Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• I have some ideas for activities during this Sunday’s Galentine’s Day party, but now I need to narrow things down.

• My current read started out really strong and then kinda faltered about 65% of the way through. Kinda disappointed…

• At least my chosen television shows this week were all good.

• The last two days my body has been angry. Really hoping this doesn’t turn into a common occurrence.

• Looking forward to some good food and friends tonight at a dining for all event.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W21: So Much Curriculum

What We Studied

The weather was terrible, which meant that we spent most of the week at home. Plus we had a broken washer that I had to stay and wait on the repair man. This all translated to a lot of curriculum over the course of the week.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G6 for his language arts this year. While I love H&S, there’s never enough literature in there. Thankfully we have a stack of books just waiting to be picked up and read. Beyond H&S, we are focusing on expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension this year. We spent the week covering one Shakespeare’s plays, As You Like It. I didn’t want to bore Arthur, but we did cover the story, read some of the original text, and watched som performance bits. I even found a great video where the actors discuss how they want to play a scene and then try a few variations.

• Poetry: Hearth & Story G6

• Poetry: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll

• The Vocabulary Workbook for 6th Grade by Kelly Anne McLellan

• As You Like It by William Shakespeare

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G3 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 3 and random books that we have around the house. We are also starting the Reading Explorer series to focus on reading comprehension and word choice. We dove into one of my favorite elementary school reads. I’m not sure that Quentin is really loving it, but I am definitely enjoying reading it again.

• Poetry: My America

• One World, Many Religions by Mary Pope Osborne

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 2. Effectively this is Singapore’s 7th grade math text. We dove into the second book for the year. We moved onto geometric shapes. This chapter is a lot of review but good review. We don’t have formal logic book this year, but are focusing on lots of critical thinking and math puzzles.

• Math in Focus Course 2 Book B

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 3B and 4A. We are taking a bit of a break from our regular math books to dive into some financial literacy before we circle back. .

• Logic Countdown

• Evan Moor Financial Literacy G3

Social Studies

Arthur was using Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1. Unfortunately the company has yet to release the next volume. Instead, I decided to use Build Your Library L4 and Story of the World Vol. 4 to get us through Modern History. We continued through the bulk of World War I and even took a side step to discuss the Russian Revolution. We should finish World War I next week.

• Story of the World Vol. 4

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• A Journey Through Art

• DK When on Earth

• Where Poppies Grow

• Smithsonian World War I Timeline by Pamela A Dell

• Living Through World War I by Nicola Barber

• DK Eyewitness World War I

• DK Find Out World War I

• World War I by Steven Otfinoski

• The War to End All Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman

• The Harlem Hellfighters by Walter Dean Myers

• The Harlem Hellfighters, by Max Brooks

• Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story by Deborah Hopkinson

Quentin is using Build Your Library Level 5 to begin our two year exploration of American History. Quentin covered John Adams and Thomas Jefferson along with the Corps of Discovery. He even watched a great documentary from National Geographic about the expedition.

• History Quest United States History

• DK When on Earth?

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• DK American History

• We were There Too

• Words that Built a Nation

• Which Way to the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin

• Lewis and Clark: A Prairie Dog for the President by Shirley Raye Redmond

• The Journey of York: The Unsung Hero of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by Hasan Davis

• Sacagawea by Christine Platt

Science

Arthur is using RSO Earth and Environment 2 and later RSO Astronomy 2 for science. We are taking a break from Earth and Environment to start Astronomy 2. This week we covered the Stars and related bodies. We also kept up with our physics prep for co-op.

• RSO Earth and Environment 2 (August-December; March-May)

• RSO Astronomy 2 (January-March)

• Astrophysics for Young People by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

• DK Timelines of Nature

• DK Space

• Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars are Made Of by Kirsten W. Larson

Quentin is using RSO Physics 1. We finished the Story of Science Vol. 1 this week. Next week we will be doing some review and packets before jumping back into Physics.

• RSO Physics 1

• The Story of Science Vol. 1 by Joy Hakim

• Physics: Investigate the Mechanics of Nature by Jane Gardner

• Physics for Curious Kids Introduction

• The Way Things Work Now

Enrichment STEAM Co-op /Academic Co-op

After cancelling last week due to sickness, we finally got back into it this week. Unfortunately the college made a mistake and we had to switch rooms. Thankfully they had rooms. And these rooms are actually bigger and brighter! Once everyone got there, co-op went well!

Art and Music

We are doing something a little different this year. Instead of trying to do music and art every week, we will be trading off. I realized last year these subjects were always the first to be cut when we had time constraints. We didn’t have any music or art this week.

• DK Music and How it Works

• DK The Arts

• Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge

• The Story of the Incredible Orchestra by Bruce Koscielniak

• DK Art and How it Works

• 13 Art Techniques Children Should Know

• The Story of Paintings

Field Trip/Activities

No field trips or activities for us this week.

High

Not really homeschool related, but our washer got fixed. A working washer does let me focus on actually school stuff without anxiety.

Low

The weather really put a damper of life this week. Hoping for slightly warmer temps this week.

Next Week

• Finishing our read aloud (Q) and a starting a new read aloud (A)

• Continuing with our math textbook (A) and financial literacy (Q)

• Wrapping up World War I (A) and starting the War of 1812 (Q) for history

• Covering our solar system (A) and review (Q) for science

• Week 4 of Academic Co-op!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• We’re back from our three day trip to Great Wolf Lodge and I need a serious nap. Lots of fun with friends, but I am now exhausted.

