Summer School

I really enjoy schooling year round.  There’s sommething very freeing in knowing that we can take a week off whenever we need it without having to worry about falling “behind”.  I also like schooling year round because there is something inspiring about the different seasons.  Fall is a time to concentrate on a wide range of academics, winter is great for projects and a focus on Christmas, January and February are perfect for taking off a week here and a week there so that I don’t end up sending the kids to boarding school, and spring finds us finishing up our “regular” work.  Summer is the time for something different.

That usually means that we get a good dose of science during the summer.  I don’t get a lot of science done with the kids during the regular year but when things begin to thaw out I get a little bit inspired.  Summer is also a great time for resources that don’t fit into our regular program but are too good to miss out on.  That’s what I have Abbie doing this summer.  Here’s her list:

Windows to the World - a literary analysis published by The Institute for Excellence in Writing.  Here’s a quick overview from the book, “Windows to the World is an introduction to literary analysis for secondary students.  It teaches students to read, infer, analyze, and write about literature.  Additionally, it recognizes the power of literature to influence readers for good or for ill, and consequently seeks to teach students to recognize an author’s worldview and exercise discernment when reading.”

I love the first chapter – it’s on how to annotate.  Abbie has always dug her heels in when it comes to annotating and now I have an excuse to mark her on it   We’re only going to get through about six sections in this book before we move on to Tapestry of Grace in the fall, but I think even the sections we do will be a great preparation for what she’s facing in TOG.

Traditional Logic - I’m not sure why we can’t fit logic into our regular school year…  Thankfully, we have the summer. 

Math – I’m back in the driver’s seat!  My inclination towards total control freak was incredibly hard to supress all year.  II would sometimes “suggest” extra study time or an additional resource and Abbie would say, “Mom, I think Chelsea has this under control.”  Then I would smile, painfully, and try again another day.  Having Abbie work with Chelsea (a fantastic math teacher) this year worked really well.  But, now the school year is over and I’m taking back math.  Abbie’s going to finish the sections of NEM 2 that she didn’t need to do for her exam and she’s going to work on some problemsolving as well.

Science – We’re using a couple of DVDs from Answers in Genesis along with the public school science text (blech).  She’s working through just the first unit of science 9.

History – There are just a couple of holes to fill before starting TOG 4 in the fall.  It shouldn’t take her very long and then she can cross history off of her summer school list.

The Easy Frenchy 2A - She’s working through the second semester of this course and I don’t want her to lose momentum (or forget a conjugation) over the summer. 

Henle Latin – just plugging along slowly and surely, following Memoria Press’ guide.

Elementary Greek - I know, I know.  But it’s fun!  And it was her idea.  I bought myself a workbook as well so that I can learn along with the kids.  Jacob is doing it with us and at first he was dragging his heels but now he’s really into it.

A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart - this is what we’re using as our Bible study/devotional.  We both like having something to work through together and this one is particularly good at pointing us back to the Word and applying truth to our lives.

And that is the end of Summer School 2009 – at least for Abbie.  I’ve got to sit down and make a plan for the boys now.