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This week Josiah learned about, verbs, objects and pronouns, Latin root "gen" and related words, rise of Islam, Volcanoes, Challenging Word Problems: Multiplication and Division by 4's, 5's & 10's. He read "The Silver Chair", as well as, 5 hours of free reading. He also spelled 100 words from the Measuring Scale Correctly and walked three miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Micah learned about proper nouns, the first cities of India and Ancient China, ants, shapes and length. He read "On the Way to Kindergarten", as well as, 2 1/2 hours of free reading, and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Zechariah learned about the letter "F", pentagon, ants, numbers 1-5, and his favorite colors. He listened to "1, 2, 3, to the Zoo", as well as, 1 1/2 hours of read-alouds. He learned the poem "Twinkle, Twinkle", and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills with some complaint. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Selah learned how to say "iii", practiced smilling, and to listen to music. She listened to "1, 2, 3, to the Zoo" as well as, 1 hour of read-alouds. She laughed at Daddy. |
Posted in Writings
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Okay so I like to surf the HS blogs. Well that is the point of this thing right? But inevitably I find some anti homeschool hooy when I click on those pretty blue links (I can't help myself). And what do you know. I have to write a dissertation. Well it is 3am. so maybe it's not the most eloquent I've written. It could be better edited... shooo anyway. Here it is my take (a very short version) of why we homeschool. I am seriously thinking on writing... "The 100 Reasons We Home Educate" or some such. -------------------------------------------------------------------- I homeschool my two oldest sons 7 and 5 and in due course will do so with my younger children. They have never been to public school for many reasons. Of our many reason for personally educating our children we believe that the "social" atmosphere in public, private, charter and magnet schools are far more damaging then for our children to turn out "unsociable". You may think this is an absurd assessment but, I have been to the local public school, the charter school down the road, the religious private school, and the "great" magnet school, my oldest could have attended. I watched the interaction of the children, as well as, the adult presence. There was little difference between them, save the overly rigid private school. I have met my share of homeschooled children who were very inept for social setting but, no more then I was... a completely public schooled "product". My goal is not a socially acceptable 7 and 5 year old but, a well adjusted, free thinking adult. It is quite possible that one or all of my children will at sometime or another in their development not quite fit in. But fitting in is pretty low priority in our family. If it were high we would follow all the other little 5 year olds to the bus stop with the latest backpack and the cool shoes (whatever they are these days). We have more important thing to learn and experience, however. Also, the philosophical differences with the previously mentioned systems of education were not in line with the things I have chosen for my children to learn. I do not want my 5 year old learning about homosexuality, spirit-ism, humanism or any other concept that goes against my strongly held views. That is not to say I will never teach them about these things. But as the person who carried them for 9 months, gave birth to them, changed thousands of diapers, and had many sleepless nights (no doubt many more to come) I have the right to decide what, when and if my children learn something. And being their parent is the ONLY qualification I need to decide what is best for my children. I may not make the perfect choice at every turn but, there is not a teacher on this planet who would do better. Those who educate other people's children must be held to a minimal standard and this is why they are required to have a certain amount of education. Most of which is spent learning to deal with large groups of someone else's children. Not the topics they are actually teaching. If this were the case (the teachers where taught basic skills needed in K-12) then why did they waist 13 years of their life learning something they would simply have to relearn as adults? It would be no jump in logic to say any individual having completed Kindergarten or any subsequent grade could teach the concepts previously mastered. Not unlike that of the classroom the home school teacher/parent does not need to know all concepts taught in a given grade. Those subjects in which the teacher/parent lacks can be delegated to a co-op, mentor, on-line tutorial and even public school (we homeschoolers pay for public schools too even if we choose not to use some or all of their faculties). But by far the greatest reason I choose to personally educate my children is for the simple fact the the public school system and to a lesser degree