Needless to say, she hasn't done any school.
On the other hand, when she had enough energy, she poured through such schoolish books as "George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt" by Lucy & Stephen Hawking, and "The Story of the World" by Susan Wise Bauer.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Sick Sparkle
Sparkle is rarely sick, but when she does get sick, she gets really sick. She has spent the last two days on the sofa hardly eating a thing. She even turned down strawberry jello. I dug up our old sippy cups, trying to encourage her to take some fluids.
Needless to say, she hasn't done any school.
On the other hand, when she had enough energy, she poured through such schoolish books as "George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt" by Lucy & Stephen Hawking, and "The Story of the World" by Susan Wise Bauer.
Needless to say, she hasn't done any school.
On the other hand, when she had enough energy, she poured through such schoolish books as "George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt" by Lucy & Stephen Hawking, and "The Story of the World" by Susan Wise Bauer.
Dino Fossils
I really like our docent at the science museum. He doesn't do anything official with our group, but he always recognizes us and says hello when we're there. On our most recent trip, he gave my girls an impromptu tour of the jewelry vault and show them the Josephine Tiara through his magnifying glass. He also showed them some dino stuff.
Here's Sparkle with fossilized dino poop.
Here's Glitter with a replica of a t-rex tooth.
Here's Sparkle with fossilized dino poop.
Here's Glitter with a replica of a t-rex tooth.
Glitter had a party
Glitter had a party and I forgot to take pictures.
One of our family traditions is balloons for birthdays. We still have a few of the balloons kicking around the house. They find their way into the strangest places. I don't throw them out until they deflate naturally.
After too many fiascos involving birthday cake coming in close contact with the floor, I no longer make birthday cakes. Glitter wanted a Barbie cake, so it all worked out.
Glitter finally finished writing her thank you notes and mailed them off. It took a few days because I only had her do one thank you per day. (I'm not up to supervising more than that!)
One of our family traditions is balloons for birthdays. We still have a few of the balloons kicking around the house. They find their way into the strangest places. I don't throw them out until they deflate naturally.
After too many fiascos involving birthday cake coming in close contact with the floor, I no longer make birthday cakes. Glitter wanted a Barbie cake, so it all worked out.
Glitter finally finished writing her thank you notes and mailed them off. It took a few days because I only had her do one thank you per day. (I'm not up to supervising more than that!)
Sparkle Cooks
A little over a week ago I was going out for supper with some friends. Wander asked if I would still be making supper for the family. Sensing a possible out, I said that I could throw something together if he didn't feel like cooking. Wander then suggested that I could make a simple meal of stew, salad, and bread.
So, I got Sparkle to make supper that night. Although I supervised, she did everything from turning on the range to cutting the carrots. I only helped with microwaving the bread, since she isn't tall enough to reach inside the microwave without a stepstool.
Sparkle was quite proud of the meal she made. It's nice to know that if push comes to shove, I can depend on Sparkle to feed the family.
So, I got Sparkle to make supper that night. Although I supervised, she did everything from turning on the range to cutting the carrots. I only helped with microwaving the bread, since she isn't tall enough to reach inside the microwave without a stepstool.
Sparkle was quite proud of the meal she made. It's nice to know that if push comes to shove, I can depend on Sparkle to feed the family.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
I'm a lousy writer
I'm a lousy writer, and I don't particularly enjoy writing. Ideas come to my head in a jumble. I rarely feel like sorting out the ideas and organizing them. I have been blessed with a decent sense of spelling and grammar, but that's about it.
I have come to view good writing as a combination of (1) mechanics, (2) ideas, and (3) organization. Right now Sparkle's writing is in the stage of learning the mechanics: spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, etc. This is the area of writing where I feel most comfortable. I have less experience with idea generation. Possibly this is why I became a technical writer: I didn't have to come up with original ideas; I learned the concepts from the SMEs. Organization is either easy for me (the answer seems obvious) or difficult (I struggle to find a different way to organize the information).
I am sometimes tempted to add vocabulary, sentence fluency, and voice, as separate qualities of good writing, but I don't. For me, vocabulary and sentence fluency go hand and hand with ideas and organization. Part of a good idea is using the right word. Part of organization is arranging ideas within and across sentences.
I have learned *how* to write a finished piece. (That's how I got the BA & MS degrees.) I can say why a piece of writing works or doesn't work. When I'm motivated, I can even whip a passage into shape. I just choose to not do so.
I plan on teaching Sparkle (and Glitter) to write through these concepts (grammar, mechanics, ideas, organization, vocabulary, sentence fluency). I have picked English programs that support these concepts: dictation, MCT, BraveWriter, Killgallon, The Paragraph Book.
