I had every intention of posting a wrap-up post the last two Fridays but it just has not happened with all the things going on around here. Nothing too exciting or earth shattering to keep me from writing but it has been the everyday stuff that happens when you have a busy and full household. Bear in mind then, this post contains snips from the last three weeks of school.
Chemistry is in dire need of some new life. It has lost its zing and although we are enjoying the materials we are working on, I think I need to come up with something new to breathe some new life into it. Suggestions are always welcome. I am thinking about adding in this book:
Literature is in the wrapping up mode. Mr. A is finishing both the Grapes of Wrath and The Lord of the Flies next week. What an emotional ride both books have been! There has been so much food for thought and honestly I have taken away more from the books than he has. There are some very adult themes and ideas in both books that really only have context when you have lived life a little. Mr. A is writing an essay with the theme of man's inhumanity to man with examples from the Grapes of Wrath and he turned in the rough draft today...still need to look at it. He is still working on Robert Browning poetry and reading Poe's short stories. Look for a poetry for high schoolers update soon.
Mr. B is working on a scholarly study of the Iliad using The Teaching Company DVD series by Elizabeth Vandiver. I am appreciating TOG and their sequence for Year 1 and I am glad we stuck out the more difficult poetry from Egypt, Assyria, and Akkadia. We have something to compare to this epic Greek poem. I am also glad that we are not totally new to Greek mythology and the Iliad story coming into reading it in high school.
History is moving right along for Mr. A and he is amazing me at the amount of detail he has absorbed through his reading each week. We have added in a few notebooking pages as part of his written narration and I think that mixes things up a bit. His economics study and his history are so relevant to the world we live in and I hear him relating current events to things he is learning.
If you have ever wanted a concise explanation of our economy/justice atmosphere in America, don't miss this book, Whatever Happened to Justice? I have long wanted to understand better the world of economics and this book is one of the best things that we have read this year as far as being relevant and eye-opening. The discussions we have after reading this book keep popping up long after school hours. It makes for great dinner time conversation. This series of books is a perfect fit for a study of the 20th Century or Tapestry of Grace Year 4.
Art and music appreciation are happening every week which warms my heart. Mr. A asked if he could take a break from his formal artist study to finish an art-related project that he started over the summer. He is painting a scene on his closet doors which means the doors are in the garage instead of in his bedroom. I decided to give him the time so he could finish up and get the doors back up on his closet. I have no idea what motivated the subject matter but he likes it and I guess that is all that matters. I will post photos when he is done.
Every term I like to give Mr. B a random art project and see what happens. This time around he worked on an art lesson loosely based on this project on tints and shades. I tend to forget how much this child does not like to paint. He commented several times about the inefficiency of painting and how markers would have made the project easier. I like to stretch his skills and comfort zone a bit every now and then just to keep him progressing. I got the message loud and clear though.....no paints. I guess this means I better rethink the mini-unit on acrylics I have been cooking up. :)
Mr. B's baking course has really taken root. His brothers convinced him to try an apple pie and now we have had two in the past few weeks. He tackles the recipe like a scientist and that makes me smile. His official projects have been peanut butter cookies and then fudge brownies. A+ on both recipes.
I almost forgot that last week Mr. B finished his robotics project. Check out his robotic claw!
We have taken several long walks this past week....so perfect is the weather for walking in the afternoons right now that it seems wrong not to make an effort to get outside. The woodpeckers and squirrels are busy in the trees of our neighborhood and the trees are starting to turn color...orange, red, yellow, gold, and even purple.
Okay, finishing here for this time. I will try to be more regular in my posting and perhaps it won't have to be so long next time.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
I am listing the books referred to in this post because I always receive email asking me what particular books we use to accomplish our week. You may need to click over to the blog to see the links on Amazon.com.
10 comments:
Barb
Don't know if you read Theresa's blog. Her highschool son is doing Chemistry too
http://lapazfarm.homeschooljournal.net/2010/09/23/chemistry-with-a-kick/
she has a few more posts, mentioning his Chemistry project too.
Have you heard of the book "Napoleon's Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History" by Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson? It is not a chemistry text, so it might not at all be what you are looking for. Katie and I loved it. She read it in high school. I plan to have each of my boys read it once they reach that level. Each chapter covers a different molecule and how it could be thought of as the main componet in a historical event. It does go into the structure of the molecules, but it is written clearly enough for a high schooler to get a least most of it. Just a thought.
I love your weekly wrap-ups! Thank you for taking the time to share.
Those cookies (in the pic) are favorites around here. One of my grown dds took up baking as a hobby in high school and those were her specialty (still are).
Barb,
Thanks so much for your weekly wrap-ups. Its great to see some of the things you are doing with our boys...mine is 10 and so its helpful to see what's to come.
That picture of painting at the counter could be my son, wanting not to be there! He has convinced me that photography is more efficient. LOL
Since he spends hours outside with his camera, I just call that art and nature study. It works for him.
Annie Kate
http://homeschoolblogger.com/reviewsandmore/
Looks like a fantastic week, Barb!
Erin and Phyllis,
Thanks for both the really good suggestions. :)
Actually, a big thank you to all of the commenters for the encouraging words.
Hi Barb, I have taken so many great ideas from your blog, now I can finally share something with you! My dd is reading the Disappearing Spoon and enjoying it. She's almost done, and next on her list is The Poisoner's Handbook, which is about the birth of forensic science. I was going to recommend Napolean's Button's too, but someone beat me to it, also there is What Einstein Told His Cook which your son might enjoy since it's about the science and chemistry of cooking.
Thanks again for sharing with us, as always your such an inspiration.
Looks like a great week! I can smell those cookies...
I always enjoy reading your wrap-ups, Barb, because they help me plan for the next few years when my dc are a bit older (fourth and fifth grade now).
Stephanie,
Thanks for the suggestions. I put both the Poisoner's Handbook and What Einstein told the Cook on our Amazon list for next term. :)
Great choices!
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