• Speaking of friends, I’m meeting three other Stays on Sunday for dinner. Excited to chat with other Stray Kids fans over hot pot.

• Academic Co-op is currently in our second week of the semester. I think we are settling in nicely. Should be a good couple of weeks.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W19-20: January Blues...

What We Studied

We managed to get two weeks of school in before taking a break to visit the Great Wolf Lodge with friends. I will admit that we were really dragging our feet at the beginning of this semester, but we’re getting back into it!

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G6 for his language arts this year. While I love H&S, there’s never enough literature in there. Thankfully we have a stack of books just waiting to be picked up and read. Beyond H&S, we are focusing on expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension this year. He started and finished our first read aloud of 2026. I enjoyed the fantastical take on Thailand and the story of resilience and understanding.

• Poetry: Hearth & Story G6

• Poetry: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll

• The Vocabulary Workbook for 6th Grade by Kelly Anne McLellan

• A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G3 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 3 and random books that we have around the house. We are also starting the Reading Explorer series to focus on reading comprehension and word choice. We started and finished our first read aloud of 2026. I chose a historical fiction book to go along with our history study. .

• Poetry: My America

• One World, Many Religions by Mary Pope Osborne

• Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 2. Effectively this is Singapore’s 7th grade math text. We dove into the second book for the year. The first chapter was all about angles. We don’t have formal logic book this year, but are focusing on lots of critical thinking and math puzzles.

• Math in Focus Course 2 Book B

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 3B and 4A. We are taking a bit of a break from our regular math books to dive into some financial literacy before we circle back. .

• Logic Countdown

• Evan Moor Financial Literacy G3

Social Studies

Arthur was using Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1. Unfortunately the company has yet to release the next volume. Instead, I decided to use Build Your Library L4 and Story of the World Vol. 4 to get us through Modern History. We dove into World War I these past two weeks.

• Story of the World Vol. 4

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• A Journey Through Art

• DK When on Earth

• World War I: Causes by Nathan Sacks

• Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting, by Jim Murphy

• Where Poppies Grow

• Life on the Western Front by Nick Hunter

• The Christmas Truce of 1914 by Tom Streissguth

• Smithsonian World War I Timeline by Pamela A Dell

• Living Through World War I by Nicola Barber

• DK Eyewitness World War I

• DK Find Out World War I

• World War I by Steven Otfinoski

• The War to End All Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman

Quentin is using Build Your Library Level 5 to begin our two year exploration of American History. We covered the Constitution and the Presidency of George Washington.

• History Quest United States History

• DK When on Earth?

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• DK American History

• We were There Too

• Words that Built a Nation

• A More Perfect Union: The Story of the Constitution by Betsy Maestro and Guilio Maestro

• The U.S. Constitution by Norman Pearl

• If You Were a Kid at the Signing of the Constitution by Janel Rodriguez

• Shhh! We're Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz

• The Constitution of the United States by Christine Taylor-Butler

• Our Country’s Presidents

• Brick by Brick by Charles R. Smith Jr.

• George Washington by Mike Venezia

• George Washington: The First President by Sarah Albee

• George Washington's Spectacular Spectacles: The Glasses that Saved America by Selene Castrovilla

• Smart About the First Ladies by Jon Buller and Susan Schade - Martha Washington

• Don't Know Much About the Presidents by Kenneth C. Davis - Washington

Science

Arthur is using RSO Earth and Environment 2 and later RSO Astronomy 2 for science. We are taking a break from Earth and Environment to start Astronomy 2. We also kept up with our physics prep for co-op.

• RSO Earth and Environment 2 (August-December; March-May)

• RSO Astronomy 2 (January-March)

• A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars by Seth Fishman

• Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

• Astrophysics for Young People by Neil DeGrasse Tyson

• DK Timelines of Nature

• Red Rover: Curiosity on Mars by Richard Ho

• Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover by Markus Motum

• DK Space

Quentin is using RSO Physics 1. We are taking a short break from Physics to focus on finishing our Story of Science volume.

• RSO Physics 1

• The Story of Science Vol. 1 by Joy Hakim

• Physics: Investigate the Mechanics of Nature by Jane Gardner

• Physics for Curious Kids Introduction

• The Way Things Work Now

Enrichment STEAM Co-op /Academic Co-op

We started back to our Academic Co-op this past week. Getting the room situation straightened out was a mess, but we made it. The classes for Week 1 went really well. Arthur has Physics 2, Hand Crafts and Art, and Wonders of the World. I’m teaching Wonders. Quentin has Wonders of the World, Gameschooling, and Independent Hour.

Art and Music

We are doing something a little different this year. Instead of trying to do music and art every week, we will be trading off. I realized last year these subjects were always the first to be cut when we had time constraints. We covered our next composers with Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and George Gershwin.

• DK Music and How it Works

• DK The Arts

• Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge

• The Story of the Incredible Orchestra by Bruce Koscielniak

• DK Art and How it Works

• 13 Art Techniques Children Should Know

• The Story of Paintings

• George Gershwin by Mike Venezia

• The Music in George's Head: George Gerswhin Creates Rhapsody in Blue by Suzanne Slade

• Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue by Anna Harwell Celenza

Field Trip/Activities

We had a lovely trip to the zoo with some friends. It’s always nice to go when it’s cold outside and less crowded.

