Annalise's Second Quarter Report

Annalise's 2010-2011 Second Quarter Report

2010-2011 Second Quarter Report for Annalise Burton, Grade 1

Many of the links we explored this quarter can be found at my blog, Shan's Link Library, at

http://shanslinks.blogspot.com/2011/02/second-quarter-links.html

Annalise has now met 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) - Reading, writing, spelling, English language usage, library skills:

Reading:

• Mom read aloud several Robert Frost poems, including The Road Not Taken, Christmas Trees, An Old Mans Winter Night, and A Patch of Old Snow.
• Annalise briefly explored several books of Greek philosophy,and the plays of Sophocles. She also enjoyed comparing the similar covers of Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
• Watched portions (Jeremiah watched most) of Star Trek: The Next Generation two-part episode "Time's Arrow". These episodes deal with the theoretical difficulties and complications of time travel, and feature writers Mark Twain and Jack London.
• Annalise's reading skills became markedly more advanced. She is reading many more words independently and naturally, sometimes without even seeming to be aware that she is doing so.
• Mom and Dad read to Annalise from Sharks! She enjoyed independently exploring other books about marine life, including Dangerous Deep Sea Creatures.
• Annalise watched The Nutcracker on PBS, and enjoyed independently exploring her Nutcracker book, and other ballet-themed books as well.
• While at the bookstore, Mom read aloud to both children and another boy, about 8,who sat down to join us. We chose Knuffle Bunny Free.
• Visit to Barnes and Noble bookstore in Colonie Center. Visit with friend Marcus, 4. Made a new friend-of-the-moment, Justina, 8.5. Annalise chose a Dorling-Kindersley Pokemon sticker book.) Reading from signs and book covers.
• Helped mom sort through a large quantity of books, exploring titles of interest as we worked.
• Collaborative oral storytelling games with Jeremiah- "I Imagine" wherein they take turns creating connections and stories using a growing list of items, and "Mystery Boxes" wherein each child picks a number and "opens" an imaginary box to see what is inside.

Writing and Spelling -

• Annalise's passion for writing has led to an increased ability to communicate via the written word. She has begun to independently write simple notes.
• Making books - lots of cutting and stapling. Annalise also devised a "drawing" by creating a pocket and some certificates as prizes, and invited Mom and Dad to each draw a prize. Asked for help to write out envelope and certificates for the drawing.
• Annalise asked me to spell the word "indeed", so that she could write it in window marker on the bathroom mirror.
• Annalise dictated a thank-you message to her Secret Santa.
• Annalise wrote and drew with glitter glue and colonial-era powder ink she mixed herself. She and Jeremiah collaborated on a treasure map drawn on parchment with a quill pen (from a kit we bought at Plimouth Plantation last July, and saved for the colder weather.
• Annalise was chalkwriting on the wall, and asked for dictation of "Margot" (our cat) and "Corki" (our dog).

English language usage:

• .Observed Jeremiah as he played Cluefinders 5th Grade Adventure English exploration. Tenses, pronouns, spelling.
• Discussed the meanings of the words 'hypothesis" and "cease".
• We discussed the meanings of the words "revolution" and "resolution". We discussed revolution as spinning, or a time of great change, the resolution as a solution or a type of promise people often make at the beginning of a new year.
• Annalise loves complex words, so I mentioned that Florida is a peninsula, and what that means. She said,"It's like an island!" So we talked about the difference between the two.
• Big-word time again! Annalise really enjoyed learning the word "marsupial" and what it means. We talked about kangaroos while she hopped around the room. We also talked about North America's only marsupial, the opossum.

Library skills:

• Trip to Borders in Clifton Park, Mom read aloud to both children and another boy, about 8,who sat down to join us. We chose Knuffle Bunny Free. Annalise engaged in free exploration, asking questions as needed, and also accepted guidance for in-store navigation as she selected gifts.
• Discussion of table of contents and chapters. As Annalise's reading and listening skills evolve, she has become interested in many nonfiction, multi-chapter books, and enjoys learning how to tell where to find particular sections she especially enjoys.
• Discussion of etiquette in spaces where others are reading quietly. She remembers this much, but not all, of the time.
• Visit to Barnes and Noble bookstore in Colonie Center. Visit with friend Marcus, 4. Made a new friend-of-the-moment, Justina, 8.5. Annalise chose a Dorling-Kindersley Pokemon sticker book.) Independent exploration throughout the children's section. Mom pointed out some titles Annalise might find interesting. More etiquette practice. Reading from signs and book covers.

• Resources have included, but are not limited to: Free access to home library and visits to local book stores; recorded performances; reference materials; computer with Internet access; games, programs, and television programming; interaction with older brother; discussion and wordplay; assorted media for writing and typing; parent facilitation.

Arithmetic:

• Annalise enjoyed creating two and three dimensional designs using pattern blocks. Discussed symmetry and asymmetry and shape names and characteristics.
• Discussed our Christmas budget, and how it related to gift wishes. Explored difference beween necessary expenses: utility bills, house payment, groceries; and optional expenses (cable, internet, toys, outings); and the importance of a balance we can sustain.
• Annalise enjoyed playing school during the Homework Hotline show. She set up a tray table and chair facing the television, and drew pictures and wrote math equations as she watched. She is quite fascinated with the concept of "equal to/not equal to", and enjoys representing various functions in equations, even if her answer is not correct.
• Both children enjoyed playing chess with dad, who is both good at the game and patient with young, learning players. Explored moves and beginning strategy.
• SnapStickers games on the computer, including: squares, matching, and memory.
• Length comparisons using invented measures, measuring tape, and ruler. Discussed English and metric systems of measurement, with comparison between inches and centimeters.
• Annalise decided to use a portion of her savings account to purchase Spike Jr., a mechanical dinosaur toy. Mom assisted her in finding and purchasing within her budget online. She also chose a tiny blown glass triceratops.
• Assisted with making the grocery list and shopping for family provisions. Discussed merits of assorted purchases vs. their value to us as consumers.
• PBS Kids' New Year's Eve episodes sparked discussion of the calendar, Y2K, and days until ----------.
• Both children spent time exploring the new calendar, noting holidays and when their birthdays will be this year, and asking questions about things that interested them.
• We discussed different time zones, the International Date Line, and how it affects the timing of the New Year around the world.
• More calendar exploration: finding important dates, counting amount of allowance due if they choose to save until specific points, holidays.
• The kids received a great many videos from their cousins Cameron, 10, and Carlee, 4. They spent a considerable time sorting, categorizing, and exploring.
• Much more independent math by both children. Annalise has a renewed fascination with negative numbers, adding, and subtracting.
• Annalise had her half-birthday, which led to talk of measuring age by days, months, and year.
• Played "Annalise's Casino" using a toy with a spinning tic-tac-toe board, trying to match 3 in a row. An assortment of practical and absurd bets were cast on the outcome of each spin.
• Mom has been saving for several months toward a major furniture purchase. Each of the children had a chance to hold, explore, and count $220 (made up of $50 and $20 bills).
• Annalise, who has lately become fascinated with negative numbers, loved seeing a temperature of -6 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Annalise counted to 110 by ones, from memory. Then she counted to 10o by tens.

Resources have included, but are not limited to: Computer with Internet access; games; money; manipulatives; abacus; educational programming; clocks, calendars, and charts; real-life applications; free access to home and public libraries; calculator; parent facilitators.

Sciences:

Flora and Fauna -

• Exploring the mechanics of and need for mousetraps in our ground-level home, and some mouse-borne diseases, including hanta virus (not a concern for us, here).
• Both children were intrigued by an episode of Fetch! dealing with sea turtle conservation.
• Viewed National Geographic Kids documentary on the rain forest several times (Lise able to quote sections about favorite animal species).
• Annalise watched documentary Cloud, Wild Stallion of the Rockies, a personal favorite and gift from her Parelli instructor.
• Visited feed and pet stores with Dad. Got to visit/say goodbye to Rintoo, our former pet, rehomed through the feed store. Also other rodents, reptiles, puppies, and fish.
• Discussion of carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores.
• Watched National Geographic Kids "Polar Prowl"documentary. Discussion of polar species habits, singing of songs, and play based on the video followed.
• Mom and Dad read to Annalise from Sharks! She enjoyed independently exploring other books about marine life, including Dangerous Deep Sea Creatures.y.
• A bit of unexpected forensic and mechanical science. What happens when a mouse decides to traverse the refrigerator fan? A deceased mouse, a non-functioning fridge - and Dad the hero who cleaned, repaired, and allowed the children to observe when they felt brave enough.
• Annalise played "pet dentist" with assorted stuffed friends, and remembered the "vet room" at the Saratoga Children's Museum, where she played with X rays and other props.
• The children and Mom watched portions of the documentary Babies. We discussed how culture and climate affect a baby's early life.
• The kids learned about polar bears on their new favorite PBS Kids show, Wild Cratts.
• We discussed a trip to the butterfly conservatory in Oneonta as a field trip before it turns warm, and perhaps of arranging it as a Live and Learn Homeschool Co-op trip.
• Mom gave Australia as an example of a island, because we had just watched an episode of Oprah that featured Bindie Irwin (Annalise loves crocodiles and snakes and is fascinated by the idea of living in the middle of a zoo!). We talked about Australia's unique evolutionary patterns, and how the island's isolation affected them.
• Big-word time again! Annalise really enjoyed learning the word "marsupial" and what it means. We talked about kangaroos while she hopped around the room. We also talked about North America's only marsupial, the opossum.
• Annalise and I watched portions of the Eukanuba AKC Dog Show. Discussed favorite breeds (chihuahua, border collie, pit bulls, komondor, Newfoundland, poodle, Bernese mountain dog, mastiffs of any kind, vizsla, golden retriever, and borzoi). Discussed that breeds were developed to meet human needs for guarding, recuing, herding, sporting, guide and service duties, and sled pulling.
• Jeremiah, Annalise, and Mom watched and discussed a portion of Cloud Returns, the sequel to her beloved Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies.
• Annalise did assorted animal impressions, during breaks from playing Wild Kratts on PBSKidsgo.com.

Anatomy -

• Discussing dehydration and its effects on people and things.
• We talked about body mechanics, and how bodies are affected by aging.
• Discussed, looked into mom's mouth to see where the molar had been extracted and stitch placed. Discussed the differences between temporary and permanent teeth, and tooth anatomy.
• Annalise and Mom discussed breathing rate - how larger beings breathe more slowly than smaller ones, and how her breathing will slow, as she grows. This happened as we were snuggled together, breathing in harmony. Ahhhhhh!

Earth Science and Ecology -

• Building with wood and tools.
• Independent exploration with the food dehydrator. Loaded it with assorted types of fruits and vegetables. Let the dehydrator work through the night, and tested each type of food for edibility. Snacking ensued - yummy apple chips. =D
• Explored various photos of bottle houses, in a continuing family fascination with tiny, ecological, and reclaimable living spaces.
• We discussed different time zones, the International Date Line, and how it affects the timing of the New Year around the world.