the private franchise have no appropriate academic setting for my children. Some of you scoffed at the possibility of a 5 year old knowing and understanding fractions. And that indeed is the sad state of public education in the United States today. To think that the average 5 year old does not know that two halves makes a whole or that three fourths is more then half is quite sad in my opinion. When the truth is that every 2 year old knows this fact quite well. Just try and give them 1/3 of a cookie while his brother gets 2/3's and you will be enlightened rather quickly. I might add that Illegal Immigrants crowding the schools did not play into my decision to homeschool my children. Oh, and one last thing... It doesn't concern me how others choose to educate their children. It does concern me when someone (however well intentioned) tries to hinder me from choosing what's best for my family, including trying to force regulations when they are neither logical or legal (read constitutional). |
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For Josiah: O Captain! My Captain! by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892) O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done, The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won, The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring; But O heart! heart! heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells; Rise up -- for you the flag is flung -- for you the bugle trills, For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths -- for you the shores a-crowding, For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning; Here Captain! dear father! This arm beneath your head! It is some dream that on the deck, You've fallen cold and dead. My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still, My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will, The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done, From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won; Exult O shores, and ring O bells! But I with mournful tread, Walk the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead. For Micah: The Goops by Gelett Burgess The Goops they lick their fingers. And the Goops they lick their knives, They spill their broth on the tablecloth- Oh, they lead disgusting lives! The Goops they talk while eating, And loud and fast they chew, And that is why I'm glad that I Am not a Goop - are you? For Zechariah & Selah: Five little Monkeys by Author Unknown Five little monkeys Along came Mr Crocodile Then... four little monkeys. t |
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This week is one of our "off" weeks... not off as in badly done but, off as in... nothing officially scheduled. The basic plan is to catch up on those things we didn't get done over the first 5 weeks of school and to have a light restful week. Josiah has a couple history assignments, 25 definitions and a science book to read. Micah has two history assignments as well and some spelling words. Other then these we intend to spend the rest of this week reading, listening to music, enjoying the lake and having a good time. We will be working through Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children by E. Nesbitt and Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling over the next few weeks. So we started on those today. We read, A Midsummer Night's Dream and How the Whale Got His Throat. On a lighter note Micah decided that it was entirely possible to become so hungry that you got flat. So we had a long conversation about how if he didn't eat soon he was going to become flat. Which I wrote down in the form of an original poem. Flat by, Micah If I don't eat soon, I will become flat. Flat as a pancake, Flat as a penny, Flat as a cracker, Flat as a broken balloon, Flat as a tortilla, Flat as a DVD, Flat as a smashed banana, Mommy if I don't eat soon, I'm going to need an air pump, So that I won't be flat. |
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This week Josiah learned about comma usage, and verb tenses, Latin root "mal" and related words, Byzantine Empire and Medieval Indian Empire, Earthquakes, Challenging Word Problems: Mental Addition and Subtraction. He read "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader", as well as, 5 hours of free reading. He also spelled 100 words from the Measuring Scale Correctly and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint.
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This week Micah learned about common and proper nouns, Hammurabi and Assyria, wasps, Ordinal Numbers and Adding/Subtracting Numbers to 20. He read "Harriet and Walt", as well as, 2 1/2 hours of free reading, and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ----------------------------------------------------------------------
This week Zechariah learned about the letter "E", oval, wasps, numbers 1-5, and his favorite colors. He listened to "The Hungry Caterpillar", as well as, 1 1/2 hours of read-alouds. He learned the poem "Five Little Monkey's", and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills with some complaint.
