And rather than be a good blogger and write it all out in separate posts so it’s not confusing, instead I’m clumping it all together, because I spent the week hanging out with my family since Jeff was off rather than on the computer.
I am not sorry.
We practiced our spelling for the week using stair step writing, which the kids didn’t get at first, but then thought was fun. I need to dig up my file of spelling ideas, but so far they’re enjoying what I’ve remembered.
Saxon Math is a spiral math so it introduces concepts in drips and drabs, I’m still getting used to this, but we took some time to learn about fractions, and it really helped my tactile learners to cut out the papers into the different fractions. We have a lesson coming up this week for learning about eighths…….. That should be fun to cut out all of those pieces. Part of me wants to save these for them to refer back to, but the other part knows they don’t need another notebook to keep track of especially since we probably won’t use it all that often. Maybe I’ll make a Master Math Notebook…….. I don’t know.
This is what math looks like in our house. Each of the kids works on their math at their desk, they have math blocks to use, or other things to add in. As they need help I walk to their desks and help them. I also encourage them to use the tools we have, a big calendar (more on that September 13), math blocks, and a hundreds chart. So math involves lots of getting up and walking to the different sources.
I learned this week my kids had no idea how to do a crossword puzzle. I dislike busy work from when I was a kid, so I guess we hadn’t really done these before. Once they figured it out, they happily worked on their Latin together flipping pages to remind them of their vocabulary.
One of the boys got ahold of my camera (what ahold isn’t a word, apparently it’s 2 words, a hold) and took 9 pictures of me placing this skirt piece, which was horribly uncooperative, let me say. I was short of fabric, but didn’t want to go buy more. In between I checked some math.
Princess lost her first tooth, and was quite proud of it. By the by, I just LOVE her freckles.
The kids attempted to create slushies, but to my mind created truly horrific concoctions with whatever they could fit into a cup. But, they entertained themselves for an hour mucking about in that.
We made an imaginary island, and the kids loved that. I can’t wait to see our next young learners geography assignment for Illuminations.
We also learned about the 10 Commandments, but I can’t find a single picture for that, so I might just have to sneak pictures of the kids recreating it or something and post that tomorrow. I swear I took the pictures!
Hop on over to Collage Friday to see some more great weeks and collages.
I love, love, love your week and seeing all those great pictures, especially Princess’ lovely smile. She is adorable, with freckles and a missing tooth. I love the geography, spelling and math ideas. You are a brilliant teacher and a gifted mom. Thanks for sharing that with us. Be sure to link up to the History and Geography meme.
Awwww, I got all linked up, 3 posts so far. Next week I’ll finally get that Lego one written up, do you have all of the Lego challenges listed out so far?
Her freckles are sooooo adorable to me. I love them.
What a beautiful smile. We are trying Saxon math this year for the first time too. So far it seems to be working well for my 7th grader. I love that your children have to move about to get their schoolwork done, I really want to find a way for my daughter to do that, I think it really helps with the thought process.
It’s a huge help for me because I have 3 wiggly kids who do not sit still well. One of my boys actually prefers not to sit at all.
I love the stair writing idea!
I do too! It’s a great way to practice without being overwhelming.
What a lovely week! So full of learning and fun-just as a homeschool ought to be!!
Exactly! Learning is a blast when you do it right. OR at least not tedious.
I love freckles, too! We just had a first lost tooth for my 6yo a few weeks ago and she’s already got another one wiggly!
I know, my daughter shocked me by walking in with a second tooth she’d lost and cackling about how much money she was going to get for it.
I adore freckles! Sounds like a good week. I’m contemplating getting Saxon Math for Emma to work on since we are sort of homeschooling for now. Do you like it?
I have mixed feelings on it, mainly because it’s sooo different from what we were using before. Back when I was student teaching the school I taught in used it and they had killer test scores, it does a thorough job of teaching math, and it is addressing areas that Math U See is much weaker on (calendar, money).
But, it is a very different learning style because it is a spiral style, so it’s teaching a little of this, and a little of that, and then cycling back to teach that concept again. So if Emma does well with that style of teaching (and many/most kids do) then yes, I’d recommend it.
I’m still struggling with the change from mastery (teach one concept until they’ve got it down) to spiral (teach it several times in small steps, cycling back to an idea over and over again).
You did a lot (also looking at your FB updates). The kiddos clearly enjoy their start of school. What software do you use to create collages? Is it PicMonkey?
Picmonkey on my computer, and picstitch on my phone, I’ve got a couple of collage programs on my phone.
I LOVE picmonkey, I’ve thought about getting the subscription service, but haven’t quite gone through yet.
Your mash-ups are wonderfully readable 🙂 Love the 9 pic collage of you! And the one of your 3 kids doing the crossword together. And of COURSE the lost tooth freckles one 🙂
YEAH! The boys have been stealing my camera/phone a lot recently, so there’ll probably be more pictures of me as I sort through what I’ve got.