School year recap 2010-2011

A recap of our school year. . .we started August 23 and finished May 16th. As much as I love the start of a new school year, I absolutely adore summertime and am glad for a short break during these months.

Madelyn was an excellent first grade student and Ella progressed in her preschool work. Each year I have the privilege of having a front row seat to observe more about my children, how they learn, how they think, how God is changing and molding them. And I, of course, am challenged each day in discipline and love. Our greatest growth this year was sticking to a weekly schedule and finishing the year strong.

• Tapestry of Grace This was our main curriculum this year and we loved it! The lesson plans cover the subjects of social studies, history, geography, vocabulary/writing, arts & crafts. Year 1 focuses on Ancient History: Creation to the Fall of the Roman empire. That's a lot of civilizations, new ideas, and beginnings! For those researching curriculum, TOG is quite easy to adapt to your schedule and arranged in such a way as to make planning uncomplicated. It's considered classical in sphere as it follows the trivium and teaches the story of the world in 4 separate years over the three levels of education. 
• First Language Lessons This was our grammar text. From the back cover, "Uses copy-work, narration, picture study, and other classical techniques to develop the young student's language ability". This book includes both 1st and 2nd grade materials - we started year 2 this spring and will finish it in the fall. I like this textbook as it clearly explains basic grammar concepts through very short daily lessons (written text for the teacher, no planning necessary!) and lots of repetition for the student. We also enjoyed learning the poetry presented in this book. 
• Math-U-See Math is the most challenge for both me as a teacher and my girls as students. As I read message boards and reviews, I realize that generally people go through a journey of math curriculum before finding their own preference. MUS came highly recommended but I'm not sure we'll continue with it next year. Basically, I am one who agrees with the philosophy of the classical education trivium. (Classical education depends on a three-part process of training the mind. The early years of school are spent in absorbing facts, systematically laying the foundations for advanced study. In the middle grades, students learn to think through arguments. In the high school years, they learn to express themselves. This classical pattern is called the trivium. - The Well Trained Mind) From the very beginning this math program is very intent on explaining the why's of math and we meandered off that path for Madelyn to just strongly learn her math facts. I can see the benefit of this program in the later grade perhaps more so than for the elementary years. If you have suggestions for this subject, I'd love to hear them.
• Music - One area that was sorely neglected (especially as one of my favorites!) and will hopefully be remedied next year. I'm hoping to find either a teacher to trade students with (my daughters in exchange for teaching their children) or the discipline to teach both older girls consistent piano lessons throughout the year. 
• Nature/Science - My husband creatively designed lessons for Madelyn in science this year. He explored the Apologia website and liked their lists of division for the different created orders. From those lists, he made lists for Maddie - and she read library books on each subject. Basic exposure, facts and fun was the goal and that was easily done through a little planning each week and quiet-time reading for Maddie. 
• Cottage School Program - We participated in this program for the 2nd time this year. Madelyn enjoyed the full-day of school - I think mostly because she got to take a lunchbox! :) She excelled in all her classes; Music, Art, Spanish, P.E. and the classroom time of language arts emphasis. Her favorite class this year was Art and she created some beautiful pieces. 
• Extra-curricular - The girls got to take 6 weeks of ballet this year which they loved. Madelyn also has shown huge interest in the Performing Arts (especially after seeing a friend in the show Annie) so that might be something we try in the fall. 
• Preschool for Ella and Charlotte - Although the two younger girls sat through almost all of the reading and participated in crafts with us, they also had lots of playtime. Ellie is working her way through Phonics Pathways and we're about 3/4 of the way. She can read most the first set of Bob books too. I'm hoping to continue practicing with her through the summer and hoping it will completely click soon. Charlotte surprised me the other day with knowing all of her letters and how to write them. I've never taught her that - just shows how much the younger one will pick up from the olders. Leapfrog dvd's have taught basic phonics to both of them and are a great 30-min tutor for those mornings when focus is hard in coming! The other things we have set aside for preschool time are puzzles, lacing cards, counting bears, simple workbooks & crayons, books, and blocks. 

It won't be long before I'll post our plans for next year - it's always so much more fun to plan lessons and schedules than to actually stick to them. Here's to entertaining dreaming of next year!