'14/15 Week 29 Day 2

Surprisingly, we finished our studies an hour before our usual time. The kids rushed outside to ride their bikes. I believe, it is God's grace that we have been able to finish all our day's assignments in good time, without feeling any stress or added pressure because of the baseball season. It has been fun instead. I do admit, we are doing less extra activities or projects, things that I used to add to the curriculum. We still have plenty of going on for us, and the kids seem not to miss anything.

Science. Saara continues learning about mirrors. Today, we looked at reflections and learned some about the symmetry.

Saara reading a secret message.

'14/15 Week 29 Day 1

Sunday afternoon fun.

Today, the children wrote about their visit to the Mosaic Tabernacle this past week end. I must say, what they wrote, especially Andrew who is not much fond of compositions, was one of their best works yet. I was pleased, they were pleased, and encouraged to continue writing. I believe, I hope, they see, it is not that difficult.
I am also very thankful for their diligence. Both children are working hard to finish their assignments for the day, so that they have the afternoon free for sports. Saara is loving her softball. I have not been with Andrew to his practices, but I know, he is doing well, too.

Math. Andrew learning about symmetry.

Softball. Warm up before the practice ...

... clean up after the practice.

Mosaic Tabernacle

On palm Sunday, our family took a tour of the replica Mosaic Tabernacle by Messiah Mansion. Our tour guide told us about the history of the Tabernacle and the temple in Jerusalem. He gave us a thorough explanation of the objects and their function in the tabernacle court yard, Holy Place, and Most Holy Place. Also, he explained how everything was just a foreshadow of Christ and what He did for us. It was an amazing, eye-opening hour, and I am so thankful that our kids were able to see, hear, and even experience a little of Bible history.

Saara volunteered to prepare the 'lamb' for sacrificing.

The Holy Place

The Tabernacle court yard.

The Most Holy Place

 

'14/15 Week 28 Day 5

Our breakfast time in the morning has become such a sweet affair. We set a proper table, drink tea, and have just such good time talking. The nice thing about it is the children are learning the table etiquette, and they do not even know it!



I was glad, we were able to take a little time off in the morning over breakfast, because the rest of the day was rather hectic. 

We did not manage to read all the reading assignments for today. We will have to do it tomorrow, which is alright with us, because we like to read any time and any day. 
Thankfully, we did complete all the other classes, and then drove to town for the choir practice. 
Back home, we had just enough time to eat and change, and Saara took off for her softball practice. 
Meanwhile, Andrew and I put on our running shoes and went jogging.

'14/15 Week 28 Days 3 and 4

Yesterday was filled with so much activity, I was surprised, we actually were able to complete a full day of school, including a math test. Saara had her ballet practice, and, in the evening, she also had a softball practice. For the first time in her life Saara batted with the machine pitching. She did very well.

This morning we went down to the meadow to see the bluebonnets in bloom. Because of the many floods, the meadow was not as full of flowers as it has been in previous years. The rest of the morning we spent reading history books (Andrew finished his story about Lewis and Clark, and Saara her studies of Alexander the Great) and read alouds. The evening will see Andrew on the ball field again - another practice.

'14/15 Week 28 Day 2

Today, my favorite part of school was Saara's science class. She was learning about why people get hungry, and what parts of the tongue taste sweet, sour, salty, and bitter flavors the best. The taste test that followed was accompanied by lots of grimaces and laughter. 

Saara finished her reading book "Hill of Fire" by Thomas P. Lewis. A true story about the eruption of Paricutin volcano in Mexico. Because the event took place in 1943, I was sure, I could find some footage on the event online. I did. There are a few documentaries out there showing the smoking mountain. Saara is ready now for another book report.

Science. Taste test in progress.

Tasting coffee on the tip of your tongue: not much.

Saara enjoys practicing on the keyboard.

'14/15 Week 28 Day 1

The baseball season is on! Today, both children had practices. This was Saara's first softball practice, and she loved it. Saara has a big team, but she is already making friends with the girls. Awesome! 

The school day was good as well. We have been doing our reading assignments between classes, and it is working out well. 

