English

For English, we're starting with reading lists from Mensa for Kids. I'm letting both girls start with the level below where they currently are. That means the K - 3 level for Lauren and the 4 - 6 level for Sarah. Some of the books are really easy for them (i.e. Harry the Dirty Dog for Lauren and Pippi Longstocking for Sarah), but I'm ok with that at this point. Some of the books in those levels are more rigorous, like the original Pinocchio (Lauren) and Swiss Family Robinson (Sarah). All the books are worth reading, and we'll get to the next level soon enough.

For the ones that I know will be super easy for them, I'm getting them out of the library now and letting them blitz through them before school officially starts for them in September. If there's a BookAdventure quiz, they do it. If not, I know that they read it, and that's enough. Some of the books will be the basis of additional exercises in the fall. I spent quite a bit of time over the weekend, finding links to lessons for Anne of Green Gables, Black Beauty, My Side of the Mountain, Freckle Juice, The Mouse and the Motorcycle, and Charlotte's Web, to name a few.

Some of the books, especially the ones that have more archaic language, are really best for listening instead of reading. Lauren listened to Pinnocchio yesterday and really liked it, which I doubt would have been the case if she'd had to read it herself.

As for spelling & grammar, we'll do those as well, but I don't have a specific plan yet.

I also want to start reading out loud again in the evenings, but don't know what to start with yet. I'm really leaning toward The Hobbit . . .