Jeremiah will be meeting the compulsory educational requirements of New York State, as detailed in the Commissioner's Regulations, Section 100.10, for the 2010-2011 school year.
English Language Arts (ELA):
Objectives: To continue to support Jeremiah's strong interest in communicating, and to facilitate his deepening English language skills through various forms of oral and written communication.
Reading - We will continue to facilitate Jeremiah's independent reading (he has been reading fluently for pleasure and information for several years) through a wide range of literary and environmental media. Jeremiah will be given ample free time for independent reading, and we will continue to read aloud as a family. Jeremiah's efforts to assist Annalise as she learns to read more complex materials will be fully supported. We will spend as much time as Jeremiah wishes discussing what he has read and the ideas that arise from his reading, as we always have, and we will allow time for free play based upon what he has read, as we have always done.
- Letter, word, and sound play.
- Many opportunities for environmental reading in diverse circumstances and various locations, including during interstate travel.
- Independent Internet navigation and computer game play.
- Reading Internet articles.
- Attended and made his own selections at media swap.
- Exploring many back issues of National Geographic Kids acquired in media swap; Highlights magazine; and The Official Pokemon Handbook. Skimmed The Italian Renaissance, looking for familiar sights from the Sterling Renaissance Festival, which we attended in August.
- Utilizing onscreen instructions and tutorials while learning DSi technology.
- Many opportunities for environmental reading for pleasure and information.
- Jeremiah discovered Pokemon fan fiction (fanfic) independently, and spent time reading online at www.serebii.net.
- I read aloud from the Series of Unfortunate Events title The Miserable Mill: and The Pony Winter. Neither seemed to capture enough interest to continue.
Writing - We will facilitate Jeremiah's growing interest in communicating through the written word, using both handwriting and keyboarding. Over the next several months, I will assist him in creating and posting to his own blog, and facilitating his use of word processing programs. Materials and opportunities for developing handwriting skills in various media will be freely available.
- After several years of resisting writing in nearly all circumstances; Jeremiah has become far more interested in exploring this form of communication.
- Jeremiah has become braver about typing in web addresses (although he prefers to use only as many letters as he needs to to get to the site he wants to visit), posting comments with his shared links; and chatting with his older cousin.
- Jeremiah decided to create a movie, and made a handwritten title for it: Fat Fart Time Sat on a Cat. He requested only minimal guidance while figuring out the spellings.
- Jeremiah performed his first independent Internet search on Ask.com, searching for new Pokemon materials.
- After reading Pokemon fanfic online, Jeremiah was delighted to learn that it had been written by other Pokemon fans, and that much of the fiction I write is Star Trek fanfic. He began to consider plots for a possible story of his own.
Spelling - Jeremiah has recently become very interested in how words are spelled, and is spending much more time attending to the details of English spelling rules. We will continue to facilitate this interest by providing ample opportunities and resources for real-life spelling applications, such as posting to his blog and chatting with his growing network of online friends.
- Jeremiah continued to enjoy Wheel of Fortune, and has begun to be able to solve some of the simpler puzzles. This has accompanied a corresponding maturation in his confidence and ability for independent spelling efforts.
- Jeremiah decided to create a movie, and made a handwritten title for it: Fat Fart Time Sat on a Cat. He requested only minimal guidance while figuring out the spellings.
- Many opportunities to hear and use spoken English in various situations with a diverse group of varying ages, both native speakers and those to whom English is a second language.
- Exposure to the English spoken during the Renaissance era.
- Listened to speeches and panel discussions during the Northeast Unschooling Conference (NEUC).
- Word play exploration: "cornundrum" as wordplay for "conundrum", and explanation of original word meaning. Jeremiah has become increasingly interested in jokes, riddles, and puns throughout the last several months.
- Jeremiah watched the first several scenes of Shakespeare's Macbeth, starring Sir Patrick Stewart. This version uses World War II as its backdrop, and Jeremiah soon chose to stop watching due to the dark and violent nature of the opening scenes.
- Visit to Saratoga Springs Public Library.
Arithmetic:
Objectives: To continue to support Jeremiah's fascination for manipulating numbers through providing ample real-life opportunities for managing money; planning schedules; measuring length, volume, perimeter; and area; discussion about more abstract mathematical concepts; geometric shapes and their properties; building; categorization; decimals and fractions; logic and math games.
- Visits to Credit Union -banking, allowance, counting money, budgeting, beginning to make change.
- Explored and tracked progress of fundraising bar chart.
- Money sorting and counting.
- Discussed finances (birthday party cost discussion and comparison to previous parties).
- Time/energy management discussion (time and energy spent on this party and previous ones).
- Calculating and tracking mileage during various road trips, with some minimal assistance.
- Independently operated elevator to assorted locations throughout a 12 story hotel building.
- Explored Cluefinders Third Grade and Fourth Grade Adventure computer games (calculating perimeter; two-digit addition). Two digit addition with some carrying; two digit subtraction. Jeremiah used an abacus to solve some problems, but calculated most answers correctly in his head.
- Explored replicas of Renaissance and para-Renaissance coins.
- Explored some of the permutations for 4 digits while trying to find PIN for DSi, and discussed.
- Played "Lemonade World", an online game wherein he managed a lemonade stand for 30 days, balancing purchases, item pricing, and seeking maximum profit.
- Worked spherical puzzle; discussed properties of circles and spheres.
