Let’s check in on June’s goals and my progress. Despite a big medical issue towards the end of the month, I managed to hit all of my goals.
Read 18 Books ✓
Enjoy the Mini Road Trip with the Boys ✓
Enjoy the Retreat ✓
Pause and Reevaluate Library Holds ✓
Knock Out 5 Items on the Summer Bucket List ✓
July Goals: After my last few weeks, I’m going to take it easy in the goals department.
Read 18 Books
Indiana/Ohio Road Trip
Finish Prepping for 2023-2024 School Year
Next up on the TBR pile:
I missed making this post last week as I was in the middle of a medical issue. But I’m back and feeling a bit better, so let’s see what we have on our summer bucket list this year…
Complete the Library Reading Program
Ice Cream Tour of Omaha
Louisville, Two Rivers, and Fremont SRAs
Trip to Indiana and Ohio
Cookout with Friends
Lincoln Day
5 Splash Pad Visits
3 Movies at the Theater
3 Omaha Zoo Visits
Read 50 Books
August Movie Month
September Game Month
Next up on the TBR pile:
Another season, another bucket list. Our main goal is to get out in nature weekly.
Read 45 Books ✓
Movie Month - We scrapped this one for now.
Go on 12 Hikes ✓
Have an Indoor Picnic
Check Off 50 Hours Outside ✓
Visit the Zoo 3 Times (2/3)
Monthly Bingo/Trivia Nights (1/3)
Use the GetOut Pass 3 Times (1/3)
Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Make a New Dessert
Have an Ice Cream Sundae Night
Two Lincoln Excursion Days
Three State Park Visits ✓
Day trip to Des Moines
Plan out curriculum for next year ✓
Plan an Indiana trip for summer complete with mini trip ✓
Next Up on the TBR Pile:
Reading: I grabbed an ebook loan of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. I’ve heard so many great things about this action packed fantasy. I’m only about 60 pages in, but so far I’m loving it.
Watching: I’ve been away all weekend at the retreat so no tv or movies. J and I did watch Fast X last night after I had gotten back. Jason Momoa was the only reason to watch that one…
Listening: While putting away things, I dove back into the Revolutions podcast. I’m almost finished with S6 which dealt with the second French Revolution and acted as a bridge to S7.
Making: I found a few hours yesterday to finish April’s Memory Planner pages. I’m hoping to get May’s pages started this week.
Feeling: The retreat went a long way to reenergizing me. I loved my four days away chatting with friends, relaxing, and reading.
Planning: I’m putting the final touches on our Indiana trip in July. I have the hotels booked but have been thinking about the order of activities.
Loving: An entire four days chatting ab out books and reading was absolutely delightful! Books really make me feel so better!
Next up on the TBR pile:
As we hit May, our school curriculum plan starts to wind down a bit. We wrapped up a ton of curriculum pieces and transitioned to our summer plans.
Literature and Poetry
Arthur and I finished our last official read aloud for the year. We took it easy, but enjoyed sinking into the story. We also finished our Emily Dickinson collection of poetry and sprinkled in a few more Nature Poetry selections.
Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Quentin started and finished our read aloud. He picked up the second in a series on his own and requested that we read it next. Of course, I’m always going to say yes when he requests we read any book. He even found the third one on the sign-up prize shelf for the local library’s reading program. I imagine that he will be requesting the rest of the series soon.
Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
Zoey and Sassafras: Monsters and Mold by Asia Citro
Evan Moor Smart Start Read and Write K
Evan Moor Spell and Write K
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). We finished our financial literacy unit. We’ve been doing a ton of review and leftover lessons this past week.
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’ll be taking a history break until August.
Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. Quentin wrapped up his study of the world this week with a little review.
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.
Free books for signing up for the Library Summer Reading Program
Science
Arthur is focusing on Physics this year. We finished our curriculum and have been just enjoying time with friends.
