Now that I have the basic framework laid out, I'll log what we're studying.

For devotions, we start with prayer.  On M & F we review the memory verses we've learned and add a new one.  T, W & Th, we're reading from II Chronicles.  We're basically reading the Old Testament, chapter by chapter, but we've jumped around a little.  Like, when we were reading about David, we read some Psalms, and when we were studying Solomon, we read some of his writings.  Plus, I think on a couple of occasions, after we finished a book from the OT, we did a short study of one in the NT (Romans, Ephesians).  I think we're going to take another break when we're done with II Chronicles, because my daughter has been nagging me to do a study called The Mind of Christ.  Anyway, we divide the chapter up so that each person has about an equal number of verses to read, then take turns reading and narrating.

Let's see...after devotions, we do either PE or handwriting.  On M,W & F, we do some kind of exercise - doesn't really matter what it is, as long as we're moving.  I do try to get involved, but am often distracted by babies.  The boys usually play basketball in the driveway.  Heather usually prefers to dance.  Sometimes we'll do something all together, like sit-ups, lunges and stretches.  On T & Th, handwriting consists of either writing in a journal (for my daughter) or copywork.

11:30 is math time every day.  Heather is using Switched on Schoolhouse, so she is on the computer while I work with both boys at the same time.  They're just a year apart so I'm teaching them together.  We're working on adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions right now.  Which one is ahead and which one is behind?  Even I'm not really sure!

Next is chores: one of the kids throws a load of laundry in and makes lunch, one deals with the dishes, and one cleans the living room and bathroom.  Then we eat lunch and do chores again.  The meal person puts away the leftover food and switches the laundry and puts another load in, and the kitchen person clears the rest of the table, wipes it down, washes the dishes, wipes the counters, sweeps and mops.  The living room person moves on to his or her room and the babies' room.  This work never gets done; it is supposed to be finished after school.  I just ask them to do as much as they can in the time allotted.

At 2:00, we resume academics.  M & W we read classic fiction together and sometimes draw or narrate from the story..  Right now we're reading The Swiss Family Robinson.  Our previous book was The Red Badge of Courage.  Before that it was Robinson Crusoe.  My choices were based on what I hoped would interest my less-than-enthusiastic boys.  My daughter needs no encouragement to read; she often needs prodding to get out of her books and contribute to the common good.  After our reading, we get ready for my older two's strings class.  Heather plays violin and Jeremy plays bass violin.  This usually involves running errands while I'm out. 

On T & Th, we do Grammar as a group using Easy Grammar 4 & 5, but I have them write the sentences out, so it takes care of some writing too.  I don't seem to care that it's a little behind them.  Every year they review the same stuff over and over again anyway.  Next, we have a spelling bee in which they have to write the words they miss.  Again, the boys are working on the same grade level, but they have different word lists.  Finally, we do Thinking Skills.  Right now we're reading through The Fallacy Detective by the Bluedorns.

As of this semester, I've decided to make science a little more real.  We were just reading about nature, but now we'll be dedicating Friday afternoons to science lab, which can be a nature walk or fun with beakers in the kitchen.  I have really neglected this aspect of school this past semester.  Last year, we did a little more of that - we were studying geology.  I guess maybe having another baby changed my priorities a little.  Anyway, I plan to get some science projects going on, because in the past I have found that there is nothing quite as all-encompassing as a science project.  You cover history, math (averages, statistics, etc.), and of course, you have to report your findings so that covers English.  And let's not forget science, right?  If it proves to be interesting to the kids, I might abandon the approach I've been using for more of a unit study approach.  Ok, so then after science lab is composition, when they get to record what they discovered, or write about their feelings, or what they ate for lunch or whatever.  It doesn't matter much to me, as long as they're writing.  I look over their journals, and I do observe words and punctuation issues that need to be addressed, but I bring those up separately.  I want their journals to be their own.  Then we have a short, more formal writing lesson that gives them specific guidelines to follow.  This we do together, and they critique each other's work.

So that's about it for academics.  I change the system every time it seems like something doesn't fit, so it might be different tomorrow.  I'm really looking forward to our science project unit study.  I hope the kids are as excited as I am!