- Searched car for money, adding up until he had enough to make his desired purchases at a local ice cream parlor. Walked 2 blocks to parlor on his own to make purchases.
- Jeremiah enjoyed playing Crush the Castle 2, an online game that mixes medieval history with architecture and physics elements, and Crayon Physics, a game involving force, trajectory, angles, and simple machines.
- Learned to play, and helped his 10yo cousin learn to play, mancala. After several games, Jeremiah was thrilled when he finally won a game. =)
- I showed Jeremiah how to turn the = sign into "not equal", and we discussed that concept until he was satisfied.
- Watched an episode of Fetch! (PBS Kids), in which triangulation was used to determine the distance from two points to the intersections between them.
- Candy sorting, counting, and trading.
- Jeremiah explored Age of Empires II, a computer civilization-building game that blends principles of math, history, and science.
- Made independent pie charts to demonstrate halves and quarters, and wrote the corresponding numerical fractions. Has become far more interested in comparing fractions with differing denominators as well as adding and subtracting them.
Resources have included, but are not limited to: Computer with Internet access; free access to home and public libraries; games; money; manipulatives; educational programming; clocks, calendars, and charts; real-life applications; discussion; parent facilitators.
Sciences:
Objectives: To continue to support and facilitate Jeremiah's insatiable passion for science, especially in the fields of prehistoric life; evolution; astronomy and space; technology; physics; weather and natural forces; scientific theory; and ecology, while offering ample opportunities to deepen and expand his understanding through new experiences and free experimentation.
Technology -- More exploration of Scratch from MIT.edu (computer science and technology).
- Jeremiah and I reset his DSi pin number, and began to attempt (unsuccessfully, so far) to set up the Wifi connection for it.
- Jeremiah explored a strobe light.
- Jeremiah independently set up his newly acquired PlayStation 2, then began learning how to use it for a variety of applications, from an included tutorial and trial and error experimentation.
- Jeremiah explored Age of Empires II, a computer civilization-building game that blends principles of math, history, and science. He also enjoyed playing Crush the Castle 2, an online game that mixes medieval history with architecture and physics elements, and Crayon Physics, a game that uses angles, trajectories, force, and simple machines to move a ball through assorted obstacles to a goal. He also enjoyed challenging the computer at hearts, chess, and Spider Solitaire.
- Jeremiah and cousin Cameron, age 10, played Fire Boy and Water Girl, Temple of Forest and Temple of Light. The game involves cooperative problem solving as partners work together, using each character's specific skills to compensate for partner's weaknesses. In order to reach their goals, they needed to operate a series of simple machines, often in concert with each other.
- Learning DSi technology.
- Studied antique scale at yard sale.
- Explored Discovery Kids laptop.
Flora and Fauna -
- Learned about archaeology, paleontology, and assorted dinosaur and other prehistoric species.
- Nature observation, including: wild grapes; frequent observation of the changing foliage; giant sunflower head being harvested for seeds. Participated in harvest and preservation of cherry and grape tomatoes, blackberries; chives; and oregano.
- Explored a moth which had died and been preserved with its wings extended. Also two honeybees which died in a dish of honey.
- Group hike to lake. Explored changing foliage, small black snake; beetles; cornfield, sand pit; and lake. Studied ripples caused by tossing handfuls of acorns into the water.
- While listening to the cicadas during a hot and dry summer, the children's curiosity led us to a Wikipedia search. We viewed images and learned about the life cycle and famously loud sounds they make.
- A favorite PBS Kids show, Fetch! featured experiments conducted at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana. Watched bears destroy picnic baskets; learned many facts about grizzlies. Both children were intrigued to learn that Mom and Dad had visited the center before they were born, and we decided to return during our cross-country move in about 2 years.
- Interacted with cousin's newly re-acclimated feral cat. Discussed why extra gentleness was required.
- Free-range and feral rabbit care and observation.
- Dog training with our dog, Corki.
- Caterpillar observation.
- Flea life cycles and extermination.
- Nature exploration (flora and birds; storm approaching) at Lee, Massachusetts rest area.
- Observed and examined the body of a frog that drowned in grandparents' pool. Discussed why frogs can drown, but tadpoles can't (lungs/gills), and the toxic effects of too much chlorine.
- Star Trek: The Original Series - portions of "Devil in the Dark", which involved a mining operation, and a silicon-based lifeform which moved through rock as easily as air. We discussed the fact that Earth is filled with carbon-based life forms. Jeremiah was fascinated to know that he contains the raw material for a diamond!
- Exploring many back issues of National Geographic Kids.
- Jeremiah enjoyed playing Crush the Castle 2, an online game that mixes medieval history with architecture and physics elements, and Crayon Physics, a game that uses angles, trajectories, force, and simple machines to move a ball through assorted obstacles to a goal.
- Jeremiah and cousin Cameron, age 10, played Fire Boy and Water Girl, Temple of Forest and Temple of Light. The game involves cooperative problem solving as partners work together, using each character's specific skills to compensate for partner's weaknesses. In order to reach their goals, they needed to operate a series of simple machines, often in concert with each other.
- Seesaw fulcrum experimentation with Annalise, 6, and Dylan, 7.
- Observed bottle rockets at NEUC.
- Gravity Hill physics arcade game.
