Since dropping a lot of our workbooks, school seems more fun. Today we were supposed to do a writing assignment though but I forgot to look through  Writing Strands yesterday. I didn't want to start without reading what we are supposed to do. I'll have to take a look at it tonight so Josh can start tomorrow.

I might start Annette with some writing too. Not sure yet. She was doing Excellence in Writing pretty well. I'm thinking of starting her with Igniting Your Writing and move her on to Writing Strands next year. She is in 2nd grade but she is an older 2nd grader (8yrs.). Tonight I will take a look at both programs and see. Igniting Your Writing! looks fun.

Caleb is slowly working his way through Phonics Pathway. He is on page 44. He is reading short vowel word.  He can read some long vowel words with 'ck', 'sh', 'ch' etc. which starts on pages 90+ but the book said if he can't read the words by just looking at it NOT to move forward. So we have been working on page 44 this week. He still has to sound out the words. Once he can read them without sounding them out than we can move on. It seems so slow but I don't want to rush him like I did Josh. Thankfully Caleb has a Sept. B-day so he is in first grade. Even though grades have nothing to do with reading it still make me feel better knowing that if I say he is in first grade that people wouln't expect too much from him, but if I were to say he is in 2nd grade people would comment that he is behind.

For reading Joshua is using Rod & Staff 3 and today we read about Queen Ester. I love how R&S uses Bible stories for reading. Right now he uses the workbook that goes along with it but I'm thinking that maybe we will drop it. Not sure yet because I really do like the workbook. I was wondering if I should just have him narrate it back to me. Naaa......I think I'll keep the workbook. As I was writing this I was thinking how he could use some practice with writing complete sentences & discipline himself to sit and do his work. His mind is always wondering (that's another post) Reading is the subject that takes the longest and is the hardest for me to sit with him. I like to sit with him still because he is not a strong reader. He is improving but I don't feel comfortable just handing him his reading book. Hopefully next year he can do this more independently. For now though he still reads to me and needs help with some words.

First day of AWANA is tonight so I'm going to lay down for a bit.

Blessings,
Linda<><

Email me at Homeschooling6[At]hotmail[Dot]com.