Week-in-Review Oct. 6-10

[my3sons]

Ok Fellow HOD Homeschoolers,

What was YOUR week Like?

You can post:

a- A picture
b- A blog Link
c- A written synopsis
d- Your favorite memory
e- Anything you want that shares your HOD excitement!

Important Note: If you are linking us to your blog, please make sure it's not just a general link, but to your specific post of HOD. That way if someone reads through these a year from now they can find your share without needing to hunt!

[my3sons]

World History High School
Wyatt finished his first art project this week for his Fine Arts half credit. We both were so pleased! Pat Knepley is such a positive Christian lady, and she gives excellent cueing on her DVDs for each step of the art project. The first composition was "Tiffany Window," and it had Wyatt using the stained glass window effect. He read about and answered questions about Leonardo daVinci in his "Short Lessons in Art History" book, learning that daVinci was apprenticed in Italy to the artist Verrocchio. Labeling daVinci's beautiful full color paintings of "The Mona Lisa," "Virgin of the Rocks," "The Annunciation," and other paintings as well in HOD's Art Notebook brought on much discussion of his realistic style of painting. Wyatt found it so sad that Leonardo left incomplete paintings, as well as how few original paintings of his have been found. Here Wyatt is with his "Tiffany Window."


In World History, Wyatt prepared his "Talking Points" about the section entitled Sticks, Terraces, Urns, and Gardens from "People Places, and Events of World History." I cannot help but think how useful activities like these would have been prior to my taking speech in college. I actually liked speech in college, and went on to be a paid instructor for the college to teach speech to a small group of students for several semesters. I really enjoyed it! But, many of the students had little or no experience preparing to give a speech. This type of activity, which involves taking bulleted notes on an index card and sharing talking points with an adult in the form of an oral narration teaches excellent skills for 'speech' classes which are coming in the near future.


Wyatt is nearing the end of his Literature Study classic "Ben Hur." The parallels to Scripture/events/people in the Bible that HOD draws out have provided so many solid connections. I love that Christ is kept at the center of my ds's high school education - even in reading classic literature - which can be difficult! Wyatt's Common Place Book continues be filled with memorable quotes. I like that he is learning more and more to watch for foreshadowing and allusions, and annotating is something I commonly do when reading that I also like he is learning to do - definitely grown up, higher level skills that are possible to teach because of the firm foundation he had earlier with all of his previous years in HOD's DITHOR.


In Geometry, Wyatt is learning to write proofs using various axioms such as SAS, ASA, SSS, and the isosceles triangle theorem. I'm a little rusty on all of this, having had my last Geometry class about 20+ years ago (yes, I took Geometry when I was 10 yo - ha, just kidding - showing my age here). Anyway, I am using this checkoff as I go, as it helps me keep track of what I want to grade and what I just want to partner with him on and check off. (The grading scale is the one from the WG Introduction.) It is going well, and it is definitely 'hard enough.' I don't leave his side often during math, lest I be left in the dust and unable to help.


For the Living Library, Wyatt finish his Literary Synthesis Sheet for "The Hero Schliemann." He LOVED this book! He got a big kick out of the wit and somewhat absurd lengths Schliemann would go to be 'famous.' The main character, Schliemann, is quirky, brilliant, shady - there are many adjectives that would describe him - not all honorable, but most intriguing. He had a knack for learning foreign languages - 22 in total I believe. He learned Arabic just to read "Arabian Nights" in Arabic - what other language would it possibly be right to read it in, according to Schliemann?!? The Word and Idea Helper sheet is helping Wyatt expand his vocabulary and add even more depth to his answers. This time, I had him highlight the words he used, so I could easily find them in his analysis of the book. We are loving the Living Library!


Wyatt's World History written narration was in response to his reading about various forms of transportation through history. His critical thinking question from "Short Lessons in World History" went with it perfectly, as it was in regard to the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete and its navy fleet that sailed across the Mediterranean Sea. These critical thinking questions have been an excellent way for Wyatt to develop the skill of answering questions in a thorough, supported, accurate way. As answering higher level questions completely and knowledgeably is one of the primary measures of success both in showing comprehension in graduate coursework as well as in displaying proficiency in being considered for future job opportunities, I am glad he is learning this now. Being able to communicate well in writing (and speaking) is a skill that is needed in virtually every career in some way if a person is hoping to advance in position during employment. Looking ahead to a future where he can provide for his family well enough that his wife can stay home and homeschool is a goal of his, so I take teaching writing skills seriously.


