Redesign and Winter Wrap-up
So I’m still hard at work on a redesign for this site. It’s really coming along. I was given the inspiration to redesign when I happened upon the Probama Theme for WordPress by Category 4. Now, I don’t have anything in particular to say about Obama at the moment, so my need for an Obama blog is minuscule. However, the clean design caught my eye. I downloaded it, browsed through the code, and was impressed by the tidy, well organized “bones” of the site. I’ve decided to use this theme as the backbone for the new design. I hope to have something up and running soon after Easter…sooner if I get a burst of energy this evening. 
Now, onto the Winter wrap-up. Homeschool had gone well this Winter. Less snow than I had hoped for, but that is beside the point. We spent the majority of Winter on the 5th and 6th days of creation in The Interlock Curriculum. A big highlight: Our January trip to the aquarium with cousins. The kids had such a great time. Less successful was our study of birds - we tried to do a bird watching log, but birds were in slim supply this past January. We dug out our list again recently and started adding our observations now that the birds are out and chirping.
I can’t stress enough how much of a help the Childcraft Encyclopedias (by Worldbook) have been during our discussions. They have colorful illustrations that catch the eye and hold the interest of my preschooler, and they provide plenty of supplemental info for my first grader. Our study of mammals was also fun and informative. We found a lot of great books at the library about our favorite mammals. Camels were of particular interest. “Watch out, they spit!”
We did decide to make a change in our reading curriculum this Winter. After much deliberation on my part, we decided to move away from the Scaredy Cat Reading System. This system has received great reviews, but for our family, it was simply not a good fit. Despite my efforts to change things up, play games, and add variety, the kids groaned when it was time for the activity pages. My first grader, who is reading well, but still needs the benefit of spelling and phonic practice, was annoyed by the nonsensical nature of most of the sentences and activities on the worksheets. I was too. I tried to skip ahead, keep things moving, but we still found more of the same as we moved along. Also, on a personal note, I’m big on aesthetics and visuals. That’s just how I’m wired, and so are the kids. I know that bells, whistles, and polished illustrations do not a quality curriculum make, but for us, it’s a necessary component. The shoddy clipart used in this curriculum needs an overhaul. Stat. Anyway, this is all just our personal opinion. Again, I stress that I have heard rave reviews from others. It works for many. For us, not so much.
Singapore Math has been a pleasure. I love this curriculum so far. I wish I had this curriculum as a kid. I’m severely math impaired, and this has taught my first grader (and me) so much already about mental math. My preschooler is still learning her numbers, and needs lots and lots of review, so it’s hard to tell how this is going to work for her as she progresses. She loves her workbook so far, though, and enjoys the suggested activities mentioned at the bottom of the pages.
Another hit in our school: God’s World News. My preschooler could care less, actually. But my first grader ASKS for current events. Clamors for it. And, happily, retains it too!
I guess that’s enough for now. I have more I’ll share at a later date. Have a blessed Easter!
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