This was the third time we went to the Theater District Open House.
We started at the Wortham Theater.
We got a family picture taken with some dress-up stuff. The girls got their pictures taken with the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker. Rats, soldiers, and The Nutcracker roamed around.
We went on a tour of the Wortham. We didn't start in the Green room this time. We got to sit in the Founder's boxes (the really expensive seats). We watched a presentation about Houston Grand Opera's upcoming performance of The Barber of Seville. We got to see the costume shop and look at costumes in the process of being built.
We went on the stage and the girls tried on costumes. We saw some of the props from The Barber of Seville. We watched a wig maker create a wig for Barber of Seville.
We got to see Houston Ballet II perform. We were late to the performance, so we sat in the aisle until some people left and get got their seats.
We went to the Alley Theater. Both girls got their faces painted. They tried on costumes and got a six second movie of them all dressed up, which was turned into a flip book. We went onto the stage and the girls got to do theater games: statues & night at the museum, a shark song, Wizard of Oz voices & walking on the yellow brick road.
We ended the outing with a concert by Houston Symphony at Jones Hall.
All this for only the cost of parking!
Yup, this is a dull reporting of facts. Afraid that's all your going to get. Sorry. No time to think it over and add better descriptions. Have to cook supper. Maybe the girls' log books will be better.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Busy weekend
It's been a busy weekend.
Saturday was Sparkle and Glitter's first piano recital. It was a duet recital - all the pieces were duets. Glitter and I played a short little song from her music book. Glitter did great. But I forgot my music and didn't have the song memorized, so I was awful. Sparkle did great. She played with a friend.
Sunday we went to see a theatre production of "The Sound of Music" a friend's aunt/sister was playing the role of Maria. Both girls loved watching this musical. I had to keep reminding myself that the theatre production came first, before the movie. They didn't change things from the movie; things were changed for the movie.
School starts tomorrow at 8am.
Saturday was Sparkle and Glitter's first piano recital. It was a duet recital - all the pieces were duets. Glitter and I played a short little song from her music book. Glitter did great. But I forgot my music and didn't have the song memorized, so I was awful. Sparkle did great. She played with a friend.
Sunday we went to see a theatre production of "The Sound of Music" a friend's aunt/sister was playing the role of Maria. Both girls loved watching this musical. I had to keep reminding myself that the theatre production came first, before the movie. They didn't change things from the movie; things were changed for the movie.
School starts tomorrow at 8am.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Potsticker Day!
Today was Potsticker Day!
Potstickers are one of my favorite foods.
For the first time since Sparkle took regular naps, I made potstickers from scratch. Actually, all four of us got together to make potstickers. It took us over two hours to cook up a little over three dozen potstickers, but it was yummy!
When I last made potstickers, I only did it during Sparkles long afternoon nap. And it took me all nap long and a little extra. I did it all by myself: cutting up the vegetables, rolling out the dough, stuffing the wrappers, and cooking them. It got to be too much work, so I stopped making them. I told Wander that I wanted to try again when I felt comfortable with the girls handling raw meat.
That day was today. With six extra hands, you'd think that things should go faster, but that wasn't the case. The main benefit was having fun as a family.
[INSERT PICTURES]
Potstickers are one of my favorite foods.
For the first time since Sparkle took regular naps, I made potstickers from scratch. Actually, all four of us got together to make potstickers. It took us over two hours to cook up a little over three dozen potstickers, but it was yummy!
When I last made potstickers, I only did it during Sparkles long afternoon nap. And it took me all nap long and a little extra. I did it all by myself: cutting up the vegetables, rolling out the dough, stuffing the wrappers, and cooking them. It got to be too much work, so I stopped making them. I told Wander that I wanted to try again when I felt comfortable with the girls handling raw meat.
That day was today. With six extra hands, you'd think that things should go faster, but that wasn't the case. The main benefit was having fun as a family.
[INSERT PICTURES]
Thursday, August 11, 2011
language arts for Glitter
I really enjoy homeschooling, and my two favorite subjects are math and English. I joke that all I teach is math and English. So far Sparkle has been my only official student, as Glitter won't start kindergarten until later this month.
However, I have been doing some work with Glitter to give her some individual attention and to ease me into teaching two kids. And somehow I ended up doing
doing three different language arts programs with Glitter.
The first language arts program was a variation on Spell to Write and Read. This program worked well for Sparkle, and the beginning is just letter formation and memorizing the phonograms. Once Glitter entered review mode with those skills, it was natural to start the spelling lists. Plus I got tired of seeing her chicken scratch, misspelled writing everywhere. (This child likes to write.) I adapted the program to really slow it down and provide lots of review, and it's been going well.
The second language arts program was a variation of Writing With Ease. I was reading to Sparkle and helping her with a written narration. It was only natural to have Glitter listen in. It also made sense to have her say one thing she remembered, and then use that sentence for copywork. It was a simple way to keep her engaged and part of the family. Plus, she likes to write and imitate her big sister.
The third language arts program happened by chance. It's Brave Writer's "The Wand." Glitter fell in love with it when she heard the name and found out that it is by the same company that produces her sister's program "The Arrow." It uses Post-it notes and funny books. Glitter has begged for it and it's the first thing she wants to do in the morning. What's not to like?
And that's not counting the reading practice that Glitter does.
Eek. I need to cut something.
However, I have been doing some work with Glitter to give her some individual attention and to ease me into teaching two kids. And somehow I ended up doing
doing three different language arts programs with Glitter.
