September, Week 1

This week we did lots of Math work.  Our current lessons are "Numbers to 20".  Shaun made some real progress this week but is still having occasional difficulty with the correct number order, and breaking down a 'teen' number into ones and tens placement.  We will continue to review this material as we move forward into "Number bonds" this coming week.

We also began a new phonics program this week.  Previously we were using the Kindergarten level of HOP, but I am switching over to a Pre-K/K Basics Phonics from Winter Promise and an electronic version of Explode the Code.  The workbooks etc from the curriculum have not arrived yet, but the on-line version of ETC that I subscribed to has been put to good use already.   I am going to attempt to teach both children at the same time with new materials, and the on-line ETC will be for Shaun only as it is designed for grades K to 4.

Field Trip Friday:  New Bedford Whaling Museum

A half-scale model of the Lagoda, the biggest model ship in the world.  Shaun couldn't wait to climb aboard and explore.  He was quite disappointed to learn he could not go below deck.

This whale pictured above washed ashore on Nantucket in 2002, the cause of death is unkown.  The bones where buried in compost made of elephant dung, cow manure, and straw in an effort to quickly draw the oil from the bones.  In another skeleton pictured below oil continues to seep from the bones and drip down to the floor below (the oil can be seen in the darkened areas of the jaw and fin).

Scrimshaw on whale jaw-bone.

Across from the museum is this mariners' home, built in 1787.