We were off to a slow start today. It seems it's more difficult to get going again after a break like the 3 day weekend we just enjoyed. (Happy Birthday to the wonderful Dr. Marting Luther King!) But even though we started late, we had a pretty full day. After some initial help from me, the kids worked on their Math while I cleaned up the kitchen and took care of the little ones. Then they had some quiet reading time while I got lunch ready. After lunch, we worked on Language Arts and had fun making collages using prepositional phrases and statements we found in the newspaper. We moved on to Science after that and began our new unit on the Solar System. E, my science kid, is very excited about that and can't wait to teach us everything he already knows and maybe even learn a few new things himself. After all our studying, the kids bundled up and went outside for some fun in the snow. It didn't take too long for them to get cold though, and so they came back in to make some more collages - just for fun this time.

Middle Ages- here we come!

I had a hard time wrapping up our study of Ancient Rome- so many things to learn about, so many tie-ins to our Latin Study as well as the book we're reading aloud, Detectives in Togas. But since today was our first day back after Winter Break, I guess it's a good time to start something new. So we learned about the Barbarians, the Huns, the Vandals, and finally, the fall of Rome. We've said our goodbyes and are now ready to move on to the Middle Ages.
E and M are both starting new books today. E has chosen The Red Badge of Courage and M is going to read The Last Little Cat. We'll begin memorizing a new poem this week, continue enjoying Aesop's Fables and finish up our read-aloud book.
Math, Grammar, and Latin will continue as usual, but we'll be making some changes to the rest of our subjects. I hope to add in more time for Music and Art. And Science is going to be taking a new turn this semester as well.
Being at the mid-point of the year, I find myself evaluating this homeschooling adventure so far. I have to say I've even happier with it than I thought I would be. I know the kids are getting a better and more personalized education than they were before. They are happy, eager learners. They are even excited about homeschooling next year. Today M said sadly, "August is a long time to wait." Luckily she'll have plenty of studying yet to do before this school year is up.