We just finished up our second term of this homeschool year, and things are largely going pretty well. Here are my notes:
Still haven’t done any dictation since my last entry…I’m committed to doing better in term 3.
I may have also forgotten to do grammar with Curdie. Mayhaps that be why he don’t talk good.
We took a field trip to Stephen F Austin-Munson Historic Park for their homeschool day. Kids learned a lot, Faramir got to hold a musket (dream come true!), and we all suffered some hearing loss from all the cannon fire.
We are NOT Eugene Field fans. I’ve never baby-talked to my kids (even when they were babies), and reading baby-talk poems aloud was not a pleasant experience for anyone involved—especially when there would randomly be a poem about a dead child. I’ve been too stressed out and emotional lately for that kind of thing.
Exams went a lot smoother this time. Letting Curdie (Year 4) take his in written format and not just quizzing everyone while hiking seemed to help.
Faramir recently started Primary Mathematics level 3B, which is where Curdie was when we started homeschooling. I was dreading teaching it again, but it’s so much easier the second time. “See these two chickpeas? That’s a gram. That jar of water is a kilogram. There are 1000 of these in one of those. Forth, and fear no darkness.”
On that note, both boys did well on their math exams, and I’m getting increasingly excited as Curdie approaches pre-algebra (he still has a ways to go, but I’ve already picked out the curriculum he’ll be using).
Curdie and Faramir have each been reading and narrating a chapter of the Book of Mormon each school day. Faramir has just finished reading the whole thing for the first time! We’re stoked that he finished before his baptism this summer; he’s stoked because this is a rite of passage that earns a giant candy bar (I know, rewards are frowned upon in Charlotte Mason circles. But I never claimed to be a purist, and this is a big deal).
Our daily routine now involves everyone picking their favorite Wind Rose/Gloryhammer song to listen to in the morning. It’s been surprisingly good for morale. 2025 is shaping up to be Year of the Dwarf around here.
We definitely have some cranky kids around here lately. Now that the weather is nice, I think spending some serious time outside will help everyone.
Stuff I Like
Tales of Newel and Doren: The Gorgon’s Fury by Brandon Mull just came out. I haven’t actually read it yet (our family is doing a Lord of the Rings read-a-thon and I’m woefully behind). But I love almost everything by Brandon Mull, and particularly everything Fablehaven-related, so I know I’m going to love this book, too.
Playing “Yes or No” (a.k.a. 20 questions, without the 20 limit) with the kids. It’s a good lunchtime diversion or road trip game. Curdie and Faramir and I try to outdo each other on our knowledge of obscure Fablehaven lore, and Jane always picks either a toilet or a unicorn. Good times.
“On the Late Massacre in Piedmont” by John Milton. Our Cardon ancestors were Waldenses, so it hits hard. This will be our term 3 recitation poem.
Everyone who signed up to be a beta reader for The Magician’s Metamorphosis. I’ve already gotten so many helpful comments back. You guys are the BEST!
How’s the school year going for you? Any fun plans for spring break? Let me know in the comments!
Eats Shoots and Leaves. :)