Daily Report: A Engine and The White House

Ken and DJ are begining to focus on one work at a time. For most of our school days they have been having a race with each other to see who could do more "works". I was grateful that they were staying busy. I also was concerned about how much of the work that they were doing was actually sticking. Many times it was work on the same concepts so that lessened my concerns. For the past two days they have been focused mainly on one specific work at a time. About an hour into our work period they still have chosen different works, then all of a sudden I find them engrossed into something very specific. I don't know if this has to do with that finally the work that has been offered is a perfect match for their skill and interest, or they have now been" deschooled" DJ while in public school really was proud that he was always the first one finished in his class with no mistakes. Ken in public school was almost always the last one finished. Their races against each other have always been healthy, but I think they are coming to the conclusion that there isn't a race here at home. We are all working on our own time table, there is no first or last. I think they are enjoying this mentality and today they really, really enjoyed working at their own pace, learning about things that interest them, and not being interrupted while they were at work.

DJ made it to the chapter in Vacation under the Volcanoe where Pompeii was going to be destroyed. This lead him to want to know exactly where Pompeii was to have been. It also inspired some work with the Europe puzzle map.

The Lifecycle of the frog. This is a work that I am glad that was avaliable to him. I assumed that he already knew this lifecycle, but he didn't. This work came from Montessori Print Shop. DJ particularly liked this work because it showed all of the stages of growth like the lifecycle objects he worked with.

Ken enjoyed putting words that were related to the three branches of government in abc order.

The Geometric Cabinet Command cards are a favorite for her. What I like about them is most of the command cards invite the children to use the Geometric Cabinet in many ways that connect to other areas in the enviroment, like above Ken was doing creative writing while learning how to manipulate the shapes to make a picture. The cards were also purchased at Montessori Print Shop.

Building a 4 cylinder model engine is what is keeping DJ busy today. He is still working on this fours hours later. DJ said this is exactly what he been looking forward to doing since he was born:) There are 41 steps to complete this project, he was excited about this!

Here is my tortoise, Ken has spent about two hours on this before this picture was taking. Looks like she hasn't done much if your looking at the product. Yes, she has done a lot!! She has built and taken apart, built and taken apart over and over. Refused help! Ken says this is one project she is going to finish all by herself!!

Daily Report: Spending Time Outside

We did reading and the kids went straight to work.

Ken making jewelry for the school store.

Labeling the Africa map puzzle.

More eruptions. Let me share with you, the eruptions are getting better this one was real entertaining. Now DJ is writing down his measurements of baking soda, and vinegar to make this happen again.

Reading about the human body, and some anatomy.

Number puzzles.

Substraction while regrouping with beads.

They prepared a special snack for my assistant and me.

Sharing and enjoying the weather.

Making "poison".

Feeding the ducks.

Daily Report: Easing Back Into A Rhythm

Well today was much better than yesterday. They had more energy and less interruptions!! DJ and Ken still aren't feeling so well, but they are realizing it is better to stay busy than to mope around and repeatedly keep saying how sick they are.

DJ read chapters 4 and 5 of Holes. He was able to compare this book to Tall Tales, and learned how to do a Quote Analysis.

Ken finished the first Chapter in Meet Cecile a book in the American Girls Series set in Louisiana. Ken had fun getting to know more about this girl by playing a game on the computer. Ken also learned the meaning and how to pronounce some words in French; A la maison, Rene, Mademoiselle. There are tons of glossary words in the back of the book that allows the reader to really get a great introduction to this language.

They both had fun using the computers to play learning games. Ken is reviewing division, and DJ is working on multiplication. Adding a new outlet today sure did help boost them into gear,they didn't really want to do school today:(

Woodworking

Logical Adverb work.

Working with the Fraction Metal Insets

More work on the timeline

Preparing a special snack to share with her school family tomorrow. Somebody turns 11 years old on Saturday:)

Daily Report: Interrupted Work Time

Today the kids had a lot of interruptions. Some were uncontrolled like constantly having to get kleenex, and then we had errands that had to be done today, during the afternoon.

Ken started her new reading book, and browsed through some of the companion stuff we checked out of the library on Monday. I think this Girl is going to be fun to learn history through, it was the only time Ken managed to smile today, she still isn't feeling well.

Ken also mustard up enough energy to do a command card working with the Geometry Cabinet.

DJ did some woodworking again today, and made shapes using the wood and saw.

He worked with naming fractions today as a review.

DJ also worked with Clock three part cards.

Ken tried to work on writing about the life of Dr. Seuss but she just couldn't finish.

DJ read chapter 2 and 3 in Holes his reading and learned what the theme of the book is,and howperservance is shown through the main characters' father. He also learned about Thomas Edisons' quote about what makes a genius. Now DJ feels he is a genius because he is a hardworker:)