Our school, week 2.

This week we spent more time on maps. The girls learned about many different uses for and types of maps. They learned about scale and measurement on maps and even made a scale map of their rooms (1in=1ft). We ended the week making two cakes depicting the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. In science we covered biomes, located the tropics, temperate and arctic zones of the globe. We also went on a nature walk and took leaves (from the ground) and made bark rubbings to identify what kind of trees grow in our "biome."they seemed to enjoy being little scientists exploring their world. We ended the week with water and oxygen cycles.
Leslie (2nd grade) is working on ar words in spelling, learning about types of sentences in English, and reviewing basic addition and subtraction in math.
Lindsay starts spelling next week. She is also learning about different kinds of sentences as well as sentence diagramming in English. In Math, Lindsay is reviewing place value and regrouping.
In Bible we have been talking about how Jesus came and died for everyone, not just Christians. Each day has started with rich discussion about this topic- it has been fun to hear these girls grow in wisdom, as well as their faith.
One struggle we have had is with our read aloud time- the book selected by My Father's world is a classical allegory. It is a bit dark and not suitable for my girls at this time. So we decided to shelf it until they are older. So for now, we are reading some of their favorite chapter books instead. The girls are also reading books on their own, as well as reading to their little sister. It was a joy to hear Leslie very expressively read Green Eggs and Ham to Lucy this week, I wish I had recorded it.
I learned a couple of thugs this week, myself. I learned that making a checklist for each girl of what they needed to get done that day was really effective. I also included things that they needed to do sometime before bed that night. Things on the list are generally things that help me out (play with Lucy, take laundry upstairs, read to Lucy, etc.). The list helps the girls stay a little more focused.
I also learned that we need a more specific time limit to some tasks. One of the girls would take all day to finish her work if given the chance! So now we set a timer and whatever isn't done will become 'roomwork,' or work they have to do in their room after school time (we can't really call it homework can we?).
Lastly, I learned that my oldest needs to have her math lesson at the end of the day. For whatever reason, she has been unable to focus during the mid morning math session. But after lunch she can sit and focus on it much better.

It has been great getting to know both girls' learning strengths and weaknesses. I won't lie and say it has been the picture of a perfect homeschool, but we are working toward a school that works for my girls. My goal this year is to not quit! No matter how hard things seem. Here are some pictures of our second week: