We had a pretty rough start to our school year. We were not ready physically, mentally or emotionally to begin. Added to that was the much more difficult subjects of science and Pre-Algebra for our 8th grader. It was a struggle for sure, but we pressed on and made it through our first nine weeks. Fortunately, we ended better than we began!
I had planned to paint the office during the summer, but that project got put on hold with the passing of Dennis' mom. I really wanted to get it done, however, so I went ahead and started right before we needed to start school. We ended up "setting up shop" in the living room for the first two weeks until the office was back in order.
One of the best things about our start was our Bible study. The kids and I are finishing up Kay Arthur's inductive studies for kids. We began with "Cracking the Covenant Code." We learned that a covenant is a solemn, binding agreement. It is a lifelong promise that is never to be broken. God is a covenant-keeping God. Man was not able to keep the Old Covenant. The law was meant to show people their sin and how to live until Jesus came. Jesus represented a New Covenant. He came to take our sins away. When we enter into the New Covenant with Christ, we put on His robe of righteousness. Satan is our enemy, but he is also Christ's enemy. We don't need to fear him because Jesus stands with us to overcome Satan. Just like Jesus gave Himself up for us, we have to give up everything to Jesus. When we do, He not only saves us from our sin, but He gives us His strength, love, protection and the gift of the Holy Spirit Who gives us the power we need to live our lives for Him. Great stuff!
I was a little disappointed with our history curriculum at first. It feels a bit "simple" in text and materials. We actually covered a lot of American history in The Mystery of History curriculum, but we are covering it a bit more in depth. Even though it feels a bit easy, I think it is a good balance to the more intense subjects of Ellie's science and math this year. In this quarter we began with the Native Americans and moved through the Spanish explorers, English and French Settlers, and ended with Colonial America. I do like the large number of photos included with each lesson. It really adds to the lesson. And I am choosing to read the novels suggested. This quarter we read "Sign of the Beaver." The kids had read it before with their language arts curriculum, but it is a good story and we enjoyed hearing it again.
Ellie is not loving Learning Language Arts Through Literature this year. She doesn't really care for the Book Study books and is finding the teaching of grammar a bit muddled the way it is presented. Since there isn't a book for 9th grade anyway, we will be making a change for next year. But so far she has completed her first book study on the novel Across Five Aprils. This was a story of a family during the Civil War. Josh has no complaints about language at this time. He is doing well with learning the concepts. He read Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. He thought it was a good story.
I chose to do IEW's American History figuring it would go along with our study of American history. It definitely does, but it feels redundant to what we did with Level B. The only difference so far is that we are using American history resources. We will stick with it for the remainder of the year, but may reconsider doing any further units in the future.
Pre-Algebra proved to be a real challenge in the beginning for Ellie. This is not her favorite subject and the newer concepts were overwhelming her. She wishes math did not exist. (Her addition to this post!) However, with the help of the CD-ROM and working together, she was doing better by the end of the quarter. Math is a very strong subject for Josh and he continues to excel in this area.
One of the neat things about Ellie's General Science is the experiments. We all enjoy watching and sometimes participating. She says she learns the concepts best through hands-on activities like the experiments.
Our only field trip this quarter was to the L.A. County Fair. It was hot both days we went, but we still enjoyed going.
Sports for the kids included golf for Josh and volleyball for Ellie. Both showed great improvement.
Ellie continues to serve in children's worship at church. Dennis has said that she is really great with the kids and as I've had the chance to see her, I have to agree. This fall Josh was asked to start presenting the object lesson to the 1st-3rd graders during 2nd service before they go into their classes for their teaching. He has done a really good job and we are glad he has a place to serve at church as well.
Some fun things this quarter included the kids' video of their awesome bottle flipping. Lots of fun to watch!
Ellie and I went to Knott's Berry Farm with friends from church.
We got to see The Hunchback of Notre Dame at La Mirada Theater thanks to Aunt Dyan sharing her tickets with us. It was not the happy Disney tale we were familiar with, but it was still a great performance. The singers were incredible.
In case anyone still thinks homeschoolers don't socialize, here's proof. We hang out with friends after Friday school every week either at the park or a local restaurant. These girls are so fun and I'm so grateful they have become friends.
We ended better than we began and for that I'm grateful. I have had several things on my mind this quarter as we've been faced with new challenges and are beginning to think about what to do for high school. I'll write about them separately since it would make this post even longer. This homeschooling gig isn't always easy, but I often tell myself that things worth doing usually aren't. I love being with my kids and being the one to help them navigate life. And together with the Lord, we'll continue to press on with our homeschooling journey.
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