Can you Spell SMARTY-PANTS?

Just before Christmas, our homeschool co-op held its annual spelling bee. The spelling bee is a source of much anticipation and, sometimes, consternation in our household. And, although it is very difficult to find extra study time during this busy time of year, there is certainly some "cramming" of spelling words that takes place in the day or two before the big bee.

Anna Marie reached an educational milestone: As a high schooler, she is no longer eligible for the official spelling bee. I guess that makes her OLD. However, Kathleen and Andrew eagerly jumped into the game.

First grader Andrew competed in the "Little Kids Bee" which is designated for kindergartners through third graders, although younger children may also participate. Spelling with determination and grit, never getting rattled, Andrew won second place—his first spelling bee medal! Go, Andrew! He is excited that he has two more years of eligibility in the Little Kids Bee, although there are some amazing spellers coming up in the ranks behind him.

Seventh grader Kathleen participated in the "Official Bee"—the nerve-wracking, nail-biting bee which sends the winner to compete in the All-City Bee. The official spelling bee pits fourth through eighth graders against one another over some ridiculously difficult words. The competition was fierce, and Kathleen pulled off an impressive fourth place spot. She has won second place in the past, so she's shooting to improve and snag first place next year. It will be a battle, but we know she can do it if she sets her mind to it.

Andrew, second from right, with some of the Little Kid Bee spellers.  

Down to just three competitors. Andrew (right) looks pretty serious.

Hey, look, Mom! I'm still in this Bee!

John and Andrew battle for first place.

It's over! Andrew wins second place. Great work, First Grader! 

Kathleen (second from right) is all smiles at the beginning of the Big Kids "Official" Spelling Bee.

Kathleen is still looking pretty calm, as the spelling bee has dropped to four very tough competitors. Ultimately, Kathleen earned fourth place in a group of spelling whizzes.

Let the School Year Begin

We started the school year on August 30th for Anna Marie and Kathleen. We added William, Andrew, and Therese into the mix the following week, beginning the day after Labor Day. I've never started on a staggered basis, but I felt like I needed to get the girls off to a solid start and working independently before we added everyone. It seems to have worked well, and I think I'll do the same next year.

We've hit a few bumps and tweaked a few things already, as we do each year. But all in all, things are going well.

Anna Marie is in ninth grade this year and taking online classes with Regina Coeli from home which helps take the burden off me. Her teachers are excellent; some of them are college professors. We are very impressed with the caliber of her education through Regina Coeli.

Here is our school roster:

• Anna Marie - 9th grade
• Kathleen - 7th grade
• William - 3rd grade 
• Andrew - 1st grade
• Therese - preschool
• Marguerite - Queen of pulling all the books off the shelf and making us laugh when we shouldn't

There is never a dull moment in our little homeschool, and it's always a race to get everything accomplished before we have to head out for extracurriculars each afternoon.

Following are some scenes from our first week of school.

Kathleen's science experiment involving density and viscosity.

William listens to his history lesson on Sargon of Mesopotamia while coloring his picture of Sargon.

Andrew does a history word-search.

William shows off his Mesopotamian map-work.

Kathleen prepares to leave for her volleyball game.

William and Andrew alphabetize flashcards.

Anna Marie gets an unexpected bit of zoology education when her snake gives birth to twenty-some babies!
(Never did I think I'd have over twenty snakes in my home!)