Monday, December 17, 2012

The Structured Itch

So, it seems to be that time of year again when I feel the need to be more structured with Emma's education. It is totally me, and has nothing really to do with Emma's level of knowledge. I am pretty confident that she is where she needs to be (on a personal level, not a dictated level).

Reading to Fredin

Her reading is going really well. Her favorite books to read the the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems. I have to say, I have never heard a 6 year old read a book with such inflection. She LOVES these books and we love listening to her read them. Of course by the third time around she has pretty much memorized them, but then she forgets about the books for a few weeks and actually has to read the words again.

There are other books here and there that she will read. Later this week she is going to be reading this book to me.


So what do we consider structured around here? Each morning she will spend a bit of time doing "school" stuff. This morning she worked in a math workbook for about 20 minutes while she listened to an audio book (Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris). 

Tomorrow we are going to grow crystals using a little kit that Gramma had bought for Emma a while ago (I know, finally!). I have printed up some info and we may also play around with making some borax or salt crystals as well.  

On Wednesday we are going to do some horse geography after we attempt to make it to the Homeschool P.E. class that is offered down town. We ran into the homeschooling family today that we met while skiing on Thursday and they mentioned the P.E. class and that they would be there, so we are going to try and make it. It starts at 0900 and for us to make it we would have to be out to catch the bus at about 0820. Seeing as we haven't been getting out of bed till 0800 or later, that may be a problem, but we will see. 

Thursday will be reading day where Emma will read the above mentioned book to me (plus a few others), as well as some super short and simple stories I have written for her to read and illustrate. 

Friday will be dedicated to making her birthday cake/cupcakes. I can't believe she will be 7! 

Also, each day (or just about) Emma will be writing a letter to friends and family. If you are interested in receiving a letter, and would have the time to write back (even just a quick hello), send me an e-mail and we will add you to the list. It will be really great for Emma if she gets replies to her letters, otherwise she might loose interest. 

Each weekend we will sit down and figure out what she wants to work on for the following week. At the end of each month we will sit down and figure out goals for the next month. 

Our goals for the remainder of this month are for Emma to read me 3 books, finish 2 horse geography sheets, and to finish up her K-1 Math Readiness book. All very doable, but the math book may require a few pages each day. 

Well, I think that's about it. I promise that I will write a post about the horse geography stuff soon (maybe even tomorrow seeing as I will be getting it ready for Wednesday anyway). 

I hope everyone had a great Monday!

1 comment:

julie said...

Okay, I'm totally going to send you an email with our address--Willow and Sydney would LOVE a pen pal who actually writes back (unlike the majority of the uncles, grandparents, and friends that they've been writing, sigh)!