Weekly Report for 2/15-2/19

Again these are just for Nathan (1st grade, age 7).

Grammar- Finished with writing a formal letter and mailed it to Grandma. We also started a unit on verbs. We are using Voyages in English and it's still a good fit for us. Nathan loves the assignments and all the writing provides him with some much needed practice in handwriting. Also we do a daily language review which happens to be one of Nathans favorite things to do.

Literature- Still working our way through Farmer Boy. I think maybe it was a little much for Nathan as he's not wanting to do anything else besides listening to the reading. Hopefully we can get this done this week or next and move on to Mr. Poppers Penguins which I think he'll really like.

Phonics- Working through a workbook that I picked up at Barnes and Noble since every where (okay at least the places I have tried) is out of stock on the Explode the Code Book 3. And now I see a few places that have it in stock again.

Math- Working on adding two digit problems, subtracting two digit problems and regrouping to add and subtract two digit numbers. Still using the K12 program but adding in other practice books. We are using Rod and Staff Math 1 Workbook #2 for review of the basics. We are also using Kumon Counting Coins and Kumon Word Problems 1 for practice and review. We do one page daily and rotate the books. Also we are using the daily math review which again Nathan really loves.

Science- Working on the section on plants from K12. Honestly the science has been so dry its hard to do the work. Hopefully I can find a much more interesting program next year for science.

History. We've started Ancient Greece and have been learning about the Gods and Goddesses. We are using K12 but next year I think we will move on to another history program. Again we just feel like its not very interesting.

Weekly Readers- We worked on the President's day and finished the Olympic one.

Art- Learning about abstract art. Trying to find an art program that we like.

Finally we did a field trip this week. We went to Clark Planetarium. The boys enjoyed walking through the planetarium and doing all the fun activities. We also watched the movie Secrets of the Cardboard Rocket on the dome. It was so much fun. The kids are still quoting facts about space they learned in the movie. Overall it was a tiring day but we really had a blast. We rode frontrunner down (commuter train) and caught trax over to the planetarium. Again the train ride was as much fun for the kids as the planetarium.