THE GARGANTUAN COOKIE

Unequivocally, my Grandma Rita is the ultimate cookie maker. She constantly is baking cookies for all who live in her condo. Her delicious delicacies are so incredibly tasty that even people who don’t like cookies, and people who are on stringent diets have to consume one or two of her cookies every day (although they aren’t supposed to). Oops!!
There was a storm brewing in Central Minnesota and with that, it proved not to be a good day for a walk. Exhaustively, Grandma Rita and her friends began to think of something to do. Finally, someone whose stomach began to rumble, and was not on a diet, decided to have a party. All was good! Everyone was told to bring an exceptional something to share. While standing in the middle of the complex party room, Grandma Rita started to ponder what she would make for the party. She thoroughly looked in the corners of her complex and found a food trolley, although, it may not have been big enough for what she was planning; she used it anyway.

After her discovery of the trolley, my creatively minded Grandma, who always is always using her noggin, had an impressive idea. She would make a gargantuan cookie. The cookie would be as long as a teenager and as wide as a teenager, although, it would not have teenagers inside it and it would be the biggest cookie the condo had ever seen. She carefully finished the cookie, put it on the trolley and rolled it to the door were the party was being hosted. Everyone was staring at the giant cookie with their mouths agape. Then, one of the older ones suggested eating the giant cookie. They devoured it! It was a top notch cookie, and none has surpassed it since. One of the party goers even called her nephew that was in college.

After the party, the residents of the condo slowly drifted off to their rooms to get some shut eye. While they slept, the nephew (away at college) was hatching a plan to get the remainders of the cookie. He lived close by; attending the University of Minnesota. He would drive that night and steal the remainders of the cookie. When Bob got there, for Bob was his name, he took out a grappling hook he had brought and swung it around a resident’s deck post. He climbed up the rope and snuck to the party room… or what he thought was the party room and went in. What he found there was good ‘ol Grandma Rita!!! Because of her cunning mind, she knew what he was up to.

She started throwing wood elephants, which she acquired in Africa, at him. Bob ran out the door, down the stairs and through the last pair of doors that stood in the way of him and the outside. When he got out he was dismayed to see his car covered in pie. One of the people in the condo had gathered up a whole bunch of pies that she had saved from Thanksgiving, and had thrown them out the window and had missed the garbage can. All of the pie had landed on the car’s front window. It took all night to for Bob to get it off. After the ordeal with Bob, Grandma Rita had gone to bed triumphantly thinking about her gargantuan cookie!

I am happy to report - unlike last week - that this story is ALL of Simon from beginning to end. I helped with editing here and there; but he can take FULL credit. He worked through some tears and frustrations, but he did it.

Simon Avenson
5th Grade
November 24, 2009
Damocles and the King
Unit 3

The Long Mile

Ancient Greece was a wealthy and thriving land. One could smell beer brewing in the taverns, pies baking in the ovens and sacrifices burning to the Greek gods such as, Zeus, the god of sky and king of all gods, Poseidon, the god of sea and Hades, the god of death. Houses made of sundried brick followed the fig tree lined paths. Merchants were in their stalls bellowing out, and peasants, who needed food on their tables, were tirelessly working. In a major city, there was a prosperous palace and inside the palace there was a just King, In that same city, there lived a famer called Damocles. Although Damocles had everything he needed, he still wanted more.

On a lugubrious day Damocles was feeling agitated. His house was a mess and he had left over food on the counter. Also, he had a broken well that he had to fix or else he wouldn’t be able to get any water. While in the city to get the supplies to fix the well, Damocles happened to bump into the King. Damocles proclaimed, “Watch where you’re going!”

The King, who was quick to react, shouted back, “How dare you address me like that!”
Damocles astonishingly declared, “I did not know it was you, Your Highness.”

“It is ok since you did not know, what is your name?” He asked.

“Damocles,” and he mumbled, “I wish I could live as you do”

The King replied “Would you like to take my throne for a while?”

“I would love to Your Highness,” he meekly responded.

“Very well then,” spoke the King, “You can have the throne while I take my much needed vacation.” Since Damocles could not contain his delight, he excitedly shook the King’s hand repeatedly and he skipped home to get some lunch.