We had another visit to the Joslyn Art Museum. While the boys were not that excited, I’m always excited to look at the art. It’s a lot of fun to be able to take the time and pick out a few pieces each visit to deep dive.

Quentin helped make dinner using his Christmas present

High

A few friends and us visited the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City for a few days. We took advantage of some great winter deals. Monday was busy as it was a holiday, but Tuesday and Wednesday were absolutely dead. So nice to be there without any crowds.

Low

Unfortunately, half the people came home from the lodge sick… Arthur was feeling off, but after some good sleep, seems to be fine now.

Next Week

• Starting new read alouds for everyone

• Continuing with our math textbook (A) and financial literacy (Q)

• Moving into the meat of World War I (A) and onto John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (Q) for history

• Covering stars (A) and more history (Q) for science

• Hopefully getting back into Academic Co-op!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #1

Reading: I’m in the middle of Sphere by Michael Crichton. It’s been so so long since I read this book. I’m thoroughly enjoying it!

Watching: I diverted from the K-dramas and finally started Agatha All Along. I’m over halfway through. Hoping to finish by the end of the month.

Listening: Black Veil Brides dropped a new single and I am obsessed with it! I cannot wait of the new album to drop later this month.

Making: I’ve been working on lesson plans for co-op past few days. I’m teaching Wonders of the World to the big kids this semester. Lots of wonder projects, lots of notes, and lots of slideshows to prepare.

Feeling: We’re still waiting on the college to get back to us about rooms for Academic Co-op that starts on Thursday. Needless to say that I am very anxious right now…

Planning: We are heading to Great Wolf Lodge in KC next week with friends. It should be a great couple of days, but it requires some planning and organizing. I need to pull our clothing. But I also need to review our food spreadsheet we made for the group to see what I need to add to the grocery list this week.

Loving: After the Christmas rush and some deliveries, I’m just so excited to look at all my Stray Kids merchandise. My PCs and posters have been partially displayed. My purse has been decorated. And I’m waiting not so patiently for the last few packages to arrive.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W15-18

What We Studied

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G6 for his language arts this year. While I love H&S, there’s never enough literature in there. Thankfully we have a stack of books just waiting to be picked up and read. Beyond H&S, we are focusing on expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension this year.

• Poetry: Hearth & Story G6

• Poetry: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll

• The Vocabulary Workbook for 6th Grade by Kelly Anne McLellan

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G3 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 3 and random books that we have around the house. We are also starting the Reading Explorer series to focus on reading comprehension and word choice. We ___________.

• Poetry: National Geography Book of Nature Poetry

• In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World by Virginia Hamilton

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 2. Effectively this is Singapore’s 7th grade math text. We finished up our textbook for this semester and spent time catching up. We will be playing a bit of review and catchup until January. We don’t have formal logic book this year, but are focusing on lots of critical thinking and math puzzles.

• Math in Focus Course 2 Book A

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 3B and 4A. We finished up our logic book before moving to more complicated puzzles.

• Primarily Logic

• Singapore Primary Common Core 3B

Social Studies

Arthur is using Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1. Unfortunately CC only has volume 1 published so far. This will take us to Christmas break. If they don’t release volume 2 by then, I’m going to have to do it myself.

• Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• A Journey Through Art

• DK When on Earth

Quentin is using Build Your Library Level 5 to begin our two year exploration of American History. We covered ________.

• History Quest United States History

• DK When on Earth?

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• DK American History

• We were There Too

• Words that Built a Nation

• King George: What was His Problem? by Steve Sheinkin

Science

Arthur is using RSO Earth and Environment 2 and later RSO Astronomy 2 for science. We kept up with our physics prep for co-op.

• RSO Earth and Environment 2 (August-November; March-May)

• RSO Astronomy 2 (November-March)

• DK Eyewitness Energy

Quentin is using RSO Physics 1.

• RSO Physics 1

• The Story of Science Vol. 1 by Joy Hakim

• Physics: Investigate the Mechanics of Nature by Jane Gardner

• Physics for Curious Kids Introduction

• The Way Things Work Now

Enrichment STEAM Co-op /Academic Co-op

We were off for Thanksgiving week. Last week, ________

Art and Music

We are doing something a little different this year. Instead of trying to do music and art every week, we will be trading off. I realized last year these subjects were always the first to be cut when we had time constraints.

• DK Music and How it Works

• DK The Arts

• Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge

• The Story of the Incredible Orchestra by Bruce Koscielniak

• DK Art and How it Works

• 13 Art Techniques Children Should Know

• The Story of Paintings

Field Trip/Activities

High

Low

Next Week

• Finishing our read aloud (Q) and starting a new read aloud (A)

• Moving forward with our math chapters - Close to finishing our current textbooks

• Learning about the Consumerism (A) and 1775-1776 (Q) for history

• Covering volcanoes (A) and how planes fly (Q) for science

• Taking a small break for Thanksgiving week

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• It’s our last week of Academic Co-op which means I need to transition to heavy planning until January.

• Excited about teaching Wonders of the World next semester for Co-op.