Quentin will be focusing on animal science with BYL Level 0. We’ve done some review of concepts from this year and focused on our science workbook pages.
On the Same Day in March: A Tour of the World’s Weather by Marilyn Singer
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
STEAM Coop
We are on break until August.
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 had an amazing field trip at Gifford Farm focusing on local history. Our guide was a former school teacher and administrator and was absolutely amazing! We led the kids through a variety of activities keeping their attention the entire time. We even made homemade butter to take home. I think this was the best field trip of the year!
We’ve slotted in a few great hikes lately. We’ve even dealt with high temps and bugs. Conquered them all! We’re hoping to keep hiking on Fridays when in town.
Nothing really. We have transitioned to our fun summer flow.
Next Week
Heading out on our mini road trip
Continuing our summer packets
Starting a few new read alouds for the summer break
Next up on the TBR pile:
Let’s check in on May’s goals and my progress.
Read 18 Books ✓
Execute Coop Field Day ✓
Plan Out July Indiana/Ohio Trip - in progress
Finalize Retreat Plans and Packing ✓
Knock Out 5 Items on the Summer Bucket List ✓
June Goals:
Read 18 Books
Enjoy the Mini Road Trip with the Boys
Enjoy the Retreat
Pause and Reevaluate Library Holds
Knock Out 5 Items on the Summer Bucket List
Next up on the TBR pile:
Reading: I grabbed Paradise-1 by David Wellington off the new books shelf. I was hoping for a horror filled scifi adventure and I’m definitely getting that right now.
Watching: We’re keeping up with The Great S3. We hit a very important episode and it gutted me…
Listening: J had me dowloaded the mini Shadow City spin-off mini series from Hello from the Magic Tavern. It was an utterly delightful D&D romp.
Making: Along with renaming the retreat last week, I decided that we needed to carry the crow theme through with other aspects. So I’m making crow themed nametags. And they are very cute!
Feeling: The boys and I leave on Monday for our mini road trip and then I leave on Thursday for the retreat. I cannot wait!
Planning: While I have already planned out this mini road trip, I’m still working on the exact stops for our Indiana/Ohio mini road trip in July. I have our Dayton stops planned, but still deciding exactly where to stop in Illinois and/or Missouri on the way back.
Loving: Coop and our planned curriculum are done for the year. We have entered into the lazier days of summer. Less bookwork and many more activities. The boys are still reading and we’re still doing our ELA and Math packets. We just ease up on everything else until August.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Here's my randomness for the week:
Looks like the rain will hold off for our field day today. We had hoped that the weather would be warm enough for water play and it should be.
Side note: the gluten free and vegan cookies that I bought for treat look amazing. I might have to try one myself.
Book club on Tuesday night got a little ridiculous. We have created a new name for the retreat complete with a mascot and a uniform. I’m so excited that it’s only a few weeks away.
Really need to put a pause on my library holds. It’s gotten a little out of control. The mini road trip and retreat offers the perfect opportunity to put those pauses on.
Seems like the perfect week for Italian pressed sandwiches and gazpacho. I’m needing that summer fair.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Family game night playing Azul
As we hit May, our school curriculum plan starts to wind down a bit. We are schooling through the summer, but I ease up our big curriculum and focus on smaller units and special activities. This helps us stay on top of a school mindset without the summer slump. But it always allows me to catchup a bit and relax during the summer. Only two one more real week of curriculum to go.
Literature and Poetry
Arthur and I started our next read aloud, actually a childhood favorite of mine. We’ll be finishing out our school year with this selection.
Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Quentin finished our Antarctic selection and will be moving on to a book that Quentin picked up at the library last week.
Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Evan Moor Smart Start Read and Write K
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). We finished our financial literacy unit. We’ve been doing a ton of review and leftover lessons this past week.
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 finished our year with the start of the Civil War and secession. We’ll be taking a history break until August.
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
Smart About the First Ladies
Two Miserable Presidents by Steve Sheinkin
Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. Quentin wrapped up his study of the world this week with a little review.
