Second Grade Week 15 in Review

We’re done with another week of schooling here at Childress Academy.  Here’s how week 15 went for us…
Bible:  Our memory work was 1 John 4:4b, and our Bible story was on “Moses and the Ten Plagues.”  We read Exodus 7:14-12:32.  I’m hoping that Caleb will watch “The Prince of Egypt”  again soon to reinforce the Bible lesson.
Health:  This week we learned more about our eyes.  We did a little eye “illusion” where we held a pencil out in front of our face, and then closed one eye, then closed the other eye.  It seems as though the pencil is moving, but it’s just your eyes playing a trick on you.  Caleb thought it was neat.
Science:  This week we learned how we can all learn lessons from beavers.  They are hard workers, they work together, they take care of their environment, and they take care of each other. 
English:  We’re continuing to work on poems.  Caleb finished his couplet, and he started working on a shape poem.
Vocabulary:  We did a few more activities to review the definitions of our words, and then Caleb had his test.
Social Studies:  Caleb took his Unit 1 test, and he scored 100%.
Reading:  This week we read the following books:
Bears’ Vacation by Stan & Jan Berenstain
The Night Before the Tooth Fairy by Natasha Wing
Ocean Life by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Duck!  Rabbit!   by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld
Math:  This week we had an introduction to subtraction.  I’m really hoping that subtraction goes a bit smoother since we’re using Math U See.  So, we’ll see in a few weeks if he’s getting it.
Art:  I finally pulled out the art lessons again, but we only got one completed this week.  We continued talking about value by making a Black and White picture.  Caleb had to draw lines on a white piece of paper, and then cut it out.  He then glued them on a black piece of paper. 

We’ve already started week 16, and we’ll share how the week goes at a later point.  Tomorrow we are off to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta.  I’m taking the boys to see the preview showing of Charlotte’s Web.  This will be Micah’s first trip to the Center, so I’m hoping he does well.  He sat through Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me at the theatre, so I’m hoping he’ll sit through the puppet show.  Wish me luck…LOL!

Second Grade Week 14 in Review

We have completed another week of studies at Childress Academy.  It feels great to be on track and STAY on track.  We’ve done a fairly good job thus far this year, and I hope we continue to stay on top of our schooling.  Here’s how week 14 went for us…
Bible:  Our Bible story this week was on “God Sees Me.”  Our memory work was First Catechism Q&A #12.  We read John 4:1-42 to learn more about how we cannot hide from God.
Health:  This week we started learning about our eyes.  We learned how our eye is very similar to a camera, and we learned the different parts of the eye.
Science:  This week we started learning about beavers.  Caleb learned why we have the saying “busy as a beaver.”
English:  This week we finished up our chapter on verbs by taking a chapter test.  Caleb scored 98%.  We started a new writing chapter, and we’ll be working on writing poems for a bit.
Vocabulary:  We got a list of new words this week:  badge, banner, corner, design, display, fold, parade, rectangle, salute, and tread.  Caleb did a few activities to learn the definition of the words.
Social Studies:  In Geography, we learned the location of Russia.  In Social Studies, we finished up our study of patriotic songs by discussing “God Bless America.” 
Reading:  This week we read the following books/passages:
”Ducks Don’t Get Wet” poem from Evan-Moor
”The Case of the Missing Apples” story from Evan-Moor
Pigs Love Potatoes by Anika & Christopher Denise
Our Library by Eve Bunting
Math:  This week we spent several days reviewing all of our math facts.  Caleb took his Unit 2 Test, and he scored 100%.  I’m hoping he really has all of the addition problems memorized because we start subtraction this week.  Wish us luck…
In other news, I’m already thinking about 3rd grade curriculum choices.  I know, I know…it’s WAY too early.  LOL!  I’m just browsing…that’s all.  As of right now, I think we’ll be making a few changes, but I’m not certain yet.  So, just keep checking back.

Second Grade Week 13 in Review

We finished up week 13 about 2 weeks ago, but I’m just now getting around to posting the review.  Here’s how the week went:
Bible:  Our Bible verse for the week was James 1:3.  Our Bible story was on “The Trials of Joseph.”  We read Genesis 37:1-36 and Genesis 39:1-23.
Heatlh:  This week we discussed the importance of dental care. 
Science:  We discussed animal habitats and how to indentify animal homes.
English:  This week we continued discussing verbs.  We discussed a few special verbs like tell, give, sing, see, do, and go.  We discussed using exact verbs, and we also discussed homophones.  I have to share this funny about homophones.  I was asking Caleb what a homophone is, and he said, “a phone you have a home.”  I couldn’t help but laugh…hopefully he now understands that they are words that same the sound but are spelled differently and have different meanings.
Vocabulary:  Caleb took a test over his words, and he scored 81%.  I think he got a bit confused on some of the definitions.
Social Studies:  In Geography studies, we added Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico to our states.  In Social Studies, we discussed “America the Beautiful” and the history behind the song.
Reading:  This week we read the following stories:
Johnny Appleseed by Madeline Olsen
Slinky Scaly Snakes! by Jennifer Dussling
Star Wars – The Clone Wars: Yoda in Action by Heather Scott
Math:  This week we worked on addition of the extras (3+5, 7+4, 7+5).  This completes our addition chapters.  We’ll have one more review week, and then we’ll move on to subtraction.
As always, thanks for following our journey in home schooling.  We love hearing comments from our readers!  Let us know how your school year is going if YOU are a home schooler, too!

Second Grade Week 12 in Review

Have I mentioned how great it feels when we’re all caught up with our schooling?  LOL!  Well, it feels FABULOUS!  I’m so glad that we’re staying on top of our schooling at this point in time.  I know that life will eventually throw us a curveball (or two), and we’ll be ready when it does.  Here’s how week 12 went for us:
Bible:  Our Bible story was on “God is Invisible.”  Our memory work was First Catechism Q&A #11.  We read I Kings 19:1-18 to discuss the Bible story.
Health:  This week we discussed teeth.  We began our discussion by reviewing the types of teeth and their jobs.  We also discussed why animals have the teeth they do.
Science:  This week Caleb learned all about the essential earthworm.  He learned how they help farmers, and all about their characteristics.
English:  This week we started a new chapter on verbs.  We discussed what verbs are, adding “s” or “es”, verbs in the past, and verbs now or past.  Caleb did a GREAT job with this concept, and I think he’s catching on quickly.
Vocabulary:  Our words for the next two weeks are:  cone, cube, earth, fern, fuel, grain, lizard, miner, present, and seam.  Caleb did several activities to learn the definition of these words.
Social Studies:  In Geography, we continued to review the states, continents, and oceans we’ve been studying.  In social studies, we discussed “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”  I’m learning so much about these patriotic songs right along with Caleb, and it’s actually interesting.
Reading:  This week we read the following stories;
Amazing Whales! by Sarah L. Thompson
Cheetah Cubs by Ginjer L. Clarke
Math:  This week Caleb learned all about making “9” in addition.  He’s almost done with his math facts, and he’s doing a GREAT job.
***In Handwriting, we began learning cursive this week.  Let me just tell you…Caleb is so excited to learn how to write in cursive.  He’s also doing a wonderful job with it, too.  I hope his enthusiasm remains as the letters get a bit more difficult.***