• Hoping that the weather holds out for my mom’s visit later this month.

• Saturday is going to be super busy. Looking forward to it, but also it’s going to be a lot…

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #20

Reading: In the middle of The Compound by Aisling Rawle. I really don’t know what I feel about this book. Definitely have mixed feelings.

Watching: We’ve made it to S4 of Babylon 5. We are completely flying through the seasons. We might actually finish the series by the end of the year.

Listening: Stray Kids’s new album has been on repeat since it dropped on November 21st. But in particular, I’ve been loving “Divine” so much. It’s my current favorite SKZ song.

Making: Feeling so accomplished that I’m currently working on my November Memory Planner Pages. They are already over halfway completed.

Feeling: Trying to plan a debrief and planning meeting for Academic Co-op and it’s very frustrating to find a date that works for most if not all members. At least point, I don’t think 100% attendance will be possible.

Planning: I’m still working on planning our events this Holiday Season. The calendar is starting to fill up.

Loving: J made a chocolate tart for Thanksgiving. It is just so good! We finished out the tart last night with one last slice. So rich, but so good.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• In the middle of a giant note-taking app transition for planning homeschool lessons and it’s going slow and painfully. I may not recover…

• On a brighter note, been loving all the new SKZ content being dropped every single day.

• On the other hand, I cannot keep up with all the content.

• I might need time to stop for like a week so I can catch up…

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W13-14: Two Weeks of Normal

What We Studied

Another two weeks down! We’re getting closer to our Christmas break here. Managing to get a lot of work in during this in-between month.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G6 for his language arts this year. While I love H&S, there’s never enough literature in there. Thankfully we have a stack of books just waiting to be picked up and read. Beyond H&S, we are focusing on expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension this year. We continued with our book club selection and I lined up our next read.

• Poetry: Hearth & Story G6

• Poetry: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll

• The Vocabulary Workbook for 6th Grade by Kelly Anne McLellan

• Granted by John David Anderson

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G3 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 3 and random books that we have around the house. We are also starting the Reading Explorer series to focus on reading comprehension and word choice. We continued with our read aloud, getting very close to finishing. I’ve had to slow down our reading time a bit to accommodate our general pace.

• Poetry: National Geography Book of Nature Poetry

• In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World by Virginia Hamilton

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 2. Effectively this is Singapore’s 7th grade math text. We finished up our textbook for this semester and spent time catching up. We will be playing a bit of review and catchup until January. We don’t have formal logic book this year, but are focusing on lots of critical thinking and math puzzles.

• Math in Focus Course 2 Book A

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 3B and 4A. We finished up our logic book before moving to more complicated puzzles. We covered a chapter reviewing time. We still have a few short chapters left in this textbook for the semester. Hoping we can get the, finished before Christmas.

• Primarily Logic

• Singapore Primary Common Core 3B

Social Studies

Arthur is using Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1. Unfortunately CC only has volume 1 published so far. This will take us to Christmas break. If they don’t release volume 2 by then, I’m going to have to do it myself.. The last four chapters of Volume 1 are all about aspects of modern society as opposed to regional history. We covered a chapter about Inventions, one about art.

• Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• A Journey Through Art

• DK When on Earth

• Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers

• Ice! The Amazing History of the Ice Business by Laurence Pringle

• The Eiffel Tower by Russell Roberts

• Eiffel Tower by Kristine Spanier

• Now That's Big: Eiffel Tower by Kate Riggs

• Action! How Movies Began by Meghan McCarthy

• The Fantastic Ferris Wheel: The Story of Inventor George Ferris by Betsy Harvey Kraft

• The Secret Subway by Shana Corey

• Lives of the Scientists by Kathleen Krull

• Who was Marie Curie? by Megan Stine

• No Horses in the House!: The Audacious Life of Artist Rosa Bonheur by Mireille Messier

• Paul Cezanne: A Painter’s Journey by Robert Burleigh and the National Gallery of Art

• What the Artist Saw: Claude Monet: He Saw the World in Brilliant Light by Amy Guglielmo

• What the Artist Saw: Paul Cézanne: He Saw the World in Spectacular Shapes by Amy Guglielmo

• Sarah Bernhardt: The Divine and Dazzling Life of the World’s First Superstar by Catherine Reef

• Carmen and the House that Gaudí Built by Susan Hughes

• Gaudí: Architect of Imagination by Susan B. Katz

• The Art and Life of Hilma af Klint by Ylva Hillström

Quentin is using Build Your Library Level 5 to begin our two year exploration of American History. We covered the run-up and beginnings of the American Revolution.

• History Quest United States History

• DK When on Earth?

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• DK American History

• We were There Too

• Words that Built a Nation

• King George: What was His Problem? by Steve Sheinkin

Science

Arthur is using RSO Earth and Environment 2 and later RSO Astronomy 2 for science. We kept up with our physics prep for co-op. Arthur also covered two chapters about faults and earthquakes. Mostly it was review for him, but we watching some good videos in the process.

• RSO Earth and Environment 2 (August-November; March-May)

• RSO Astronomy 2 (November-March)

• DK Eyewitness Energy

Quentin is using RSO Physics 1. We worked through a chapter about air pressure. Beyond our RSO, we read more chapters in our Story of Science covering Alexander, Euclid, and Archimedes.