Damocles, who was beginning to feel quite important, started the incredibly long walk to the palace. When he got there, he was astounded by the unreal beauty of it all. Everywhere he looked he saw gold trimmed couches, beautiful chairs, an enormous dining table, and a fantastically royal looking throne. Damocles sauntered to a dressing chamber and changed into a fine tunic, breeches, socks, and a robe. After that, he came out of the dressing chamber and strode to the throne. He ordered some food and commanded the orchestra to play his favorite song, since he knew the song when settle his nerves. While lounging on the throne, Damocles looked up and saw an extremely sharp and heavy sword.

“Get me out of here!” Damocles yelled.

“What’s the matter?’” cried his personal servant.

“There is a sword up there!” proclaimed Damocles

“Yes,” replied the servant, “The king must live in constant fear; there are many people who would like to kill him.”

Damocles replied shakily “Once the King returns from vacation, I will go directly back to my house and enjoy the carefree life there.”

The moral of this story:
Walk a mile in my shoes

Plan Ahead

Simon has another writing assignment due this morning for his class. The title of his piece is, "Plan Ahead." It is a bit ironic, because although his mother broke his work into tiny segments to work on throughout the week, he gave very little thought to the project until yesterday; which unfortunately, left the two of us working on this piece for a number of hours --- when I finally stepped in and said, "Dictate the story to me and I will get you through." So, the story you are about to read is Simon's work; with a bit of tweaking and suggesting from his mom.

Simon Avenson
5th Grade
11/17/09
The Ant and the Grasshopper
Unit 3

Although smelling like an old wet towel; Connor and his master took their morning walk through the enchanting landscape behind a family farm. Connor knew this trail which he had worn down with his paws. He liked to smell the morning air when taking his walks. This particular morning, he whiffed the air from a new harvest. Unsuspectingly, Connor passed by a conversation between and hard working ant and a carefree grasshopper. “You should take some time off,” the grasshopper chirped. Balancing the kernel of corn on his head, the ant replied, “This is my third kernel today. We are stocking up for winter.” “Winter? Who cares about winter? There is plenty of food right now,” snapped the grasshopper. “You should start preparing too,” replied the ant and he left the grasshopper doing whatever grasshoppers do and continued on his journey.
Connor was on another walk and the world was gently enveloped in a mantle of snow. His paws crunched on the tiny snowflakes underneath as he walked the terrain he knew. Grasshopper was cold and starving. He was thinner than most of his grasshopper friends (which is pretty thin) and could not get out of bed on some mornings. He needed a plan to get food. One day, one of his grasshopper buddies came over to see how he was doing. Grasshopper’s chirps were feeble. Grasshopper begged his friend to go to the ant’s hill and ask them for some food. When he came back, his arms had enough food for a grasshopper to last the winter. The grasshopper managed to write a note of kindness, although, it was easier now because he had had some food.
While walking on the melting snow on the trodden terrain, Connor heard birds singing and passed by without an ant and a grasshopper enjoying a morning conversation you would have between friends.

The moral of this story is: plan ahead

God Knows

Simon is taking a writing class. Each week, he has a different exercise to follow in creating his story. This is a story that he wrote about a crow and some peacocks.

GOD KNOWS
In the heart of Southeastern England, a crow flew over a king’s palace and looked down in amazement at the sight of a garden. She instantly flew down to enjoy the scene. In the garden she saw beautiful peacocks strutting around; although they looked kind of snooty. “Me and my drab black feathers,” she whispered to the wind. I want to be like those majestic peacocks. She landed by a water fountain and started picking a plethora of peacock feathers. Afterwards, she flew off to her dwelling to find a way to put the feathers on.

When she got there she thoroughly attempted to put the feathers on but could not. Every time she took a test flight, the feathers fell off, and she had to fly to the ground to get them. She went to the wisest crow she knew, (although she knew quite a few but this one was definitely the wisest), and told him her problem. He suggested she should get the sap of a pine tree and put it on the feathers and then stick them onto her tail. She did and it worked. It was dark out and she wanted to be noticed, so she slept until the morning.

The next morning the exhilarated crow woke up and flew off to the palace to see if the vain and snooty peacocks noticed her. Unfortunately for her they did. Immediately they noticed she was an impostor. One of them snapped, “You look crazy!” They pecked at her until she flew away. Since that day a certain crow never pretended to be a peacock.

The moral of this story is:
God knows who you are even if you try to hide from Him

Quiz Questions

Well, today was a review day for us in Social Studies - and so with that, the kids had some review questions to answer. We are following a curriculum (much easier to buy a curriculum with a baby, rather than make one up) called, Story of the World. It is just that, a story of the world. We began with the Fall of Rome and will head straight through to the Rise of the Renaissance ~~ if we get that far. In recent history, we have been studying the Rise of Islam. Very cool and intriguing.

