Test Time! Week 5

Yep, it’s that time already!  Big Bro had topic tests in all four of his core  classes this week.  Not only does he have written exams (m/c and essay) but he also must complete an oral exam with each teacher.  So this week was spent studying for those, wrapping up Module One for most classes and talking with teachers.  The week also coincided with our required monthly call with each teacher, too.  So we both were on the phone for those calls. 

Here’s a glimpse into the week:

Monday started off with a bang (after a couple hours of school work, though) with the first of a series of monthly trips to Crystal Springs Preserve for a science lesson.  This month’s topic was on identifying/naming trees based on the seeds, leaves and bark.  I think we are jr. botanists now.

Monday

A power point presentation first. Beginning our leaf collection as we tour the grounds

An identification quiz at the end to see how well we listened, followed by a picnic lunch

Lil Bro’s new hs shirt  

Tuesday…”B” is here!

Eye/hand coordination              A little P.E.                                     Letter Cc—cars fun!

             Oral exam #1                                                     A game of jacks to rest before the next exam

                                                   

                Reading our Alphabet Board                                        Cc—cotton ball collage

                          

A little dancing and movement activity…love this one with Ala looking at the boys like they are crazy

                         

A fun game of Blokus, our new favorite!           Wednesday….another oral exam before co-op

                             

 

Wednesday…co-op day…P.E. class for Lil Bro

                                          

Big Bro and I working on some reading essays in between classes at co-op.  Then we top off the day with pizza…the boys’ favorite part!

                   

Art Class—Chicka Chicka Boom Boom painted tree using arm and hand…then he mixed blue/yellow to make green, then added red to make brown!  Cool!

                          

                         

Thursday—studying for another test                         Love this pic:  Lil Bro working in style!!

                               

Papa and Lil Bro and I playing Go Fish…Lil Bro decided to play from under the table

                                                

An evening science/art project to follow-up our unit on Mesopotamia.  We are making a scientific weight used by the Mesopotamians in trading and weighing loot.  Lil Bro enjoyed working with the clay as well.  I forgot to take a picture of his finished project in time.

                  

                   

Lil Bro’s weight painted with all glow-in-the-dark paint so it appears white in daylight

                                          

“Cc” art project…creating a caterpillar from turning a crayon sideways.  He loves doing the projects! 

Friday—Dad helping out with some science explanations before our field trip to a fossil dig at the park.  The boys enjoyed meeting some new friends and hanging out with some they barely knew and got to know them better.  I even was able to meet a few new ladies, too.

                 

Yeah!  Our next postcard came in today…this one from Arkansas.  It’s really exciting for each of us when we see one in the mailbox!

                             

                                                        

Friday night was a big time for us.  Big Bro along with four friends competed in our church’s Dodge Brawl tournament (grand prize was a helicoptor tour of Tampa).  Our team rocked and made it to the fourth round but eventually did get ousted.  But, wow, it was exciting!

Here’s the boys with a couple brothers                              Here are their Team Zero shirts

                 

Round two                                                                             Super excited after the win

                

Daddy was the coach and was also super excited!  Love it…group prayer before the next round!  Gotta love kids who love God, ya know??

                

Saturday…since some projects take a while we sometimes do these on the weekend.  So Saturday afternoon we began our final art project for Mesopotamia.  The boys used a glass plate and covered it with paper mache.  After it dried we drew geometric designs on the plate and painted them to replicate ancient pottery using colors available at the time.

                    

                                                  

Day 2—Sunday—the pottery has now dried and is ready to be painted.

Lil Bro busy building with our paint bottles, a bit distracted from beginning his painting, I’d say!  However, when he did begin, he was very focused and completed the entire plate!

   

Completed projects:  Lil Bro’s painted all by himself!        Big Bro with special ancient designs!

                         

So if I haven’t said in a while, I LOVE homeschooling!  Why, oh, why didn’t I do this years ago??  I am busier than ever but it’s the good kind of busy where you are productive, non-stressed and really enjoying my kiddos everyday!  Anyway, sorry there were two weeks of posts back to back but apparently that “busyness” kept me from completing my blog last week on time.  This week has already started out great so can’t wait to blog again this weekend!!

 

Until next time,

Crystal