What We Studied
The temperature finally went above 60 degrees for a great day out and about. We took off the rest of Thursday in favor of joining friends at the park. As such, the school bookwork was lighter this week. And I apparently didn’t take many photos at all…
Literature and Poetry
We still reading the coop book club selection. I’m interested in the overall mystery, but the pacing is very slow.
The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
To follow up after the previous week’s Shakespeare unit, our literature selection is a retelling of Midsummer Night’s Dream. I’m very into this book and Arthur has also been enjoying it.
Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson
Emily Writes: Emily Dickinson and Her Poetic Beginnings by Jane Yolen
Midsummer’s Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca
Quentin focused on reading animal stories from around the world. I’m trying to line them up with our continents as we move across the world. We started the second book in the Heartwood Hotel series. Quentin likes the gentle nature of these books.
Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
Heartwood Hotel: The Greatest Gift by Kallie George
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Math
For both boys, we have scheduled math for three days a week. One day is focused on logic, games, puzzles, and special projects. The two other days are focused on covering the main math curriculum (Singapore 4A and 4B for Arthur and Singapore 1A and 1B for Quentin). Arthur‘s been working on a review workbook before we move onto a Personal Finance unit. Quentin is moving through 1B now.
Kumon Geometry and Measurement Grade 4 WB
Singapore 1B
Social Studies
Arthur continued his large study of United States history using a combination of Build Your Library Level 5 and History Quest United States History. We covered the harsh reality of slavery in America and learned more about Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass.
A Kid’s Guide to Native American History by Yvonne Wakim Dennis
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
We were There Too by Philip Hoose
Words that Built a Nation
History Quest: U.S. History
A Different Mirror
DK American History Visual Encyclopedia
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson
Nat Geo Our Country’s Presidents
What the Eagle Sees
A is for Abigail: F for First Ladies
Smart About the First Ladies
Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson
An Apple for Harriet Tubman by Glennette Tilley Turner
Follow the Drinking Gourd by Cari Meister
Two Friends by Dean Robbins
Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We continued our study of Africa with a focus on Central African nations.
Nat Geo Beginner’s World Atlas
DK Countries of the World
DK Children Just Like Me
DK Children Just Like Me: A School Like Mine
Africa is Not a Country by Margy Burns Knight and Mark Melnicove
Jaha and Jamil Went Down the Hill by Virginia Kroll
Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales
Misoso: Once Upon a Time Tales from Africa by Verna Aardema
Arthur Independent Time
We are working on following a checklist in a planner for weekly independent work. There’s usually some math workbook pages, an ELA packet, weekly writing prompts (1-2 times a week), independent reading time, and a special creative project. There has been many drawing projects lately.
Science
Arthur is focusing on Physics this year. We are covering the text and related videos at home and then joining friends for experiments and extra projects. We finally got back together of science and the boys make a force field engine. We’ll be spending the next week (or two) building model engines. On the other side, we finished reading The Story of Science Vol. 1. Arthur wants us to immediately continue to volume two. I’m still thinking on. it.
RSO Physics
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Joy Hakim
The Way Things Work Now
Quentin will be focusing on animal science with BYL Level 0. We continued watching a new documentary series called Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s a behind the scenes look at caring for the animals at the park. Each episode is less than 30 minutes, so it’s a perfect length for Q.
Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George
African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways by Avis Harley
African Critters by Robert B. Haas
STEAM Coop
The little kids focused on telescopes this week, making their own simple telescope. The big kids had to create crash test dummy cars. Each pair of students had to ram their car into the wall with a raw egg passenger. Amazingly, all six eggs survived their ordeal! The kids really got into this project.
Art/Music/Crafts/Cooking/Documentary
We’re planning one doing on art project and one cooking project each week as well as picking a composer or musician to listen to and enjoy.
Field Trip
No field trip this week
High
We spent many hours outside this week. Thursday afternoon was all about a park playdate with lots of friends. Friday, we walked the trail around Walnut Creek Lake (about 3 miles) with lots of friends. I’m so proud of all of the kids for making it all the way around the lake. They even had energy for the island play area and the playground.
Low
Little school work - I don’t regret spending the time outside, but had hoped to get to school work Friday afternoon. It just didn’t happen. Oh well. I’m not too upset, but it does add more for next week.
We are renting chicks again this year.
Next Week
Continuing a Midsummer Night’s Dream retelling novel, the coop book club selection, and Heartwood Hotel
Starting a financial literacy unit (both kids)
Building engines for physics
Moving to East Africa
Fitting in animal science for Q
Next up on the TBR pile:
