Ben's newest news.

Last week Ben finished his third grade math. He used the Abeka curriculum for the third grade, but for fourth grade we were going back to Saxon for him. After he did two lessons in the fourth grade book, I decided to actually do a placement test. He scored well enough to start fifth grade. All of his other work is still third grade, but he has been ahead in math since kindergarten because he finished his kindergarten math in one semester. Now he keeps asking if he can skip a grade in the rest of his subjects. I get a kick out of it!

We are down to our last quarter of school!! Yay!!!! We are now to the point we are slowly getting subjects done so we don't have as much work to do. The goal is to be done by May 14, but the reality is Morgan won't be done with geometry or government yet, and he will have one class left for biology. I think the rest of the kids will be completely done by then. (We're doing the happy dance now!!)

After talking to my friend Phebe, I am getting so excited about the Learning Center for next year! The kids are going to go all day on Tuesdays, and some of their work will be done through there instead of totally at home. I know we are interested in: chemistry, writing, and spanish for Morgan; biology, speech, and writing for Jeffery; art and speech for Christopher; art for Victoria and Ben. I am hoping we can have some other classes for the younger two. Now, of course, the Lord has to provide the funds! This past year at the Learning Center has been so good! The classes the kids are taking are really good, and they have enjoyed getting to hang out with friends off and on throughout the day.

The decision has been made for band. Morgan has decided to stop playing in band. He's really tired of the bass clarinet. There is a drama group at Grace on Mondays that he is hoping to be able to get into next fall. Kinda makes me sad that he won't be in band, but he really enjoys drama, so this will give him the chance to do that instead. Victoria will stay in band, she is really enjoying playing and learning from Mrs. Bowler. I'm hoping Christopher will take up the sax. I won't force him, but I think it would be really good.

The kids who are currently in choir are going to continue in choir for the fall, I'm hoping the other two will get into concert choir. But we shall see. We are so sad that Mrs. Horn is retiring! Excited for her to get to continue on with her plans, just sad that she won't be there next year. My kids have absolutely loved her this year, even the ones that aren't in her classes. Mrs. Horn is one of those people that even when she is reprimanding someone, she isn't hateful. That's a rare quality!