• RSO Physics 1

• The Story of Science Vol. 1 by Joy Hakim

• Physics: Investigate the Mechanics of Nature by Jane Gardner

• Physics for Curious Kids Introduction

• The Way Things Work Now

Enrichment STEAM Co-op /Academic Co-op

Oof! These two weeks were a struggle in Academic Co-op. The littles classroom was chaotic and loud. The bigs classroom was full of snark and commentary. Here’s hoping we get back on track with attitudes and behavior.

Art and Music

We are doing something a little different this year. Instead of trying to do music and art every week, we will be trading off. I realized last year these subjects were always the first to be cut when we had time constraints. We spent one of our weeks covering Beethoven for music. The other week was spent covering frames for art.

• DK Music and How it Works

• DK The Arts

• Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge

• The Story of the Incredible Orchestra by Bruce Koscielniak

• DK Art and How it Works

• 13 Art Techniques Children Should Know

• The Story of Paintings

• Ludwig van Beethoven by Mike Venezia

• Iconic Composers by Nicholas Csicsko and Emi Ferguson

• Music is My Life by Myles Tanzer

• Welcome to the Symphony by Carolyn Sloan

Field Trip/Activities

Arthur wasn’t feeling good the first week so we scrapped our big activity plans.

High

We are getting very close to finishing all the schoolwork I had planned for the fall semester. I love being on track!

Low

Sickness. Always with the sickness in November.

Next Week

• Finishing our read aloud (Q) and starting a new read aloud (A)

• Moving forward with our math chapters - Close to finishing our current textbooks

• Learning about the Consumerism (A) and 1775-1776 (Q) for history

• Covering volcanoes (A) and how planes fly (Q) for science

• Taking a small break for Thanksgiving week

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #19

Reading: Another random library read with A Land So Wide by Erin A. Craig. I went in blind and am so glad that I did.

Watching: I still have three episodes left of The Nice Guy. I don’t know why it’s taking me so long to watch this series I have been really enjoying it. Maybe this week I will finally get through it.

Listening: While waiting for new Stray Kids music, I have been just hitting shuffle on my entire Apple Music library. Sometimes it’s a bit like whiplash when genres change, but I have had fun rediscovering some music in my library.

Making: We’re doing a Friendsgiving next week which means I need to start planning the menu. We have a few food restrictions on tap, but can definitely work around them. Definitely making twice baked sweet potatoes and another vegetable.

Feeling: I don’t really know why, but I am so cold this week. I will admit that this is a nice change from being so hot all the time, but I am very cold.

Planning: A friend and I are making mini travel plans for this Friday to find our preferred Stray Kids album. I cannot wait!

Loving: Stray Kids are dropping their new ep this week and I cannot wait!!! Not so patiently waiting for the music to be released.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #18

Reading: I randomly picked up This House is Haunted by John Boyne from the library shelves. It’s a homage to Dickens and gothic ghost stories. I’m really enjoying it so far.

Watching: We’re continuing our binge of Babylon 5. We’re up to S3 and things are so incredibly tense int he series.

Listening: After branching out to other K-pop bands and metal bands, I’m back to binging Stray Kids. I’m prepping for their comeback in a week and a half.

Making: I’m still enjoying the fall flavors by making apple desserts. Last night I made some pretty janky apple bourbon hand pies. They did not look good, but were definitely tasty. I’m thinking a vegan apple crisp for Thanksgiving.

Feeling: After the craziness of October, I’m very excited to just be cozy and sleepy. November is always a nice break from the busy season.

Planning: This holiday season our travel plans are very much up in the air. I think we are staying home, but Nick is going to Indiana and my mother is coming here. Maybe… Things are still very much in limbo right now.

Loving: With the cooler temps, I’m very much loving my cozy bed. My blankets are just so very very comfortable.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W11-12: October is My Favorite Month!

What We Studied

This is actually two regular weeks and a Flex week all in one. But as expected, the end of October was crazy busy and we had to adjust. Now that we’ve reached November, everything slows down and we can get more schoolwork in our regular weeks.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G6 for his language arts this year. While I love H&S, there’s never enough literature in there. Thankfully we have a stack of books just waiting to be picked up and read. Beyond H&S, we are focusing on expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension this year. We finished our current book club selection which is perfect for fall spooky season. In between we read some classic Grimm’s fairy tales. And we started the next book club selection.

• Poetry: Hearth & Story G6

• Poetry: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll

• The Vocabulary Workbook for 6th Grade by Kelly Anne McLellan

• The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien

• Grimm’s Fairy Tales

• Granted by John David Anderson

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G3 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 3 and random books that we have around the house. We are also starting the Reading Explorer series to focus on reading comprehension and word choice. We took a break from our read alouds to catch up on some other language arts work. But we are back to our read aloud with a great fantasy read that Arthur read for book club two years ago.

• Poetry: National Geography Book of Nature Poetry

• In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World by Virginia Hamilton

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 2. Effectively this is Singapore’s 7th grade math text. We covered a chapter about algebraic expressions. And then we paused so Arthur could catch up on math work before we finish out our current textbook. We don’t have formal logic book this year, but are focusing on lots of critical thinking and math puzzles.

• Math in Focus Course 2 Book A

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 3B and 4A. We finished up our logic book before moving to more complicated puzzles. We worked through a chapter about fractions. We spent more time on this chapter than I had planned, but we do lean towards mastery over here, so it was a good use of our time.

