'14/15 Week 15 Day 1

It was only a few days ago that Andrew started to learn a new thing in math: how to multiply with double digit numbers. Today, he was introduced to yet another new thing: how to write fractions as decimal numbers (at least the fractions with number ten as the denominator). New things are pouring in left and right. 
Andrew also did a fair share of writing. There were numerous sentences to combine or copy as a writing practice. He did a good job reading my cursive and printing it in his own handwriting. 
Dad walked in just in time to hear Andrew finish his last page of reading practice. He was mighty impressed how much his son's reading has improved. It has, indeed. It is a joy to listen to Andrew read these days.

Math. Starting to make sense of this fractions to decimals business.

While I was reading, Andrew was stringing up beads to make a Christmas ornament.

'14/15 Week 14 Day 5

A big science day for both kids. So far, Andrew's and Saara's subjects have been different: Andrew learning about energy or water, Saara about magnets. Today, however, both kids had the same subject: floating. Andrew's lesson was a bit more in depth, but his suggested experiments were exactly the same as Saara's. We spent most of the morning hours floating or sinking objects.

Science. Testing various objects' buoyancy.

One pulling up, the other pulling down. Making the toothpick float just beneath the surface.

Saara pushing on the balloon and feeling the upthrust fist-hand.

'14/15 Week 14 Day 4

Today was one of those wonder-days when everything gets done before lunch break. Wow! I am glad we finished early because our afternoon was busy enough. We spent some time at the library, the kids attended their last choir and bells practice, and then played on the playground for like forever. The weather was warm for December, and it was just a joy to be out of doors.

Andrew and Saara are not shy, they make friends everywhere they go.

Both children have been writing letters to friends and relatives. Every time one of them receives a letter, they are beyond excited.

'14/15 Week 14 Day 3

A day of tests. Both kids had a test in math and in LA. After the spelling test and grammar exercises, we talked at length about homonyms, homophones, and synonyms. We got acquainted with the Thesaurus dictionary and brainstormed for a while for different synonyms. 

This 'linguistic game' did not stop for a while. After school work, we went outside to clean our dewberry patch from fallen branches. While working, the kids came up with a number of homonyms, like (tree) bark and (dog's) bark, using names of things they saw around them. It was fun to listen to them and hear the lesson 'sinking in'. :)

'14/15 Week 14 Day 2

There are only a handful of rehearsals left before the season of concerts and performances begins. At her ballet class, Saara started to use all the steps she has been learning in a dance she and the other ballerinas will perform very soon. She is so excited! 

Also, I finally got the costumes ready for their Christmas pageant. 

'14/15 Week 14 Day 1

We are trying to squeeze in three more weeks of school before Christmas. With all the season's events, concerts, and performances coming up, it might become a challenge to focus on school work. Or it might not. 

Today was more on the challenging side. It might have been because we had a fun-packed Thanksgiving with family, and with all the Christmas things decorating our house, one's mind may tend to wander. 

I was prepared for a long math class as Andrew started to multiply with double digit numbers. To my surprise, he grasped the new lesson very well and very fast. Going over his times table, however, was harder than usual. One of those days, I'd say. :)

Math. Saara's lesson about fractions.

An early Christmas present turned Andrew (and Saara) into archeologists digging for dinosaur bones.

The Fort Worth Stock Yards

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, we visited the Ft. Worth Stock Yards. It was the first time for all of us to step into this piece of the Texas history. We knew a few facts about the yards, but were blown away by how big and versatile the place has been made into. Besides endless number of shops, there were shows and museums, horseback riding and carriage rides, petting zoo, etc. etc. Just a few morning hours were not enough to experience everything, so we picked and chose, and decided to come back for the pieces we did not have time to explore.

A gun fight show.