This week we will read and use some of these:
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Take a look! And for me  Additionally we will choose a few experiments from these books:    |
Showing posts with label Homeschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeschool. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Our homeschooling plans for this week
Like all homeschoolers, we are frequent visitors at the local library. A normal haul for us often runs into the 30+ books, which range from anything my daughter wants to read, to reference books, books my son is reading for school and for pleasure, and books for me (pleasure and reference alike).
This week we will read and use some of these:
This week we will read and use some of these:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Merchant of Venice
We finally finished it. Merchant of Venice. I don't think anyone here is going to ask me who the author is. This was my daughter's first introduction to Shakespeare. She wanted to start with Hamlet, but I prevailed and we started with Merchant of Venice and plowed through it about 60% faster than we had planned because she loved it so much. Wonderful was the time we spent talking about Europe of that time. About the way people lived, the social strata, prejudice, the worldview as people had back then. Unfortunately some school districts have banned Merchant of Venice, due to the racist issues contained therein, but I have always felt that banning a book, story, or play, steals the opportunity to learn from it, to discuss, and does more harm in the end.
Shakespeare's plays are a commentary on the relationships people have with each other. The relationships on a large scale, such as the interaction between people of 'class' with the menial classes. The relationships of men and women, as related to romance, and as it relates to how women were seen and treated as little more than mere ornamentation and breeding vessels. Why, in fact it wasn't love that had Bassanio so obsessed with obtaining fair Portia's hand in marriage. It was her wealth. As was customary then, a woman could never be mistress over her own fortune. If she wasn't under her father's guidance, or her husband's yoke, a proper lady was under the guidance and protection of another male relative. After Portia's father died, it became imperative that she be married with haste. Clearly though, the man had high enough an opinion of his daughter that he didn't marry her off to the most suitable match and title that could be had, but designed a test of character, if you will, which would weed out the money grabbers. Interestingly enough, then, that it was greedy Bassanio who managed to see past the gold and silver.
The idea, that Portia and Nerissa were forced to take on the guise of young men, in order to plead Antonio's case, amazed and bemused my daughter. It also speaks about the relationship people then had with other people of the world. The typical insular British mentality is shown in Portia's soliloquy, where she discusses, nay dissects, her suitors, preceded by her words, 'I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but...' All the suitors are foreigners and discarded as such. The only one who gets off with relative minor bruising to the ego is the Englishman, who is, however, mocked for his lack of languages other than his own. Arragon, and Morocco, are targets because of their skin color. In fact, Shakespeare's set directions, clearly demanded, that the actor be a 'tawny moor dressed in white.' Of course, what helped Missy understand the play and jokes, was knowing who the target audience was in Shakespeare's time. Although, some higher placed members of society watched the plays, it was primarily middleclass citizens (not a very accurate description but it will have to do for now), and the 'groundlings', people of decidedly lower socio-economic stature and usually illiterate. This helped her understand some of the bawdier jokes, as well.
It is noteworthy that the insular 'people-from-other-countries can-be-placed-into-preassigned-pegs' notion hasn't gone away. We have just changed the way we portrait it.Watch movies and sit-coms and really evaluate how someone from another country is type-cast into a particular role. And we train our kids from a young age to see things this way, even on the Disney channel, characters are typecast according to country of origin. Don't worry though, we aren't the only ones who do this. You should see the unflattering light in which the 'ugly American' tends to be type cast in other countries. I couldn't resist but digressed and discussed why this 'stereotyping' according to appearance, coloration, language etc, evolved and how it aided our early ancestors to survive millions of years ago.
Delving back into Shakespeare, let us discuss briefly how Shylock was portrayed. Many opinions about the portraiture of Shylock have been written, and I too felt compelled to take extra time to discuss Shylock with my daughter. I always felt that he was one of Shakespeare's more tragic figures. Shylock was never really portrayed as a human being with feelings and emotions. A person deserving of courtesy and kindness, something even the 'wonderful' Antonio never did. In fact Shylock even mentions being treated quite abominably by Antonio. Apparently the lovely, and oh-so honorable Antonio even spat at him more than once. Of course, Antonio accused him of un-christian usury. The double standards therein are noteworthy. First of all, in truth, Christian lenders exacted interest as well, and the Jews were not allowed to have any other occupation. They were banned from the guilds, were banned from owning or farming land, were banned from all other occupation, other than lending. When Shakespeare did give Shylock mention of humanity in the famous lines: 'Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands?...if you prick us, do we not bleed?' it wasn't meant in a context of eliciting compassion, but in Shylock demanding that his idea of perverted justice be carried out. Even when his daughter runs away with Lorenzo and elopes, stealing his property in the mean, he is mocked rather than pitied. Jews, having been banned in England since long before Shakespeare's time, it is unlikely that he ever met many. While some Jews persisted and remained in England, they were subject to pervasive and endemic racism. I spent considerable time with Missy, discussing what that meant, and what they experienced. How can a people be understood and integrated into society when they are outcast, living at the perimeter of society, in their own enclaves and small communities.
Merchant of Venice was my first introduction to Shakespeare. Sadly enough (and because it was a school) we didn't discuss the story behind it. We didn't discuss racism, prejudice, male chauvinism, or European history of that time. What an opportunity, therefore, to get to experience it all over again with my daughter, in the way it could and should be. Not merely a lesson in Elizabethan English and Mr. Shakespeare's play crafting, but a lesson in that, and so much more.
Shakespeare's plays are a commentary on the relationships people have with each other. The relationships on a large scale, such as the interaction between people of 'class' with the menial classes. The relationships of men and women, as related to romance, and as it relates to how women were seen and treated as little more than mere ornamentation and breeding vessels. Why, in fact it wasn't love that had Bassanio so obsessed with obtaining fair Portia's hand in marriage. It was her wealth. As was customary then, a woman could never be mistress over her own fortune. If she wasn't under her father's guidance, or her husband's yoke, a proper lady was under the guidance and protection of another male relative. After Portia's father died, it became imperative that she be married with haste. Clearly though, the man had high enough an opinion of his daughter that he didn't marry her off to the most suitable match and title that could be had, but designed a test of character, if you will, which would weed out the money grabbers. Interestingly enough, then, that it was greedy Bassanio who managed to see past the gold and silver.
The idea, that Portia and Nerissa were forced to take on the guise of young men, in order to plead Antonio's case, amazed and bemused my daughter. It also speaks about the relationship people then had with other people of the world. The typical insular British mentality is shown in Portia's soliloquy, where she discusses, nay dissects, her suitors, preceded by her words, 'I know it is a sin to be a mocker, but...' All the suitors are foreigners and discarded as such. The only one who gets off with relative minor bruising to the ego is the Englishman, who is, however, mocked for his lack of languages other than his own. Arragon, and Morocco, are targets because of their skin color. In fact, Shakespeare's set directions, clearly demanded, that the actor be a 'tawny moor dressed in white.' Of course, what helped Missy understand the play and jokes, was knowing who the target audience was in Shakespeare's time. Although, some higher placed members of society watched the plays, it was primarily middleclass citizens (not a very accurate description but it will have to do for now), and the 'groundlings', people of decidedly lower socio-economic stature and usually illiterate. This helped her understand some of the bawdier jokes, as well.
It is noteworthy that the insular 'people-from-other-countries can-be-placed-into-preassigned-pegs' notion hasn't gone away. We have just changed the way we portrait it.Watch movies and sit-coms and really evaluate how someone from another country is type-cast into a particular role. And we train our kids from a young age to see things this way, even on the Disney channel, characters are typecast according to country of origin. Don't worry though, we aren't the only ones who do this. You should see the unflattering light in which the 'ugly American' tends to be type cast in other countries. I couldn't resist but digressed and discussed why this 'stereotyping' according to appearance, coloration, language etc, evolved and how it aided our early ancestors to survive millions of years ago.
Delving back into Shakespeare, let us discuss briefly how Shylock was portrayed. Many opinions about the portraiture of Shylock have been written, and I too felt compelled to take extra time to discuss Shylock with my daughter. I always felt that he was one of Shakespeare's more tragic figures. Shylock was never really portrayed as a human being with feelings and emotions. A person deserving of courtesy and kindness, something even the 'wonderful' Antonio never did. In fact Shylock even mentions being treated quite abominably by Antonio. Apparently the lovely, and oh-so honorable Antonio even spat at him more than once. Of course, Antonio accused him of un-christian usury. The double standards therein are noteworthy. First of all, in truth, Christian lenders exacted interest as well, and the Jews were not allowed to have any other occupation. They were banned from the guilds, were banned from owning or farming land, were banned from all other occupation, other than lending. When Shakespeare did give Shylock mention of humanity in the famous lines: 'Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands?...if you prick us, do we not bleed?' it wasn't meant in a context of eliciting compassion, but in Shylock demanding that his idea of perverted justice be carried out. Even when his daughter runs away with Lorenzo and elopes, stealing his property in the mean, he is mocked rather than pitied. Jews, having been banned in England since long before Shakespeare's time, it is unlikely that he ever met many. While some Jews persisted and remained in England, they were subject to pervasive and endemic racism. I spent considerable time with Missy, discussing what that meant, and what they experienced. How can a people be understood and integrated into society when they are outcast, living at the perimeter of society, in their own enclaves and small communities.
Merchant of Venice was my first introduction to Shakespeare. Sadly enough (and because it was a school) we didn't discuss the story behind it. We didn't discuss racism, prejudice, male chauvinism, or European history of that time. What an opportunity, therefore, to get to experience it all over again with my daughter, in the way it could and should be. Not merely a lesson in Elizabethan English and Mr. Shakespeare's play crafting, but a lesson in that, and so much more.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Today is Wednesday - Park Day
Oh my. That means something will happen to upset my plans to go to the homeschooler's park day meeting. Last time (two weeks ago) it was my employees' sick husband. I have a feeling it will be that again today, as he has to see a doctor at one in the afternoon. She thinks he hasn't been feeling well again. Just once, I want a Wednesday to go smoothly. Pweeeeze?
On a bright note, we have been plugging away nicely on our school work and trying to catch up on the lost days. We are almost done with Merchant of Venice, since Missy loves it so much. The other book we went through on double time was Karen Hesse's 'Out of the Dust', a magnificent historical novel written in first person, free-verse poems, that was very hard to put down. This 1998 Newbery Medal winner, is a great homeschool resource. It led us to discuss so many things, and I have no doubt that Missy will pick this book up again and again to read on her own.
Bear has made amazing progress in reading and math. We don't do much with him at a time, and the days he doesn't want to do school, that's alright with me too. He has understood the relationship between multiplication and division. His favorite tasks are the word problems I write for him where he has to decide what is being asked, and what mathematical formula will give him the answer. Actually I never expected him to 'get it' so fast. I always introduced mathematical concepts to him well ahead of the 'normal' timeline because I always wanted him to feel comfortable around numbers and slowly grow into understanding concepts. A recent worksheet I gave him showed me that he is comfortable enough with it to have used logic to answer the questions rather than calculations. The worksheet asked the child to enter in the symbols of operation. All four of them, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. He answered twenty questions in under 10 minutes and when I asked him how he explained his methodology. He used reasoning and a clear understanding of the relationship numbers have with each other depending on the symbol of operation. What a thrill.
The fear I have when, these kids go back to (if they go back) to public school, is 'will they still enjoy learning as much as they do now?' I am afraid I know the answer. But I also have to admit, as hard as it is, that I cannot and should not continue to teach my daughter past this year (sixth grade) in order to do right by her. And I know Bear's personality demands a bigger setting with more children. He would be devastated to be alone at home with me while his Sissy isn't here.
One little step at a time. One little step...
On a bright note, we have been plugging away nicely on our school work and trying to catch up on the lost days. We are almost done with Merchant of Venice, since Missy loves it so much. The other book we went through on double time was Karen Hesse's 'Out of the Dust', a magnificent historical novel written in first person, free-verse poems, that was very hard to put down. This 1998 Newbery Medal winner, is a great homeschool resource. It led us to discuss so many things, and I have no doubt that Missy will pick this book up again and again to read on her own.