• Primarily Logic

• Singapore Primary Common Core 3B

Social Studies

Arthur is using Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1. Unfortunately CC only has volume 1 published so far. This will take us to Christmas break. If they don’t release volume 2 by then, I’m going to have to do it myself. We covered multiple sections for history these few weeks. We’ve mostly caught up to where I wanted us to be. We learned about Colonization in Southeast Asia, Colonization in Africa, and Displacement and Migration.

• Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• A Journey Through Art

• Suez Canal by Valerie Bodden

• Who Were Stanley and Livingstone? by Jim Gigliotti

• Leopold II: Butcher of the Congo by Tod Olson

• Gittel’s Journey: An Ellis Island Story by Lesléa Newman

• I Am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story by Martha Brockenbrough

• At Ellis Island by Louise Peacock

• Ellis Island and Immigration for Kids: A History with 21 Activities by Jean Daigneau

• Ellis Island: An Interactive History Adventure by Michael Burgan

• Ellis Island: Immigration and the American Dream by Felipe Galindo Feggo and Tait Howard (History Comics)

Quentin is using Build Your Library Level 5 to begin our two year exploration of American History. We covered the formation of the colonies.

• History Quest United States History

• DK When on Earth?

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• DK American History

• We were There Too

• 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving

• Words that Built a Nation

Science

Arthur is using RSO Earth and Environment 2 and later RSO Astronomy 2 for science. We managed to do all our prep for Academic Co-op’s Physics class. We focused on those videos and lessons and pushed our other science over for awhile.

• RSO Earth and Environment 2 (August-November; March-May)

• RSO Astronomy 2 (November-March)

• DK Eyewitness Energy

Quentin is using RSO Physics 1. We worked through all the simple machines chapters. We’re ready to switch to Air Pressure next week. We also read multiple chapters from our Story of Science volume.

• RSO Physics 1

• The Story of Science Vol. 1 by Joy Hakim

• Physics: Investigate the Mechanics of Nature by Jane Gardner

• Physics for Curious Kids Introduction

• The Way Things Work Now

Enrichment STEAM Co-op /Academic Co-op

We had our third, fourth, and fifth weeks of Academic Co-op. Week three was chaotic. I was not on board with the kids and their non-listening. Week four was better. Week five was quiet with multiple families out for sickness. On a bright spot, I got my regional history class caught up to where I want them. Quentin’s class has transitioned to learning about ocean biomes for November.

Art and Music

We are doing something a little different this year. Instead of trying to do music and art every week, we will be trading off. I realized last year these subjects were always the first to be cut when we had time constraints. We covered a few art sections about sculptures and early Christian art.

• DK Music and How it Works

• DK The Arts

• Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge

• The Story of the Incredible Orchestra by Bruce Koscielniak

• DK Art and How it Works

• 13 Art Techniques Children Should Know

• The Story of Paintings

Field Trip/Activities

We visited the SAC Museum for a co-op field trip. The planetarium show about Exoplanets was fascinating. The “lesson” if you can even call that was a joke. No actual information. The kids make paper rockets and launched them. No discussion about aerodynamics or anything. I don’t know why I thought this year would be different. I’m always so disappointed by their field trip offerings.

We also had a park playdate randomly on a beautiful warm day and our monthly zoo day. The zoo day included a ton of friends and the kids had a great time exploring the buildings that we skip during the summer.

High

Beyond multiple Vala’s visits, we had the Co-op Halloween Party. This year, we did a Trunk or Treat style and it worked out perfectly. I decorated the van (and myself) all in spiders. The kids enjoyed their time.

Low

Vala’s is closed for the year. Until next fall...

Next Week

• Continuing our read alouds

• Moving forward with our math chapters - Close to finishing our current textbooks

• Learning about the French and Indian War and Prelude to Revolution (Q) and Modernization (A) for history

• Covering Earthquakes (A) and Air Pressure (Q) for science

• Listening to Beethoven for music

• Going to Academic Co-op for Week 6

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Super tired from all the activities, but we are sneaking in two more Vala’s visits before they closed this weekend.

• Speaking of spooky, I’ve decided that November will also be spooky book/movie month. I’ve still got some things I want to read and watch hanging around.

• Academic Co-op went really well today. I wasn’t as tired as I thought I would be!

• My meal planning is all over the place this month. I need to do a fridge cleanout and an eat from the freezer week. Maybe I will feel better after that.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #17

Reading: I grabbed Alma Katsu’s new book, Fiend, hoping for another great horror read. I’m about a third of the way in, but it’s not quite hitting the mark. We will see where this book goes.

Watching: J and I have made it to S2 of Babylon 5. I didn’t think I would be, but I am very into this series now.

Listening: Stray Kids announced a comeback in November. Seriously! We just Karma in August. But until then, I have found some other K-pop bands new-to-me and added them to my playlist. I’m trying to be selective, but if I find someone I like, I add it.

Making: I finally found some time to dive into creating my September Memory Planner pages. I like being up to date.

Feeling: The temperatures had cooled to actual fall temperatures. I am so excited by this change! Beyond being cooler in body, I get to be cozy with blankets again.

Planning: Co-op Campfire Night is coming up in less than two weeks. I need to finish making my shopping list and decide if we need a second campsite.

