What's Different About 5th Grade

I've been noticing some very new, very different, and very welcome trends from my now 5th grade son.

Writing. The first big thing to change happened first in our Heart of Wisdom: Adam to Abraham study for History. He was given a chance to write a "journal entry" as if he was part of the story. "Write a paragraph" turned into pages! And he's still adding to it. We've added written narration in a couple of other topics and he's taken off with those as well. And his neatness is improving.

Then there was our recent trip to the King Tut exhibit. I looked around for him, only to see him glued to an exhibit. I watched him as he carefully read the placard, then studied the artifact. This continued throughout the exhibit. Then just this week at the zoo, I found him again reading placards that he has passed no less than 50 times! Instead of "playing", he was studying! This is way cool, if you ask me!

Then there's the reading. He seemed to have developed a renewed passion for reading. He's always liked reading, but seemed to get into a lull toward the end of last year. There may or may not be a reason for it, but regardless, I no longer have to bug the tar out of him to take a book in the car.

Alert! Alert!--Son is working on geometry as we speak and not only is he grinning from ear to ear, he just asked me if he could "TAKE LONGER" so that he could add to the geometric design. May wonders never cease!

Back to the reading. Son has multiple books going--school and for fun. Rather than only read what's required, he's read ahead in all of his assigned books.
And let's just talk about the math. If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know a few things about us. We have used RightStart from the beginning and we love it, however, we have had our share of weeping fits due to certain math concepts, and math in general. We've often ended a math lesson on the floor under the table, or hours after we've started, or even swearing that math is a tool of Satan. But NOW we're in FIFTH grade!

When we went to the convention to get this years math, we got a surprise. Not only were we to do RightStart's final level "Geometry", they were recommending we alternate the Geometry lessons with Algebra (VideoText Interactive). So, not knowing any better, I bought them both and planned the year. It didn't take long to notice that the Algebra was recommended for 7th grade. That was two years away, but at this point son was anxiously awaiting Algebra because of a wacky Algebra-loving friend! So we agreed to try both. So far, he's doing both and doing them well.

The Geometry he is doing 100% independently. Whoo-hoo! He really likes doing it all by himself too! Never thought that would happen, especially with MATH! We may not get very far in the Algebra, but even urges to quit haven't lasted more than a couple of minutes. Without much persuasion, he's continued to give his best.

We're only six weeks into school, so I'm wondering what other surprises this sweet ten year old boy will have in store. He's had a very rough year emotionally what with family crisis to the nth degree, but he continues to remind me that trusting God is the best way.