Well ~ We're off~

We began the 2008-2009 school year quietly and we're easing into what is going to be a pretty intense academic schedule.  When I asked what the boys thought of the new year so far, both yawned.  They are more than ready to be challenged.  We'll bump it up a notch today.

Yesterday, the boys started working with Rosetta Stone - Spanish Level 1.  They LOVE it!  Both are a little intimidated by the pronunciation segments - but only because they are nervous about everyone else in the house hearing them make a mistake.  I found that if I walked away and busied myself in the other room (where I could hear them....but they didn't KNOW I could hear them), they did much better.  This will be a challenge for Scott, whose ADHD seemed to get in the way a little bit yesterday.  I could hear him self adjusting, though - and by the end of the lesson, I could tell he was more aware of his need to focus.  I expect things will go better for him today as he knows more what to expect from the program.  Nick - flew through the lesson and wanted more.

We got the Switched on Schoolhouse History and Science in the mail yesterday.  I did some preliminary set up.  Today we'll see if this is going to be a good fit for us.  Pray for us!  I am just about out of ideas (and money) for bringing these two subjects to the intersection of learning and enjoyment.  With everything I have purchased for this year, I hope NOW I can pull everything together for a challenging and engaging course of study.

Alarm clocks are going off upstairs for the second time now (gotta love those snooze buttons).  I'm off to the races.

From the House of Hooligans ~ Have an AWESOME Thursday!