Homeschool Update - The First Six Weeks

Mornings

Geography:
We began studying North America and covered such things as the 7 Continents, the Hemispheres, Equator, Prime Meridian, North and South Poles, locations of the U.S. States, the bordering countries of the U.S., bordering states of our state. We also learned about Mexico and Middle America, and learnd the 7 countries within Middle America. Among other things. My Father's World curriculum includes many books which help us learn facts about these countries and they also include recipes, crafts, and other activities that help us understand what they're all about.

Narration:
Narration is a Charlotte Mason method which is also suggested for use by the Bluedorns, of Trivium Pursuit. We practice narration when either I or one of the older students reads a story and the other children take turns telling the story back to the family. We mainly use stories from our Language Lessons book (Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind).

Bible:
We are using the memory verses from My Father's World and after reciting them initially we discuss the principle which is being taught. This year's verses are from the book of Matthew and follow the life of Jesus. We also include discussions from Josh McDowell's Youth Devotional and verses which I select which help build our individual character and our hope in Christ. Finally, we review a Catechism every day (almost every day). So far they have learned the first 8 questions and now that they have the concept down, we'll try to add 4 additional questions each day.

Here are some examples -
Q. Who made you?
A. God made me

Q. What else did God make?
A. God made all things

Q. Are there more gods than one?
A. There is only one God

Q. Where is God?
A. God is everywhere

Q. Can you see God?
A. No. I cannot see God, but He always sees me.

Q. How can you glorify God?
A. By loving him and doing what he commands.

Q. Where do you learn how to love and obey God?
A. In the Bible alone

Memorization:

This includes memorization of scripture, foreign language alphabet and other expressions, the Catechism (above) and selected poetry. So far this year, in addition to the Catechism and memory verses from the curriculum, we have learned the Greek alphabet, various Spanish expresions, and two poems. One of the things we've moved to now is French numbers and expressions since we're studying Canada and French is one of their two official languages.

Copy Work: Most copy work is done by copying memory verses, poetry, proper names, numbers, TATRAS words, and address for younger children.

Afternoons

Music: This has included singing songs from Wee Sing Around the World, as well as practicing the scales forward and backward.

Math: We have gone over concepts which the older students found difficulty in the previous school year. We don't do formal mathematics for the younger kids until age 10 (that's our current plan). But it's funny how my oldest spurts out math facts every day that I haven't taught her. She just picks them up.

Science: We studied deserts for the younger children and for the 7th grader we're studying the history of Science (which she says is very boring) from her Apologia science curricululm.