Shopping

Well, we got our tax refund today. It came a lot quicker than we expected, which is a good thing! Get some bills paid off. And, of course, I had fun buying exciting new unschooling things for Taliesin and Nathanael today. We, of course, had to head for the hobby store for some new art supplies. From there we ended up with a new bag of Noodles, some sun catchers with paint and glitter, two model airplanes, two tape measures, and the neatest tone bells in rainbow colors. From Wal-Mart, we came home with some Fur-Real toys, a baby t-rex and a baby triceratops similar to the Fur-Real toys, two flute and songbook combinations, a polar bear and a panda Planet Earth stuffed toy/DVD set, a Spider Man game, and a small keyboard. Taliesin and Nathanael are enjoying themselves with their new unschool supplies. :^)

Kandy

Weather Bubbles

Taliesin and Nathanael awoke on this cloudy Kansas day in the mood to study the weather. So, as they took a bath this morning, they requested that we read Where Does the Rainbow End? and Amazing Weather. Today, they really enjoyed discussing hurricanes. We talked about how hurricanes occur in a tropical climate. They connected the tropical climate with our discussion yesterday of tree frogs and rain forests. After talking about weather events and discussing weather terms (one of their favorite things to do); we went outside to eat our lunch and smell the smell of fresh rain in the air. We also read some out of a book called Wind and Weather, a book that asks fun questions about whatever topic the book is written about (it comes in a series) and then answers those questions. Then came the really fun part. After lunch, we made bubbles and discussed how the wind (the actual wind or our breath) can make the bubbles blow - much like the wind in hurricanes and tornados. They had so much fun! Taliesin found the recipe for making bubbles in one of his cookbooks. They turned out great - made huge bubbles. It just takes one cup of dish washing liquid, two cups of water, and one teaspoon of corn syrup.


Kandy

Terminology

One thing I do really enjoy about my education classes is I learn all of the educational jargon for what we do everyday. Kind of like yesterday's assignment. What we did was not so much different than what we do everyday. Taliesin and Nathanael learn by following their interests. But I was able to take that unschooling activity and explain it in educational terms for my assignment. This is extremely helpful for me for record keeping. I've always kept record of what Taliesin and Nathanael do each day on a chart, and I keep their projects in portfolio form (or bookshelf form - depending on the project - LOL). I also use this blog as somewhat of a record with pictures. If any questions are ever posed to me, I can refer people to these avenues to show them that Taliesin and Nathanael are most definitely learning in our unschooling environment. Now, however, I am also keeping a "teacher journal." I actually found it at the dollar store and thought it would be a good idea to write everything out in educational terms. This way, I have a more "professional record," for lack of a better word, of what my sons do everyday. I guess you could call it school wording for the unschooled. :^)

Kandy

Directed Reading or Unschooling?

So my assignment for my education class this week is to conduct a directed reading assignment. A directed reading assignment is usually focused on a textbook. The teacher will introduce new vocabulary words prior to the reading assignment. Throughout the reading, the teacher will ask students to make predictions and draw on the students' prior knowledge of a subject to introduce new material. Character education and word recognition are also usually included. After the textbook reading, there are usually assignments like hands-on activities or a reading play to go along with the textbook studies.

What's an unschooler to do? I don't do textbooks (unless, of course, Taliesin and Nathanael request them. This does happen quite frequently, actually, with Taliesin and his A Beka health textbook we picked up from a homeschooling meeting a few months ago). I do not "direct" them into something I think they "need" to learn. The learn by following their interests.

Sooooo... Here's my compromise. We'll see how the grade goes. LOL.

Today, we got on the subject of tree frogs (thanks to our pet, Dorothy). As we discussed Dorothy, we pulled out their Planet Earth: Animals and Their Prey book; which has a fun discussion on tree frogs. We then looked up tree frogs online. This brought us to a new vocabulary word - insectivores. (We also talked about nocturnal and diurnal animals - per Taliesin. Great for prior knowledge of vocabulary in the assignment). We talked about what Dorothy eats - chricket and mill worms. Then we went back to the Planet Earth book and talked about how some tree frogs in Australia eat bats. This led to an interesting discussion of how small the bats must be, since tree frogs grow to be a full four inches long. We then read in Planet Earth about a tree frog's habitat - something we have talked about a lot via Dorothy and Go, Diego, Go books (another good one for drawing on prior knowledge). We talked about the rain forests, where some tree frogs live, and about the temperature of the tropics - with Taliesin and Nathanael naturally making predictions about how tree frogs live.

Then, per Taliesin's request, we read "The Lorax." Actually, a neighbor girl was also here having this discussion with us. She noticed a Noodle picture Taliesin had made of the Lorax. It hangs on our living room wall. So we went outside (beautiful weather today - also helped with the "lesson"), and read "The Lorax." This story was the perfect choice for Taliesin to make. What better way to discuss how the rain forests are being destroyed because of people chopping down the trees. This led us back to think about the tree frogs and other animals that live in the rain forests - how they must feel a lot like the animals in "The Lorax." We also touched a little bit on the greed of the Once-ler in the story (character education).

Right now, Taliesin and Nathanael are watching the movie The Day After Tomorrow (Nathanael's choice). Yes, I know many people disagree with this movie. It's not one of my favorites, either. And many question why I would allow Taliesin and Nathanael to watch it. They both like the weather events in the movie. (And we, of course, do talk a lot about how it is just a movie). I, personally, like using movies as tools. Today, it will fit in well with our discussion. (I'm really undecided about global warming. It could be true, but probably not to the extent that many believe). But it is a good example of how we are to care for the earth or there may be consequences. Of course, we've also discussed the Biblical implications of this from Genesis - that we are to have dominion over the earth. A good ruler is kind, not a tyrant (or even like the Once-ler in "The Lorax").

All in all, I do not think this is too bad of an assignment from a dedicated unschooler. We'll see what my professor thinks. :^)

Kandy

Mardi Gras

One of the moms from the unschoooling group had planned a fun Mardi Gras celebration today, but she had to cancel due to sickness. So Taliesin, Nathanael, and I had a fun celebration of our own. We researched a little about Mardi Gras online, made some Mardi Gras art, and then made our version of a king cake. Okay, so a king cake is not really German chocolate with cream cheese frosting, powdered sugar, and left-over Valentine sprinkles. But it was fun, anyway; and yummy! :^) After our creative endeavors, we played at the park for a while, then off to karate class. It was a fun day!

Kandy

Anyone Watching the Oscars?

Is anyone watching the Oscars tonight? I really never have, but I am interested to discover if Heath Ledger wins the Oscar for best supporting actor for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight. Definitely rooting for him to. Too bad we don't have cable and I have to work tonight. :^) Oh, well, I've asked my brother to record it for me. If he does win, I'll have a video of this moment in history. :^)

Kandy

Oh, Sweeney...

... Todd, that is.

Kelsey and I have two anniversaries. One is our anniversary of being more than friends - the day we decided to take our relationship to the dating stage. That one is February 21. Our second anniversary is, of course, our wedding anniversary. That one is October 21. So, in case you hadn't guessed, we just celebrated our anniversary of being more than friends. And to celebrate in style, we went to our local community theater and saw one of my favorites - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. It was fantastic! I loved it! I admit I had never seen the play before (other than church plays, this is the first play I've been to, in general); but I had seen the movie. It's definitely one of my favorite movies, and it's my favorite play, too. :^) Definitely an experience I'll never forget. Now I cannot wait to see another play - possibly this spring or summer. But I just know it won't be as good as Sweeney. :^)

Kandy