Oh dear, this is such a rambling post. I said I'm a lousy writer. But, I think in words and sometimes typing a bunch of *&^%**@# helps me think. You are not obliged to read any of this.
I have come to view good writing as a combination of (1) mechanics, (2) ideas, and (3) organization. Right now Sparkle's writing is in the stage of learning the mechanics: spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, etc. This is the area of writing where I feel most comfortable. I have less experience with idea generation. Possibly this is why I became a technical writer: I didn't have to come up with original ideas; I learned the concepts from the SMEs. Organization is either easy for me (the answer seems obvious) or difficult (I struggle to find a different way to organize the information).
I am sometimes tempted to add vocabulary, sentence fluency, and voice, as separate qualities of good writing, but I don't. For me, vocabulary and sentence fluency go hand and hand with ideas and organization. Part of a good idea is using the right word. Part of organization is arranging ideas within and across sentences.
I have learned *how* to write a finished piece. (That's how I got the BA & MS degrees.) I can say why a piece of writing works or doesn't work. When I'm motivated, I can even whip a passage into shape. I just choose to not do so.
I plan on teaching Sparkle (and Glitter) to write through these concepts (grammar, mechanics, ideas, organization, vocabulary, sentence fluency). I have picked English programs that support these concepts: dictation, MCT, BraveWriter, Killgallon, The Paragraph Book.
Oh dear, this is such a rambling post. I said I'm a lousy writer. But, I think in words and sometimes typing a bunch of *&^%**@# helps me think. You are not obliged to read any of this.
Thinking about Math
Here are some things I learned about math since homeschooling.
*Zero*
Zero is not merely nothing. Zero is the balance point between positive and negative numbers. Zero itself is neither positive nor negative.
*Multiplication is NOT Repeated Addition*
Multiplication is not repeated addition. Repeated addition works for whole numbers, but not fractions. I like to think of multiplication as groups of objects. For 2 x 3, start with a three, and take two of them: 6. For 1/2 x 3, start with a three, and take half of it: 1 1/2. For 1/2 x 1/3, start with a third and take half of it: 1/6.
*Are there more even numbers or whole numbers?*
I guess this is obvious, but I never thought of it before. There are half as many even numbers as whole numbers. Yet, there are an infinite number of both.
*A Parallelogram IS a Trapezoid*
And along those lines, a square is a rectangle. All the formulas and propertes that apply to a rectangle also apply to a square. All the formulas and properties that apply to a trapezoid apply to a parallelogram.
*Algebra Manipulatives Exist*
There's a host of math manipulatives for early elementary math: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, place value, fractions, decimals, etc.
I don't remember using them in school, but they are easy to find nowadays. Slightly less common are manipulatives for algebra. My favorite algebra manipulatives are the ones used in Hands-On-Equations, and algeblocks.
*The Distributive Property is Very Useful*
I learned about FOIL (first, outside, inside, last) in algebra class when multiplying things like (x+3)(x+4). The manipulatives for showing (x+3)(x+4) are also ideal for explaining 13*14 = (10+3)(10+4).
traditional algorithm: ((4*3) + (4*10)) + ((10*3)+(10*10))
FOIL: (10*10)+(10*4)+(3*10)+(3*4)
*Cuisenaire Rods shouldn't have notches*
Dear me, other people have written at length about this topic. Suffice it to say that I am firmly in the Cuisenaire Rods should't have notches camp.
*Grading math worksheets is BORING*
I guess this also goes without saying. However, I never had to do it before homeschooling and I now actively look for ways to avoid grading math worksheets.
*Zero*
Zero is not merely nothing. Zero is the balance point between positive and negative numbers. Zero itself is neither positive nor negative.
*Multiplication is NOT Repeated Addition*
Multiplication is not repeated addition. Repeated addition works for whole numbers, but not fractions. I like to think of multiplication as groups of objects. For 2 x 3, start with a three, and take two of them: 6. For 1/2 x 3, start with a three, and take half of it: 1 1/2. For 1/2 x 1/3, start with a third and take half of it: 1/6.
*Are there more even numbers or whole numbers?*
I guess this is obvious, but I never thought of it before. There are half as many even numbers as whole numbers. Yet, there are an infinite number of both.
*A Parallelogram IS a Trapezoid*
And along those lines, a square is a rectangle. All the formulas and propertes that apply to a rectangle also apply to a square. All the formulas and properties that apply to a trapezoid apply to a parallelogram.
*Algebra Manipulatives Exist*
There's a host of math manipulatives for early elementary math: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, place value, fractions, decimals, etc.
I don't remember using them in school, but they are easy to find nowadays. Slightly less common are manipulatives for algebra. My favorite algebra manipulatives are the ones used in Hands-On-Equations, and algeblocks.