Earth Sciences and Ecology -
- We discussed the water table, how it is affected by the weather, and how it in turn affects the amount of water we can draw from our relatively shallow well. We compared the lack of pressure and need for more frequent priming during the very dry summer, and how long it took to run a bath or a load of laundry compared to midway through the fall, after we had received a good deal of rain in a short time. We also discussed soil saturation and the shale ridge that runs beneath our property, and how these are connected to the water table and the taste and quality of our water.
- Discussed a blogpost involving chemically gentle, do-it-yourself preparations for body care. As we are, as a family, very interested in living an increasing natural, more ecologically sustainable lifestyle, we found this how-to list very inspiring, and plan to try some of the simpler preparations during the colder months.
- Plastic bag mockumentary - the journey of a shopping bag from parking lot to the garbage mass in the mid-Pacific Ocean.
- Exploring many back issues of National Geographic Kids.
- Explored grape arbor; functioning water wheel and its machinery; dragonfly; draft horses (comparing riding horses); and camels.
- Was fascinated by the physics of many human-powered rides and games, including: strongman; Carosello; Ladder of Truth; Crow's Nest; archery and axe-throwing observation; giant hill slide; carousel; tomato throwing. Discussed their operation with parents, sister, and ride attendants.
- Observed the scientific process of several art forms, including: wood burl art; hammock making; flameworking (glass art; the artist was very willing to talk with the children and demonstrate how his high-heat oven operated. Jeremiah was more interested in the process than in the finished products); weapons forge; wands made from actual cobras' heads.
Tugboat Roundup (Erie Canal Lock 2; Waterford, NY) -
- Discussed the visible pollution in the canal, which saddened the kids.
- Watched and discussed the operation of a paddlewheel boat.
- Studied what Jeremiah referred to as a "chain-reaction" machine - a homemade series of simple machines that moved balls across a wall to ring the ship's bell at the floating barge Waterfront Museum.
- Viewed and talked about ship's wheel and barometer.
The WILD! Center of the Adirondack Museum of Natural History (Tupper Lake, NY) -
- Explored glacial boulders; "calving" glacier model; glacier cone. Learned that the cone was kept frozen by a coil similar to those used in freezers. Learned about the last ice age, and its effects upon the Adirondacks of today.
- Studied cloud machine; bog ecosystem (sphagnum moss samples; bog footing; carnivorous plants; simulated bog footing; spiders; black spruce); Explored sediment displays; underground environment; walked Pond Loop in both directions (a mile-long hike), and explored flora (Eastern asters; milkweed and monarch display; lily pads; cattails; cinnamon fern; uprooted tree). Saw beginnings or remnants of a raptor nest.
- Viewed live river otters in a simulation of their natural habitat. Observed an enrichment feeding of grapes and strawberries, and a brief lecture on otter habits, locomotion, coat; diet, and the specific otters living at the Center. Able to observe them on land, in water, and through a child-sized blind. Observed ducks; frogs, turtles; assorted species of lake trout; several snakes; and a salamander.
- Explored Adirondack flora and fauna scent displays: otter; mink; bear; spearmint; larch; sweet gale; bacteria.
- Explored "Swampy Sounds Organ", which allowed him to combine assorted bird, animal, water and insect noises. Played with the sound analysis studio, which showed the species and graph of their call while playing it (green frog and Eastern meadowlark). Spent time with Annalise, and independently, experimenting with a time-lapse video display in which he explored: the length of the Hudson River from an aerial view; monarch butterfly metamorphosis; and construction of the Wild! Center. Created an aerial map of the Adirondack State Park using a computer mapping program.
- Observed many taxidermic models, including: moose; beaver; wild turkey; mink; skunk; fox; bobcat; wood duck; raccoon family. Dragonfly specimen. Assorted skulls, bones, antlers, poop, prints, and feathers. Explored pressed flower transparencies. Wolf and otter skull comparison exhibit.
- Endangered and extinct Adirondack species path, indicating the year, and whether the species is resurgent or in decline, from 1843 to present: Wolverine, decline; wild boar, decline; mountain lion, stable; peregrine falcon, resurgent; river otters, resurgent; and moose, resurgent. Posed for photos under moose antlers.
- Explored living sedum roof garden; display regarding the way water is recycled from the indoor duck habitat to the outdoor pond; solar powered fountain display; granite benches; exhibit describing the gradual reclamation of a sandpit to a pond ecosystem.
- Practiced bird calls with whistle he bought at the Wild! Center.
- Observed solar-powered apple cannon (not during firing).
Final Launch of the 2010 Adirondack Balloon Festival (Glens Falls, NY) -
- Viewed a dozen launches from a ridge overlooking the airport. Saw the ignition which heats the gases inside the balloon, and discussed how this causes the balloon to rise. Also, discussed how the cool, mostly cloudy, still weather might affect the balloons (making it harder to lift off and ascend). Discussed how the shape and size of balloons might affect flight, then observed two very large and unusually shaped balloons (a pirate in a barrel, and a Smurf) which never really got aloft before deflating and returning to ground only a few hundred yards away.
- Compared the cultivated asters at the nursery to the wild variety we saw at the Wild! Center.
- Explored assorted varieties of dried gourds.
Liberty Ridge Farm (Schagticoke, NY) - Met up with friends Abigail,12; and Ethan,8; and their parents.
- Attended firing demonstration of an air-powered pumpkin cannon. Operator demonstrated ho the angle of the cannon barrel affects loft and trajectory of the launched pumpkin. Three pumpkins were fired, and flights compared. Discussed air-powered vs. solar-powered cannons.
