Baker Family School

We’ve had a pretty nice week as far as school goes. My kids are all paired up for research projects. Kelsea-Joshua (working on crystals and other gems) and Zerrick-Ishmael (learning about black widows). I work with my 4yo who always chooses dinosaurs. This time I made him choose a type of Dinosaur (one we’ve never learned much about before) he chose stegosaurus.I figure we’ll have gone through several different species before he’s done with this stage. It’s been a good way to get them more familiar with the non-fiction section in the library. Jeremiah knows right where to go get his dinosaur books anyway .

I have some materials to pick up this weekend for science experiments. Some are related to their research projects and some are not. I love doing the experiments together. It’s better than baking cookies .

We are doing great in our other subjects as well.

Today we are going to relax and enjoy eachother. I plan to bake cookies with the kids, cook a good man lovin’ meal, and make valentines.

My youngest is so excited about today. He snuck into my bed and played with my hair and whispered "Happy Balemtime’s Day Mama! You are the bestest Mama."

The kids have their math, writing, and reading done for the day. We will probably snuggle up in the living room to read Tom Sawyer and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa.

We are currently reading Tom Sawyer. It took some doing to find it at the library. I had to go to the adult fiction section. (What’s up with that?) The kids are enjoying it though. I knew they would. We are also memorizing the Beatitudes. We are studying a new one every day and having some cool  discussions about them.

I’m waiting on a couple of packages. I ordered some bibs for a friends baby gift. I also ordered my daughter and myself some Crocs. I can’t believe I actually ordered the ugly shoes but they are sooo comfortable. I am only going to get away with wearing mine when I’m not out with dh.

The other package I’m waiting for is the free samples from Rod and Staff. I’m thinking of using their readers and may look into a few other things as well. I’m looking into simplifying my life a bit next year.

I can’t wait till spring. I’m going to have a yardsale and have junk piled high in the sunroom. It is irritating me terribly. I want the stuff gone but we could really use the money. So I’m holding off on the household purge till spring. I do so want my sunroom back though.

Means time to plan next year’s curriculum. This is as far as I’ve gotten:

Kindergarten:

2nd Grade:
Math: Saxon 2
Reading/Phonics: Library
Bible: Rod and Staff

3rd Grade:
Math: Saxon 3
Reading: Library/ Rod and Staff 5th grade reader
Bible: Rod and Staff
Grammar: Easy Grammar 3/4

7th Grade:
Math: Saxon 6/7
Reading: Library
Science: Apologia’s General Science
Grammar: Easy Grammar (red book)
Writing: Write Shop

8th Grade:
Math: Saxon 7/8
Reading: Rod and Staff 8th grade Reader (child does not like to read so hopefully this will keep us going)
Science: ??
Grammar: Easy Grammar (red book)
Writing: Write Shop

I’m still deciding on history for all of us. So far we’ve just been following a timeline. I think I’d like something more structured and disciplined. Maybe Mystery of History?

For the most part I like to keep it simple. We do alot of other subjects together as a family. We love going to the library. We all read a ton of books except my oldest who would rather "do" than read. Even he reads a fair amount. I may add more or realize I’m forgetting something as I go. This is always a work in progress.

This week has been pretty good for math. I’m impressed with my 7yo–who has a memory like I don’t know what. He has already memorized a large chunk of his multiplication table.

I just feel bad for my 6yo who has a hard time and feels he has to keep up. He’s gotta learn to fly his own ship some day.
Today is errand day. I don’t want to go anywhere. I wanna stay home and dig up some good books. We will probably go to the library today so that, at least, is some compensation.