Review Questions and Quiz (both did exceptionally well - how will you do?)

THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE - this is a small review, as we have already gone over much of the material weeks ago.

1. What happened when the Roman Empire got too big for one ruler?
2.What was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire?
3.Describe some of the things you might see in Constantinople?
4.Was it safe to travel in the Byzantine empire? Why? Why not?

THE MEDIEVAL INDIAN EMPIRE

5. What is a "dynasty"
6. What dynasty united all the kingdoms of India?
7. What was the first Gupta king named?
8. Who invaded India during the Gupta dynasty
9. What is King Skandagupta known for?

THE RISE OF ISLAM

10. What is the land of the Arabian Peninsula like?
11. What is the name given to the people who live in the desert called?
12. How were they expected to behave?
13. What did Muhammad see, in his vision in the cave?
14. What did the mighty voice of the angel command Muhammad to do?
15. What was the angel's name?
16.What were the followers of Muhammad's teachings called?
17. What did Muhammad tell the people of Mecca when he preached to them?
18. How did the rich and powerful people of Mecca respond to Muhammad and his teachings?
19. Why did Muhammad finally leave Mecca for Medina?
20. What was the special name for Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Medina?

Pictures of Today

My children tell me today is 'sorta lugubrious.

Each week i put a new work up on our AWALLA words (A Wall of Words) This week's word is FABULATE.

I also put up a very used word in the "Thesaurus" section that they have to fill in througout the days, as well as add in any Onomatopea words.

Today has been a quiet day. Not entirely typical.....but so welcomed.

I brought out my camera and took a sample of pictures.

SIMON LOOKING THROUGH HIS BOOK BOX

OUR DINING TABLE SOON AFTER LUNCH

SIDNEY, FEIGNING CONTENTMENT

LUCY, FOREVER WORKING ON HER EMPEROR PROJECT

MOM HELPING HER DEFINE HER RESEARCH

ASKKIDS.COM

If you twist and turn away
If you tear yourself in two again
If I could, you know, I would
If I could, I would
Let it go

Surrender
Dislocate

If I could throw thisLifeless lifeline to the wind
I'd leave this heart of clay
See you walk, walk away
Into the night
Through the rain
Into the half-light
hrough the flame

If I could through myself
Set your spirit free
I'd lead your heart away
See you break, break away
Into the light
And to the day

So let it go
And so fade away

So let it go
And so fade away

I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake
I'm not sleeping

Oh, no, no, no
I'm not sleeping
Oh, no
If they should ask well maybe they'd
Tell me what I should say
True colors fly in blue and black
Bruised silken sky and burning flag

Colours crash, collide in bloodshot eyes
If I could, you know I would
If I could, I would
Let it go

This desperation
Separation
Condemnation
Revelation
In temptation
Isolation
Desolation
Isolation

Let it go, aha
And so fade away
So let it go, aha
And so fade, fade, fade away

So let it go
And so to fade away

I'm wide awake
I'm wide awake
Wide awake

I'm not sleeping
Oh, no, no, no

u2

A Bit of Catch Up

I will soon be summoned to go play a game of Monopoly on this rainy day -- but I thought I should get this down before time escapes once again.

The month of October is quickly coming to an end. I wanted to jot down some of the fun activities we have been doing in school this past month. This will be short and sweet.

Standards:

1. Writing Class: Every Tuesday morning, Simon goes to a writing class. It is an hour long class. The teacher is exceptional.

2. Every Tuesday afternoon, the kids go to a homeschool parent led art class. So far, the kids have made Leaf Bowls out of cement and have painted water color leaves. I will be teaching a class on the art of Henri Matisse in a couple of weeks.

3. On alternating Fridays, the kids have a couple of options.

A: On one Friday, they take off at 7:45am and head out the door with their dad who heads of a chess club at the local elementary school. At 9:00, i pick them up and off we go to "Homeschool Gym." This is held at a nearby church and the place is full of kids running in and out of an hour long gym class.

B: On the other Friday's, they go to Academy: a Friday gathering of homeschool students where a variety of interesting classes are being taught by the parents.

