HOME SCHOOL WEEKLY

Well, I'm late again....but this time with a slightly better reason. Yesterday, in the middle of our quiet afternoon of rest, Abby came running in screaming about her thumb....I took one look at it and knew it was broken.....(broken stuff makes me queasy). Long story short, after a trip to the er, it was confirmed that she broke (shattered is a better word) her thumb and the Mlekodaj kids have experienced their first real ER trip. I've called for a follow up appointment with the orthopedic, but we won't get in til early next week. They will decide if they will re-cast it or just put a light splint on it. Praying all that will go well.
After a fitful night's sleep, we are up and attempting school (not Abby....she is well "medicated" and veggin'!). So, here's our accomplishments from last week.

MATH
Again, we made up time in this subject, often doing 2 lessons a day. But there was at least one day we didn't do any so I'm not sure if we made real progress or not! Either way, we made good efforts and are moving along. Even as I type this, the twins are doing 2 lessons (the first was just a review of dividing by larger numbers, so we just talked through that one)....I love the feeling of "catching up"!!! Abby also is making good progress....we can't often do more than one lesson with her because she is learning new stuff every day and usually has more work. But we have done it a few times and she is conquering percents very well! Everyone took tests recently and scored well....(sigh of relief!).

GRAMMAR/ENGLISH:
I don't feel like this subject got as much attention as I would have liked. There were 2 days we didn't get to it at all...but then there was at least one day we doubled up. Again, not necessarily moving 'ahead' but not falling further behind either. Abby's paper on the Alamo was put on hold while she finished up two papers for co-op. She will finish that up once she is able to do school again. She really just has to correct her rough draft and get the final one typed out. She is almost done with her 'review' grammar book (something she just works on every now and then to stay on top of stuff she previously learned). I have a goal to get through 2 chapters this week (that would take doubling up every day) so I doubt that will happen with the broken thumb incident. But we'll see. Some stuff we may be able to just talk through. It's mostly about writing papers right now. Thankfully, it was her left hand that was hurt and she is right handed. So once we are over most of the 'pain' we can get busy again.
I also have a goal to be done with a unit in the twins book too...but again, gotta double up this week. It's all pretty easy right now so I feel like we can do that. It's nice because if they get the hang of it, great, and we keep moving.....but if someone is struggling, then we can just slow down again and take our time until understanding sinks in.

SPELLING:
Everyone did really well on their spelling tests last week. Abby already started her new list and the twins will start one today. Peter really struggles still (possible dyslexia) but the more time I spend with him, the better. I still have plans, before the public schools get out for the summer, to get him tested for dyslexia.

HISTORY/SCIENCE:
Co-op.....
For the past few weeks they have received most of their history and science at co-op. They have studied New Mexico History for history and Bees for Science. Last week was our last week of co-op (praise the Lord!) and they finished well. They each had to write a biography on a famous New Mexican explorer and then for science they had to write a paper on bees (i think i wrote more in detail about that last post). They finished them all, read them out loud for the whole co-op group and now it's over! They also, for NM history made a replica of a covered wagon....very cute! Also, the adobe bricks they made in week 2....they brought those back to class and then dropped them outside to see if they would break, thus determining if they were solid enough to build houses with. Peter and Hannah's broke on impact, but Abby's stayed together :)
I am already putting together the possible classes for our Fall Co-op semester....it will be here before I know it!!

READING:
Everyone is still in the same books, but should be wrapping them us this week. I am almost caught up with Abby in the Bronze Bow and I am loving it! When they finish up, they will write book reports on them.

EXTRA STUFF:
Piano.....Going really well for Hannah...she will play the offeratory on Easter Sunday. Abby, unfortunately will put her piano career on hold until the thumb is healed.
Knitting.....same thing. It's going really well, and Abby will have to stop for a while. She is literally about 2 rows away from finishing the washcloth she is making for a gift. Once she is better she will start another one and also continue on her scarf. Hannah is about 1 lesson away from finishing hers...and she too will continue on her scarf and a practice washcloth she is working on. They will both attempt to make an additional scarf to help a friend with a project to give out scarves and hats to the homeless this Christmas. I will help them with that project and hopefully between the 3 of us, we can get a few made by then.
They are all still very involved in awana, gymnastics and Bible study. I can't remember if I posted it last time, but they are finished with Bible Quizzing for the year. They came in 1st all but once. We will have an awards banquet next month to recognize their hard work. We studied the book of John and I am so impressed with how much they learned....and I learned lots too! Great experience!

I had high hopes to start this week off well (early). There is a workteam here and we were going to eat breakfast at the lodge each morning (7:30) and then start school right away. But with the long day yesterday and the not so restful night's sleep, the day started late. But so far, we are moving along. I even used my lesson plan notebook for the first time in months! I have all the lessons written out and scheduled for the week. We will PERSEVERE!!!!