Monday, September 12, 2011

Columbus and Climbing

Bible
Adding our first name of Jesus to our Jesus Poster
In our study of the names of Jesus we learned this week that Jesus means, "the Lord saves".  Our Grapevine studies tied in nicely as we read about the angel telling Mary and Joseph their baby's name was Jesus. 


History
EM and JR learned about Christopher Colombus this week.  We read lots of great books (which I have already returned to the library so I don't have the titles to share) and made models of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria (which were sailed by naked Polly Pockets - what, your history book didn't include that?)

EM added a page to her notebook.  She wrote, "Christopher Columbus wanted to be a sailor.  He sailed three boats to Haiti.  The Indians gave him parrots and he went home." 
Tracing the Route of Columbus


Science
I'm starting to wonder if the Science portion of our curriculum is lacking.  It is very basic and we complete it in about 15 minutes for the week.  I think I will read ahead to see if it improves or consider supplementing.  This week the kids learned about air - how it is all around us and can be used to move things. 


Language Arts
JR is continuing to work his way through the alphabet and went on with capital letters E and F this week.  I'm trying to find ways to make the craft sheets more enjoyable for him (read: not like pulling nails to get him to touch).  He just doesn't not enjoy arts and crafts AT ALL!  It's a good thing he looks like me or I might wonder if he was switched at birth.  He also played games to learn the concept of rhyming words.  His favorite book from the library this week was Aliens Love Underpants by Claire Freedman.  Cute book!


EM breezed through Steps 4 (sound cards) and 5 (short vowels) in All About Spelling.

Art
EM enjoyed painting a sunset and cutting out a silhouette of Colombus on the Santa Maria out of black construction paper.  I think she did a beautiful job!




Math
JR continued working with patterns and shapes. 

EM did a review of bar graphs and addition.  Next week she will be skipping ahead a chapter because we are still reviewing what she learned last year and she is getting bored.

LD's Corner
Our little guy is fully mobile now and exploring his surroundings with vigor.  You never realize how many little crummies and pieces of fuzz are on your carpet until you're diving to stop a little human from eating them.  He is also pulling up whenever he finds a launching point at just the right height.  We are doing a little bit of baby sign language, which has been fun for the whole family.  LD knows the sign for nurse and is also learning MamaDada, and kitty.  





That was our week in a nutshell!

3 comments:

  1. We are on week 5 of Adventures, and I was wondering the same thing about the science? I just don't know what to add! I love the Columbus art! I love that you are doing some school work outside! : )

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  2. Joel is the same way with Arts and Crafts - must be a four-year-old boy thing! :)

    EM did such a great job on the Columbus page! Beautiful. You've got quite a little artist on your hands.

    Great post!

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  3. When our science is lacking, we add nature study. Barb at Handbook of Nature Study has some great seasonal nature studies and all the planning is done for you! My kids really enjoy them. You can see some samples under the nature study tab on my blog and check out Barb's blog.....she does a newsletter and you can check out other's nature studies.

    It looks like you have had a great week, thanks for linking up and sharing.

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