Homeschool W22: We Caught Up with Our Week!

What We Studied

We had a Flex Week and a regular week encompassing the last two weeks. Adding Flex Weeks into our yearly schedule has been a game changer! They allow us to take breaks that make sense to us and then use the Flex Weeks to catch up on the units.

Literature and Poetry

For the coop book club, we finished our selection and had a great book club meeting.

Winterhouse by Ben Guterson

We started and finished our read aloud. Arthur really got into it and we hd some great discussion about homelessness and financial difficulties. It’s a fairly gentle story that really touches on some serious topics. Great pick!

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
One World, Many Religions by Mary Pope Osborne
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

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 also started a new read aloud. He’s been slow to warm up to it, but I think we’re really going to enjoy this one.

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss (Q reads)
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
FriendBots: Blink and Block Make a Wish by Vicky Fang (Q Reads)

Math

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Singapore 1A

Working on lighting his animation project

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 took a week off from history (Flex Week) and then covered Thomas Jefferson’s Presidency minus the Lewis and Clark expedition. That portion will be covered with a larger unit about exploring the west. I also found a great documentary about Monticello (The History of Home: History’s Greatest Homes).

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
Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Hunt: The True Story of the Quest for America's Biggest Bones by Carrie Clickard
Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock
Thomas Jefferson: A Day at Monticello by Elizabeth V. Chew
Jefferson Measures a Moose by Mara Rockliff

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We’re continuing with our Asian country study. We covered more of Asia and moved into the Middle East.

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
Nasreen's Secret School: A True Story from Afghanistan by Jeanette Winter
A Sky-Blue Bench by Bahram Rahman
The Sky of Afghanistan by Ana Eulate & Sonja Wimmer
Count Your Way Through Afghanistan by Jim Haskins & Kathleen Benson
I am Malala Yousafzai by Brad Meltzer
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai
I See the Sun in Turkey by Dedie King
Silent Music: A Story of Baghdad by James Rumford
The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter
Joha Makes a Wish by Eric A. Kimmel

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. Continuing our physic study with lessons on atoms and sensors. We were going to watch a Modern Marvels episode about radar but our copy was very wrong. Instead, I found a Mythbusters episode of them trying to beat a speed radar. Adjacent, but good addition to our science. And we watched a classic episode of Bill Nye: The Science Guy about atoms and molecules.

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 started 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. We also talked a lot about what animals do in winter.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

STEAM Coop

Arthur’s group is continuing its big stop-motion animation project. They were supposed to finish filming this past week, but coop was cancelled due to weather. We made the decision to shift the next three weeks so the kids could finish out their project. The littles started their unit on stars and astronomy. They are also going to finish next week.

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

We took a trip to the SAC Museum. The lesson they provided wasn’t that exciting, but we had lots of free exploration time. The museum has updated the kids exploration area adding in lots of new games. All the kids were very excited to design their own jet and then fly it on the flight simulator. They each did it about three times. Lots of fun!

We also got back on our 52 Hike plan with a lovely (and cold) morning at Heron Haven. Glad we wore our snow boots as the drifts were about 5 inches deep.

High

We had our coop Valentine’s Day Party. It was a great time and the kids got lots of time to hang out with their friends.

Low

A snowstorm put a wrench into our coop plans. Oh well, it happens living in the Midwest.

Next Week

Starting a new read aloud (A)
Getting close to finishing Singapore 4B for math (A)
Covering static electricity for physics
Moving to Madison and the War of 1812 for US History
Continuing our current read aloud (Q)
Watching a few more animal documentaries
Joining a friend’s new Nature Explorers group on Friday morning.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

We’re supposed to get a winter storm today, but I’m unsure that anything is really going coming down.
My current book is amazing, but slow going. Still, I am really enjoying it.
Getting Valentine’s candy on clearance is my favorite.
I need to set up my science lessons for the next two weeks.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #2

Reading: Babel by R.F. Kuang - We’re reading this for my Nerdy Bookish Friends buddy read and it’s amazing so far. Definitely speculative fiction mixed with historical fiction with a dash of fantasy. I’m slowly making my way through it, but loving every page.

