Yay! New Books Arrived!!!

It is always exciting when new school books arrive. Admittedly, the kids are less excited than I am but, nevertheless, they are a little curious!

Abi's new literacy book arrived, "Intermediate Language Lessons" by Emma Serl. She completed its predecessor, "Primary Language Lessons" some time ago and I had put it away in the shed. Recently I dug it out and realised it is perfect for Aaron at his age and then I ordered the follow up for Abi. I had forgotten how wonderful Emma Serl's books are. They are brilliant! She is a kindred spirit to me with regard to grammar, nature and literacy. We have been struggling along with Spectrum books for the last year and really just weren't that happy with them, snore. The content is interesting but the worksheets are a bit lacking in creativity and fun. The Writing Skills books that I purchased for Abi were shockingly incorrect in grammar and spelling! I spent a great deal of time correcting the book before lessons which was completely absurd but necessary. I am really thrilled that we can carry on with the Language Lessons books by Emma Serl. They may have been written over 100 years ago but they are definitely still pertinent and engaging today.

We also received our Memoria Press, "Book of Astronomy" that we ordered online. Abi helped choose this book so she really likes it too. It has constellations and planets etc in it which she likes and Latin and mythology which I like! Lots of hands on drawing of the constellations and learning the major star names. There is even a bit of info regarding navigation by the stars which I like. Aaron is interested but a bit apprehensive as to just how much work is involved in the unit exercises.

I also ordered 2 new cursive writing books for each of them, grade appropriate. They have been working out of an A Beka book I found at Goodwill and have just about finished it between them. So, they will get more mail this week! It is always exciting to get mail and when it is a book you get to write in, it is even better. They don't see cursive writing as a part of "school".

On a side note, we filled in some questionaires called, "I'm No Saint.....or Am I?" and Aaron put down, after filling in his good qualities etc., that he would make a good patron saint of "animals" because he loves them and they obey him and Abi put down that she would be a good patron saint of "tree climbers" (i love it) because there isn't a saint for that and she is really good at climing trees!