Miss 12 started her NaNoWriMo novel on Monday. She writes a few hours a day, with a Huguenot history book on her lap. Occasionally she makes forays onto Wikipedia to learn more about French geography and history. When she found the NaNoWriMo word count goals for different grades she was shocked to see that her goal of 20,000 words is double what’s recommended for grade 8.
After looking at the goals for grade 5, Miss 10 decided to start a 2000 word story in exchange for a four week break from other assigned writing. (I love such negotiations!)
These orange arrows mark the Rideau Trail
Rather than penning a novel, Miss 17 is writing the SAT. That’s another step toward the future which is approaching much too rapidly. It’s good that she is moving on, but in one sense I’d like to see her peacefully at home writing a novel, rather than out in a bleak exam room preparing to fly the nest.
And Mr. 15 wrote his first real mid-term exam. One of the reasons I love Apologia high school science is that it provides proper exams as well as tests. The Apologia Biology mid-term is tough and requires good test-taking skills: explaining concepts clearly, using technical language, and even guessing when appropriate. After that ordeal, Mr. 15 wanted to relax by doing technical writing for his website! He’s setting himself a word count goal just like our novel writers are.
Along the Rideau Trail
Miss 8 is concentrating on her entry for the Royal Canadian Legion’s Remembrance Day contest and is hard at work on a huge poster. So is Miss 10, and Miss 12 has hers planned. Mr. 15 plans to submit a poem instead of a poster.
Of course, we walked another section of the Rideau Trail this week. We saw squirrels, blue jays, a road worker wearing a garbage bag to keep dry, and lots of raindrops. Walking in the rain always reminds me of Charlotte Mason who encouraged children to spend hours outside even in unpleasant weather. It was fun, and we didn’t get very wet. (The pictures were taken when it was not raining, though.)
To see what other families have been up to, visit Canada Girl and Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers.
What a great week! My daughter, 9, is also doing NaNoWriMo.
You are a wise one to work negotiations like that w/writing! LOL!
Love the pictures you posted! So very pretty!
I’m trying to stay awake for the last 20 minutes of my shift. Things have slowed down a bit now that it’s getting rather late. I’ll bet it’s going to be pretty cold outside when I leave here tonight. I’m used to leaving when the sun is still up and can warm up the car, even in cold weather. Tonight, it will be cold and dark. I called home and told dh and dd to make sure that my bed heater is turned on! I want a warm bed all ready for me!
Thank you for stopping by! I have to admit that I am just not blogging the way I would like to right now. But I have a plan in the works this week to get into it!
I love love love the idea of writing a novel…my dd who is now 14 has been writing a novel for 3 years. ( no not in a month). I love that she works on it in spurts. Writes and illustrates it as the creative bent hits her. This year she went back through it and revised and made many corrections! ( she was shocked at her grammar!) Such a great learning tool.
I would like to know more about your walks on the trail. Its beautiful. I love walking in the rain ( my pacific northwest roots!) but my kids not so much.
Have a wonderful week!
Very wise momma, to do those writing assignment negotiations! I’d be all for that if my kids suggested it. Love your pictures!
Wow, sounds like alot of work. My daughter does not enjoy writing, yet. We work on it a couple of times a week through narrations and such. Hopefully in the next year or two she will show interest in participating.
Blessings
Diane