We started back to school again last Monday, full of energy and enthusiasm for 5th and 2nd grade.

And then we all promptly got sick 2 days later.  Which has put a bit of a crimp in our schooling plans.

How can there be so many yucky viruses running around in August?

But, we're all finally healthy and back on schedule.  We started a few weeks early this year because we're trying out a new schedule -- 4 weeks of school, followed by a week off, with a shorter summer vacation. 

So let's see -- what are we studying this year?

We're starting Sonlight's Core 4 program -- Modern American history (starting in 1850).  Hobbes has a new math program that is all computer-based, and which he loves -- he can sit right down at the computer and work on his math without Mom's help.  Calvin is continuing with his Singapore math workbooks, plus some on-line math drills.

We're emphasizing grammar and language arts this year, with Hobbes continuing his IEW writing class from last year.  I found a new language arts program for Calvin that appeals to his visual learning style.

And for science -- we're studying chemistry!  Matt and the boys have already started building molecule models at night.  I'm sure Calvin will start blowing things up any day now.