What we're doing now

Math:

Wolfie: working through his textbook: Mathematics: Concepts and Skills, McDougall Littell (current chapter formulating the area and perimeter of various shapes)

Drew: working from a workbook: Brighter Child: Math (current chapter focus is multiplication and division)

English:

Wolfie: working from worksheets (with the focus on parts of identifying speech)

Drew: working from a workbook: Spectrum Language Arts (currently focused on nouns (Common and Proper), and pronouns)

History:

For History we are completing the Liberty Kids video series (started last year).  Once we finish this, we'll move on to America: The Story of US video series.  We watch - then journal. (The videos keep their attention so much better than the textbook we originally started with.)  I've also given them a handout of the US Presidents (and we watched this Animaniac's video which is kind of cool).  We'll do some research papers and see what kind of information we retain.

Geography:

Keeping it general for now, the kids have handouts of our lovely states with capitals (and  another video by the Animaniacs).  If I can get them to memorize the states and capitals, I'll worry about the rest later.

Vocabulary:
I compile our vocabulary lists, consisting of about 13-15 words, from recommended lists for each grade level that I find on the internet.  They have a vocabulary assignment to complete everyday; this can be writing the word over and over (10 times each); writing the words with the the definitions; coming up with and writing their own sentences using their vocabulary words; and working a crossword or word search puzzle (created from a website I've found on the internet).

Reading:

This year, hoping to encourage the kids to read more (than they did last year), I have implemented a reward system: for every book they complete, they receive $5.00 (money is the only thing with influence 'round here).  So, yesterday, Drew finished reading her first book, The Adventures of Tempest & Serena. Today, she follow-up this assignment with a written critique; and for now, Wolfie continues to read Zagwitz: The Thingummagadgetician and journaling after each chapter.  

Personal Journaling/Creative Writing:

Each of the kids get a writing  prompt and then write a page or so regarding the topic (drawing a picture to go along with it is optional).

Art:

Our art projects vary from week to week right now.  Until I get more of a curriculum together, but I'm not too worried as they are both super creative and interested in art (like their momma). ;)

Religion:
I'll be working some movies and documentaries into their curriculum and we've had discussions.  The plan is to give them some education and exposure to a variety of religious choices.  Personally, I am not a religious person but appreciate the value it presents some people.  I have my feelings, but it's my desire that my children follow their own hearts when electing whether or not to choose a religion and which one, rather than adopting my beliefs just because I'm the momma.

Physical Education:
For now, they each spend 15 minutes on the elliptical machine.  It doesn't sound like much, I know - but YOU GET IT ON IT! It's good exercise, believe me.  In addition, I'll be supplementing with a yoga DVD I obtained from Connections Academy, as well as walks/runs around our block, riding bikes on the local bike path, camping trips (I'm SO excited camping - and big thanks to my mommy for donating her tent to us too!).

Supplements:

Everyday, the kids work a Sudoku puzzle (an idea my mother suggested, and the kids love).  This helps with deductive reasoning and gets their brains ticking so they are ready to go when I get home.  The kids also watch their Kahn Academy videos and work challenges when necessary.

Socialism (or maybe this is our "unschooling" experience):

Today, the opportunity arose to discuss behaviors and what is, or is not, appropriate.  Specifically, Wolfie's cousin, Blade, and his parents, called me several times today (while we were doing our school work) and following the unanswered calls with a text message.  I did not answer.  (I knew they were hoping to come over (again) and using tutoring as their reason.  I hate confrontations, and I hate feeling rude, and I hate being put in a situation I don't want to be in, such as; when I must put my foot down (tell someone, "no") and as a result everyone walks away a little embarrassed too.  I really wanted to avoid feeling rude for telling him he could not come over during the week anymore.  Blade is using the excuse that he needs help with his homework, but the last time (Monday) he had come over for tutoring, it really didn't appear that he needed much help; and it turned out to be more of another distraction for my kids than anything else.  And, while I love Blade and I do want to help him, after a lot of thought, I've concluded that his parents need to be more responsible for this, not me.  It wasn't easy for me to decide to pull my kids out of public school to homeschool - but when I did, I acknowledged the huge commitment I was taking on as well as everything it would involve with great respect, and because I would never want to  do any disrespect to my kids by failing them in their education, I have decided that Blade is simply not going to be able to come over to do his school work here while we are doing our own school work.)  So then, Blade and his parents pop over, without invite, to make their plea in person.  <ugh>  I sent Roy to deal with his sister and her family (I know, I'm a big chicken, but I'm really trying to save a relationship too, because every time I put my foot down with someone, it doesn't matter how nice I try to be about it - I'm rude).  Hince, our socialism discussion.  I used the opportunity to explain to my kids that, no matter how much they want to go over to the house of a friend or family member, if they are not answering the phone - DO NOT JUST SHOW UP AT THEIR HOUSE!  It's rude.