Lessons

Kyle is slowly but surely nearing the end of the 4th Grade!  He finished Spelling last week and has approx. 20 pages left in Language and Math.  I ended up changing around his school schedule so that he only does one subject per day - but has to do multiple pages in that one subject.  It's been working out really well!  When we start the 5th Grade I will be sure to increase his work load from the beginning so that we don't end up in the same situation come this time next year.  Over the summer I will have him do just one page of Math on an every-other-day basis.  Not only will this help to keep him in the mathematics loop, but it will also help to lighten his load when we start school again in September.

Bella is plugging away at her reading lessons.  We are now on Lesson 12 (out of 100).  Her attention span varies on a day to day basis.  Each lesson only takes about 10-15 minutes which is perfect for her age level.  I find the work to be challenging, but not too challenging, which is important.  For the most part she's doing a good job..she just needs to focus a little better..but that will come in time.  She definitely understands the basic concepts of sounding out letters now.  I'm still undecided as to whether or not I want to invest in a Kindergarten Curriculum for her.  I think if I can find some inexpensive, used workbooks online I'll get them -- but otherwise I'll just use the resources I find on the Internet.

I've decided it's time to spend just a few minutes with Savannah going over letters and numbers (via flashcards and memory games) on a more regular basis.  My game plan is to do this with her right before she goes down for nap and then again before bed.  She can already recognize a few letters and numbers.  Much like Kyle, she seems to pick up on things pretty quickly.  I think she'll enjoy the one on one time, too!

Both of the girls have been challenging in their own ways lately.  Bella has had "deaf ears" for the past couple of weeks - listening has never been her strong point, but it's been getting progressively worse.  I've been pretty strict with her about it this week and have had Jim speak to her about it a few times, too.  Savannah is going through the typical toddler stages.  She spends much of her time trying to test the waters to see how far she can get with her tantrums.