Watching: We’re finishing our big rewatch of His Dark Materials. The television series is a great adaptation of the books.

Listening: I’m catching up to Currently Reading. Only about three episodes behind.

Making: I keep forgetting about various documentaries we own that would be perfect for our homeschooling. So, I’m making a master list to slot into the places they belong.

Feeling: I’m almost fully recovered from the cold that I caught last week. It was my first true cold since the pandemic started and it was awful. I couldn’t breathe for three days.

Planning: Working on the plans for the bookish retreat and I’m having so much fun. I’ve got some ideas for great treats and surprises as well as a few games.

Loving: Dealing with multiple instances of people not reading the instructions and it’s really been getting to me. I try to be as clear as possible with instructions when it comes to coop, the retreat, and everything else I plan. Just read the instructions people.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W21: And Now I Have a Cold!

What We Studied

Another week with basically no photos. I think I need to set a few reminders.

The start of 2023 has not been going well for us school wise. Between my surgery, the kids getting a cold, and then then giving me their cold, we’ve had more half weeks than I care to think bout. We’re still trying to keep up with our read aloud and our math, but lots of the other subjects have slowed down to accommodate lots of rest for everyone. We’ve also had to cancel a ton of activities. I know that we will make up for it laster this semester, but it’s a bit discouraging to deal with all the delays and setbacks.

Literature and Poetry

For the coop book club, w'e’re continuing our current selection. I’m really really enjoying this book and I know that Arthur is also. We’re also at the end, but it’s been pretty slow going this past week.

Winterhouse by Ben Guterson

Arthur and I started our next read aloud. Instead of a literature selection from our language arts curriculum, I chose a historical fiction selection from our history curriculum. It’s an intense story, but I thought it would be interesting read about a plague in our country’s history. And it fits nicely with the time period we are studying in U.S. History this month. We finished that read aloud, although Arthur still needs to do some of his wrap-up work for it.

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
One World, Many Religions by Mary Pope Osborne
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson

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.

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Math

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Singapore 1A

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 Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams. We also learned a bit more about the conflicts with the Indigenous peoples west of the Appalachian Mountains.

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
Brick by Brick by Charles R. Smith Jr.

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We’re continuing with our Asian country study. This week we covered Southeast Asia. Along with our study of the geography and people, we went to the Asian Market and bought a ton of foods from Asia. We did multiple tasting nights. The boys really enjoyed the steamed custard buns.

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
Mela and the Elephant by Dow Phumiruk
I See the Sun in Myanmar by Dedie King
A Different Pond by Bao Phi B&R 14 (Vietnam)
My Night in the Planetarium by Innosanto Nagara (Indonesia)
Nana, Nanek, and Nina by Liza Ferneyhough (Malaysia)
Wishes by Muon Thi Van
The Umbrella Queen by Shirin Yim Bridges (Thailand)
The Floating Field: How a Group pf Thai Boys Built Their Own Soccer Field by Scott Riley (Thailand)
Peek! by Minfong Ho (Thailand)
I am a Little Monk by Mi-hwa Joo (Thailand)
My First Book of Tagalog Words by Liana Romuto (Philippines)
Judge Rabbit and the Tree Spirit by Lina Mao Wall (Cambodia)
My First Book of Indonesian Words by Linda Hibbs (Indonesia)
When Lola Visits by Michelle Sterling (Philippines)
Hush! by Minfong Ho (Thailand)
Cora Cooks Pancit by Dorina K. Lazo Gilmore (Philippines)
Mango Trees by Tae-yeon Kim (Philippines)
Ten Mice for Tet by Peggy Deitz Shea (Vietnam)
Grandfather's Dream by Holly Keller
An Elephant in the Backyard by Richard Sobol
Fly Free! by Roseanne Thong
Nine-in-One by Blia Xiong
Mali Under the Night Sky by YOUME
Where are You, Sun Bear? by Eun-mi Choi
Mommy Sayang by Rosana Sullivan
Brother Rabbit by Minfong Ho & Saphan Ros

Arthur Independent Time

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 ended up skipping out shared science lesson (sickness), but did cover another chapter in The Story of Science and watched another episode of the BBC documentary series: How the Earth

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.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George

STEAM Coop

Arthur’s group is continuing its big stop-motion animation project. The kids are continuing their planning and prep for actual filming next week. Quentin’s group focused on learning about nutrition. There was a sorting game that he really liked.