In Christ,
Julie

[my3sons]

Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory:
Emmett is literally off and running in Unit 26 of Beyond! One of his favorite things to do is the gross motor activity along with his Bible Study Scripture memorization. These skills seem like they are just for 'fun,' but in reality they play an important part in development, physically and mentally. According to the North Carolina Child Care Health and Safety Resource Center, “All children birth to age five as well as school age children should engage in daily physical activity that promotes health-related fitness and movement skills.” Most children naturally develop the ability to run and walk. However, they require practice and instruction to develop hopping, galloping, sliding, catching, jumping, throwing, kicking, bouncing and striking skills. Children incorporate these skills into sports, games and dance. I LOVE that these physical activities that have such important health benefits are written right into my Bible Study box of "Beyond Little Hearts...!" Here Emmett is with Chompers, his stuffed beaver, skipping around the house and 'freezing' when I say 'freeze' to recite his Bible verse (I had to cut him off after 5 freezes )...


The discussions we are having about the Scriptures Emmett is memorizing have been quite in-depth. This week, we learned the fruits of the spirit. The Corresponding Music was a must for memorizing this one for Emmett. There are many to remember! The song helped him do it easily though. For one of his activities, he made a replica of the shirt he was wearing for the day, and inside the shirt (to represent inside his heart), he wrote some of the fruits of the spirit. It helps if I write them on a marker board for him to copy - that marker board has been the best investment ever - it gets used with all of the boys as I teach a lot! He was so happy about how his project turned out that he immediately ran upstairs and hung it on his bedroom door!


There are a few things I have found that have helped Emmett grow in the skill of copywork. Marking off the section of copywork for the day with sticky notes helps him find what he is copying more easily among the 'sea of words' of the entire poem. Propping up his book so he can glance up and have a less congested work area has helped as well. Drawing lines for him, first wider apart, and then closer together as he learns to write small, has helped him always have the size of space he needs for solid development. Making lines in different colors further denotes how many he is to write each day (i.e. 4 blue lines for yesterday's copy work, 4 red lines for today's copy work, etc.). Finally, the pencil choice makes a big difference. He likes to use clicky pencils like big brothers, but often times he'll switch to the good old fashioned need-to-be-hand-sharpened pencils after the clicky pencil has broken multiple times. I set both out for him and let him choose.


In math, Emmett became a human clock. The physical connection to the hour and minute hands helped him better apply this newfound knowledge to his math workbook pages...


Reading about the excitement of George Washington becoming our first President has been such fun for Emmett! He loved reading about Betsy's surprise guest (none other than George Washington) and making his art project tissue flower to represent all of the flowers and special decorations/clothes worn for the parade for the President visiting North Caroline. Emmett really has George Washington up on a pedestal, so making the fireworks display in his bowl with food coloring, milk, and dish soap (and then learning the scientific concept behind soap breaking down fat) was especially fun!



What a good week! Hope you had one too!

In Christ,
Julie

[my3sons]

Resurrection to Reformation:
Riley finished Unit 12 of RTR this week. It is hard to believe he is already 1/3 of the way done with this guide! He read about the Mongul Empire, and labeled the cities, mountains, seas, deserts, countries, and path that the famous explorer Marco Polo took on his journeys. He also learned about Tamerlane, or Timour the Lame, who was the leader of the Mongolian tribes who'd been injured in a battle. Listening to Diana Waring's exciting audio narrative via "What in the World?" helped him make further connections. I love how everything goes together so well, that is naturally more easy to remember!


In Riley's Independent History Study box, he followed directions independently to draw and color a greyhound dog (which he learned clergy rescued from extinction and bred for nobility as hunting dogs). He also did some copy work in regard to Genghis Kahn after listening to audio about him uniting Mongolia with his military. The falcon he drew and colored showed how falconry was a common sport at this time (I for one am glad it's not such a sport today ).


Research took Riley to Assisi, Italy this week! He discovered that this Roman city was almost burned down by King Totila, that it was ruled by many different people (the Lombards, the Franks, the church), that Francis found the religious order in Assisi, that there were many exciting sights to see there, and much more. He enjoys researching new places that are linked to his history, and the postcard he gets to write to share his newfound knowledge in is a creative, fun way to wrap up his research.


