Learning Log #5

For language arts this week everyone loved listening to me read out loud from The Four Story Mistake and My Bookhouse, book 2.  Adam and Anna both finished Level 1 of their Hooked on Phonics.  Anna finished the Kindergarten Level 1 book, learning blends of letters and reading some beginner books.  Adam finished level 1 of the preschool, learning all the names and sounds the capital letters make.  Adam learned how the letters are written as well.  Anna copied down the poem called My Hands. Kimball wrote in his journal 3 times, writing about his weekend story and stuff he liked and is good at.  He also read 2 more chapters of Nick and Tesla's High-Voltage Danger Lab.  He also read several short stories about Abraham Lincoln from the Libraries of Hope, and also a story called "A Story of Able Lincoln" from My Bookhouse, book 5.  Elsie started a story about a bear family, and wrote a full page.  She also wrote her weekend story on Monday.  She also read about Abraham Lincoln.  She read short stories from Libraries of Hope and My Bookhouse about Abraham Lincoln.  She also read a short book about Abraham Lincoln from Libraries of Hope and Abraham Lincoln by d'Aulaire.  She also read about 20 pages of a book called Turtle in Paradise. 
For math Anna finished chapter 16 and started on chapter 17.  She learned the rest of her addition facts.  She worked on reviewing all her addition facts, did some story problems, and practiced counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s, and writing them down.  She also worked on solving for the unknown in addition.  Adam finished chapter 9 where he learned to build, say, and read 2 digit numbers.  He also reviewed number recognition and shapes.  He started on chapter 10 where he is learning to build, write, and say 3 digit numbers.  Kimball did chapter 10 and took the test.  He learned more about dividing by 4s, and reviewed column addition, multiplying with 2 2-digit numbers, finding the area of shapes, and converting quarts into gallons and quarters into dollars.  Elsie finished chapter 8 learning how to add 3 different fractions with different denominators.  She also reviewed long division and multiplying 2 2-digit multiplication. 
For Science the kids learned about microecosystems and microscopic ecosystems.  We talked about different examples of each of these.  Elsie and Kimball drew an example of a microecosystem in their research journals.  They both decided to draw tidepools.  Other ideas we talked about were ponds, stumps of trees, our blackberry patch in our backyard, and a garden.  We learned about microorganisms and read a book called Tiny Creatures by Nicola Davies.  We learned there is a whole other world of microorganisms!  We also went on a nature exporation expedition and found a pelican that had been hurt.  Elsie sat right next to it for quite a while. 
For history we learned about ancient Egypt.  One of the favorite stories was about the treasure-chamber of Rhampsinitus.  We also learned about the short reign of the twelve kings, and how Psammetichus became king/pharoh. 
For music Kimball, Elsie, and Anna went to their Bows and Bridges music school on Monday and Thursday.  They each got a short lesson, and practiced what they learned.  They also practiced playing in groups.  They also went to their piano lessons and practiced.  Adam, however, got into a bad accident over the weekend.  He cut his head down to the skull, and was not able to do much physical exercise this week.  He did go on walks with our family and explore nature. 
For their tech class, Kimball and Elsie started on their minecraft assignments.  They watched the short video clips and then they each drew pictures on graph paper to better understand pixels.  They also learned about business and sold pears and goods at the local Gardener's Market.  Anna watched her sibling sell and learned about some business marketing as well.  She also played on code.org and passed off a level. 
We had a fun Friday.  Elsie had a couple things that made it into the state fair, so we met up with Grandma and Grandpa and had fun at the state fair.  All the kids enjoyed the circus they had.  They were especially impressed by the juggler and a lady that could change outfits amazingly fast!  The kids are motivated and excited to join 4-H this year.