09/26/2011
Update on Milo's school year.

We are using the Robinson curriculum method this year.

We start off with math.  He is supposed to do 2 hours of math each day.  We at least try do DO math each day, in reality.  For math his goal is to learn the math facts through the 18 family.  He has mastered the 0, 1, 2, 3 families.  All parts of it.  Meaning, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  He is working on memorizing the 4 family now.  I think he is almost done - we reviewed on Thursday last week together and he missed about 6-8 of them.   We are using flash cards to help him memorize.  He makes 2 piles - get and miss.  The misses he does over again, and piles them get and miss, until he doesn't miss any more.  Some days he takes his "miss" pile and write them on a window with a dry erase marker, while saying it aloud as he writes.  Trying to make it a visual and auditory practice.

He is memorizing them by rote - not trying to understand them.  Just like scripture - we pump scripture into them as a child and then the understanding comes later on in life.  So for now - he is memorizing the math facts, and then he will begin Life of Fred math books after that.  Why go all the way to the 18 family?  Why not?  Most people go through 12, but if they are in the groove of memorizing, why not shoot for 18? Plus - that is what the Robinson Curriculum suggests.  I'm a rule follower.  ;)

Milo is required to do hand writing each day.  I usually have him write his memory verses.  He has a memory verse from his dad and from his Patch Club. We are trying to memorize Psalm 34 corporately at church.  So that is copy work.   Then after that we use rhymes and poems as copy work for handwriting practice.  10 and under do copy work around here, after that they are required to do 1 hour of free writing each day.  1 essay.  Any topic of their choice.

We then move on to reading.

Milo is still using the GEMM LEARNING web-site to do the FastForward learning program.  Through the end of this week.  After that he is done.    I am looking forward to his "final" test from them to see the amount of improvement, and the areas we still need to work on our own.

He also reads aloud to me from the McGuffy 2nd reader.  This is required reading for the Robinson Curriculum.  I started him almost at the beginning of the list, just because we can.  Ü  I don't want him missing anything in his reading, and causing him to stumble even further behind.  I can tell his reading speed has greatly improved.

We noticed that he is not retaining a lot from Sunday School.  He mentioned to me, "I don't remember what the teacher says when he doesn't ask us to narrate like you do mom."  So - so... I'm wondering if I am a crutch?  We have got to get him to the stage of learning on his own - not just when his mom is in the room.  I like self teaching.  So - how can he learn in Sunday School, where it is just a lecture.  Note taking?  He doesn't like to write, but maybe he can narrate by drawing a picture in a notebook while the teacher is talking?  We go to Sunday School for a reason - it's just as important as week day school is.  I may try that - narrate by drawing so he can review the lesson with us at lunch time that day.

I'm so thankful for the option of home school this child!  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.