4. Also, once a month, they have book club. Today, I will be hosting this month's book club for the boys 3 -5 grade.

SPECKLED TRIPS THIS MONTH

1. We have been to the Minnesota Arboretum for a class on "Mother Earth" where we learned about the Native American uses of plants.

2. Playoff games: Twins and Royals as well as Twins and Yankees

3.

Orchestra Hall : We do this almost monthly. The Minnesota Orchestra puts on Kinder Konzerts and we go to as many as we can. The coolest part of all of this is we always sit in Tier 1 and on many occasions, have been able to sit in the seats reserved for special guests and or family members. Our seats are prime!

4. Ordway Theater: This is new to us this year. The Ordway is having many "Kid" dance performances and we will be going to all of them. The first one is next Thursday. I am a true lover of the arts and incredibly thankful that we live in such a rich and talented state. Next week, we will be going to the "Bad Boys of Dance" as shown above.

5. Raptor Center: The kids and I had a scheduled field trip at the University of Minnesota Raptor Center http://www.raptor.cvm.umn.edu/. We had a brief and excellent lecture on the variety of raptors the center becomes responsible for, as well as took a beautiful tour of the outside atrium style cages where the birds take refuge. We ended our trip with dissection of Owl Pellets.

EXTRA:

Art Projects:

example of what we are doing (not ours)

1. We are working on a Tessellation Art project -- to mimic some of the mosaic tiling during the Byzantine Empire. It has been really fun.

2. Building Medieval Castles: This has to be one for Dad to partake in as it is a lot of "connect a to b" and "cut z and paste it to t" I can't do that stuff.

3. Catapult Construction: Today we were slotted to build catapults (again, to mimic our studies of the Medieval time period)-- but currently, it is a nice rainy day and we are in the middle of a mean game of Monopoly. Soon we will be leaving for piano lessons.

4. We did a nice study on the European Monks. In September, we made 'Monk' crosses out of sculpi clay and this month, we made paper. Next month, when walnuts are available in stores, we will be making fresh ink from the shell of a walnut - and then will do calligraphy on our paper...just as the monks did.

This month of October has been fun and full.

Outside of School

Lucy:

1. every other Monday, she has American Heritage Girls (parallels Girl Scouts - but within Christian organization)

2. Every Wednesday, She has choir at church

3. Every Wednesday afternoon, she has piano lessons

4. Currently, she is at the end of her soccer season..playoff games.

Simon:

1. Piano lessons, choir and soccer (playoffs). More or less, Simon has the most relaxed lifestyle with plenty of good books to keep his mind busy.

And not to mention:The Jr. High boy has a very involved life of his own and the 7 month old is accustomed to the daily routine of snapping him into his car seat :)

(A) Week

Each week, I am having the kids do an (A) week and a (B) week. The (B) week is a little more relaxed and unstructured. This allows me to catch up from the week before as well as to observe where the 'holes' are in their curriculum....only to be filled in during the (A) week. (B) weeks usually allow for more playdates and field trips as well. This is our third week trying this - so essentially, our second (A) week.

Here is today's schedule for Lucy - the third grader

MONDAY:
o Brain Breakfast: variety of puzzles to 'wake up the brain'
o Devotion
o Book Adventure
o Awalla

Question of the Week - due on Friday

Read Aloud

Writing Strands

SOTW – Paper Making - this is our Social Studies Curriclum - Story of the World

Emperor Maximillian – ask mom about this

Daily Math – purple

Lang. Arts: Table of Contents

Math U See

DAYBOOK – with mom when Sidney is asleep

State Capital Practice

Spelling –pre test

Weekly Reader

Piano Practice
LIBRARY – get book for book report

Just Me and da Boy

Lucy has been sticken with Scarlett Fever! She is in Ma and Pa's bed, a restin'

Actually, she is sitting to the left of me, staring me down as she finishes her pastrami and cheese sandwich. However, she has had a fever off and on since Monday evening. Currently, she is at 101.7 and laying low for the day...which means, it's just me and da boy.

It's been fun. Having him jump through my hoops, sitting next to me at the table - watching him do his work in a timely fashion - but trying to tell me that he needs to do research on the computer for almost every subject matter.

We began our day with Brain Breakfast. This morning, I read out loud to him a couple of mini-mysteries. Sidney kept himself intrigued with empty plastic boxes (the baby toy industry has nothing on this chick). We moved from our "Quick Solve" book to math. He continues to work on fractions - alternating his weeks between fractions, percentages, geometry and decimals. He also has what is called, "Daily Math Warm Ups" and these are a plethora of various mathematical concepts: numeration, operations, graphs, data interpretation, patterns, etc. Essentially, he is getting the whole kit and kaboodle in math.

