Day Eleven:

Why Begin Here?

Beginning at the beginning would make more sense, I know.  But remembering what I did yesterday is difficult enough!  Haha.

We are still feeling the newness of this experience.  Because all of our learning materials have not yet arrived, our days are not yet 'full'.  We're making good use of the time, though!  The boys are working on catching themselves up in Math (they are currently working below grade level) and English.  Other subjects, such as Logic and Latin are new to them - and they are truly enjoying the challenge!  Both are experiencing The Ancients in History (Our timeline arrived yesterday!  It was fun turning it into wallpaper border in our dining room/class room!).  For our first science project, we'll mummify a chicken.  I'm told the smell will be delightful.  We'll see.

We are using THE WELL TRAINED MIND as a guideline toward our learning.  Since I did not withdraw the boys from the public school setting until this year (Scott - 6th grade, Nick - 4th grade), it is difficult to teach them based on the concept of the Trivium.  I feel I have missed the entire first stage of their learning!  I am applying the concepts when I can - having them go back and "re-learn" the basics (math facts, helping verbs, etc.).  This IS helping them, but it's a little heartbreaking for me to have to back them up so far.  I know that by building precept upon precept it will benefit them in the end - so I remind them of our goal every day:  To get them working comfortably on 'grade level' so they can begin the REAL challenge later.

It's time to 'rise and shine' those minds! 

From the House of Hooligans - Have an awesome day!