1 November 2008

a quick break from "the world is our classroom" format~

We have been very focused for the past couple of weeks on preparing for our All Hallow's Eve party; I am powering up my dead camera battery now so that I can post pics in the very near future.

Also, there have many political conversations. Interesting and insightful. Redistribution of wealth, foreign policy, etc, but NOT abortion.

I've been sneaking in as many "real-life" math applications for Firstborn and he thrives on this approach.

Oh, and Sunshine looked up and identified the rat that was trapped in the chicken coop wire screen today--Norway, she says. Good for her.

16 October 2008

The world is our classroom...this week our classroom was


...on the couch

Firstborn is studying a bit of chemistry here as he read Clean House Clean Planet from cover to cover in one day. We are planning to start phasing out the traditional house cleaning products we use in favor of mixing up the recipes provided in the book. Of course, as long as the book was condemning the combining of baking soda and vinegar in a closed bottle, Firstborn was compelled to go do some experimenting with said combination in the backyard.


...in the kitchen

Today the two elder girls baked up a lunch of macaroni & cheese (so good and plentiful, in fact, that we ate it for dinner, too). They worked pretty independently with just a bit of help pouring out the steaming hot pasta from the pot, a bit of encouragement to "keep on whisking that roux," and, of course, assistance putting the heavy casserole into the oven and removing it in the end.

...at the craft table

The girls and I learned to blanket stitch! We're still working on mastery, but we've got the basic skill at least.

...'round the kitchen table

Here my little Sunshine learns to multi-task; a very important lesson when there are babies about. And perhaps, just maybe, Baby O picked up a bit of arithmetic while he sat there upon his big sis' lap. Doesn't he look intent on understanding the concepts?

And here is Big Sis' Rosebud tutoring her younger sister on handwriting techniques, just for fun, of course.

...outdoors

Firstborn assembled a couple of traps for the backyard. I'll keep you posted.

He also did some much needed chicken coop repair work.

...and in the garden

We've talked about Victory Gardens with the children, though I am unofficially calling this one the Prosperity Garden. The Prof and the children began work on the Prosperity Garden this week. Here is to prospering from one's own sweat!

catching up 6-12 October 2008

The world is our classroom...lately our classroom has been

...around the kitchen table

Little Queen learns to identify butterlies.

...snuggled on the couch

Rosebud is buzzing through her reader
with growing confidence.

...reclined on the hearth

Sunshine takes in the newest issue of Cricket magazine.

...outdoors on pleasant autumnal evenings

Tonight we had success viewing the
"moon surrounded by a halo" with a telescope.

2 October 2008

The world is our classroom...these days have been spent making-at the sewing machine and in the music room.

I have been a bit neglectful here, but thankfully that does not mean that learning has been neglected, too. Sunshine was quite pleased to assist me in making her a new skirt. The edgestitching was a bit tricky, but sewed the seam, did a lot of pinning, helped feed the elastic through the waist band and, of course, selected the fabric and ribbon before we began it all. (I'll have photos up at the family blog soon.)

Inspired by Sunshine's sewing time, Rosebud and Firstborn both took turns at the sewing machine, whipping up pillows and secret code flags. Our neighbor is also helping them all to make a patchwork baby blanket. Love the sound of the sewing machine tapping along.

Sunshine and Rosebud have been busily preparing for their performances in an upcoming broadway/tv/movie music themed piano recital, so we've all been happily humming Fiddler on the Roof and the little Merrrily We Roll Along melody from the Looney Tunes Theme. Fun! Also, Rosebud has already had three lessons on her beloved birthday present: a lever harp. What a delight for all of us. This was just a quick shot during an evening practice session, but I hope to get her all dressed up and do a really nice photo session.

In addition to all of this creative energy, there have been a lot of discussion of how investments work, what a mortgage is, how to determine the right size mortgage for one's income, the perils of over-borrowing, the sin and consequences of greed, rationing during wars and depression and Victory gardens. All of this robust conversation, naturally, is tied to Firstborn's growing awareness of current events. Fascinating! I absolutely revel in this kind of conversation with the children and amazed to see their level of interest.

25 September 2008

The world is our classroom...today we were in the pool.

The three eldest children just finished their first encounter with swim lessons. It was a most positive experience all the way around. Everyone now has a lot more confidence and
comfort around the water. We all look forward to returning later in the season
for another session.

16 September 2008

The world is our classroom...today was mostly spent outdoors.








We used the "outdoor chalkboard" (aka sidewalk chalk + driveway) for our math work.






The girls revisited an old friend called the microscope, now permanently set-out for anytime use rather than hidden up on a dusty out-of-reach shelf. They spent today exploring the pre-made slides that came with the scope and Sunshine sketched the allium root tip.


Firstborn and I began researching the flora we'd photographed yesterday; we began our 100 Species post (see below) which will be regularly updated.

Our 100 Species: Flora

1. Hesperaloe parviflora, "Red-flowered Yucca"
The only species in the yucca family with red
flowers. Detailed photos available here.

2. Lagerstroememia, "Crape or Crepe Myrtle"
Originates from China or Korea and was brought to the US in the late 18th century. Flowers in late summer and autumn and is seen in Central Texas in colors white, pink, and red. Occasionally, we even see more than one color on a single tree. The leaves are opposite and simple.

15 September 2008

The world is our classroom... today we were hiking at the park.




With the photographic assistance of the Firstborn, I embarked on the brilliant 100 Species Challenge today and am hoping, of course, to lure the girls in as additional research and photographic assitants. A morning hike offered plenty of opportunity to begin documenting a variety of species of flora within walking distance of our home. Next I need to begin identifying the plants and pulling up some information about them. A perfect companion excercise to some ongoing landscaping here at the Suburban Ranch incidentally.

Firstborn: 26 February

In a tent we made out of poles and blankets outside, I did part of my Latin, my math test and some handwriting. After we went inside, I worked on my typing and translated a story about Octavian versus Antony and Cleopatra from Latin. Next I went to Itunes to chant my Latin vocabulary words (review).

The next undertaking was to continue writing notes for a summary of the life of Christopher Columbus for our history notebook. Lastly, I recorded the sunrise/sunset times for my Journey North class.

Now I think I'll go out and fix the tent which has blown down in the wind.

~submitted by Firstborn

Firstborn 19 Februrary

Today I did my math test, Latin test, and handwriting. Then I worked on my typing and my mom read to me about Moore and the destruction of the missions in Florida & Georgia, the War of Jenkins' Ear, and George Washington's earliest battle. Now I am going to go outside to play in our fort with my sisters. The end.

~Firstborn