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.

After dinner game of Guess in 10: Dinosaurs

Field Trip

No field trip this week.

High

. We managed to sneak in a few family game times this week.

Low

Because of being sick, we had to cancel a board game day and a winter hike.

Next Week

We’ll be using our Flex Week to catch up on some subjects and start our new read alouds.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

I finally caught the cold that the boys had. It’s terrible. I hate not being able to sleep.
As such, I will not be going to coop tomorrow, but hoping to drop off Arthur as he’s fully recovered.
Halfway through our rewatch of His Dark Materials and it’s just as good as I remembered.
Two dud reads in a row was not fun at all. Thankfully I started a fun romance that’s making me want to read.

Next up on the TBR pile:

February 2023 Life Goals

Let’s check in on January’s goals and my progress.

Read 18 Books ✓ - I blew this out of the water!
Make All the Appointments! (Medical related)
Plan Out Curriculum and Coop for Spring
Execute a Homeschool Seminar ✓
Clean and Organize My Office!
Take it Easy after a Minor Surgery ✓

February Goals:

Read 18 Books
Get Back into Our School/Social Routine
Plan Another Homeschool Seminar
Set Up Coop Events for February through March
Go on Four Winter Hikes

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W20: Getting Back into Our Routine

What We Studied

Another week with basically no photos.

I’m finally mostly recovered from surgery, so we started to get back into our regular routine this week. We managed to have a bit of school every day along with a few activities and outings. Plus, I managed to squeeze in a dentist appointment and trip to the grocery story.

Literature and Poetry

For the coop book club, w'e’re continuing our current selection. I’m really really enjoying this book and I know that Arthur is also.

Winterhouse by Ben Guterson

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
One World, Many Religions by Mary Pope Osborne
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson

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.

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dagliesh
Pig and Pug by Laura Marchesani (Quentin Reads)
I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss (Quentin Reads)

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Singapore 1A

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 Articles of Confederation era as well as the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

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
Shhh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We’re continuing with our Asian country study. This week we covered the rest of East Asia then hopped on over to the Indian subcontinent.

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
Follow Me Around Japan by Wiley Blevins
Living in South Korea by Chloe Perkins
Follow Me Around South Korea by Wiley Blevins
The Korean Cinderella by Shirley Climo
The Discovery of Ramen by Phil Amara and Oliver Chin
Grass Sandals: The Travels of Basho by Dawnine Spivak
One Leaf Rides the Wind by Celeste Davidson Mannis
The Origami Master by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
I, Doko by Ed Young
Chibi Samurai Wants a Pet by Sanae Ishida
Ba-chan The Ninja Grandma by Sanae Ishida
A Pair of Red Clogs by Masako Matsuno
Gigi and Ojiji: What's in a Name? by Melissa Iwai
Living In India by Chloe Perkins
Leila in Saffron by Rukhsanna Guidroz
Mama's Saris by Pooja Makhijani
I See the Sun in India by Dedie King
I See the Sun in Nepal by Dedie King

Arthur Independent Time

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. This week was all about magnets! We did some simple magnet experiments. Next week, we will play some games with magnets and make a compass.

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.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George
A Little Round Panda on the Big Blue Earth by Troy Christie

STEAM Coop

Arthur’s group is continuing its big stop-motion animation project. The kids are planning and storyboarding before they get to actually film the movies. Quentin’s group focused on learning about nutrition. There was lots of sorting different foods and even trying a few.

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

Another great winter walk this week! We joined some friends at the OPPD Arboretum and tromped through the snow and the woods.

Low

The cold temperatures kept us inside more than I would have liked this week.

Next Week

Continuing our historical fiction read aloud
Keeping on with our math curriculum
Covering Southeast Asia for SS (Q)
Learning about our first two presidents (A)
Playing with magnets for physics
Going on another winter hike

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Bucket List Update #1

Entering into another winter bucket list.

