Our Week::November 22-24

All About Spelling:
I have avoided writing too much about this recently as I tend to get over the top when I really love something. After a few weeks off, I'll say it again- I love this program. I love that is spelled out (no pun intended) down to the last detail for me, that the information sticks (you have to do the review cards) with my boys, and that my boys are still progressing.

This program is a matter of "just do it"- I just need to sit down, open my book and start. I don't try to plan or anticipate how long a "step" (lesson) will take. We work for about 20-30 minutes (used to be 10-20 min.) or until I can see that my boys are not staying focused- then we close our books and come back to it another day. It is just that easy.

Beginning Drawing:

I mentioned in a recent post that I would update on how we are liking Barry Stebbing's beginning drawing video. It is still a big "thumbs up" with our family.  I purchased the recommended art supplies tonight. We were limping along without sketch pads, color pencils and pens that are used for the lessons (we improvised). I am surprising each of the boys with his own basket of materials- we are usually a "share" kind of family, so I think they will be excited. (they were!)


Left- James (7yo)                  Right-Paul (12yo)
(For Paul- the tree, candle and tornado doodles are his own. He draws faster
 than the rest of us, so he has doodle time.)



Mark (10yo)

These last two pictures cracked me up- the one on the left was Marky's "I can't draw flowers, so I am going to draw what I want" picture. I actually think it is kind of cool- it is a little tornado (?) and a man standing in the garden. The second picture is after my "hey, we are trying to form some building blocks here- draw what Mr. Stebbing says".

No TV or Electronics:
Keeping in mind we don't have actual channels (no cable or however people get such things these days) and we have very few electronic things, those few things we do have have taken over the kid's minds!

It seems like at every turn they want to watch a DVD or play a video game (we have exactly one game). If I allow time for this, I turn in the big bad mom the minute I ask them to do something else. I must have been allowing more time for this than I realized because the first day without, I was exhausted. There was no break while the boys caught a few minutes something!

The upside- they boys are finding better ways to spend their time. They are playing board games, building block and Lincoln Log cities to go with their cars, drawing... all together a better way to spend their time. Although, I may cave and allow a movie time this afternoon!

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

I am linking up to Jen at Forever, For Always, No Matter. You can link up or just see how the week has gone for other homeschoolers.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 24, 2010 at 1:23 PM

    Ugh the dreaded TV/Computer! I have a love/hate thing with technology. We don't have cable either and only have one junky tv in the basement, however we do have Wii and recently discovered that you can get Netflix movies instantly through Wii!!! Needless to say the kids have watched too much this past week. We are thinking about going completely tv free during Advent/Christmas, but we will see! Thanks for linking up again and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. PattyNovember 24, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    We haven't jumped into electronics yet...but I really want to get a Wii this Christmas.

    I loved Marky's drawing. I immediately noticed the very, tall man. Glad you like your drawing DVD's as well. We are using one from Seton this year. I love being able to pop it in and walk away.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

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