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This week Selah learned how to say "uuuu", pulled up on the side of bassinet, and to listen to the kittens. She listened to "The Hungry Caterpillar" as well as, 1 hour of read-alouds. |
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For Josiah: I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day--at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs. For Micah: The Months Mother Goose rhyme Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November: All the rest have thirty-one, Except for February alone, Which has four and and twenty-four Till leap year gives it one day more. For Zechariah & Selah: Eight Big Fingers Author Unknown Eight big fingers standing up tall, |
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This week Josiah learned about verb tenses, Latin root "manu" and related words, Augustine in Britain, Oceans and Climate, Challenging Word Problems: Multiplication and Division by 2's & 3's. He read "Prince Caspian", as well as, 5 hours of free reading. He also spelled 100 words from the Measuring Scale Correctly and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Micah learned about proper nouns, places, states, the first Sumerian Dictator, bees, subtraction. He read "Harriet and the Roller Coaster", as well as, 2 1/2 hours of free reading, and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Zechariah learned about the letter "D", rectangles, bees, numbers 1-5, and his favorite colors. He listened to "My First Book of Colors", as well as, 1 1/2 hours of read-alouds. He learned the poem "Twinkle, Twinkle", and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills with some complaint. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Selah learned how to say "ooo", practiced rolling over from front to back, and to listen to her brothers. She listened to "My First Book of Colors" as well as, 1 hour of read-alouds. She did scooted around the living room and stood for extended periods of time. |
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For Josiah: For You, O Democracy by Walt Whitman Come, I will make the continent indissoluble, I will make the most splendid race the sun ever shone upon, I will make divine magnetic lands, With the love of comrades, With the life-long love of comrades. I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America, and along the shores of the great lakes, and all over the prairies, I will make inseparable cities with their arms about each other's necks, By the love of comrades, By the manly love of comrades. For you these from me, O Democracy, to serve you ma femme! For you, for you I am trilling these songs. For Micah: Days of the Week adapted by Sara Buffington Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace; Wednesday's child is ever so sweet, Thursday's child is tidy and neet; Friday's child is prone to a giggle, Saturday's child is easy to tickle; But the child that is born on restful Sunday Is happy and cheerful, and loves to play. For Zechariah & Selah: Down by the station Author Unknown Down by the station, Down by the station, Down by the station, |
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Left or Right? by, Karl Rehm and Kay Koike You Read to Me, I'll read to You by, Mary Ann Hoberman Who Has a Belly Button? by, Spooky Sports Day by, Sled Race Mystery by, Curious George Takes a Job by H. A. Rey Spiderman: The Amazing Story by, How About A Hug? by, Nancy Carlson From Head to Toe by Eric Carle Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother by Eric Carle You're Only Old Once by, Dr. Seuss Day by Day a Week Goes Round by, Carol Shields Month by Month a Year Goes Round by, Carol Shields Earthworms by, Elain Pascoe Owl Babies by, Patrick Benson Everybody Counts by, Stuart J. Murphy Ten Tiny Turtles by, Paul Cherrill What Will the Weather Be? by, Lynda DeWitt An Extraordinary Life by, Laurence Pringle Butterflies and Moths by, Dwight Kuhn Amazing Butterflies and Moths by, John Still Insects by, Barbara Taylor The Greedy Python by, Eric Carle Little Cloud by, Eric Carle Nate the Great and the Lost List Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? by, Eric Carle My Very First Book of Shapes by, Eric Carle My Very First Book of Colors by, Eric Carle The Secret Birthday Message by, Eric Carle Where Are You Going? To See My Friend by, Eric Carle A Play's the Thing