Being Grounded Stirs Creative Juices

Matthew has a chart that he needs to follow each day.  You know, things like his chore list, lesson completion, stay within media limits (1 hour a day!), etc.  If he does everything on the list then he has privileges for the next day.  If he doesn't, then he loses those privileges.  By the way, we consider privileges things like TV, video games, computer use, and treats.  It's all up to him.

*cue sad violin music*

He lost his privileges for today.  Of course, the morning started with tearful groans and a toss of a limp body on the bed in dramatic protest.  When he gets like that I just tell him to go to his room and come on out when he has regained control of himself.

He was in there for a long time.  Hmmmmm.....should I check on him?

Finally, he emerged, excitedly, with notebook papers in one hand and a stapler in the other.  He worked eagerly at the kitchen table completing his project.  Oh my, what has he created?

He was so anxious for me to see what he had done.  He had written a story, complete with illustrations.  Now, Matthew has never been very artistic and he rarely uses color when he draws.  He prefers a good old fashioned pencil.  He used his best cursive handwriting, and it was beautiful!  Here's how the story goes.....

The Legend

by Matthew Gadow

Long ago in a land known as Hyrane, there was peace in the land and all were happy.  But, one day something happened where a great, unstoppable evil was released.  The beast destroyed all and released evil onto the land.  The beast was known as The Dark One.  Then, something else happened.  Something the beast never thought possible.  A Hero of Light rose against the beast, wielding the ancient Sword of Light.  There was an epic battle between good an evil.  In the end The Dark One could not be stopped completely.  So, they sealed him in the center of the earth.  There was still evil, but good always came out on top. 

The End

It's short.  But, I was blown away at the use of adjectives!  This is a 12 year old boy who less than 6 months ago would cry if I asked him to write a couple of sentences describing his day.  Now, after using Institute for Excellence in Writing he is.....

1.  Writing by choice without being asked. 

2.  Developing his own story line without any help.

3.  Using excellent vocabulary and descriptive words.

4.  Using excellent grammar and punctuation (thank you Daily Grams!)

Being grounded has stirred his creative juices.  Maybe this should happen more often.....

*cue Mom's evil laugh*

What's on the menu for 7th grade?

Yeah, that's right!  7th grade rocks!  For Matthew it means he is really in the midst of middle school and he is almost 13.  That's a good reason for a kid to celebrate.  For me it means I still have 2 WHOLE years before Matthew is in high school and I still (at least for a while) have a non-teen in my house.  Somehow these reasons are very different, yet the excitement still remains.  We are both excited to start a new year in our homeschool.  After careful consideration, Matthew has decided to change the name of our school.  For the past few years it has been dubbed the prestigious Star Wars Academy.  It fit us.  Now that Matthew is older and wiser, he feels that our school needs to be more of a reflection of his future.  So, I would like to present to you.....
LEGO ENGINEERING ACADEMY.  After all, Matthew has been saying since he was five years old that he will be a lego engineer and now that he is getting more serious about his future it seems only natural to enroll in that now.

So, we would like to share what is on the menu for this year in our home school. 

For Math we are staying with Saxon.  Matthew will move on to the 1/2 book which is pre-Algebra.  We started using Saxon math in 5th grade after using ABeka for 3 years and really liked it.  We stay away from the drills and extra worksheets.  The lessons and just the lesson problems are enough.  Something must be right because Matthew scored in the 90 percentile for math this year on the CAT test.

For History we are using America the Beautiful from the Notgrass Company.  This is a Christian based curriculum.  We started using this last year and LOVE it.  The style is easy to follow and understand.  Plus, it includes mapping/geography, timelines, historical documents, suggested additional reading, and frequent activities that the whole family can enjoy.  We plan to stick with this for the long term since Notgrass also provides World History and Economics.

For science we are using Apologia's General Science, a Christian based curriculum.  This is the course recommended for grade 7.  It included a variety of topics so Matthew will get a great exposure to many areas of science. 

 

 We also purchased the lab kit that goes with this curriculum.  There are many fun labs to do and we thought it would be much easier to have all of the materials needed so we don't miss out on anything!  Yay, science!

Now, Language Arts/English is that complicated subject that is hard to pin down.  IMHO there are so many different facets to this subject that it can't be contained in one curriculum.  So, here is the run-down for our Language Arts...

 Wordly Wise for Vocabulary

 Daily Grams for Grammar

Institute for Excellence in Writing - Student Writing Intensive Level B for Writing

A variety of classical books for Literature/ Poetry

Of course we have to have Fine Arts in our school, so Matthew will continue his guitar lessons

Physical Education will be.......karate, of course!  Matthew already has his brown belt and will continue this year working on his review belt which will prepare him for his black belt test.

And, the most important subject of all.  Bible.  This brings it all together.  In the past we have used structured Bible curriculum, but this year Matthew will focus on just having time in the Word and building his own style of devotions.  He has started staying in the sanctuary on Sundays instead of going to kids' church and he started attending the weekly youth group.  We purchased a new study Bible for him that will be his close confidante as he grows into adulthood.

So, what's on your menu this year?  Share about your curriculum and plans!

Grammar Police.....knocking on my door

If I wasn't laughing so hard you may hear the Grammar Police pounding on my door.  But, alas, my jolly outburst has been heard throughout the neighborhood.

Today's Daily Grammar review worksheet had the question....

The three articles are ______, ______, and _____.

OK, so for all of you grammar gurus out there.....the answer is a, an, and the.

Well, if you are an 11 year old boy who retreats into his darkened hiding fort when his teacher (Moi!) says it's time for grammar then this may be your answer.....

Sports, News, and Cartoons

Yes, my dear readers....as I left my son to complete his worksheet this was his best answer.  When I burst out laughing and he asked me why, I pointed out his answer.  He could not, for the life of him, see why I was laughing.  When I explained it to him he just said....

"Whoever wrote this needs to say what they mean! 
Articles are in the newspaper, too, so my answer is right!"

Could I argue with him?  Yes, it was a grammar lesson so one would assume that the answer that was being sought would be related to grammar and not journalism.  But, well, you know what they say about assuming...

 

I'm always asking Matthew to think outside of the box and he has taken my advice!  He thought outside of the grammar box, right where he would like to be.  Unfortunately, learning proper grammar is a necessary evil.  At least Grandpa thinks so...