Homeschooling: Week of Feb. 20, 2012

Here's Bug, working on an experiment with air.

I'll start with what Bug did this week: in his Sonlight science, he read about reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. He also did experiments with air. He is absolutely having a blast with his science! He usually asks to go online after school to research more about something he studied in science. You can't beat that! In math, Bug has a daily review and a time drill, along with new concepts. He is learning all of his multiplication facts and also learning to add three digit numbers. He really likes his math!

Moving on to Doodles: she is reading the most fascinating book in her Sonlight science. It is called The History of Medicine. I enjoy reading it myself, and Doodles is learning so much from it. For example, she was outraged this week when she read about doctors (a long time ago) who refused to wash their hands. They thought it was beneath them! So instead they spread diseases from person to person. Thankfully one brave doctor stood for what is right and now doctors are required to wash their hands. She's also read about how anesthesia came about, among many other things. Want to know more? I suggest you read this book for yourself. :) In math, Doodles continue to learn more about fractions, percents, and decimals, along with daily review of previous concepts. Plus, she has a time drill daily. Love Saxon math!

Baby Girl is working on object permanence with some activities from this book. She is also working on opening and closing drawers, which is an idea from this book using Montessori methods. Her vocabulary and communication skills are really starting to develop. She also practices writing on her dry erase board, as well as continuing with other Montessori activities, such as sliding beads, pinning clothespins, and playing with her kitchen set. We also listen to Wee Sing Nursery Rhymes and Finger Plays, and Baby Girl loves to sing along!

In Sonlight history & geography, which Doodles and Bug do together, we just finished our study of The Civil War. As a fun follow-up activity, we watched Gone With the Wind. Also, we have a new favorite read-aloud from this core: Across Five Aprils. It is such a good book, and it really helped us to feel the struggles and pains our nation underwent during the Civil War. Also, it made me shed quite a few tears, especially since my oldest child is in the Army and is currently deployed. It is amazing to me how some of  our read-alouds can actually make me cry over events that I studied again and again in my own school years. Truly, Sonlight brings history to life!