Week in Review::February 20-25 2012

Some school-front highlights:

We are working on a few new things for school this week- 



We have used this before, but now that my boys fight over using like to use the computer, they can truly see how better typing skills come in handy. I am sure there are many worthwhile programs out there, but this one is free and it is a great place to start. 

My boys only have one complaint- when a keystroke is missed, the correct key flashes on the screen and a very annoying little (squeaky!) voice says "type on me".  It is a small thing, but I admit that it is a bit grating. I think they can deal with it though. 

We are also giving XtraMath a try (also free). This is a no frills approach to math drill. My boys by far prefer to play Timez Attack for this type of thing, but it never hurts to mix it up. I like that the goal is speed- my boys pretty much have their math facts down (they occasionally get rusty), but speed has always been an issue. This takes less than 10 minutes a day, so it is very doable. 

Some thoughts on math- 

I was talking to my sister, a fellow homeschooler, about teaching math. She expressed some regret at sticking with Math U See for so long. She feels that at least one of her sons is burned out by the mastery approach and that a less structured, more hands-on method might have worked better. At the same time she was saying this, I was thinking (and later shared with her)- "But I so admire that you have stuck with something and have given your children a pretty rock solid foundation to build their math skills on!" 

I think the conclusion we came to is that, like with so many things, a mix of the two might be a good balance. 

That being said, I think my nephew is taking a break from the more structured approach and is going to eat a few fractions this week- my boys, while still working toward a more hands-on living math approach, are finding a little more structure and drill in their math work. 


We continued to learn a little more about Japan. (my post earlier this week)



A brief clip (39 seconds) of a skit from Spanish class.


And! 

This Saturday, all the boys (son-in-laws and Erin's boyfriend included) were at .... 


A Monster Jam!!

This is my 11yo son's dream day!! Monster trucks and brother-in-laws. For him, it does not get any better. 






On to next week! 

Comments

  1. NicoleFebruary 26, 2012 at 4:04 PM

    Brynne would love Dance Mat. We'll have to give it a try. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 27, 2012 at 10:45 AM

    I would agree about math, that combining a hands on approach with some serious book work is probably the way to go. I don't really enjoy math so I always stick with the workbook method. I really need to branch out more, because math really is such a hands on subject, we use it where ever we go. Love the pics of your kids and grandkids, especially the one of you with your grandsons!!

    ReplyDelete

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