End of Week Three

The last week and a half have zipped on by. I'm doing my best to make our homeschooling day more efficient, especially as we add events. What kind of events? Well, last week Cody and Justin joined the homeschool choir. The choir director is great, very pleasant and professional. After two rehearsals, the guys agree and say, "She's cool." Next week, Justin and Andrew will check out the homeschool band. Soccer practice will also start for Justin.

This week we had several interruptions. The weather was horrible. On Monday, several tornado warnings sounded as we attempted to start the morning. However, the boys managed to get some reading done as they crammed in the hallway. Then, Justin went to get his driving permit. He passed the written part but failed the eye test. Jack took Justin for a checkup. He only needs correction in one eye and has a prescription for that. After the exam, they went back to get his permit. So, the day was shot for Justin--oh well, homework for the homeschooler!

Well, I'd better get back to my lesson plans and grading!

Wednesday Night Visitation

The youth group goes door knocking to invite folks to church every Wednesday night (even during summer). We had 29 youths and adults show up--a big praise! We knocked on 180 +/- doors and then went to eat out. Church started at 6:30. It was also Awana kick-off night.

Week Two

One of my boys' favorite subjects is history. So, they're getting a double dose of it this year. Cody and Justin are both studying 20th-Century History from Sonlight curriculum. In addition, Justin is taking a world history survey course, and Cody is taking Abeka's American Government 1st semester and an economics course next semester. Andrew is studying Sonlight's World History II and has decided to study selected areas of history as his interests lead him. Right now he is working on the medicine merit badge and is studying the history of medicine.

In the picture above right, Cody has picked up an atlas just because he was interested in studying Canada.

On Friday, Cody is to present a project on the Russo-Japanese War. One of the questions he wants to answer is what did Teddy Roosevelt do to broker peace between the two nations? Justin will present a project on the Peary expedition. The boys chose the projects themselves. The only requirement was that the event had to occur sometime during the first decade of the 20th century.

Today, Cody and Justin joined the homeschool choir. There were approximately 30 teens there. Andrew's voice is changing, so he'll have to wait. He's having a tough time hearing pitches which is also giving him (and Mr. Vitty) fits when he plays his French horn! The boys were very impressed with the choir director, but were less confident of their own sight reading and singing talents . . . oh, well . . . practice will make perfect!

Science Experiments

Justin is studying density. After reading the lab instructions, he wasn't sure he'd enjoy this particular experiment in chemistry. He claims he only wants to conduct experiments that will explode! However, once he began, he enjoyed finding the density of oil, syrup, and water.

Andrew is studying animals in their habitats. His experiment used colored construction paper and M & M's to show how an animal's environment can camouflage it. This was a very popular experiment since he was permitted to eat the candy afterwards.

Cody's experiment involved a tub of water, a 2x4, and a fishing bobber. His results surprised him in how waves affect floating objects. Cody is studying marine biology this year. I'm sorry I don't have photo of this experiment.

Jack's Birthday

Yesterday, Jack celebrated another year! He wanted to renew his zoo membership for his birthday, so we headed out mid-afternoon for a stroll in our city's expanding zoo. Since we hadn't been all summer, the otter exhibit was new to us. Also, it was great fun to see how all of the zoo babies had grown. Afterwards, we watched a volleyball game (Jack used to coach the team we watched). Then, we decided to rent a movie that came out in 1961 (Jack's birth year). Well, that was not a good year for movies! The rental store had Blue Hawaii--terrible! My birthday year, 1962, released a much better selection of films--To Kill a Mockingbird, The Miracle Worker, The Longest Day, The Manchurian Candidate, and more.

Today, Cody and I went to a Children's Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) training. Once a week, we'll conduct an hour-long, afterschool Good News Club in a local public school. CEF showed us what materials to use and what to do/say. We're looking forward to starting in September.

While we were at CEF training, Jack took Justin and Andrew to work on an Eagle Scout project. The second half of the day was divided up into swimming, bike riding, meeting w/friends, and finally a well-earned slumber!

Week One Is Done!

We've really enjoyed this week! I've opted to set a formal schedule for the week with lots of wiggle room as needed.
We get up early to have our individual devotions and morning chores and grooming. So, by 7 AM we're ready for breakfast! On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have cold cereal. However, the boys take turn cooking breakfast on the other mornings. Justin whipped up omelets and polish sausages on Monday. Cody's favorite is French toast, so he cooked those on Wednesday. Next week, he'll add bacon. Today, Andrew served waffles and link sausages.
Since I have an individual lesson plan for each boy, there is little confusion over what's expected each day. They get right to their studies. I'm there to teach and guide as needed. We get together again at 10:30 for Bible class and eat lunch at 11:30. Classes resume until 2:00 PM. At that time, the boys are required to practice their music lessons. Afterwards, we exercise and/or attend scheduled events (more about those in later posts). When we get home from our various activities, we'll get together for some more study. We are waiting for some books to come in for a Christian Worldview class. Since this will be a benefit for the entire family, I plan to offer this subject in the evening time.
The week wasn't perfect, of course. The boys had a few meltdowns earlier in the week concerning missing friends or feeling different during Wednesday's youth meeting or realizing there's a lot of work to get done in a day. All of these episodes were expected. I praise God for his grace and wisdom. Because of His presence, the greater portion of our day is focused on leaning on his strength and learning through His eyes!

Back to Homeschooling . . . We're stepping out in faith . . . again! (Matthew 6:19-34)

After teaching in a Christian school for the last 3 1/2 years, we're homeschooling again. I'm new to blogging, so I expect some technical difficulties my way, especially since I am not the computer geek-ette I should be after so many years of life. I hope everyone in my family will want to contribute to this blog as the year goes by. Well, it's time to jump on in . . . ! In faith, the Lord will provide "dry land" and His word to light our path.