We've completed the intro phase of My Father's World, Exploring Countries and Cultures and have begun our travels in North America.  Today was our first day and we'll spend 2 weeks in America, 2 in Mexico and 2 in Canada.  In geography we've done quite a bit of map work. I'm pleased with the kids progress so far.  Then in science, today we started learning about forests.  K learned about the 6 layers of the forest and drew his own diagram.  He also did a worksheet on where certain animals would live within these layers. It feels like we are learning more on our school days than we were before the Christmas break.

We rarely get to do a full day's work from start to finish (8:30-2:00 or so). Instead, it seems I have a lot of errands that break up our days - dr. appts for mom, taking her places she wants to go, appointments for my writing assignments, my part-time job, etc. But since everything is laid out for me with the curriculum, it's easy to pick up with the next subject when we do make it back home.  One of the best things we've done recently was to implement 30 minutes of silent, individual reading, and 15 minutes of reading/looking at books from a selection I've placed in a basket that have to do with our current topics of studies.  K came to me a few days ago and said, "My favorite thing used to be computers. Now it's reading."  I think that was just a fluke for a few days, but I was happy to hear it!  He's devouring the Magic Tree House books.  I'm torn about him reading these books. I don't like the magic and sorcery involved, but again, I like that he's really interested in reading, and he is learning some historical information from these books.  He'll soon be finished with the series, so I need to find something else to hold his interest.

Any suggestions for an 8yo boy?  He's a good reader, but not interested in straining himself too much!