Mid-Year Mix it up & Mayhem

Getting back to school after a long Christmas break has been hard. It's like a good stretch, it hurts a little, but you know it's good for you. We're mixing up a few things on this second half of the school year.

We have finished our reading of Science Matters and have moved into our biology/anatomy study. Biology is not Z's favorite science, it doesn't involving setting anything on fire and he doesn't like looking at dead animals. In the last year we have found a dead dragonfly, bumble bee, and a tiny frog in our yard. Me, being the curious one, have brought them into the house, photographed them, gazed at them under the microscope, and then placed them back into the wild to be a part of the "circle of life". Z made a face, took a quick look, and left the room. He nearly gagged at my suggestion of dissecting the frog, he was already deceased. I opted to delay the lab portion of biology as well and we put the frog back outside in the yard.

As much as I love CW Homer, we have put it on hold for a few months. It was simply moving too quickly for us. We are concentrating on R&S Grammar and a few workbooks on paragraph writing. I'm hoping later this spring to return to Homer and then finish it up next year. I had a brief moment of panic before I chose to take this action. Then I remembered when I purchased the Homer OB book my plan was to spread it out over two years if necessary. Panic attack averted, I'm actually following my plan. :svengo: (that's the fainting smiley code).

Math is progressing well. We are finishing up the LOF decimals and percents book this month and then we will move into LOF pre-algebra (biology). I'm also continuing with the Dolciani pre-algebra book as needed. The LOF pre-algebra book just fit too well into our studies this semester, I couldn't pass it up. We'll meld the LOF with Dolciani for the rest of the year and next year with our Algebra study as well.

Logic is another area where we have changed course a little. I do like Art of Argument, but I'm not sure he's getting the most use out of it at this point. The book is broken into two units and my plan is to finish unit one and then complete unit two next year. Part of that has to do with some long term planning goals and the fact I KNOW this child will need a good foundation in logic and reasoning skills. I still haven't decided 100% what we will do, but I'd like to have a logic/worldview/philosophy course going at all times and I'm still debating on curriculum.

I have seen the waves of maturity coming in for Z. His study habits are getting better. His ability to focus for a longer period of time is hit or miss. I can tell when he's going through a growth spurt and when he's just being a goof. I'm starting to hear a deeper tone of voice come from across the table. He's 4 1/2 inches away from being taller than me, he handed down socks to me, and we bought the same size gloves for our winter trip up north. I'm not sure if that is the mix it up part or the mayhem, but I think twelve is a great age for homeschooling. We keep a growth chart on the door frame in his bedroom. He's grown many inches so far this year. But that's not the only growth, I see it in his papers for school, his attitude towards life, his respect towards his family and himself. It's a journey and I'm glad I get to experience twelve with him.

Field Trip: St. Louis style

Here are some photos from our fantastic trip to City Museum in St. Louis. It was a wonderful place to visit and would be a great place to hang out.

A funky mosaic column

Z watching the turtles hovering under the warming light.

Tigger joining the rat race, round and round and round....

The boys huddling together for warmth. We've been in the south long enough for our blood to thin more than a tad.

The watchful monster outside. What a creative way to do a wall.

If you are interested in seeing more photos you can find them here.