Shakespeare in Third Grade

This year we are starting the year by finishing up Story of the World 2. One of the final chapters is about William Shakespeare. I am using this chapter as a jumping point into a survey of his work.

I have to admit that I love to listen to and watch Shakespeare but cannot seem to read it. I cannot get the rhythm and stumble over the language. It is so laborious the meaning is lost. Thank goodness for children’s versions. I hope that gradual exposure will help G to understand the stories so that when he grows up and reads the originals it will be easier.

I started looking into Shakespeare after two blog friends posted about their chosen resources and studies.

Dana

Jimmie, here and here

I would never have thought of looking at Shakespeare in elementary school. But G is enjoying the stories and it is fun to see his face when he recognizes a phrase or situation that has become part of pop culture.

After sifting through all the resources I could get my hands on these are the ones we are using…

Shakespeare Paper Doll

Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare: here and here

Tales from Shakespeare

You Tube: BBC Animated Shakespeare

Blog Contest

One of my new favorite bloggers is having a contest. Check out Live the Adventure for details on how to win this neat book.... but don't beat me out!

Curriculum: 3rd Grade

Ugh... is it time already?! It doesn't seem like we've enjoyed the summer yet but I really think we just lazied it away. So since we have turned into August it is time to get started. I tend to follow the basic public school schedule because G has close cousins and they tend to compare. He even wanted a report card and grades last year because they were talking about theirs. ( roll eyes)

So here we are 3rd grade, We will be adding a new subject: writing. I am not looking forward to this because G like most boys do not like to put pencil to paper. He doesn't mind narrating and thinking of stories as long as I scribe. Well that is about to change. I have chosen to go with the Institute for Excellence in Writing. I sat on that fence for a long time. I enjoy and am inspired by Andrew Pudewa when I see him live... he's a Rock Star! So this year I finally jumped off that fence and took the plunge. I am hoping G will like him as much as I do. If not the company has a money back guarantee. That helped me greatly in my decision.

A couple of other subjects, though part of our lessons last year, are getting make overs. Grammer: I was so excited to use the ever popular Intermediate Language Lessons by Serl. I got a like new copy on Paperback Swap... bo-nus. I thought it would be a great continuation to the Queen series we have used over the last 2 years. But as I started writing out lessons in our master plan sheet I was not thrilled. I wanted more parts of speech work and in the six weeks I planned there was little. So I erased it all and ordered a cheap copy of Evan Moor's Daily Language Review 3. I used it this workbook when I taught school and is gives a short but effective lessons. I really wanted to stick to the Charotte Mason-ish way to grammar but we'll see how this goes. I will also be adding in weekly Engish From the Roots Up cards. I purchased just a set of cards because I wanted more of a discovery of how roots work rather than a full on study.

Spelling: Last year I went through 3 books, organized and collated a master list, tested him orally and made weekly lists from the missed words. It went Ok, but just making the short vowel lists took forever. This summer I read one of my many blog favs, and she uses a similar method but uses the McGuffy Speller for her lists. Lightbulb... so I got a copy , again like new from PBSW. No more list making for me! Also at convention this spring, One of my favorite workshops was Pudewa's Spelling lecture. He talked about practicing spelling orally, a lot, before writing... like in the good ole days. Often, the script to the brain to the hand gets scrambled so spelling out loud before writing is helpful So we will be doing loads of oral practice before writing. Finally, by having the McGuffy lesson numbers it makes G feel impressed with himself. It took 4 lessons to miss 10 words. He was excited.

Our other subjects continue with companies I am really pleased with:
Science
Mr. Q's Chemistry
supplemented with Basher's Periodic Table, Tocci's Periodic Table, Inquiry in Action, and the Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments.

History
Story of the World 3
supplemented with Opal Wheeler books, American History Stories, Young Scholar's Guide to Composers, Jim Weiss CDs, Complete Book of Presidents & States and Complete Book of Maps & Geography

Math
MUS Gamma & Delta

Language Arts
Writing, Spelling , Grammar above
Reading: Book Adventure, Book Studies tied to history like Sam the Minuteman, Dewey Decimal System

Fieldtrips! I want to go on fieldtrips... we rarely seem to take the time. I want to take the time this year.

What's new for you this year?

First Day: 3rd Grade

Summer Fun 2010

Review: Hernie & Friends: Who is in Charge Anyway? DVD

From the Publisher:

Meet the Garden gang before they grew up!

Sitting around a camp fire on a beautiful star-lit night, the garden gang is talking about their favorite memories. Antonio recounts the Garden Olympics, but admits he was a scrawny kid-ant whose parents did not think he would ever amount to much. Flo confesses she used to be shy and introverted. Turns out all Hermie and Friends’ adventures are made possible by the things that happened to them as kids. And it’s also clear that God has had a plan for all of the garden characters right from the start – as long as they had the sense to listen and follow God’s message. Includes new and previous animation.

This is my first review for BookSneeze, and I was thrilled when I could review Hermie. Hermie and his friends have always been favorites for our family and this DVD is no different. I so appreciate the reinforcement of the message that we are ALL special and purposeful in Gods eyes. No matter how small each can help Him and others.

This disc also includes a bonus section with a Trivia Quiz, Behind the Scenes feature, and two Sing A longs.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Favorite Books: July 2010

We have been reading a lot this summer. Besides it being a part of our nightly rituals, our library has an amazing summer reading program! Here are some of our favorites:

Peter & the.... by Dave Barry
We have enjoyed both Peter & the Starcatchers and Peter & the Shadow Thieves. We have listened to both on tape. Which by the way are read by the talented Jim Dale.
Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary
Seeing the trailers for the new Beezus & Ramona movie reminded me of how wonderful these books are and it is now time to share them with G.



Multiplying menace : the revenge of Rumpelstiltskin by Pam Calvert
Rumpelstilskin is back and wants the little boy he lost out on the first time. A fun math story.

William the Curious : Knight of the Water Lilies written and illustrated by Charles Santore
Gorgeous book with a great message.

Little Brute Family by Russell Hoban
Good old fashion sweetness.

The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary Blackwood
I am reading this for myself. I thought we might use it when we study Shakespeare. I am really enjoying it. It is the first of a set of 3.

Cheap Extras

I could not believe when I walked into Target this week and saw that school supplies are out! Ugh, with baseball finally over I just now feel like summer. I did not venture into the school zone (a big weakness) but I did check out the $1 bins at the front of the store. I was extremely excited with the selection of flash cards. I passed over the typical ABC & Math ones. I purchased the following sets: Landmarks, US Presidents, Flags of the World, and United States. All of the cards are double-sided, full color, decent stock for $1. The Landmark, States, and Presidents have a photo front and informative reverse. The Flag set is more like a path set with problems and answers on each side.

Landmarks

United States
Presidents (Washington- Obama plus the White House, Lincoln, Jefferson & Wahington Memorials)
Flags of the World
I also found pencils marked like rulers to the 1/4 inch.
And finally a Quick reference about the States and their flags.