First off, I am so sorry! I am late again on posting. So many things have happened, but we have just been so busy that I haven't had time to write about them. I will endeavor to do better in the future. Again. Hopefully.
Okay, so we just finished up our Term 2 exams. I was happy with how the boys did. They each missed two questions which I thought was very reasonable. I marvel every day at how much they have grown in their thinking and enjoying reading in just the last 6 months.
We are LOVING Island Story! I think I am enjoying it as much or more than my kids. I am also using documentaries from the BBC to help cement particular things in their minds. I.e. While S is reading about the Landing of the Pilgrims, he also watched a documentary on the Pilgrims, and E just finished reading about the battle of Agincourt and tomorrow will watch the corresponding documentary.
I also found a song from Horrible Histories on YouTube about King Henry VIII and his wives. It took one day for all three of the boys to learn this song and they now sing it all the time. I. Kid. You. Not. But it is a great song, imo, because it includes all of the pertinent information on each wife. I have decided that I am going to have to look for more of their songs.
Bold Grenadier was a folksong that we did a while back but for some reason that one has stayed with my kids more than any other. They are constantly singing the first verse of it. Folksong study has become one of our favorite things in school, although Artist study is a close second. We have finished with Monet, Cassat, and Remington. Now we are studying the paintings of Eugene Delacroix. Cassat was a bust with 3 boys. They were so happy to be done with her, but the rest have been much enjoyed.
We listened to Kara Shallenberg's podcast on Mozart (as that is the composer we are studying currently) last night and the children were much surprised to learn that Haydn was alive at the same time. And that we had been pronouncing his name wrong. Oops.
Life is busy but wonderful down here in Mexico. The rains have finally come so we are breathing a sigh of relief at this point. Although it is still hot, it is nothing compared to what it was in May. Thank you, Jesus! The coming of the rains means that the boys are going to the river almost daily again. They are so happy that the river is back up again!
