Happy Days Around the Table

For the past few weeks we have settled into a nice routine; Mom regrouped and redirected the school plan, and somewhat successfully so. I really like what we've stumbled upon.

I was not happy that most all of the school day was spent by my older girls up in their bedroom. I viewed this as not acceptable because 1) there was no interaction between them and me, 2) there was little academic discourse amongst themselves, and 3) there was no real accountability established. Bad, bad, and bad.

So we are back to doing a unit study approach of history, literature, geography, and the arts. I purchased two courses from my all time favorite curriculum company, Beautiful Feet, and I am very pleased. Although each guide is intended for a full year of study, we are combining the two: The History of the Horse, and The History of Classical Music.

For two hours each day we all sit around the kitchen table tracing maps, listening to wonderful music, reading great literature, and sketching various drawings. We read about King Louis XV, then study Allah and Mohammad. Next we may read about Bach or listen to a Vivaldi Concerto. We've watched whirling dervishes on youtube as well as the famous White stallions of Lipizza and sketched violins and Arabian horses. Each day includes Mom reading aloud a chapter or two from a classic piece of literature. Currently on the agenda is Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

And it is so much fun, just to be together, learning the same thing, talking about a new word or concept and drawing a map that we all are studying. It is a one room school house under the red roof. Right here in Madrid.

Today, amongst other things, we copied the words to Martin Luther's well known hymn, A Mighty Fortress. Luther influenced Johann Sebastian Bach enormously, and there is no better hymn written, in my estimation.

All to say, this mama is exquisitely happy. Just this morning I was wondering if there might be some way for me to keep Liana and Jess home just one more year. I'm sure I would love to find two more Beautiful Feet Guides for us to study next year as well.

What do you say, girls? Could you please stay for a longer time in my little classroom around the kitchen table? Please?