In DITHOR, Riley can hardly wait to see what Richard, the Little Duke, will do next! He is really loving this book. For his Student Workbook assignment, he used the graphic organizer to share what he knows so far about the book, as well as share some questions he has that he'd like answered as he continues to read. I have found it helps to make little marks for how many answers I am expecting, so he can plan accordingly as he writes. This also helps him have 'enough' content for "A" level work, which is what I expect before we call something 'done.'


In Science, Riley has been learning about astronomy in "Exploring Creation with Astronomy." He is enjoying this book, and I am too, but I am also glad that there are other living books included in the science throughout the year, like "A Child's Geography...," "Exploring Planet Earth" (we love Tiner), "Along Came Galileo," and "Isaac Newton." I like the feel of opening a variety of living books to read from throughout the year, as opposed to a one textbook for the year to get through kind of feel (which is what I had in public school science year after year). Variety is the spice of life! In books too. Here is a picture of one of Riley's note booking assignments. Note how he has learned to use the entire page rather than cram everything into a tiny section, as he once did.


What a week of growth and steady diet of learning my Riley has had - hooray! We are looking forward to next week.

In Christ,
Julie

[LynnH]

Julie I love seeing Wyatt's work in the World History guide. I love the Word Help sheet and can see how it will help Noah so much as he tries to describe those literature elements.

Here is our week in the WG guide http://graceandfur.blogspot.com/2014/10 ... -2014.html

[my3sons]

Julie I love seeing Wyatt's work in the World History guide. I love the Word Help sheet and can see how it will help Noah so much as he tries to describe those literature elements.

Here is our week in the WG guide http://graceandfur.blogspot.com/2014/10 ... -2014.html

Thanks, Lynn! I enjoyed reading your blog about your week. It looks like Noah is doing an awesome job in his WG guide - hooray! I am really impressed with Noah's ability to look at the plans and determine if he needs to do something earlier to account for a busier day the next day. That is a time management skill some adults do not possess! The HOD plans and the way they are laid out certainly aid in this kind of thought process, but it takes maturity and planning on the part of the student to think like that. Just like Noah, Wyatt thought the science was difficult last year, but he enjoyed it very much too. Spanish was harder for him - I think because he was born so prematurely and had speech difficulties early on. Spanish continues to be a challenge for him this year, but I am glad he is learning it. Though it doesn't come naturally to him, I find he learns as much from rising to a challenge and doing something that is harder for him in school, than he does from doing what comes easily. It looks like Noah is doing well with his Spanish, which is wonderful! Noah's WRC Notebook was completed so well. I hope you two are enjoying that study as much as Wyatt and I did. Thanks so much for sharing here - I always enjoy reading but don't always do a good job of commenting on all that I have enjoyed reading. Your sharing about Noah is a highlight for me, as well as others sharing here. It is just nice to celebrate our homeschooling days together. Keep up the good work! Noah is obviously having a super year!

In Christ,
Julie

[LynnH]

Thanks Julie for you kind words about Noah. He really is doing much better in this guide than I thought he would. All the years of previous HOD have sure set him up for success. The only thing he isn't doing quite as written yet is typing the answers to BJU lit. He has done that 1 time though so he is getting there. He is excited to start reading Treasure Island this week. He and I are both really enjoying the World Religions and Culture study.

[lissiejo]

http://gracefilledhomeschooling.blogspo ... -6-10.html

Rough, rough, rough week...lots of tears and resistance, but not for any reason I could pinpoint or about any one subject! I think my 7-year-old is going through a moody stage

Preschool (getting close to starting LHFHG!)
Bigger: Unit 6
Preparing: Unit 24

[Tooactiveboys]

I am trying to see if I figured out how to post a picture here... please bear with me as I learn


Hmmm... my pics are huge! how do I embed them in my post and keep them small? I am using photo bucket.
I want to start sharing some weeks on here, but not sure how to use the space efficiently.

[Tooactiveboys]

ok one more try with a different link from photo bucket.


Let's see...
Nope... didn't work

[my3sons]

Hi Becky! I remember having the same problems when I first tried to post pics too! Here are some steps that should help...

If you are wondering how to upload pics, just do the following:
1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com
2. Sign up for a free account.
3. Upload pics from your computer.
4. Check the boxes next to the pics you want to use.
5. At the bottom of the screen, click on "generate HTML and IMG codes"
6. Then copy the 4th. box labeled "IMG Images for Message Board"
7. Finally, paste them into your HOD post.
Just keep trying until it works! We don't mind - and we want to see your pics!

In Christ,
Julie