28 August 2009

First week in review

Our first day of school was Monday which began with some vomiting so I knew then that we were in for a great year! (Read with sarcastic voice.) It actually wasn't that bad, since we don't begin school until the afternoon. She was actually cured and ready to go by then, thankfully.

Look at these kids and their backpacks. You'd think they were actually going somewhere!

We jumped right into The Story of the World with a little archaelogical dig on Tuesday.
Tuesday we went to a park with empty, wide, flat sidewalks to practice riding bikes without training wheels if you're 6, or with training wheels if you're 3. Gracie also started memorizing "The Caterpillar," an assignment from First Language Lessons.

On Wednesday we read One Small Blue Bead and tried a new reading program at library for elementary-aged kids which had a whopping three attendees, including Gracie.

Thursdays are planned to be our "unschooling" day where we focus more on non-core subjects and educational projects. We met Gracie's teacher that we'll be meeting with once a month. We started our six-week long composer study (J.S. Bach) and artist study (Piet Mondrian).

Gracie got to do some handicrafts when she made a simple game bag for those nomad hunting excursions. She used my sewing machine for the first time. Can you tell she's proud?

Friday included a field trip to museum for some bear research.
While we're waiting for our science curriculum Gracie's been working on a lapbook on bears inspired by our camping trip to Sequoia National Park last week.
A big disappointment was no nature study this week due to wildfires, smoky air, and 100+ degree temperatures. We'll just have to double up next week!
Check out what else went on this week at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.

8 comments:

  1. Wow, what a great and busy first week! I like the archaeological dig! I hope you wildfires are under control quickly, Yikes!

    http://crispy-not-crunchy.blogspot.com/2009/08/weekly-wrap-up-first-week-of-school.html

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  2. Oh, my kids *loved* that archaeological dig! I think that's such a fun thing to do during the first week...sets a good tone for the rest of the year. Sounds like your crew is off to a really fun start.

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  3. What a fabulous first week! I don't know what I like best, the dig or the bear? LOL

    We were visiting my dad in NC last week and they always say how they see bears in the area, but never when I'm around with my camera.

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  4. Looks like you had a great first week ;)

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  5. Oh wow, I love all the things you guys did this week!! So much fun :)

    Do you like First Language Lessons? I'm really really debating to get it or not, so I'm trying to gather info on it haha :)

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  6. I've heard some criticism about First Language Lessons: that it moves too slowly, covers nouns for too long, etc. But it doesn't just cover parts of speech; it's very well-rounded. It encourages answering questions in a complete sentence, memorization, and story and picture narration, and other pretty difficult skills for a first grader. I think it's going to be a good addition to our homeschool days.

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  7. Great first week. Your post brought back memories of using Story of the World and First Language Lessons with my oldest.

    www.homeschoolblogger.com/kristenph

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  8. Sounds like a great first week! My girls would love the archaeological dig!!

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