We have moved on from James Town to Plymouth. I have to admit this is the time in US history that I just find boring. Sorry, I know how important it is to our nation but true. Maybe because all kids ever get taught about the pilgrims is their desire for a new order and Thanksgiving. The books of happy puritans prancing around with very happy natives dressed in ceremonial garb just kills me. But I digress.... We have been studying the saints and strangers and life in Plymouth. The girls enjoyed making the oiled paper as we expanded it to making stained glass by coloring a design prior to oiling the paper. Cheap way to make those expensive "stained glass" coloring books.
They've enjoyed talking about the stars though we haven't gotten to see many lately with the sky being overcast @ night. We also live well within suburbia with its generous light pollution making viewing limited in the early evening hours. But, they did love seeing how much bigger Betelgeuse was then the sun in our sidewalk art science class. I know many people have have commented that MFW is light on Science. I agree but honestly its working for us. Science for us is taking on more of a unschooling approach this year. The kids are so naturally curious that we've just been making inquires as we go about things that we run across.
We also have deviated again from the prescribed read alouds. We finished Blood on the River: James Town 1607. The girls give it an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up. We've moved on the Sign of the Beaver as a bridge between now and our copy of The Courage of Sarah Noble coming in at the library.
I have gotten to know our local library very well in the past 6 weeks and have a true appreciation for what is available and at our finger tips. In our system, I am requesting books online about 2 weeks before they are needed. It takes approx 1 week to collect my entire need from the collection spread across our 13 county branches. I am also working in 1-2 week block, depending on how busy I know a certain week is going to be. Our library allows for 3 week check out with up to 2 renewals available on line so long as no one else has requested they book you are renewing. Because, I am not stuck on the specific titles listed in the teacher's manual, I am having no problem finding anything I need non-fiction wise. Fiction wise some of the older titles in the curriculum are not available and frankly not appealing to my kids. Flexibility is a virtue ;)
We have also added a 4th member to the pack starting this week. My 3 year old nephew, the Tazmanin Devil (Taz) is now with us from 0-dark-thirty to 4:30 M-F as his mom has started school for the year. It's all kinds a crazy and loud in this house right now, but the boys start half day preschool next week which should give us so semi-calm time..lol...
THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR PROVISION AND PUT IN ME A HEART OF PATIENCE. GIVE ME A CHRIST LIKE ATTITUDE AS WE ADJUST TO OUR NEW CIRCUMSTANCES.
PS: We are still following one of the Container ships we saw leaving the port of Savannah last week. Its currently in port @ Port of Spain, Trinidad.
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