Brent
southafrica.info
South Africa was populated for hundreds of thousands years without any written history until European travelers arrived. To them the ancient country was like a giant treasure chest.
Cana
No matter how well something is working, the time comes when a change is needed. Brent is ready to move on to something new. Probably inspired by his sister's planning for High School. We spent a few productive hours at the coffee shop today and came up with a new plan.
First, we broke down the day in subjects. I decided to model his days after what he would be doing in high school since Callie is having such a hard time with the transition. I'm hoping it will be easier for Brent. The day is broken up into 5 credit hours. The subjects are: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Electives.
Second, we looked at each individual subject and decided what was to be studied and how.
- Language Arts will be completed while working on the Science and Social Studies. It will include: spelling, grammar, writing, speaking, reading and more.
- Math will be done using Math U See.
- Electives that currently interest Brent are: guitar, cooking, and computer programing.
- Science topics that he wants to learn about are: physics, nuclear energy, electricity, magnetism, chemistry, sound, light, evolution, and zoology. For zoology he wants to focus on the following animals: bears, puffins, salmon, sword fish, orca, beavers, crabs, komodo dragons, and toads.
- Social Studies topics are in order of his preference: US history, geography, economics, world history, current events, civics and law, politics, government, and ancient history.
Finally, we discussed what would be the best way to learn science and social studies, and the best way to show understanding. We brainstormed the following ways to learn: online research, books (narratives, non-fiction, fiction, biographies and reference), experiments and observation, and documentaries and videos. He loves keeping notebooks as he works, so he would continue taking notes as he learned interesting things. He would also plan and implement his experiments and observation studies when applicable. Brent decided the best way to show understanding would be to write a report on each subject, then typing it and posting it online. The writing would include several rough drafts where we focused on writing techniques, spelling, grammar and typing skills. Then, he would create a webpage or glog to teach the subject to others. He wants to have a website of his own that covers everything he studies. He can practice some computer programing while he's creating it.
We've decided to do a test run of this plan. He is currently studying electricity and freshwater. Starting next week he will approach these subject this new way and see how long it takes to complete. After we get an idea of the time required, we'll layout a plan for next year.
The coffee was really good.
Cana
I knew eventually that with Brent studying insects they would eventually need to come into my home. Thanks to a friend, our first guest is a centipede (I think). He used our dissecting microscope to get a good look. Very interesting.
Cana
JT has been gone this week and our schedule has gotten a little off. Especially Tuesday night. I had a late meeting and the kids and I didn't get to be until after midnight. Brent was happy he went to bed in the morning. Stuff like this doesn't happen often. So of course my plan was to let them sleep in, despite what would happen to our schedule the next day. I got up first and headed outside with a cup of coffee to let the Nuggets work on the grass that has been springing up in our back yard.
Slowly the kids joined me; Callie first and then Brent.
It was lovely. It is mornings like this that I feel so blessed to homeschool my kids. What could have been a hectic morning, full of rushing and tired kids, turned out to be the best morning of the week. Not only that, but everything that was needing our attention that day got it, just a little bit later. Plus, we saw beauty in an unexpected place, our own backyard.
Cana
I love to read and I want to pass on that love to my kids. Reading is so important to us that our daughter (7th grade) reads 2 hours a day and our son (3rd grade) reads 1 hour. These are the minimums for our school. Reading time is split between a personal choice book at their reading level and a classic at their reading level.
I was walking past the Pit and caught a glimpse of Brent in there reading. Too funny. He loves doing his school work in there too. He has a desk in his room and a huge table in the dining room, but he likes to squeeze into the pit and work in there.
Cana
We do love our ducks around here. Even though I'm pretty sure there are no native ducks in this area. The kids had a great time. The mass balloon ascension was a disappointment; the morning was just too windy. They filled one of the balloons as a sort of consolation prize. Despite this, we had fun. We got up at 6am, got donuts and burritos and hung out in the back of the truck and people watched. Almost as good.
Brent and I set up at the parade alone, JT had a softball game and Callie was in the parade this year for Gymnastics. She thought it was way better than when the Girl Scouts had been in a parade and walked. Brent hung out in the back of the car to avoid the sun.
Callie and Brent were still excited to get their ducks and race on the wet track.
The ducks thwarted their plans for victory by being the first two to get near the finish line and then turn around.
Cana
Callie got to the process in her Manga writing where she has begun her storyboard. She is really enjoying this and spent extra time today working on it. Brent made some upgrades to his Kitty Condo. The cats love it. There are "suites" inside and the cats will actually go and nap in one. Bitty thinks she owns the place and has decided to sleep in the entry.
Cana
The little Nuggets love being held and are growing so fast. They are all starting to get their wing feathers and when they are not hanging out on one of the kids, they like to run around and flap their wings. So cute!
Cana
Brent made Pangaea 225 million years ago (blue background). JT created the one 65 million years ago (brown background).
Cana
Today we were looking at the similarities between oranges and the earth's structure. We subbed a lemon, hope that's OK?
Cana
How is an apple like the earth? That is what Brent and I looked at today and they are remarkably similar. Especially considering that one is edible and fits into the palm of your hand.
Brent then drew a diagram of the layers using the outline of the apple.
Tomorrow, the orange!
Bionicle
YESTERDAY, I GOT A BASEBALL TROPHY
FOR THIRD PLACE.
Cana
Brent's team won his last offical game of the season. They have an upcoming tournament as well. He did really well and I was able to capture his home run on video.