He then played a geography game online and did quite well. he worked himself through expert levels of states, capitals, and national lakes. he played this for quite some time; but when you are immersed in geography and you want to play again and again, how can you go wrong?

Presently, he is working in his Civics book. He is FINALLY on the computer looking up the reasons as to why the state of Minnesota has chosen each of their symbols (bird, flower, tree). This is also his handwriting for the day.

I have appreciated this time with him.

he is in need of my computer.
adios.

Rest Well - for Tomorrow.....

everybody has had a different kind of day today. From people to people, long sighs of relief, grumblings from tasks, "Queen of the Day" stories shared amongst peers. I am not sure what brought it on, but today has been funky.

Today, I tried something new. I have been unable to sit down and plan out our week, so this morning (while taking Sidney into the doctor for further allergy testing), i called home and told both Simon and Lucy that today was all about them. They were to write down their own school schedule and figure out how to get from point A to point B competely on thier time.

Lucy took this on as a great independent challenge. She got out a clean piece of lined paper, she wrote out her schedule with 'cross off' boxes and even had a couple of responsibilities for me. It was interesting to see what she had left out of her day and as well as the items that she put in the forefront. She did quite well for herself and continued on wiih her day even upon my arrival home.

Simon, on the other hand (funny, that Simon typically follows with something like..'on the other hand'), Simon conducted his day within the easiest of frame works. He blogged www.simonscoolthoughts@blogspot.com and he read. By the time I got home, he was closing off the computer and running up to me to ask if I wanted to duel him in Yi-Gi-Oh. By the way - on his blog, he writes that he will be partaking in 'Strageic Games,' this is Yu-Gi-Oh. It is more strategic, but the boy knows it backwards and forwards and I haven't a clue...so what is the strategy in that?

I reminded him of his writing assignment due the next day. I reminded him of his math page that needed to be completed. I reminded him of his box of books that needed his attention. With minor hesitancy, he gets to his writing assignment - pays his dues, puts the laptop aside and approaches me for the awaited Yu-Gi-Oh game. The effort was half baked - at best. There were tears on his part for all he really wanted to do was play Yu-Gi-Oh. The child has yet to learn that a job well done comes with great benefits. I am having fun with this one. he is my personal challenge. next week, we will once again, revisit his GOAL sheet and as I edit it to tailor to his persona - there will be much personal accountability. I can't wait.

ADD IN
Tomorrow will be much to write about as well as showcase it's activity through visual representation.
10:00 Writing Class
12:00 Native Plants Class at the Arboretum
2:00 Art Class - Parent lead
4:00 Twins playoff baseball game
8:00 home and in bed. Two soccer games will be sacrificed.

Catch Up

Lucy, conducting her studies amongst the baby toys. She has picked Emperor Maximian (the assigned Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire) for her project on the Middle Ages

We have had a decent week, here at Avenson Academy. Lots of projects, field trips, classes, and quiet reading moments. My favorite time of day is when Sidney is asleep and we can all curl up on the couch and I can read aloud to them. Currently, we are reading, Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. I am hoping to be finished with this soon so we can move on, but there are days, sadly, that I am only able to read a couple of pages. I try to get through 1 - 2 chapters a day.

Here is a quick rummage of my thoughts:

Malt-o-Meal: This is what we will have for breakfast throughout the rest of fall and into Winter. It is the best warm breakfast there is and the kids have had this since they were in high chairs. The "Avenson" recipe is to add a small heap of peanut butter and brown sugar.

BRAIN BREAKFAST

Each morning, the kids wake up to "Brain Breakfast." This is something they do prior to their academic 'check off list.' Each day, there is something different as well as a new mode of brain exercise - whether it is logic, deduction, puzzle, memory games, code cracking, etc.

GOAL of the DAY

Also, each day, before we begin, the kids fill out a "Goal" sheet. This is something they check back in at the end of the day. there is an additional sheet that gives them ideas of what their goal may want to be: Participation, Focusing, Volunteering, Respecting, Various Subjects, and Other. They write how they are going to achieve this goal and then rate at the end of the day if they were successful.

ACADEMIC FOCUS and FIELD TRIPS

The kids are involved in both scholastic and social arterial aspects which contribute to their overall homeschool experience. Being involved in outside classes not only enriches their time, but also amplifies the context of their study.

