Probaby good that they don't-it's expensive! LOL
SOS computer based math- tried it, not a good fit. Going to try to return or sell.
Math Blaster for the DS handheld-fun a keeper
CLE ,math continued from last year as we still have several of the workbooks left. They like it except for the days when the lessons are 4,5,6 pages long! Also they enjoy the variety of topics in each lesson but I must admit I feel they need to learn more in depth too.
Math U See- going to try this with them.
Could Math U See on Mon-Wed-Fri and CLE on Tues, Thurs be the ideal fit for them? It's what I'm going to try next with a view towards transitioning to MUS when the CLE books run out, to simplify.
Colin- Language arts
SOS Language arts- doesn't seem to be a good fit. He will return to CLE LA for now (and yes I have Galore Park but haven't managed to try it yet! It seems like such a good idea but will I manage to implement it this year) Was using Beyond the Code for reading and comprehension last year but finds it too "young" this year. Now will use Christian Liberty Nature Readers starting this week.
Tristan-laguage arts
Easy- same as last year is working great
ETC online and Clicknread online
Has outgrown-CLE learning to read, plan to sell TM and teaching materials as I no longer have anyone coming up learning to read.
All together
La Clase Divertida Spanish- Love it, the kids are retaining- a keeper. Surprisingly a highlight of our days so far.
Real Science 4 Kids- I had wanted to try this so much but it's not a keeper. The readings don't seem to hold the kids attention. The experiments are fun but we have done a lot of them ourselves in the past. Will plan to sell and put that money towards the 3 outside science classes the kids have this year. Not the best fit for children who have already done a lot of science with their older siblings.
USA history through literature, crafts and day trips- a good fit for this year no plans to change this.
The next trip planned is a WW2 re-enactment if we can make the date work-somewhat of a longshot at this point. This weeks read aloud will be Sarah Witcher's Story which is set in New Hampshire during pioneer times. We were given (thanks Karen!!) a hands and hearts early American history craft kit and I'm going to look through this weekend to see which craft might work well this week. Looking into- trip to Indian Museum.
Drawing basics with Thomas Kincaide. Love it, keeper.
Latin-argh, we still didn't fit it in! This week for sure.
Geography- going well we have spent these two weeks on parts of the USA, need one more week for that and then will move on to my country a week plan.
Outside classes and activities----
Animal Academy-FUN a keeper
4H- Not going to be a good fit after all, long drive there and the core group is quite young, larger commitment than I originally understood.
Classes and activities with the relaxed HS group- Magic class was great looking forward to a water rockets activity with them this week. Will plan to pick and choose from activities on the long list of choices they offer.
Monthly Mixed Class Day- no update as it starts this week
Girl Scouts and Cub scouts- start soon
Homeschool soccer- different coaches than last year schedule isn't out yet.
Guess that's it, a good year so far and realistically the couple things that aren't working for us will free up more time for things that are so no loss there.
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