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November 9, 2007
In Which the Week Was Eaten By Legos
We really didn't do much school work this week. Our First LEGO League competition is tomorrow, so most of our week was display prep. Wish us luck. If you're very lucky, I might take and post pictures.
Now, I will ramble disconnectedly:
•Have I mentioned how happy I am with Galore Park Latin? Because I am. Very happy. Really, really happy. It's as good as Latin Book One, only with better pacing and more practice. I'm so happy that I plunked down the cash for their higher-level Latin series, and their Spanish program. When I get more money, I will give it to them in return for science and British history materials.
•I am also, so far, very happy with Lightning Literature. We're using this in a very low-key way (sort of how we use most programs). I like the reading selections (it starts off with "Rikki Tikki Tavi" and "Tom Sawyer"), especially as they're pieces which are good, but are not on my radar. The pacing is good, and the assignments are not all stupid (as they are in most lit programs for junior high).
•When we weren't doing FLL stuff, Aidan had his nose perpetually stuck in his latest Timothy Zahn book. I'm not even sure he stopped reading to eat. Ever.
•We survived Lachlan's sedation and massive dentistry, and he did not turn out to have any rare genetic disorders. This time.
•My children have discovered YouTube. Want to know what they watch there? Apparently, people make videos of the computer and video games they play. And my kids watch them. This is just weird.
•Folks at Scouts are apparently feeling comfortable enough with me to start asking questions about homeschooling. "Why do you do it?" (Which I don't answer in complete honesty - not until I know you better and know that you're not going to take everything I say as a personal affront.) "Do you have a teaching background?" (Well I do now, don't I?)
The question that left me gaping was this: "When you teach your kindergartener, how do you make sure your older son isn't listening in on the stuff he's already done?"
For crying out loud. I forget that in general, people really don't think things through before they ask questions. Of course I answered him kindly. But who the heck cares if my older students listen in on lessons with my youngers? Does it matter? Why? Did I miss something? Will it drain their brains? Push out room needed for more advanced material?
Does it ever hurt to review material? Have you ever noticed that when you read books meant for young children, you can still learn something new?
I don't mind the questions, it's just that sometimes I can't figure out quite where they come from.
Anyway.
I can't wait until this next week is over. I'm scheduled for my EDG or EGD, or whatever it is, on Wednesday. After that, I still don't know which state we're having Thanksgiving in. But I do have a plan for making gluten-free/dairy-free/egg-free pumpkin pie and dressing. Who wants to come for dinner?
Posted by lynx at November 9, 2007 8:34 PM
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Comments
So, which GP Latin is on par with LBO? We are on Lesson 8 and we are taking it fairly slow. The sentences are really boring: farmers, letters, daughters, islands. Nothing remotely interesting is happening with these people, yet. We like it though, but I'm halfway on the GP bandwagon. If the exchange was better, I'd be all in.
Youtube. That's how my 9yo spends her time. On the phone with her cousin watching Fullmetal Alchemist Jeopardy. I hated to burst her bubble, but it was just SNL Jeopardy audio dubbed over FMA scenes. I don't know if I should let her in on the video game thing.
Posted by: Shawna at November 10, 2007 1:30 AM
Arrgh! That GP Latin just keeps haunting me! LOL I am glad it's working well for your guys. Thanks to you, I have my eye on Lightning Lit for next year, too. I appreciate your low-key approach. :)
Debra (in TX)
Posted by: Debra (in TX) at November 10, 2007 1:39 AM
Okay, now I've heard it all. I hope you lock the older child away in the homeschool closet before teaching the younger. You should have asked this person where such a strange and off the wall question came from, because it really is sort of funny.
I do have a homeschooling friend whose daughter 'came out' last year. When informed of this, the girl's grandmother said, "If only you hadn't homeschooled."
Posted by: ami at November 10, 2007 12:40 PM
Yes, people have all kinds of comments/views on homeschooling and after 13 years of homeschooling, I am still amazed at the question I am still asked by family members... :o)
Your week looks wonderful!
~Tina
Posted by: Tina at November 11, 2007 8:37 PM