Who else is ready for summer break?! We are so ready and I am excited to finally pack up this past year’s school books and start making some plans for next year. On May 8th I sent Kolbe Academy all of the required paperwork for our high school students records/transcripts and on May 14th the older boys took their last final exam (here at home due to the shutdown) wrapping up their freshman year of college!
Years ago I started compiling End-of-School Interviews for each of our children and I’ve been making them every year since. It’s so fun to look back through them and see how much our students have grown each year and how their answers change over the years. I actually used them for graduation party decorations last summer!
I didn’t plan to continue interviewing our college kids, but we changed up some of the questions and they were more than willing to join the fun once again. Our 16 year old got the project started this year, asking everyone all the questions, helping take and/or choose photos, and then helping to compile it all in PicMonkey.
Here are this year’s End-of-School Interviews (revised with blog nicknames):
Captain’s Favorite Books: The Odyssey and Beowulf
Ranger’s Favorite Books: Inferno and St. Augustine’s Confessions
(none of these were actually school books…)
Snuggles’ Favorite Books: The Hobbit and LOTR
Rose’s Favorite Books: The Little House Series and Stories about St. Therese and St. Clare
Bud’s Favorite Book: The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition
Grace’s Favorite Books: Madeline
My Favorite Toys: Chews Life Rosaries and Cuddle+Kind Dolls
(*All the kids have voted to change our sweet baby’s blog name from Lily to Joy. It fits her perfectly.)
Love these! How do you do the pictures in the background? Is there an app?
2020-05-27 23:46:42
We upload a picture over at PicMonkey and then overlay the text. https://www.picmonkey.com/
2020-05-28 00:20:12
These always look fun! Question – What Latin are your high schoolers taking (since they both picked it as a favorite)? Are you still using Lukeion?
2020-05-28 06:19:37
Yes! We are still using Lukeion! My 16 year old just completed Latin II (second half of Wheelock Latin) and my 15 year old completed Latin I (the first half of Wheelock). They have been taking the classes offered by Dr. Fisher and they really love her. It's a challenging class – I think they spend a couple hours each day studying and working on their assignments – but they love it! The both My oldest daughter is enrolled in Dr. Fisher's Muse Greek & Latin Literature class for this upcoming fall as well.
2020-05-28 15:05:58
Please tell Chiquita that North and South by Mrs. Gaskell is one of my favorite books of all time. Actually, all her book picks are favorites. They are all underrated. Have you seen the BBC adaptation of N&S with Richard Armitage? It is excellent. I am always excited when I see anyone mention lesser-appreciated books I love! Enjoy your summer!
2020-05-28 12:09:40
Lovely! Thank you for inspiring.
2020-05-28 15:02:51
Thank You Jessica for sharing your children's interviews. They all did a good job in school. I am teaching myself Latin and sign language. God Bless you and yours. Marilyn
2020-05-28 21:38:44
Jessica, your children all did so well in school. I too, like Rose,love reading and learning about the saints, especially Joan Of Arc for obvious reasons. God Bless. Joan
2020-05-28 21:41:30
Jessica, it is so refreshing to see that your children are interested in history. Many people feel it is a waste of time to learn about the past. Congratulations and God Bless your children for an excellent school year. Marion
2020-05-28 21:43:49
I was thinking the same thing about Chiquita's book choices. I absolutely love North and South and the BBC adaptation is one of my favourites also. Wives and Daughters was also a wonderful adaptation. Sadly Mrs Gaskell never finished the book but I thought the ending they came up with was sympathetic to the story. I had the privilege of visiting the Gaskell museum in Manchester before lockdown happened. Well worth a visit if you come to the UK!
2020-05-29 18:50:20
I have enjoyed reading your End of Year School Reviews over the years on your blog. It has been nice to watch your dear children grow and change. It is so special to see how each of your children are so unique in their interests and their personalities. Such wonderful students. They have a very special Mom that works hard to home school and raise a big Catholic family! May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.
2020-06-01 21:47:04
God be praised for the sweet wholesome memories! You have clearly invested so much in their year. It’s a delight to read here and gain inspiration.
2020-06-03 20:02:09
Thank you for sharing these with us! I've been following your blog for 9 years and have seen your children grow. God bless you and your family!
2020-06-13 22:58:16