Friday, September 11, 2009

School This Week

I'm amazed at how much we are able to learn regardless of where we are or where our supplies are. ::snort::

We've continued our study of Japanese Culture. We've been able to find a lot of books at the base library for this....and we're enjoying ourselves. We've built lit, history, math, language, and art around this topic. Arielle enjoyed The Master Puppeteer enough to suggest I read it aloud to Zander and Nolan. I'm doing this and she is listening again. Jared wrote an 8 page paper on Saigō Takamori, his life and exploits as the "last samurai". This wasn't assigned, but he wanted to do it and it makes him happy. He is currently working on a comparison between English and Japanese Feudalism. He felt his study of the time period with TOG was great background on England, and this has always fascinated us so he has a background....and he's now researching the Shogun era.... We're watching Shogun and enjoying it. Our favorite thing is trying to translate the Japanese language in the movie. ::snort::

Every outing is a field trip that ties into our oversall unit study. That's mighty convenient.

Jared is soaring with Pimsleur. We're still debating if we should hire a private language tutor (EXPENSIVE) or go to a language school in Hachinhohe. Both have their advantages.

Jared and Arielle continue to sift through the book Kim gave Jared on Kanji. I continue to say, "Anyone KNOW what that sign says?" as we encounter various traffic signs and posted signs on our adventures.

Jared and Arielle attended a meeting to help with the RE Carnival coming up this Sunday. We're excited for the kick off of RE.

Zander is on lesson 7 of "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." He'll read eventually, I'm fairly sure. He nearly blew out my eardrum - seriously, my ears were popping hours afterwards - when I told him, "I'm not sure I heard the last sound in that word, say it fast again." He leaned up against my ear and YELLED the word. I had to explain that when I say I'm not sure I've heard a phonics sound it may not be volume that needs to be adjusted. ::snort::

We've hit on a great way to do spelling. I give random words. Nolan writes it down. Arielle writes it down WITH a sentence. All make up a silly sentence at the end of the day.

We had our second pottery class on Friday. I can't wait to see all that they are making.

Yep - School is in session!

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

~ Coram Deo ~
Living all of life before the face of God...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sis +:

Neat school I'd say! Guess you will have to put some cotton in the ear nearest Alexander. OH, by the way the easiest way to read small print is to have glasses at hand all the time.

Sure feels good to be at school and not have to kneel down to see what the kids right.

Pottey class sounds great. Are you taking that on base?

love/prayers --- Mom T.
love/prayers --- Mom T.

Darshia said...

A spelling resource we started using that the children are also enjoying is www.spellingcity.com. You register as a parent or teacher. Put in your words and it makes up the sentences and all. The children play the games and can test too.

DeEtta @ Courageous Joy said...

I will Bre...and thanks, Darshia.

Anonymous said...

We are starting The Master Puppeteer today. It is on the Sonlight Read Aloud list Grade 5. :)
~Margie