Weekly Review - Independent Study

Miss R awoke Monday morning with a fever, which continued through Tuesday.  Then Wednesday, Mr. N got the fever.  I have been struggling with feeling sick too.  It was just not our week, I guess!

Miss R wanted to continue on with her lessons, despite her health.  I worked with her on Monday and Tuesday, but by Wednesday, I could barely talk for a sore throat.  Thursday I was not much better and she really wanted to do school.  So, I tried something new - I let her work independently.  I wrote down what I wanted her to read in each subject, then she would narrate back to me what she read.  She did very well!  I also wrote down what she needed to do for math and copywork.  Usually for copywork, I write the passage I want her to copy.  This time, I let her write it from the book (typed, not printed).  She did the best copywork I've ever seen her do!  *I* missed out on studying with her, but it was nice to see she could really do a lot on her own.  I don't think I'll switch her over to independent work completely at this time, as I do see her benefiting from doing her readings with me.  But, maybe I'll give her a little more to do on her own.  (Charlotte Mason says that a child should do their own reading as soon as they are able, as they will get more out of reading it for themselves.)

In book news, she finished The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (a literature selection for our homeschool).  She was hungry for more, so I downloaded all 15 books in the series for her Kindle for under a dollar.  She's already rapidly read through the next one!  At least with 15 in a series, it should keep her busy for awhile.  Charlotte Mason recommends reading through books slowly, savoring them, living with them.  I try to make her do this for her school books - usually only reading a chapter or two per week in each book.  (We have quite a few books going at the same time).  But, I allow her to read her free reading books at her own pace.

Miss O has enjoyed imaginary play, pretending to be Queen while I am her maiden.  She told R on Monday when she was sick: "Don't worry about your chores.  My maiden here (pointing to me) will do them for you."  Nice, O!

Mr N has been busy with trains and Mr G has been busy crawling and finding every last bit of paper or crumb or fuzzy that I miss when I clean.  My boys keep me busy!! 

I finished the sequel to The Hidden Hand, Capitola's Peril. I really enjoyed it and have now started another book by the same author.  I love free books for my Kindle!