Monday, May 16, 2011

Science Choices

For Third Year I feel I have to scale down the planning. I decided to go with a textbook, critical thinking style science program instead of BFSU. As much as I love BFSU (Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding), I feel I need to take a break from major planning and focus on History, which I'm planning all this year by myself - no SOTW, would you believe it. I also have a baby I want to spend with instead :)

Which program am I going to use for Third Year? Singapore Science, My Pals Are Here 3/4. I have the textbooks, activity books, Homework and Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) books. To have extra information, skills and answers at hand I'm also seriously considering the Teacher's Manual. It's $80, but I can buy it used for less. This program looks solid and rigorous, quite fun, and fulfills my most important requirement: it promotes scientific inquiry and critical thinking.

The other reason I'm not doing BFSU 2 is that it looks like BFSU jumps in difficulty, and I feel Boy has to solidify some knowledge before going to the next level. Singapore Science seems to cover, especially with its chapters on Diversity and Cycles, the material I would like for us to review and solidify.

I want to go back to BFSU (Volume 2 this time) after this coming experimental year of trying out Singapore Science. Boy will be in 4th Year by then, and more likely to be able to handle the BFSU 2 then.

What if Boy ends up liking Singapore and wants to forego BFSU? I say we can always try to combine and expand first, and if Boy is thriving with Singapore and doesn't care for BFSU after that, we can forge ahead with just Singapore. I still love BFSU and can and will use with my two daughters.

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

New Baby!

I can't believe it, I have three children! I'm on cloud nine. This baby has been a blessing, a true gift from God. I'm so happy to have been given the opportunity to be a mother again, and I'm trying to enjoy every minute. She's a sweetheart, and loves to smile. We all love her! Girl 2 fit right into our lives and we can't imagine it any other way.

Homeschooling has been going smoothly for the most part, and Boy is progressing well, especially in his Math. Girl 1 is learning everything she needs to know through books, the computer, talking to Boy, me, and at ballet and piano.

We are continuing with the Middle Ages. We are at Chapter 29 of Story of the World. A bit behind schedule, but that's okay. We are continuing to school through July and taking off in August. We will be done with SOTW 2 before we start our Third Year (aah! Already!) with my own plan for American History. I will share this plan within the coming weeks. I'm excited and a bit nervous at the same time, as I've always had SOTW's AG to fall back on. The plan is to continue SOTW 3 in 4th.

We are finished with Giotto and Titian, and Boy was lucky enough to get to see some of their works at the Vatican Exhibit in Fort Lauderdale with Daddy.

Because of so many activities and just plain being busy, Science has been Rocks and Minerals since late February. Boy is learning a lot, and previously he had enjoyed Electricity very much. In fact, in using The Dangerous Book for Boys Electricity Kit he was able to build circuits with minimal help after Husband explained things to him.

We are strong in Reading, Writing, and Math. Boy is writing much more and getting used to it, also dictation. In Math he's doing well, understanding much of the arithmetic, but taking a while to understand clocks. In due time. I'm learning to take things easier without sacrificing quality. In due time.