*The Distributive Property is Very Useful*
I learned about FOIL (first, outside, inside, last) in algebra class when multiplying things like (x+3)(x+4). The manipulatives for showing (x+3)(x+4) are also ideal for explaining 13*14 = (10+3)(10+4).
traditional algorithm: ((4*3) + (4*10)) + ((10*3)+(10*10))
FOIL: (10*10)+(10*4)+(3*10)+(3*4)
*Cuisenaire Rods shouldn't have notches*
Dear me, other people have written at length about this topic. Suffice it to say that I am firmly in the Cuisenaire Rods should't have notches camp.
*Grading math worksheets is BORING*
I guess this also goes without saying. However, I never had to do it before homeschooling and I now actively look for ways to avoid grading math worksheets.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Happy Birthday Glitter
Glitter wore that "Birthday Girl" pin from the early morning when her sister put it on her, until bedtime.
To celebrate, we went out to eat. Originally Glitter requested the same Chinese restaurant where we went for Chinese New Year. Wander and I were looking forward to yummy food. Then, at the last minute, Glitter changed her mind and wanted Chuck E. Cheese. The grown-ups in the family are not fond of Chuck E. Cheese. But, as Glitter cried, it was her birthday, so off to Chuck E. Cheese we went.
Okay, the food at CEC wasn't so great, but the smiles evoked by those silly games and rides were awesome.
Once home, Glitter got her present, a Panda PillowPet. She named *him* *Jane.* Yup, she said that the panda is a boy, and she named him "Jane."
Now both sisters have pillow pets! (And it's easy to tell the pillow pets apart, yay!)
P.S.
When I ticked Glitter into bed, she was surrounded by extreme "puffyness." "Jane" joined her existing zoo of stuffed animals and Glitter announced in amazement that there were NINE in bed, and watch out, because the bed might break.
To celebrate, we went out to eat. Originally Glitter requested the same Chinese restaurant where we went for Chinese New Year. Wander and I were looking forward to yummy food. Then, at the last minute, Glitter changed her mind and wanted Chuck E. Cheese. The grown-ups in the family are not fond of Chuck E. Cheese. But, as Glitter cried, it was her birthday, so off to Chuck E. Cheese we went.
Okay, the food at CEC wasn't so great, but the smiles evoked by those silly games and rides were awesome.
Once home, Glitter got her present, a Panda PillowPet. She named *him* *Jane.* Yup, she said that the panda is a boy, and she named him "Jane."
Now both sisters have pillow pets! (And it's easy to tell the pillow pets apart, yay!)
P.S.
When I ticked Glitter into bed, she was surrounded by extreme "puffyness." "Jane" joined her existing zoo of stuffed animals and Glitter announced in amazement that there were NINE in bed, and watch out, because the bed might break.
Monday's Nature Walk
We saw lots of wildlife on Monday's nature walk.
Sparkle caught this lizard and carried it all around the gardens, releasing it only when it was time to go. We didn't see any other lizards; it must be too cold for them.
Several squirrels showed their bushy tails. Most were too fast for my camera.
The trees were teaming with birds. We saw a few cardinals, and several other songbirds of various sizes. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't take decent pictures of tiny birds hidden among the leaves and branches.
On the other hand, Sparkle and Glitter ooh'ed and aah'ed for a while over this bride who posed quite nicely. It's not really the season for brides, but they do appear every now, as well as girls celebrating their quincenerias.
I don't think I've gotten photographic evidence of the ritualistic hand stamp the girls get each week. I'm surprised that Sparkle hasn't outgrown it yet.
Sparkle caught this lizard and carried it all around the gardens, releasing it only when it was time to go. We didn't see any other lizards; it must be too cold for them.
Several squirrels showed their bushy tails. Most were too fast for my camera.
The trees were teaming with birds. We saw a few cardinals, and several other songbirds of various sizes. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't take decent pictures of tiny birds hidden among the leaves and branches.
On the other hand, Sparkle and Glitter ooh'ed and aah'ed for a while over this bride who posed quite nicely. It's not really the season for brides, but they do appear every now, as well as girls celebrating their quincenerias.
I don't think I've gotten photographic evidence of the ritualistic hand stamp the girls get each week. I'm surprised that Sparkle hasn't outgrown it yet.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
English lesson
Analyzing a sentence is like creating a jigsaw puzzle. You start with a beautiful picture, and then separate it into parts.
Creating a sentence is like making a mosiac. You search for just the right pieces and fit them together to make a pleasing whole.
Creating a sentence is like making a mosiac. You search for just the right pieces and fit them together to make a pleasing whole.
Monday, February 7, 2011
English lesson
Sparkle's English lesson today was about subject-verb disagreement. Her textbook says that when a subject and verb disagree, that breaks the sentence. Sparkle wondered why the textbook spent so much time on such a simple concept. We discussed it, and Sparkle came up with this simile:
Breaking a sentence is like breaking a porcelain dish by dropping it.