The first language arts program was a variation on Spell to Write and Read. This program worked well for Sparkle, and the beginning is just letter formation and memorizing the phonograms. Once Glitter entered review mode with those skills, it was natural to start the spelling lists. Plus I got tired of seeing her chicken scratch, misspelled writing everywhere. (This child likes to write.) I adapted the program to really slow it down and provide lots of review, and it's been going well.
The second language arts program was a variation of Writing With Ease. I was reading to Sparkle and helping her with a written narration. It was only natural to have Glitter listen in. It also made sense to have her say one thing she remembered, and then use that sentence for copywork. It was a simple way to keep her engaged and part of the family. Plus, she likes to write and imitate her big sister.
The third language arts program happened by chance. It's Brave Writer's "The Wand." Glitter fell in love with it when she heard the name and found out that it is by the same company that produces her sister's program "The Arrow." It uses Post-it notes and funny books. Glitter has begged for it and it's the first thing she wants to do in the morning. What's not to like?
And that's not counting the reading practice that Glitter does.
Eek. I need to cut something.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
School supplies
I'm quite surprised, but I haven't bought much school supplies for the coming school year. I'll probably pick up some crayons and colored pencils, but I don't see any big purchases in the works. I even went to the big homeschool convention and walked up and down the vendor hall twice without spending any money. (Even admission to the vendor hall was free that night.)
I did pick up and electronic spell checker for Sparkle and some more math manipulatives. I also got some books that were on sale. But I tend to spread my homeschooling dollars around throughout the school year rather than spending them all at once.
I did pick up and electronic spell checker for Sparkle and some more math manipulatives. I also got some books that were on sale. But I tend to spread my homeschooling dollars around throughout the school year rather than spending them all at once.
School Bribery
We've used our school bribery system for a few weeks and it's been working well so far. I don't like using treasure chest toys as rewards because the toys are expensive, you end up with lots of junk cluttering the house, and the kids get hung up on the rewards. But I've found a reward system that works for us.
Each Sunday night, I post a list of school activities for each day of the week. Most of the activities can be done in 10-15 minutes, but some are quicker (math fact drill), and others are longer (piano practice). Some are independent (read a book), but most are not. Subjects are spread across several different activities.
For each activity each child can earn up to three points
- one point for just doing the work
- one point for starting in a timely manner
- one point for doing it with a good attitude
At first I thought that simply doing the work shouldn't be enough to earn a point, but then I realized that sometimes just getting the work is is an accomplishment. Starting in a timely manner also is one of the huge hurdles, or the kids get distracted in between activities. Notice that correct and incorrect answers have no bearing on the number of points earned. As long as the work is done with a good attitude, it doesn't matter how many mistakes the child makes. Of course, the type and quantity of mistakes are an indication of attitude.
Today Sparkle had about 9 activities, so she could earn up to 27 points per day. Glitter has only about 6 activities, so she could earn up to 18 points. Then, at the end of the day, I add up the points earned versus the points available and calculate a percentage.
There are three reward charts. One joint reward chart, and individual reward charts for each kids. If one girl gets a 100%, meaning that she did all her work on time with a good attitude, she gets a mark on her individual reward chart.
If *both* girls have at least a 90% for the day, we consider it a good day of school, and they get a mark on the joint reward chart. This is to encourage the kids to help each other get their work done, instead of distracting each other. When the joint chart is filled, the kids get a joint reward. When an individual chart is filled, that child gets a reward.
That's the base system that we started it. Then I decided to expand the system. Bad behavior results in negative points. For example, kids can loose points for not being ready on time in the morning, or for failing to pass inspection. On the other hand, kids can get bonus points if all work is completed before lunch.
It's not a complicated as it sounds, and so far it has been working well. We don't get 100% or even 90% every day, but days are much smoother than before. It also helps me recognize that even if a child had horrible attitude problems, it was only for 1-2 activities and the work was still done.
Each Sunday night, I post a list of school activities for each day of the week. Most of the activities can be done in 10-15 minutes, but some are quicker (math fact drill), and others are longer (piano practice). Some are independent (read a book), but most are not. Subjects are spread across several different activities.
For each activity each child can earn up to three points
- one point for just doing the work
- one point for starting in a timely manner
- one point for doing it with a good attitude
At first I thought that simply doing the work shouldn't be enough to earn a point, but then I realized that sometimes just getting the work is is an accomplishment. Starting in a timely manner also is one of the huge hurdles, or the kids get distracted in between activities. Notice that correct and incorrect answers have no bearing on the number of points earned. As long as the work is done with a good attitude, it doesn't matter how many mistakes the child makes. Of course, the type and quantity of mistakes are an indication of attitude.
Today Sparkle had about 9 activities, so she could earn up to 27 points per day. Glitter has only about 6 activities, so she could earn up to 18 points. Then, at the end of the day, I add up the points earned versus the points available and calculate a percentage.
There are three reward charts. One joint reward chart, and individual reward charts for each kids. If one girl gets a 100%, meaning that she did all her work on time with a good attitude, she gets a mark on her individual reward chart.
If *both* girls have at least a 90% for the day, we consider it a good day of school, and they get a mark on the joint reward chart. This is to encourage the kids to help each other get their work done, instead of distracting each other. When the joint chart is filled, the kids get a joint reward. When an individual chart is filled, that child gets a reward.
That's the base system that we started it. Then I decided to expand the system. Bad behavior results in negative points. For example, kids can loose points for not being ready on time in the morning, or for failing to pass inspection. On the other hand, kids can get bonus points if all work is completed before lunch.
It's not a complicated as it sounds, and so far it has been working well. We don't get 100% or even 90% every day, but days are much smoother than before. It also helps me recognize that even if a child had horrible attitude problems, it was only for 1-2 activities and the work was still done.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)