Why "The Complete January"?  This is our monthly newsletter/update of our lessons using the Biblical Principle Approach.   "Complete" says it all...

According to Webster's 1828 dictionary...

COMPLETE, a.
          1. Having no deficiency; perfect. And ye are complete in him who is the head of all principality and power. Col. 2.  (italics mine!)
          2. Finished; ended; concluded; as, the edifice is complete. This course of vanity almost complete. In strict propriety, this word admits of no comparison; for that which is complete, cannot be more or less so.

COMPLETE, v.t.
           1. To finish; to end; to perfect; as, to complete a bridge, or an edifice; to complete an education.
          2. To fill to accomplish; as, to complete hopes or desires. 3. To fulfil; to accomplish; to perform; as, the prophecy of Daniel is completed.    

January has definately been a month to remember!  It has just ended with the loss of sweet boy's first baby tooth and the start of him tying his own shoes!  Here's how the rest of the month looked:

We got off to a slow start after the holidays, but managed to make it an eventful few weeks.  We read "Cinnabar, The One O'Clock Fox", by Margarite Henry and  a biography study of William Shakespeare.  Son's own reading is improving so rapidly that our bookworm climbing up our stairs, has ceased to be an issue.  He has so many books to add to it, it would go around the room in one day if we recorded them all!  Now that he sees how quickly and how much he enjoys reading, he's lost interest in the "worm"!  He also completed reading his entire Young Reader's Bible.  He will get to choose a reward for that this week!  He has begun reading nightly before bedtime and does not even protest about earlier bedtime so he can "indulge".  Of course, lights out time, garners many protests!  What's a mother to do? 

It's safe to say that his transition to cursive is complete and improving daily.  He is doing about 95% of his written work in cursive.  It is very neat and I'm wowed by that!  His spelling is still going very well, with grammar coming very naturally to him. 

Math, on the other hand, is still somewhat of a challenge.  He gets it, but he doesn't.  He can have absolutely ZERO distractions when concentrating on it (real easy with a two year old sister in the room!) and just doesn't enjoy it.  We're still trying very hard to incorporate his learning style into the lessons which is not always easy for me, who learns the opposite way! 

For Bible we have concentrated on the life of David and he has really enjoyed this more in depth study.  Needless to say, the story of Goliath was a favorite, but his understanding of what God was really communicating through David and how David so unswervingly trusted in the outcome, has been great.  He is truly beginning to reason things out for himself and communicate them well.  His notebook page of this story is great!  He drew big 'ole Goliath and little 'ole David with his sling....and someone else looking on!  God!  Gotta love that!

We then covered King Solomon and the Proverbs and son wrote had his first chance to write his own proverb:

Foolish men waste time watching TV.

Wise men don't waste time watching TV. 

They spend time helping God. 

Foolish children stay away from their parents.

Wise children play with their parents a lot.

That sound you don't hear, but would if you were here is me screaming and jumping up and down for joy!

For History, we began a unit on Christopher Columbus.  What fun!  We are using the D'Aulaire book and the Pilgrim Institutes study guide--really well done!  It will take us a while, but it is worth it!  I am amazed, once again, how little I was taught, or retained about Columbus.  What an incredible study of God's providence and look where we are today because of it! 

For Geography, we studied the continent of Asia and attempted our first lap book.  What a challenge--the lap book, I mean! :)  He enjoyed the study, and since we have a neighbor from India, is making "connections" in his head that are really good.  He sees that Christianity is not prevelant everywhere and he prays about this himself, communicating how sad he is that everyone doesn't know Jesus.  He has a growing heart for missions that he has inherited from his grandfather.  I must say, though, that it is rather contagious to the rest of us, as well! 

With the Asia study, as our first continent study, we enjoyed discussing God's principle of individuality and son got his first big look into cultural differences, differences in our physical appearances, as well as climate, industry, and animals. 

For Science, we have been diving into the study of electricity and it's origins.  We've covered some Ben Franklin, enjoys experiments of all sorts--many which did not work (love that!), and are starting Thomas Edison.  Of course, living in Indiana in the winter, the static electricity experiments went JUST fine!

Our sweet two year old daughter is doing very well "participating" with us in school.  She has learned what she can and can't do while we are studying and she is enjoying her new "desk" with her playdoh and coloring.  She also enjoys her little leap pad and her Daddy has taught her to use the computer, so she now plays Jump Start Preschool by herself.  Her small motor skills are amazing. She is "reading" books by herself now too.  Often to be found in her grandma's rocking chair with a book in her lap.  She is now enjoying listening to multiple stories as well. 

Son started up basketball again this month and is progressing as well as a 6 year old can!  He is having fun, which is the point!  He is also enjoying more kitchen (home ec?) time and begs for crafts--this is sorta new for him!  He hasn't always been that interested in them!  He also begs to have "art" daily.  We do projects and talk about a bit of art history.  He enjoys it immensely.

That about covers it!  January is done.