This spring was a doozy for us as a family. I felt like we had an abundance of sickness and days where a slower pace was just necessary. One thing we have been doing this year is at the end of each season (or quarter) we have a parent teacher conference. It is nice to bring Mark in so he is more aware of what is going on with school and it has been helpful to go over what we have done and what is working and maybe what isn’t, and also make goals for the upcoming season (and review the goals from the previous). I was so pleasantly surprised to find that we actually had a pretty productive spring! I went in thinking it was going to be discouraging but somehow we were able to continue our learning and even greatly surpassed many of our goals! WOOT!
I am grateful that, despite the challenges that life can bring at times, our learning can work as an anchor for our family.
FAMILY
Come Follow Me
I love studying the words of Christ found in the Doctrine and Covenants. Here were our bullet points of goodness this spring:
- Jesus Christ suffered so that I can repent and come unto Him.
- Obeying God’s word through His prophets will give me divine protection.
- “Lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.”
- I take the sacrament in remembrance of Jesus Christ.
- Jesus Christ invites me to help gather His people before His Second Coming.
- I am called to be a witness of Jesus Christ.
- EASTER: Jesus Christ lives.
- God wants us to “be one.”
- God gives revelation to guide His Church – and to guide me.
- Jesus Christ is my Advocate with the Father.
- Heavenly Father gives me spiritual gifts to bless others.
- Marriage between man and woman is essential to God’s plan.
- The Lord helps me avoid deception.
Extra Resources: Come Follow Me – For Home and Church: Doctrine and Covenants 2025 // The Red Headed Hostess Guided Studies
History
We had a family discussion and decided to do something a little crazy. The Good and the Beautiful (the company where most of our curriculum comes from) has recently revised their history program. We knew that if we continued on we would always be ahead of the newly released curriculum (which looked fantastic!). So we decided to repeat the year we had just completed and it has been great! A lot of it has been review but the new additions and new format has been an absolute WINNER in our book! Everyone is so happy that we made the decision and we have been so much more consistent with this new format as well.
So we went back and studied Ancient History once more. We dove into the Bible and studied the creation, Adam through Enoch, Noah through the Tower of Babel, Memopotamia and Abraham, as well as ancient trade routes. Then we went to Ancient Egypt and studied the advancements, writing, government, social structure, religion, afterlife, and pyramids. Of course we learned about Joseph in Egypt, the Israelites, Moses, and the Passover (this lined up perfectly with our celebration of Easter). And then studeied famous landmarks and buildings of ancient Egypt. And ended with a review of Egyptian history from 600 BC to the modern day. It was AWESOME!
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful History: Year 1
Science
This spring we finished our arthropods unit! Mark and the kids even dissected a crayfish! Topics we covered were:
- Butterflies
- Ants
- Insect defenses
- Arachnids
- Crustaceans
- Entomology
Next, we did marine biology! This was a fan favorite over here! Topics we learned were:
- Ocean characteristics
- Ocean zones
- Tides and intertidal zones
- Marine life
- Coral reefs
- LOTS about marine invertebrates
- Marine reptiles
- Fish
- Sharks
- LOTS about marine mammals
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Science: Arthropods // The Good and the Beautiful Science: Marine Biology
Music Appreciation
Jacob and Sarah are so close to finishing their music appreciation. This is totally independent for them but I am not really loving it very much. I think it is a good option but I do feel like it has a whole lot of busy work. But the kids do enjoy it and so that does help its value. I am crossing my fingers I can maybe find a better option out there.
Curriculum: Music Appreciation Book 1
Art
Sarah and Benjamin were able to finish their art program this spring. It has surprised me that my art loving kids really struggle to get this finished. It is always the last thing they do and usually involves a little grumble grumble and viewed more as a “let’s just get this done” kind of attitude. Again, I am starting to think about what we want next year and I am not sure if this will continue.
This spring we talked about how artists see landscapes, still lifes, animals, figures, and portraits. Sarah and Ben also learned how to draw various shapes.
We did have a second unit we wanted to do this year all about ancient art. The kids have had more enthusiasm for this unit – a little less from me because of the clean up involved. They’ve learned how to use soft pastels and then have done some work with clay, specifically slab building. We’ve talked about art in caves and art underground and studied European cave drawings and near-eastern clay works.
