Another new thing will be our History and Geography. We have finished up our science for 4th grade, so that leaves us the rest of the year to focus only on the ancient times! We have already covered history from the ancient times through present day (what she was mature enough for). So, now it's time to start over from the very beginning...focusing on each time period for longer and studying them more in depth. My plan is to move through time so that we are finishing up present day when she is entering high school. We have purchased a history timeline book that will allow us to put everything we do into a scrap book type form. This will be a wonderful keepsake for her, and I know she will never forget anything that we add! Not only can she add our maps, crafts, pictures and projects...but, she can also add any fictional characters as well. (such as her American Girl historical characters!) She is so excited to get this underway!! We are starting next week with learning a little bit about archaeology and history. Then, we will begin with the ancient Egyptians. She LOVED this when we covered it a few years ago!! I do not plan on making myself some sort of "schedule". I have realized that in the world of homeschooling (at least in my world) this is a big mistake. If your child really loves a certain subject or time period...let them explore it as in depth and as long as they'd like!! There is no sense in rushing through with a schedule in mind...then, you are either cramming in days when you feel like you've "fallen behind" (and they won't absorb it that way, anyway) or, your child will completely miss out and possibly lose interest on some wonderful learning opportunities!! So, we are taking it day by day. The only time frame I have is that I want to be present day within the next 4.5 years!! :) Let the learning begin!!! The study of our ancient times will include the ancient Egyptians, Biblical history, Ancient China, Ancient Africa, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Ancient India, and anything else we happen upon as we travel through prehistory!!! I can't wait to start this next week!!
The last new thing we are doing will be a poetry unit. We are using a self-directed unit in which she will learn about poetry, rhyming in poetry, geography and poetry, Haiku and Onomatopoeia, figurative language and voice, art and poetry, Robert Frost, becoming inspired, and reading poetry. At the end of the unit she will choose her favorite written piece to enter into the Library's poetry contest. This is exciting, since it will wrap up our unit with a goal, and she is just going to be old enough this year!!!
Our math is one of the only things remaining the same. We are about 2/3 of the way through our current level. She has learned *so much* this past year! We have finally passed the point of her forgetting what we've learned when we have a break! She went right back into it, getting great grades on her daily practice sheets! We are getting ready to work more on division, then on to some really fun geometry!!
Music school is going GREAT. I am so proud of what she is accomplishing! This year, it was a difficult decision for her on whether or not to continue. She finally decided that her heart really does love piano, and I'm so glad she did! She is just blossoming into a truly wonderful artist!! She is a part of the music school Young Chamber Musicians. What an honor!!! She is LOVING it!!!
Our other two extra-curricular activities this year will include continued participation with our Red Cross Home School club, and a newly formed art club. We will be meeting once a month. The art club will introduce different art forms and techniques for the children to explore each month at home. They will return to the meeting with their favorite piece to show and tell. Looks to be super fun!! Our Red Cross club covers a different topic each month. We choose a field trip, an outreach project, or educational meeting to take part in. It is so fulfilling and wonderful for the children to work together to help support and help our local community!!
Little Man loves his school so much!!! :) When he finds out we are doing school he runs to the school room totally excited and ready to go!! His school activities include: working with wooden beads to make patterns or string them, using scissors to cut paper into different shapes, then glue them on a paper to make a finished art project, using wooden colored shapes to create different pictures of his own-or copy the ones I have for him, singing the ABCs, counting anything, playing with marbles using sorting and counting skills, playing with play-doh and creating new colors by combining primary colors, acting out nursery rhymes or Mother Goose stories with felt story boards, helping cook, helping put away groceries, helping clean up, using animal magnets to put animals into their proper habitat....I could just go on and on!! He is so brilliant and eager to learn! He is a natural at math and loves anything that has to do with science. He gets pulled into scientific documentaries...especially those about outer space or ocean life. His latest favorite project was making his birthday chain!! Each morning, the first things he does is cut off a link. He is thrilled to watch it get shorter and shorter as the big day gets closer!!!!!
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