7 more days

I had decided many months ago that May 6 would be our last day of school this year, and we are taking a field trip to Philadelphia next Tuesday, which means we only have 7 days left to do "regular" schoolwork. By May 6 I believe Ian will have completed 9 of the 13 chapters of the 1st grade math textbook and 11 of the 25 lessons of the 2nd grade spelling book. He already completed the 1st grade handwriting and science books, and I didn't start him on the 2nd grade books in either subject yet although he has been doing pages from the "Draw Write Now" books lately for handwriting/art. Nadia will have completed 15 of 27 lessons of the 4th grade spelling book, 5 of the 15 chapters of the 3rd grade science book, and 3 of the 14 chapters of the 3rd grade math textbook. She will be finishing the 3rd grade (cursive) handwriting book tomorrow. She is currently in Level 1B in piano. This week she will finish learning about 40 countries in Asia, and next week she's going to work on learning about 8 countries located around Australia. Then I want her to review all the continents. I am very pleased with the progress both kids have made during this school year! Next year will be the first of actually tracking exactly how many days we have school work and maintaining a portfolio for Nadia (and having her take a standardized test for the first time). I have been keeping track of the chapter books she's read totally on her own. She's working on book #120 right now, and 40 of those books she read in 2016, which means she's on target to read at least 120 chapter books in 2016 (the goal I set in January). I am going to start Ian's chapter book list very soon as he has recently moved into those books!

I also recently came up with a chart for Ian and Nadia to complete this summer (from May 7 - August 23). I created boxes they will color in when they accomplish the task. Ian's chart includes reading 10 chapter books (each book is less than 100 pages), doing art with Nadia 20 times, and doing addition and subtraction flash cards with me 50 times. Nadia's chart includes practicing the piano 50 times, doing addition and subtraction flash cards with me 50 times, doing art with Ian 20 times, reading 40 chapter books (hers are usually around 200 pages long), doing Spanish (Rosetta Stone) on the computer 30 times, and doing a keyboarding program on the computer 20 times (she currently types about 16-20 WPM). I'm planning on take a break from handwriting, science, and social studies this summer. I also want Nadia to learn how to jump rope this summer and Oliver to learn how to ride a bike (with training wheels). I didn't make a chart for Oliver, but this summer I want to work with him on mastering the rest of his letters and numbers. As you can see from the picture at right, I have been working with him on his cutting skills lately. He loves being considered a big enough boy to do "school work." For most of the year doing a puzzle was considered to be his school work. He can now do a 50 piece puzzle by himself and up to 100 piece puzzle with some assistance. Learning is a year long process, but we will look forward to having a break from our usual routine this summer. One habit we will continue is reading chapter books. We are currently on chapter book #190 (about Amy Carmichael). The last book we finished was Young Fu of the Upper Yangtze, and the next book I plan to read to them is The Cats in the Doll Shop. We love books in this house!