Curriculum: Artistic Pursuits: Building a Visual Vocabulary // Artistic Pursuits: Art of the Ancients
JACOB – Seventh Grade
Language Arts
Jacob continues to be such a great self starter with his schoolwork. This particular level in his language arts is twenty lessons longer than every other level (it’s a bit of a head scratcher for us – WHY?!) but he is determined to have it done but those extra twenty lessons are making it a little trickier. He has worked SO HARD this spring though. Here is what he has been working on in language arts:
- Semicolons
- Capitalization Rules
- Comma rules
- Capital vs Capitol
- Sentence structures
- Lose vs Loose
- Linking verbs
- Direct and indirect objects
- Sentence diagramming
- Can vs May
- It’s vs Its
- Annotating and Summarizing Difficult Texts
- Using context clues
- Compound/Complex sentences
- Participial Phrases and commas
- Greek root – AUTO
- Advanced alphabetical order
- Prepositional Phrases andn Commas
- Compound subjects, verb phrases, direct objects, and prepositional phrases
- Avoiding shifts in verb tense
- “Too” and commas
- Editing and editing symbols
- Than vs Then
- Gerund phrases
- Avoiding shifts in person, voice, and number
- Writing effective discussion questions
- Accept vs Except
- Intrejections
- Who vs Whom
- Desert vs Dessert
For geography, he has been learning about:
- Regions of the United States
- Russia
- Lake Baikal
- St. Petersburg
- Traditional Russian Architecture
In art, he learned how to draw hands and feet. He studied Winslow Homer paintings. He drew people. He also did a stipple drawing.
For literature, he studied Johanna Spyri and read Toni the Woodcarver. Then we studied Edgar Guest and his poetry. He read Rudi. Jacob learned about Leo Tolstoy and read some short stories from him.
In writing, he finished his fictionalized biography project, used sensory language, wrote a fictional story, how to avoid wordiness and redundance, wrote a frienship poem and essay, and wrote a Leo Tolstoy style story.
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts: Level 7
Read Aloud and Handwriting
Jacob is so close to finishing handwriting. This spring he finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (he finished the series and LOVED it!). He also listened to The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting: Level 7
Math
Jacob has worked really hard at math and it really is a strength for him. He is in his final unit and should be wrapping up soon. This spring he has been working on:
- Direct Proportions
- Inverse Proportions
- Graphs of Direct Proportions
- Graphing Using a T-Chart
- Slope of a Line
- Slope-Intercept Form
- Graphing Linear Equations
- Functions
- Graphing Functions
- Triangles
- Transformations
- Constructing Angles
- Constructing Triangles
- Polygon Diagonals and Angles
- Finding Polygon Angle Measures
- Angle Relationships
- Parallel Lines and Transversals
- Missing Angles in a Circle
- Pythagorean Theorem
- Perimeter of Polygons
- Area of Polygons
- Area and Circumference of Circles
- Composite Figures
- Inscribed Shapes
- Scale Factor with Area
- Arcs and Sectors
- Geometric Solids
- Surface Area of Prisms and Pyramids
- Surface Area of Cylinders, Cones, and Spheres
- Surface Area of Composite Solids
- Volume of Prisms and Cylinders
- Volume of Other Geometric Solids
- Polynomials
- Multiplying Polynomials
- Simplifying Rational Expressions
- Factoring Polynomials
- Populations and Sampling Methods
- Data Displays
- Measures of Central Tendency
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Math 7
Typing
Typing is a favorite for Jacob and his typing has improved by leaps and bounds this year!
Resource: Typing Club
Creative Writing
Jacob is continuing to work through his creative writing. I am always so impressed by his storytelling and really let him decide the pace of his writing. He’s been doing great!
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Creative Writing Notebook 2
Drawing with Graphite
Jacob’s art program is going great! He is really close to finishing up. This spring he has learned about form – including animal, human, and man-made forms. In his art appreciation, he studied:
- Snowy Owl by John J. Audubon
- Law of the Wild by Charles S. Raleigh
- Man with the Cat by Cecilia Beaux
- The Old Violin by William M. Harnett
Resource: Artistic Pursuits Art Core 1: Drawing with Graphite Pencils
Weathering Your Emotions
Jacob has finally finished this resource. I feel like this was very beneficial, especially when we started a couple years ago, but has become less so as time has passed. It is a great resource but definitely more helpful in younger years.
Resource: Weathering Your Emotions Journal
Piano & Recorder
Jacob’s piano is beautiful. I love listening to him play. He is also continuing to learn the recorder “for fun”.
Resource: Faber Piano Adventures: Level 3A
SARAH – Fourth Grade
Language Arts
Sarah has worked really hard in language arts. She will easily finish the level she is on this summer. This spring she has learned about:
- Judging books
- Run-On Sentences
- Verb Tenses
- Compound Sentences
- Helping Verbs
- Sentence Diagramming
- Idioms
- Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
- Commas with Geographical Location
- Homophones
- Avoiding Double Negatives
- Much vs Many
In geography, she learned about:
- Washington DC
- US National Parks (she also learned about Clare Marie Hodges (one of the first female rangers)
- Prince Edward Island
- Rocky Mountains
- Provinces and Territories in Canada
- Quebec and Ontario
- British Columbia
- Canadian Wildlife
- The Great Lakes
- France
While studying about France, she made a yummy French yogurt cake!