- Hand-operated water pump rubber duck races. Discussed how the pump works, and how the water carries the duck.
- Observed the rabbits that had escaped the village, as well as chickens and domestic turkey which he compared to the wild ones we often see in our area.
Albany Area Unschoolers field trip to Herkimer Diamond Mines (Herkimer, NY) -
- Attended discussion of what Herkimer diamonds are (a specific type of native quartz with distinct points at each end); where to find it (usually tucked into pockets in the base rock); and the need for safety awareness (closed toe shoes, goggles, staying off ledges, which are unstable).
- Exploration of mines #2 and #3. We gathered likely rocks, chipped at them with hammers and mallets. We discussed fault lines and explored where the shale broke. Found some tiny Herkimer diamond chips.
- Age comparison between dinosaurs and Herkimer diamonds.
- Trilobite fossils.
- Tyrannosaurus rex footprints.
- Exploration of archaeological sandbox filled with bone and fossil replicas. Jeremiah especially liked the vertebrae.
- We learned that stromalite is responsible for all the oxygen in Earth's environment, and therefore for life itself.
- Explored "Randy" the Majungatholus skull from Madagascar.
- Prehistoric animal art.
- Petrified wood.
- Looked at many fossil, mineral, rock, and bone displays.
- Phosphorescent mineral display. Looked at large assortment of phosphorescent minerals in regular and black light.
- Observed nests of Herkimer diamonds preserved as they were found, including one nearly 500,000 million years old; and the Diamond Cross found on the morning of September 11, 2001.
- Amethyst clusters.
- Chose a bag of gemstone mining rough. Learned how to pour into a sluicing frame, then sift the loose dirt, leaving the gemstones.
- We identified several gemstones using gemstone chart. Some samples: tiger's eye; amethyst; Herkimer diamonds; amber; iron pyrite; obsidian; and arrowheads.
- Read the fossil panning sign.
- Took several flip-quizzes based on the displays he most enjoyed.
- Exhibit of economic used of rocks and minerals, including batteries and light bulbs.
- While viewing a display of Asian art using gemstones, minerals, metals, bone, and shells, we saw an ivory carvings, one still in the shape of a tusk. We discussed the practice of poaching as animal cruelty and ecologically wasteful.
Resources have included, but are not limited to: Museums, events, and exhibits; computer with Internet access; frequent access to pets and various natural surroundings; models and specimens; free access to home and public libraries; games and programming; tools, materials, time, and space for free experimentation; parent facilitators.
Social Sciences:Objectives:
Geography - Jeremiah continues to be interested in climates and ecosystems throughout the world and throughout time; in maps, atlases, globes, and compasses. We will continue to facilitate and offer ample opportunities to further develop these interests while learning about how the geography of a region affects the history, belief systems, lifestyles, and culture of its people.
- Travel to Sterling Renaissance Festival in Sterling, NY via I-90 - Discussed route and region; Finger Lakes. Reading event map.
- Observed and discussed cairns and their purpose as trail markers. Mom and Dad shared stories of cairns they saw and built while living in the Grand Canyon/Yellowstone areas.
- Traveled to the Northeast Unschooling Conference (Sheraton Hotel, Wakefield, MA) - Travel, including toll roads; calculating and tracking mileage; reading road signs. Discussed tolls and fees and what the money is used for; studied maps at rest area at Lee, Massachusetts.
- Explored many back issues of National Geographic Kids.
- Explored license plates from several states.
- Read from Top Secret Australia Guidebook.
- Created aerial map of Adirondack State Park using a computer program.
- Travel into Adirondack State Park to Tupper Lake.
- Explored moose-spotting map.
- Travel to Westborough, MA, and throughout the local area (Worcester), hiking and driving.
- Explored with our compass, remembering how to read it and adjusting direction until he could successfully pinpoint north, south, east, and west. We talked about other ways to know, such as the position of the sun, and about directions like northeast and southwest.
New York/United States/World History - We will continue to facilitate Jeremiah's growing interest in and understanding of the history of New York, America and the world. We will continue to model tolerance, citizenship, and patriotism based upon critical thought; understanding of our government; and our nation's guiding principles regarding fairness to all its people, rather than upon unexamined rhetoric and ritual.
- Practiced Vulcan and American military salutes.
- Star Trek: The Original Series - portions of "Devil in the Dark" (about an intelligent silicon based and culturally divergent life-form native to a planet being developed as a mining colony) and "A Piece of the Action" (focused on a parallel culture to 1920s Chicago) and discussed concepts sparked by both.
- Impromptu play with visiting neighbor children Dylan, 7, and Tyler, 4. Served food and drink; shared toys; devised games.
- Household reorganization to better support individual and family needs.
- Packing (with minimal guidance) for trip to Northeast Unschooling Conference.
- Skimmed The Italian Renaissance, looking for familiar sights from the Sterling Renaissance Festival, which we attended in August.
- Voluntarily chose to assist with washing dishes.
- We began watching America: The Story of Us, the free educator's DVD we received in August from the History Channel. Watched the President's introduction, and the special features from "Rebels and Redcoats", as well as half of the "rebels and Redcoats" segment.
- Jeremiah enjoyed playing Crush the Castle 2, an online game that mixes medieval history with building and physics elements.
- Watched several classic, WWII era episodes of Popeye.
