April 9, 2010
-
Goals for the Upcoming School Year
Goals for Sebastian:
- Improve spelling
- Begin formal grammar
- This is one area for which I have found Sonlight’s curriculum to be inadequate. While I understand the philosophy behind their method, Sebastian doesn’t seem to be getting it using their “natural approach.” We’ll be using Sonlight’s language arts but only as a supplement to a more formal English grammar curriculum (Rod & Staff or First Language Lessons).
- Memory work
- While Sonlight does schedule Bible memorization, I have to be honest and say that I have been really slack in requiring it. I do think memorization is important however, so I’ll be making a more concerted effort to include it this year. I will also be adding in some other poems and speeches as well as memorization in science, history, and latin.
- Read for fun
- While there are lots of books here for Sebastian to read and he does frequently look through books and magazines, he’s not the kind of kid who just picks up a book and starts reading it cover to cover. Other than the assigned readers for school and some short picture books, he hasn’t really learned to read for fun. So, starting this year he will have an assigned reading time 30 minutes per day where he will have to read a book of his choice. I will record these books as he finishes them and as an incentive, he will be rewarded for every ten he reads.
- Read to himself
- Up until now Sebastian’s daily reading assignment has been read aloud to me. Beginning this year, I will have him read to himself, then either write a narration (plot summary) of what he read, or answer comprehension questions to show he did the reading. Once a week, I will have him read orally to practice fluency.
- Learn to write well
- I think this is another area where Sonlight is weak. While there are some good creative writing assignments and dictation, I think there is not enough structure to the program. I will be using another program that more directly teaches how to write well (Institute for Excellence in Writing, Writing with Ease, or Writing Strands).
- Make a language notebook
- Continue to learn new math concepts and improve math skills
- Learn early American history
- Complete weekly history projects
- Study the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
- Make a history notebook
- Learn New York state history
- Make a separate New York state history notebook
- Study the New York state constitution
- Study various areas of science
- Make a science notebook
- Do an experiment each week and create an experiment page
- Go for a nature walk (outdoor observation) each week and create a nature notebook page
- Begin learning Latin
- Participate in weekly picture study of famous works of art
- Study art history from Renaissance to Modern
- Begin learning to draw
- Learn to appreciate classical music
- Begin learning piano
- Work daily on handicrafts
- Complete daily household chores
Goals for Xander:
- Read, read, read
- READ!
- Listen to books being read
- Learn to print letters and numbers
- Learn to add and subtract
- Participate in science experiments and nature walks
- Participate in picture study and creative art
- Work daily on handicrafts
- Complete daily household chores