Loving: I had a tattoo appointment last night. This is the first time that I impulse bought a tattoo. I chose from a collection of Halloween inspired flash. And I do not regret it at all!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W10: A Wild Week

What We Studied

Another week full of fall fun. We didn’t get a ton of school work done, but did make some progress on certain things. But we had a ton of fun with friends and catching up on life. So I will say that we had a good week.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G6 for his language arts this year. While I love H&S, there’s never enough literature in there. Thankfully we have a stack of books just waiting to be picked up and read. Beyond H&S, we are focusing on expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension this year. We started our current book club selection which is perfect for fall spooky season.

• Poetry: Hearth & Story G6

• Poetry: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll

• The Vocabulary Workbook for 6th Grade by Kelly Anne McLellan

• The Bellwoods Game by Celia Krampien

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G3 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 3 and random books that we have around the house. We are also starting the Reading Explorer series to focus on reading comprehension and word choice. We took a break from our read alouds to catch up on some other language arts and math work.

• Poetry: National Geography Book of Nature Poetry

• In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World by Virginia Hamilton

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 2. Effectively this is Singapore’s 7th grade math text. We covered a chapter about algebraic expressions. We don’t have formal logic book this year, but are focusing on lots of critical thinking and math puzzles.

• Math in Focus Course 2 Book A

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 3B and 4A. We finished up our logic book before moving to more complicated puzzles. We began a chapter about fractions.

• Primarily Logic

• Singapore Primary Common Core 3B

Social Studies

Arthur is using Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1. Unfortunately CC only has volume 1 published so far. This will take us to Christmas break. If they don’t release volume 2 by then, I’m going to have to do it myself. We skipped history this week in favor of science.

• Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• A Journey Through Art

Quentin is using Build Your Library Level 5 to begin our two year exploration of American History. We skipped history this year in favor of science.

• History Quest United States History

• DK When on Earth?

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• DK American History

Science

Arthur is using RSO Earth and Environment 2 and later RSO Astronomy 2 for science. We managed to do all our prep for Academic Co-op’s Physics class. The videos and practice problems took an entire science block but it was a good lesson. We even had time to fit in our next Earth Science lesson in between.

• RSO Earth and Environment 2 (August-November; March-May)

• RSO Astronomy 2 (November-March)

• DK Eyewitness Energy

Quentin is using RSO Physics 1. We covered our next chapter about planes and wedges. We will stay with simple machines for the next month or so.

• RSO Physics 1

• The Story of Science Vol. 1 by Joy Hakim

• Physics: Investigate the Mechanics of Nature by Jane Gardner

• Physics for Curious Kids Introduction

• The Way Things Work Now

• Energy by Matt Mullins

• Energy by Nancy Dickmann

• Physics by Jane Gardner

• Life, Mix, Fling! Machines Can Do Anything by Lola M. Schaefer

Enrichment STEAM Co-op /Academic Co-op

We had our second week of Academic Co-op. Things went much better this week than the previous week. Hopefully we are getting our groove. Arthur had a good week learning about physics and prehistoric Nebraska and playing chess and mancala. Quentin learned about bats and played some games.

Art and Music

We are doing something a little different this year. Instead of trying to do music and art every week, we will be trading off. I realized last year these subjects were always the first to be cut when we had time constraints. We managed a short lesson about Ancient Asian art for this week.

• DK Music and How it Works

• DK The Arts

• Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge

• The Story of the Incredible Orchestra by Bruce Koscielniak

Field Trip/Activities

We had another visit to Vala’s for our weekly fun.

High

On Friday, a friend hosted a curriculum planning event. It’s a chance for us adults to body double and/or socialize while planning our homeschool journey. It’s also a chance for the kids to hang out without any agenda or activity planned. It was a short event, but a lovely event.

Low

I ended the week very tired. Still struggling with our balance of activities and school.

Next Week

• Continuing our read aloud (A) and starting a new read aloud (Q)

• Moving forward with our math chapters

• Learning about the New England and Atlantic English colonies (Q) and Colonization in Southeast Asia (A) for history

• Covering Newton’s Laws (A) and more simple machines (Q) for science

• Going to Academic Co-op for Week 3

• Visiting Vala’s, celebrating the Co-op Halloween Party, and exploring the SAC Museum for a field trip

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• I’m so busy this week!!! Between activities, school, and prepping for the birthday party (and this pesky cough), I am toast.

• Getting excited for my tattoo appointment on Monday. And I have an idea of a second one for maybe November…

• Still trying to embrace the fall and all the flavors. I love all things fall.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W8-9: Two Light Weeks

What We Studied

Fall is such a busy time for us. Between homeschool, the switch from enrichment to academic co-op, and fall activities such as Vala’s, we have lots of packed weeks. Instead of two full school weeks, we had two light school weeks with lots of activities and such. And our second week was plagued with sickness from me. I caught that stupid cough that everyone I know has had this fall.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur is primarily using Hearth and Story G6 for his language arts this year. While I love H&S, there’s never enough literature in there. Thankfully we have a stack of books just waiting to be picked up and read. Beyond H&S, we are focusing on expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension this year. We finished our current read aloud and stated on some spooky reads for the month.

