posted by Heather on Schooling Resource, Update

I had mentioned that we’d added some “fun” subjects during our winter holiday break.  I thought I’d discuss what it was my daughter decided to study.

We picked up Art of Argument, the Teacher’s Edition.  I did not grab the student book -just the Teacher’s Edition because she and I would be sitting together and reading and discussing it together.  Didn’t want to make it a heavy writing subject for her.

I had family and friends wonder why I was teaching her how to argue better.  That we were, essentially, going to regret it!  ha!  Well, I say more power to my daughter!

Setting aside the jokes, I absolutely love this book and my daughter really has been enjoying this as well!

In addition to this book, I have also added a bit of Philosophy introduction.  Instead of finding a book to teach this, I decided to do my own research and print some notes and papers to go over with her.  We talked about Socrates, Plato, Descartes, and several others.  We even discussed, at length, about the Socratic Method and came across quite a gem that you, too, can download for free!

We’ve really been enjoying this subject and have decided that even though we’re back to our old routine, we will be continuing Art of Argument together.

Another added extra is You Decide! Applying the Bill of Rights to Real Cases.  For this I did get both the student book and the teacher’s instruction guide.  At first I only grabbed the student book but I fast realized that I would be doing an awful lot of looking up and researching things without the guide.  So yah, I highly recommend the guide!

With this added subject, we did not and are still not writing the answers down.  We discuss the cases together and have a nice conversation on how we feel about the case and what she thinks about the outcome, etc.  It’s really a neat subject to add and I feel that the way we’re doing it is really allowing her to enjoy the subject!  I didn’t think she’d take to it but she loves this and has insisted we continue even after our winter holiday break is over.  So yup, this has been added to the rotation of subjects we do each day!

As for my two five year olds -we’re still not very structured here, however we are doing a lot more “school-y” stuff.  We do practice reading daily.  We do a lot of logic games which they find enjoyable.  I also lay out a bunch of paper, tape, glue, scissors, sequins, etc. on the table and let them go to town with it!  They get to practice their cutting skills and fine motor skills, etc.  They just have an absolute blast!

I try (keyword here is try) to do math and science 5 days a week.  One of the twins loves science and is always asking for more more and more!  I pulled out my first grade (eeek!) science book that I used with my oldest and have started reading it to her.  We stop to do experiments when possible.  It’s fun!  Her twin sister listens in most of the time and is slowly getting pulled into it by her sister.

For math, I downloaded a free trial K-1st grade app that the girls really are enjoying.  So much so that they begged I unlock the other levels and I have done so.  They have picked up the basic concepts of addition and subtraction after I sat with each of them and explained how to play the game.  They beg to play the game now almost daily!

So basically, with the young’uns I am trying to follow their interest and letting them be kids!  I realize the older they get, we’ll need to buckle down just a wee bit but for now, let them play, create, do math and science if it pleases them!

All in all, I think we’re doing just fine :)