Weeks 17 & 18 (1/2/12-1/13/12)

We have started a new unit of study.  We will be learning about the regions of the United States, starting with the Northeast (which will include the Mid-Atlantic states).  While our focus for Social Studies will be learning about the states as they are today including things like climate, industry, natural resources and symbols, our focus for reading will be placing the history of the state on a timeline through an examination of historical fiction.  I want the girls to get a sense of the state through a variety of literary experiences, including journals.

Reading:  

1. C&C - Read Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne.  The girls learned about the first Thanksgiving in Massachusetts. 
2. Madelyn - Reading A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-32 by Joan Blos.  This book has challenged Madelyn's reading ability due to the dialogue used.  We are reading it together.

Social Studies:  We made a timeline to hang around our dining room.  We will place historical reference points along it as we learn about each region and other significant historical dates.

Math:

1. C&C - We continue to do double math lessons as we attempt to catch up with our texts' schedule for the year. The girls have completed Unit 5, Chapter 2 as well as Review 5 and a cumulative test.  They have also completed Unit 6, Chapter 1.  Their focus is multiplication and division.
2. Madelyn - Finished Unit 3, Chapter 6 as well as completed Review 3 and a cumulative test.  Also completed Unit 4, Chapters 1& 2 about right angles and measuring angles.  Started Chapter 3 on perpendicular lines.

Writing:

1. C&C - Completed Weeks 12 and 13 in Writing with Ease.  Sometimes this program is a real struggle for them, especially oral comprehension, but I've come to appreciate how it is preparing them for the rest of the their education.
2. Madelyn - Completed Lesson 4 from IEW.  She is working on adding strong verbs and -ly adverbs to dress-up her writing.

Science:  We've started learning about the human body.  We are using Janice VanCleave's The Human Body for Every Kid.  We have completed the first four labs regarding cells and the function of the brain.

Preschool:  The boys completed Weeks 13 & 14 of their Pre-K Sonlight program. They are working on printing lowercase letters using Handwriting without Tears. They continue to work from Essential Math and Developing the Early Learner.