Weather and Natural Forces-

• Independent scientific exploration - light and water for creating rainbows, inspired by Curious George.
• Independent exploration with the food dehydrator. Loaded it with assorted types of fruits and vegetables. Let the dehydrator work through the night, and tested each type of food for edibility. Snacking ensued - yummy apple chips. =D
• Magnetic exploration, including force of attraction and repulsion and polarity.
• Exploration with Frig-its (magnetic marble run) by both children. Annalise also chose to explore with pouring water down the marble run, which was partially successful, and helped to clean the kitchen floor, too!
• .Paper airplane making with Dad. Use of assorted items for ballast..
• Considerable time, over several days, exploring the physics of flight.
• Creating paper snowflakes with Mom, Dad, and on her own. Several types of paper used, from telephone book pages to construction paper. Developing individual techniques.
• Exploration of how different styles and paper weights affected the movement of paper snowflakes through the air.
• Indoor snow play. Maple syrup snow cones and other concoctions. Molds and sculpture. experiments with how long melting takes in freezer, fridge, and at room temperature.
• Annalise kept Dad company as he worked on removing snow from the roof. She has a better understanding of this necessity, given the partial collapse of our shed roof during the recent ice/snow storm.
• I explained that electricity wasn't invented, but discovered, and we spent a bit of time talking about how energy can be collected and stored.
• This led to Annalise stating that she's afraid of forked lightning. We talked a little bit about safety from lightning.
• Annalise learned to recite the colors of the rainbow, in order, from a song on the PBS show, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That. We discussed ultraviolet and infrared light, and that sunblock protects from UV rays, which can be dangerous.
• Annalise, who has lately become fascinated with negative numbers, loved seeing a temperature of -6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Scientific Method-

• Exploring Tootsie Roll, Laffy Taffy, and Airheads art. Experimenting with various techniques, freezing, and leaving at room temperature.
• Pokemon-related activities,Pokemon machine building; researching game cheats and tutorials.
• Annalise explored recording assorted sounds, and morphing sounds and pictures using Jeremiah's DSi.
• Watched and discussed portions of Star Trek: The Next Generation two-part episode "Time's Arrow". These episodes deal with the theoretical difficulties and complications of time travel.
• Building with wood and tools.
• Independent scientific exploration - light and water for creating rainbows, inspired by Curious George.
• Independent exploration with the food dehydrator. Loaded it with assorted types of fruits and vegetables. Let the dehydrator work through the night, and tested each type of food for edibility. Snacking ensued - yummy apple chips. =D
• Magnetic exploration, including force of attraction and repulsion and polarity.
• Exploration with Frig-its (magnetic marble run) by both children. Annalise also chose to explore with pouring water down the marble run, which was partially successful, and helped to clean the kitchen floor, too!.
• Paper airplane making with Dad. Use of assorted items for ballast. Decorating the planes.
• Considerable time, over several days, exploring the physics of flight.
• Creating paper snowflakes with Mom, Dad, and on her own. Several types of paper used, from telephone book pages to construction paper. Developing individual techniques.
• Exploration of how different styles and paper weights affected the movement of paper snowflakes through the air.
• Indoor snow play. Maple syrup snow cones and other concoctions. Molds and sculpture. experiments with how long melting takes in freezer, fridge, and at room temperature.
• Annalise used patterned duct tape to make "sensors" for her and Jeremiah's doorways. They register "DNA, skin, and voice" and I have "immunity" to the one in her room, so long as I am wearing something red.
• Both children have been exploring the Gears!Gears!Gears! set (Boogie Buddy), that they received for Christmas. By combining it with elements from their existing Illuma-bots set, they have created various items, including a fan with spinning LED lights, an"inventive solution" invented by Annalise, and a robot car propelled by gear wheels. We discussed front, rear, and all wheel drives using the robot car as our example, when the children realized that all the wheels did not spin on each axle.
• Discussion of the presence of stairs in buildings with elevators and ecalators, in case of fire or power outage. I then asked her which she supposed might have been invented first - stairs, escalators, or elevators. She thought for a moment, then said, "Stairs, because there wasn't always electricity.".

Technology -

• Played Scratch, MIT's computer animation program.
• Pokemon-related activities,Pokemon machine building.
• Annalise explored recording assorted sounds, and morphing sounds and pictures using Jeremiah's DSi.
• Building with wood and tools.
• Independent exploration with the food dehydrator. Loaded it with assorted types of fruits and vegetables. Let the dehydrator work through the night, and tested each type of food for edibility. Snacking ensued - yummy apple chips. =D
• Annalise used patterned duct tape to make "sensors" for her and Jeremiah's doorways. They register "DNA, skin, and voice" and I have "immunity" to the one in her room, so long as I am wearing something red.
• Both children have been exploring the Gears!Gears!Gears!set (Boogie Buddy), that they received for Christmas. By combining it with elements from their existing Illuma-botsset, they have created various items, including a fan with spinning LED lights, an"inventive solution" invented by Annalise, and a robot car propelled by gear wheels. We discussed front, rear, and all wheel drives using the robot car as our example, when the children realized that all the wheels did not spin on each axle.
• Discussion of the presence of stairs in buildings with elevators and ecalators, in case of fire or power outage. I then asked her which she supposed might have been invented first - stairs, escalators, or elevators. She thought for a moment, then said, "Stairs, because there wasn't always electricity.
• Annalise enjoyed computer exploration. exploring games such as My Little Pony on the Mattell site and Wild Kratts on PBSKidsgo.com.

Resources have included, but are not limited to: Computer with Internet access; frequent access to pets, other domesticated animals, and wildlife; various natural surroundings; models and specimens; free access to home and public libraries; games and programming; access to assorted technological devices and components for building/inventing; tools, materials, time, and space for free experimentation; discussion and observation; parent facilitators.

Social Sciences:

Geography -

• We looked at the map to see where we would be sending our Unschooler's Secret Santa gifts this year, and how far they would travel (Vermont, where the kids have been, and Texas, where they have not).
• This led to other comparisons, such as distance between New York and Oregon; from our home to Pennsylvania (the route for an upcoming trip); New Mexico to New York (a houseguest is traveling from the Southwest to our home); and general map discussion.
• Annalise wrote and drew with glitter glue and colonial-era powder ink she mixed herself. She and Jeremiah collaborated on a treasure map drawn on parchment with a quill pen (from a kit we bought at Plimouth Plantation last July, and saved for the colder weather).
• We discussed different time zones, the International Date Line, and how it affects the timing of the New Year around the world.
• Annalise and Mom did more map exploration, studying various places on the US wall map. She enjoys reading the icons that give clues to each state's climate. We discussed why Alaska and Hawaii were not in their respective relative positions.....Hawaii would be under the floor, and Alaska floating in the hallway! Also, Lise decided that she would like to hang a map of Canada.
• While discussing horse racing and her Parelli horsemanship lessons this summer, I mentioned that Annalise's Parelli mentor, Kresney Craft, is in Florida learning more about advanced Parelli techniques. this led to Lise asking how far away Florida is, and my telling her what it looked like so that she could find it on our wall map. She returned a few moments later to report that Kresney is 7 states away.
• Annalise loves complex words, so I mentioned that FL is a peninsula, and what that means. She said,"It's like an island!" So we talked about the difference between the two.
• I gave Australia as an example of a island.

