October 30 - November 3

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston continues to work on his schedule and routine every week.  He completes language arts, art, geography, handwriting, math, driver's ed, filmmaking, Spanish, piano, karate, and reading, which includes science and history.  He has a busy schedule, but is learning so much.  

This week, he finished up his schoolwork as Spiderman.  Even though he is 16, he loves to join his siblings to celebrate holidays and he could not pass up the opportunity to have a little fun.  

MARISSA

Marissa participated in her first clogging competition this week.  She just started clogging in September and was moved up to Intermediate level.  She decided she wanted to compete, even though she was new to the sport.  She competed in four different all around solos: line, traditional, show, and percussion.  And...she got first place in each dance.  She was so excited and can't wait to compete with in team dances in the spring.  

CALEB

Caleb learned about Dia de los Muertos in his Ninja Scholars class this week.  We also did a special family celebration this year because our "abuela" passed away at the end of September.  It was really special to learn more about this holiday and start a new family tradition honoring our ancestors who have passed on.  

Marissa loved it so much she decided to dress up as "una catrina" for Halloween.  

October 23 - 27

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston has been focusing a lot on language arts and math.  He's also been reviewing handwriting.  He's learning so much and strengthening some of his weaknesses from years past.  His writing is really improving and he takes great pride in that fact.  

MARISSA

Marissa finished reading "Abraham Lincoln" for her Sword of Freedom class and participated in the book discussion.  She especially loved learning about how kind and personable Abe was and how many people supported him in their humble ways when he ran for president. 

CALEB

Caleb finished reading "Daniel Boone" for his book discussion in Ninja Scholars.  He really liked the book and loved playing the trivia game to answer questions about the book.  

OTHER

BOO BUBBLES

We did a fun science experiment for Halloween.  We made boo bubbles with bubble solution, dry ice and gloves to be able to hold the bubbles without popping them.  We had such a fun time at home that I took the experiment to school and shared it with all the kids 7-11.  They loved it! 

October 16 - 20

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston has been working on his driver's ed class.  He is taking the course online and is working on building up more driving hours so he will be ready to take the driving test soon.  

MARISSA

Marissa gave a presentation in her Shakespeare class with her friend, Lydia.  It was on witches, fairies and things that go bump in the night.  They did a great job and everyone loved it! 

CALEB

Caleb has been focusing a lot on language arts, handwriting and reading.  He is still reading the Imagination Station, and was so excited that we purchased the next 15 books in the series.  He finished book 12 this week.  

OTHER

POLAR STAR FAMILY DANCE

Our family attended Polar Star's family dance this week.  Marissa and Preston take social dance and ballroom dancing and have learned waltz, fox trot and many line dances.  It was a luau theme this year.  Everyone had such a great time! 

October 9 - 13

 WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston has really been focusing on language arts and math this year.  He spends at least an hour a day on each subject as well as reading and drilling math facts through an app.  He is feeling really good about the progress he is making in both subjects.    

MARISSA

Marissa finished "Across Five Aprils" for her Sword of Freedom class and participated in the book discussion this week.  She also had a rank advancement and went up 3 stars in her class because of her hard work in completing assignments.  She and one other girl are now tied for the highest rank (First Lieutenant) and leading the class in rank advancements.  

CALEB

Caleb made a painting of a sunflower field in his Ninja Scholars class.  He learned that George Washington Carver loved to paint and was quite good at it.  The students all got to paint just like George Washington Carver.

October 2 - 6

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

PRESTON

Preston attended "Jeckell and Hyde" at the Centerpoint Theater this week.  It was so well done.  He really enjoyed it!  We spent some time watching summaries of both the book and the play so we would know what it was about ahead of time.  Even though it is a darker theme, Preston learned a lot about human nature through this masterpiece.  

MARISSA

Marissa is studying Scotland as part of her language arts and geography.  This week she got to make Scottish shortbread.  We had a dear friend pass away last year from Scotland so we took the time to remember her while eating this fun treat.  

CALEB

Caleb went on a field trip to Green Acres Dairy Farm with his Ninja Scholars class this week.  They had such a great time playing and learning about the dairy farm.  He also went on a tour of Pettingill's farm and fruit stand.  He learned so much!