Classical Conversations Week 9 - At Home

School Week 13 CC Week 9

 We are reading and learning a little more about China this week. The History sentence and Geography locations centered around China so that is what we are focusing on. Here is a little of what we're reading and also a great unit study found on Homeschool Share.

We read 'Daisy Comes Home' last week and this week we read (re-read for Bud) 'The Story About Ping'

Sis and Lil Bear got to work on Tangrams as a part of Saxon K.  Bud wanted in on this, too.

Covering the shapes

I'm so proud of her! 

.....and so proud of this little guy!

more tangram shapes

I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a bird or what??

Working on calendar and also showing his 'gospel beads'.  These are kind of like 'gospel fuzzies' for those that have heard of those.

Sis showing her bead wristband and working on calendar with some incentives (Tic Tacs) in the mix.

The trio busy learning and having fun!

Bud got a chance to copy and learn some Chinese words/characters. 

Chinese calligraphy printable found here: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_character_cards.htm

He loved trying to copy these. 

We got a chance to discuss how these characters only used straight, angled or curved lines.   So, that was a nice OILS tie in.

Chinese calligraphy by Bud

Before lunch, Bud found some Space books from last year.  So of course, he pulled them out and wanted to read them.  Little Bear, of course, wanted to be just like big brother.

We are back to using A Reason for Handwriting.  For Bud, the best part about this is picking out a border page and getting to choose who to give it to.  When it comes to handwriting, I'll go with whatever motivates him.

Everyone getting ready for Daddy to get home.  We heard this quote over the summer, "You get what you INSPECT, not what you EXPECT."  Sooo, he started inspecting a few areas when he gets home.  Two of those being school areas and school work.

Linked up to:
http://www.halfahundredacrewood.com/2012/07/classical-conversations-cycle-1-week-9.html

Classical Conversations Cycle 1 Literature Selections until the Christmas Break

During the summer break I posted a list of books that have some connection to what we would be studying in Classical Conversations the previous week.  At the time, I was not even sure we would use it.  But, now 10 weeks or so into school I can safely say that we are going this route.  I had grand plans of something different before the school year started.  However, it just makes so much more sense to do as many subjects combined as possible AND to try and match things up to integrate well with the CC memory work.  I was trying to follow Memoria Press' 1st grade literature and also MFW K literature focus.  But, what I was noticing was that the books that really 'stuck' were the ones that had a great tie-in activity or a 'seek and find' memory work element to it.  Norman the Doorman by Don Freeman was the first one back in week 3 for Greek/Roman gods.  The kids got to play detective and figure out which Greek god statue was in the museum in the book.

All that to say---here is my book list from now until the Christmas Break.

week 7

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McClosky- Connection: reproduction: eggs (Science)

week 8

Daisy Comes Home by Jan Brett - Connection: China (Geography)

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen - Connection: owl pellet dissection (Science lab) and conifers (Science)

week 9  

Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack - Connection: China (History/Geography)

Down, Down the Mountain by Ellis Credle - Connection: parts of plants (Science)

week 10 

 A Pair of Red Clogs by Masako Matsuno - Connection: Japan (History/Geography)

 Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney - Connection: Parts of a flower (Science Lab)

week 11

The Crusades: Knights and Castles - Connection: History and Timeline 

activities and books  http://www.homeschoolshare.com/knights_lapbook.php 

Knights in Shining Armor by Gail Gibbons

Brave Young Knight by Karen Kingsbury

The Squire and the Scroll by Jennie Bishop

week 12

The Mystery Bottle by Kristen Balouche– Connection – Middle East (History)

Ali: Child of the Dessert by Jonathan London - Connection - Islam (History/ Geography)

Weekly Wrap-Up - Catch up post --Kindergarten

Well, we are slowly getting in a rhythm here!  I'm learning not to schedule appointments/errands on our 'stay home' days.  And, I'm learning (albeit slowly) that there is a learning curve in juggling teaching children on two different lesson plans/focus.  It makes curriculum that encourages combining grade levels very attractive right about now.

