Seven Little Australians Living and Learning: Learning Notes Weeks 5, Term 2 2011

Dictation - Spelling Wisdom Lots of progress this week. All of the children had past weeks to catch up on and applied themselves well. I truly am amazed at Chiara and Dominic's progress, outstanding! Xavier still has a way to go but I can see the beginning of improvement. Malachi is slowly progressing and Mariah continues to delight me with her ability.

Spelling

The Spell of Words - Dominic and Xavier did a few weeks worth. Dominic is not always seeing the point of latin/Greek roots. Still I believe all the endings, beginnings etc most useful.

Phonics, Reading & Writing with Little Ones

Genevieve enjoyed reading some Usborne beginner readers; Big Pig etc.

Saxon and Genevieve enjoyed lots of time with Starfall Phonics. I'm not entirely comfortable with them using the computer for reading lessons nor the length of time, but console myself with the hope it is a 'season.'

Grammar

Chiara & Xavier read a chapter of Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Actually Xavier enjoyed it so much he read the entire book!

M & M listened to a couple of chapter is Little Grammar People - Nuri Mass. We covered Adverbs and Prepositions this week. They are having a good understanding.

Copywork
Dominic and Malachi finished their books this week:) Dominic has now finished this program but needs more practice, I'll write out some passages for him in a lined book. Xavier discovered he is naturally switching to running writing at times now. Mariah is making good, steady progress.

Editing

Great Editing Adventures - Some make-up passages for the older boys. Good progress by all, they enjoy the thinking once they begin, but it does take discipline. They mostly do well but still struggle at times. Chiara joined in this week and couldn't contain herself, she could easily pick the flaws. We ended up having a logic debate with one of the proposed sentences though. Chiara and Dominic argued that a sentence change proposal couldn't be so, as it wasn't a definite conclusion.

Composition

Writing Club for older children with Sr J. Working on descriptive essays.

M&M- Writer's Jungle; began the first exercise, describing clearly and following with a 'shape exercise' on the board.

One Year Adventure Novel - Dominic loving this. X & M enjoying it too.

Narrations - Malachi - Geography Narration, Mariah - Saints Narration., Xavier - Geography Narrations, Chiara - Grammar, Faith and History narration.

Poetry

Children reading a couple a day.

Logic

Dominic completed a few chapters. C & X did this week's worth.

Spanish

Xavier - basic words and phrases.

Faith

Genevieve - God's Love Story!

Mariah - Once Upon a Time Saints, nearly finished the book.

Introduction to Catholicism- Dominic read lesson on his own. big progress which is helpful but we don't get to have our special dialogue then. Chiara is reading her way through now too.

Malachi - Confirmation prep; Faith & Life- 5,
New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism 2
Brief Confirmation Review, Making good progress, Malachi is quick in answering questions, good comprehension.

History

SOTW2 for the boys and Chiara. They are also reading extra readings coinciding with each chapter. Chiara started reading 'How the Reformation Happened' - Hilare Belloc but is complaining that it is rather boring. (See indiv. reading lists for extra history readings)

SOTW1 Girls. Read about Egyptian pyramids this week. Both the girls are really loving SOTW.

Picture Book

The Scarab's Secret - Nick Would

Tutankhamen's Gift - Robert Sabuda

Science

John Hudson Tiner books for teens. They are all rather happy with their decisions.

Chiara chose Chemistry, Xavier World All Around Us, Dominic Physics.

Geography

Michael Palin DVD; Round the World in 80 Days,

Boys watched a couple of sessions, Dominic actually became rather interested despite his previous doubts. Xavier is still not keen.

Mariah - Uncle Josh's Maps, labelled France.

Maths

Xavier, Malachi, Mariah, Genevieve and Saxon all worked on their maths. Mariah worked quite hard catching up on previous lessons. I signed Saxon up for maths buddy and he absolutely loves it. He spent hours on maths this week, learning lots. However I'm not entirely comfortable with him learning this way. So we shall trial it for this term and then reassess.