New Beginnings and Transitioning from 6th to 7th Grade with Ryder

We've been spending the last month reviewing "6th grade" with Ryder. He's ready to progress and there is no reason to hold him back. While he's not specifically studious, he grasps knowledge very rapidly and his comprehension and understanding comes easily. I have a concern that it is without depth, but as I observe, that is more because of his youth and lack of experience. That experience will only come with time.

It is like watching myself as youngster. So much quiet curiosity. Ryder's qualities and needs remain steadfast. He is still vibrant with his energy but prefers comfort and security. As we continue to balance our energy in the home both boys thrive.

I had been concerned that divorce would be disastrous to the boys and our family unit, the most vital parts of my life, but it's been a smooth transition over all. Staying in the town home and keeping our daily anchors has been key. I intentionally made the experience of the divorce as positive as possible. It anchored around a dessert - not my best. Why does that still hold a power. Treats? To soothe the pain. Ugh. Ok, I'm aware. It's another mindfulness piece.

Time to settle in and drop anchor.

I will reinforce our anchors which consist of

Digital Sunset. We must turn off all digital devices by 6:30pm and settle in - I'd like to start this at 6 but I still have evening clients and the Odd Fellows lodge meetings 2 times a month and this disrupts the flow. By fall I'd like to have all my evening clients/classes handled by Yogilachi certified trainers.

Meal times returning to the GAPS diet and nourishing snacks they can easily access on their own.
7:00AM/11:00AM/3:45PM Main meal times. This is probably most important to Ryder but Dax needs this as well. Sitting down to our table, cloth napkins, blessings and candle - this ritual is not only nourishing but so healing. I cannot let this fall out. I recommit to this as a priority even if it's a simple meal.

BEDTIME boys just do so much better being in bed with a song and story by 7 and asleep by 7:30. For my own well being I must get to bed by 8pm. Waking at 3:50 daily is the only way I can get everything done that is important to me to get done so I must continue to prune the vine of seemingly urgent yet not so important activities.

I will continue to hold to the vision of an optimal home life as well as building TRIBAL Academy as a holistic community learning center with at least 6 acres! With a support team - I need help with cleaning and meals. There must be others out there who need and want an intentional community. What would it be like to have a supportive and loving community cohesively co creating harmony? What a beautiful dream.

The more we progress with our "home schooling" the more joy I find in my own life. There is just so much to learn and enjoy and explore and discover. To watch the boys unfolding in their unique expression is my purpose right now. That I must remember no matter how chaotic things feel with being a single parent, I can do this and it's worth everything when I hear connected, calm, happy human beings thriving. That's worth everything.

RYDER: Both boys still gravitate to the digital world. Video games. Ugh. Still a challenge. I'm still vigilant on the cause and effect. There is no question he has more sensory issues after video game time. Isn't the enough evidence of it's destructive effect? How can comfortably allow my child to be "poisoned" even just a little. It's like sugar and processed food - all in moderation? Am I being "extreme" when I choose to be unreasonable with their mental and physical health and wish to have no video games and no sugar? It's unworkable in our culture today. So, I must adapt and work to bring understanding for them as well as myself. There will always be an effect. The question is what kind of an effect do I wish to bring. I suppose the day I delete facebook and pinterest searches and eliminate my chocolate bar I'll be more confident in telling the boys no more video games.

So many wonderful books for 7th grade  - I will post a separate list for this grade.

We are moving forward with Waldorf - using Earth schooling and Waldorf Essentials additionally

French 1
Spanish 1
Latin 1
Violin Book 2 **
Piano 1 - 
Aikido - Purple belt progression
Trackers - *****
Hand work - knit socks
Pottery - kiln - Vancouver downtown shop **
Modeling in clay - daily for clay demo
word clearing and study technology becoming second nature - use of dictionary without the internet please with demo kit
Perspective Drawing
Vimala Handwriting
Spelling and word clearing from McGuffy 6
Emerson and Longfellow - memorization
Shakespear's Hamlet - 1 scene performance, monologue
Fundamentals and main lessons in:
Early settlers
Late ME and Crusades
Chivalry and Reformation
Martin Luther
Age of Exploration
Joan of Arc
Geometry
Science: meteorology, astronomy, physics electricity and magnetism (lot of Tesla) field trips here
Physics Machines, influential scientists
Chemistry
Atom board and element cards
Astronomy - TELESCOPE investment

Cash flow game - weekly - business plan and game completed
Checking account maintenance and empirical practice of interest and compounding interest
Begin basic investing
Math bascis from Werner Arithmetic plus math curriculum in WE and Earth
Visit Phoenix - in winter - build a computer with Uncle James?
Learn Zen tea ceremony with Uncle Joe

Let's cover the state of Washington, visit national parks within- geographically - can we cross over to Canada? What's there for us to see and learn about? Currency? Math for calculations, differences in government. Let's learn about the differences in these two countries.

Continue with RBTI, Anatomy lessons and movement using Yogilachi and eurythmy.
Neville studies. Practice. Vision.