New York/United States/World History-

• Annalise explored a display of historic memorabilia belonging to the fire station (Arvin Hart) where we voted. Discussed with Mom, who read some of the text aloud.
• While sorting through our home library Mom discussed Greek philosophers Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. Playwright Sophocles - Antigone and Oedipus Rex. Homer (for whom Homer Simpson was named!). Looked at some books briefly, but they didn't hold enduring interest.
• Explored covers of Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, from our home library.
• Discussed Lewis and Clark and westward expansion.
• Attended Live and Learn Co-op Thanksgiving party. Talk, games, play, and eating with friends ages 2-16.
• Watched portions of Star Trek: The Next Generation two-part episode "Time's Arrow". These episodes deal with the theoretical difficulties and complications of time travel, are set in 19th century San Francisco, and feature writers Mark Twain and Jack London.
• Watched many film clips of early 20th century historical moments, including WWI (Pearl Harbor; assorted battle scenes); WWII battle scenes and celebrations; the Hindenburgh flight and explosion; assembly line for Model T Fords, and others.
• We discussed the true story of Thanksgiving and westward expansion, and how treaties and rights of the native peoples were routinely violated during this process. This has led to some ongoing exploration through conversation, of how nations are conquered, and the cost of the conquest to those already living there.
• Annalise wrote and drew with glitter glue and colonial-era powder ink she mixed herself. She and Jeremiah collaborated on a treasure map drawn on parchment with a quill pen (from a kit we bought at Plimouth Plantation last July, and saved for the colder weather).
• Did more discussing/planning regarding itinerary for our upcoming trip to Pennsylvania. We are hoping to meet up and perhaps stay with friends, and perhaps see the Liberty Bell and Magic Gardens.
• We discussed South American languages, and how Mexico came to be a Spanish-speaking country, and why Portuguese is spoken in Brazil.
• Discussed the Aztecs, Incas, and Mayans, and the consequences upon their of settlement by Europeans. Noted that, sadly, this pattern has been repeated in North America.
• Annalise loves complex words, so I mentioned that FL is a peninsula, and what that means. She said,"It's like an island!" So we talked about the difference between the two.
• We talked about Lise's favorite exhibits at the NYS Museum: Iroquois longhouse, mastodont, Discovery Room, New York birds and wildlife, the A train, Sesame Street, Wright's whale, historic fire trucks, 9/11 exhibit. brief discussion of 9/11, and its significance.
• Annalise and I watched portions of the Eukanuba AKC Dog Show. Discussed favorite breeds (chihuahua, border collie, pit bulls, komondor, Newfoundland, poodle, Bernese mountain dog, mastiffs of any kind, vizsla, golden retriever, and borzoi). Discussed that breeds were developed to meet human needs (guarding, recuing, herding, sporting, guide and service duties, and sled pulling.