Bear has made amazing progress in reading and math. We don't do much with him at a time, and the days he doesn't want to do school, that's alright with me too. He has understood the relationship between multiplication and division. His favorite tasks are the word problems I write for him where he has to decide what is being asked, and what mathematical formula will give him the answer. Actually I never expected him to 'get it' so fast. I always introduced mathematical concepts to him well ahead of the 'normal' timeline because I always wanted him to feel comfortable around numbers and slowly grow into understanding concepts. A recent worksheet I gave him showed me that he is comfortable enough with it to have used logic to answer the questions rather than calculations. The worksheet asked the child to enter in the symbols of operation. All four of them, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. He answered twenty questions in under 10 minutes and when I asked him how he explained his methodology. He used reasoning and a clear understanding of the relationship numbers have with each other depending on the symbol of operation. What a thrill.
The fear I have when, these kids go back to (if they go back) to public school, is 'will they still enjoy learning as much as they do now?' I am afraid I know the answer. But I also have to admit, as hard as it is, that I cannot and should not continue to teach my daughter past this year (sixth grade) in order to do right by her. And I know Bear's personality demands a bigger setting with more children. He would be devastated to be alone at home with me while his Sissy isn't here.
One little step at a time. One little step...
Monday, January 16, 2012
Crazy week # 1.
I find myself up an hour earlier than intended thanks to:
a) my contractor photographer texting me at 5:24 AM letting me know he received the itinerary for today (when I asked him to confirm this last evening) - yes, even low volume sounds wake me up. Even through earplugs.
b) my dd (damned dog, darling dog, darned dog - take your pick) ralphing in his kennel at 5:55 AM.
nice.... real nice....
And shame on me for going to bed so late.
so sue me....
I am owly in the morning.
even when I get up after my requisite seven hours of sleep.
I hate people who can do with four or five or six hours.
I am not one of them.
Last week was crazy. My dh (husband with 'd' starting adjectives in front) left Tuesday AM for a month long family related trip. On Wednesday morning one of my employees calls me and asks if it was OK for her to take her husband (too sick to drive and no car besides) to the doc as he was doing poorly. OK. Not a problem. I'll cover for her for a few hours. Well, a few hours later she calls and tells us they are at the ER! The doctor thought he was having a heart attack and sent him straight there. Except it isn't a heart attack but an ever increasing range of serious symptoms and no diagnosis even as of Sunday night. A specialist is in finding zebras is coming to look at him today, so hopefully he can help. Dr. House to room 4425 please.
Obviously I didn't get to teach the kids this week, between Monday packing, Tuesday the kids Dad leaving and Wednesday through Friday covering for my employee at the office. My employee plans to come in late and leave early and work a half day for the forseeable future so she can both be with her husband and not burn through all of her vacation time. This should allow me to get my children's education back on track.
a) my contractor photographer texting me at 5:24 AM letting me know he received the itinerary for today (when I asked him to confirm this last evening) - yes, even low volume sounds wake me up. Even through earplugs.
b) my dd (damned dog, darling dog, darned dog - take your pick) ralphing in his kennel at 5:55 AM.
nice.... real nice....
And shame on me for going to bed so late.
so sue me....
I am owly in the morning.
even when I get up after my requisite seven hours of sleep.
I hate people who can do with four or five or six hours.
I am not one of them.
Last week was crazy. My dh (husband with 'd' starting adjectives in front) left Tuesday AM for a month long family related trip. On Wednesday morning one of my employees calls me and asks if it was OK for her to take her husband (too sick to drive and no car besides) to the doc as he was doing poorly. OK. Not a problem. I'll cover for her for a few hours. Well, a few hours later she calls and tells us they are at the ER! The doctor thought he was having a heart attack and sent him straight there. Except it isn't a heart attack but an ever increasing range of serious symptoms and no diagnosis even as of Sunday night. A specialist is in finding zebras is coming to look at him today, so hopefully he can help. Dr. House to room 4425 please.
Obviously I didn't get to teach the kids this week, between Monday packing, Tuesday the kids Dad leaving and Wednesday through Friday covering for my employee at the office. My employee plans to come in late and leave early and work a half day for the forseeable future so she can both be with her husband and not burn through all of her vacation time. This should allow me to get my children's education back on track.
Friday, September 16, 2011
A Must-Read-Blog Entry at Parentatthehelm.com
http://www.parentatthehelm.com/6666/homeschooling-parent-responds-to-disneys-teacher-of-the-year/
I found a link to this post on the current CoH. I strongly recommend you take the time to read this well worded and thought-out response to Disney's Teacher of the Year article.
I found a link to this post on the current CoH. I strongly recommend you take the time to read this well worded and thought-out response to Disney's Teacher of the Year article.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Rhythms and Routines
As many of the nights are starting to get cool and translate into crisp mornings, the rhythms of the world around us change. Birds are beginning to seek each others' company and flock. Overhead we hear the call of the geese which brings to mind the changing seasons. Tomorrow is Labor day, our unofficial end of summer here in the US. Early risers will notice that the morning hugs its dark cloak just a little longer, reminding us that we will rise in the dark in not too long a time. Children are seen running, back-packs bouncing, to school and we too have started our new school year.
This will be our third and possibly final homeschooling year (more on that some other time). Our first year was fairly regimented and strict and I wasn't much into lesson planning, unsure on how to proceed. The second year was laissez-faire and while satisfying in a creative way, not very satisfying in an academic sense. This year I have our academic day planned out with the help of a free, academic software called Skedtrack.
One of nature's rhythms is calling right now.... time to walk the pup.
This will be our third and possibly final homeschooling year (more on that some other time). Our first year was fairly regimented and strict and I wasn't much into lesson planning, unsure on how to proceed. The second year was laissez-faire and while satisfying in a creative way, not very satisfying in an academic sense. This year I have our academic day planned out with the help of a free, academic software called Skedtrack.
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| Click on this image for a screenshot of Missy's Math Lesson Plans |
What we all love about the year (so far) is the predictability of the day. We can run school pretty much on auto-pilot. Each morning, when we log in we can see at a glance what is on that day's menu (so to say) for both children. Having a clear visual has had another benefit. The kids take ownership of their learning and love to click the completed button when they have completed a lesson. I am able to plug in our school year, include vacation and holidays and personal days, as well as sick days. The time it took to customize it and enter the lesson plans for two children was labor intensive for sure, but what I spent in time and labor then, I save now when I most need it.