- Jeremiah remains very interested in current events. He listened carefully throughout the election season, forming his own questions based upon his understanding of the issues and the candidate's presentation. In order to increase his understanding, he asked many relevant questions, and several conversations on ethics, propaganda, and the process of government followed.
- Jeremiah followed the story of the trapped Chilean miners. When the day of release arrived, he kept a running tab of how many were rescued, and informed us over the course of the day, doing a victory dance when the last miner was freed. He has since been interested in what they are doing since their rescue.
- Jeremiah watched portions of a retrospective on Hurricane Katrina. He was not quite four years old at the time of the storm, and still remembers us making and selling beaded "hurricane bracelets" at Tugboat Roundup and the daycare where I worked at the time. He hadn't realized, though, that the proceeds of the sales were donated to help Katrina victims.
- Jeremiah has recently become interested in court shows such as Judge Judy and The People's Court. He is learning much about the terminology and process of the small claims court system. We have discussed criminal court, and the Supreme Court, in a basic sense.
- Jeremiah read a political brochure that arrived in the mail. The brochure had a very negative tone, and he said he would not vote for the candidate being attacked. he then asked me if I planned to. I said that I did not, but that the ad did nothing to color my choice. Rather, I had been watching the candidates, and there were things about this particular person that I found personally very worrisome, and that those things were why I didn't intend to vote for the candidate.
- I helped Jeremiah to find who had financed the ad, and we discussed that those paying will have a certain bias and objective, and that it is important to know these things in order to evaluate what has been written.
- Jeremiah walked independently to his grandparents' house, several hundred feet away and on the other side of our rural road. He had been considering this milestone for several months, and finally felt ready. He remembered to call when he arrived, and returned safely.
- Trick or treating. We generally stop at a few select homes; the children enjoy the visiting as much as the treats they receive. They liked talking about their costumes ad the recent events of their lives, and we spoke about the ethics of Halloween pranks.
- We finished our trick or treating at Amigo's Cantina, where Jim is executive chef. Discussed Halloween, and Dios de los Muertos (de los ninos). This Mexican holiday is important to us due to the death of Jeremiah and Analise's infant brother, Elijah. We talked about the fact that it is a happy memorial. We enjoyed dessert (he chose rice pudding).
- We watched the feature film Titanic several times over three days. Jeremiah was passionately interested in the Titanic disaster as a seven -year-old, reading books and watching lengthy documentaries on the subject. He delved into deciphering which parts of the story were true, and which dramatized for the sake of the story.
- Sometimes watches M*A*S*H with us, and we discuss various topics about Korean culture, the Korean war, war in general, and military service. Jeremiah especially likes episodes that deal with the more colorful aspects of Korean culture: "Exorcism" and "Ping Pong", as well as those that involve a long series of events to reach a goal: "The Price of Tomato Juice" and "For Want of a Boot". A particular favorite is "Abyssinia, Henry", which he has seen reenacted on Family Guy, and which led him to realize that even coming home from a war is no guarantee of safety.
- Jeremiah explored Age of Empires II, a computer civilization-building game that blends principles of math, history, and science.
- Jeremiah watched a portion of a historical documentary about Halloween on the History Channel while visiting with his grandparents.
- Viewed online article with photographs depicting the world's oldest pyramids in Bosnia.
- Jeremiah was very interested in the "imaginary deities", the Flying Spaghetti Monster (the Pastafarian deity used to argue against including creationism in a college science curriculum) and the Invisible Pink Unicorn. We have talked about how there is as little genuine proof of the commonly accepted deities as there is for these recently created ones, and how faith and religious requirements can be used to control people through the ideas and behavior that is deemed acceptable.
Tugboat Roundup, Lock 2 Erie Canal -
- Modern and historic photographs, paintings, and sculpture. Vintage books, scale models, and scale model kits.
- Saw many boats, modern and historic, including: NYS tugs Urger, Grand Erie, and Governor Cleveland; W.O. Decker, Margot (also the name of our cat); Buffalo; paddlewheel boat; and a floating barge museum.
- Toured the floating barge museum. Saw items such as ship's wheel, furnishings, barometer, lifeboat, ship's bell, ropes, artifacts, working galley, and photographs of the floating museum's travels, including one taken at Ellis Island. Spoke with one of the museum owners.
- Observed flag and American soldiers. Discussed flag etiquette and showing respect for the flag and servicemen and women. Read mooring limit sign, and discussed the meaning and importance of it, mentioning that there are other very important laws (lights; buoys; rights-of-way).
- Joined by friends from Live and Learn Homeschool Co-op, ages 2-11. Toured Lock 2.
- Explored several Renaissance structures and mechanisms, including: stockade; tower; grape arbor; water wheel; various rides.
- Discussed the airplane that flew overhead during the festival as an anachronism.
- Observed several games and replica items, including: coins; strongman game; stained glass art; archery and axe-throwing observation; fountain; hammock weaving display; burled wood art; cobra-head wands; giant hill slide; Renaissance fence maze with mythological art.
- Explored various tools, crafts, activities, music, and weapons, including: armored warhorses; live Irish folk music; draft horses; hammock weaving display; tomato throwing; sampled sweet nuts; replica weapons; working forge; observed and spoke with glass flameworker; flamework glass art; cairns.