Community, Culture, and Government -

• Attended polling place and voted in midterm elections with parents. Observed new paper-ballot voting machines. Later watched some coverage of results, and asked specific questions about candidates and issues they saw reported or in ads..
• Helping parents cook, preparing simple foods and drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sandwiches, cut vegetables, salads) independently.
• Impromptu visit from friends and neighbors Melissa, Emily (16), Sara (12), and Abigail (10). Kids got to check out the girls' new car; show off their home; talk about games, and play.
• Attended birthday party for cousins Sam (6) and Nate (4). Pinata, trampoline, climbing, swinging, housewide hide and seek game. Play with Sam, Nate, cousins Carlee (4) and Cameron (10); and Faith (6).
• Visit with cousins Cameron (10) and Carlee (4). Computer and physical play (tag, wrestling, stunts).
• Lots of Pokemon-related activities, including video and card gaming, reading, creating new "Monstermon" game and cards with cousins Cameron and Carlee, free cooperative play, and Pokemon machine buildings
• How the amount of sleep family members get or do not get can affect plans positively or negatively.
• Annalise helped with household maintenance and tidying chores, voluntarily, including clutter control, washing windows and mirrors, emptying trash, wiping up messes, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, washing dishes and laundry.
• Annalise enjoyed playing school during the Homework Hotline show. She set up a tray table and chair facing the television, and drew pictures and wrote math equations as she watched.
• Trip to bounce house with Dad. Also, play at playgrounds, in our yard, at parks, and other outdoor venues.
• Visit to Amigo's Cantina Restaurant with Dad.
• Both children enjoyed playing chess with Dad, who is both good at the game and patient with young, learning players.
• Both kids voluntarily helped Mom and Dad move a great deal of firewood which will help to keep us warm through the colder months.
• Annalise continued to develop new dramatic scenarios for her Littlest Pet Shop characters and props. Jeremiah occasionally played with her.
• Discussion of each family member's sleep needs, and how whether they are being met can affect family peace. Mom had been particularly sleep-deprived, of late, and life has been more chaotic than is typical.
• More talk about sleep patterns, sleep deficit, and the ongoing need to make some adjustments to get Mom more sleep (these were very difficult days; Mom was too tired!).
• Helping to prepare the woodstove for a fire, build and tend the fire. We discussed fire safety.
• Various play in indoor play spaces.
• Dinner at Mr. Fuji's Japanese Restaurant. Discussed Japanese culture, language, anime. Annalise especially loved the sticky rice, green tea, fried noodles, and green tea ice cream. Both liked chatting with the waittresses, and exploring the swords near our table and Mom's very cool Bento box..
• Collecting mail and interacting with our mailman, Mark, who is a friend of theirs.
• Dad showed both children how to use a hatchet to split kindling. More blade safety.
• More on sleep needs. The situation with Mom's sleep is improving, but still not great.
• We discussed the Humane Society, other organizations, and how they might play upon emotions and with facts in their attempts to elicit donations.
• We made holiday donations to several causes we feel are worthy and honest, including small donations to needy families, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, The Gorilla Foundation, and Heifer International.
• Yet more discussion of sleep. Some adjustments were made (giving Annalise more ability to be more at ease if she's the only one awake). Happily, everyone is now getting something much closer to a healthy, restful amount of sleep.
• Annalise made a 'rice baby" by putting dry rice in a plastic zipper bag. The rice baby (named Elise), then had many adventures throughout the afternoon and evening, including nursing, diaper changing, toilet learning, horseback riding, a hospital stay, and immunizations.
• Annalise asked to have her mattress moved to the floor from her former loft bed, and to have the loft transformed into a "luxury library". Once Mom completed the transformation, both children spent a considerable time playing and reading there, and it has become Lise's favorite retreat. The design continues to evolve to suit her needs and whims.
• Annalise played "pet dentist" with assorted stuffed friends, and remembered the "vet room" at the Saratoga Children's Museum.
• For the second year, we participated in the "Unschool Secret Santa" facebook group. We shopped for our giftees at Borders. Annalise chose Black Beauty with read-along CD and a little black model horse for her 7.5yo girl.
• While at the bookstore, Mom read aloud to both children and another boy of about 8,who sat down to join us. We chose Knuffle Bunny Free..
• Dad took the kids to the post office to mail their gifts.
• Unschool Secret Santa gifts arrived for the children - on the same day! Lise received a reciprocal gift from Clara: homemade peanut butter cookies in a pretty tin, and a fairy puzzle.
• Annalise and I were able to look at some pictures of Clara. Both kids enjoyed learning more about their Santas and dictating thank-you messages.
• Kids helped to assemble the Christmas tree, then decorated it with a few ornaments and many of Annalise's stuffed friends.
• Assisted with making the grocery list and shopping for family provisions.
• Mom and Dad both had the flu on Christmas day, able to move only from the bed to the couch. Jeremiah and Annalise were extremely understanding and patient, opening only a few gifts at a time and playing very quietly through most of the day so that we could rest.
• Jeremiah and Annalise spent time with their grandparents and aunt at grandparents' home on Christmas Eve. Gift opening - Annalise received a FurrReal puppy she is delighted with. =).
• Brinner! (Breakfast for dinner). The kids and Dad made French toast, pancakes, sausage, and bacon.
• Dad took kids to Treepaad indoor play area. Ball pit and shooting range, play structures, bounce area.
• Visit with grandparents, aunt, cousins Sam (6) and Nate (4). Also practiced dog safety and etiquette with visiting bulldog, Porthos, and discussed how he was named for one of the Three Musketeers (the kids are familiar with the Barbie version of the tale).
• Jeremiah had recently heard the words "revolution" and "resolution". He was about confused as to their meanings and relationships. We discussed revolution as spinning, or a time of great change, the resolution as a solution or a type of promise people often make at the beginning of a new year. Mom shared her intention to only speak positively, and to find better ways of communicating (this may take all year and longer, but I am game!).
• Both children spent time exploring the new calendar, noting holidays and when their birthdays will be this year, and asking questions about things that interested them
• More calendar exploration: finding important dates, counting amount of allowance due if they choose to save until specific points, holidays.
• Live and Learn Homeschool Co-op Free Play Day - Jeremiah enjoyed playing DSi with friend Ethan, 8, and physical play with Annalise, Gabrielle, 5, and Alana, 7. Annalise enjoyed free, physical, and imaginative play with Gabrielle, Alana, and Chloe (5). Also playing trains with Lily, 7, Sarah, 3, and Logan, 2.
• Visit to Barnes and Noble bookstore in Colonie Center. Visit with friend Marcus, 4. Made a new friend-of-the-moment, Justina, 8.5. Play with train set, impromptu shows on the stage, and choosing Pokemon books. (Jeremiah the manga novel Ginji's Rescue Team; Annalise a Dorling-Kindersley Pokemon sticker book.) Reading and choosing a snack.
• The children and Mom watched portions of the documentary Babies. We discussed how culture and climate affect a baby's early life.
• Helping with general household tidying.
• Live and Learn Homeschool Co-op Artist Trading Cards - Annalise enjoyed snow play, littlest pet shop play, and creating ATCs and gifting Alana and Gabrielle with them. She especially seemed to enjoy the medium of sand!
• Both kids worked on their Pokemon machine.
• The anticipated Presidential visit to Schenectady (close!) was delayed due to the shootings in Tuscon, Arizona. The children watched a few minutes of coverage regarding the shootings, mostly focused on Christina Taylor Green, who was only days younger than Jeremiah. Also watched coverage of the rescheduling of President Obama's visit for Fri, Jan. 21, and the feasibility of trying to see the President then.
• Both children have been assisting with, and had many discussions about, how best to reorganize/repurpose/reorient each of our rooms to better support the needs of each family member.
• Discussion of our family as a community, and how what each of us does can affect each of the others and our family as a whole, often in places and ways we don't anticipate or intend.
• Dad treated Jeremiah and Annalise to all day passes at the Wilton Mall bounce. A grand time was had by all!
• Mom played some games with Annalise: tic-tac-toe, which was her idea, and squares, which Mom introduced during this session.
• Annalise and Mom watched coverage of President Obama's visit to GE Schenectady. Although we had considered trying to get close enough to see him, there was no specific motorcade route posted, and it was too cold outside for us to be out long, comfortably. We were happier watching from our snug home. We've decided that we will drive past GE when the weather warms, so that I can show her where the President was speaking. We discussed the Secret Service agents, and their job of protecting the president, even in the White House. This led to discussion of several things we saw in Washington, DC during our visit there when Annalise was 4.
• We discussed how my moving the wood and keeping it ready for Jim to cut makes sense - I can move most of the wood myself, except for the very heaviest pieces. However, I am afraid to attempt operating a chain saw. So I do the parts I am able to, which frees Jim upto do the harder parts.
• I explained that Jim has recently started paying the bills, formerly something I did, squeezing it into the edges of life. Now, I am free to focus on the matters of their learning, and recording their learning. =)
• This led to talk about how, when Miah and Lise choose to do things such as clean up laundry, dirty dishes, or general clutter, they free Jim and I to use our energy on more involved household tasks. This, in turn, makes life more pleasant for us all!
• Both children further explored meditation, turning off lights and settling themselves quietly into their rooms fore 20-30 minutes. They asked me to please be quiet and not disturb them.
• The children decided they wanted to clean the bathroom Annalise washed the mirrors while Jeremiah did the sink counter, and, together, they cleared some floor clutter (mostly tub toys and laundry).
• The bathroom cleaning led to a game of hair salon, with each style modeled for me and checked in the mirror.
• We discussed personal space and why it's important after Miah got tripped over, and Lise bonked in the head, for coming into Mom's personal space without warning.
• The kids have decided to have a party in the not-too-distant future, and spent time with the early stages of party planning.