I have left my blog to it's own devices these past months having been very busy with a multitude of responsibilities. Summer came, a new puppy came. Then, mid August my husband left on a month long trip. He is expected back in a few days. In his absence (and he took off from work in July) I had to increase my presence at work. All of this left me little time for blogging. But looking at all my favorite blogs many of you took a hiatus of sorts as well. I look forward to blogging more in the coming months. I have also started a small cooking blog. My little food blog is more designed to be a record of my recipes and fiascos for my children some day (I pdf the files), than something that would ever make it to foodgawker. But I am having fun with it and that is what counts. My biggest challenge is the photography aspect of it. I borrow my daughter's dinky point and shoot and I don't have good light in the house either. Yet another challenge to overcome.
One of nature's rhythms is calling right now.... time to walk the pup.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Phonics Friends
In 'Phonics Friends' children are familiarized with the various sounds a particular letter makes. We read 'Umberto's Summer Day, The Sound of Short U' today. The book is laid out in a simple, easily understood, format. The first page is an introductory page which can be read by the parent or educator to the child. This page introduces the child to the letter and phonics feature or sound highlighted in that issue. Concluding the book is a page with word lists including the words the child read in the book. The sentences are easy to understand and a child will feel quite accomplished after reading one of these books. There are photographs on the left page and the right page features two to three sentences. Even an early reader can easily read and comprehend the short, illustrated stories within these books. Each sentence is reasonably short and contains at least one repetition of the phonics sound featured in the book.
My son (who will be six years old in August) loves these books and chooses them over and over again at our local library. He can read the books by himself with minimal assistance. I am a big believer in teaching children to read via phonics, adding high frequency word recognition only once phonics has been mastered. If I had to rate this series I would quite possibly give it a five out of five stars.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Weekly Geography Fun Quiz # 1 Answers
So, how many did you know? I hope you had fun discovering the answers with your globe and atlas.
1. The Orinoco is a river in which northern South American country? Venezuela
2. Asuncion is the captial of which central South American country? Paraguay
3. Is Guatemala a South American country? No it is not. It is a Central American country.
4. Where would you look for the Rio Grande? Border between the State of Texas and Mexico
5. Which are the greater Antilles? Group of Islands including Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic.)
6. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of which southeast Asian Country? Malaysia
7. Where would you be if you sailed along the Strait of Malacca? Between Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra
1. The Orinoco is a river in which northern South American country? Venezuela
2. Asuncion is the captial of which central South American country? Paraguay
3. Is Guatemala a South American country? No it is not. It is a Central American country.
4. Where would you look for the Rio Grande? Border between the State of Texas and Mexico
5. Which are the greater Antilles? Group of Islands including Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic.)
6. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of which southeast Asian Country? Malaysia
7. Where would you be if you sailed along the Strait of Malacca? Between Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Geography Quiz Time!!!
Here, just for fun and for furthering your 'eddicashun' is a geography quiz I put together. See which ones you knew and use a globe and an atlas for the rest. Avoid using the computer, that makes it too easy. The answers will be revealed in a few days. If you want this in a pdf format to use for your homeschool send me a feedback with your e-mail address. I have altogether 5 quizzes. I will pass on the pdf files after all quizzes have been published.
Weekly Geography Fun Quiz #1
1. The Orinoco is a river in which northern South American country?
2. Asuncion is the capital of which central South American country?
3. Is Guatemala a South American country?
4. Where would you look for the Rio Grande?
5. Which are the greater Antilles?
6. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of which southeast Asian Country?
7. Where would you be if you sailed along the Strait of Malacca?
Teach your children geography. We live in a global community and yet, many adults don't even know where to find Iraq or Afghanistan on a globe.
Weekly Geography Fun Quiz #1
1. The Orinoco is a river in which northern South American country?
2. Asuncion is the capital of which central South American country?
3. Is Guatemala a South American country?
4. Where would you look for the Rio Grande?
5. Which are the greater Antilles?
6. Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of which southeast Asian Country?
7. Where would you be if you sailed along the Strait of Malacca?
Teach your children geography. We live in a global community and yet, many adults don't even know where to find Iraq or Afghanistan on a globe.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Arbor Day Craft from Momtastic.com - Upcycle your old magazines!
Talk about a fabulous craft idea for Arbor Day, which is, by the way, the last Friday of April. I came across this idea on craftgawker which linked to Momtastic.com. The link to this craft is here. What a neat way to use up old magazines and make something new and beautiful. Make your crafts, take pictures, and post it on your website. Let me know when you did so I can make a post with links to your blogs and pictures! Sunday, April 3, 2011
Watch an American Bald Eagle pair raise their kids!
http://www.raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/index.html
Click on the above link. But be prepared, it's completely addictive. Watch the parents care for their youngsters.
Click on the above link. But be prepared, it's completely addictive. Watch the parents care for their youngsters.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Geography Quiz - Answers!
Here are the Geography Quiz answers. Hope you had fun!
The island of Svalbard sits north of which country?
Hint Svalbard is located between Longitude 0 and 30E North of the Arctic Circle. It is owned by that country.
Answer: Norway
The city of Hanoi sits by a river which empties into which Gulf? Hanoi is a city in which country?
Answer: Vietnam, Gulf of Tonkin
Which country would you find south of Nicaragua.
Answer: Costa Rica
Which states border Colorado?
Answer: Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma
Ulaan Baatar is the Capital of which country?
Answer: Mongolia
Where would you find the highest navigable lake in the world and what is it’s name?
Answer: Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia
Chad is a country in which Continent. Who are it's neighbors?
Answer: Africa. Libya, Niger, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria
Which seas surround Italy?
Answer: Adriatic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Ionian Sea
On which island would you search for Mt. Etna.
Answer: Sicily.
Which islands would you find if your ship drifted just south of the Tropic of Cancer just west of 150W Longitude?
Answer: Hawaii
The Suez Canal is found in which country?
Answer: Egypt
Which countries belong to the 'Skandinavian Countries'?
Answer: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway
The city Minsk is the Capital in which country just right of Poland?
Answer: Belarus
What and where is the Bosporus?
Answer: The Bosporus Straight, Also known as the Istanbul Straight, is one of the narrowest navigationable straights in the world. The Bosporus separates the Black sea from the Aegean Sea and from there the Mediterranean Sea.
