homeschool

Weekly Report (& Father-Daughter Dance)

I neglected my weekly report last week, so this is a two-for-one!

A big highlight of this week was the annual Father-Daughter Valentine dance. They ate, made general merriment, and danced the night away. Our girls are extra-blessed by having a dad who is a great dancer, and we’ve taught the girls to dance, tool! This makes the third year Ken has taken the girls, and they love it. So does he. I’m so thankful to the folks that organize this event to make it a very special evening for everyone involved.

Valentine Dance 2012

In history, we’re deep into the Civil War. We began a lapbook on the subject last week, and we’ve read this week about the Emancipation Proclamation, among other things. I’ve learned quite a lot myself; in fact, I’m really flabbergasted that I never learned these things in school! I was an attentive student with good grades, so I don’t think I slept through this stuff, but I clearly didn’t ever learn it in a way that stuck with me! Reason number 987 why I homeschool. Even when I’m not sure Kathryn has paid careful attention, any time I start telling Ken something I learned, she is able to fill in facts and add to the details I’m trying to remember.

In looking for a family-friendly movie one day last week, Ken picked up “Dog Jack” from Redbox, and it just so happened to go along perfectly with our studies. The movie was about a runaway slave (and his dog) who join the Union Army. Now when we read about battles, Kathryn has more of a visual in mind. This movie wasn’t spectacular in acting or special effects, but it was good, and managed to show battle without being graphic and scary.

All in a typical homeschool day: wearing a crown to color a state map for geography, enjoying a leisurely pancake breakfast with a friend, and listening to Mama read while working on a lap-book project!
mosaic 021012
We read last week about Henry Bessemer and the making of steel, which proved more interesting than I had feared. We’re still reading — and thoroughly enjoying — Oliver Twist, and thought it was cool that Dicken’s 200th birthday would’ve been this week.

Language Arts learning over the past two weeks: a review of verbs and adjectives; copywork of quotes from Civil War heroes; Daily Paragraph Editing; and Kathryn wrote her first official paper on a book she was required to read for bat mitzvah classes.

Kathryn’s LEGOs enrichment class included learning about the functions and classes of levers. And building cool stuff, of course. For handiwork, she’s learning to cable stitch and is working on a cable-knit hat.

Next week we’ll be halfway through our 5th grade Teaching Textbooks math curriculum so I’ll plan to write a review then.

** I’m linking up with Kris’ Weekly Wrap-Up; with Sue’s A Homeschool Mother’s Journal; and with Dawn’s Camera Phone Fridays! Come join the fun!

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Becca

Love the crown and friend in your typical school day!

Jonnia

Great photo of the three of them grinning!
I’m adding Dog Jack to my Netflix list. Thanks!
Now I’m wondering where I can find a little crown like that to wear. ;o)

Kara @ The Chuppies

Love the gold crown 🙂
And the window into your homeschool days…
I feel the same way about what ours are learning right now…I LOVE learning all this stuff *again* (though I can’t remember the first time I supposedly learned it). Did you know Ben Franklin only went to school for 2 years?

Tricia @ Hodgepodge

Well, I love all the dancing and the crown, of course! I’m right there with you on the continuing education aspects for mom! Yes, homeschooling helps me realize all I didn’t learn in school. Wow – and it’s fun. Great week Jamie and family!

Barb Martin

Your weeks sound great. One thing I am learning through homeschooling is just how much I’m learning!! Its been a wonderful surprise.
Happy weekend!
Stopping by from the homeschool mother’s journal.

Jen

We just started learning about Lewis & Clark, I think I’m more excited than the kids! I don’t seem to remember anything from school 😉

Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers

Some friends of mine were doing a father-daughter dance tonight, too. Sounds like fun. That’s a great picture of the three of them. Sounds like a great school week. I’m always amazed at how much I learned. It’s funny that you mentioned Kathryn filling in facts for you. Tonight the younger two kids gave a presentation on what they learned in Unit 1 of our studies. While our presentation organization skills could use some work (which is understandable, since this was their first one), I was really impressed with how much they remembered — especially Megan, who blew me away… Read more »

Annie Kate

Yes, I love the learning too. I’m reading The Odyssey for the first time. Wow! And there’s so much more.

I love your photos! It’s been a few weeks since we had a ‘friend’ at the table with us. I’m afraid it won’t happen too often anymore since Miss 9 rarely plays with dolls anymore.

Have a great week!

Blossom

How do you keep track of how many reasons you have for homeschooling?! I’ve seen others do it but I lose count too quickly. We love homeschooling.
Your girls look beautiful and so happy- glad that they were able to spend some good fun time with their dad. 🙂
Hope your weekend is great and next week as well! I saw your link at both WUHS and CPF- so I had to come over *wink*

Andrea Roseman

I understand about learning with your kids! I will have to remember that movie, we will be doing Civil War next year.

Giggly Girls

Oh how sweet is daddy and his girls!
I had a two-for-one post too. Last week was busy for everyone I guess. LOL
We studied the civil war last year and I was stunned by how much I didn’t know either.

amber

Father daughter dance sounds like it was a great time!
Love the crown! Dress up is one of my top 100 reasons I love homeschooling!
I love how many “friends” homeschool families have over for meals and lessons! My favorite is the school paper eating dinosaur that my son like to have over! 🙂
I will make it back to read your review on Teaching Textbooks. I have been looking at trying it for my daughter as well.
Have a great week!

MissMOE

The crown is awesome! The daddy daughter dance sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing your week.