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October 14, 2007
Week 10, In Which I Self-Destruct
It's about week 10, anyway. Something like that. We're not real clear on dates here, and we had a week or so off, and ....
I had a bit of a homeschooling meltdown this week. Crisis. Confusion. Craziness! Two things happened at the same time that sent me into a tailspin. First, I realized that my boys have very little assigned reading, and that ain't right. I also realized that I was eating up a lot of time by reading their history and literature books to them, when it's time for them to be doing more of that themselves - I've got two younger ones to read to. So, I set about making book lists and reading assignments for them.
Second, Connor, Aidan and Jeff all decided that we should also be studying American history. Now. Every year.
Okay, fine. Well, it just so happens that LCC, Highlands Latin School and Ambleside Online do multiple streams of history, including American history every year. I had many models from which to draw a plan. But remember those other two kids? I'm really pressed for time right now, and every plan I came up with involved more and more time. And stress. I was trying to fit us into Drew's model LCC curriculum, when that history model does not fit our family.
Even though I know, understand, and believe in the theory behind our homeschooling, even I can lose sight of it from time to time. And when I do, things get crazy. I had to take time to step back and get my head on straight. History? I'm stressing about history? Connor's read all four volumes of Story of the World, and the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, all for fun. He knows more about World War II than I do. And I'm stressing myself out because he's behind on someone's list. But it's easy to do that, from time to time; we forget to look at where are children are, and instead develop tunnel vision over what they have not yet done.
The whole point of "multum non multa," as put forth in the LCC, is not of following multiple streams of history and someone else's plan; it's focusing on what is most important, and not sweating the rest. Most important are Latin, math, and quality writing. We will learn history. We will read literature. We will learn science. But following some plan or booklist or schedule is not at all important or necessary. And I'm okay (for now), with a new plan in place: We'll finish out this year with our medieval studies, and with whatever American history the boys feel like reading. After that I'll continue Story of the World with the little ones, but the big ones may design their own history readings. We'll still do classical studies, because that's what I want to focus on. We'll direct them to the things we feel are most important in history. But other than that, I will learn to step back because it truly does not matter. They've got a good overview; however they fill in that overview with color and detail, it will be fine.
I may have to keep re-reading that last paragraph, over and over.
Math
Connor started a Dolciani Pre-Algebra text. I was thinking that he needs some extra reinforcement of certain topics before moving on to the rather rigorous New Elementary Math. I may have been wrong, as he's zipping through this book like it was nothing. However, I made the decision this week to hand him over to Jeff. Jeff will pick the next books to get us through higher math. Jeff will teach the lessons. I'll just oversee the work. On the one hand I'm disappointed, because Connor is getting into fun math, the math I would like to work on myself. On the other hand, this is a relief, because I have too much on my plate.
Aidan worked in Singapore 3B (adding and subtracting meters and kilometers/inches, feet and yards), without throwing anything (but it was a close run). I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to order Right Start E for him or not. I have conflicting information on how useful E is.
Griffin worked in Singapore 1A; however, Singapore would like him to do some subtraction now, please, and Griffin would rather color instead. Lachlan does no formal math. He just wanders around playing, occasionally coming up to me and saying something like "Hey Mom, 15 is five threes!" Good. Keep it up, kid. You'll make my job easier.
Latin
Connor read Cap. VI of Oerberg's Lingua Latina, and realized how much harder it is to do himself, vs. reading it with me. Aidan has bowed out of our Lingua Latina sessions - it's over his head. And Connor and I are about to get in too deep ourselves; there's a lot of vocabulary and subtle points of grammar that LL asks you to pick up by osmosis, intuition, and an incredible memory. He also did review work for Henle. We're moving v e r y s l o w l y through Henle. It will go much better/faster once Connor figures out he does have to work to learn the vocabulary. Aidan's new Latin book is still not in. Still.
Writing
Connor did week 10 of CW Homer A. We did the accompanying Harvey's Grammar orally. He outlined the story with Inspiration, and made a rough draft of the story ("The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck"). Aidan worked on week 12 of Aesop B. Aidan has not yet finished his rough draft, nor has he let me see it; however, while typing his version of the story of Robin Hood, Aidan asked how to spell "reconnaissance," and asked if he had to stick exactly to the story. This ought to be good.
History
Connor did two exercises in History Odyssey, one which involved reading and discussing "The Door in the Wall," and one in which he made an outline based on his reading about medieval Jewish persecution. He read three chapters of Our Island Story, including the story of Ethelred the Unready, plus Kipling's "Danegeld." Aidan and Griffin listened to a chapter of SOTW 2 (The Byzantine Empire). Aidan read "Marguerite Makes a Book," and three chapters of Our Island story. We colored illuminated letters, and a map of the Byzantine empire.
Literature
The big boys read Lamb's Tales, "The Tempest." I read aloud from "By The Shores of Silver Lake." Connor finished "Red Storm Rising" and Aidan is still working on some Timothy Zahn book or another ... maybe "Vision of the Future," by now.Geography
Looked up Singapore. Map of Byzantine Empire. Hagia Sophia. The older boys played Axis and Allies.Art
We didn't do any art this week, but you can entertain yourself with last week's pictures. We're using Mark Kistler's Draw Squad, which is a great book for helping boys to learn to draw. Here's Aidan's work:
And here's Connor's:
We also watched season 1 of Blackadder. Gotta love medieval studies.
Posted by lynx at October 14, 2007 1:39 PM
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Comments
What neat drawings!
I have been homeschooling 13 years and still from time to time, I am unsure of which direction we are going. But then I really think about what we have done, what we've accomplished and I know we are way above track then when my "thoughts" were at. Homeschooling is a journey and the paths change along the way.
You are doing a GREAT!
~Tina
Posted by: Tina at October 15, 2007 12:08 AM
*grin*
_This_ is why I read blogs:-)
The cool ideas are great, but it's the doses of reality which I think will prove most useful in the longer term:-)
Posted by: Fe at October 15, 2007 1:33 AM
Can you email me please?
Did you use the Homer workbook? I've decided to give old Homer another shot.
Posted by: Pensguys at October 15, 2007 12:20 PM
Just wanted to ask, could you take breaks in world history and add in units or months of US History, say when important US events occurred? Or what about adding in US History in the summer? Just a thought. Also wanted to suggest a read aloud series many people have recommended to me that perhaps your family would enjoy: Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. I think the first is Swallows and Amazons Forever!--not positive on that. I haven't read them as mine are a bit young yet, but have heard good things.
Looks like you are doing great already and really don't need my suggestions!! Keep up the great job!
Posted by: Sasha at October 16, 2007 12:03 PM