Resources have included, but are not limited to: Opportunities to travel various roads and trails by car, bike, or on foot; free access to home and public libraries; computer with Internet access; current events; historic sites; games and programming; discussion; parent facilitators.

Visual and Performing Arts:

• Both children enjoyed creating art books.
• Helping parents cook, preparing simple foods and drinks (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, sandwiches, cut vegetables, salads) independently.
• Helped mom create scrapbook pages as gifts for cousins Sam (6), and Nate (4). Helped select frames and wrapping materials. Annalise made cards.
• Assorted dramatic play at cousins' birthday party,
• Tootsie Roll, Laffy Taffy and Airheads art. Experimenting with various techniques and freezing vs. leaving at room temperature.
• Lots of Pokemon-related activities, including video and card gaming, reading, creating new "Monstermon" game and cards with cousins Cameron and Carlee, free individual and cooperative play, Pokemon machine building.
• Annalise created a variety of stamped art, including hand and foot prints (and a trail across the kitchen floor!)
• Annalise enjoyed creating two and three dimensional designs using pattern blocks.
• Computer art using MIT's Scratch animation program.
• Crayola 3D Art Studio demo.
• Mom read aloud several Robert Frost poems.
• Annalise enjoyed playing school during the Homework Hotline show. She set up a tray table and chair facing the television, and drew pictures as she watched.
• Narrating commercials they've seen, and inventing new ones together.
• Both children explored recording assorted sounds, and morphing sounds and pictures using Jeremiah's DSi.
• Watched portions) of Star Trek: The Next Generation two-part episode "Time's Arrow". These episodes deal with the theoretical difficulties and complications of time travel, and feature writers Mark Twain and Jack London.
• Both children enjoyed playing chess with dad, who is both good at the game and patient with young, learning players.
• Building with wood and tools.
• Making books - lots of cutting and stapling. Each child also devised a "drawing" by creating a pocket and some certificates as prizes, and invited Mom and Dad to each draw a prize.
• Gamecube Sonic game. SnapStickers games on the computer, including: squares, matching, memory.
• Annalise continued to develop new dramatic scenarios for her Littlest Pet Shop characters and props. Jeremiah occasionally played with her.
• Computer game play, I Spy Fantasy and I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe.
• Independent exploration with the food dehydrator. Loaded it with assorted types of fruits and vegetables. Let the dehydrator work through the night, and tested each type of food for edibility. Snacking ensued - yummy apple chips. =D
• Discussed impressionist art and looked at some examples the kids found in their books.
• Magnetic exploration and building.
• Exploration with Frig-its (magnetic marble run) by both children. Annalise also chose to explore with pouring water down the marble run, which was partially successful, and helped to clean the kitchen floor, too!
• Watched National Geographic Kids "Polar Prowl" documentary. Discussion of polar species habits, singing of songs, and play based on the video followed.
• Dinner at Mr. Fuji's Japanese Restaurant. Discussed Japanese culture, language, anime. Annalise especially loved the sticky rice, green tea, fried noodles, and green tea ice cream. She also liked chatting with the waittresses, and examining the swords near our table and Mom's very cool Bento box.
• Drawing - Annalise loves to draw a diverse group of subjects, including animals, people, stories, and landscapes.
• Explored various photos of bottle houses, in a continuing family fascination with tiny, ecological, and reclaimable living spaces.
• Assorted Christmas specials, both vintage favorites and new.
• Ice skating" (errr, shoe gliding) on backyard ice.
• Annalise watched The Nutcracker on PBS, and enjoyed independently exploring her Nutcracker book, and other ballet-themed books as well. She has expressed mild interest in taking another ballet class in the future.
• Much wrapping of miscellaneous items....including several of the dog's toys, in a serious regifting spree!
• Annalise made a 'rice baby" by putting dry rice in a plastic zipper bag. The rice baby (named Elise), then had many adventures throughout the afternoon and evening, including nursing, diaper changing, toilet learning, horseback riding, a hospital stay, and immunizations.
• Paper airplane making with Dad. Use of assorted items for ballast. Decorating the planes.
• Creating paper snowflakes with Mom, Dad, and on their own. Several types of paper used, from telephone book pages to construction paper. Developing individual techniques.
• Exploration of how different styles and paper weights affected the movement of paper snowflakes through the air.
• Annalise asked to have her mattress moved to the floor from her former loft bed, and to have the loft transformed into a "luxury library". Once Mom completed the transformation, both children spent a considerable time playing and reading there, and it has become Lise's favorite retreat. The design continues to evolve to suit her needs and whims.
• Annalise played "pet dentist" with assorted stuffed friends, and referenced the "vet room" she loved at the Saratoga Children's Museum.
• Paper and rock play (snowflakes, airplanes, art, structure, dramatic play).
• For the second year, we participated in the "Unschool Secret Santa" facebook group. We shopped for our giftees at Borders. . Annalise chose Black Beauty with read-along CD and a little black model horse for her 7.5yo girl.
• While at the bookstore, mom read aloud to both children and another boy, about 8,who sat down to join us. We chose Knuffle Bunny Free.
• Lise made art to go with her gift.