by, Aliki Harriet and the Roller Coaster by, Nancy Carlson We Both Read About Space by, Jana Carson We Both Read About the Rain Forest by Heather Johanasen The Honeybee and the Robber by, Eric Carle Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come by, Nancy Carlson At Mary Bloom's by, Aliki The Big Brown Bear by, Georges Duplaix From Flower to Honey by, Robin Nelson (BOT = Books on Tape) (BOT) Stone Soup by, Diane Paterson (BOT) Dinosaurs are Different by, Aliki (BOT) Solar System by, Melisa Caudle and Brad Caudle (BOT) Bud, Not Buddy by, Christopher Paul Curtis (BOT) Arthur's Chicken Pox by, Marc Brown (BOT)Arthur and the True Francine by, Mark Brown (BOT) Arthur's Halloween by Marc Brown (BOT) From Tadpole to Frog by, Wendy Pfeffer |
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Nancy Drew: High Risk by, Carolyn Keene Curious George Takes a Job by, H. A. Rey 101 Facts About Lakes by, Julia Barnes Scooby Sport's Day by, Soderberg Sled Race Mystery by, Barbo Scooby-Doo and You: the case of 100 Things You Should Know About Knights and Castles by, Jane Walker Castle by, Dorling Kindersley Books Magic School Bus: Inside a Hurricane by, How Would You Survive in the Middle Ages by, Fiona Macdonald Hardy Boys Cult of Crime by, Franklin W. Dixon Spider-Man: The Amazing Story Arthur's Chicken Pox by, Marc Brown Missing: Nancy Drew by, Carolyn Keene Arthur and the True Francine by, Marc Brown Red Pizza's For a Blue Count by, Kids' Book of Clouds & Sky by, Frank Staub Paddle to-the-Sea by, Holling Clancy Holling Red Pizzas For a Blue Count by, Geronimo Stilton Schoolhouse Mystery by, Geraldine Field Trip to Niagara Falls by, Geronimo Stilton Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye by, Geronimo Stilton I'm too Fond of my Fur! by, Geronimo Stilton Surf's up, Geronimo! by, Geronimo Stilton The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid by, Geronimo Stilton Cat and mouse in a Haunted House by Geronimo Stilton Alison Goes for the Gold by, Nina Alexander Superhero or Super Thief by, Dan Greenburg Invasion From the Planet of the Cows by, Dan Greenburg The Day Everything Tasted Like Broccoli by, Dan Greenburg Alison of Arabia by, Nina Alexander Flying Free by, Sharon Dennis Wyeth Freedom's Wings by Sharon Dennis Wyeth Attack of the Soggy Underwater People by Dan Greenburg Maximum Girl Unmasked by Dan Greenburg Absolutely Normal Chaos by, Sharon Creech The Bad Beginning by Limony Snicket Walt Whitman: words for America by, Barbara Kerley Beyond the Deepwoods by, Paul Stewart Math Potatoes by, Greg Tang (BOT = Books on Tape) (BOT) Bud, Not Buddy by, Christopher Paul Curtis (BOT) Stone Soup by, Diane Paterson (BOT) Dinosaurs are Different by, Aliki (BOT) Solar System by, Melisa Caudle and Brad Caudle (BOT) Arthur's Halloween by, Marc Brown |
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This week Josiah learned about common and proper nouns, Latin root "miss, mitt" and related words, Christianity in Britain, Icebergs and Glaciers, Challenging Word Problems: weight, and the third 20 Dictionary words. He read "The Horse and His Boy", as well as, 5 hours of free reading. He also spelled 100 words from the Measuring Scale Correctly and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This week Micah learned about proper nouns, full names, the poem "Work", the first writing, butterflies and moths, addition, the third 20 Phonics Pathways word list. He read "Month By Month a Year goes Round", as well as, 2 1/2 hours of free reading, and walked six miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Zechariah learned about the letter "C", triangles, butterflies and moths, numbers 1-5, and his favorite colors. He listened to "Peek-a-Zoo", as well as, 1 1/2 hours of read-alouds. He learned the poem "Star Light, Star Bright", and walked two miles. He preformed his life skills with some complaint. He worked hard tried not to bother his brothers too much during their seat work. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Selah learned how to say "eee", practiced rolling over from front to back, and to listen to her brothers. She listened to "Peek-a-Zoo" as well as, 1 hour of read-alouds. She did hundreds of push-ups and stood for extended periods of time. |
