Over the last two weeks we have been learning about the difference of "shape" (2D) and "form" (3D) in art class. Here they are cutting out shapes to make shape collage pictures.
Jacob wanted to make a train of course, his favorite!
In science we have been learning about the third planet from the sun, Earth. We even were able to make our own compass after learning about the Earth's magnetosphere.
Math continues to be our most difficult subject. Both boys are plugging along and slowly but surely learning their math facts! (As a side note, we really do enjoy Math U See as a math program, it is just not Luke and Ben's favorite subject in general, or Mommy's for that matter!)
We actually hit our 100th day of school this week! To celebrate we counted 100 chocolate chips to make into cookies!
Over the last few weeks I have noticed a marked jump in reading ability in both boys, but especially with Luke. I feel like there are two major stages in learning to read. The first is the huge jump between knowing the letter sounds, and actually blending them to make words. They can know the letter sounds for months or years before this leap to blending "clicks". The next jump seems to be when they actually take off and realize they can read, and want to try out reading everything they can get their hands on.
I have been patiently waiting for this second "jump" to occur, and it seems to be starting with Luke. His younger siblings have noticed too, because they are constantly bringing their big brother books saying, "Luke, read it please!"
One really special aspect of this jump in reading is that both boys have found their favorite book to read, the Bible. I come downstairs many days to see the boys pouring over their own Bibles, writing down special verses they find and want to share with me! It is such an encouragement to me! (We have easy reader Bibles as well as Toddler Bibles which they love to read to their siblings. When they read on their own it is from their complete Bibles, which is the HCSB version.)
Here is a short clip of Ben reading from God's Word. Love it!!
Over the last two weeks we have been studying Ancient Greece. It is kind of hilarious to hear 1st graders analyzing Greek myths. We also have had some pretty intense Trojan War battles using Lincoln Logs as swords around the Morgan house.
Of course we had to try out some Greek food for our study. Chicken kabobs, pita bread, hummus, and cucumber salad were all enjoyed. (Although our salad was not authentic because we learned that tomatoes were a New World food, and would not have been around in Ancient Greece.)
One of our activities had us make our own model of a Trojan horse.
I overheard Luke and Ben discussing who was going to be King Priam and who was going to be Odysseus when they were playing the other day! :) The boys LOVE the story of the Trojan War!!
The idea with Tapestry of Grace is to introduce age appropriate versions of classics like the Odyssey and Iliad, so that when they are older it is familiar to them and not so overwhelming to read and study the full versions. (Daddy wishes he would have had a bit more exposure in this way to better prepare him for his philosophy degree.)
This week we also started a new read aloud, just for fun. We have all been enjoying Little House in the Big Woods. The boys beg to keep reading every night. It is a good thing there are several books in the series for us to eventually enjoy!
There are tons of project and activity ideas online to go with this book. I am trying to pick out a few I know the kids will enjoy. This week we did some fireside painting, which used finger paint and marbles. They rolled the marbles in the paint to give our fire pictures some fun flames in honor of the cozy fires and bedtime stories Laura and Mary enjoy with their Pa!
(Okay, so I lied. I just can't make these posts short, there is too much fun learning going on!)
3 comments:
You're right...there is so much fun learning going on at the Morgan household, how can you NOT post so many pictures and stories! We enjoy them all. Ben reading God's word melted our hearts. Love you guys!
Love all the learning... Ben's reading of God's word and Luke reading to the little ones... Trojan horse looked awesome...Gracie's hair getting so long....Greek stuff, Greek food...oh the wonder of it all!!! Wish I could join in on occasion! Grammy misses the bunch of them...hugs and kisses to all!
It's hard for me grasp how far in reading they've come just since I was there in June! Amazing. And reading their Bibles- so precious! Learning sure does look fun at the Morgan house :-)Love and miss you all!
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