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
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 covered quantum weirdness with some thought experiments.
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. Our last official science lesson of the year, we focused on climate change.
Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
Why are the Ice Caps Melting? The Dangers of Global Warming by Anne Rockwell
STEAM Coop
Our last meeting of the year. The oldest kids did a lesson on organic molecules and play with paint. The littles and middles wrapped up their unit on domesticated animals. Quentin was very excited to use his new animal movement cards. And he learned to play gag ball.
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 started watched Into the West, the mini series from early 2000s. I really like how it follows two main families from the 1820s all the way to the 1870s. We get to see how the west changes in that 50 years hitting all the big events. We’ll be continuing for the next few weeks.
Field Trip
Tuesday we visited the Wildlife Safari for exploration and a picnic. The park has a special exhibit with life-size dinosaurs that moved and made noise. We met up with some coop friends and even had a picnic. It was a great day seeing animals and playing.
We had a lovely, albeit windy and chilly, morning at the playground with a few friends. We ended dup staying for 4 hours, much longer than I had anticipated. Still, it was nice to be outside with no real agenda.
We also had a splashed playdate on Wednesday afternoon. We decided that science class is finished for the year (we did finish the textbook), so we just met up at a splash pad. The city turned some of them on early this year.
Nothing really. It was good day.
Next Week
Continuing our current read aloud (A)
Starting a new read aloud (Q)
Continuing with some math review
Watching another episode or two of Into the West
Catching up with our math and language arts packets and random pages
Next up on the TBR pile:
Another season, another bucket list. Our main goal is to get out in nature weekly.
Read 45 Books (38/45)
Movie Month - We scrapped this one for now.
Go on 12 Hikes (8/12)
Have an Indoor Picnic
Check Off 50 Hours Outside - We’re getting there…
Visit the Zoo 3 Times
Monthly Bingo/Trivia Nights (1/3)
Use the GetOut Pass 3 Times (1/3)
Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Make a New Dessert
Have an Ice Cream Sundae Night
Two Lincoln Excursion Days
Three State Park Visits (2/3)
Day trip to Des Moines
Plan out curriculum for next year - Working on this
Plan an Indiana trip for summer complete with mini trip - Working on this
Next Up on the TBR Pile:
Reading: A Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas - I finally got the next Lady Sherlock book and am absolutely loving it!
Watching: The Great S3 dropped and we are slowly making our way through it. I absolutely love how unhinged this show is.
Listening: Going all the way back into my podcast archives and I finally started listening to What Roman Mars Can Learn About Con Law. So far I’ve listening to the first five episodes and while I haven’t learned much, the episodes have been enjoyable.
Making: For Sunday’s brunch I made apple cinnamon muffins and they were epic. Time consuming to make, but oh so good to eat.
Feeling: I have a few plates up in the air right now and trying to make sure they don’t fall. It’s making me a bit anxious this week. I just want to set the plates down soon.
Planning: In connection with how I’m feeling, I’m dealing with some logistics this week. I’ve got coop plans and retreat plans to solidify. Hopefully I can get this done by Saturday.
Loving: Really loving the prompt responses that I get from most people when I put a call out for anything. I don’t mean immediate responses (although those are nice too), but responses that are done within a reasonable time period. I really dislike having to track people down to get them to respond. Ugh!
Next up on the TBR pile:
As we hit May, our school curriculum plan starts to wind down a bit. We are schooling through the summer, but I ease up our big curriculum and focus on smaller units and special activities. This helps us stay on top of a school mindset without the summer slump. But it always allows me to catchup a bit and relax during the summer.
Literature and Poetry
Arthur and I finished our coop book selection. We really enjoyed the book, but didn’t quite realize that this was going to be a series. Hopefully the second book will get realized soon.
Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson
The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity
Quentin finished our Australia read aloud selection and started on our Antarctica read aloud selection. He’s not sure about how he feels about Mr. Popper’s Penguins, but has gotten better about listening to our read aloud.
Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Audrey of the Outback by Christine Harris
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Evan Moor Smart Start Read and Write K
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). We finished our financial literacy unit. We’ve been doing a ton of review and leftover lessons this past week.
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’re so close to the Civil War! One more week of US History before we take a break for the summer. I decided to run us up all the way to secession before stopping.
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
Smart About the First Ladies
Two Miserable Presidents by Steve Sheinkin
Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. Quentin finished with the last continent, Antarctica this week. We’ll be doing a week of review and wrap-up to officially finish BYL Level 0.
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
Sophie Scott Goes South by Alison Lester
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 covered quantum weirdness with some thought experiments.
RSO Physics
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Joy Hakim
The Way Things Work Now
My First Book of Quantum Physics by Sheddad Kaid Salah Ferron and Eduard Altarriba
Quentin will be focusing on animal science with BYL Level 0. We finished out our animal science-lite curriculum with the Great Barrier Reef and the ocean around Antarctica.
Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George
Keepers of the Reef by Sharon Wismer
Getting to Know Our Planet: Great Barrier Reef by Vicky Franchino
Great Barrier Reef by Martha London
STEAM Coop
The oldest group has moved on to their last theme of the year: Math + Art in Science. The kids played with color and focused on a few projects based on Mondrian’s works. The littles focused on domesticated animals. I actually stepped in to teach the middle kids about the species of animals that we domesticated through history.
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 started watched Into the West, the mini series from early 2000s. I really like how it follows two main families from the 1820s all the way to the 1870s. We get to see how the west changes in that 50 years hitting all the big events. We’ll be continuing for the next few weeks.
Field Trip
Tuesday we visited the farm to learn about the animals. We learned a ton of facts about the animals that Gifford has on its farm. Our favorite part was getting to pet all the animals. I definitely wanted to take home the baby goats.
A cascading failure happened at coop this week. The middles teacher went out sick, then the assistant/substitute, and then the oldest teacher. So we were down two teachers in one week. A friend took over the oldest group and pulled out a great lesson on Mondrian. I stepped in and taught the middles about domestication of animals. All of this happened within 15 hours before coop. It was a few nerve-wracking hours for me trying to make sure that everyone and everything was in place. We pulled it out and the kids had great lessons for the week. But I definitely have some ideas of how we (really me) can avoid the stress next year.
Next Week
Continuing our current read alouds
Finally getting to the Civil War (before stopping)
Wrapping up physics
Review the world for social studies
Watching another episode or two of Into the West
Catching up with our math and language arts packets and random pages
Next up on the TBR pile:
Here's my randomness for the week:
Thankful that the weather is holding out this week so we can still get outside for our events.
Sometimes what I really need is a chocolate brownie.
Feeling like I should see what new music releases are in my music app.
Working on next year’s curriculum has invigorated me to finish this year’s curriculum. We’re so close!
Need to set up a few ice cream meetups for coop friends this summer.
Next up on the TBR pile:
A smallish week in terms of school work, but a full week full of activities and errands.
Literature and Poetry
J continued reading the Bromeliad trilogy to the boys at bedtime. They are very near finishing the third book.
We knocked out a chunk of our current read aloud (the coop book club selection). We will finish that one sometime last week.
Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson
The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity
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. He’s gotten more into Audrey, but it’s definitely not his favorite (or mine).
Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Audrey of the Outback by Christine Harris
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). We continued our financial literacy unit. Quentin has very small lessons. Arthur is going more in depth. We’re taking it slow, but continuing with the unit.
Financial Literacy Grade 3
Singapore 1B
A Penny's Worth by Kimberly Wilson
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’re inching closer to the Civil War, but won’t cover the actual war this school year..