• Both kids enjoyed creating their own Christmas crafts.
• Kids helped to assemble the Christmas tree, then decorated it with a few ornaments and many of Annalise's stuffed friends.
• Annalise wrote and drew with glitter glue and colonial-era powder ink she mixed herself. She and Jeremiah collaborated on a treasure map drawn on parchment with a quill pen (from a kit we bought at Plimouth Plantation last July, and saved for the colder weather).
• Brinner! (Breakfast for dinner). The kids and Dad made French toast, pancakes, sausage, and bacon.
• PBs Kids' New Year's Eve episodes sparked discussion of the calendar, Y2K, and days until ---------
• Some of the movies that have been watched are:Spirit, Wild Stallion of the Cimmarron; The Tigger Movie; Pokemon: Seaside Pikachu; Gabby (a vintage cartoon series); and Teen Titans. These movies have factored strongly in play and art, especially the Teen Titans' character, Raven, who has become Annalise's heroine and newest alter ego!
• Live and Learn Homeschool Co-op Free Play Day - Jeremiah enjoyed playing DSi with friend Ethan, 8, and physical play with Annalise, Gabrielle, 5, and Alana, 7. Annalise enjoyed free, physical, and imaginative play with Gabrielle, Alana, and Chloe (5?). Also playing trains with Lily, 7, Sarah, 3, and Logan, 2.
• Visit to Barnes and Noble bookstore in Colonie Center. Visit with friend Marcus, 4. Made a new friend-of-the-moment, Justina, 8.5. Play with train set, impromptu shows on the stage, and choosing Pokemon books. (Jeremiah the manga novel Ginji's Rescue Team; Annalise a Dorling-Kindersley Pokemon sticker book.).
• Indoor snow play. Maple syrup snow cones and other concoctions. Molds and sculpture. experiments with how long melting takes in freezer, fridge, and at room temperature.
• Kids found and viewed several funny videos on YouTube, mostly featuring Sonic and Pokemon.
• Live and Learn Homeschool Co-op Artist Trading Cards - Annalise enjoyed snow play, littlest pet shop play, and creating ATCs and gifting Alana and Gabrielle with them. She especially seemed to enjoy the medium of sand!
• Played "Annalise's Casino" using a toy with a spinning tic-tac-toe board, trying to match 3 in a row. An assortment of practical and absurd bets were cast on the outcome of each spin.
• Kids invented new games - "I Imagine" a collaborative game where they take turns creating connections and stories using a growing list of items, and "Mystery Boxes" wherein each child picks a number and "opens" an imaginary box to see what is inside.
• Annalise used patterned duct tape to make "sensors" for her and Jeremiah's doorways. They register "DNA, skin, and voice" and I have "immunity" to the one in her room, so long as I am wearing something red.
• Annalise began creating Teen Titans art, featuring herself and Raven, who is her favorite character in the show. She also appropriated an old hooded baby towel to wear as her "robe" when she is playing Raven. Much imaginative play coming from this show! =)
• Annalise purchased a baton and baton twirling handbook at the thrift store, and has been experimenting with them.
• Inside chalk art. Annalise discovered that the paneled hallway walls make a perfect gallery for BIG art! A damp cloth erases it all and cleans the wall a little, too! We're being treated to many, many, hearts, big houses, tornadoes and hurricanes, and her efforts at writing "Margot" (our cat) and "Corki" (our dog).
• Both children have been exploring the Gears!Gears!Gears! set (Boogie Buddy), that they received for Christmas. By combining it with elements from their existing Illuma-bots set, they have created various items, including a fan with spinning LED lights, an"inventive solution" invented by Annalise, and a robot car propelled by gear wheels.
• Annalise built a Lincoln Log farm, populated by animals who had a meeting. Sound at all, ummmm, familiar? =)
• Mom and Annalise watched several episodes of Teen Titans ("Car Trouble"; "Mad Mod"; and "Apprentice part 1") while snuggled together in bed. She was also captivated by the Escher-inspired art in "Mad Mod".
• Annalise created an abstract painting with lot of color blending. "Hey, Mommy, yellow and blue make green! Knowhow I know? Look, I made green!"
• Annalise and Jeremiah played a game of hair salon, with each style modeled for me and checked in the mirror.
• Annalise did assorted animal impressions, during breaks from playing Wild Kratts on PBSKidsgo. com.
• The kids have decided to have a party in the not-too-distant future, and spent time with the early stages of party planning.

Resources have included, but are not limited to: Computer with Internet access; games and programming; exploration of environmental art; ample materials and free time for artistic exploration in a wide range of styles and media; free access to home library; materials for building and dramatic play; parent facilitators.

Music:

• Annalise enjoyed exploring her cousins' Montessori musical instruments with friend Faith,also 6, and the girls spent a good deal of time making music together.
• Annalise watched The Nutcracker on PBS, and enjoyed independently exploring her Nutcracker book, and other ballet-themed books as well. She has expressed mild interest in taking another ballet class in the future.
• Annalise composed a stick-pony-riding song, 'Riding Free": "Riding free, not bothered by tack..."
• Kids engaged in a collaborative bongo-playing contest, replicating and adding to each others' rhythms.
• Learning songs from National Geographic Kids "Polar Prowl" documentary.
• Listened to several folk songs with Mom by Kingston Trio; Peter, Paul, and Mary and The Mamas and the Papas. Discussed with Mom while listening.

Resources have included, but are not limited to: Recorded performances; access to sheet music and instruments; television and radio programming; computer with internet access; free access to home library, including music; materials for invented instruments; discussion; parent facilitators.