The Euphrates is a river in which country?
Answer: Syria and Iraq.
Which countries would you find clustered around the Caspian Sea?
Answer: Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbajan
The Strait of Gibraltar separates which two continents and which two countries?
Answer: Africa and Europe. Spain and Morocco.
Don't forget to enter the give-away a few links down!
The island of Svalbard sits north of which country?
Hint Svalbard is located between Longitude 0 and 30E North of the Arctic Circle. It is owned by that country.
Answer: Norway
The city of Hanoi sits by a river which empties into which Gulf? Hanoi is a city in which country?
Answer: Vietnam, Gulf of Tonkin
Which country would you find south of Nicaragua.
Answer: Costa Rica
Which states border Colorado?
Answer: Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oklahoma
Ulaan Baatar is the Capital of which country?
Answer: Mongolia
Where would you find the highest navigable lake in the world and what is it’s name?
Answer: Lake Titicaca in Peru and Bolivia
Chad is a country in which Continent. Who are it's neighbors?
Answer: Africa. Libya, Niger, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria
Which seas surround Italy?
Answer: Adriatic Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Ionian Sea
On which island would you search for Mt. Etna.
Answer: Sicily.
Which islands would you find if your ship drifted just south of the Tropic of Cancer just west of 150W Longitude?
Answer: Hawaii
The Suez Canal is found in which country?
Answer: Egypt
Which countries belong to the 'Skandinavian Countries'?
Answer: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway
The city Minsk is the Capital in which country just right of Poland?
Answer: Belarus
What and where is the Bosporus?
Answer: The Bosporus Straight, Also known as the Istanbul Straight, is one of the narrowest navigationable straights in the world. The Bosporus separates the Black sea from the Aegean Sea and from there the Mediterranean Sea.
The Euphrates is a river in which country?
Answer: Syria and Iraq.
Which countries would you find clustered around the Caspian Sea?
Answer: Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbajan
The Strait of Gibraltar separates which two continents and which two countries?
Answer: Africa and Europe. Spain and Morocco.
Don't forget to enter the give-away a few links down!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Geography Quiz
Here is Geography Quiz I wrote for my daughter a while ago. Take a stab at it and see how many questions you can answer. If you want this in a printable format with answer key for your kids send me a comment with your e-mail address and I'll send you a PDF file. Use your globe and atlas to find the answers to this quiz.
Have fun!
I will post the answers tomorrow!
Geography Fun # 1
The island of Svalbard sits north of which country?
(Hint Svalbard is located between Longitude 0 and 30E North of the Arctic Circle. It is owned by that country. )
Answer:
The city of Hanoi sits by a river which empties into which Gulf? Hanoi is a city in which country?
Answer:
Which country would you find south of Nicaragua.
Answer:
Which states border the state of Colorado (US)?
Answer:
Ulaan Baatar is the Capital of which country?
Answer:
Where would you find the highest navigable lake in the world and what is it’s name?
Answer:
Chad is a country in which Continent. Who are it's neighbors?
Answer:
Which seas surround Italy?
Answer:
On which island would you search for Mt. Etna.
Answer:
Which islands would you find if your ship drifted just south of the Tropic of Cancer just west of 150W Longitude?
Answer:
The Suez Canal is found in which country?
Answer:
Which countries belong to the 'Skandinavian Countries'?
Answer:
The city Minsk is the Capital in which country just right of Poland?
Answer:
What and where is the Bosporus?
Answer:
The Euphrates is a river in which country?
Answer:
Which countries would you find clustered around the Caspian Sea?
Answer:
The Strait of Gibraltar separates which two continents and which two countries?
Answer:
Don't forget to enter my Give-away which ends March 15, 2011 for a chance at winning a $20 coupon code for CSN stores. http://itchyhomeschooler.blogspot.com/2011/02/site-review-and-giveaway.html
Have fun!
I will post the answers tomorrow!
Geography Fun # 1
The island of Svalbard sits north of which country?
(Hint Svalbard is located between Longitude 0 and 30E North of the Arctic Circle. It is owned by that country. )
Answer:
The city of Hanoi sits by a river which empties into which Gulf? Hanoi is a city in which country?
Answer:
Which country would you find south of Nicaragua.
Answer:
Which states border the state of Colorado (US)?
Answer:
Ulaan Baatar is the Capital of which country?
Answer:
Where would you find the highest navigable lake in the world and what is it’s name?
Answer:
Chad is a country in which Continent. Who are it's neighbors?
Answer:
Which seas surround Italy?
Answer:
On which island would you search for Mt. Etna.
Answer:
Which islands would you find if your ship drifted just south of the Tropic of Cancer just west of 150W Longitude?
Answer:
The Suez Canal is found in which country?
Answer:
Which countries belong to the 'Skandinavian Countries'?
Answer:
The city Minsk is the Capital in which country just right of Poland?
Answer:
What and where is the Bosporus?
Answer:
The Euphrates is a river in which country?
Answer:
Which countries would you find clustered around the Caspian Sea?
Answer:
The Strait of Gibraltar separates which two continents and which two countries?
Answer:
Don't forget to enter my Give-away which ends March 15, 2011 for a chance at winning a $20 coupon code for CSN stores. http://itchyhomeschooler.blogspot.com/2011/02/site-review-and-giveaway.html
Thursday, January 27, 2011
My Real Life vs. Other Families' Homeschool Blogs
I am not completely happy about where we are academically at the moment. Honestly I think we are behind. Behind whom? Well, us! We could have been much further along the course I so carefully charted in Summer. So, who or what is responsible for this delay.
There are some external factors. Due to work related issues I missed 2 learning weeks in November and a chunk of December. But as inconvenient as that was, it isn't the real issue here. The real issue, I realized after much thought, lies with me. My lack of confidence in myself. I'd constantly pore over blogs of other homeschooling families to see what they were doing, learning, teaching. I am a researcher by nature. Give me a project and I happily spend hours immersed in research. I'd read those blogs and constantly think to myself: 'they've been doing this for x number of years, I must learn from them.'
or: 'what they are doing must be better than what I was planning, let's not teach this or that until I've seen what someone else has been doing.'
