week #1, block #2 (school year week #5)

This week was the start of our first math block, so we had a lot of gear-shifting to do. We had a change of circle to reflect the month of October better, shifting from our Harvest Adventure Circle to our new Pumpkin Patch Adventure Circle. I increased both the number of activities and the challenges that they present, so it is a longer, more physically demanding circle now that we're well into our school year. The kids have adjusted well to the switch, although Zoo Boy still sits out the harder activities. (I have caught him practicing some of the more challenging ones outside of circle time, though, so he's getting the work in, just at a pace and timetable that he's comfortable with).

This first math block is all about number qualities, and we concentrated on 0, 1, and 2 this week. Our supporting curriculum stories were The Stolen Bairn and the Sidh and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters. During practice time, the kids are working with handwriting worksheets (letters G and B this week) in addition to their reading. This week's reading practice books were Days With Frog and Toad, by Arnold Lobel for J, and We're Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen for Zoo Boy. Due to some odd scheduling (which had nothing to do with the kids) we were unable to paint or do any planned crafts this week, although the kids of course took plenty of time to work on their own projects. Building with Zoobs seemed to figure in heavily this week.

On Monday we had our homeschool classes. We made these cute bunny ears during the Paws-n-Claws class, and I painted the kids' faces to look like bunnies. We had community circle (which I will post about sometime this week, I promise!), but Folk Dancing was not held this week (which bummed both J and I out, as we love that class!). And J played soccer as usual, plus we hung out for some outdoor fun with other families after classes. On Tuesday we visited our favorite park for the afternoon, just the three of us as all of our friends were busy that day. Which was fine, as it was a great day for taking a walk, and afterwards the kids enjoyed playing and reading in the nature center while I took care of some curriculum stuff for the rest of the week. Wednesday and Thursday we were without a vehicle (which we are still adjusting to!), so we stuck close to home and played outdoors a lot since the weather was just lovely.

Friday afternoon found us back at the park, this time with friends, and the kids had a grand time playing on the playground and in the leaves. Afterwards, we headed over to Brown's Harvest in Windsor, CT, a farm stand that has a small children's maze and play area. The kids loved it, although I was less than impressed and not apt to go back. It was fairly crowded as well, there seemed to be some sort of after-school activity group there, so it was a bit crazy and disorganized. But my kids loved running around with so many other kids.

We wrapped up the week with reading the Enki nature story "Color Painters" and attending the Fall Festival at Buell's Orchard, and some raking and playing in the leaves, taking advantage of the gloriously warm "Indian Summer" weather. J of course had his chorus practice on Sunday night to round out the week.

Storytime stories for this week included It's Fall, by Linda Glaser, illustrated by Susan Swan; County Fair (a My First Little House Book) by Laure Ingalls Wilder, illustrated by Jody Wheeler; and Patty's Pumpkin Patch, by Teri Sloat. We're still working on Mr. Popper's Penguins, by Richard and Florence Atwater, although we are nearing the end. I haven't decided which chapter book we'll read next -- I really want to do Little House in the Big Woods, but I have a feeling that's a book that is better kept for chilly days by the fireside. So we'll see which of the dozen or so books I've got waiting for us will be selected next!