Go Sledding ✓ - Backyard, but we still did it!
Read 45 Books (25/45)
Bake Some Bread ✓ - I’ve actually made multiple loaves so far this year.
Make Winter Crafts
Movie Month February
Make Valentines
Go on 5 Winter Hikes (3/5)
Have an Indoor Picnic
Make a Snow Globe
Complete 3 Puzzles
Buy Some New Cozy Pajamas
Check Off 50 Hours Outside
Have a Birthday Day Out
Visit the Zoo 3 Times (1/3)
Monthly Bingo/Trivia Nights (1/3)
Take the Kids Bowling
Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Make a New Dessert
Make a Bird Feeder
Have an Ice Cream Sundae Night

Next Up on the TBR Pile:

Life Right Now #3

As I look outside my window: It looks pretty out there, but I know that it’s very very cold this weekend.

Right now I am: Sneaking in a few pages of my book before I need to make brunch.

On my bedside table: Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire; The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

On my tv this week: J and I started a rewatch of His Dark Materials S1 and S2 in anticipation of watching S3. I forgot just how much happens in every episode, but it’s just so incredibly good.

Listening to: Not much this week. I’ve been getting back into the swing of things, but that meant more doing and less listening. I did catch up with Love to See It, Pod Save America, and If Books Could Kill.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Tuesday - Chicken Pad Thai Nachoes
Wednesday - Crab and Asparagus Soup
Thursday - Broccoli Beef with Rice
Friday - Pizza Night
Saturday - Italian Noodle Soup
Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: I want to organize some things, read, and do a bit of crafting today. But first, I need to finish making a meal plan and grocery list. I should also review our science plans for the week.

Happening this week:

Monday - Home Day
Tuesday - Coop Board Games Meeting
Wednesday - Science
Thursday - Coop; Lit Society
Friday - Winter Hike at Fontenelle Forest
Saturday - Home Day
Sunday - Dragons and Mythical Beasts at The Orpheum

What I am creating: I finally really started my 2022 December Daily album. I need more photo paper to print images, but I got about 80% of them printed and ready to go. I also picked my paper and base color palette. I’ll be just using my stash instead of buying a new kit. I’ve finished three simple pages, only ~500 to go (exaggeration, but it really feels like that many).

My simple pleasures: A good night’s sleep, being back at coop, fresh homemade bread

Looking around the house: I really should vacuum today. And I need to do laundry and put away the clothes…

From the camera: Winter hike at the OPPD Arboretum with some coop friends. I really enjoy taking walks in the winter, who would have guessed?

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

We’re restarting the His Dark Materials television series to remember everything before starting season three. It is one of our favorite book series. The series has been a really good adaptation.
Somehow our oldest class of coop has ballooned up tot 16 students. Goodness! We have grown.
So many romance books this month. My reading has exploded!
My body is feeling better although I still get twinges of pain now and then.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Homeschool W18-19: It's Been a Strange Two Weeks...

What We Studied

We started off the spring semester with a normal week. And then, I had a minor outpatient surgery that knocked me back an entire week. So it was more like a 1 1/4 weeks of actual curriculum. At least we got outside and got to see our friends before I had to stay home. I tried to keep our read alouds going, but really let everything else go.

Literature and Poetry

For the coop book club, we finished reading our current book, Samantha Spinner. We had a fun club discussion with multiple friends. We then started our next selection. I’m really looking forward to that one.

Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans by Russell Ginns
Winterhouse by Ben Guterson

Arthur and I read a survival story over the last two weeks. I didn’t know if he would really get into it, but turns out that he loved it. He even wants to read the two sequels. I told him that we could get them from the library and he could read them during independent reading. He also started learning how to write in cursive. We’re working on it! And Arthur started his study of the world religions.

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
El Deafo by Cece Bell
One World, Many Religions by Mary Pope Osborne
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson

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. For starting the study of Asia, Q and read a book focused on a Taiwanese-American family celebrating Chinese New Year and going about their year.

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Pete the Cat's Groovy Bake Sale (Quentin Read)
The Mighty Avengers: These are the Avengers (Quentin Read)

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). During one of my off days, I pulled out the winter tangrams for the boys to enjoy. They are always a good distraction.