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
Smart About the First Ladies
Which Way to the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin
The Oregon Trail: The Road to Oregon City by Jesse Wiley
Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. Moved on to our last inhabited by humans continent of Australia and Oceania. We covered Oceania this week. That means that we are finished with 6 of the 7 continents. We will move on to Antarctica next week and then do a wrap-up week to finish the curriculum.
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
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 met to do optics, but the boys decided to create an entire fort in my living room instead. Oh well. We’ll get to the experiments next 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. 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. We also covered animals from Australia.
Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George
STEAM Coop
The oldest group has moved on to their last theme of the year: Math + Art in Science. This week, I taught them how to figure out the approximate age and height of the tree using math. Lots of fun! From there, they received a notebook and we explored nature drawing for awhile. The littles did some printmaking crafts. Only two more weeks of coop left for the year!
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 started watched Into the West, the mini series from early 2000s. I really like how it follows two main families from the 1820s all the way to the 1870s. We get to see how the west changes in that 50 years hitting all the big events. We’ll be continuing for the next few weeks.
Field Trip
No coop field trip this week, but we did have a great Nature Explorers meeting on Friday. We completed the 3 mile hike at Schramm in between lots of rain. We were cold and wet by the end, but everyone was in good spirits after the hike. The kids found a trove of snails and basically adopted one for the rest of the hike. The boys convinced me to look into getting a snail as a pet. I could actually do a snail…
Tuesday was a fun free playdate at the park. We stayed for hours! It was windy and chilly, but the kids had so much fun playing. We spent the rest of that afternoon doing all the errands, but it was worth it.
Low
We got a little behind on our bookwork. Not a big deal, but I’m slightly annoyed by this. I’m sure we can catchup soon.
Next Week
Finishing our current read alouds
Finishing a financial literacy unit (both kids)
Covering light and optics for physics
Moving on to Antarctica for social studies
Watching another episode or two of Into the West
Catching up with our math and language arts packets and random pages
Next up on the TBR pile:
Let’s check in on April’s goals and my progress.
Read 18 Books - A rare miss for me… oh well.
Make a Summer Bucket List ✓
Knock Out My Brain Dump List ✓
Plan for Coop Wrap for the Year ✓
May Goals:
Read 18 Books
Execute Coop Field Day
Plan Out July Indiana/Ohio Trip
Finalize Retreat Plans and Packing
Knock Out 5 Items on the Summer Bucket List
Next up on the TBR pile:
Reading: After a disappointing historical romance, I wanted something a bit more fun. I’ve picked up When in Rome by Sarah Adams and so far, it’s hitting the spot.
Watching: J and I started watching Citadel and we’re sorta intrigued. We’re going to give it 3-4 episodes to really grab our attention.
Listening: I went on a big podcast backlist kick and listened a ton of Revolutions (S3 Haitian Revolution) and 99PI episodes.
Making: The boys and I worked on our summer bucket list (started yesterday) and I decided to make a scrapbook for them. I did something similar years ago for the twins and tried to recreate. Arthur was delighted when I showed him yesterday. I even left space for pictures they take.
Feeling: I had a terrible pain flare last week. Feeling better, but my body was so angry. I’m still recovering.
Planning: With that summer bucket list, I’m filling out the rest of our schedule for summer.
Loving: Today a friend set up a park playdate. I was just thinking that we had nothing on the schedule for today and a friend stepped in and fixed the problem. We love having free morning with friends.
Next up on the TBR pile:
This wrap up is another one with a Flex Week and a regular week all wrapped into one. Unfortunately, I had a massive pain flare during the regular week that disrupted our schedule and put me out of commission for a few days. We missed a few events we were looking forward to.
Literature and Poetry
J continued reading the Bromeliad trilogy to the boys at bedtime. They finished the second book and immediately had to read the third one. Nearing the end of that one already.
So, I switched around our read alouds and had Arthur start on the next coop book club book during the day. We’re liking this modern day Viking story.