In art, she continued working on her pastels. She studied the art of Albert Bierstadt, Claude Monet, and Vincent Van Gogh. She did three pastel projects: tennis ball, Nova Scotia, and Starry Night.
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting: Level 4
Read Aloud and Handwriting
Sarah’s cursive continues to improve. This spring we read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling and Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting: Level 4
Math
Sarah is highly motivated to finish her math. She has worked so very hard the last several months. She finished one level and is already about a third of the way through a second. This spring she learned about:
- Identifying Quadrilaterals, Polygons, Circles, and Ovals
- Mixed Story Problems
- Congruent and Similar Shapes
- Numbers in Nature
- Solving for Unknowns
- Place Value
- Expanded Form
- Writing Numbers
- Geometry
- Rounding to the Millions
- Addition and Subtraction Mental Math
- Ray and Angles
- Polygons
- Fractions
- Elapsed Time: Start and End Times
- Adding and Rounding to Any Place Value
- Subtracting Across Zeros
- Fractions and Mixed Numbers
- Comparing and Ordering Large Numbers
- Reading a Ruler and Inch Scale
- Estimating Answers: Addition/Subtraction
- Multiplication: Multi-Digit by One-Digit
- Adding Three or More Addends
- Fractions Equal to One-Half or One
- Volume: US Customary System and Metric System
- Multiplying by 100 / 1,000 / 10,000
- Similar and Congruent Figures
- Equivalent Fractions
- Perimeter and Area
- Exponents and Perfect Squares
- Comparing Fractions
- Associative Property
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Math 3 // The Good and the Beautiful Math 4
Typing
Sarah continues to love her typing program. A total game changer in the best way!
Resource: Typing Club
Piano & Recorder
Sarah is doing wonderfully in her piano and recorder!
Resource: Faber Piano Adventures: Level 2A
BENJAMIN – Second Grade
Language Arts
Ben continues to do really well. He is trying and I am so grateful for that. This spring he focused on:
- Helen LeFrance and Folk Art
- Spelling Rule for Plural Nouns
- Two-Syllable Words
- Subjects + Maps
- WH
- Spelling Words with WH and WR
- Aesop’s Fables
- Sight Words
- ER, EST, AU, AW
- Articles
- Open Syllables
- Compound Words
- Softy E
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts: Level 1
Read Alouds & Handwriting
Ben’s printing is going well. This spring we read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling, Heidi by Johanna Spyri, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting, and Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers.
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting: Level 2
Math
Ben reached a BIG milestone by completing his level in math! He has already started his next one and is doing so well. This spring he focused on:
- Writing Ten, Eleven, Twelve
- Adding 10 to a Number
- Subtraction: Take Away 10
- Rounding to the Nearest Ten
- Writing Numbers 90 to 100
- Counting by 100s
- Identifying Shapes
- Adding Three Numbers
- Time: 5 Minutes Ago and 5 Minutes from Now
- Seconds in a Minute, Minutes in an Hour, Hours in a Day
- Three-Dimensional Shapes
- Teens Minus 10
- Symmetry
- Calendar Work
- Grouping by 10s to Count
- Measuring to the Nearest Centimeter and Inch
- Making a Dollar
- Measuring Using Feet and Meters
- Diving Items into Two Equal Groups
- Volume
- Place Value to the Hundreds
- Identifying and Writing Numbers to 1,000
- Skip Counting by 50s
- Spelling 13, 14, and 15
- Counting Bills
- Doubles Addition to Sums of 18
Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Math: Level 1 // The Good and the Beautiful Math: Level 2
Drawing
Ben finished his drawing and he was really excited!
Resource: The Good and the Beautiful Draw Vintage Images Level 2
Piano
Ben is trying really hard with his piano and I am proud of him for pushing through. He goes back and forth about how he feels about it but we are hoping more enjoyment is found soon!
Resource: Faber Piano Adventures Primer
LYDIA – Kindergarten
All Aboard the Animal Train
Lydia’s school work definitely took a big pause this spring. Between pneumonia and several other smaller illnesses afterwards (her poor immune system has just been through so much) we just focused on feeling better and snuggling with books.
Curriculum: My Father’s World: All Aboard the Animal Train
Koala Crates
Lydie and I worked on a “rainforest” crate and it was so much fun!
Resource: Kiwi Crates: Koala (discontinued)
Therapies
Lydia has tried to continue all of her therapies while going through the ups and downs of this spring. One very sad development was that her massage therapist moved to Denver. We loved her therapist so much and were so sad to have her go. We haven’t been able to find another massage therapist to take on Lydie but we are hopeful that will change.
She has continued to have physical, occupational, music, speech, and horse each week though.
Final Thoughts
This spring was pretty rough for our family. There were a lot of stressors and sleepless nights. I am grateful that my kids have shown so much resiliance through it all and that they were able to keep up with their schoolwork even when I was maybe not at my best.
