March 22, 2005

  • Good morning


    Took my walk this morning, although a bit shorter then I was doing.  I'm just really struggling depression wise.  And the ability to push myself is not there.   So I decided to settle for getting out and walking rather then reaching my complete goal.  It was I think a good choice. 


    It was cold and close to raining outside, but fun to see spring waking up.   The wild cherrys are starting to bloom, and the skunk cabbage.    Spring may be coming. 


                   


    The skunk cabbage of course have a rather nasty name, but they sure are colorful this time of year. 


    After that I made my Dew run.  And took a detour down a road we had been on yesterday.  Only this time I took my camera...cause I wanted a picture of where we'd been.    And here it is. 


     



    Played a couple games of crazy 8's with my kids.   It was perfect math for the two preschoolers.    Recognition of numbers, and colors and shapes.  *ahem*  Okay it was perfect  math for Samuel two.  Beats head on desk.    I'm so greatful he's not in public school and getting labeled...cause trust me he is *not* where he should be for his age in several areas.


    In others he's far far ahead.   The joy of homeschooling is he doesn't have to know he's "stupid".   And yesterday I had a piece of information that gave me a bit of relief.  Zeria can't read sitting down.  I mean literally she can't think of a single word.    So she stands.   But it concerned me.   Any ways there's a 17 year old girl who is just incredibly brilliant in our church.  Her grandma told me today she was exactly the same way.   She learned to read standing up...cause she just couldn't stand still.   And if she'd been in the school system she would have been labeled.  And getting notes from the teacher repeatedly.   Instead she's brilliant...carrys on fabulous conversation about pretty much everything.  History, Science, her brothers autism, just wonderful.  So that encouraged me to keep doing things the way I'm going.


    Oooo yes for the funnys of the week.   Last week we drove around Lake Crescent.   It was smooth as glass and the mountains were reflecting in the water beautifully.   Kaylin was thoroughly impressed.  "Mommy, the mountains are in the water."  was her observation.   


    Samuel picked up a KOA map and was fascinated by it.  He explored it and was checking it out carefully.   He figured out where we lived, and where Grandma and Grandpa Signor lived.  And I was thrilled with this bit of unschooling at work.....And then he was done.  Really done.   He began to karate chop the map, and tortured it into little pieces.   Educational experience over.  *snort*


    Oh Wommie...once upon a time you said there was some math links you'd get me.   When you get time I'd love them.   I'm needing some new creative hands on math ideas.  Thanks!

Comments (4)

  • Lookit the skunk cabbage! Wow! And I'm just... missing up there. LOL. Crescent Lake is my utterly absolute most favorite place in the world -- it's RingĂ« for Galain. Just the most perfect place. Take care. :sunny:

  • keep doing those walks. They'll help you, especially as the wonder of spring emerges.
    that hwhole school grading thing is fraught with difficulty. Devon doesnt know how smart she is, and thats fine cos it will all even out. one day. lol

  • Hi! If you would like, I will send you a list of the points of growth for Early Years Numeracy development... it's been a project that our Education Department has put a lot of research into and it looks at the steps kids need to take in order to make successful progress through understanding maths. So you just think about where your kids are at and then you support them to move to the next stage. Would that be helpful? I will get it from work and send it through.

    Other suggestions... get dice and playing cards!! (even try to get some 10 or more sided dice if you can). They can be used for lots of different things. Kids think it's a game and they love it! Roll two dice and add the numbers... roll two dice and find the difference between the numbers... roll two dice and multiply the numbers... take it in turns or make it a race to see who can answer the question first. The dots on the dice make it easier to count if necessary to find the answer. Use cards for the same thing... remove the picture cards and deal the cards to two players. Have them deal out a card from their deck and add/find the difference/multiply the numbers. Whoever gets the answer gets to keep those cards.

    Another game with cards... remove the picture cards again... deal the entire deck out into nine piles in a 3X3 arrangement. Turn over the top card. Kids take turns to take groups of turned over cards that add to ten, e.g. 4 + 6, 5 + 5, 7+2+1). When there are no more showing that add to ten, turn over the next layer of cards and the next person has a turn.

    Check out these sites too which might be useful:

    http://www.kidsnumbers.com/

    http://www.aaamath.com/

    http://www.our-montessori.com/home.html

    If you ever think I might be able to help with something, don't hesitate to email me at wombat01@hotmail.com

  • Chad can't sit still either.  He's just NOW starting to for short periods of time, and he's almost 12.  And he's still constantly moving, thumping, making sound effects...you get the picture.  He's also incredibly bright, so who cares he's got ants in his pants? Well, I do sometimes.  It's very annoying.

    Sam will do just fine. I have faith in you!  Lol at Kaylin.  What a great observation. :)  

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