Each week I look back trying to remember what we did over the past 5-6 days, and I draw a blank. I can remember that my oldest had a biopsy done to see if her “ringworm” she’s had for several years is actually psoriasis. I recall getting new eyeglasses, and I know we had a baby sprinkle for the newest member of our family (yet on the way). But as for school work? Thank goodness for Instagram / iPhone photos. I know we did something!
We definitely are slowing down. I am rounder and heavier than ever. And well, the kids have a sustainably high energy level that never dissipates, so I should say I am slowing down.
While I’m still only on chapter one of Montessori’s Absorbent Mind, I did reread this short gem from Michael Duffy, Math Works, this week to help with a major math shelf overhaul. It has a fantastic index of all the Montessori math materials and activities.
I finished updating our math shelves with the materials needed through at least the next 6 months; Math 1 is mainly golden bead work and Math 2 & 3 are all fact practice and more abstraction in addition, multiplication, subtraction and division. I nixed our goal of completing racks and tubes long division until after June (aka baby arrival and much needed school break).
Overall, through the end of May, if we can make sure to review / present subtraction snake game, subtraction boards and charts, division boards and charts, possibly addition of fractions (we will see), large and small hexagonal boxes, adverbs and prepositions (that somehow we skipped?) — I will be happy. Then hopefully we can start back July with review / August-ish with new work: fractions, racks and tubes and sentence analysis. Those are the goals.
Then we will have officially “completed” our primary album. At least in terms of presentation. In all likelihood thinking ahead to next school year, Mike will be in Kindergarten and still very much in need of all of this, and because Josie has been exposed to it all but certainly not yet mastered it, and likely will not for a couple years still, we will continue doing what we’ve been doing: focusing on Montessori primary work and blending in great lesson / elementary work.
Other short-term goals include finishing our nursery / shared boys’ room, acquiring other needed baby essentials *ahem diapers* and for the love of Pete, catching up the laundry I’ve basically been behind at since February when I slipped a disc. Friends ask me how do I “do it all.” The funny thing is as organized as our prepared environment is — the laundry room is a total catastrophe, the dramatic foil of my home if you will. My bedroom is pretty sad too.
So anyway, what has this past week of April looked like? Not as much school work as I had planned, but in addition to 5 appointments, we’ve also had family visiting. Here’s what we did manage…
The Arts:
Pottery on Monday remains fun. Private violin lessons Thursday, orchestra was on Wednesday, and we had a teenager come help the girls again with practice. Everything is sounding pretty good. As much as possible, music remains a top priority.
We also did a fun art project from Timberdoodle reviewed here.
Language:
I set up a tracing station for Earth day that was enjoyed and visited a few times.
There was also free writing and cursive practice (and mermaids).
We finished Harry Potter book 2 on Audible this week. The kids say Voldemort with no /t/ which kind of makes me happy. Mary also was just astounded to realize that the movies leave out so much! “Where is the ghost party?” she wondered aloud.
See Mary — books really are the best form of entertainment. She was hesitant to agree, but I think I piqued her curiosity about what else she didn’t know.
As much as Josie is ready to begin book 3, I think we’ll detour to another kids’ book called Poppy. I have not personally read it, but it was recommended to me.
The Grammar Garden was used only once I think. Time to switch it up for a baby theme.
Josie did more Waseca Reading with the movable alphabet.
Math:
The girls played the stamp game with a farmer’s market extension I devised from a great printable on TPT. This was played several hours this week. They think its fun (I honestly find it a little tedious, but whatever, they are practicing so much math, it’s worth it. Besides I was mainly reading and reorganizing the math shelves).
Also receiving a lot of attention this week was the hundred board. Plus an extension I created for Earth Day.
Josie found it extremely challenging (I HATE DYSLEXIA).
Mike, who has become somewhat of a hundred board pro, helped out his sis some.
I also changed out our exchange game for some coin practice. I think this is a rather inspired version.
I had almost pulled the game all together even though it gets a lot of attention from all 3 kids. I thought it was too easy and possibly a waste of time; they could be doing more challenging math. Then I remembered the ultimate rule — follow the child. If they find it entertaining and are still doing it in repetition frequently (unassisted and often collaboratively), then shouldn’t that show it’s a needed work? I changed it up though so instead of going for a hundred square, they’re going for a dollar. Oh the interest level has only increased exponentially.
No they don’t get to keep the dollar. haha.
They each played it multiple times together and at least once individually. They like to play against their stuffed animal friends.
Other math work:
Sensory:
Tasting bottles again. And again. They are currently pulled from the shelf to be refreshed. We keep them refrigerated, but I don’t want to risk any bacteria build up, so I’m rinsing and refilling them about once a week.
Josie did some cylinder review work. It was actually good for her and a little challenging.
She missed why this was a little off until I helped her correct it.
She did fine with these though.
Jo and Mary did some basic pitch matching together with the bells, but I didn’t get any photos of that. Sorry!
No triangle work. No geometry or fractions to speak of! Maybe next week.
That actually seems to be about all I have photos of school-wise. There was a solid amount of language and math. I’m pleased.
The kids also had a few social engagements, doctor and therapy appointments, shopped for furniture, gardened, spent time with family, played outside, watched Harry Potter 1 and 2 and that magic cookbook show, and otherwise played with toys. Not too shabby a week really, I think.
Hope everyone has a very happy Earth Day and a great week ahead!
