The kid's friends were all off from school this week so we kept it school light. Mostly math for formal lessons.
They had art class on Monday. They each came home with an awesome pencil drawing of their eyes. Once the battery is charged on the camera I will post pics.
On Wednesday, for Discussion Group we focused on the Eagle. They all did a little research on the Eagle, why it is a symbol of America, how it is still used as a symbol today, and what other cultures used/use the Eagle as a symbol.
The new and exciting thing on the calendar-Ballroom Dancing. I have been wanting them to learn how to ballroom dance for quite awhile now. I have been calling studios trying to set up a homeschool class because none of them offered a kid/teen class in ballroom dancing. Plenty of hip hop/jazz/fusion something but no ballroom dancing. Last week while driving to the library I noticed a banner in the window of one of the stores in a strip of stores. What did it say? Dance A Lot Ballroom Dance. So, when we got home from the library I went online (how great, they have a website http://www.dancealotballroom.com ) to check them out. Turns out they already offer a teen class so no need for me to reinvent the wheel. I called and arranged for them to try out a class. I dragged them kicking and screaming (okay, they really weren't kicking and screaming but they were not happy) to class. I told the instructor that this was my idea and I was making them try this. They were really great talking to the kids about the class. They did it. At the end they didn't say much so I told the instructor that I would talk to them and then we would decide if they would continue..
They both did not want to continue. They felt lost, it was confusing, I don't like to dance, I don't want to dance, no, no, no. I told them I wanted them to do it for a 12 week session because one class is really not enough to make decision. Dancing is something that becomes easier as you keep doing it, etc. I was reaching the "I am the mom and I say so border." A couple of days later the studio called to ask what they thought. I was honest. I told Georgi the feedback the kids gave me and that we were still thinking about it. He offered one more free trial class. Can't go wrong with that offer so I accepted. Told the kids "Great news, one more trial class." They informed me that it was great news for me. Why yes it was. They weren't thrilled but they went. About 2/3 of the way through the class what did I see? Smiles. They were both smiling. It was fleeting but it was there. After class, they informed me that I was right and they did like it. So striking while the iron was hot, I signed them up for 12 weeks.
One of my friends asked me why swimming 4 -5 nights a week was not enough? I saw some free time and had to fill it with something. I told her that swimming was great but there was more to life. Ballroom dancing is a life skill. Something you can do for years, just like swimming. I feel it is important for Mister B. All things being equal the girl will pick the one who can waltz her across the dance floor. For Little Miss M it is also important. Social graces and all.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Interview with my homeschool children
I was reading another blog (http://winging-it.me/2012/02/15/my-mom-by-minky/)where the writer was talking about interviewing your kids. I thought that was a good idea.
Interview with Mister B (13):
1. What is something mom always says to do?
Clean
2. What makes mom happy?
When I actually do what you say, like clean.
3. What makes mom sad?
I don't know.
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When she is trying to have a serious talk and she does an imitation of us.
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Uhhhhm.....Lame.
6. How old is your mom?
45
7. How tall is your mom?
5'6" and a quarter
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Not sharing her food with us.
9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?
Watch TV.
10. What is your mom’s favorite food?
Tortilla chips and salsa.
(Yes, that is true)
11. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
New York City
12. What is your mom really good at?
Taking us places on time.
13. What is your mom not very good at?
Shopping.
14. What does your mom do for a job?
She is our teacher.
15. If your mom becomes famous what will it be for?
Most tortilla chips and salsa eaten in a lifetime.
16. What makes you proud of your mom?
She is my teacher.
17. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Yosemite Sam because I yell a lot.
(I don't think I yell a lot. But I suppose I do yell)
18. What do you and your mom do together?
Go to Friendly's for lunch.
19. How are you and your mom the same?
We like the same food.
20. How are you and your mom different?
She is old and I am young.
21. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because she says "I Love You" constantly.
Interview with Little Miss M (11):
1. What is something mom always says to do?
Dust your room.
2. What makes mom happy?
When I listen.
3. What makes mom sad?
When I cry.
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When to me her face looks weird.
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Uhhhm …I don't know.
6. How old is your mom?
45
7. How tall is your mom?
5'7"
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Love us.
9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?
Go on the computer.
10. What is your mom’s favorite food?
Salad
(I do love a good salad)
11. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
Home.
(I suppose I am a homebody.)
12. What is your mom really good at?
She is good at teaching us.
13. What is your mom not very good at?
Humour
14. What does your mom do for a job?
She teaches us.
15. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
I don't know.
16. What makes you proud of your mom?
That she's my mom.
17. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Daffy Duck because I always want to be the star. (It seems I say I am the center of the universe with some frequency)
18. What do you and your mom do together?
Go shopping.
19. How are you and your mom the same?
We are both girls.
20. How are you and your mom different?
We like different fashions.
21. How do you know your mom loves you?
When she hugs me.
Interview with Mister B (13):
1. What is something mom always says to do?
Clean
2. What makes mom happy?
When I actually do what you say, like clean.
3. What makes mom sad?
I don't know.
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When she is trying to have a serious talk and she does an imitation of us.
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Uhhhhm.....Lame.
6. How old is your mom?
45
7. How tall is your mom?
5'6" and a quarter
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Not sharing her food with us.
9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?
Watch TV.
10. What is your mom’s favorite food?
Tortilla chips and salsa.
(Yes, that is true)
11. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
New York City
12. What is your mom really good at?
Taking us places on time.
13. What is your mom not very good at?
Shopping.
14. What does your mom do for a job?
She is our teacher.
15. If your mom becomes famous what will it be for?
Most tortilla chips and salsa eaten in a lifetime.
16. What makes you proud of your mom?
She is my teacher.
17. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Yosemite Sam because I yell a lot.
(I don't think I yell a lot. But I suppose I do yell)
18. What do you and your mom do together?
Go to Friendly's for lunch.
19. How are you and your mom the same?
We like the same food.
20. How are you and your mom different?
She is old and I am young.
21. How do you know your mom loves you?
Because she says "I Love You" constantly.
Interview with Little Miss M (11):
1. What is something mom always says to do?
Dust your room.
2. What makes mom happy?
When I listen.
3. What makes mom sad?
When I cry.
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
When to me her face looks weird.
5. What was your mom like as a child?
Uhhhm …I don't know.
6. How old is your mom?
45
7. How tall is your mom?
5'7"
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Love us.
9. What does your mom do when you’re not around?
Go on the computer.
10. What is your mom’s favorite food?
Salad
(I do love a good salad)
11. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
Home.
(I suppose I am a homebody.)
12. What is your mom really good at?
She is good at teaching us.
13. What is your mom not very good at?
Humour
14. What does your mom do for a job?
She teaches us.
15. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
I don't know.
16. What makes you proud of your mom?
That she's my mom.
17. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Daffy Duck because I always want to be the star. (It seems I say I am the center of the universe with some frequency)
18. What do you and your mom do together?
Go shopping.
19. How are you and your mom the same?
We are both girls.
20. How are you and your mom different?
We like different fashions.
21. How do you know your mom loves you?
When she hugs me.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Tuesday Update
We are chugging away here.
So far this week, in addition to the usual, the kids have had art class and music class.
In art they learned about spheres and eyes.
Today in music class the teacher brought in a keyboard. The kids reviewed what they had been learning about chords and they took turns playing some. They also learned that classic favorite-Heart and Soul.
Tomorrow they have Philosophy and Thursday we are taking a trip to the Montclair Art Museum. One busy week.
Happy Valentine's Day!
So far this week, in addition to the usual, the kids have had art class and music class.
In art they learned about spheres and eyes.
 |
| This is Mister B's Sphere |
 |
| Here is Little Miss M's Sphere |
Today in music class the teacher brought in a keyboard. The kids reviewed what they had been learning about chords and they took turns playing some. They also learned that classic favorite-Heart and Soul.
Tomorrow they have Philosophy and Thursday we are taking a trip to the Montclair Art Museum. One busy week.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Just keep learning
Today I felt a bit like the little engine that could. As Little Miss M and I came at loggerheads over her math this morning I had to keep telling myself that I can do this. She can be very stubborn and does not like to take direction. I can not even begin to fathom where she gets that from. ;) It is one of those qualities that I would really like to lay at her father's feet but if I am going to be truthful that trait is all me. We eventually worked our way through it but it set the tone for the rest of the day.
The 2 of them have been working on their "how to" presentations for tomorrow. They had to pick a topic, write an intro, list the steps, and write a conclusion. Plus, they need to gather any visual aids they will need. Today they have been practicing their presentations. I must admit, I think it is really cute when Little Miss makes an audience of her stuffed animals.
The 2 of them have been working on their "how to" presentations for tomorrow. They had to pick a topic, write an intro, list the steps, and write a conclusion. Plus, they need to gather any visual aids they will need. Today they have been practicing their presentations. I must admit, I think it is really cute when Little Miss makes an audience of her stuffed animals.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Chugging away
Things have been progressing along. Lessons moving forward. The kids have been enjoying music class. They are learning about Chords. They are loving philosophy and discussing what is the mind. In discussion group we have been talking about how to take the discussion to the next level. They all get how to wait their turn (most of the time) and they kind of understand asking a question about a topic. Now we are asking them to take it to the next level. It is not enough to wait your turn. You have to be an active listener. That means really hearing what is going on and making sure your comments are on topic. We demonstrated building with legos and how to bridge ideas. We used bubble blowing to show how all the bubbles at once is very pretty but it is difficult to see all the bubbles when everyone is blowing at once. We also used music to show how when you arrange the notes you get a song. The favorite quote of the day....there are no wrong notes, just notes played at the wrong time.
Friday, January 20, 2012
I have been quite neglectful
I have neglected my blog somewhat since the new year started. I am going to attempt to get back on track.
Lessons are progressing well. Mister B is working on negative and positive numbers. Little Miss M is solving for the unknown and learning how to find the area and circumference of a circle. In History they continue learning about Africa and British Imperialism. In Science, Little Miss has learned all about root systems and the different parts of the plant. Mister B continues learning about different kinds of energy.
In Music they are learning about chords. In Philosophy they have been discussing the mind and what makes it what it is.
Most of our evenings and weekends continue to be filled with swim team. It is quite the time commitment. They love it and I love the exercise they are getting. Plus, phys ed credit.
I am starting to think about next years curriculum. Mister B will officially be a high schooler. Yikes. I have been thinking about which courses to outsource (Spanish) and which curriculum to continue with and which to change. What classes need to be added for Mister B and so on.
Lessons are progressing well. Mister B is working on negative and positive numbers. Little Miss M is solving for the unknown and learning how to find the area and circumference of a circle. In History they continue learning about Africa and British Imperialism. In Science, Little Miss has learned all about root systems and the different parts of the plant. Mister B continues learning about different kinds of energy.
In Music they are learning about chords. In Philosophy they have been discussing the mind and what makes it what it is.
Most of our evenings and weekends continue to be filled with swim team. It is quite the time commitment. They love it and I love the exercise they are getting. Plus, phys ed credit.
I am starting to think about next years curriculum. Mister B will officially be a high schooler. Yikes. I have been thinking about which courses to outsource (Spanish) and which curriculum to continue with and which to change. What classes need to be added for Mister B and so on.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Happy 2012
A new year has begun. In all honesty, I am happy to see the back of 2011. It was a year of ups and downs. Most of the time it seemed to be full of downs but we got through it.
2012 has started on an up. Our new bathroom is complete. We just have to paint. I originally planned to paint this weekend but it looks like it will be next weekends project instead. C'est la vie.
This week we started schooling again. It was a busy week. Our standard daily lessons plus the kids had music class and philosophy this week. In music the kids have been learning about rhythm. The group composed a short instrumental on the instructors ipad which they played for us after class. I was impressed. In philosophy they were discussing the mind and thoughts. Do thoughts only come from the mind? If we had no brain could we have thoughts? Do cells have thoughts? They do communicate-flowers know how to follow the sun. Do they think? Questions to ponder.
I have also bravely decided to make my own vanilla extract. I have been toying with the idea for awhile. Finding out that most vanilla is made from corn alcohol now pushed me over the edge. It is not that hard to do. Vanilla beans, vodka, a glass jar, and time. I just never got around to doing it. I ordered some vanilla beans from www.olivenation.com. I had a coupon for 20% off and free shipping. The beans arrived today.
I used this recipe (which I doubled):
3 vanilla beans
1 cup of vodka
1 mason jar with tight fitting lid
1 Use kitchen scissors or a sharp paring knife to cut lengthwise down each vanilla bean, splitting them in half, leaving an inch at the end connected.
2 Put vanilla beans in a glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid (mason jars work well). Cover completely with the vodka.
3 Give the bottle a good shake every once in a while. Store in a dark, cool place for 2 months or longer.
Lasts for years. You can keep topping it off with vodka once in a while as you use it, just remember to give it a good shake.
You can also make vanilla sugar by putting a split vanilla bean into a jar of white, granulated sugar. Great way to infuse the sugar with vanilla flavor for baking.
2012 has started on an up. Our new bathroom is complete. We just have to paint. I originally planned to paint this weekend but it looks like it will be next weekends project instead. C'est la vie.
This week we started schooling again. It was a busy week. Our standard daily lessons plus the kids had music class and philosophy this week. In music the kids have been learning about rhythm. The group composed a short instrumental on the instructors ipad which they played for us after class. I was impressed. In philosophy they were discussing the mind and thoughts. Do thoughts only come from the mind? If we had no brain could we have thoughts? Do cells have thoughts? They do communicate-flowers know how to follow the sun. Do they think? Questions to ponder.
I have also bravely decided to make my own vanilla extract. I have been toying with the idea for awhile. Finding out that most vanilla is made from corn alcohol now pushed me over the edge. It is not that hard to do. Vanilla beans, vodka, a glass jar, and time. I just never got around to doing it. I ordered some vanilla beans from www.olivenation.com. I had a coupon for 20% off and free shipping. The beans arrived today.
I used this recipe (which I doubled):
3 vanilla beans
1 cup of vodka
1 mason jar with tight fitting lid
1 Use kitchen scissors or a sharp paring knife to cut lengthwise down each vanilla bean, splitting them in half, leaving an inch at the end connected.
2 Put vanilla beans in a glass jar or bottle with a tight fitting lid (mason jars work well). Cover completely with the vodka.
3 Give the bottle a good shake every once in a while. Store in a dark, cool place for 2 months or longer.
Lasts for years. You can keep topping it off with vodka once in a while as you use it, just remember to give it a good shake.
You can also make vanilla sugar by putting a split vanilla bean into a jar of white, granulated sugar. Great way to infuse the sugar with vanilla flavor for baking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