On a weekly basis, we are immersed within the activities of our homeschool co-ops; writing class, art class, gym, electives, book clubs, social play dates and field trips. Below is a small example of this past week.

.

During our Physics studies, we discussed Newton's Second Law of Motion. I reminisced about the classic 'Egg Drop' experiment and the kids jumped at the opportunity of doing something like that. On the first go round - they were both convinced that a bag of cotton balls would clearly protect the egg.

Field Trip to University of Minnesota Raptor Center

OWL PELLET DISECTION

Learning about a Turkey Vulture

This Eagle came back from exercising More Owl Pellets

A quietly guided day

This morning we have shifted things around. I am letting the kids really take the lead and see waht happens. Simon woke up with a sore throat and so he spent some time in bed. Sidney got up a little earlier than needed, so my time was spread between him and making sure Lucy was prepared for school.

When Simon finally came to being, he decided to do Book Adventure first -- he is working hard at what he does best...read and reap the awards. After he quizzed himself on his book, he disappeared into the fort that has been constructed in our sunroom for over a week. While I worked with Lucy, I voiced out, "Simon, what are you doing?" A voice from inside the fort said, "I dont' have a school schedule, so i am reading my book." "Ah." I say in return. "I am soooo sorry you are without a school schedule. Perhaps you might want to ask me where one is, or look on the bar where it has been laying since last night."

Meanwhile, Lucy is plugging away - which is a tad uncommon, but perhaps she is truly understanding how the day works. After Lucy completes her Brain Breakfast, she says that she wants to begin her research project (she has chosen the Emperor Maximian). She logs into her email and gets her questions from all the family members participating and she and I work exclusively on how to begin researching. Again, I ask, "Simon, what are you doing now?" I get an, "ummmm??" from under the fort. I quickly look inside and there he is, pretending to be looking through his book box but the guilty piece of evidence sits close by..his book. I take the book away - give him my authoritative spiel and continue with Lucy.

So, if we can make it through the day - this is what it will look like
1. Brain Breakfast (check)
2. Awalla Words(check)
3. Goal for the Day (check)
4. Devotions
5. Read Aloud (check)
6. Civics (check)
7. Science - physics...FORCE/GRAVITY....EGG DROP (check)
8. Math (math u see) (check)
9. Daily math - for Simon = geomerty. For Lucy = number patterns (check)
10. Daybook (simon...check)
11. Writing - for Lucy = Writing Strands curriculum. For Simon - IEW Assignment (simon...check)
12. Spelling (check)
13. Lucy has AHG Badge work to continue
14. Video on Roman Times - a kids perspective (check)
15. Begin research on Roman person of choice. Lucy has begun hers. I do not hold promise for Simon getting to his today.

Straight Talk

Well, this morning, as my kids went out to say good bye to their friends and wave to the bus rolling down the street, i called my husband and asked, "Why are we doing this again?" I am in a moment of question. But, i find myself here every year. I haven't been surrounded yet by the pep talk people that get my heart pumping. I have been at home - monitoring nap time, nursing time, cranky moments, etc. I gamble as to whether the baby will have a good day or not. Will he cry in the car if we try to escape for a while. Last year, it was easy to say, "Let's go to the Stone Arch Bridge today. Let's go to the museum today. Let's go for a walk." I am still at liberty to say and do those same things; but it is more taxing than sometimes it is worth.

So, what will make my children happy? What choices do we all need to make and confront to see them through a successful journey?

I talked to two of them this morning and in the end, they both wanted to be homeschooled. We weighed in the pros and cons and knowing that school will 'ramp' up in a bit gave them something to look forward to. The Roman Empire is 'interesting', but it is not that fun. Soon, we will be getting into Castles, Knights, Catapult building, cooking, and our science unit will also explore our need for creativity and motion.

So, what do i need to learn from this? Give it time, give is a voice, give it patience, give it an opportunity to always be approached and discussed? YES!

