Creation Unit Wrapup

Weekly Wednesday Wrapup

A Whole Day Late

Oh well.  It was our first school week after all.  My goal is to share pictures from every unit we study on Wednesday.  My Fathers World (MFW) starts with a two week unit on creation, followed by  26 six day units. (You are encouraged to NOT do school on the weekend, rather carry any leftover days to the next week. This allows for more time exploring and thinking on the topic.  

At first I was shocked at how quickly our first day was done.  However I remembered thinking the first two weeks were pretty wimpy compared to the rest.  Every day you focus on one number and 2-3 letters, as well as the creation story. I think this unit is designed to ease new homeschoolers (parent and child!) into the routine and idea of at least semi formal learning at home.  It's worked for us I think!  I hope most of the early years with MFW have a similar first week.  Considering that The Batman and SuperT know all their numbers up to 10 and ABC'S though, I would likely shorten this to one week, had I been thinking that clearly.  

I wound up cracking open an extra book for The Batman. We are going through "teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" together.  It's designed to teach your child letter sounds with minimal to no focus on the name of the letter.  Many homeschool moms have recommended this method to me, and according to the book "The Three R's" fact memorizing has little to do with intelligence, and regarding letters is much easier for kids to learn letter names if they have use for that knowledge (like associating it with the sound) Besides simply reciting for mom and dads friends.  Me?  I personally think it doesn't matter.  I don't really support teaching kids under 5 to read unless they are asking though. I'm not saying its bad, wrong or hinders them in anyway.  I just dont personally stress it.  Pre reading skills are important to have, especially if they'll be going to traditional kindergarten, but I'm not an advocate for early readers is all.  The Batman has little ore reading skills and finds this book to be a perfect challenge.  Not too hard and not too easy.

Ok, I got of track, again. The reading book teaches them using phonics in 15 minutes a day.  Because I think kids and adults should be reading a minimum of 15 minutes every day, we are building that habit now with daily lessons.  I have noticed that The Batman needs several breaks during this 15 minute lesson.  It turns out to be more like 30-45 minutes if you include the breaks.  So we start with the reading lesson, break for an art project, pick up the reading, break for math manipulatives, come back and finish the reading.  It works for us. 

Now For the Good Stuff!

Pictures!

Left to right:  boys in their official workspace, SuperT with the sensory tub, The Batman proudly glueing creation day two on his poster, and a celebratory lunch for creation day 3, fruits and veggies!  They love apple and pb sandwiches!

Here is some of The Batmans handy work, he does all of his own cutting. The bottom left shows a typical morning board moment. Both boys usually munch on apples or finish breakfast while we go over the morning rituals.

Typical for The Batman. Ignore him for ten minutes and this is what he does... Finds a problem (this old tractor won't stay together) and solves it.  Backyard learning at its best!

Here's what SuperT does while he's not joining school activities.  Upper left: he drew a car on day 3’s picture.  Instead of plants and dry ground. Silly boy!  But I am THRILLED with that car!! Bottom left is a big H he made while I was doing some planning. I didn't have the heart to get upset that it wasn't the right marker for the wipe off book!  On the right you see a more typical ST moment... Just goofing off and calling it school time lol!

More backyard learning. The boys helped me plant my little avocado seed, learned that some spiders make webs in the grass (though SuperT insisted  it was from Spider-Man!).  The bottom two are pictures of us actually doing all of school outside this Tuesday.

I am really excited to start the real units next week!!

Have your littles started school, either at home or in public or private school?  How is the transition working for your family?