Can you believe this is the last day of August? I cannot. We’re only 115 days away from Christmas! Unbelievable.
Anyway.
Poppy spent the latter part of this week with Rockford’s parents, so we only did schoolwork on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Pete’s schedule yesterday included:
I think he had a pretty great day. I know I did. I’m not sure what we’re going to do today, but I think a trip to TCBY might be in our future.
Reading
Poppy finished “Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings” and “Jane on Her Own: A Catwings Tale” by Ursula le Guin this week. The series is, as the name suggests, about cats with wings. Poppy loved the books.
In slightly more down-to-earth literary pursuits, we got to the chapter of “Anne of Green Gables” that required an explanation of what “drunk” means.
Me: “Sometimes grown-ups drink too much alcohol, and my makes their brains not work so well.”
Poppy: “Oh. Well why would they do that?”
Me: “I don’t know. It’s just a choice some grown-ups make.”
So thanks for that, Lucy Maud Montgomery.
History
This week we read about the barbarians attacking Rome. We didn’t get to any of the activities, so we might still be talking barbarians next week. Poppy did her narration work for the chapter on her blog, where she included this bit of information:
The word “vandal” now means a person who does bad things on purpose, like someone I knew who drew an X on the wall. (That was my brother.)
You can read the rest at “The Romans try to fight off bad guys.”
Extra credit
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In “Artistic Pursuits this week, the lesson called for us to take a walk in search of things we might find inspiring. Poppy filled up almost a whole notebook with sketches of trees, flowers and butterflies, while Pete drew a mailbox, a berry and a fighting robot monster. Then we came home and talked about Marc Chagall’s “Birthday” before using their sketches to inspire a painting.
- Poppy memorized “The Folk Who Live in Backward Town” by Mary Ann Hoberman in record time this week. Pete is still working on his poem, “The Falling Star” by Sara Teasdale.
It feels odd taking a break this early in our year — Wednesday was, I believe, only our 22nd day of school — but Poppy had been yearning for some special time at Grandma’s house, and it worked out well for her to go this week. I think it was good for Pete and Poppy to have some time apart, too. They were already missing one another by yesterday afternoon.
Ah, to explain what drunk means. I like how you did explain it, though it’s funny (not funny haha) to do so when they’re so young. I am trying to think if I’ve done that yet … might have used the word, but not given a meaning. Note to self to think about it before saying it! 🙂
Also? I totally sound drunk in that comment. It’s cough medicine, I swear. 😉
You sounded far more lucid than I do on cough medicine! 🙂
I think it’s interesting that you are having a difficult time getting through Anne of Green Gables. It probably my favorite book, ever. With that said, I think it does have some interesting themes that would be hard to explain so young. I read it as a 4th or 5th grader. I suggest seeing the movie after you finish. It was such a good adaptation. I remember reading a book that Poppy might enjoy. I must’ve liked it if I remember the title, or maybe the title was why I liked it. Either way, I suggest Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth by E.L. Klonigsburg. It was a fun book to read, especially with Halloween coming up. Now that I’ve looked it up to see who wrote it, I find that it was a Newbery medal winner in 1968.
I’ve never heard of that book, but I love the title! I think the problem I’m having with “Anne of Green Gables” is that Anne really grates on me. So much drama. And even Poppy thinks Anne talks to much!
Andrea, you did not sound drunk! I mixed my tenses all the way through 🙂 I need to write more often… completely out of practice!!
I think that was a great explanation for “drunk.” Not sure how I would have answered that one.
And I’m all set for Christmas presents for my kiddos! ::laugh:: Yep! But in my defense it was because the kayaks went on sale and I saved a bunch of $$$!
I love Anne of Green Gables too, but I know that at this point my daughter would NOT so I’m holding off. Someday!
Love the walking drawing! Cute!
Funny about your drunk explanation. I sometimes try to skip a sentence or two when I’m reading aloud, but now if my oldest son is watching reading along he’ll say, “you skipped a part!”
I love the differences in your daughter and son’s drawing choices.