I haven't been here lately, but our unschooling adventure continues. We are currently enjoying a month long Christmas vacation. Not to say we aren't learning! But that's in the other blog. I have been developing my own lesson plans using a Making the Grade book as my guide and I am very pleased with the progress the kids are making.

Professor X is mastering double digit addition, carrying his ten and all that good stuff. I am always interested in his journal entries. I usually give him a list of ten items to write, or a story starter and I love seeing how his mind works in responding. His stories and answers are never typical. We just finished a unit on folk tales that we all really enjoyed. Next month, we head into some poetry. I have been slowly introducing poetry this month with our reading time, lots of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Suess, and how could I resist, "Twas the Night Before Christmas"?

Princess O is steadily heading toward a full reading capability. The phonics worksheets definitely helped her put it all together, but I have found that during our vacation this month, she has taken an interest in spelling. Everything is, "Mom I know how to spell..." and then I listen and applaud her efforts, which are increasingly correct. I am amazed continually by the way the kids get a desire to master a skill, then work in their own way to do it. Her biggest excitement last month was the beginning lessons of addition. "Bubba, guess what I'm working on!" Then, aside to me, "What is it called again, Mama?" I whispered the word, she said, "Oh yeah. Hey, Bub, I'm learning Audition!" She was really proud of herself.

The biggest benefit I get from using a curriculum this year, no matter that it's my own, is the step-by-step how-to from the Making the Grade workbook. With Prof X, I would introduce the skill and we would work at it until he got it. With Princess O, we are using building blocks to get to the skills, and I find it's much more rewarding for her. It is a great peace of mind for me, too.