Pattern blocks

One of Robin's Saxon Math K lessons this week involved replicating a pattern with pattern blocks, and then creating a different pattern within the same outline.  Robin loved this, and when he was done, he took the pattern blocks and created a design using every pattern block available.  He chose to do it symmetrically, although he knew he didn't have to.

I read to Robin and he practiced vowel-sound words.

We went to a buffet chinese restaurant for lunch with our homeschooling group in honor of Chinese New Year.  Robin also attended an RE class about this holiday.

Robin went swimming and roller-blading.

We read a book about bugs.

Skiing!

Robin has been asking for at least two years to go skiiing - and this week he got his wish!  We went to Whitetail Resort and Robin skiied for 4 hours without stopping.  He fell down a lot at first, but after trying a slightly more challenging hill he got more confident on the bunny slope.  He had a great time.

Recent Saxon Math K topics have included ordering numbers through 20 and replicating patterns.

We found a vowel-sounds app for the iPod which Robin has completed all the free levels of and he's trying to get me to buy the $2.99 version.  I read to Robin regularly.

We read books about Hanukkah, Passover, Easter, narrow gauge railroads in the Rockies, and a bilingual Spanish/English book.

We read a book about the supermarket.

We read books about a Cuban girl who immigrated to New York in the 1950s and one about the building of the Great Wall of China.

We read books about winter and cells.

Reading Words

Opening presents Christmas morning!

I asked Robin to try reading some very simple words today, just to see what would happen.  I gave him "rat," "hat," and "bat."  We sounded them out together, since I know he is more confident about what sounds letters make than what their names are.  He felt successful!  And offered to do more right there and then, although because we had other things we needed to do, we didn't actually do more.  Next time!

Saxon Math K topics have included making charts (life-sized, on the floor), experimenting with geo-boards, and writing the numeral 3.

Robin made a pot out of clay.

We read a book about Nascar racing.  And one bilingual book.  Robin also practiced simple Spanish words and phrases with his newly adopted half-aunts (ages 11 and 13) from Bogota, Columbia.

We read a book about Samurai and one referencing Greek gods and heroes.

Robin tried a bean this week and although he did not like it, he did consume it.  His comment was that it tasted kind of like potatoes, which is an accurate description of the texture.

Robin enjoyed experimenting with making drums using a pick-up with his dad.

Robin is active nearly every day, either outside walking or biking, or indoors doing pull-ups, sit-ups, etc.

Robin is learning how to manage a wood-burning stove safely, including how to work the dampers, how to manipulate wood, and how to protect younger children from injury.  He especially likes splitting logs (small, pre-split logs that need further splitting into kindling.)

We read books on turtles and DNA.  One of our favorite Christmas presents (thank you Great-Grandpa & Great-Grandma) was a family membership to the Zoo, so Robin went to the Zoo and observed & photographed animals including apes, alligators, and goats.

Holiday Preparations

Robin is getting into the holiday spirit!  He helped make up gift kits for his cousins this week, and bake cookies.

We did some Saxon Math K.  Robin made a chart showing winter activities and how many of them were indoor activities and how many were outdoor activities.

We read lots of books.

Including one about animals and about the seasons.


Wolfy went for several long walks and bikes.

Scrap Metal

Robin is really interested in making money.  He was fascinated when his dad and grandfather took many years' accumulation of scrap metal to a buyer this summer and this week he convinced his dad and brother and sister to work on collecting scrap metal from the woods near our home to take to a metal recycler to make some money.  They made two expeditions and should soon have enough for a car-load.  I think he has visions of hundreds of dollars, but in reality he could realistically expect to make tens.  Still worthwhile - and it's good to take the junk out of those woods (which people - illegally - use as a makeshift dump) and put it to use, too.

We did some math and reading and Robin watched some science documentaries.  His brother's been sick, so it was a low-key week.

Christmas Crackers

Robin had the opportunity to make Swedish Christmas crackers with his homeschooling group this week.  One of the moms in the group is Swedish and organized the craft.  

Robin's Saxon Math K introduced the idea of price tags and paying for things with up to 10 pennies this week. This is fun for Robin since he has a strong interest in business and the entrepreneurial spirit.  He is a little annoyed by the 10 penny limit as he says that the items we are pricing are worth more than that (he's right, since they are cans and boxes of food from our pantry, none of which could be purchased for under 10 cents!)

I read to Robin and we worked on his alphabet.  He found a game on an old toy "Batman Computer" we have which involved matching upper and lower case letters and was doing quite well at it.

We read books about 'whites only' amenities in the South, ancient Egypt, pirates, and the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast.

And one about puffins.

A Musical Dramedy!

Robin sat through 1 1/2 performances of his congregation's 50th Anniversary musical extravaganza of a show.  He was enthralled by the song/dance/drama.

Saxon Math K included Robin's first official worksheet - the number 1!

We did lots of reading.

Including a book about the first official national Thanksgiving (declared by Abraham Lincoln.)

Robin went on several long walks.

We also read a book about early mammals.