Week 29

Preschool

PreK Activity Book

Ellie worked through some of a new Kumon Sticker and Paste workbook.  She liked the stickers, but didn't feel like it was really "schoolwork."

I did also have her play on Starfall, which she seemed to enjoy, but didn't want to play it as long as the other kids used to.  I think part of that, though, is that she's not as adept with the mouse/computer as the other kids were at her age.  I think it's slightly frustrating for her.  So, we'll keep doing Starfall (we have the "more" subscription) and hopefully she'll gain some more computer control.

Letter Craft

We skipped a letter craft this week in favor of Mom cleaning the fridge.

Junior K

Language

Reading

Emmett finished up A Fly Went By and started A Big Ball of String.  For not having ever even OPENED the book, he's doing really well with it.

Spelling

Emmett spelled words with "th," "sh," and "ch" this week.  He had a hard time remembering what consonant team said "ch" and figuring out if the word I was dictating said "v," "f," or "th."  I am sure the latter issue is related to his speech.  He spent more time looking at mouths and watching the way words are formed.  I'm unsure as to whether we'll repeat this week or not...he did get most of the words correct.

Math

So far Emmett's lessons are super short and super easy.  He finished up the unit on methods of addition.  He surprised me with his ability to "count on."  This was a concept that was lost on Abby at this age.

Emmett began some mental math practice as well.  Abby was stressed if I suggested timing her mental math practice.  Emmett thrived on trying to beat his time, however.  Different kids and all that.  His first go at Mental Math 1 was completed in 2:37.  His second time around, however, he completed it in in 1:58.  Mental Math 2 was a lot more difficult of problems and he took longer.  The first go he completed them in 5:37; the second in 4 minutes even.  He loved watching his times go down.  :)

Towards the end of this week, he moved on to talking about subtraction and what that actually means.

First Grade

Language

Grammar

Abby had lessons that discussed linking verbs.  She was very amused that they are THE SAME as state of being verbs.  We did an exercise where we used the verbs to link nouns and descriptive phrases.  This was a favorite activity.

Writing

This week our selections came from All-of-a-Kind Family.  The selections focused around the part where Sarah loses her library book.  Since Abby recently got her new library card, she was very somber about the loss of a library book.

Reading

Abby finished up Sarah, Plain and Tall and began Pippi Longstocking.  The kids heard this on audio book a few years ago and loved it.  I asked her if she remembered the story and she said she didn't, though.  She is really enjoying the book and says it feels familiar.

Our library has this edition and Abby really is appreciating the illustrations in it.  I wonder if I can find other good quality literature with fun illustrations like this one has...

Spelling

Abby learned some more about consonant-l-e syllables this week.  I taught her why we may double consonants in some consonant-l-e words (ie bubble, puzzle, fiddle).  She also learned about homophones and watched a Veggie Tales song about homophones.

Handwriting

Abby wrote "U"s this week.

Math

Abby worked through subtracting money this week.  This money unit has been a good way to review addition and subtraction with larger numbers.  She practiced both the standard algorithm and mental math.  She has a review/practice at the beginning of next week and then she'll move on to another unit.

All Together

Science

We talked a bit briefly about photosynthesis this week.  We also picked up a strawberry plant that we'll start this next coming week.  Soon, we will be ready to pick up RSO again and actually observe real plants!

History

We learned about the Mauryan Empire of India this week.  One of the big themes we touched on was how cities are stronger when they are united into one empire rather than when they fought each other.

Chess

Emmett and Abby have both solidified in ways they can attack with the bishop.  We talked about moving a piece out of danger and then we moved on to attacking with the rook.