Catching Up

Does anyone have time they could loan me?

We have been very busy.

Here's some science we did a few weeks ago.

Experimental Epidemic

Focus: Disease Transmission

Objective: To explore how disease can spread so fast and far.

Overview: Diseases sometimes spread rapidly across vast areas. 

We have also started Passport to India through Sonlight.  I am sure you all could join too.
We are on day 2.
We visited a fisherman slum neighborhood. 

Gotta run!  Have a great day!

By the Numbers

This has nothing to do with numbers.
I just couldn't think of a better title.

Going into our fourth week of school, we have some reviews for you.

This is all Sonlight reviews...Core 7.  Again, both kids 7th and 9th grade do this together.

1. BBC...let's say we started on page 36 this morning and dear daughter asks, "What is this all about anyway?"  It is part of our bible studies.  Granted, they know a lot of this info already.  But you can tell how well they have been paying attention.

2. The King's Fifth...they did not enjoy reading this.  This is part of the group of books they read themselves.  Now when I asked them the questions, they did pretty good.

3. Don't All Religions Lead to God?...We ended up skiming through this one.  Again, they knew much of this anyway (without all of the details).  We will quickly move onto the next book, How to Stay a Christain in High School.

4. The Iron Peacock...another read-themselves books.  They are still reading it, but are enjoying this one much better.  I enjoyed it better to.  I read the read-themself books in bed.

5. The Story of the World Vol.3 Early Modern Times...History.  If the stories were longer, I would lose them.  But we do geography here (and with some of the afore mentioned books).  We also have the Usborne Encyclopedia of World History.  (It's not pictured here.)  I think it's a great follow up on to the preivous book.  Love the photos.

6. A Murder for Her Majesty...they kids thought it strated out boring, but golly, we are hooked!  Each chapter leaves you hanging!  We will finish it this week...can't wait to see how it ends!

Over all, I really like how the Sonlight is laid out.  Will try to post some science photos soon.

Peanuts and Elevators

Life Science

Science you can eat, burn, ferment.

Food energy and nutrients.

(Tuttle, the failed {sort of} experiment was supposed to be: Respiration.  To explore how seeds use energy and oxygen.)  A few of the seeds started to open, but that was that.  It ended up stinking.

Elevators- A Writing Lesson

The kids are having a hard time with the Creative Expression in the Sonlight.

So, I came up with this for now.

I picked the topic Elevators.

Day one: Describe what youe elevator is like.  Smells, looks, feels, sounds, etc.

Day two: What is going on inside your elevator?  Outside? 

This is what we have so far.  These are just sketches, therefore sloppiness is allowed! :)

Day three:  I will think about that tonight in bed!

Another One Bites the Dust

As the commerical goes..."No more tears."

Analytical Grammar is done for.  As I told you, it is a three year course.  DD did it in one year.  DS started his second, and forgot just about everything he learned from last year!!  And there is no way he is going to reread all of that and neither am I.  This is a building thing, so you have to remember what you learned.  In all honesty, much of it is way over the top and just not that practical, unless you plan on being an editor, english teacher or the like.  So, it is going in the trash!

He is still learning grammar through Wordly Wise.  Which I use as their spelling too. 

They are not to hip on the Creative Expression part of Sonlight.  This is frustrating for me.  Writing was my outlet in school.  So when they look at me like deer in the headlights, I get stuck.  Imagine you were someone, somewhere far, far away.  Time travel even.  Tell us your story, what happened, where'd you go, what did you do? On and on...the kids, well, they say, I don't get it!  I think I am going to have to help them think.  Break things down even more for them.  They are beginning to not like writing.  Now, don't get me wrong DS has an imagination...a very vivid one.  It's just putting all of that onto paper.  DD is well, more of think in the box sort.

We also started DS in the Boys and Girls Club.  Turns out he really needs more socialization ( I know I may have opened a can of worms here.) then I can give him.  I thought DD would be the one who needed it more.  Funny how things are.  Anyway, it was hubby's idea.  I had some reservations.  DS did not want to go.  However, he LOVES and I mean LOVES it!  He can't wait for 3 ish to come.  He is one of the oldest there, but it's fine with him.  He comes home much nicer and respectful. 

Thanks Tuttle for your well wishes and prayers.

If you read and have your own blog, I would love to read about you and your adventures.