And so we slipped behind where I think we could have been. Not because my kids couldn't handle the work, but because I was too afraid to not do a good enough job. Hours were spent reading educational sites and blogs to the detriment of the NOW for US!
Once I realized that it was as though a veil had been lifted. The here and now and us is far more important than the added map, graph, or other learning tool from other sites. I also learned that, at times, other homeschooling parents are quite possibly as much unsure of what they are doing, as I am. Our first year of homeschooling was with the guidance of Missy's old school. After all, this was to be a temporary situation and we intended to rejoin the school. I used their curriculum (with the exception of science which we supplemented). We asked the classmates all the time to see what they were doing to make sure we were if not ahead at least at par. The curriculum was finished way ahead of time and we spent the remaining months reviewing. Until a few days ago I hadn't realized how unsure I was of what I was doing. Looking back now it is apparent that what I had set out to do is just fine. There will always be someone doing something much better than I could. There will always be someone far more creative. But that's like trying to follow the Joneses. There will always be someone....
Well, guess what, there is me and there is us and that's good enough for me.
So, one of my New Year's resolutions is to stop spending so much time reading about what everybody else is doing in their homeschool and just get seriously busy 'doing' ours.
There are some external factors. Due to work related issues I missed 2 learning weeks in November and a chunk of December. But as inconvenient as that was, it isn't the real issue here. The real issue, I realized after much thought, lies with me. My lack of confidence in myself. I'd constantly pore over blogs of other homeschooling families to see what they were doing, learning, teaching. I am a researcher by nature. Give me a project and I happily spend hours immersed in research. I'd read those blogs and constantly think to myself: 'they've been doing this for x number of years, I must learn from them.'
or: 'what they are doing must be better than what I was planning, let's not teach this or that until I've seen what someone else has been doing.'
And so we slipped behind where I think we could have been. Not because my kids couldn't handle the work, but because I was too afraid to not do a good enough job. Hours were spent reading educational sites and blogs to the detriment of the NOW for US!
Once I realized that it was as though a veil had been lifted. The here and now and us is far more important than the added map, graph, or other learning tool from other sites. I also learned that, at times, other homeschooling parents are quite possibly as much unsure of what they are doing, as I am. Our first year of homeschooling was with the guidance of Missy's old school. After all, this was to be a temporary situation and we intended to rejoin the school. I used their curriculum (with the exception of science which we supplemented). We asked the classmates all the time to see what they were doing to make sure we were if not ahead at least at par. The curriculum was finished way ahead of time and we spent the remaining months reviewing. Until a few days ago I hadn't realized how unsure I was of what I was doing. Looking back now it is apparent that what I had set out to do is just fine. There will always be someone doing something much better than I could. There will always be someone far more creative. But that's like trying to follow the Joneses. There will always be someone....
Well, guess what, there is me and there is us and that's good enough for me.
So, one of my New Year's resolutions is to stop spending so much time reading about what everybody else is doing in their homeschool and just get seriously busy 'doing' ours.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Which is the Beast in your Homeschool?
Which subject has the greatest power in your home? In ours its clearly the Beast called 'Math'. It is a fearsome beastie indeed, as it, unseen, creeps into my daughter's heart and reduces her to a red-eyed, frustrated, angry, young girl. We are doing algebra right now. Very simple algebra and yet she has convinced herself that it's hard. Until she stops doing that I can't help her.
I moved away from her into another room while she solves six simple questions. I hear sighs, snorts and the occasional sniffle of barely suppressed tears of frustration. Here is a kid who thinks electron configuration is fun and yet the simple act of finding the lcm or lcd of 3 or 4 denominators is a source of frustration. I am frustrated too because I gave her simplest way to find out that information (courtesy of her math wiz Dad) and can't think of anything easier. Heck, If I understand it, trust me... it's easy!!! I wish I could help her and I wish I could instill in her a sense of peace. Everything comes to her so easily in terms of academics, this makes a challenge to her all the more frustrating. But even though I know she is frustrated I piled on 6 more questions as I believe in challenges. Running away from them won't do. Will I do a 'tiger mom' thing on her? Heaven's forbid, no! But those six questions will be answered today.
I moved away from her into another room while she solves six simple questions. I hear sighs, snorts and the occasional sniffle of barely suppressed tears of frustration. Here is a kid who thinks electron configuration is fun and yet the simple act of finding the lcm or lcd of 3 or 4 denominators is a source of frustration. I am frustrated too because I gave her simplest way to find out that information (courtesy of her math wiz Dad) and can't think of anything easier. Heck, If I understand it, trust me... it's easy!!! I wish I could help her and I wish I could instill in her a sense of peace. Everything comes to her so easily in terms of academics, this makes a challenge to her all the more frustrating. But even though I know she is frustrated I piled on 6 more questions as I believe in challenges. Running away from them won't do. Will I do a 'tiger mom' thing on her? Heaven's forbid, no! But those six questions will be answered today.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Early Childhood Math Concept
I've been meaning to share our approach to teaching Bear math for a long time. The system developed when he had just turned 3 years old. Along with a concept in numbers I also re-enforced numbers, patterns and fine motor skills. The cost of this was minimal.
Of course at the end of the day the best tools and activities for a child are interaction with parents. Count the apples in a bowl, the eggs in the basket. Play games like ' if you and sissie have breakfast and both of you want one egg each, how many eggs should I cook?' Count Frootloop style cereals and let them make patterns for a necklace. Use Frootloop style cereal for learning to make bar graphs and tally charts.
Bear is now five years old and does 2nd grade math. While I am thrilled about his interest in math, I know he is no prodigy (thank goodness). Nor is the fact that he does 2nd grade math so remarkable since the standard seems abysmally low. The wonderful thing about homeschooling is the fact that he can learn at his pace, whatever that may be. I am convinced however, that starting early is the key. As long as it's a game and there is no pressure a child's natural curiosity will lead them to discover and investigate.
 |
| We used pipe cleaners and inexpensive wooden beads from a craft store along with colored card board. Each cardboard have a number on one side and the corresponding number of dots on the other side. |
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| Once he started to understand the concept of numbers we enjoyed additional activities such as bringing the right amount of toy cars in a particular color. |
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| Colored beads and pipe cleaners are a wonderful way to teach young children about patterns.The reasonably rigid structure of the pipe cleaner makes beading easier. |
Of course at the end of the day the best tools and activities for a child are interaction with parents. Count the apples in a bowl, the eggs in the basket. Play games like ' if you and sissie have breakfast and both of you want one egg each, how many eggs should I cook?' Count Frootloop style cereals and let them make patterns for a necklace. Use Frootloop style cereal for learning to make bar graphs and tally charts.