Nat Geo Book of Nature Poetry
Poetry for Young People: Emily Dickinson
The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity
How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander
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 took a side trip to read the start of a new series. I thought he didn’t really like it, but last library visit he independently found the second one. He was disappointed when I said we were reading something else. But we’ll be done soon and then we can read his chosen series.
Nat Geo Book of Animal Poetry
A World Full of Animal Stories by Angela McAllister
Around the World in 80 Days by Saviour Pirotta
Zooey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro
Audrey of the Outback by Christine Harris
This is the Planet Where I Live by KL Going
The Pirates are Coming by John Condon
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). We continued our financial literacy unit. Quentin has very small lessons. Arthur is going more in depth. We’re taking it slow, but continuing with the unit.
Financial Literacy Grade 3
Singapore 1B
Lots and Lots of Coins by Margarette S. Reid
Give Save Spend with the Three Little Pigs by Clint Greenleaf
One Proud Penny by Randy Siegel
10 Fascinating About Dollar Bills by Chris Jozefowicz
What is Money? by Rebecca Rissman
Paper Money by Dana Meachen Rau
Counting Money by Julie Dalton
Making Change at the Fair by Julie Dalton
What Can You Do with Money? by Jennifer S. Larson
Save It! by Cinders McLeod
Spend It! by Cinders McLeod
How Many Pennies Make a Dollar? by Rebecca Wingard-Nelson
I Can Count Money by Rebecca Wingard-Nelson
I Can Name Bills and Coins by Rebecca Wingard-Nelson
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 are on to the Oregon Trail and the Gold Rush.
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
Smart About the First Ladies
Which Way to the Wild West by Steve Sheinkin
The Oregon Trail by Mel Friedman
The Oregon Trail: Danger at the Haunted Gate by Jesse Wiley
The Oregon Trail: The Search for Snake River by Jesse Wiley
The Oregon Trail: The Road to Oregon City by Jesse Wiley
Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party
What Was the Gold Rush? By Joan Holub
Gold! Gold from the American River! by Don Brown
Life During the California Gold Rush by Bethany Onsgard
John Sutter and The California Gold Rush (Graphic History) by Matt Doeden and Charles Barnett III
The California Gold Rush by Mel Friedman
Mark Twain and the Queens of the Mississippi by Cheryl Harness
Quentin continued his study of the world with Build Your Library Level 0. Moved on to our last inhabited by humans continent of Australia and Oceania. We covered Australia and New Zealand this past week.
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
D is for Down Under by Devin Scillian
Living In Australia by Chloe Perkins
Australia by Madeline Donaldson
Australia ABCs by Sarah Heiman
Wombat Walkabout by Carol Diggory Shields
Birrarung Wilam by Aunty Joy Murphy
Under the Southern Cross by Frané Lessac
Wombat Said Come In by Carmen Agra Deedy
Sun Mother Wakes the World by Diane Wolkstein
Magic Beach by Alison Lester
Possum Magic by Mem Fox
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. The boys finished their model engines. I have to admit, they look pretty neat. We did the textbook readings about light, but my pain flare canceled our experiment class. We’ll get to it next week.
RSO Physics
The Story of Science: Aristotle Leads the Way by Joy Hakim
The Way Things Work Now
A Ray of Light by Walter Wick
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. We also covered animals from Australia.
Nat Geo Wild Animal Atlas
DK Animal
Lonely Planet: The Animal Book
The Tarantula in My Purse by Jean Craighead George
Watching Kangaroos in Australia by Louise and Richard Spilsbury
Do You Really Want to Meet a Kangaroo? by Cari Meister
Bilby: Secrets of an Australian Marsupial by Edel Wignell
STEAM Coop
The oldest group has moved on to their last theme of the year: Math + Art in Science. During Flex Week, they worked on tessellation and repeating patterns. The littles focused on planting their own bean plants. The next week, the bigs learned about orienteering by using a compass to hid and then find an object at the park. They are all terrible cartographers, but we’re trying. The littles made paper.
