I realized after writing last week's Collage Friday post just how much I have missed documenting our weeks.
Because, when it comes down to it, if we all did this each week I think we would see just how much we accomplish. Homeschool moms tend to be hard on themselves, and when I look back at our week it makes me feel good to see everything we did achieve.
This week marks the END of 9th and 5th grades. Other than a Latin and math final, we are closing the books on this school year and plan to take a LONG break from school.
Music for Mother's Day
Playing piano is just a given in our homeschool. I'm one of those moms that requires daily practice, recitals, competitions, etc...
Learning an instrument has done so much for my children's confidence and concentration. It has taught them that perseverance pays off, and it has eliminated any fears they had of speaking or performing in public.
Their piano recital was on Mother's Day. The kids have taken lessons from the same teacher for many years. Not only does she create wonderful pianists, but she invests in my children personally. Having another adult that believes in them and supports them is such a gift.
And, if I might be a proud mom for a minute, my kids both received awards this year for their work in piano. Anna received her 8th superior rating in the Federation Festival - and she also received an Artistry Award from that festival - which means she displayed superior artistry and was recognized by the judges with a cash award. Grant received his 3rd superior rating in Federation.
I always dreamt I would have a house filled with music, and it does my heart such good to watch my children develop as musicians.
Math and MORE!
For many years math has been a STRUGGLE in our homeschool. Having one child who is average at math (and never liked it) and another who is excellent at math (and loves it) has been a challenge for me.
Grant completed Saxon 6/5 a couple weeks ago and went straight into Saxon 7/6. There are many reasons we use Saxon, and I believe it is by far superior for a math minded child in the elementary grades. Grant will continue math throughout the summer, because if he's not complaining I'm going to keep assigning lessons.
Anna is finishing Mr. D Math Algebra I. We jumped the Saxon ship this year and it was the right decision. The repetition in Saxon was TOO MUCH for my non math kid. Now, I have a child that enjoys math and has an A average, too!
I've written about Mr. D and how much we love his math classes. Anna is already enrolled for Geometry next year. In the picture below you can see her watching one of Mr. D's prerecorded lesson videos and working through the lesson problems. I love that she can rewind as many times as she needs to understand the concept. Mr. D's instruction is clear, put into language teens understand, and effective.
Learn about Mr. D Algebra I
Learn About Mr. D Geometry
One of the best things about homeschool is early May! Homeschoolers are winding down their studies, and public school students are still in school. We had the gym at the YMCA to ourselves one day this week, so Grant and a friend got in their P.E. on the courts.
I've been trying to cook meals that last more than one night, and I made a double recipe of Cheeseburger Pie this week. It's nothing fancy, but everyone loves it, and Anna is also very good at making it!
Confession: I am a Words With Friends junkie! I had to chuckle this week because I played the word ALOHA --- fitting because we are leaving for 2 weeks in Hawaii next week! Yes, I did say 2 WEEKS IN HAWAII. The trip is such an incredible blessing - and I hope to post a Collage Friday from Oahu in the next 2 weeks!
Grant just completed the Hawaii State Study from Notebooking Pages, and it's perfect because the study has journal pages for while the child is visiting that state! I'm thinking we might do state studies for some other states we plan to visit this summer, too!
Planning, Organizing, and Beautifying
I may be a bit ahead (which is kind of unusual), but I printed a school calendar for next year, along with some adorable FREE planning pages, and started planning for 10th and 6th grades!
Grab Your Free Planning Pages from Ed Snapshots!
I also love Plan Your Year (also from Pam at Ed Snapshots) and will be using it to plan our full school year.
I also began ordering some of Anna's Challenge 2 books. Right now we just received A Morbid Taste for Bones, Out of the Silent Planet, and Something Beautiful For God. (I'm hoping to read one of these on vacation because I do like to keep up with her reading during the year.)
Because Grant's workload was a bit lighter this week, he had some time on his hands. I was so proud of him for organizing and cleaning his room.
Maybe you can even see the paper plate puppet on his dresser - which he learned to make from a Charlie Brown comic book!
I am a firm believer in being BORED. I'm not the mom that schedules a million playdates or outings with friends. I like to be HOME and I like for the kids to come up with things to do when they are bored.
I've also been spending some time beautifying our house - and the front porch plants make me happy. It's getting to be my own little oasis and I just pray I can keep everything alive through the summer!
That was our week in a nutshell! I'm breathing a happy sigh knowing that we have finished and finished WELL! I'd love to know if you're finished with school, or if you're still going!
Collage Friday
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