As 5th grade, 2nd grade and preschool come to a close at the Jorgensen Academy, I find myself reflecting on our many achievements. Usually this time of year, I pat myself on the back and say “you survived another year”,bow my head and thank God that He supplied all sufficient grace for another year.
While I am proud of each of the boys accomplishments this year, I can’t help but reflect on one in particular. I think of our oldest son and the growth he’s experienced this year. First, I remember his willingness to reach for the title of Memory Master. We have been a member of the Classical Conversations community since he was in Kindergarten. Each year the boys have the option to strive to memorize all of the grammar for the entire school year. It’s over 500 pieces of information! This is the first time Jacob’s been willing to try for it, and he succeeded! He committed to memory 161 events and people in chronological order, 24 history sentences, 44 U.S. Presidents, over 100 geographic locations in Europe, Asia and select parts of the world, 24 science facts, Latin verb endings of the first conjugations, English grammar facts, multiplication tables up to 15x15, as well as basic geometry formulas and unit conversions. He put in a lot of work and was able to recite all that grammar to another parent and tutor! I couldn’t be more proud!
Jacob with his friends from CC
I also think of his experience this year with the DOD program Starbase. For one week, he participated in this program which seeks to “engage students in inquiry-based curriculum with its hands-on, minds-on experimental activities” in science, technology, engineering and math.
His class consisted of homeschooled 5th grade boys and girls. At first, he was really unsure about being in a “classroom” for 5 days from 9am-3pm but after the first day, he couldn’t wait to go back! The students were grouped into teams and given roles to accomplish their tasks. They even made call names for themselves, he chose “Nova”.
One the first day, the teachers tested all the students and would test them again at the end of the week to track their progress. When the test scores were released, I was excited to see that on the first test,he scored one of the top three scores among his peers! Yay Jacob!
One of his favorite projects was driving this robot car on a map. He discovered geocaching and we’re looking forward to doing more of that as a family. The class also spent a day at the Museum of Natural History and met with an Air Force officer who explained the importance of a good education and let them view a helicopter and its weapons. Jacob was very impressed with this presentation.
Most recently, Jacob has tried out for and has been invited to play in our local competitive soccer league. For the first time, in the fall, he will experience his favorite sport outside the world of fun and fair. He’s good enough and he’s ready for the challenge. I look forward to watching him grow even more as a sixth grader-yikes!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
Proverbs 3:5-7
