Last Week of January

 Purposefully bring joy into your life.

Lynnette Sheppard

When I pay attention, I can find things around me that bring joy.

There are many exciting experiences awaiting me.

I can find humor in the day-to-day.

I can be myself.

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For Language Arts, A1 worked on writing descriptions. Let's see if you can guess what these are:

Dessert Week

Tenacity- the quality displayed by someone who just won’t quit—who keeps trying until they reach their goal. 

 I will always do my best.

I am strong, inside and out.

When I don’t succeed right away, I can try again.

I have tenacity. 

Above is our quote and affirmations of the week. 

Math: We began Singapore Primary Mathematics 5B book. This week we started with dividing decimals to the second and third decimal place.

Science: A1 baked cinnamon rolls and donuts.  Someday we really need to move away from desserts, but it's what's motivating him right now. (And we had a few celebrations that called for treats.)

The John Tyler Controversy

Even with our flexible schedule and ample time for play, sometimes motivation to do school work is, well, just not there. For example, when I asked A1 to type what he learned about John Tyler, 10th president of the United States, I came back and found only two sentences:

John Tyler was kicked out of his party for rebellion. Now to play! 

A1 was nowhere to be seen so I typed my response. When I found him, I asked him to go back and type more on John Tyler. Here is the conversation that happened. Yes, all in writing and in good humor of course:

And We're Back to School

We like to do a mid-year review of our curriculum and see what has been good, what needs improvement, and what hasn't been as helpful for the kids' learning.  After the review, we decided to scrap Exact Path, but will still continue with Singapore Primary Mathematics. In Language Arts, we will focus more on actually writing instead of Exact Path and spelling lists. A1 has always been very good about reading.  For science, we will be doing cooking at least once a week and watching the YouTube Channel "Real Science" where A1 is able to lean fun facts about animals.

Math: Reviewing concepts previous learned. A1 is also in OpenEd's chess club.  

Language Arts: A1 has been writing and doing typing lessons.

Science: A1 is in the OpenEd animal club. They are learning about how animals survive the winter.

Over Christmas Break

Although not as formal, learning still continued over Christmas break.

Before Christmas, A1 had a piano recital. He did very well.

A1 also received a special letter from the office of the Vice President of the United States. 

'Twas the Week Before Christmas (Homeschool Edition)

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house

All the  people were restless, even the spouse;

Math angles were solved by the children with only one care,

Finish the workbook and get out of there.

Week 17: A Play and a Gingerbread Walk

So much learning happened this week and there was big events for all our kids. We're so proud of all the hard work they have been putting in week after week that made this week possible. To first report on OpenEd's required Classes:

Science: A1 has been watching animal documentaries and working on his life science course. He also built a new electric circuit.

And engineered a cat fort with multiple rooms.

In progress

But our favorite science of the week was watching the Geminid Meteor shower Saturday night. Because we live fairly rural, we were able to sit in our front yard and enjoy a great view. Often one shooting star was followed by one or two more in the same location. We saw dozens of them in the 30 minutes we braved the late night and cold.