Bear is now five years old and does 2nd grade math. While I am thrilled about his interest in math, I know he is no prodigy (thank goodness). Nor is the fact that he does 2nd grade math so remarkable since the standard seems abysmally low. The wonderful thing about homeschooling is the fact that he can learn at his pace, whatever that may be. I am convinced however, that starting early is the key. As long as it's a game and there is no pressure a child's natural curiosity will lead them to discover and investigate.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Could someone just give me the answers? Please???
Today I had an interesting conversation with another homeschool mother. I respect her opinions and she has 5 kids, the way I figured it she'd have that answer. You know what I'm talking about, right? I mean THE answer. For you, THE answer might be for a different thing. For me it was: Drum roll please and some dramatic music..... climaxing.... climaxing....
You see, my daughter is a south-paw and the cursive she learned in third grade in school was just about the only thing she hated about school. She has a decent print handwriting but her cursive is well, let's say degrading quickly. Yes, I could sit her down once a week and force her to write cursive. However, I have a feeling that it would be a thing she would deeply resent in addition to wasting hours of our time which would be better spent studying something else. Now, the question is, why do I feel so strongly about this? After all, as long as she can read cursive just fine, and write legibly why would her ability to write cursive make one bit of difference? That's the part I am not sure about. There are plenty of 'learned men and women' who have a lot to say about this, both in favor of cursive and against it. And to be honest, both make some good points. So, do I feel like I ought to teach her cursive simply because it's what her father and I learned? Is it because when I look at some things other people have written I always observe their handwriting? We see approximately 1,000 -1,200 people's handwriting in our company each year. Is it because a good neat handwriting conveys a sense of being educated and thorough? Or are all these preconceived notions a thing of the past. A thing of the 'we grew up without word processors and spell check' past.
What do you think? Where do you stand on the 'Cursive' vs. 'Print' Issue?
Cursive HandwritingWell, this 'handwriting' thing is leaving me 'handwringing' and the way I saw it, the other mom, experienced as she is, had the answer. Or so I thought. Dang that woman.... I feel no wiser now that I did before. Didn't someone give her the memo? The memo that says: If you have five kids and are homeschooling you know all the answers? But at the end, she really is the wise one. Her recommendation is to listen to my heart and that, at the end of the day, I know my kid best.
You see, my daughter is a south-paw and the cursive she learned in third grade in school was just about the only thing she hated about school. She has a decent print handwriting but her cursive is well, let's say degrading quickly. Yes, I could sit her down once a week and force her to write cursive. However, I have a feeling that it would be a thing she would deeply resent in addition to wasting hours of our time which would be better spent studying something else. Now, the question is, why do I feel so strongly about this? After all, as long as she can read cursive just fine, and write legibly why would her ability to write cursive make one bit of difference? That's the part I am not sure about. There are plenty of 'learned men and women' who have a lot to say about this, both in favor of cursive and against it. And to be honest, both make some good points. So, do I feel like I ought to teach her cursive simply because it's what her father and I learned? Is it because when I look at some things other people have written I always observe their handwriting? We see approximately 1,000 -1,200 people's handwriting in our company each year. Is it because a good neat handwriting conveys a sense of being educated and thorough? Or are all these preconceived notions a thing of the past. A thing of the 'we grew up without word processors and spell check' past.
What do you think? Where do you stand on the 'Cursive' vs. 'Print' Issue?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sun, Wind and Water - Sonne, Wind und Wasser
After we discussed some sources of renewable energy I encouraged the children to draw pictures to illustrate what we had learned. This is Missy's picture. On the right side you can see a windmill and the wind blowing. On top you will see rain, a watershed and puddles to depict water as a renewable energy source. On the bottom left you'll see Missy's depiction of solar energy.
This is Bears' picture of flowers in our garden. The purple stuff at the bottom is the brick edging around some of the beds. The grey streaks are the wind.
In an effort to participate more and serve as inspiration I too took part in illustrating what we had learned. I think my windmill has too many blades but I am otherwise pleased with the effect.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Unschooling : How Good Morning America Got It All Wrong according to Lee Stranahan
I found a link to an interesting article on Alasandra's Homeschool Blog. Since my reply to the article and post turned out to be so lengthy I decided to do it on my on blog. Alasandra, with her amazing skill at finding interesting articles, posts and other information did it again. Thank You!
*************************************************
While the article was certainly well written and witty at times I noticed the fact that Mr. Stranahan noted how his son enrolled and successfully caught up with his 7th grade peers in public school. What shocked and dismayed me that the youth was unfamiliar with basic math concepts such as long division etc. Fortunately he was able to catch up. I wonder though, would Mr.Stranahan have taken him out of public school again if his son had struggled with the lessons and not been able to catch up? Would he have realized at that time that while the youth had in many regards undoubtedly a well rounded education he was lacking some important mathematical concepts he would have to be able to use in real life later on? Would he have abandoned some of the unschooling method he employed to fill those glaring gaps in education ? Kudos to the child for being able to do so and a fair amount of luck too.
