I have just completed a review using the state requirements of Washington as well as the guidelines from our chosen curriculum (ENKI and Waldorf Essentials - we also use Earth Schooling which I pull from using all the grades curriculum)
I am very glad to see that my oldest who is in 5th grade now is right where I had assessed. He is strong is comprehension and across subjects we have covered. Where he is lacking is his hand writing. It's the most challenging. We are bringing in Vimala alphabet and have been since 4th. We also practice calligraphy because he enjoys that. But basic writing, even printing is poor.
It's likely from so much time on the computer - he hunts and pecks but I don't want to teach typing until he masters hand writing, even printing.
Hand writing through narrative stories and reinstating the weekend journal.
Printing through copy work. Use poetry for this. William Blake's Inn
Now that spring is here we can spend longer time outdoors in activities to help build brain and body connection. I've noticed even though we have been active daily, it's not the same as getting outside and running and playing.
Update and reinstate morning circle daily.
Add in gratitude practice, blessing, feel it real practice.
Add in daily Scripture with Dad - Each Night might be better because DH has originated this as an action. Because we have not be active in our religions (I walked away from my religion of many years and searched for a home for our family, moving often has made that difficult to settle in but it's sorely missed and is a top goal for 2017)
As DH and I repair and restore our marriage all things with the boys have begun to improve. Grateful for this beyond words.
Youngest son, now 8. Grateful that I work with Waldorf with him as he is the sensitive sole and still resistant to reading. An amazing artist, exceptional with math and numbers, but the abstract of reading is a challenge. He gets better but he does not enjoy it like his older brother who is more sanguine/air.
Between the nutrition (allergic to dairy in all forms - causes rash and stomach pains along with extreme temperament and emotional upset - this he is old enough to see and recognize so chooses wisely) we have a stronger handle on our journey.
Help build confidence for younger son and self esteem - correct and clear any damage as a result of the turmoil over the last few years. Use tools from work life - emotional freedom technique, Chi Kung, NVC,
Continuing with the Non Violent Communication work - we won't attend NVC family camp this year - decision was made based on having more negative influence on the children and defeating the purpose. There were many children who had very fowl language and some parents unwilling to address this. Both boys came away with worse habits of defiance, fowl language and entitlement. While I don't believe in dictatorship in the home, there must be respect - not only for elders but for self.
We all will continue to work on this.
We as a family are implementing a "FAMILY GAME" we have rules we've all agreed upon and good habit cards. This is inspired by a book called Family Rules, I'm not sure the author - a counselor in the Oregon area wrote it and I picked it up at a church rummage sale. Good Habit Cards have been beneficial. I prefer this over saying "you are down stat" or you are upstat this week. Stat being short for statistic. Which was something we did last year. A little bit too logic metric based. I want the boys to feel like the behavior, words, action, habits are something more integral to themselves than just a word - up or down stat. This is a concept I gained from scientology but I feel should be left for running a business not a family.
SPRING RESET:
Breakfast and Clean up
Morning Circle with Exercise
Main Lesson (Enki with younger son)
Main Lesson (WE plus Fred Series with older son)
Botany - complete Herb Fairies with journal, use for both handwriting practice and reading skills,
Botany in a day: An Herbal Field Guide To Plant Families of North America
Bring out slack line and uni cycle - work for improvement
White Belt Karate
Piano book 1
Violin book 2 - 3 songs, book 1 5 songs
Guitar book 1 3 songs
Voice -
Continue Natural Science Through the Seasons - Spring Unit Studies - incorporate math (geometry for both boys, algebra for older son)
Make Prayer a daily habit.
Restore connections with family through hand written letters.
Decide on trip to the mid west - start savings account for this trip.
Donate books and items from younger age to another home schooling family.
Cultivate a connection with other homeschooling or aligned values families for support and supporting.
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