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Singapore 1A

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’ve finished our study of the Revolutionary War. We’ve also continued reading the beginning of Laurie Halse Anderston’s trilogy about slavery in America.

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
King George: What was His Problem? How to Start a Revolution
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
George Vs. George by Rosalyn Schanzer
Forgotten Founders by Mifflin Lowe

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We’ve moved into Asia started with the central asian countries of the former Soviet Union.

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
Follow Me Around China by Wiley Blevins
Living in China by Chloe Perkins
Z is for Zodiac by Elizabeth Rush
The Empty Pot by Demi
Daisy Comes Home by Jan Brett
Lost and Found: Adèle and Simon in China by Barbara McClintock
The Discovery of Fireworks and Gunpowder by Phil Amara and Oliver Chin
Lon Po Po by Ed Young
Liang and the Magic Paintbrush by Demi
Hot Pot Night by Vincent Chen

Arthur Independent Time

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 covered sound waves. Our friends led the boys to some great experiments. We skipped science the second week due to my recovery.

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.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George

STEAM Coop

We had our first meeting of the year. Arthur started learning how to create stop-motion animation. Quentin learned about marine layers and ocean animals. The second week, we wouldn’t have gone to coop because of my recovery. That was going to be okay with us, but coop was cancelled due to the weather.

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. We managed to watch the first episode of How the Earth Changed History. The episode was all about how water has changed the course of civilizations.

Field Trip

We headed to the zoo to focus on ocean animals. We visited the aquarium, sea lions, and stingray beach. It was lovely winter visit.

High

We managed two winter hikes before my surgery. We walked the 3 mile loop at Schramm with some our close friends. We also visited Heron Haven with some other friends. It was lovely to see the nature ares in the height of winter. The iced-over wetlands were very neat to see.

Low

Recovery from surgery has been rough. I could not do much and definitely could not get out of a bed multiple times a day.

Next Week

Starting two new read alouds for literature
Keeping on with our math curriculum
Moving farther east in Asia for SS (Q)
Creating a Constitution for history (A)
Covering magnets for physics
Watching another episode of our documentary series

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #2

Right now I am: Deciding what to make for brunch. J picked up some cinnamon rolls, but I’m debating on bacon or sausage to go with them and eggs.

Thinking and pondering: How longer until I’m healed? I know the surgeon said two weeks, but I’m hoping to be able to get out and about before that. So far, I’m one week out and feeling decent. But the pain really comes and goes throughout the day.

On my bedside table: Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack; The Dollhouse Family; At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost

On my tv this week: Not too much tv this week. I’ve been going to bed early because of all the healing. We did manage to watch a few episodes of Mythic Quest, Avenue 5, and Leverage: Redemption. We also watched a couple of classic murder mystery movies (Evil Under the Sun and Deathtrap). We’ve been on a weird murder mystery kick after watching a video reviewing 10 classic movies. We hadn’t seen most of them, so off we went on a movie plan.

Listening to: Just the usual podcasts. I haven’t even really listened to music at all this week. Very strange! But I also haven’t driven anywhere, so I guess that makes sense.

On the menu for this week: It’s a soup heavy week!

Monday - Cawl Cennin
Tuesday - Out for Book Club (hopefully)
Wednesday - Chicken Ranch Tacos and Black Bean Soup
Thursday - Baked Potato Soup
Friday - Apple Bacon Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Saturday - Cajun Chicken and Sausage Alfredo
Sunday - Leftovers

On my to do list: It’s a mile long, but I still can only really do things that have me sitting in one spot. I have taken some time to work on the Bookish Retreat in June and the coop calendar. I’ll probably keep at that for awhile until I can move around better.

Happening this week:

Monday - Home
Tuesday - Dentist cleaning; Book Club (hopefully)
Wednesday - Science at our house
Thursday - Coop
Friday - Nature Walk at OPPD Arboretum
Saturday - Book Club (other one)
Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: Nothing really. I do want to work on my 2022 December Daily album, but it’s hard to sit straight up in my chair. Maybe next week.

My simple pleasures: Sleeping through the night, easing off the high powered pain meds, fresh backed cookies (ovens that actually work are amazing!)