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For Josiah: Facing West From California's Shores by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892) FACING west from California's shores, Inquiring, tireless, seeking what is yet unfound, I, a child, very old, over waves, towards the house of maternity, the land of migrations, look afar, Look off the shores of my Western sea, the circle almost circled; For starting westward from Hindustan, from the vales of Kashmere, From Asia, from the north, from the God, the sage, and the hero, From the south, from the flowery peninsulas and the spice islands, Long having wander'd since, round the earth having wander'd, Now I face home again, very pleas'd and joyous, (But where is what I started for so long ago? And why is it yet unfound?) For Micah: Hearts Are Like Doors Anonymous Hearts, like doors, will open with ease, To very, very little keys, And don't forget that two of these Are "Thank you, sir" and "If you pleases!" For Zechariah & Selah: Circle of Love The circle of love grows wider and wider, |
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This week Josiah learned about capital letters, Latin root "foli" and related words, the early days of Britain, Lightning, Challenging Word Problems: Length, and the second 20 Dictionary words. He read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, as well as, 5 hours of free reading. He also spelled 100 words from the Measuring Scale Correctly and walked six miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This week Micah learned about nouns, story and picture narrations, the upper and lower kingdoms of Egypt, more worms, number bonds the second 20 Phonics Pathways word list. He read Nate the Great and the Lost List,as well as, 2 1/2 hours of free reading, and walked six miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Zechariah learned about the letter "B", squares, worms, numbers 1-5, and his full name. He listened to "Curious George takes a Job", as well as, 1 1/2 hours of read-alouds. He learned the poem "Little Miss Muffet", and walked six miles. He preformed his life skills with some complaint. He worked hard on distracting his brothers during their seat work. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Selah learned how to say "mmm", practiced rolling over from back to front, and to listen for her name. She listened to "Curious George takes a Job" as well as, 1 hour of read-alouds. She did hundreds of push-ups and stood for extended periods of time. |
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For Josiah: AMONG THE MULTITUDE by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892) AMONG the men and women the multitude, I perceive one picking me out by secret and divine signs, Acknowledging none else, not parent, wife, husband, brother, child, any nearer than I am, Some are baffled, but that one is not--that one knows me. Ah lover and perfect equal, For Micah: Work Anonymous Work while you work, Play while you play; This is the way To be happy each day. All that you do, Do with your might; Things done by halves Are never done right. For Zechariah & Selah: Birds of a Feather Author Unknown Birds of a feather flock together |
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This week Josiah learned about verbs, the Roman Empire, Storms, Challenging Word Problems: addition and subtraction, and the first 20 Dictionary words. He read The Magicians Nephew, as well as, 5 hours of free reading. He also spelled 100 words from the Measuring Scale Correctly, and walked six miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This week Micah learned about nouns, the first Nomads, worms, numbers 0-10, the first 20 Phonics Pathways word list. He also read Right or Left?,as well as, 2 1/2 hours of free reading. He learned the poem "The Caterpillar" and walked six miles. He preformed his life skills without complaint. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Zechariah learned about the letter "A", circles, worms, numbers 1-5, and his age. He listened to "My Little House - 1,2,3", as well as, 1 1/2 hours of read-alouds. He learned the poem "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider", and walked six miles. He preformed his life skills with some complaint. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week Selah learned how to say "aaa", how to roll over from back to front, and to listen for her name. She listened to "My Little House - 1,2,3" as well as, 1 hour of read-alouds. She did hundreds of push-ups and drooled on her bibs.
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Here is Micah's Kindergarten list of subjects and curriculum. Bible - Read-aloud through the NiRV in a year. Language Arts - Grammar - First Language Lessons Year 1 & 2 Reading - Eric Carle Books, JE1 and JE2 Library Books Free Reading - 1/2 hour Spelling - List from Phonics Pathways (720 words) Writing- Classical Reading and Writing Copybook Covering Early Modern History: Print, Writing Strands 1 Poetry - 36 Short Poems Geography - Story of the World 1: Activity Guide History - Story of the World 1: Ancient Times, Stories of the Pilgrims, Various State Books Government - Undecided Math - Singapore Math 1A - 1B, Challenging Word Problems 1 Science - 20 Weeks Animals, 10 Weeks Human Body, and 6 Weeks Plants (Various Books) Health - Undecided Physical Education - Soccer lessons Fine Arts - Drawing With Children, Classics for Kids First Aid - Red Cross Classes Life Skills - Good Stewardship; Clean Room Good Hygiene - Shower, wash hands, teeth, face Family Service - Counters, prepare/serve 2 meals a week Servants Heart - Take out trash, clean trash cans |
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We have begun school for the year. We are now three weeks in. Here is Josiah's 2nd grade list of subjects and curriculum. Bible - Read through the NiRV in a year. Language Arts - Grammar - Grammar Skills 5th, Daily Grammar Reading - C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis Trilogy, Shakespeare for Kids, Various Books Free Reading - 1 hour Spelling - A Measuring Scale for Ability in Spelling, Dictionary Spelling Words first 720 words, & Words on the Vine 5th- 8th Writing- Classical Reading and Writing Copybook Covering Early Modern History: Cursive, Writing Strands 3 Poetry - 36 Short Poems Geography - Story of the World 2: Activity Guide History - Story of the World 2: The Middle Ages, Stories of the Pilgrims, Various State Books Government - Undecided Math - Singapore Math 3A - 3B, Challenging Word Problems 2 and 3 Science - 18 Weeks of Earth Science and 18 Weeks of Space (Various Books) Health - Undecided Physical Education - Swim lessons Fine Arts - Drawing With Children, Classics for Kids First Aid - Red Cross Classes Foreign Language - Prima Latina Life Skills - Good Stewardship; Clean Room Good Hygiene - Shower, wash hands, teeth, face etc. Family Service - Clean table, prepare & serve 2 meals a week Servants Heart - Wash and dry laundry |
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For Josiah: A Noiseless, Patient Spider by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892) A noiseless, patient spider, I mark'd, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated; Mark'd how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding, It launch'd forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself; Ever unreeling them--ever tirelessly speeding them. And you, O my Soul, where you stand, Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space, Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,--seeking the spheres, to connect them; Till the bridge you will need, be form'd--till the ductile anchor hold; Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul. For Micah: The Caterpillar by, Christina G. Rossetti Brown and furry Caterpillar in a hurry: Take your walk To the shady leaf, or stalk, May no toad spy you, May the little birds pass by you; Spin and die, To live again a butterfy. For Zechariah & Selah: As l was going to St Ives Author unknown As I was going to St. Ives, |
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I thought you might enjoy a narration written recently by Josiah. After writing the narration he stated that he was very glad that he wasn't a Spartan. Life in Sparta By Josiah
Cyrus was a great king. He decided when the army would fight, how much taxes the people should pay. He wanted to be in charge and the people to obey him. Greeks were not like the Persians. They didn't have any king. Instead they had their own laws and rulers for each Greek city. Sparta was one of the biggest Greek cities. Sparta was a strong city. The boys had to go to war school when they were seven years old. They learned to fight, and march without shoes or socks. They didn't get a lot of food. And they weren't allowed to complain. On of Sparta stories tells about a boy stealing a fox. When ever the boy almost killed the fox some soldiers came over to him. He hid the fox in his shirt. The fox bit him, but the boy just talked to the soldiers. He ignored the pain that the fox was giving him. Sparta boys never complained and were alway brave and silent. When boys were twelve years old they would take a test for going into the army. If they pasted the test they would go into the army. They could get married, but they couldn't live with their family. If they didn't pass the test they wouldn't join the army. They couldn't vote and were not full citizens of Sparta. Girls were suposed to strong too so they could become mothers of strong boys. Girls and women were considered weaker then men. They weren't consided as important as men. Mothers were suposed to teach their boys to be brave and warlike. One mom told her son to come being the winner or to come home dead. Spartan people were known for their strong army, but not for storytelling or art. We still call peopla Spartan if they suffer pain without complaining. |
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Well, Josiah has now finished.... 3rd grade grammar (with a pretty solid grasp on it). Biology : Animals, Human Body, and Plants. 3 Chapters in Spelling left. 1 Unit in Math Left. He's nearly finished with Ancient History. 20 lessons left in cursive. 15 lessons left in Latin. 6 lessons left in Writing (Compositions). Micah has just finished... The first half of Phonics Pathways (He's now reading at a 2nd grade level) He's transitioning into writing numbers on his own... still needs some help though. Zboy has just learned... The letter B and its sound The letter H and its sound And can count to 3 So I guess we're having a pretty good year so far.
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