I went to a German Waldorf school from 3rd grade through 8th grade until we switched countries in '84. I had to learn English and eventually enrolled in a very good private school. I was lucky to be admitted for 8th grade in '86 in February. I did awfully in the finals which were only a few months later. When they promoted me to 9th grade due to my age I refused. I insisted that if I were to have any chance at all I would need to repeat 8th grade as I had seen that a lot of key highschool academia was taught then and I had missed it all. Waldorf, while a cozy, feel good, kumbaya sort of a school failed to provide me with a strong basic science and math background. I had a great art background. Music, art, history... I loved and aced it all. But I lacked a thorough basic science education. That basic science background was taught at the other school 6th grade onwards. I struggled on and eventually did alright in Math, fabulously in Biology (which I loved) and abysmally in Chemistry which to this day I don't really get. My first day of school saw me getting into trouble with Mrs. Singhdeo, the geography teacher, when she asked me what the atmosphere was made up of. I innocently answered 'AIR'. She though I was being a smartass because the whole class errupted in giggles. I was in 8th grade and had never learned what the atmosphere surrounding our planet really consisted of. But man, I knew how to make beautiful candles. I knew how to grow wheat, grind it and make bread. I knew how to make lovely dolls, I could play Bach, Mozart and other composers works on various instruments. Watercolor painting, knitting and sewing, carpentry, woodworking, pottery, it was all right up my alley. But a simple question about Earth Science left me floundering andpissing off annoying a teacher on day one. And Mrs. Singhdeo was not a woman to be triffled with. What I am driving at here is the fact that Mr. S. was goshdarned lucky that his son was able to catch up. Actually his son was luckiest of all. It turns out that I love biology and medicine. I read college level biology and some medical books while still in highschool. Just for the fun of it. Had it not been for the fact that I thought Chemistry was magic and never to be comprehended by my puny mind I would, undoubtedly, have gone into medicine.
While I condemn GMA for their hack-job journalism in the case at hand I must state a clear reservation when it comes to pure unschooling. I imagine that almost all homeschooling parents indulge in a bit of unschooling. We did this morning. The children went (unplanned) outside with their sketch books and sketched some plants in our backyard. Then they came in, learned about them and wrote about them. Now, while this is all very nice and they had a blast, how many unschooled kids will ask to learn necessary skills such as long division, algebra and fractions? I learned from my example that my children must be taught a variety of subjects, even the ones that don't always appear to be the most fun. To do otherwise would limit their future.
*************************************************
While the article was certainly well written and witty at times I noticed the fact that Mr. Stranahan noted how his son enrolled and successfully caught up with his 7th grade peers in public school. What shocked and dismayed me that the youth was unfamiliar with basic math concepts such as long division etc. Fortunately he was able to catch up. I wonder though, would Mr.Stranahan have taken him out of public school again if his son had struggled with the lessons and not been able to catch up? Would he have realized at that time that while the youth had in many regards undoubtedly a well rounded education he was lacking some important mathematical concepts he would have to be able to use in real life later on? Would he have abandoned some of the unschooling method he employed to fill those glaring gaps in education ? Kudos to the child for being able to do so and a fair amount of luck too.
I went to a German Waldorf school from 3rd grade through 8th grade until we switched countries in '84. I had to learn English and eventually enrolled in a very good private school. I was lucky to be admitted for 8th grade in '86 in February. I did awfully in the finals which were only a few months later. When they promoted me to 9th grade due to my age I refused. I insisted that if I were to have any chance at all I would need to repeat 8th grade as I had seen that a lot of key highschool academia was taught then and I had missed it all. Waldorf, while a cozy, feel good, kumbaya sort of a school failed to provide me with a strong basic science and math background. I had a great art background. Music, art, history... I loved and aced it all. But I lacked a thorough basic science education. That basic science background was taught at the other school 6th grade onwards. I struggled on and eventually did alright in Math, fabulously in Biology (which I loved) and abysmally in Chemistry which to this day I don't really get. My first day of school saw me getting into trouble with Mrs. Singhdeo, the geography teacher, when she asked me what the atmosphere was made up of. I innocently answered 'AIR'. She though I was being a smartass because the whole class errupted in giggles. I was in 8th grade and had never learned what the atmosphere surrounding our planet really consisted of. But man, I knew how to make beautiful candles. I knew how to grow wheat, grind it and make bread. I knew how to make lovely dolls, I could play Bach, Mozart and other composers works on various instruments. Watercolor painting, knitting and sewing, carpentry, woodworking, pottery, it was all right up my alley. But a simple question about Earth Science left me floundering and
While I condemn GMA for their hack-job journalism in the case at hand I must state a clear reservation when it comes to pure unschooling. I imagine that almost all homeschooling parents indulge in a bit of unschooling. We did this morning. The children went (unplanned) outside with their sketch books and sketched some plants in our backyard. Then they came in, learned about them and wrote about them. Now, while this is all very nice and they had a blast, how many unschooled kids will ask to learn necessary skills such as long division, algebra and fractions? I learned from my example that my children must be taught a variety of subjects, even the ones that don't always appear to be the most fun. To do otherwise would limit their future.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Experimenting with a new style of learning.
This week we started to experiment with a new style of learning. We noticed that Sissy loved delving into a subject and spending all day exploring it. So we had a Science Tuesday (we were involved in some legal proceedings on Monday so no school), Math Wednesday and History Thursday. We couldn't do school today (Friday) because I was needed at the office. One of my administrative assistants went to attend her best friend's funeral. The poor girl took her own life and my assistant is understandably a wreck. But I digress, let me get back to the topic at hand. I had, until now, tried to maintain a school style schedule while attempting to cover all or most of the necessary topics in a given day. But while this worked fine on many days, on other days it was simply counter intuitive. There were days when we found it hard to abandon a subject we really wanted to continue working on simply because the clock told us it was time to go. Therefore, this week we decided to allow ourselves to really soak in the lessons and discovery as long as we wanted to. And it was bliss. We pored over books and other material and researched on the Internet. She worked on notebooking and illustrating what she had learned about and it was altogether very rewarding and enjoyable.
While we will certainly do this again I don't think it's a sustainable daily experience. As fun as it is, it would be a challenge to muster the same level of concentration every day. Some days doing a little of this and a little of that makes sense. I guess, as I learn arguably more than my children in this journey of homeschooling, I am yet again reminded that something that works fine some of the times, doesn't always work every time and flexibility is key. The other thing I learned about learning is that inspiration comes in many guises. As it turns out this homeschooling thing is less about me teaching and more about our mutual discovery of the world.
While we will certainly do this again I don't think it's a sustainable daily experience. As fun as it is, it would be a challenge to muster the same level of concentration every day. Some days doing a little of this and a little of that makes sense. I guess, as I learn arguably more than my children in this journey of homeschooling, I am yet again reminded that something that works fine some of the times, doesn't always work every time and flexibility is key. The other thing I learned about learning is that inspiration comes in many guises. As it turns out this homeschooling thing is less about me teaching and more about our mutual discovery of the world.
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