Looking around the house: For me being down all week, it’s not in terrible shape. There are lots of random piles that need to be put away, and I should vacuum soon, but it looks decent.

From the camera: I did not take a single picture this week…

Currently #1

Reading: I started the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost on Saturday. And I’m totally going to keep reading the series. Fun and full of action!

Watching: J and I started on a big murder mystery movie binge and we’re really enjoying it. It started after watching Glass Onion over Christmas and watching a video about 10 classic murder mystery movies. We made a watchlist and have started moving through them.

Listening: Attempting to catch up on my regular podcasts. I got a little behind during Christmas.

Making: I’m starting to make plans for my coop section. We’re doing Engineering Challenge and I need to think of some good tasks for the kids.

Feeling: I had minor outpatient surgery yesterday. I’m definitely not feeling great, but I am on the way to recovery and feeling much better soon.

Planning: While stuck at home, I’m working on getting a meal plan for the spring next.

Loving: While I’m recovering, I’m loving the peace and quiet. J took the kids to the coop field trip at the planetarium. I am excited to just rest a bit before the kids some charging back home.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #1

Right now I am: Mentally preparing myself for book club later today. One last activity for the week!

On my bedside table: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt; Come as You Are by Jess Hardy

On my tv this week: J and I watched some episodes of Avenue 5, Leverage: Redemption, Mythic Quest, and the Bad Education Reunion Special.

Listening to: I’ve been trying to catch up with some podcasts, but people keep making more! It’s a never ending battle.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Leftovers/Takeout
Tuesday - Balsamic Pork Roast
Wednesday - BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf
Thursday - Black Bean Soup, Chicken Ranch Tacos
Friday - Asian Takeout Night
Saturday - Chicken Parmesan
Sunday - Blackened Salmon

On my to do list: Nothing much.

Happening this week: It’s surgery week! Minor outpatient surgery, but it will put me down for awhile. I am not planning on doing much of anything this week. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

What I am creating: Nothing much, although I did print some photos from my 2022 December Daily album. I really want to get that finished by the end of the month.

My simple pleasures: Chatting with friends, chocolate cookies, the anticipation of less pain

Looking around the house: Since I hosted a homeschool meeting yesterday, the house is looking pretty good right now. I want to do a pick up sweep later in anticipation of not doing much next week.

From the camera: We went on a very cold, but fun hike on Friday morning. Loved seeing the pond partially iced over.

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Our first coop of the spring semester! It promises to be controlled chaos per usual.
I may have overdone it this past few days. And I think my anxiety is getting to me.
Thankfully, my minor surgery is on Monday. I should be on the road to less pain.
Thinking about our To Watch list. I need to make a new one and maybe one for February Movie Month.
Excited for my new sneakers.

Next up on the TBR pile:

2023 Goals and Resolutions

Checking in with my 2022 Goals and Resolutions -

House Goals/Resolutions

Finish One Home Renovation Project - Haha! This was just all over the place and nothing really happened.
Finish Organizing My Craft Room/Library ✓ - At one point, this was organized. Now, it’s a mess again, but it’s a constant reorganization.

Life Goals/Resolutions

Get Back into My Treadmill Goals - Nope, but we did spend much more time outside this past year.
1000 Hours Outside - There’s not way that we will ever reach 1000 hours. We managed about 400 hours this past year. I call that a big win for us, especially as I do not love being outdoors in the heat.

Reading Goals/Resolutions

Read 200 Books / 60,000 Pages ✓
Decrease my UnRead Shelf by 50 Books - Fail.

Craft Goals/Resolutions

Get Back into Crafting! - Nope.
Finish 2021 Memory Planner ✓
Keep Up with 2022 Memory Planner ✓

And now on to 2023…

House Goals/Resolutions

Organize My Craft Room/Library - Trying to find that floor again. I should also do a bit of cleanout with regards to my craft supplies.
Make Progress with One Home Project - We need to remove the deck and hopefully replace it this year. I also want to redo our homeschool corner.