This week, like in some previous weeks, we are not memorizing the Bible verses suggested in the curriculum. In stead, we are learning the memory verse given to the kids by their Sunday school teachers. I am thankful for the flexibility in homeschooling. 

Also, the new Sonlight catalog arrived today!

The radishes from Andrew's science project that we planted are ready for harvesting.

Saara's watching some high school girls play softball.

'14/15 Week 27 Day 5

Today was the last day of Andrew's science project with corn and beans. We filled out the the last page and added the Plant Journal to his school folder. We will return to his biology book and learn more about other groups of living being, like the protista. 

After school, we walked around the property and discovered some new dewberry patches.

Science. The last entry in Andrew's Plant Journal.

The glasses.

'14/15 Week 27 Days 3 and 4

Last two days have been busy as usual. Andrew is finishing up his beans and corn projects. In fact, today, we planted most of his plants outside right next to the radishes, which, by the way, are doing wonderfully and will be ready for harvest soon.

Science. Andrew filling in the growth chart.

The other experiments were ready to be inspected as well.

See? No light, no photosynthesis.

Book report time again. Both children were writing about the last books they read.

'14/15 Week 27 Day 2

Another wonderfully busy day. We did not manage to go for another bike ride down the road. The kids have been riding them up and down the drive way all afternoon though. At least until Andrew had to leave for baseball.

In history, Saara and I made some Greek theater masks and read about different Greek column styles. Two years ago Andrew started looking at columns around the town to identify their style, now Saara will be doing the same.

Science. Andrew's 'farm' is doing well. His beans are growing like weeds.

History. Saara's masks of comedy and tragedy.

'14/15 Week 27 Day 1

The baseball season has begun, and it has fine-turned our daily schedule. There is very little 'wiggle' room for anything extra that I often add to the usual curriculum, like videos. Our goal ( I mean, the whole family's goal) is to have no homework before we leave for the fields. So far, it has worked. Actually, today it went so well, we had time left over for a short bike ride down the road, and some play time by the creek skipping rocks. 

First Indian Paint Brushes. Bluebonnets should not be far behind.

Now that Saara is riding without training wheels, she can keep up with Andrew.

Warming up before practice.

Saara was part of the boys' practice tonight.

'14/15 Week 26 Day 5

A busy day. We were trying to hard to get everything done before choir practice. In bells, Andrew was super excited because he got to play several different bells or notes. The spring break has started early for some and a lot of kids were not present at the choir today.
And after choir shopping! Loads of baseball things to buy. How come they grow out of things so fast!

'14/15 Week 26 Days 3 and 4

The two days of school have flown by fast. They have grown a little longer as well. We have earnestly started to practice writing stories. I believe, writing a little every day will help develop better skills. It will make our LA class a longer, but it will be worth it.
Also, the journaling and lab work Andrew has to do in his biology class, requires time. It is fun, and he is learning a lot, so it is worth it.

Baseball season is upon us as well. Andrew has already had his first practice this year, and we are still waiting for Saara's softball to start. It will be a busy, busy spring.

Science. Andrew scooped up a blob of frog spawn in our flooded meadow. He was so excited to see the eggs in real life. After he was done admiring the mess, he slid the eggs back to the pond where he had found them.

'14/15 Week 26 Day 2

Both children took their ninth math test this morning. Both did well here and in their spelling test. Also, their story writing is showing sings of improvement. We just need to keep on practicing. 

Science. Saara learning about mirrors and reflective surfaces.

We built our own mirror from kitchen foil.

Andrew's 'farm' is flourishing.

Andrew recording the growth of his plants.

'14/15 Week 26 Day 1

We had a busy week end. Our entire family spent almost a whole day celebrating Andrew's and Saara's friend's birthday on Saturday. On Sunday, Andrew himself turned nine years old. 

School day was slow to start. I believe, the main reason being the time change that happened over the week end. But we got our work started and it turned out to be a busy day with more math, science, and history. Plus lots of reading in-between classes. It felt cozy inside, the more that it has been raining all day long.

Science Andrew learning about photosynthesis and stomata in leaves.