Foreign Language Arts (FLA):

• Discussed Japanese meaning of word karate (open hand)..
• Dinner at Mr. Fuji's Japanese Restaurant. Discussed Japanese culture, language, anime.
• We discussed South American languages, and how Mexico came to be a Spanish-speaking country, and why Portuguese is spoken in Brazil.
• Becoming interested in replicating the sounds of the Teen Titans theme song, as sung in Japanese. She also has the English version, for rough translations.

Resources have included, but are not limited to: Computer with Internet access; free access to home library; exposure to written and spoken languages via programming, games, and environmental sources; discussion; subtitles and dictionaries; parent facilitators.



Health:

Safety (Traffic and Bicycle Safety and Regulations, Fire Safety, Fire and Arson Prevention; and Other Safety Issues as Needed) -

• Biking in yard, on driveway, and on our rural road. Practiced bicycle and traffic safety skills.
• Helping to prepare the woodstove for a fire, build and tend the fire. We discussed fire safety.
• An accidental small fire (a log that slipped too close to the woodstove was smoldering and smoky) led to discussions about the importance of smoke alarms (ours worked), and a fire plan. Also discussed different types and sizes of fires, smoke inhalation and its prevention, and being extra careful near the woodstove.
• Dad showed both children how to use a hatchet to split kindling. More talk of blade safety.
• Something burned onto the bottom of the oven led to a smoky kitchen! We discussed the importance of smoke alarms - ours worked. We also talked about the dangers of smoke inhalation, and ways to prevent it.
• Annalise stated that she's afraid of forked lightning. We talked a little bit about lightning safety.
• 
  

General Health Issues -

• Exploring the mechanics of and need for mousetraps in our ground-level home, and some mouse-borne diseases, including hanta virus (not a concern for us, here).
• How the amount of sleep family members get or do not get can affect plans positively or negatively.
• Discussion of each family member's sleep needs, and how whether they are being met can affect family peace. Mom had been particularly sleep-deprived, of late, and life has been more chaotic than is typical.
• Discussing dehydration and its effects on people and things
• Independent exploration with the food dehydrator. Loaded it with assorted types of fruits and vegetables. Blade safety discussion while slicing. Let the dehydrator work through the night, and tested each type of food for edibility. Snacking ensued - yummy apple chips. =D
• More talk about sleep patterns, sleep deficit, and the ongoing need to make some adjustments to get Mom more sleep (these were very difficult days; Mom was too tired!).
• We talked about body mechanics, and how bodies are affected by aging.
• More on sleep needs. The situation with Mom's sleep is improving, but still not great.
• Discussed, looked into mom's mouth to see where the molar had been extracted. Kids are very interested in such proceedings.
• Yet more discussion of sleep. Some adjustments were made (giving Annalise more ability to be more at ease if she's the only one awake). Happily, everyone is now getting something much closer to a healthy, restful amount of sleep.
• Annalise played "pet dentist" with assorted stuffed friends, and remembered the "vet room" at the Saratoga Children's Museum.
• Assisted with making the grocery list and shopping for family provisions.
• Mom and Dad both had the flu on Christmas day, able to move only from the bed to the couch. Jeremiah and Annalise were extremely understanding and patient, opening only a few gifts at a time and playing very quietly through most of the day so that we could rest.
• Both kids used free weights to "design our own workouts". Lise used 2 pounds, Miah 5. Jeremiah also practicing lunges. We discussed the importance of balanced exercise, using both sides of the body to avoid injury from over/underuse.
• Annalise used patterned duct tape to make "sensors" for her and Jeremiah's doorways. They register "DNA, skin, and voice" and I have "immunity" to the one in her room, so long as I am wearing something red.
• Discussion of our family as a community, and how what each of us does can affect each of the others and our family as a whole, often in places and ways we don't anticipate or intend...
• Both children further explored meditation, turning off lights and settling themselves quietly into their rooms fore 20-30 minutes. They asked me to please be quiet and not disturb them.
• Annalise and Mom discussed breathing rate - how larger beings breathe more slowly than smaller ones, and how her breathing will slow, as she grows. This happened as we were snuggled together, breathing in harmony. Ahhhhhh!
• Many physical activities, as detailed in the Physical Education section below.

Resources have included, but are not limited to: Events, and activities;s; woodstove; opportunities to travel various roads and trails by car, bike, or on foot; computer with Internet access; games and programming; discussion; indoor and outdoor play spaces; environmental sources; parent facilitators.


Physical Education:

Annalise engaged in assorted physical activities this quarter, including but not limited to:

• Biking in yard, on driveway, and on our rural road.
• Trampolining
• Climbing
• Swinging
• Housewide hide and seek game with children ages 6-10.
• Tag
• Wrestling
• Stunts
• Assorted housekeeping activities (vacuuming and mopping, washing windows, sweeping).
• Bounce houses and Treepaad (climbing structures and wall, ball ballistics area, ball pit), indoor and outdoor play spaces.
• Moving firewood, chopping kindling.
• "Ice skating" (errr, shoe gliding) on backyard ice.
• Assorted snow play (digging, sledding, trailblazing, shoveling, snowball fights,climbing, and sculpting).
• Helped to assemble Christmas tree.
• Both kids used free weights to "design our own workouts". Lise used 2 pounds. We discussed the importance of balanced exercise, using both sides of the body to avoid injury from over/underuse.
• Annalise purchased a baton and baton twirling handbook at the thrift store, and has been experimenting with them.
• Meditation.
• Animal impressions - assorted species.

Resources have included, but are by no means limited to:Indoor and outdoor play spaces; programming; excursions into nature; activities and events; group and individual exercise and play; discussion; programming and games; parent facilitators.

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.

November 2010 -152 hours. Year-to-date - 576 hours.
December 2010 -157 hours. Year-to-date - 733 hours.
January 2011 - 168 hours. Year-to-date - 901 hours.

Please note that, as of the end of this quarter, Annalise has met New York State's compulsory education requirement of 900 hours.