General Studies

Starting this semester, day after Labour Day, the younger children and I have embarked upon a journey, mixed with frequent stops to do mundane things.

Bible study: After the first week of school, in which we memorized Colossians 3:16-17 and discussed doing all things for the Lord (with other scriptures and Bible stories that they remembered themselves), we are starting a mostly independent reading and study of the Acts of the Apostles. Starting slowly but surely, each child reads through one chapter at a time and either writes out an outline or summary of the chapter, or important scripture to memorize. As I looked over their outlines we discussed and remembered what we've learned before. (Daughter#1 is also reading through Acts on her own and keeping her own Bible journal of what she's read, while Son#1 is reading through the book of Judges.)

Handwriting: Going through letter by letter of a simple copy and repetition of lines and words to help improve actual, real, on the paper handwriting skill. Later in the semester we will work on typing; I'm not sure whether to rely on our old typing game or try to find a new one. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

Geography and History: The Acts of the Apostles describes the beginnings of the church of Christ in Jesus' home country, and the first travels of the Apostles into the "all the world" in their area, so we will be studying and learning more about that part of the world (which I think is just as important as Europe in its impact on the development of our world today). For starters, we are learning the present maps of the Middle East, as found on Sheppard Software's online geography games pages.  We'll be taking a trip to our local branch of the Toronto Library to find some more books about the Middle East, as well as stories and histories of the countries there. I'll be using those maps in the backs of our Bibles for the historical references as we go. I have two friends on Facebook who are currently visiting and posting in their blogs about their visits in Israel, at Braman's Wanderings and Exploring Bible Lands.

 

I'm hoping to point out some major news stories as they come too; there's so much available. (Here's the news for today alone: Yemen minister survives assassination attempt, Palestinian PM unveils measures to calm protests, Syria conflict lasting scars.) And of course, learning about this region will lead to even more history of the area, and a study of the spread of Islam. Oh, and there's this great restaurant in called Jerusalem Restaurant, offering fine Mediterranean foods, which we may have to revisit, maybe. (Note to self: study India next.)

Combining the Bible even more with history and geography, I'm hoping to include more information on Christians in the Middle East. I know there is some good information through Voice of the Martyrs, and I hope to discover more as I research and share with the children.

We're going through a refresher course on grammar and writing with the Junior Skill Builders book "Writing in 15 Minutes a Day".

For math and science, we're using the workbooks from the Popular Book Company: Complete Mathsmart (grades 5 and 8) every day and Complete Sciencesmart (grades 5 and 8) three days a week. Supplementing these with library books and Khan Academy practice sessions.

We're incorporating personal quiet reading time daily as well. Son#2 has nonfiction books chosen for him at present, and Daughter#2 is reading though the Lost Hero (the second Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan).

Sons #1 and #2 work out with Dad nearly every day at a nearby Goodlife Fitness. Daughters work out with Mom on the Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort. We occasionally go for long walks (taking pictures, of course), and sometimes even go for a swim in one of the Great Lakes.

More information on the older children next time.

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EDIT: I just came across this song to help memorize Colossians 3:16-17 at hymnal.net.  Maybe more for littler kids, but now that we have already memorized the words, the children will sing it for Baby Daughter (she loves the midi version anyway!) :)