Our journey as a homeschooling, foster care, adoptive family!

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Branches of Government and Curses Cursive

I swear I don't remember learning this until Civics class in the 8th grade, but there is was in the History book. I know my mom will like this because she's intent that my kids learn the Constitution word for word. There was history as to WHY there are three parts of government and WHY there are two parts to Congress. It was useful. To be honest, I'm not sure I was sure as to the 'why' of the Senate and House. I am now. :) (My Tea-Party mama will be happy) All this to say, they weren't getting it. It was confusing with lots of big words. We just got over 'epithelial' and now we're on judicial and legislative. We made a tree. For the love of all that's artistic forgive my tree, it's supposed to be a tree.
Filling in the blanks


Our *ahem* tree
Shane tried cursive last year. It was a major fail. We are trying again. Amidst schools saying that they're aren't teaching anymore, I felt he should at least learn a bit, especially since I already bought the books. So he's suffering through it. I don't remember having this much trouble, but then I always got a 'C' in handwriting. Drove my mom nuts. I'd get all A's and then a C in handwriting. I still don't agree with judging handwriting, do they still judge handwriting? Anyway, I still have a 'C' in cursive but I no longer care :) So I don't push it too much with him. Today I glanced at his paper and my heart soared. There was perfect cursive words. Then I looked closer and saw that they were the traced words. Boo. At least he's trying. Dumb cursive.
He's better at it than me.

Jackson works on printing. 
Also my mom bought this shelf thingy and my dad stained it. I wasn't sure what to do with it. Then I thought of my school room and the books I use every day. I came up with this:

2 comments:

Steph @ Halfway to Somewhere said...

I love your tree :) That's the beauty of homeschooling, if they don't get it one way, there's time to slow down and do it a different way until everyone understands. I try and slow down and phrase things differently, but it's hard when there are 25 kids all at different ability levels...those are lucky boys!!!

Notsopc said...

Hey on that little old constitution thing... and the book holder works great for that.. i never thought they should grade on writing. I used to get mad cuz that kicked you off the A/B honor roll.. stupid cursive. but i think it's still good to teach him that.. and I never understood why they have printed entirely different than cursive.. they should have printing just like the cursive words.. Oh i learned today that if one doesn't have that love and patience to teach your child how to do something.... it doesn't get better.. egads.