First Day of School

Well, today we began our new school year-much to the chagrin of the kids. "Bed-bug" learned a couple of new concepts: classifying and latitude and longitude. The classifying was done in her first English grammar lesson, as she separated photos into groups. Since the Shurley Grammar program does so much sentence analysis, this is a great way to slowly introduce the student to the practice. "Bed-bug" learned not only about latitude and longitude in her geography lesson, but how to draw a strip map as well (which showed how to get to grandpa and grandma M's house). "Hider-man" had a pretty light workload today-I hope he doesn't come to expect it! Like it is with most young men, writing may be the biggest difficulty we encounter this year. After purchasing the IEW program, I am really hopeful that this model of writing (beginning with key-word outlining of text, using dress-ups, imitating well-written material, etc) will have excellent results. We'll see...

2007-2008 School Year

Well, another summer break has come to an end, and we are about to embark on the new school year. This year will be a new challenge for us, as "Bed-bug's" studies will be intensified, and "Hider-man's" studies will increase in difficulty as he enters into the logic stage of his education. Following the classical education model, we will be focusing more on the "why" and "how", rather than the "who, what, when, and where". Perhaps the most challenging aspect of his education will come in the Omnibus program we will be using. We will be studying and reading about the Ancient Civilization (from creation to the early church fathers), and we will combine his history, literature, and bible/theology studies with this program. Here's a list of their courses of study:
"Hider-man"
Omnibus I: Bible/Theology, Ancient History (through fall of Rome), Literature
Math: Fundamentals of Math-Level 7
Grammar and Composition: BJU Press Grammar 7, Institute for Excellence in Writing
Science: Apologia General Science
Logic: The Fallacy Detective
Vocabulary: Worldly Wise 3000
Art/Music Appreciation: study various artists/musicians, continue working on art theory

"Bed-bug"
Bible: New Testament readings, Big Book of Questions/Answers About Jesus, Big Truth's for Little Kids
Math: BJU Press Math 1
English Grammar: Shirley Grammar 1
Phonics/Copywork: Veritas Phonics Museum 1
History/Geography: Veritas Press' Legends and Leagues, Sterling Tie Publishing's Rendezvous with Idaho History
Literature: Veritas Press' First Favorites vol. 1 & 2 to go with many children's classics.
Art/Music: Classical Kid's CD's, basic Art theory

Field Trip #1

Today, our family had it's first field trip of the school year. Mom and the kids went to the Idaho Botanical Garden for Bug Day 2007 and had the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of insects. Some of the activities included games, crafts, and displays-not to mention the live insects. It's too bad we couldn't have done this two years ago as our science studies at that time were the "Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day" and included entomology. What a wonderful world the Lord has given us to exercise dominion over!