Northeast Unschooling Conference (Sheraton Hotel, Wakefield, MA) -
- Travel, including toll roads; reading road signs; discussing tolls and fees and what they are used for. Mapreading.
- Learning to independently navigate, use proper etiquette, practice safety; and engage in activities; conversation, and play in a 12 story hotel during conference. Placed orders in restaurant and for room service. Sat in on portions of adult panel discussion. Assisting with packing and checkout tasks; Independent elevator operation, room key use; and room independence for brief periods. Entered conference raffle in quest to win several items and independently collected his winnings(and mine). Assisted Annalise in collecting her raffle winnings.
- Jeremiah explored Japanese anime (Bleach and others) and vintage Tom and Jerry cartoons. Attended and made his own selections at media swap.
- Explored assorted crafts and artworks, including: lobby pottery; duct tape art, yarn weavings; dowel art; fashion exploration; painting; jewelry; textile art; architectural building; rag rug wall hanging; pottery; traditional Taiwanese character nature art.
- Assorted cooperative physical play in mixed aged groups, including: bouncing; hide and seek; tag; vampires; bubble play; swimming; dancing; running; climbing; nature walk; bouldering; mock fighting with friend Alana,6; mock prop ninja fighting with Annalise.
- Explored exhibit detailing the history of the last Ice Age.
- Explored traditional trappers' lean-to: snowshoes; traveler's trunk; packbasket; cast iron skillet; nest; tin lunch bucket.
- Group enjoyed a tour of the orchard's apple processing operation, including wagon ride; hay barn; apple bins; discussion of apple trees through the seasons; crates of pumpkins; refrigerated warehouse, which will be filled with apples by season's end; life span of refrigerated apples (1 year); apple washing machine; uses for bruised apples; packing area; using conveyors to move box; trip to orchard to pick apples.
- Watched cider donuts being made.
- Attended a dance party hosted by 10 year old Felix and his parents, with unschooling families from New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Children ranged in age from 2-16 years. Enjoyed hiking with various members of the community.
- Toured and listened to future plans for the Unschool Bus, a former school bus now being converted into a motor home for the Halldorson family from New Hampshire. We've been following along through posted photos on Facebook and the family's blog, www.unschoolbus.com. Exploring another family's journey to roadschooling is of particular interest to us, as we are planning a several months' long cross-country trip as part of our move to Oregon, and will likely be living in a travel trailer or converted bus during our travels.
- Watched construction vehicles at office building across the street from our hotel room.
Herkimer Diamond Mine -
- Saw old mining gear and photos.
- Discussed time capsule placed on July 9, 2005 (when Annalise was a year and a day old), which will be opened on May 30, 2015.
Visual and Performing Arts:
Objectives: We will continue to support Jeremiah's interest in two and three dimensional creation; computer art; animation; and stop-action films; singing; and storytelling, while offering a variety of opportunities to experience visual and performing arts in many live and recorded forms. As always, there will be ample materials and instructional materials (art books, tutorials, programming) available, and time enough for a great deal of independent creation.
- Created animated scenes using Scratch from MIT.edu (computer art and animation program)
- Created assorted artworks and pursued artistic projects, including:posing for pictures; photography; food prep; house cleaning and rearranging.
- Experimented with sound and visual art using DSi game system features.
- Jeremiah chose to celebrate his 9th birthday with a dinner at Amigo's Cantina (Schuylerville, NY), where his dad is the executive chef. Explored Central and South American art through paintings, sculpture, music, and food.
- Did many rubbings using nature plates at the Wild! Center. Experimented with color and how to hold the crayon.
- Jeremiah's taste in television programming has matured significantly this quarter. He now increasingly enjoys programming such as Jeopardy!, Grey's Anatomy, House, Bones, and Frasier. He often recounts the stories, asking questions and initiating discussions about what he has seen. He is able to follow complex plots.
- Jeremiah enjoyed playing Crush the Castle 2, an online game that mixes medieval history with architecture and physics elements.
- Watched several classic, WWII era episodes of Popeye.
- Jeremiah and Annalise played "school" using a picture book, antique desk, and Lise as teacher.
- Explored a display of Asian art, using bone, shells, ivory, gems, and minerals. Jade, dolls, ivory carvings, scales, and a teapot.
- Packed for overnight trip.
- Chose to be a Noctowl (an owlish Pokemon) for Halloween. He provided images through Pokemon cards and online images. Provided me step by step feedback as I created his costume, and welcomed adaptations that insured we could make the costume without spending any money, which was our goal.
- Jeremiah independently began to pursue an interest in online Pokemon art. Through internet searches, he discovered parodies, animations, and fanfic, which has informed his play, and deepened his awareness of Japanese art and culture.
- Made a sculpture out of baby carrots.
- Independent pumpkin carving with Annalise.
- Invented Monstermon, a handmade card game with attacks and points that is based on Pokemon. this was a collaborative effort with their cousins Cameron, 10; and Carlee, 4.
- Collaborated with Annalise to color a black velvet monster picture using markers.
- Arranged jack o' lanterns into a car roof display, so that it would be visible to passersby.
- During an independent walk to his grandparents' house, Jeremiah found and saved a leaf shaped like Pac-Man.
- Jeremiah watched the first several scenes of Shakespeare's Macbeth, starring Sir Patrick Stewart, whom he knows from Star Trek: The Next Generation. This version uses World War II as its backdrop, and Jeremiah soon chose to stop watching due to the dark and violent nature of the opening scenes (I watched the entire production, and don't think he would have enjoyed what followed, as he is not fond of graphic and realistic imagery).
