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.
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| 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.
Math: We finished ratios and A1 baked more garlic bread. He's experimenting to find the perfect ratio of dried garlic, to salad supreme, to parmesan cheese. And also how it taste with different amounts of butter. Lots of science happening with this math, too. 😉
A1 has also enjoyed solving logical puzzles this week.
Language Arts: There was spelling, a read-a-thon, and grammar lessons on Exact Path. A1 loves to read, after going to the library, he read four books in two days.
If you recall, A1 spoke in church a few weeks back. The chorister was so impressed, she asked if he would be the narrator for the children's Christmas story/song. Once again, A1 stood in front of a crowd of 100's and read his parts beautifully. The chorister was so grateful for his willingness and told him his reading was everything she'd hoped for. Even though he was nervous, I'm so proud of A1 for the practice he put in, and how respectful he was as he delivered the Christmas story, and how composed he remained even when his autistic little brother leaned on him and the pulpit to try and read the story over his shoulder. A1 is wonderful.
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Art: This week we enjoyed going around town and seeing gingerbread houses that people had created for businesses. A lot of them were really cool.
A1 accompanied us to the elementary Christmas program to watch his friends and K sing.
We also went to the high school production of Anastasia. In my completely non-biased opinion, J was the best ensemble actress of them all. Being in junior high, she wasn't allowed to have a major roll, but with how amazing she was, I expect next year, they will be glad to have her in high school. We were able to go to it twice. K loved it so much, he's already asking when the next one will be.
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| J designed the poster for the play |
While the play was one of this weeks highlights, we still continued with our other studies as well. For history, we are now shifting gears. This year, we have learned about the people who were here before the English settled on the East Coast. How and why the Americans wanted to separate from Britain and form their own country, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and the branches of government that were set up after the Article of Confederation failed. A1 studied the westward expansion with the Louisiana Purchase and the Oregon Trail. He learned about the diversifying of cultures and ideas within America, which lead to the Civil War. And we showed him the additional articles that have been added to the constitution over time, such as the ending of slavery and giving women the right to vote.
Instead of continuing with the traditional timeline of history, like WWI and WWII, we are going to first focus on presidents of the United States and then, in January, pick up on studying what makes each state unique both currently, and in its history.
This week A1 learned about George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.
Here's A1 to tell us more about what he's learned:
George Washington never wore a wig. He had long hair he powdered. He loved dogs; he owned over thirty dogs!
John Adams first vice president and the second president. He was a lawyer. In a trial, he defended British soldiers who shot colonist during the Boston Tea Party. He died the same day as Thomas Jefferson which was July 4th, 1826.
Thomas Jefferson was a inventor, a paleontologist, an astronomer and an architect. He loved food. As president, he spent $50 a day on food for entertaining people. That's about $1,275 a day today! He popularized Ice-cream and French fries in America.
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In addition to the musical programs, A2 went to Joy school, and we did lots of reading, she also did Water Wows, and some painting.
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