Summary / Notes from August-October

Math ~ M & E finished Alpha in October 2008.  Still don't know all math facts, but we're moving on to Beta.  

Reading ~ Madeleine reading at Level 3, some chapter books.  Doing really well.  Erika reading at Level 2 or so.  Loves it and is very focused.  

Author Fiesta - Polacco and Arnosky and Mem Fox

Rabbit Trails - Ocean Life-August, Moon-August, Apples-Sept, Pumpkins-Oct. Trees-Oct.

M,E learning to knit - June.  Finger knitting-October

History - American History ~ Ben Franklin-Aug, Paul Revere-Sept, Sam Adams-Oct, George Washington-Nov

Outdoor Hours - October

Art - Mary Cassatt in August/September. Visit to the SAM Impressionist exhibit

Music - Bach in October.  Lots of books and starting to listen to pieces.  

Sunday Mass Preparations

I have been pouring over Helen's posts for Sunday Mass Preparations have started doing a few new things. These posts are wonderful because they are so simple, yet so meaningful for small children.

Here is what we have been doing to learn about the Psalms.

• Three weeks ago we started learning the Psalm refrain beginning on Wed or Thursday. Before we did this, we re-read the story of David and Saul and looked at the Psalms in the bible.
• On Wed., or Thursday, the girls use the psalm refrain as copy work, and then someone pretends they are the cantor, raises their arms and we practice singing it.
• They are thrilled at Mass on Sunday when they recognize it.

Lenten Plans

Not much happened last year in our Domestc Church during Lent as Caroline was born on Ash Wednesday. So, I'm sure I am way over-reaching, but in a "perfect world"...

Color Alleluia sheets

• sometime b4 Ash Wednesday
• on Ash Wed hide them under the purple banner that will hang in the living room.
• Purple banner is a piece of purple fabric that isn't even hemmed up. Maybe one of these days I'll get to that.
• Practice singing the Alleluia and Gloria for Sunday, as it's the last time we'll hear it.

Front door decoration:

• Gather sticks from front yard and make a cross to hang on the door.
• Tie appropriate holy cards to it with purple ribbon.

Centerpiece

• Hang a Crown of Thorns from chandelier with toothpicks stuck in.

Stations of the Cross

• Print out.
• Girls color them in on W-TH-F right after Ash Wed to hang around the purple banner.
• Get stations-of-the-cross-box ready.
• Put prayers in basket along with candle snuffer.
• Set up Advent Wreath log with 13 candles on window sill, covered with purple cloth.
• Say SOC every Friday, maybe more.

Lenten path

• Girls color them in; they'll each have their own.
• Hang them in prominent spot.
• find stickers.
• come up with a couple of things they can do every day for Jesus and print on purple sheets of paper. They decide at b-fast.

Stories of Jesus' life

• Bible readings of Jesus' life from Children's Lenten devotional at least a couple times / week. Some of these may be over their heads; we'll see. I want to try it. May have to adapt.
• Either at breakfast or after dinner with Pete.

Reading Baskets

• Request books from library
• Bring up our Lent/Easter books.
• Set up reading baskets.

Make Last Supper Figures

• collect toilet paper cylinders 12
• cut out robes, cut yarn for hair, sticks for hands.
• Girls can make these throughout Lent

Resurrection Scene

• Make tomb out of straw hat. put "earth on it'. find rock for the front of it.
• Figures from Nativity set.
• Make a Jesus with white robe and resurrection banner. havent' thougth this one out yet.

Read through Atrium presentations. Decide which ones to do. Prep for them.

Straight from Madeleine's Mouth

• convinced
• tragic
• doomed ("I'm doomed," as Caroline knocks over her block-castle)
• strolling
• redeemed

Grandpa Gord will be so proud. Now she just needs to put "utensil" in there somewhere, and we'll be all set for a true Grizzly-bear-grand-daughter to carry on the verbal traditions of the family!

Mater Amabilis

After reading this, I realized that this is pretty much what we do.

Read the prep level for Mater Amabilis.

Six Things to Include in Your Child's Day

From Lissa's blog.
• meaningful work
• imaginative play
• good books
• beauty (art, music, nature)
• ideas to ponder and discuss
• prayer

Whence it came
All Roads Lead to Rome
Everyone else's Rule of Six