And school goes on...

You may have realized that I'm homeschooling Kimball again this year, but if not, I am.  We started about three weeks ago and time has sure passed quickly.  I have been trying some different things this year--for eample, the book Kimball is reading every day is the Book of Mormon--that is not standard but we sure can use all the help we can get to help him.  When I compare him to what they are doing in public school, I feel guilty he doesn't have comprehension tests, accelerated reader tests, or book reports to show me how well he is retaining information.  All I get are snippets of facts here and there, playing with the globe, and listening to his playing with the other kids--so I think he is getting stuff.  I do have a good story though-Kimball came up to me in the morning yesterday (Sat) and told me that he had a cool dream.  "Not like Lehi's dream, but a different dream."  That gives me hope. Reading is going better-he is slowly iincreasing in understanding and speed.  Nothing ever goes as fast as --I-- want it to but I am pleased with the progress he is making.  And Kimball did say to me, "Mom, I just wanted to tell you that I like reading.  I'm good at it."  That is a major improvement in his attitude and confidence from 8 months ago. 

What I really enjoy this year about homeschooling is something called "Story of the World."  It's a book--well two books actually--that chronicles history of the different countries in the world in order.  These simplified stories are engrossing--the first time I "flipped" through it I ended up reading half the book!  The stories are accompanied by an activity book with coloring pages, map work, some recipes, crafts, and titles of other books (with a list of reading levels so you can get the harder ones for more advanced readers and easier ones for reluctant readers).  Sometimes, like on Friday, we go off on tangents.  In talking about some history of Japan, we discussed the Japanese trying to invade China through Korea-which led us to North Korea and the Demilitarized Zone.  So we ended up watching a National Geographic video about North Korea.  Kimball's whole response to the communism there and the dictator was,"I can't wait to preach the Gospel over there.  They sure need it."  While we don't do Story of the World daily--this is Kimball's favorite part.

Now, here is a picture of one the crafts Kimball (and Sam-since he loves boats) made after we talked about Henry Hudson trying to find the Northwest Passage.  I'm not crafty so I followed all the instructions in the book and it came out!  I gave Kimball the option of painting it but he declined.  Sam's is covered in a paper bag and duck tape (those poor sad ducks.).  While homeschooling is work, and I don't get everything done I want to, I wouldn't trade this time with Kimball for anything. 

This is just the 4 boys at Flaming Gorge in July.  They sure are growing up fast!