This morning, it was lego building and movie time. They love the book we are reading, so i think we will find ourselves on the lawn and read while baby sleeps. They will both begin a research project on a significant person of the Roman Era. Perry did this as well and it was really fun. The project was completely geared around questions posed to friends and family and then the kids go on a hunt for the answers. Simon picked King Ethelbert and Lucy Emperor Maximiam. We always laugh at King Ethelbert - for when i say his name or partake in dialogue, i talk with a nasal lisp. Anyway - school will get better and more involved with physical activites - right now i am a puzzle piece away from making this complete and whole.

working through the day

My son quietly reads about prepositional phrases while my daughter finishes up the lawful codes -copying ideas from The Emperor Justinian. Today has been a decent day - as well as yesterday as well. today we did Teach Writing Class with my 10 year old and came back to complete school. We have taking a couple of outside classes, had a couple of playdates and have worked cohesively as a small unit. It helps me sometimes to see procrastination simply because the longer they take working on their own studies, the shorter time span between friends coming home off the bus. For two days, my kids have been at the bus stop with the neighborhood pals; saying good-bye. I am not sure how to handle this. Am I the only homeschooler that kids see the benefit of being apart of a greater public setting? It was nice to see that because the class sizes are growing exponentially, my husband was more in favor of his kids staying at home and receiving personal attention.

I also have to remember what school is all about. My son wants to take as many breaks during the day so he can plop himself on the couch and read....is this so bad?

the school day progresses around me as I have currently taken myself out of the equation. i need to jump back in.

Something Different

The tide has changed - with any natural course of direction. The academic excitement is lackluster, at best; but we are at least laughing and enjoying the company of the other. Science has seemingly created a stir of motion amongst us...but the moment is fleeting. The 10 year old visited his friends at the bus stop this morning and has been in and out the front door at an annoying rate during the past 30 minutes; trying to figure out what to do and where to go. I should have this monogramed on a t-shirt..."What to do....Where to go?"

The day is better than last, but i can say with conviction, i am still in waiting.

Is Anybody Out There??

Some days, coffee is insufficient.

That is the beginning of my post and i am not sure what will follow in the transpiration of thought.

Monday, September 14 - the beginning of the week. I have decided to do an A week and a B week - that way, i feel as though we are getting through the hodgepodge of material; but at an agreeable pace. Again, my children meet me in the morning as vacuous beings and I am not sure how to handle such description. Are we all simply doing this for the other, but not involved beyond? I am not sure. It is the beginning of the school year and this is the time i am most judgemental. I read other's observations about kids and school buses and jumping for joy little ones are home instead of on a bus....I look at the bus and as i cock my head to the right, i think, "Hmm, that doesn't look half bad." I look to my left and see my two remaining at home, cocking their heads as well.

So, what does this mean?

My 10 year old reads - this has been said too many times. He leaves his 'school' post and flees to the couch with numerable reminders to come back to the table to 'learn.' My daughter sits and waits for direction - but is segmented in thought due to the interrupting flow of the day. The 10 year old rushes through work and grumbles at correction after requested appearance off the couch. The book is at the ready; and i can only assume, so is his mind.

So, what is in it for the 4 of us? What transpiring event will challenge our course? or, what shake up is needed to get us on track. The river is right next to us - splashing at our feet; and yet, somehow, we decidedly trudge on the banks, slowly making our way.

thanks for listening.

September 10

Currently I am downloading medievel chanting monks. Sounds kinda funny - but true. Lucy and Simon are next to me on the couch deciding to do DEAR time right away in the morning. Lucy is reading Heroes and Heroines from Roman time and Simon is reading Ancient Roman Children. We have finsihed our devotions this morning and will soon be going to Michaels to get Sculpi Clay for our Monk Crosses that we will make today. I am really trying hard to make school fun and each day, i think, "Tomorrow will be fun!" But inevitably, it is not. it is quiet and mundane and i wonder what they are getting out of it. Quite a shame that there is not a brain scanner to tell.

Today, we have the typical run of the mill subject matter: Writing, Math, Read A Loud, Social Studies, Brain Breakfast, etc. No need to write any more. Maybe pictures taken of art project this afternoon.

Monks in Spain - but audio is nice to listen as we study ancient rome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dBOGb3gCms

Everybody's Doing It

So, I have plenty of friends who are blogging the days of homeschool learning. Being at a coffee shop and planning for the following week - i thought i would do the same...mainly so i know all my thoughts, contentions, observations are all in one safe place. Here.

Links for the week of Sept. 6 - 11
British Kings: http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/kids/local_kings.html
Ancient Rome for Kids: http://www.rome.mrdonn.org/

Read Aloud: Continue HOOT by Carl Hiaasen.

Story of the World : Celts, Barbarians, and Kings... oh my

This is just the beginning. This is where I will post my ideas and daily news.