October 21-27, 2012

Back on track!

What we did this week

Henry

• Saxon Math 1: Lessons 50-53 (Written assessment 9 and oral assessment 5; writing the number 46, identifying and locating numbers on the hundred number chart; writing the number 47, counting dimes and pennies; writing the number 48, counting by 10s and 2s)
• The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading: Lessons 101-104 (O alone as /ō/; review of the long-o vowel pairs and patterns; the vowel pair UE as /ū/; the vowel pair EW as /ū/)
• Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Kindergarten: Pages 123-128 (17, 18, 19, 20, review 1-20, writing your name, writing the letters you know, writing your address)
• The Magician's Nephew: finished listening to chapter 9

We have a new love that has replaced Starfall.com, although Starfall is still number one for Oliver and Jane.  Henry has moved on to ReadingEggs.com.  We're on day two of a 70-day free trial and Henry is very excited about "getting" to do a lesson each day.  If his enthusiasm keeps up, I think we'll go ahead and sign up for a year's membership.

Henry's also been on a Frog and Toad kick lately, so we've been reading those at bedtime each night.  Additionally, we've been reading each day from our Illustrated Lives of the Saints.  It's religion and geography rolled in one, since we use our wall map to locate all of the places mentioned in each saint's biography.  It's also another opportunity for Henry to hear writing that's above his reading level.

Oliver

Oliver has made a lot of progress this week with following directions and anticipating activities.  Whereas before we would need to guide him from activity to activity, he is now anticipating what comes next in our routine and taking it upon himself to head that way.  For instance, I'll say, "time for lunch," and he goes downstairs on his own and heads to the kitchen.  Or, he sees me making his lunch and instead of clinging to my leg as if I don't know he's hungry, he walks over to his chair, pulls it out, climbs up, then waits pretty patiently for his meal.  Today, I had him finishing breakfast while I put his things in the car to take him to therapy.  Usually, I have to go back in and take his hand and bring him to the car.  Today, he snuck up behind me, climbed in the van, and got into his seat on his own (and looked pretty pleased with himself, too).  When we got to the center, he walked to the door on his own and, while I was handing his therapist his backpack and lunch, headed down the hall to his therapy room on his own.

So, quite a bit more independent behavior this week!

Jane

No big leaps this week.  We're still working on shapes.

Peter

4 months old and filling out 9 months clothes.  And lots of laughing.