Life Goals/Resolutions

Complete 52 Hikes - Instead of 1000 Hours, we’re going to focus on weekly nature hikes. I think that will help get us out and moving.
Add More Vegetarian Dishes to Our Rotation - With the price of groceries right now, we’re cutting back on some things. Trying to up my vegetarian and even vegan game.
Take Care of My Medical Issues - I will be having surgery for one thing on Monday. But I’m still hoping to take care of some other issues this winter/spring. Hoping for a less painful year overall.

Reading Goals/Resolutions

Read 200 Books/60,000 Books
Clear Off 50 Books from My UnRead Shelf
Skip at Least 50% of BOTM Months

Homeschool Goals/Resolutions

Create a Long-Term Plan for Homeschool Curriculum - I started a scope and sequence last year, but want to beef that up. I also have to get some options in mind for future curriculum (e.g. what to do after Singapore 5B?).
Continue to Organize the Coop, But Also Delegate for Growth - We’re into our second full year of the coop and it’s been amazing. But I have some ideas about growing our membership. I also want to focus a bit on delegating more tasks to others to allow for some breathing room for me.

Next up on the TBR pile:

January 2023 Life Goals

Let’s check in on December’s goals and my progress.

Read 18 Books ✓

January Goals:

Read 18 Books
Make All the Appointments! (Medical related)
Plan Out Curriculum and Coop for Spring
Execute a Homeschool Seminar
Clean and Organize My Office!
Take it Easy after a Minor Surgery

Next up on the TBR pile:

Winter Bucket List

Entering into another winter bucket list.

Go Sledding
Read 45 Books
Bake Some Bread
Make Winter Crafts
Movie Month February
Make Valentines
Go on 5 Winter Hikes
Have an Indoor Picnic
Make a Snow Globe
Complete 3 Puzzles
Buy Some New Cozy Pajamas
Check Off 50 Hours Outside
Have a Birthday Day Out
Visit the Zoo 3 Times
Monthly Bingo/Trivia Nights
Take the Kids Bowling
Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Make a New Dessert
Make a Bird Feeder
Have an Ice Cream Sundae Night

Next Up on the TBR Pile:

Christmas Bucket List Final

Another Christmas season is upon us! Time for another bucket list: We ended up not getting to everything, but I think we had a great Christmas season this year!

Read 10 Holiday Romances (10/10) ✓

Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison
The Christmas Clash by Suzanna Park
The Highlander’s Christmas Bride by Vanessa Kelly
The Highlander’s Holiday Wife by Vanessa Kelly
You’re a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
Whiteout by Various Authors
Window Shopping by Tessa Bailey
Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Know
A Magical New York Christmas by Anita Hughes
The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson
Fake It for Christmas by Layla Valentine
Stuck Together for Christmas by Layla Valentine
Bad Boy for Christmas by Layla Valentine
The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis
One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

Coop Christmas Party! ✓

Decorate the Mini Tree ✓

Letter to Santa ✓

Christmas Movies x3 ✓

Make Paper Snowflakes

Go See Santa at Cabela’s ✓ (and The Durham Museum)

