Mariposa's books for 2010

We're changing this about a bit more this year.

Maestro wants to follow the term breaks so he can catch up with his friends, but Mariposa is going to work on a schedule of 3 weeks working, one week off.   I've timed it so we'll still have parallel breaks for a week every now and then, but it's meant that we had to start our work earlier.  Actually, we started back into the books last week, but we were still quite busy, so I've not been blogging much lately.

We'd already been working on our new Sonlight curriculum at the end of 2009, so we picked up from 'week 5' on the syllabus (although we're well ahead on our read-aloud, so we're doing a family read I've chosen: Tom Appleby, Convict Boy by Jackie French).

Her books are all organised on the top shelf of one bookcase (I'll show you Maestro's another time).

Most of the books have been contacted, and labelled (just coloured paper and sticky tape) on the spine for easy reference as to where the book belongs.  Most of Mariposa's are labelled in yellow for the Core 1+2.

We've changed our Maths books from Easy-Learn Maths to Singapore Maths.  Mariposa needs lots of visuals, and the pictures and explanations in these books give a bit more detail.  I had been, and would have continued to be able to, apply visual examples with our math manipulatives, but with a busier schedule this year, I've opted for Singapore instead.

Also, we have been using Getty Dubay handwriting books in the past.  Mariposa really wants to learn the more fluent cursive, so we're trying out Abeka's handwriting books.  So far she's really enjoying it, and likes how she can now sign her name.

Sonlight's Science 3 program is for both of the children.  We're 'shooting for the middle', so it's quick and easy for Maestro, but Mariposa is being stretched a little .. as far as the worksheets are concerned.  The books are still really lovely and full of great information.  Eg: The Usborne Science Encyclopedia was covering the history of imperial measurements, whilst Maestro had to use imperial when reading Life of Fred.  It all fitted together so well!

The spare wall in the learning room has the latest posters all ready to go.   The map is being put to great use now we're using "Geography Songs".    Whilst we learnt the continents and oceans, I wrote out labels and had Mariposa 'blu-tac' them to the map.  Then, as we sang the song, she pointed to the correct labels.

Also, on the wall (above the map) is a fantastic op-shop find.  This clock which helps children learn to tell the time.  We've got our o'clocks and 1/2 pasts down, so we're working on the 1/4s and minutes.

Two other books I'm supplementing in are First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind.  We've done a week's worth of these lessons (all oral!) and although most of it's revision, she's enjoying how we chat through them and she's memorised her first poem.

We also have a new Geography book, which BOTH children are doing as of today.  I can't believe how much I learnt in our first little learning of some European countries (I'm tying this in with the countries we're learning through Sonlight).  It's called Visualise World Geography.  This is such a fun way to learn.  Each group of countries is set out with a visual and a story to help you remember the country names.  Eg: today we learnt that a hungry elephant's tummy is always HUNGARY, and his bottom sits in a boat: "row, row, ROMANIA".

We've also enjoyed math games, but currently these are her favourites.  Tens and Fractions Learning Game.

Well, this has become a long post, but I like pictures.

Next time I'll chat about how our learning room is shaping up and the chairbags I've made the children.