Formal Spelling Lessons Begin

Today was day one (only 4 days behind schedule) of testing Thomas to determine the appropriate level at which to start his spelling curriculum (Spelling Power). We sat at the kitchen table, not our normal schooling place, to give it a more "test like atmosphere".

The test began with words such as "going", "did" and "get". Thomas was able to get all the way to the words "curiousity", "butcher" and "prairie" before he hit the threshhold for misspelled words. At first he said "these are too easy". I reminded him that the words would soon be much more difficult (the program starts at age 8 and goes through grade 11). In the end, he was spelling as I expected him to. Guessing and putting the sounds together as he went.

We will attempt to spend some time (self directed primarily) on spelling each day and undoubtably Thomas will learn some of the idiosyncracies (did I spell that right??? lol) of the English language.

How is your spelling??

Did you know that English does in fact have a very poor phonemic orthography, or correspondence between how the words are written and how they are spoken. For more information on what Thomas may subscribe to by the end of this years program, see English Spelling Reform at www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_reform

Blessings,
Marie

They are Fine!

Our children did their annual mandatory test today. In Minnesota, children between the ages of 7 and 16 need to take a nationally norm referenced standardized achievement test one time per academic year. Last year was our first year to test Thomas and this year we thought it would be a good benchmark for Mari.

Good news..... our kids are just fine. They performed very well and we are quitting schooling for the rest of the academic year. JUST KIDDING!!

Thomas looked forward to the test, reported that it was fun and wanted to do it more often than just once per year. He calmed down his sister, who because she had not taken it previously, was concerned about answering incorrectly. The test administrator did an excellent job reassuring Mari as well, making sure that she knew that "some of the questions would be really easy, some would be just right and others would be really hard".

This weeks lessons are on Jamestown, John Smith, and Squanto. Bible lessons are on "Jesus saves", "Live like Jesus", and "Jesus as a Child". A few fun science experiments are planned, as well as the usual reading of LOTS of good books.

Of course we will take some time to enjoy the outdoors, as autumn in Minnesota is simply wonderful. Today the children were so excited to be able to gather enough leaves for the first leaf pile of the year which they could jump in. I should mention that it was Thomas' idea to get out the blower and do a bit of yard work during a recess break. He worked hard for 45 minutes, with Mari managing the extension cord for him. To their excitement, Irene joined in the fun and did some jumping too, once the equipment had been put away.

I am hoping that the comments of "wow!" and "cool" and "I didn't know that" will continue this week, as we learn more about our amazing God and all he is capable of teaching us.

Because of Him,
Marie

First Day of School 2006

We got off to a nice start today. Did an dance/chant around the house "First day of school, hey! First day of school, hey!" marching and punching arms out sideways and up. Then onto a short period of "seat time. Thomas sitting on my left, Mari on my right and Irene toddling around trying to get our attention.

We are again using curriculum by the David and Marie Hazel. This year is Adventures in My Father's World. A heavy focus on U.S. History will undoubtably teach me a thing or two as well as give the children a good overview.

I was delighted to hear Thomas say "COOL!" at least 4 times today as something new was learned or experienced. What an awesome thing to be there for all those "light bulb moments" that our children experience.

Irene is catching on fast mimicking her older brother and sister. When she saw them put their hand over their hearts to recite (learn for Mari) the Pledge of Allegiance, she quickly did the same. What a cutie!

I am certain that her not napping this year during the morning hours, like she did last school year, will be the biggest challenge in getting school done in the morning. It will undoubtably trickle into the afternoon and even could go into the evening hours, as I am not capable of large blocks of time for school. Three homemade meals each day (and all snacks for me too), is a time consuming portion that I must commit to, as I continue to watch and manage my Crohn's disease.

Please pray for our school year with us. That the children will continue to learn, that their character development will be God focused and that homeschooling will continue to be a way of life for us. One that we enjoy and that has been placed on our hearts by God, our almighty!

Blessings to you!