- Explored assorted artworks and interacted with artisans, including: coins; live Irish folk music; stained glass art; fountain; hammock weaving display; burled wood art; cobra-head wands; weapons and working forge; observed and spoke with glass flameworker; flamework glass art; cairns and cairn artist; Renaissance fence maze with mythological art.
Northeast Unschooling Conference (Sheraton Hotel, Wakefield, MA) -
- Explored various artworks, spoke with artisans, and engaged in assorted artistic expression, including: lobby pottery; duct tape art; yarn nature weavings; dowel art; fashion exploration; painting; jewelry; textile art; architectural building; rag rug wall hanging; pottery; traditional Taiwanese character nature art; created playdough chess pieces; mock ninja fighting with props
- Explored arts and crafts in various forms, and spoke to several craftspeople. Forms included: candles; crocheting, both completed clothing and bedding as well as the process; mythological and Western sculpture; jewelry; embroidered pillows; woodburned art; nature, animal, and historical photography; handmade stuffed animals; sand art; "chain-reaction machine"; live big band and Irish music.
- Jeremiah peeled and cut apples and helped assemble an apple crisp. Explored with rolling pin. Explored several peeling, coring, and mixing devices.
- Observed the making of "shrunken apple heads".
- We made several trips through the haunted house, both with friends and on our own.
- Explored how scenes were set up, and the efficiency of them being built upon the Christmas displays, so that they do not need to set up two completely different displays within a few weeks. Also explored how sounds and special effects were accomplished.
- Enjoyed two pieces of parody art, one based on "American Gothic" and the other named "Moaning Lisa".
- Observed and explored art trading cards (ATCs) made by artist Ericka Pitre-Davis.
- Singing, dancing, and cooperative free play.
Resources have included, but are not limited to: Computer with Internet access; games and programming; visits to galleries, exhibits, and live performances: exploration of environmental art; ample materials and free time for artistic exploration in a wide range of styles and media; free access to home and public libraries; materials for building and dramatic play; discussion; parent facilitators.
Music:
Objectives: Jeremiah enjoys a variety of music, singing, creating alternate lyrics, and creating instruments. We will support his ongoing discovery of music and the mathematical patterns it is made of through ample exposure to music of many varieties, in live, written, and recorded form; access to playlists, instruments, and materials for invented instruments.
Sterling Renaissance Festival -
- Live Irish folk music, with period instruments and voices.
- Portions of musical performances, by recording artists, talent show contestants, and impromptu jam sessions. Jeremiah has discovered that he doesn't enjoy live performances in small spaces.
- Learning DSi technology - sound (sine) waves, and "morphing" his voice in various ways.
- Recorded Latin music at Amigo's Cantina.
- Jeremiah learned to drum Bon Jovi's (Wanted) Dead or Alive using Rock Band. Asked me to sing with him, and we enjoyed the challenge of our joint effort.
- Attended Felix's Big Dance Party. Assorted music and dancing.
Tugboat Roundup -
- Live Irish music and big band music. Second, more intimate performance of Irish music aboard the floating barge museum.
- Youtube Sting videos: "Be Still My Beating Heart"; "History Will Teach Us Nothing"; and "Fragile".
- Youtube music videos from around the world, including: "Magna Mako" by Ismail Isaac; and "One Man, No Dub"by Kwame Bediako.
Resources have included, but are not limited to: Live and recorded performances; access to sheet music and instruments; television and radio programming; computer with internet access; free access to home and public libraries, including music; materials for invented instruments; discussion; parent facilitators.
Foreign Language Arts (FLA):
Objectives: Jeremiah is interested in several languages, including Greek, Japanese, and Latin. We will continue to offer ample opportunity to enjoy and deepen his understanding the written and spoken forms of various languages through Japanese anime, performances, programming, music, and an environment rich in people of many cultures.
- Explored traditional Taiwanese character nature art, and spoke with Taiwanese artist, Litsong Lu.
- Jeremiah explored Japanese anime (Bleach and others).
- Jeremiah listened to Spanish- language music and learned more Spanish words and phrases during and after our visit to Amigo's Cantina.
- Exposure to written Bosnian.
Objectives: Jeremiah has always had a strong awareness of safety, and contributes much to our family discussions regarding safety concerns and alcohol, drug, and tobacco abuse. We will support his developing awareness of his natural sleep/wake cycles; hygiene; and dietary needs by offering information and reminders as needed, and support his interest in challenging himself with many opportunities for directed and free physical play.
- Many activities and opportunities for free physical play, detailed in the Physical Education section below.
- Discussion of nutritious food choices; how various food choices affect mood and energy levels; food prep, both with parents and independently. Made spinach dip. Chose to purchase and drink a superfood green smoothie, "because I feel like I need more vegetables right now."
- Discussed and applied several safety principles in areas such as: hotel; elevator; fire; dog; pool; blade, and stranger safety.
- Discussed cigarettes, and talked about their toxic qualities and possible effects on overall health.
- Discussed the difference between beneficial, neutral, and harmful drugs and foods. Explored the importance of proper use and dosing of medications, and the dangers of reckless or excessive use.
- When our attempt to visit an armory museum was canceled due to my getting a nausea-inducing migraine, both children proved themselves very capable of managing in the car, in an unfamiliar area, and waiting patiently until I could get medication that eased the pain enough for me to drive. Jeremiah, especially, exhibited a great deal of maturity and empathy as he stayed with me once we were able to return to our hosts' home.
- Considered acceptance and appreciation for the gifts in our lives after watching a Youtube video made by a man born without normal limbs. Discussed accepting adversity as a fact of life, and maintaining an attitude of perseverance when such challenges arise.
We will discuss arson and its possible effects, and what to do if he sees someone set an unsafe fire. We will also discuss accidental fires, how to prevent an unintended fire, and proper supervision of a safe, intentional fire. Jeremiah has expressed interest in learning to build a fire in our woodstove, and we will incorporate this learning into his existing fire-safety awareness.
- Swimming, several times and locations, practicing water safety.
- Hotel stay. practicing stranger awareness and discussing fire safety, evacuation procedures, and elevator safety.
- Blade safety while preparing food.
- Dog etiquette: A strange, unleashed dog absconded with Annalise's treasured stuffed dog during our hike. We used calm energy to assist the owners getting the dog to peacefully drop the toy. Also, careful, courteous interaction with Vinnie, the very aged standard poodle belonging to our hosts.
- Helped build, light, and tend a fire with adult supervision and guidance. We discussed several safety concerns, such as: getting too close to the woodstove (risk of falls); touching hot stove; flammable materials near stove; chimney fires; making certain smoke and CO alarms are working properly; what to do in the event of a fire; calling 911; family fire plan; how to extinguish a wood fire.
- Fire prevention bus: self-tour of living area with fireplace hazards; kitchen with stove-top hazard; bedroom with lighting and trip hazards.
- Portable reservoir; firefighters' gear; pump truck; fire extinguishers for assorted types of fires; fire truck interiors; jaws of life and a car they had been used on; winch; floodlights; hoses.
- Examined antique fire truck. Compared this truck and its canvas hoses to the modern pump truck.
- Viewed a firewoman wearing a respirator mask and goggles. Saw gear lockers; firefighters' gear cost chart; and thermal imaging camera.
- Jeremiah chose to have an ID badge made.
- Witnessed hoses being used.
- Explored pump and ladder fire trucks, exterior and interior. First responder gear, including: stretcher; firefighters' gear; back and neck boards; jaws of life and support mechanisms; fire extinguishers of assorted types; and traffic management supplies. All-terrain emergency vehicle with gear.
- We took a tour ride in a pump truck, and experienced: traffic safety, including ceding right-of-way to emergency vehicles; explanation of firefighters' badges and radio units; type of truck and its use; demonstration of thermal imaging camera in use.
- Discussed computer and camera systems in state police cruiser, and why these items help the officers and those they interact with.
- Fire prevention interactive dollhouse: Investigating three floors worth of fire hazards, discussing them, and correcting them by flipping tabs. Jeremiah especially enjoyed the smoke chamber in the main hall, the ringing alarms, and the various electrical features, and spent several minutes interacting with the fireman operating the display.
- Jeremiah and I observed a Jaws of Life training session for rookie firefighters. Saw Jaws of Life employed to cut the roof off a car; seat belt cutter; observed and interacted with firefighters, asking for a receiving a remnant of the operation (plastic, because the metal he really wanted was far too sharp). He watched and discussed this process avidly for 10-15 minutes.
- Viewed simulated rollover accident, using an adult and child dummy using seat belt/car safety seat and without.
- Dog etiquette: A strange, unleashed dog absconded with Annalise's treasured stuffed dog during our hike. We used calm energy to assist the owners getting the dog to peacefully drop the toy. Also, careful, courteous interaction with Vinnie, the very aged standard poodle belonging to our hosts.
- Helped build, light, and tend a fire with adult supervision and guidance. We discussed several safety concerns, such as: getting too close to the woodstove (risk of falls); touching hot stove; flammable materials near stove; chimney fires; making certain smoke and CO alarms are working properly; what to do in the event of a fire; calling 911; family fire plan; how to extinguish a wood fire.
Physical Education:
Objectives: We will continue to support Jeremiah's growing interest in expressing himself physically with many opportunities for group, team, and individual sports and play, both purposeful and free. We will continue to indulge in such favorites as swimming, wrestling, hiking, swinging, climbing, and biking, as well as exploring new physical activities.
Many activities and opportunities for free physical play were pursued this quarter, including but not limited to:
- swimming
- Ladder of Truth Renaissance-era climbing game
- indoor play areas
- dog training
- hide-and-seek
- tag
- running
- stunt falls
- nature walks and exploration
- bouncing on trampolines and in bounce houses
- vampires
- bubble play;
- dancing; climbing
- bouldering and scrambling
- pillow play
- Tire mountain
- wooden play structures
- giant cylindrical hay bale arrangement play at Bowman's Orchard.
- Pedal cars
- digging and corn house and assorted sand areas
- giant hamster wheel
- giant underground slide
- balancing
- golf ball treasure hunt
Attendance: Please note that these attendance records only reflect time spent in documented learning activities. Many other activities and conversations passed unremarked, and there is, of course, no way to quantify how much time each child spends in private thought. Therefore, these records are decidedly on the conservative side. Physical attendance log is available.
August 2010 - 147 hours.
September 2010 - 127 hours. Year-to-date - 273 hours.
October 2010 - 155 hours. Year-to-date - 423 hours.
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