KINDERGARTEN:


Classical Conversations: Memory Work


It was exciting to start our weekly routine in learning the new 'grammar'.  We have been utilizing and loving the C3 Online Tutorials.  (You can find the online tutorials at Classical Conversations homepage, CC Connected, Foundations, Online Tutorials---you do have to have a C3 membership)  It is one of the highlights of my Bud's day.  Sissy likes to tag along and prolong going to nap....but she finds what he is doing fun--so I let her.

History Focus: Columbus, Pilgrims

We read the back of the Veritas Press cards and I had several books in his Discovery Basket about Columbus.  I also had printable activities and crafts (Link to all printables and activities for Discovery Basket) that he could do during his couch time.  For some reason, he was scared of the photos of Columbus and the island Natives.  So, he really didn't read those much.
 
Book of the Week: Henry the Castaway and Goody O'Grumpity

But he did really, really enjoy Henry the Castaway.  This is a Five in a Row selection and we just loved 'rowing' Henry this week.  There are so many activities we could have done.  But, instead I got the FIAR manual, a blank notebook and a pencil and we went through the topics/lessons as we read.   I loved the fact that he 'got' the connection about calling one of the cats Columbus.   The next week we read Goody O'Grumpity.  This was more of a poem with wonderful illustrations.  We didn't have time to make the spice cake recipe from the book...but we may during Thanksgiving.   Below are some pics of his bulletin board of projects, worksheets---creations!

Math: CLE Sunrise Math 1: He finished his first Light Unit for 1st grade math.  This may SEEM fast...but we started this Light Unit last year for pre-k.  We just made our way slowly through it.  Now, we will probably go at a more 'normal' pace.  He loves doing CLE math...and I think it is really easy for a non-Math-y person like me to teach it.

Science: Nature Study and CC

Drawing outside at dusk with Sissy!

Now that the weather is not quite in the 100's everyday...we've been back outside more often.  We haven't ramped up to an hour plus just yet.  But, we plan to.  Bud has created a nature journal and we are simply trying to do three things: observe, discuss and record.  Sometimes we just observe the clouds.  Sometimes it's listening to and watching the birds in our backyard tree.  I don't want my kids to 'pass by' nature....I want them to 'stop and smell the roses'.

Language Arts: A Reason For Handwriting A, All About Spelling 1.  We alternate between these to...one day Handwriting and one day Spelling.  Spelling goes by relatively quick right now.  He's not really 'into' this handwriting book right now since it is all review for awhile.  Hopefully, he will enjoy it as it picks up.


Things we do together:

Daddy led Bible reading and Bible verse memory
Circle Time: Calendar, Health and Safety, and other memory work.
Outside/Nature Study
Play and Read

He wanted to dress up like Dad...here is in one of his shirts:

Learning to peel potatoes

I keep our stash of dress-up clothes stored away.  I bring them out every so often so it doesn't lose appeal.  Here Bud is with his Astronaut outfit inside his space shuttle (couch;).

The Astronaut

 

Having fun with Little Bear, Sissy and a friend--playing SPACESHIP!  Here is the captain astronaut with his co-pilots:

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to:

Weekly Wrap-up @ Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Classical Conversations Cycle 3 and Five in a Row - Our booklist and activity/ printable links

This week is our first week using Five in a Row as our weekly literature selection.  I began lining up different FIAR titles that would be a great read for the 24 History sentences we will be focusing on at CC.  There were some obvious 'go-along' titles that worked well.  There are also some that are a bit of a 'stretch' connection wise.  But, I love FIAR and wanted to incorporate it into our year even though we are doing CC.

I must say it is working out so far!  I used titles from FIAR volumes 1-3 and one from volume 4.  I also used titles from Homeschool Share which is an incredible resource.

I will update later this week with pics, project links, etc.

But, for now I wanted to upload our FIAR/CC Cycle 3 Booklist for those that may be interested.

Here is the link:
FIAR/ CC Cycle 3 Book and Activity List

Do you use Five in a Row?  CC?  Both?  Drop me a comment--I'd love to hear how you incorporate either or both.