•2:56 PM
This week's theme is: This week I hope you’ll share something new you’re using, why you’ve decided to use it, and if you have used it how you like it. Make sure to include the publishing information and where you got it from so others can look into if they like.
Actually, we aren't using much new for homeschool this year. In early October, I will be ordering Calvert First Grade for Baby Girl, who is only 11 lessons away from finishing Kindergarten. In January, we will begin Calvert Fourth Grade with Little Son. Except for the fact that Calvert has revised First Grade this year, this is not new for us. Sure, Baby Girl will have new first grade hardback readers, and Little Son will be working with A Child's History of the World, Mighty Men, Famous Legends, Robinson Crusoe, and Island of the Blue Dolphins. Some of these books are Calvert classics. So nothing there has changed, and we are okay with that.
We did begin something new for Bible discussion and catechism. We have recently begun working through Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade, P&R Publishing Co., Phillipsburg, NJ, 2000.
I like the layout and tone of this book, as it makes Christian truths very concrete for kids (and for me as well). It systematically moves through the Westminster Shorter Catechism, providing six short lessons per week on each question and answer. Children may memorize the answers as well. We are beginning to do this, too, as memorization does not seem to be much of a problem with the children these days. But they do have plenty to memorize with AWANA, so we might not continue to require catechism memorization. This book will take over two years to get through. So far we really like it, and it is the spine of our family devotions, when they do occur (sigh), in the evenings.
Another thing that has changed is that we added a new subject in our homeschool this year: P.E., as in Physical Education. I have already blogged about this big change to our homeschool, back in August in this post.
So, I can't add much to that except provide an update. We had the first real session of P.E. yesterday. The kids enjoyed it. They made new friends immediately. They saw some children they already knew, and we met a family with five internationally adopted children, four from China, one from Vietnam. Little Son became friends from the outset with the boys from Vietnam and China, and he was all smiles when he learned later that one of the boys was born in his birth country. So that was pretty neat.
The P.E. Class (see website here ) meets one afternoon a week, for three hours. They cover several different sports and track and field events throughout the year. Each month is four different sports, covered in four half hour segments through which your child's group rotates during the session. After two segments, there is a break, and all the kids assemble together under the pavilion for snack, Bible discussion, and quiet time with God, a few minutes where the children get to pray silently. There is much discussion during this time between the coaches and the group about issues of character, fairness, sportsmanlike behavior, obedience to God and parents, etc. Then, the kids participate in two more sessions, and then go home. This month, the sports are volleyball, flag football, frisbee golf, and kickball. Each month, the sports are different, according to the season and the climate, outdoor temperature, and the park facilities. For example, in December, the park is going to seed their fields, so the class will focus on tennis that month. Skills are taught according to the children's ages and skill level. All are positively encouraged, especially those who are less coordinated. Nobody is left to feel badly about their performance.
All I can say is, I sure wish P.E. had been like this when I was a kid.
Anyway, we are thrilled with the program so far, except it has been an adjustment getting our lessons done to allow this to take up an additional afternoon each week. The children love it. They are both on the same team.
I get such a kick out of hearing the two children in the back seat of the car after P.E. and AWANA. They compare notes, and it is really cute to listen to them tell each other the highlights of their day. After all, they spend 98% of their lives together, but that remaining 2% is very significant fuel for lively conversation!
Actually, we aren't using much new for homeschool this year. In early October, I will be ordering Calvert First Grade for Baby Girl, who is only 11 lessons away from finishing Kindergarten. In January, we will begin Calvert Fourth Grade with Little Son. Except for the fact that Calvert has revised First Grade this year, this is not new for us. Sure, Baby Girl will have new first grade hardback readers, and Little Son will be working with A Child's History of the World, Mighty Men, Famous Legends, Robinson Crusoe, and Island of the Blue Dolphins. Some of these books are Calvert classics. So nothing there has changed, and we are okay with that.
We did begin something new for Bible discussion and catechism. We have recently begun working through Training Hearts, Teaching Minds by Starr Meade, P&R Publishing Co., Phillipsburg, NJ, 2000.
I like the layout and tone of this book, as it makes Christian truths very concrete for kids (and for me as well). It systematically moves through the Westminster Shorter Catechism, providing six short lessons per week on each question and answer. Children may memorize the answers as well. We are beginning to do this, too, as memorization does not seem to be much of a problem with the children these days. But they do have plenty to memorize with AWANA, so we might not continue to require catechism memorization. This book will take over two years to get through. So far we really like it, and it is the spine of our family devotions, when they do occur (sigh), in the evenings. Another thing that has changed is that we added a new subject in our homeschool this year: P.E., as in Physical Education. I have already blogged about this big change to our homeschool, back in August in this post.
So, I can't add much to that except provide an update. We had the first real session of P.E. yesterday. The kids enjoyed it. They made new friends immediately. They saw some children they already knew, and we met a family with five internationally adopted children, four from China, one from Vietnam. Little Son became friends from the outset with the boys from Vietnam and China, and he was all smiles when he learned later that one of the boys was born in his birth country. So that was pretty neat.
The P.E. Class (see website here ) meets one afternoon a week, for three hours. They cover several different sports and track and field events throughout the year. Each month is four different sports, covered in four half hour segments through which your child's group rotates during the session. After two segments, there is a break, and all the kids assemble together under the pavilion for snack, Bible discussion, and quiet time with God, a few minutes where the children get to pray silently. There is much discussion during this time between the coaches and the group about issues of character, fairness, sportsmanlike behavior, obedience to God and parents, etc. Then, the kids participate in two more sessions, and then go home. This month, the sports are volleyball, flag football, frisbee golf, and kickball. Each month, the sports are different, according to the season and the climate, outdoor temperature, and the park facilities. For example, in December, the park is going to seed their fields, so the class will focus on tennis that month. Skills are taught according to the children's ages and skill level. All are positively encouraged, especially those who are less coordinated. Nobody is left to feel badly about their performance.
All I can say is, I sure wish P.E. had been like this when I was a kid.
Anyway, we are thrilled with the program so far, except it has been an adjustment getting our lessons done to allow this to take up an additional afternoon each week. The children love it. They are both on the same team.
I get such a kick out of hearing the two children in the back seat of the car after P.E. and AWANA. They compare notes, and it is really cute to listen to them tell each other the highlights of their day. After all, they spend 98% of their lives together, but that remaining 2% is very significant fuel for lively conversation!
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7 comments:
Hi. I was just browsing through the different posts from today's theme. Your kids are adorable!
We are always usingnew stuff. I get bored easily, LOL.
Wow--the PE program sounds great! I wish we had something like that where we live. I know my kids would benefit from it and would enjoy it too!
Lois
Thank you for the kind comment on my school room. We have the book Training Hearts Teaching Minds in our line up for later this year, after we finish our current devotional. :)
Ah..now my first comment. Your something new is P.E. and it sounds like your kids are loving it. See you tomorrow!
Baby Girl will love Calvert 1st, although you already know that. Mark is 2 weeks into Calvert 4th, and he just loves Robinson Crusoe! Every year is the same, but every year is new, exciting and different, too, with Calvert, isn't it?
The PE class sound great. We've begun meeting with a homeschool co-op this year which also does PE - what a great thing to know they are getting that crucial element to their education without having to worry about planning it myself!:)
I have friends who have used Calvert for years and are very happy with it. I'm glad it works so well for you. We will be starting a PE class next week--I hope it is as fun as yours sounds!