Where we are UPDATE.

Over the last three weeks we've made some changes and I've made some decisions. Time to record it all!

= Math =

    Son1: Now he is alternating weeks, not days, with online Kinetic Books Algebra I and the Singapore Math 6B textbook.
    To use next:  After Singapore Math is done, study of logic and geometry (Living Math book suggestions, then Euclid's Elements?).
    Later:  Singapore Math 6B Intensive Practice, weekly use (have it). Zome Geometry (have it)

    Son2: Now he has moved on to the Singapore Math 4A textbook and 3B Intensive Practice book, both daily.
    Add:  Living Math book suggestions.
    Later:  Singapore Math 4B & 5A textbooks (have them).

= Composition & related =

    Son1:  Now he's doing a full lesson every day (!) of History Odyssey and its writing projects, summaries, and/or outlining, to finish Middle Ages soonest. Also routinely writes Boy Scout patrol minutes; occasional emails and thank you notes.
    After we move on to HO Early Modern and 3x/week history, I will add back in:  Classical Composition: Chreia (have it) lessons for progymnasmata exercises on days with little HO composition work, probably adapted so it is fun and very different from the HO writing. Occasional copywork from history, literature, the Bible, and Latin.
    Then add:  Spelling words, Son1's request; I've decided to use the National Spelling Bee 2009 Spell It download for the themed word lists and spelling tips, and, as needed, phonogram and other resources I've found online.
    Later:  Possibly do a block of Analytical Grammar.

    Son2:  Writing Tales Level One at a slightly faster pace, combining lessons when we can; this program includes grammar, editing, progymnasmata exercises, and a little spelling. Thank you notes.
    Add back in:  Copywork from history, literature, the Bible, and Latin, for language and handwriting practice.
    Then add:  Spelling at, Son2's request; I decided on All About Spelling, a program that uses Spalding-style phonogram fundamentals rather than memorization of word lists.

= Latin =

    Son1:  We just got back to Latin Book One, two lessons/week, and he is fine with competence and simply feels rusty, yay! I am ready to have him write the exercises on his own now.
    Add:  Solid memorization of conjugations & declensions; consider chants or example sentences. Introduce Latin dictionary. Study short Latin prayers & Bible texts. Begin free composition in Latin.

    Son2:  Have not yet tackled this. Decide! Lively Latin ($$) or Latin Prep. ORDER & begin.

= History =

Renaissance, explorers, Reformation & Counter-Reformation. Next, "early Modern" -- late Renaissance, colonization of Americas, slavery, revolutions (agricultural, industrial, American, etc.), nationalism.

    Using:  Son1 -- powering through the last of History Odyssey 2 Middle Ages, doing one full lesson each day. Parallel reading in This Country of Ours (the USA) and Our Island Story (Britain); catching up in History Lives 2: Monks & Mystics (church history). Son2 -- essentially finished with The Story of the World vol.2: Middle Ages text & activity book.

    Have ordered:  For Son1, I've ordered History Odyssey 2 Early Modern and History Lives 3: Courage & Conviction (church history). For Son2, we're moving up to the History Odyssey Level One program! It still uses SOTW, he is ready for more mapwork and lesson work, he doesn't care about coloring pages, we can find our own projects, and I can use book lists in HO and online to run with at the library. So, I've ordered History Odyssey 1 Early Modern, the required Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of World History, and The Story of the World vol.3: Early Modern!

    Later:  any HO-Early Modern required books that the library doesn't have, and History Lives 4: Hearts & Hands (church history). More church-history-related stories and biographies, too.

    Continue with:  This Country of Ours (the USA), Our Island Story (Britain).

= Science =

    Chemistry study. Also, a variety of DVDs and TV programs, and bird habits and identification since we now have bird feeders.

    Son1:  Periodic table/elements exploration and Real Science 4 Kids Chemistry I, weekly. Read The Mystery of the Periodic Table.

    Son2:  The Elements (a periodic table exploration), weekly.

= Literature =

    Son1:  Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. History Odyssey assigned books. Greek Myths (Coolidge); In Search of a Homeland (the story of The Aeneid, by Penelope Lively); The Classic Fairy Tales (Opie & Opie).
    Add:  I need to research and get a study guide/overview for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Poetry.

    Son2:  Favorite Greek Myths, Favorite Norse Myths (Osborne); Viking Tales (Hall); fairy tales; American folk tales; Oscar Wilde's Stories for Children; The Children's Book of Virtues.
    Add:  Poetry.

= Piano =

Back to daily piano practice and music theory with the Schaum books.

= Bible literacy =

At some point I want to return to Bible Study Guide for All Ages, 2x/week, but so far I'm not making it happen.

= Scouts =

    Son1: Boy Scout merit badges -- Citizenship in the Community, Communications, Environmental Science, Camping. Community-building activities with his fellow district Scouts attending the 2010 BSA Centennial Jamboree

    Son2: Bear Cub Scout electives.

= Later =

    Geography. I really like Trail Guide to World Geography and Trail Guide to U.S. Geography, but now is not the time; we're working hard on enough stuff as is.