I love this analogy. Carrying a porcelain dish requires no more skill than carrying a plastic dish. However, dropping a porcelain dish has disastrous results, so we caution our children much more when they handle porcelain. Similarly, it doesn't take much skill in having subjects and verbs agree, yet the disaster to the sentence when they disagree is so great that the textbook spends extra pages on this subject.
Breaking a sentence is like breaking a porcelain dish by dropping it.
I love this analogy. Carrying a porcelain dish requires no more skill than carrying a plastic dish. However, dropping a porcelain dish has disastrous results, so we caution our children much more when they handle porcelain. Similarly, it doesn't take much skill in having subjects and verbs agree, yet the disaster to the sentence when they disagree is so great that the textbook spends extra pages on this subject.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
North & South
My current obsession is Elizabeth Gaskell's "North & South". I haven't obsessed about a book this much since Suzanne Collins's "The Hunger Games" Trilogy.
Gaskell's book is much denser and slow moving than Collins's. It took me several days to finish the book, while I had swallowed Collins's books in a day each. To learn the story faster, I watched the BBC mini-series of "North & South" on Youtube. The mini-series has many changes (some significant, most minor) in order to tell the story in a visual format to a modern audience. However, the themes largely play out the same. I am satisfied.
I don't know anyone in real life with whom I can discuss these powerful stories. Most people of my acquaintance would be put off by the violence of THG and the treatment of religion and suicide in N&S. Wander is very patient listening to me prattle on about these books, but as he knows nothing of the books but what I tell him, it's very much me talking "at" him versus having an insightful conversation.
Just as the love story in THG is a delicious feast, so too is the love story in N&S. However to define either book only in terms of it's love story is to deny its full force. The themes, especially of rules vs. workers, leisure vs. activity, and now vs. future, replay through both stories, albeit with different results.
I am startled by how much the heroines (Margaret Hale and Katniss Everdeen) resemble each other. Both have mothers who came from a higher class of society. Both place their families above all else in their lives. Both live in the upper end of poverty. Both have little freedom to direct their own lives. Both have early "outs" in their stories where they could have chosen simpler, comfortable lives. Both are so full with dealing with their present lives that they are unaware and slightly confused by the passions they inspire in others. Both are bridges between the underclass and the overclass, and come to realize that neither group is perfect.
I admire these heroines and what they stand for. I don't want to be them. They endure far too much suffering. Yet, I do wish for their strength of character to do what is right despite confusing circumstances, to act with conviction, skill, and integrity.
What more could I ask for in a girly book?
p.s. How blessed I am to be able to toy with these lofty ideas in the safety and comfort.
Gaskell's book is much denser and slow moving than Collins's. It took me several days to finish the book, while I had swallowed Collins's books in a day each. To learn the story faster, I watched the BBC mini-series of "North & South" on Youtube. The mini-series has many changes (some significant, most minor) in order to tell the story in a visual format to a modern audience. However, the themes largely play out the same. I am satisfied.
I don't know anyone in real life with whom I can discuss these powerful stories. Most people of my acquaintance would be put off by the violence of THG and the treatment of religion and suicide in N&S. Wander is very patient listening to me prattle on about these books, but as he knows nothing of the books but what I tell him, it's very much me talking "at" him versus having an insightful conversation.
Just as the love story in THG is a delicious feast, so too is the love story in N&S. However to define either book only in terms of it's love story is to deny its full force. The themes, especially of rules vs. workers, leisure vs. activity, and now vs. future, replay through both stories, albeit with different results.
I am startled by how much the heroines (Margaret Hale and Katniss Everdeen) resemble each other. Both have mothers who came from a higher class of society. Both place their families above all else in their lives. Both live in the upper end of poverty. Both have little freedom to direct their own lives. Both have early "outs" in their stories where they could have chosen simpler, comfortable lives. Both are so full with dealing with their present lives that they are unaware and slightly confused by the passions they inspire in others. Both are bridges between the underclass and the overclass, and come to realize that neither group is perfect.
I admire these heroines and what they stand for. I don't want to be them. They endure far too much suffering. Yet, I do wish for their strength of character to do what is right despite confusing circumstances, to act with conviction, skill, and integrity.
What more could I ask for in a girly book?
p.s. How blessed I am to be able to toy with these lofty ideas in the safety and comfort.
Friday, February 4, 2011
It's COLD
The kids are running around outside. I managed to get them to wear leggings and closed-toe shoes. They also had gloves, which theye promptly put in their pockets. It's too cold for me to go out and scold them into wearing the gloves.
Here's the view from my kitchen window.
Here's the view from my kitchen window.
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