• Poetry: Hearth & Story G6

• Poetry: A Child’s Introduction to Poetry by Michael Driscoll

• The Vocabulary Workbook for 6th Grade by Kelly Anne McLellan

• The Story Collector by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

• The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories by Washington Irving

Quentin is primarily using Blossom & Root G3 for his language arts this year. We will pull some elements from Build Your Library Level 3 and random books that we have around the house. We are also starting the Reading Explorer series to focus on reading comprehension and word choice. We finished one of my favorite reads.

• Poetry: National Geography Book of Nature Poetry

• Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

• In the Beginning: Creation Stories from Around the World by Virginia Hamilton

Math

Arthur is using Singapore’s Math in Focus Course 2. Effectively this is Singapore’s 7th grade math text. We covered a chapter about algebraic expressions. We don’t have formal logic book this year, but are focusing on lots of critical thinking and math puzzles.

• Math in Focus Course 2 Book A

Quentin is using Singapore’s Primary Mathematics Common Core edition 3B and 4A. We finished up our logic book before moving to more complicated puzzles. We started and finished our next chapter about money and followed up with some practice and review.

• Primarily Logic

• Singapore Primary Common Core 3B

Social Studies

Arthur is using Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1. Unfortunately CC only has volume 1 published so far. This will take us to Christmas break. If they don’t release volume 2 by then, I’m going to have to do it myself. We covered Modernization in East Asia focusing on Japan and China.

• Curiosity Chronicles Modern History Vol. 1

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• A Journey Through Art

Quentin is using Build Your Library Level 5 to begin our two year exploration of American History. We dove into the European colonization of North America.

• History Quest United States History

• DK When on Earth?

• DK History

• DK Timelines of Everything

• DK Timelines of Everyone

• DK A Child Through Time

• An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

• Turtle Island: The Story of North America’s First People by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger

• What the Eagle Sees: Indigenous Stories of Rebellion and Renewal by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger

• DK American History

Science

Arthur is using RSO Earth and Environment 2 and later RSO Astronomy 2 for science. Instead of focusing on Earth Science, we shifted to preparation for Physics in Academic Co-op.

• RSO Earth and Environment 2 (August-November; March-May)

• RSO Astronomy 2 (November-March)

• DK Eyewitness Energy

Quentin is using RSO Physics 1. We took a break from Physics to continue reading our Story of Science chapters. These chapters focused on discoveries of the Greeks. We also watch the two part documentary A to Z about the beginning of alphabets and writings.

• RSO Physics 1

• The Story of Science Vol. 1 by Joy Hakim

• Physics: Investigate the Mechanics of Nature by Jane Gardner

• Physics for Curious Kids Introduction

• The Way Things Work Now

Enrichment STEAM Co-op /Academic Co-op

We officially finished the 2025 of Enrichment Co-op with a light week exploring math and art. This past week we jumped right into the Academic Co-op. We had a few hiccups (mostly technology), but that’s to be expected. Beyond that, we really did have a great week. Here’s to having eight more great weeks of learning.

Art and Music

We are doing something a little different this year. Instead of trying to do music and art every week, we will be trading off. I realized last year these subjects were always the first to be cut when we had time constraints. We covered our next composer and the classical era by focusing on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

• DK Music and How it Works

• DK The Arts

• Why is Art Full of Naked People? by Susie Hodge

• The Story of the Incredible Orchestra by Bruce Koscielniak

• Mozart Finds a Melody by Stephen Costanza

• Mozart: The Wonder Child by Diane Stanely

• Great Lives in Graphics: Mozart

• Welcome to the Opera by Carolyn Sloan

Field Trip/Activities

We went to Vala’s for our weekly visit, but had to skip this past week because I was sick.

High

We managed to get a ton of school done in between activities and sickness.

Low

On Tuesday two weeks ago, we got a flat tire coming home from school pictures. We ended up waiting four hours for roadside assistance wiping out our entire afternoon’s plans. Taking care of getting a new tire bled into Wednesday morning disrupted our day’s plan. Overall, my entire week was derailed trying to take care of car crap.

Next Week

• Starting our new read alouds

• Moving forward with our math chapters

• Learning about the New England and Atlantic English colonies (Q) and Colonization in Southeast Asia (A) for history

• Covering erosion and weather (A) and motion (Q) for science

• Going to Academic Co-op for Week 2 — Arthur’s class is covering prehistoric Nebraska for my class

• Visiting Vala’s

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #16

Reading: After hearing about it from retreat friends, I picked up Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli. It’s a whole fantasy enemies-to-lovers YA story. Not my absolute favorite, but I’m interested to see where this goes.

Watching: J and I started Slow Horses S5. It’s such a well-done spy thriller show.

Listening: For whatever reason, I’ve been putting my entire Apple Music collection on shuffle. I have very eclectic tastes in music.

Making: My brain is getting cluttered again with all the to-dos, so I’ve been making lists. Homeschool lists, life lists, projects lists, household lists, etc. All the lists!

Feeling: Sick. I caught a cold this past week and it was resulted in a nasty cough. Hoping it clears up soon. We have things to do!

Planning: The boys’ birthday party is coming in less than two weeks. I have a rough outline of what we’re doing (video game tournament) but need to make all the definite plans.

Loving: Being sick, I’m loving getting some decent sleep. Seriously loving my bed right now.

Next up on the TBR pile: