It's been some time since I've posted. All I can say is that I've been too busy living the life to write about it. Here's a recap of some of the highlights.
First, I think I've resolved my difficulties with Moving Beyond the Page. A more relaxed attitude toward the daily lesson plan lessens the tension and makes the work go better. Furthermore, both Kipp and Landry finished a social studies unit and moved into science units. As I posted at the beginning of the year (and apparently promptly forgot), I suspected that the science units would prove too simplistic for them. I was right, and they are burning through those in days rather than weeks. Next year, I wont buy the science units from Moving Beyond the Page for Landry when they become a separate part of the curriculum. For now, however, I'm happy to work through them quickly while still enjoying the literature units that are tied to these science units.
As a result of the changes with Moving Beyond the Page, we've had the time to get back to our usual style of learning. Here are some examples.
With a local group that meets build projects, Landry and Kipp each designed a popsicle stick bridge, then tested it by seeing how many bricks each bridge would hold until it broke. Personally, although not one of our bridges, I had no idea that a popicle stick bridge could ever hold 13 bricks!
At the same time, Kipp has suddenly taken a renewed interest in our wild bird populations. For some time now, he has kept our feeder full and attempted to identify the different species who feed there from a stack of books we've moved to the window sill for him. Project Feederwatch just opened this past weekend, and I think he's really going to enjoy gathering data for Cornell this year.
We've also had the opportunity to go deeper with Moving Beyond the Page. For example, Kipp was studying sound and the human ear. Now, he explained the basic mechanics of how we hear before I could finish reading the lesson. However, Jerry just happened to hear a great podcast on Science Friday discussing the biochemistry involved in converting the sound waves into something the brain can understand. So, rather than missing an opportunity to take his understanding a bit further, Kipp curled up in my lap and we listened to the podcast together. It was amazing to hear what a six year old could comprehend from the discussion.
This past Sunday, we attended a robot rumble at our local state college. The boys got to control the battle robots and talk with the designers. I took copious notes and have a strange suspicion that a homemade battle bot looms in my future. In the meantime, we received some needed parts for our robotic arm, and Kipp and I are anxious to finish it soon.
On a lighter note, a friend gave me a great recipe for pumpkin play dough with which we had great fun making and playing.
Nor will the fun stop any time soon. We have tickets for a local performance of Fiddler on the Roof this weekend. I am also purchasing tickets for the B Street Theatre's Family Series. If I can get tickets to each performance, we will see Pinocchio, a play about Harriet Tubman, and Beauty and the Beast. Over the next few months, the boys will be taking some science classes at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley and art classes at one of our local museums. By the end of the year, we will be going to Yosemite for a few days, and I'm already looking for books on Yosemite's geology, flora and fauna and any literature tie-in's I can find.
And yes, it is wonderful to be back to truly learning at every turn!
First, I think I've resolved my difficulties with Moving Beyond the Page. A more relaxed attitude toward the daily lesson plan lessens the tension and makes the work go better. Furthermore, both Kipp and Landry finished a social studies unit and moved into science units. As I posted at the beginning of the year (and apparently promptly forgot), I suspected that the science units would prove too simplistic for them. I was right, and they are burning through those in days rather than weeks. Next year, I wont buy the science units from Moving Beyond the Page for Landry when they become a separate part of the curriculum. For now, however, I'm happy to work through them quickly while still enjoying the literature units that are tied to these science units.
As a result of the changes with Moving Beyond the Page, we've had the time to get back to our usual style of learning. Here are some examples.
With a local group that meets build projects, Landry and Kipp each designed a popsicle stick bridge, then tested it by seeing how many bricks each bridge would hold until it broke. Personally, although not one of our bridges, I had no idea that a popicle stick bridge could ever hold 13 bricks!
At the same time, Kipp has suddenly taken a renewed interest in our wild bird populations. For some time now, he has kept our feeder full and attempted to identify the different species who feed there from a stack of books we've moved to the window sill for him. Project Feederwatch just opened this past weekend, and I think he's really going to enjoy gathering data for Cornell this year.
We've also had the opportunity to go deeper with Moving Beyond the Page. For example, Kipp was studying sound and the human ear. Now, he explained the basic mechanics of how we hear before I could finish reading the lesson. However, Jerry just happened to hear a great podcast on Science Friday discussing the biochemistry involved in converting the sound waves into something the brain can understand. So, rather than missing an opportunity to take his understanding a bit further, Kipp curled up in my lap and we listened to the podcast together. It was amazing to hear what a six year old could comprehend from the discussion.
This past Sunday, we attended a robot rumble at our local state college. The boys got to control the battle robots and talk with the designers. I took copious notes and have a strange suspicion that a homemade battle bot looms in my future. In the meantime, we received some needed parts for our robotic arm, and Kipp and I are anxious to finish it soon.
On a lighter note, a friend gave me a great recipe for pumpkin play dough with which we had great fun making and playing.
Nor will the fun stop any time soon. We have tickets for a local performance of Fiddler on the Roof this weekend. I am also purchasing tickets for the B Street Theatre's Family Series. If I can get tickets to each performance, we will see Pinocchio, a play about Harriet Tubman, and Beauty and the Beast. Over the next few months, the boys will be taking some science classes at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley and art classes at one of our local museums. By the end of the year, we will be going to Yosemite for a few days, and I'm already looking for books on Yosemite's geology, flora and fauna and any literature tie-in's I can find.
And yes, it is wonderful to be back to truly learning at every turn!
I'm so happy for you and the boys! It sounds like you are where I want to be in the near future.
You know what I love most about homeschooling? I love having the flexibility that when something isn't working, we can fix it. No need to call a meeting and re-write a policy. Just common sense and a little creativity.