Maestro's books for 2010

I think we're ready to post about Maestro's curriculum this year, now.  We've actually been quite busy 'figuring out' a few things these past weeks, but now we're into our third week and seem to have a good rhythm established again.

Actually the 'figuring out' had to do with our science.  I'd planned to do Sonlight's Science 3 program with both children.  It was working well at the start with new biology terminology coming into play, but it then moved into familiar ground for Maestro and he wanted something new.  So we've now started him on Science 4, which covers Electricity, Magnetism and Astronomy.  The work and comprehension required for these Science programs is really of a good high standard, although they do stress that mastery isn't on the agenda.  I'm really pleased at the amount of detail that is available and revisited with the worksheets, having the children really think through their answers.

I've been reading through Maestro's first book, too, Diary of an Early American Boy.  It's very interesting, and will hopefully lead him to being more inquisitive about learning bushcrafts (ie: tying knots, using an axe, building structures).  I thought it lovely how he explains how he got a glass window for his birthday present, something quite rare with window taxes in the country.  It also makes you think about what you take for granted in our current society.

Besides the Science 4 program, we're already into our Core 5 and working on 'week 6'.  This program is working really well for us, although there are times when we extend the schedule out a few extra days.

Again, I've organised all the books on his shelves, having the books labelled on the spines with coloured tabs sticky-taped on (orange for Core 5).

Our current read-aloud is "The Master Puppeteer" and I've found some interesting background information.  I'll post that up tomorrow.

We're also using Singapore Maths 6, with Life of Fred once a week also, for our maths program.  Language Arts is the Sonlight program again.  Maestro has always been keen to write up his own stories, so he's doing that still, often rewriting some of his completed work to match the requirements of the L.A. creative writing elements, especially with regard to character development.

Working on "Wordly Wise"

Our art program will continue the nature journals as we've already started.  We're enjoying this.  In previous years I've used Artistic Pursuits, and I may come back to use them, or ideas to incorporate with the journals.  Eg: choosing to draw portrait or landscape.

Now, quickly, here's a look at my workstation.  I store our math manipulatives, extra resource books, reference books (dictionary, atlas, etc.), stationery, etc. all here.  Most of my math manipulative have been purchased on ebay, or through Modern Teaching Aids.