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 started watched Into the West, the mini series from early 2000s. I really like how it follows two main families from the 1820s all the way to the 1870s. We get to see how the west changes in that 50 years hitting all the big events. We’ll be continuing for the next few weeks.
We also had our coop Earth Day party at a park on the perfect day. Along with lots of playground playtime, the kids played bingo and made painted pots, sun catchers, and moss balls. They had a blast. We are definitely continuing these holiday parties next year.
Field Trip
Our field trip was a guided lesson at Arbor Day Farm. The farm is one of our favorite places to visit. It was created on the site of J. Sterling Morton’s original orchard. He was the creator of Arbor Day. After a lesson about bees and pollination, the kids spent hours exploring and playing. The tree house and trampolines are amazing. We always plan on spending the entire day there when we visit.
Dentist appointments - they did amazingly!
Besides our Arbor Day Farm trip, we had a lovely walk with friends at Heron Haven. We’ve loved to see how the seasons change the landscape. We spotted birds, but no frogs this time. I bet they are out now. We’ll definitely be back soon.
Low
My brain bees got very angry after having coop in my house during Flex Week (it was raining all day). I just wanted to throw everything in the house out the windows and start over. Instead. I focused on the playroom and breakfast nook. We sorted everything and reorganized our bookcases and cubbies. I got rid of a ton of stuff (mostly early education aids that we gave to friends) and threw away a bag of trash. We also took down the Baker’s Rack and I must say that the breakfast nook is so much nicer. No cluttered corner distracting my focus. Now to need to work on my office…
Doing the bee dance
Next Week
Finishing our current read alouds
Continuing a financial literacy unit (both kids)
Covering light and optics for physics
Moving on to Oceania for social studies
Watching another episode or two of Into the West
Catching up with our math and language arts packets and random pages
Next up on the TBR pile:
Here's my randomness for the week:
Yesterday my entire body hurt. Scar tissues was very angry and radiated pain throughout my body. No fun at all.
Being in bed half the day meant that I did read almost 2/3 of my current novel.
Today I have to get back it with coop and errands. Still not feeling 100%, but need to push through.
A little over a month to the bookish retreat. And I really need the break! I’m anticipating it so much.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Another season, another bucket list. Our main goal is to get out in nature weekly.
Read 45 Books (20/45)
Movie Month - We scrapped this one for now.
Go on 12 Hikes (5/12)
Have an Indoor Picnic
Check Off 50 Hours Outside - We’re getting there…
Visit the Zoo 3 Times
Monthly Bingo/Trivia Nights (1/3)
Use the GetOut Pass 3 Times
Make Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Make a New Dessert
Have an Ice Cream Sundae Night
Two Lincoln Excursion Days
Three State Park Visits
Day trip to Des Moines
Plan out curriculum for next year - Working on this
Plan an Indiana trip for summer complete with mini trip - Working on this
Next Up on the TBR Pile:
Reading: Tackling The Library of the Unwritten by AJ Hackwith for next month’s book club selection. It’s an interesting fantasy novel, but I’ve been moving slowly through it. I’ve been very distracted when it comes to my reading this week.
Watching: After finally starting Misfits, we’re now in season three. It’s just so good!
Listening: Still working my way through Revolutions S3 podcast. The topic is the French Revolution and we’re coming to the end, but not quite there yet.
Making: Definitely need to make a batch of gazpacho for this week’s lunches. Sounded better last week with temps in the 80s. The weather has turned, but I’m still going to make it.
Feeling: After a busy weekend of stuff and tasks, I’m feeling much more relaxed.
Planning: Right now, I’m working on planning two summer trips. The boys and I are going to travel west to the Grand Island-Kearney area for a few days before my reading retreat. In July, we are going to Indiana to visit family and afterward, we’re going to drive over to Dayton to see some museums and zoos.
Loving: I made chocolate chip cookies last night and forgot just how much I love them. Warm and gooey cookies are just the best.
Next up on the TBR pile: