We are wrapping up our 4th year of school with the Princess next week, so today we sat down and chatted about what we felt did and didn't work.... what she felt was the most meaningful and what she thought was a waste of time...

Now please don't think I'm one of those parents who allow the child to direct what they will learn... those who have met me personally know that I'm not that easy.

Just because she doesn't like it don't mean that she isn't going to have to do it.... it just means that I may need to put different emphasis upon it or change how we do it...

Our biggest transition this year has been the formal addition of the Prince to our little routine (or lack there of)...  The Princess doesn't like having to work alone as she has gotten used to me sitting there, reading or drinking coffee, by her side.  I do still spend some time sitting and teaching her the lesson, but she is also doing more independent work.

So here's the run down....

She really liked:

Shakespeare (?) we are reading Julius Caesar, the real version.  We share the parts and act it out so she loves it... and after Plutarch (see below) the language is easy...  The book we have also contains a modern translation... we chose this play as we were reading Plutarch's life of Brutus and it seemed to correspond well...

Rod and Staff Bible Reader, grade 4... she liked the journeys of Paul, but really loves the stories with morals

Couldn't Just Happen, extra science reading...

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Things that were good:

Saxon math, 7/6 ..... math is always a favorite... progressing to Alg 1/2 next year

George Washington's World... repetitive, but enjoyable... she feels like she knows this time period well

Plutarch... we read the lives of Poplicola and Brutus... both challenging, but in a good way.  Good character studies....

Rod and Staff grammar, grade 5...  good solid grammar.  We don't do all of the practice, but mainly try to hit the writing assignments, and incorporate the principles into other areas of writing...

Physics...we used an experiment book for kids that define the nature of physics while focusing on the scientific method...

Minn of the Mississippi... fun for both the kids

Trial and Triumph.... church history... kind of gory at the beginning (everyone dies), but still inspirational...

Latina Christiana 2... we are only about 1/4 of the way thru this, but is a favorite subject so far...

Our Island Story... we started ambleside's curriculum midway thru and I didn't want to miss this book...  we initially listened to the whole thing on librivox for free, but bought a copy it is so wonderful!

Poems by Dickinson, Tennyson, and Longfellow

Composers... Russian Nationalists and Saint-Saens

Shakespeare... paraphrases by Lamb

Spelling Power.... started a few weeks ago as she really hated the old program we used.  I'm not completely sold on it... there is alot of work the teacher has to do if you want to supplement the lessons....

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Didn't like:

Spelling Workout, Level E... the Princess  did very well, but hated the busy work involved with this... I let her choose her own program, and as long as she progresses, I am giving her some say.  I personally liked this and thought that it was a solid program.

This Country of Ours... she kind of likes it, but finds it a bit dry...  She did say that HE Marshall was one of her favorite authors.

Parables of Nature...  again she finds it long....   this is also one of her readings, along with This Country of Ours, that she does on her own while I work with the Prince... read between the lines, please....

Exploring the Earth... for geography... She just didn't enjoy it, I think alot of the info is review for her and she needs more challenge(?)... I liked it...

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The Princess' favorite free readings from the year:

Scotland's Story by HE Marshall

Anything by E. Nesbit (favorite author so far)... really enjoyed The Treasure Seekers

Calico Captive

Reb and the Redcoats

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The links provided are for clarification purposes..... many of these books are free online and I have found many used at discounted prices...