There always seems to be a lot of changes and challenges each year with life in general and school. So at the end of our 2013-2014 year I figured I would work out what worked, what didn’t and what seems… undecided! It amazes me looking back, how many things we did try. And every success will carry on, everything that didn’t work be altered or dropped and the undecided muddled through either way. It has given me a new perspective on just how much we do try in a year!
WHAT WORKED
- swimming lessons – the twins managed to pass their beginner class into advanced beginner!
- daily reading – lots of progress there
- story starters – requested for a second year… let the hunt begin
- workbooks
- Gammie mail – a combination of letters and worksheets exciting to receive and fun to share
- penpals – as long as we keep up with it, smooth sailing
- chore list – laminated and accessible seems to help it along
- country studies – we plan on stepping up our country research beforehand
- Wild Kratts mini posters
- journal work – each book progressively more complicated and longer writing
- daily dinosaur with Emanuel – we are running out of the easily researched so need to change this up
- single state study – we did Texas where to next?
- math books – this is long standing one for us using Canadian books
- seasonal focused learning – mini lapbooks, folders… it is always fun to do themed work
- Dirty Jobs – watching an episode and then writing in our journals was a lot of fun
- geocaching – fun for the whole family! And helps us see more of the state
- lapbooks and binders – great way to make a unit into something we can look through later
WHAT DIDN’T WORK
- religious copywork – too dry?
- animal reports – not so much not working but need the boys to do more research – a chance to learn library use. But as it stands – does not work
- independent hobby work – simply no designated work space.
- science – we still need to find what works for our family!
- Chinese Characters – we need to combine writing with saying and make a special time of the day/week for that… plus tutor help
- individual folders – WHAT A MESS!! Binders and buckets!
UNDECIDED
- online math – we tried two different summer programs (freebies) it may just be that we have not found the right one. Paper and pencil and one on one with Mom seems to work best
- computer time – we are always adjusting. Not until after 3pm did not work… maybe after dinner on school nights?
- chores – yes it works but ONLY if we look at our chart… work on that!
- programming – the twins had it as their summer goal and a combination of busy outings and a friend who was also interested being unable to schedule had us not quite make the grade
- Google questions – I feel I am still too hands on
- posters – lack of hanging space
- recorder – we were unable to get our hands on the suggested teaching book… still on the to do list!
