Weekly Wrap-Up - Week 12

Hard to believe we're 1/3 of the way through our school year already!  The checklists have been a huge help for both the kids and I.  We're back on track and getting all of our tasks accomplished.  

In History we learned about Ancient China.  We made our own pictograms and Ming bowls.

Rolling out the clay

Putting clay on the molds

After letting them dry overnight we were able to paint them.

In Math Megan began long division with remainders.  It took a couple days before she really got the hang of it but I'm happy to report she's cruising right along making great progress.  Michael is still working on 2 digit multiplication and basic division and is doing well with both.

In Science we finished up our unit on bones by doing some fun activities.  First we dissected cow bones so we could see the different parts first hand.  Megan insisted she was not touching them and Michael was near tears because it was "so disgusting".  After about 10 mins though they were both digging in and telling me how cool it was.  :)

Checking out the difference between the bone, spongy bone, and bone marrow

Scooping out the marrow

All clean

We also found it hysterically funny to do the "thumbless survival test".  I taped the kids thumbs to their palms and then had them try to do all sorts of things.  

Trying to write our name

Trying to open a pack of sweet tarts

The kids are still taking art class with Ms. Molly and loving it!  This week they made self portraits.  I might be biased but I think they did a fantastic job.  :)

Hope everyone had a great week!  We're really looking forward to Thanksgiving break, one more week to go.  :)

  

Weekly Wrap-Up - Week 11

Our week started with soccer tournaments.  Team Germany made it through the 1st game on 3 goals  scored by Michael but unfortunately were eliminated in the 2nd game.  It was a great season but I am glad to have a break from sports for a few months!

Germany's last team huddle after getting trophies

Then of course on Sunday went out Trick-or-Treating...

Michael is Ed Reed, Allie is a Knight, and Megan is Taylor Swift

On the school front, in Math we continued our lessons.  Michael started on basic division and Megan continued with  2 and 3 digit multiplication.  In English we worked on some writing exercises that included picking out the main idea and supporting details, new spelling and vocabulary words, and handwriting.  In History we finished up our lessons on Gettysburg and the Civil War by watching Civil War Minutes: Gettysburg and Stories of Valor.   In science we learned more about the Skeletal system by putting together and labeling our models.

On Tuesday we celebrated Allie's 3rd birthday by taking the day off and having a party!  It's hard to believe that the baby girl is 3 already.

We even managed to get a decent family picture.  :)

We have been having some issues lately with staying on task so next week we will be implementing a checklist everyday.  Megan and Michael will each get a list every morning of the things that need to be accomplished that day.  As they complete their lessons they will be able to check them off the list.  Anything not done during the day will need to be completed for homework.  One of the things they've like best about homeschooling is not having homework so I'm hoping this will motivate them to get their work done! 

Hope everyone has had a great week and gets a chance to enjoy the weekend!  

Weekly Wrap-Up - Week 10

Week 10 was a busy one for us filled with exciting field trips!  We went to Gettysburg on Tuesday (that deserved it's own separate post which you can find here) and to the local 911 Dispatch Center on Wednesday.  We owe a big Thank You to Granddaddy for coming out to watch Allie so we could participate in the Gettysburg trip!!  The 911 trip was a little harder as I had to chase and uncooperative 2 year old around the building.

Our Group at the end of the Gettysburg Trip

911 Call Center

In the "Situation Room" learning what it's used for

For writing we learned the proper way to compose a letter and wrote Thank You letters to our Ranger from the Gettysburg trip.

Working hard on our letters

The finished product

In math both kids continued with multiplication.  Megan is working on multiplying by 2 digit numbers and Michael is working on learning his multiplication facts.

In science we started learning about the skeletal system.  Did you know that bones are constantly reforming and in 7 years the equivalent of all news bones are grown?  We also began cutting out our skeletons to make our models.

Cutting out skeletons

We have a busy weekend ahead.  We will be spending this afternoon at Michael's soccer tournament cheering on team Germany and hoping that The Machine makes it to the championship game Tuesday night and we then will be heading out for a haunting Halloween night of Trick or Treating tomorrow!