Here’s what we have been up to. We are working on applying what we read to our lives and thinking about everything. This means a lot of work for her because nothing is just fill in the blank. We talk everything through and then, much to her chagrin, we write it all down. Even for math, we discuss the Biblical principles behind counting and multiplication. She’s doing so well. These are some samples of her notebook work this week.
We read a story from McGuffey and she wrote a paragraph applying the pirnciples found there. We don’t do summaries because it’s not important that she recite the story. What is important is what she can use from that story to develop Christian character.
We got a page idea from Judah Bible Curriculum’s notebook idea booklet. It has such a great picture of the principles “The Christian Principle of Self-Government” and “Conscience is the Most Sacred of all Property.” She can use this concept the next time she has a difficult decision to make. It has a stoplight in a head, to remind us to listen to God and our conscience.
In geography we are discussing our place in the universe and I came across a “glitter galaxy” at Enchanted Learning. We put some red glitter and labeled our solar system’s place in the galaxy. We study from whole to parts, so we begin in geography with the universe and move down toward Earth and all its parts. The principle we highlighted was “God’s Principle of Individuality.”
Our math lesson came from something I read in A Guide to American Christian Education. The elementary mathematics section was illustrating the three classes that can be counted (fractions, measurements and individuals or groups). I created a page and she filled it in. She drew in the examples herself also. We are also working on multiplication and translating numbers from written English to Arabic. The place values can still be a little confusing, so we are continuing work on that. The principle: Mathematics came out of God’s nature.
In history we have been working on a “book of me,” also from Enchanted Learning. We have been using “History for Little Pilgrims” and this week’s lessons were on the origin of His Story and our place in it. The book is so comprehensive and cute I just couldn’t resist using it. And they are embellishing them and indiviualizing each page, which makes it so precious. Today we make thumbprints, weighed and measured and traced hands. Years from now I will treasure these snapshots in time. The principle: God’s Principle of Individuality.
With VBS at church this week and only one car, we have been VERY busy but I think we have introduced and reinforced a number of important concepts and principles. We are really enjoying school so far in this new year. I’m more relaxed and somehow we are getting more accomplished. God is good!
