Weekly Biweekly Monthly Quarterly+ Report

Hi. I'm Tammy. And I'm a "Weekly Reporter" dropout. Big time.

It's time for a LONG overdue update on the happenings here at EEA. I promise to just hit the highlights and not bore you with every little detail of the past 14 weeks (give or take a week), as well as touch on my plans for next year.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Grace has almost finished Spelling Workout B. It has been going well--she seems to be a "workbooky" type gal...just like me. We are still analyzing the words each week using SWR markings. I think we will continue this combination for 3rd grade.

For reading, after almost completing Book 2 of the Elson Readers, we mixed things up a bit by moving to Sonlight Readers-Grade 3 (the name has now been changed back to Sonlight Readers 2-Intermediate, just to confuse you). We are also using the suggested Read Alouds from Core 1. Let me just say--as many others have said before me--that Sonlight knows how to pick great age-appropriate (but challenging) literature. Grace is currently reading The Chalk-Box Kid, and our read-alouds at the moment are Follow My Leader and Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. Fantastic stuff here! I think we'll continue with SL readers & read-alouds for third grade.

As far as grammar goes...well there isn't much going on in that department these days. We've completely abandoned First Language Lessons. I wanted to like it. I really, really did. I tried to stick with it. I really, really did. But if I had to follow the scripted "repeat this 3 times" or have your kiddo "repeat that 3 times" just one more time...well...let's just say it wouldn't be pretty. Next year I'm hoping to find something that incorporates grammar into a writing program, or at least a stand-alone grammar program that is a little more interesting (if such an animal exists).

This past week I have transitioned Grace into cursive copywork, which has considerably lessened the grumble-factor when that copywork page makes its appearance.

MATH: We are frantically trying to wrap up Horizons 2. I've started doubling-up the pages each day, crossing out repetitious material. We should be finished in another month or so, then we'll focus on getting those multiplication facts down cold before starting 3rd grade in the fall.

HISTORY: There's been a bit of flip-flopping around in this area. We attempted to switch completely to Sonlight Core 1 about 1/3 of the way through SOTW1. It was o.k., but the history core isn't as fabulous (IMHO) as the readers or read-alouds. Now...in the interest of finishing Ancient History this year...we've switched back to SOTW1, but I'm paring it down by skipping the extra reading & activities. We basically just read the chapter, then do the review questions, narrations, coloring pages & mapwork and move on to the next chapter. I have no idea what I want to use for next year. Argh...the indecision.

SCIENCE: Well, after long intervals between topics, we have finally made it to the "Plants" portion of our life science studies for the year. Next year I definitely need a well laid out plan as far as science goes. The Well-Trained Mind method of using a spine & supplementing with library books just doesn't git 'er done around these parts.

SPANISH: We are still using Elementary Spanish as our *main* curriculum, then adding in various books, songs & games for fun. The jury's still out on next year's plan though.

CO-OP: It's hard to believe that our first year of co-op has ended. All of the Musical Theatre classes joined together for a production of "OZ!" this past Monday & Tuesday evenings. Grace's class played the roles of the munchkins, the flying monkeys, the poppies (girls), and the fighting trees (boys). It was a hoot! Next year Grace will be taking gymnastics (again), art (again), animal science, and a "Books to Build On" class. They also have some great new additions to the preschool class lineup. Emma will take preschool storytime (again), music, and gymnastics. They are both looking forward to the fall.

Whew. I think that just about covers it. I'm neck-deep in curriculum researching, planning, and shopping for next year. What to keep? What to change? What to add? ¡Ay carumba! I feel my OCD kicking in...