Go See Werner Park Lights ✓

Hot Chocolate Bar ✓

Meet the Reindeer ✓

Go for a Winter Hike ✓

Puzzle Day ✓

Make Gingerbread Cookies

Visit Lauritzen Gardens ✓

Decorate Gingerbread Ninjas

Drive around and see the lights ✓

Fantasy of Lights ✓

Dinner at Coney Island and Visit to Santa Lights ✓

Christmas music dance party

Watch The Grinch ✓

Make Peppermint Bark

Christmas Advent Books ✓

Christmas Mouse by Anne Mortimer
The Twelve Days of Christmas Dogs by Carolyn Conahan
The Three Bears’ Christmas by Kathy Duval
The Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas by Anne Muercke
It’s Christmas by Tracey Corderoy
The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherry Duskey Rinker
Just Right for Christmas by Birdie Black & Rosalind Beardshaw
The Twelve Day sod Christmas illustrated by Emma Randall
Christmas at the Toy Museum by David Lucas
One Cozy Christmas by M. Christina Butler
Merry Christmas, Squirrels! by Nancy Rose
The Last Christmas Tree by Stephen Krensky
A Day So Gray by Marie Lamba
Coming Home by Michael Morpurgo
Christmas with the Mousekins by Maggie Smith
The Bear Who Didn’t Want to Miss Christmas by Marie Tibi
A Pirate’s Twelve Days of Christmas by Philip Yates
Madeline’s Christmas by Ludwig Bemelmans
How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky
Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Wood and Don Wood
Mouse’s Night Before Christmas by Tracey Corderoy
Christmas is Here! by Charles M. Schulz
Scooby’s Scary Christmas
Dino-Christmas by Lisa Wheeler
The Unicorns Who Saved Christmas by Mary Winn Heider
How to Catch a Reindeer by Adam Wallace
How to Catch an Elf by Adam Wallace
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Little Bear’s Special Friend by Claire Freedman
If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll
Merry Christmas Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry
What the Dinosaurs Did the Night Before Christmas by Refe Tuma and Susan Tuma

Find a New Christmas Album

Have a Candy Cane Hunt

Go Sledding ✓

Send out Christmas cards

Take a photo of all four boys together

Finish 2021’s December Daily album ✓

Try a new holiday drink

Next Up on the TBR Pile:

Homeschool W17: It's Christmas Break!

What We Studied

We’ve officially finished the fall semester! It had its ups and downs, just like every semester, but I feel really good about what we accomplished. We’re on to three full weeks of break. We’ll be traveling, so that will definitely occupy our time.

Literature and Poetry

Arthur and I continued our read aloud. We have just a few chapters left to finish early next week. We have to see how the story ends.

Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
In the Beginning by Virginia Hamilton
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

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 continued Europe and covered stories from Eastern Europe and Russia.

Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Milo's Christmas Parade by Jennie Palmer
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas by James Dean
The Christmas Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood
The Christmas Book Flood by Emily Kilgore
Merry Christmas from The Very Hungry Caterpillar
How to Catch a Turkey by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton
Werewolf? There Wolf? by Kyle Sullivan
Where Does a Pirate Go Potty? by Dawn Babb Prochovnic
Storybots: The Best Christmas Gift
Winter, Winter, Cold and Snow by Sharon Gibson Palermo
Merry Christmas, Gus by Chris Chatterton
The Christmas Extravaganza Hotel by Tracey Corderoy

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 plugging along learning about decimals currently.

Logic Liftoff (Arthur)
Singapore 4B
Lollipop Logic Book 2 (Quentin)
Smart Start Math Grade 1 - Finished!

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’ve continued the section covering the Revolutionary War. I’m loving one of our read aloud resources.

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
King George: What was His Problem? How to Start a Revolution
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. We moved onto studying the Balkans and the rest of southeast Europe.

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

Arthur Independent Time

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. Science with a friend got canceled due to a dental emergency (not mine), so we just covered flight and planes on our own this week.

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.

Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George

STEAM Coop

None

Art/Music/Crafts/Cooking

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. This week music just didn’t happen. But that’s okay. Hopefully we can pick up the animal drawing class in January.

Field Trip

On Monday, we did a winter hike at Fontenelle Forest. It ended up just being us, but it was a lovely morning out in nature. Afterwards, we stopped at Mulhall’s to meet the reindeer. I even picked up a few gifts for my mom.

Tuesday night we visit Lauritzen Botanical Gardens (with J!) for their Bright Nights color and lights display. The gardens were all lit up and included some fun surprises.

Thursday night we finally made it to Werner Park for the Santa Rock n Lights. We now go every year. It’s the perfect cozy way to enjoy a big light display.

On Friday, we snuck in a visit to The Durham Museum. We got to see Santa and search for the elves hidden throughout the museum. I got to see the Downtown Abbey costume exhibit (totally forgot it was there, a pleasant surprise). And we even read some informational signs that we have never read. We learn a little something everything we go.

High

Thursday we had our Coop Christmas Party! Almost the entire coop came for games, treats, and play fun. I even found a local baker who makes GF and Vegan cut-out sugar cookies to decorate. The kids had a blast decorating. For those that couldn’t make it, we delivered goody bags on Friday.

Low

Nothing. We had a great and very busy week!

Next Week

Break Time and Travel!

Next up on the TBR pile: