Annalise's 2010-2011 First Quarter Report
2010-2011 First Quarter Report for Annalise Burton, Grade 1
English Language Arts (ELA):
Objectives: To continue to support Annalise's intense fascination with communicating fluently in her native tongue.
Reading - We will continue reading aloud to Annalise, from a variety of fiction and nonfiction titles, as she chooses. She will continue to have free access to the written word in many forms, and the support of the three fluent readers in her home to answer her many, many questions. Letter and word play will continue to be supported.
- Letter play.
- Environmental reading opportunities in various situations and assorted locations, including traffic signs during interstate travel.
- Attended media swap and made her own selections.
- Selected Princess Kid Kit and Snakes book from Usbourne Book kiosk and spent time browsing in both.
- Explored numerous back issues of National Geographic Kids acquired in media swap. ExploredZoobooks, edition on chimpanzees before lingering over "Ostriches and other Ratites", observing photographs throughout the book.
- Spent considerable time perusing illustrations and various words in Black Beauty (Anna Sewell), A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens), The Giving Tree,and Ladybug's New Home. Enjoyed looking through the Bibles and a Book of Mormon left in our hotel rooms, saying she especially liked the texture of the pages.
- Creating foam soap letters.
- Learning DSi technology - recognizing familiar words with assistance and independently in order to advance game play.
- Mom and Dad read aloud from Snakes. Mom read The Farm Book, Why do Horses Neigh? and Tornadoes.Aunt Cindy read The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat.
- Played I Spy Spooky Manson Deluxe, reading along with the riddles and clues as they were narrated.
- Asked for Mom to write several specific horse names so that she could learn how to read them. Took the names to the computer, and used them to name her creations while playing Crayola Paint 'n' Play Ponies.
- Annalise was given license plates from several states at a yard sale. Spent considerable time asking me to read the states, as she tried to sound out the names, until she was able to read them all independently.
- Beginning to be able to navigate the Internet in a basic way, using familiar words and letters to guide her.
- Browsed through Highlights magazine; and The Official Pokemon Handbook. Recognizing an increasing number of words independently. SkimmedThe Italian Renaissance, looking for familiar sights from the Sterling Renaissance Festival, which we attended in August.
- Many opportunities for environmental reading for pleasure and information.
- At the Herkimer Diamond Mine, I read aloud The Legend of Herkimer Diamonds from the wall art, while Annalise sat at an antique schooldesk and followed along in a picture book. She then enjoyed a large display featuring the characters from the story.
- I read aloud from the Series of Unfortunate Events titleThe Miserable Mill: and The Pony Winter. Neither seemed to capture enough interest to continue.
- Independent writing, "good dog"; "fire dog".
- Independently typing in names for I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe. Some of her choices: Backspace, Annalise, Dog, and one made of random letters.
- Symbol writing, as in "XO" for "hugs and kisses."
- Enjoys writing letters, numbers, and symbols with assorted devices (foam, paint, sticks, brushes) on a variety of surfaces (walls, dirt, paper, wood).
- Created a "score card" for an imaginary Pokemon race using numbers and symbols.
- Created a two-piece aluminum foil sculpture of the word "Me".
- Annalise "wrote a speech in cursive" which consisted of some jagged, squiggly lines on a piece of paper. She then "read" her speech to imaginary partygoers.
Spelling - Annalise enjoys exploring spelling orally and through writing, and we will continue to assist her in her efforts to spell words that are relevant to her.
- Independent writing, "good dog" and "fire dog".
- Copying and spelling words from memory, including: her name, backspace, dog, and several others. Able to copy spellings of complex sentences in a letter by letter process. Spells both in writing and orally.
- 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, panel discussions, soliloquies, and recitations during the Northeast Unschooling Conference (NEUC).
- Increased interest in more mature children's language-oriented programming on PBS, such as Word Girl andThe Electric Company. Her vocabulary, which has always been significantly advanced, and understanding of language forms have undergone a corresponding maturation.
- While at the Wild! Center, Annalise thought the fog machine looked like a bubbling witches' cauldron. She quoted, "Double, double, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble," from Shakespeare's Macbeth.
- Visit to Saratoga Library.
Arithmetic:
Objective: To facilitate Annalise's growing interest in manipulating numbers through addition, subtraction, and multiplication; using fractions and percentages; exploring the concepts of large numbers, place value, and infinity; sorting and counting change; patterns; and two-and-three dimensional building, while continuing to offer exposure to other mathematical skills, such as telling time; reading calendars; number lines;budgeting and purchasing; sorting into sets and subsets, and other skills as her needs and interests suggest.
- Visits to Credit Union -banking, allowance, counting money, budgeting.
- 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 assistance.
- Independently operated elevator to assorted locations throughout a 12 story hotel building.
- Observed Jeremiah exploring Cluefinders Third Grade and Fourth Grade Adventure computer games (calculating perimeter; two-digit addition).
- Explored replicas of Renaissance and para-Renaissance coins.
- Purchases, both planned and spontaneous, including some that required several weeks' savings. Decided to purchase a used DSi XL with savings from her account, but isn't yet ready to narrow the selection.
- Walked with friends to ice cream parlor; independent purchase.
- Practiced writing numbers, 1-4, 100, 1000, 10,000.
- Addition and subtraction using assorted items.
- Sorted DS styluses into sets by color; compared and contrasted amounts of each color. Sorted many varieties of play vegetable into single- vegetable sets.
- Created a "score card" for an imaginary Pokemon race using numbers and symbols.
- Often watches horse racing on the OTB channel. Is learning to read the charts denoting placement.
- Annalise used the abacus to count to and beyond 100. Also, some simple addition and subtraction.
- Learned to play, and helped her 4yo cousin learn to play, mancala. Enjoys making up her own versions of the game.
- Annalise became very interested in measuring. Used a folding ruler to measure a water bottle, her foot, my foot, and portions of our bed.
- Watched an episode of Fetch! (PBS Kids), in which triangulation was used to determine the distance from two points to the intersections between them.
- Disassembled and reassembled three-dimensional wooden potted flower puzzle.
- Independently wrote the equation: "7+1=8". She then wrote: "8=3". She knew this was not correct, and asked for help. I showed her how to turn the = sign into "not equal", and we discussed that concept until she was satisfied.
- Annalise explored coupons for expiration dates, face value; and usefulness to us. Discussed when we would use them.
- Made "$100 bills" and distributed them amongst the family.
- Candy sorting, counting, and trading.
- Annalise played Crayon Physics, a computer game that uses angles, trajectories, force, and simple machines to move a ball through assorted obstacles to a goal. She also enjoyed Purble Place, a cake-baking game that challenges her matching and sequencing skills.
Science:
Objective: To continue to support and facilitate Annalise's interest in anatomy; prehistoric fauna; modern flora and fauna; evolution, animal behavior; and ecosystems. To help her as she deepens and broadens her understanding of scientific method; elements and compounds; weather systems and natural disasters; geology; and natural forces such as gravity and magnetism.
Flora and Fauna -
- Learned about archaeology, paleontology, and assorted dinosaur and other prehistoric species.
- 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.
- Role-played a saber-tooth tiger and a mastodon using cotton swabs as fangs/tusks.
- Explored Snakes, an Usborne book, independently and with parent readers.
- 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.
- I read Why do Horses Neigh? and from Snakes aloud to Annalise, and we explored the pictures. Annalise independently explored Zoobooks, edition on chimpanzees before lingering over "Ostriches and Other Ratites", observing photographs throughout the book.
- Made a "pet vet" checklist. Performed "checkups" on several stuffed animals. Drew symbols for brain, breathing, hearing, and heart, with boxes to check when everything was "OK".
- Nature and garden observation in our yard. Feral rabbit; coneflowers; morning glories; sunflowers; grape and plum tomatoes; chives and oregano; goldenrod; wild grapes. Frequent observation of the changing foliage. Observed giant sunflower head being harvested for seeds. Participated in harvest and preservation of cherry and grape tomatoes, blackberries; chives; and oregano.
- During a visit to the home of friends Emily, 16; Sarah, 12; and Abby, 10; Annalise assisted with horse and chicken care, learning the individual characteristics of several of the animals in the process.
- 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 Jim and I had visited the center before they were born, and we decided to return during our cross-country move in about 2 years.
- Explored a moth which had died and been preserved with its wings extended. Also two honeybees which died in a dish of honey.
- Annalise discovered a centipede, and decided to make a house for it. Unfortunately, she dropped a rock on it during the building process, and then observed it until sadly concluding that it was dead.
- 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.
- A trip to the Double M Western Store (Malta, NY) offered Annalise the opportunity to study many horse related items at her leisure. In addition to exploring helmets, riding vests, jodhpurs, spurs, and boots, she also investigated tack (saddles, halters, bridles and bitless bridles, blankets and pads), and vitamins, deworming treatments, and other medications and supplements.
- During pumpkin carving, Annalise explored the inside of the pumpkin with Jeremiah. They tasted the fibrous material and seeds raw; and decided to save some for spring planting and some for roasting. Also explored fungus and decomposition, as one of the pumpkins was diseased and had begun to rot.
- 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.
- Annalise enjoyed watching a PBS documentary about rhinos with me, especially enjoying the baby rhino and the wild rhinos.
Anatomy -
- Using a marker, Annalise indicated where many of the joints in her bost were located, including elbows, shoulders, and knees.
- Annalise played with two glow-in-the-dark skeletons, experimenting with how much light and for how long they needed to be exposed in order to glow brightly. Also spent time identifying and asking for names of assorted bones in the skeleton.
Earth Science and Ecology -
- Plastic bag mockumentary - the journey of a shopping bag from parking lot to the garbage mass in the mid-Pacific Ocean, told as though the bag was a wild animal.
- Explored rocks, gemstones, and artifacts. Some were recently acquired at the Herkimer Diamond Mines, while others had been with us for some time. Favorites were arrowheads and iron pyrite (fool's gold).
- 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.
Weather and Natural Forces-
- Seesaw fulcrum experimentation with Jeremiah, 9, and Dylan, 7.
- During a walk on the road, Annalise looked into a drainage grate and observed, "It's been a dry summer. I can't see any water at all down there."
- Annalise spotted a partial rainbow, and we talked about what causes them. She watched it until it faded.
- I read Tornadoes aloud to Annalise, and we discussed what we learned while she explored the pictures.
- A series of independent experiments involving zipper-sealed plastic sandwich bags. Explored their properties by filling with a wide variety of items, culminating with water. She then punctured this with a shish-kebob skewer and studied the rate of leakage as she moved it.
- Experiment to see if a hollowed pumpkin would float (it did, but only until it tipped).
- More exploration of Scratch from MIT.edu (computer science and technology). Used painting feature to make sky, grass, stream, bridge, sun, and herself, as well as assorted squiggles and sound effects.
- Experienced mass bottle rocket launch at NEUC.
- Learning DSi technology.
- Explored Discovery Kids laptop.
- 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.
- Collaborated with Jeremiah in an ongoing attempt to make Pokemon real. So far, the machines have been made of everyday items, with no moving parts.
Sterling Renaissance Festival (Sterling, NY) -
- Explored grape arbor; functioning water wheel and its machinery; dragonfly; draft horses (comparing to the riding horses she is more familiar with through her Parelli horsemanship experience); and camels. Rode Marcus, an armored warhorse, and a camel.
- Discussed and examined 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.
- 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); and weapons forge. Annalise was particularly fascinated by wands made from actual cobras' heads (she loves snakes, especially venomous varieties), and examined these in great detail.
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.
- Toured the locks and talked about how they work to raise or lower the water level. Discussed the runoff and observed the small waterfall made by it.
- Explored glacial boulders; "calving" glacier model; glacier cone. Jeremiah was curious about how the cone was kept frozen, and together we asked a staff member and learned this was accomplished 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. Annalise was 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.
- 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 Adirondack flora and fauna scent displays: otter; mink; bear; spearmint; larch; sweet gale; bacteria.
- Explored "Swampy Sounds Organ", which allowed her 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 Jeremiah, experimenting with a time-lapse video display in which they explored: the length of the Hudson River from an aerial view; monarch butterfly metamorphosis; and construction of the Wild! Center.
- 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.
- 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.
Bowman Apple Orchard -
- Observed solar-powered apple cannon (not during firing).
- Learned about how apple trees grow and fruit through the seasons.
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.
Hewitt's Nursery (Halfmoon, NY) -
- 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 how 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.
- Annalise interacted with horses, remembering what she learned during her Parelli classes to indicate her friendly intentions.
- Walked through and observed rabbit village alone and with Abigail.
- Using play food, Annalise sorted many varieties of vegetables into sets; stocked bins; and operated a grocery store, identifying all vegetables as I "shopped".
- Explored digging using a hand-operated scooping machine.
- 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 theledges, 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, and a few small crystals were found by members of our group, which included geologist dad Scott Hulseapple.
- Age comparison between dinosaurs and Herkimer diamonds.
- Trilobite fossils.
- Tyrannosaurus rex footprints. Annalise compared her foot size to the dinosaur's by walking in the prints.
- Exploration of archaeological sandbox filled with bone and fossil replicas. Annalise enjoyed trying to build complete skeletons, and matching like bones. She especially enjoyed studying the jaws, vertebrae, leg bones, and ribcages. She compared two dinosaur jawbones to her own.
- Mom read aloud the sign on the stromalite display, and 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.
- Mom read aloud the fossil panning sign.
Resources have included, but are not limited to: Museums, events, and exhibits; 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:
Objectives:
Geography - Annalise is intensely interested in where things are; in climates and ecosystems throughout the world; and in maps, atlases, globes, and compasses. We will continue to facilitate and offer ample opportunities to further develop this passion, while discussing how the geography of a region affects the history 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; 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.
- Travel into Adirondack State Park to Tupper Lake.
- Explored New York State moose-spotting map.
- Explored Minerals of New York 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 she 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.
- Annalise spent time looking at It's a Big, Big World, a giant-sized atlas. She enjoyed investigating the legends for each continent, as well as the United States, to see what species of animals, climates, and industry are prevalent there. She chose places she would like to live based upon whether there were horses or camels involved!
New York/United States/World History - We will continue to facilitate Annalise's 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.
- Skimmed The Italian Renaissance, looking for familiar sights from the Sterling Renaissance Festival, which we attended in August.
- Voluntarily assisted with household tasks, including: washing screens, mirrors, and low windows, ashing refrigerator and stove front.
- Made aluminum foil war horse armor for her toy horses, and markered "war horse paint" for herself.
- 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.
- Watched several classic, WWII era episodes ofPopeye.
- 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 and 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 Annalise's infant brother, Elijah. We talked about the fact that it is a happy remembrance, and Annalise especially enjoyed all the cheerful skeleton decorations for Day of the Dead. We enjoyed dessert (she chose Key lime pie).
- Annalise was interested in the elections, and the story of the Chilean miners' rescue. She watched portions of a retrospective on Hurricane Katrina both because she is fascinated by forces of nature and because she was intrigued that this storm happened when she was a baby.
- We watched the feature film Titanic several times over three days. Annalise particularly enjoyed the scenes where the boat is sinking, and Jeremiah's accounting of what actually happened, based on his prior research into the disaster.
- Occasionally watches M*A*S*H with us, and we discuss various topics about Korean culture, the Korean war, war in general, and military service. Annalise especially likes episodes that deal with horses: "The Colonel's Horse"; or with the more colorful aspects of Korean culture: "Exorcism" and "Ping Pong".
- Viewed online article with photographs depicting the world's oldest pyramids in Bosnia.
- Annalise 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 especially the Invisible Pink Unicorn, who frequently is a character in her play. We have talked about how there is as little genuine proof of the commonly accepted deities as there is for these recently created ones.
- Practiced American military salute.
- Star Trek: The Original Series (portions of "Devil in the Dark" (about a silicon based and culturally divergent life-form native to a mining colony).
- Impromptu play with visiting neighbor children Dylan, 7, and Tyler, 4. Served food and drink; shared toys; devised games.
- Helped with household reorganization to better support individual and family needs.
- Packing (with Mom's guidance) for trip to Northeast Unschooling Conference.
- Explored license plates from various states, then asked me to show her the corresponding state on our USA wall map. Noted the symbols that represented mountain, desert, and forest environments.
- Tugboat Roundup, Lock 2 Erie Canal (Waterford, NY) -
- 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 waterway laws (lights; buoys; rights-of-way).
- Joined by friends from Live and Learn Homeschool Co-op, ages 2-11. Toured Lock 2.
Sterling Renaissance Festival (Sterling, NY) -
- 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 discussions ("Unschooling Mythbusters" with Ren Allen and Jeff Sabo, and "Creativity" with Ren Allen). Assisting with packing and checkout tasks; independent elevator operation, room key use. Entered conference raffle in quest to win several items and collected her winnings with help from Jeremiah. Attended and made her own selections at media swap.
- Explored assorted crafts and artworks, and spoke with artists, 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 ninja fighting with props, with Jeremiah.
- Tour of hotel kitchen with friends Gabrielle (5), Alana (6), and Naomi (4), offered impromptu by the restaurant manager and chef, who were fascinated by these four very charming girls.
- Explored exhibit detailing the history of the last Ice Age.
- Explored traditional trappers' lean-to: snowshoes; traveler's trunk; pack basket; cast iron skillet; nest; tin lunch bucket.
Bowman Apple Orchard (Rexford, NY) Live and Learn Homeschool Co-op trip -
- 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.
- Felix's Big Dance Party (Westborough, MA) -
- 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 (Herkimer, NY) -
- 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.
- 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 birthday, and Annalise especially enjoyed all the cheerful skeleton decorations for Day of the Dead. We enjoyed dessert (she chose key lime pie).
- Annalise was interested in the elections, and the story of the Chilean miners' rescue. She watched portions of a retrospective on Hurricane Katrina both because she is fascinated by forces of nature and because she was intrigued that this storm happened when she was a baby.
- We watched the feature film Titanic several times over three days. Annalise particularly enjoyed the scenes where the boat is sinking, and Jeremiah's accounting of what actually happened, based on his prior research into the disaster.
- Occasionally watches M*A*S*H with us, and we discuss various topics about Korean culture, the Korean war, war in general, and military service. Annalise especially likes episodes that deal with horses: "The Colonel's Horse"; or with the more colorful aspects of Korean culture: "Exorcism" and "Ping Pong".
- Viewed online article with photographs depicting the world's oldest pyramids in Bosnia.
- Annalise 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 especially the Invisible Pink Unicorn, who frequently is a character in her play. We have talked about how there is as little genuine proof of the commonly accepted deities as there is for these recently created ones.
Visual and Performing Arts:
Objectives: We will continue to support Annalise's deep passion for creating and performing by offering a variety of opportunities to experience visual and performing arts in many live and recorded forms. As always, there will be ample materials available, and time enough for a great deal of independent creation.
- Created animated scenes using Scratch from MIT.edu (computer art and animation program). Used painting feature to make sky, grass, stream, bridge, sun, and herself, as well as assorted squiggles and sound effects.
- Created assorted artworks and dramatic play in diverse media, including: aluminum foil armor for 30" toy horse; flower and coin art; tea party; horse model free play; free play with carrots and stuffed animals; posing for pictures; photography; videography; food prep; house cleaning and rearranging; fort building; acrobatics. Painted race car suncatcher. Dressed up as a rabbit.
- Many ink drawings, mostly of horses and assorted fantasy machines.
- Created a two-piece aluminum foil sculpture of the word "Me".
- Imitate saber-tooth tiger and mastodon using cotton swabs; making "styrofoam soup"; invented dry oatmeal and marshmallow dessert; created foam soap letters; experimented with sound and visual art using DSi game system features.
- Role play as a cat playing with a bag, and taking a bath in a bin, with props. Dollhouse play and decoration; with storylines and characters, as she narrated. Role played taking care of stick pony; free play with Lincoln Log structure and a toy lion. Playing with baby dolls. Grooming a large stuffed unicorn with cousin Carlee, age 4. Named two arrowheads (Sally and Straight) which were then married in an elaborate ceremony involving a statue of Buddha and an audience of gemstones. Annalise "wrote a speech in cursive" which consisted of some jagged, squiggly lines on a piece of paper. She then "read" her speech to imaginary partygoers. She asked me to make her a "Jerachi license", then decorated the back with pictures of herself and several Pokemon. She used the license to play Pokemon battles. Annalise played wedding while washing dishes. A fork and spoon got married. The bride wore a dishcloth veil, and the new couple honeymooned in a hot tub (the dishpan). Plastic garbage bag fashion design.
- Annalise enjoys watching Jewelry TV, and learning about different gems and designs.
- Jeremiah's 9th birthday dinner at Amigo's Cantina (Schuylerville, NY) where dad is the executive chef. Explored art through interior decor: sculpture, Central and South American folk art, music, and Southwest/Latin cuisine.
- Paper cutting to form various shapes.
- Displayed jellyfish ornament she received as a gift during NEUC.
- Body art (drawing, coloring nails, dressing up).
- Made her own bed, and decorated it.
- Using wood, nails, and crayon, created a "ghost machine" like the one in I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe. Played with and photographed glow-in-the-dark skeletons.
- Requested specific ingredients (spring salad mix,, cheese, sour cream) and assembled her own soft tacos.
- Watched several classic, WWII era episodes ofPopeye.
- Used a banana to pose for pictures with an exaggerated smile and frown.
- Shopping for dance party. Annalise chose a new shirt with matching tights, and a sequined purse. Assembled two possible outfits, and modeled both. Packed for overnight trip.
- Photography in various places and circumstances.
- 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 Jeremiah 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.
- Spent three days collaborating with Jeremiah as they worked together to invent a machine that will, if successful, "make Pokemon real." Much conversation and thought went into the design, and much speculation about what they will do with the Pokemon, and how they will train them, once they achieve their goal.
- We watched the feature film Titanic several times over three days. Annalise particularly enjoyed the scenes where the boat is sinking, and Jeremiah's accounting of what actually happened, based on his prior research into the disaster. We discussed why facts were altered or exaggerated to make a more appealing film.
- Building with Legos, and performing an evolving story with many animals, both Lego and otherwise.
- Viewed a blogpost featuring a homeschool craft fair; interested in trying several of the projects shown, and developed ideas for other projects, as well.
- Did many rubbings using nature plates at the Wild! Center. Experimented with color and how to hold the crayon.
- Halloween costume idea and provided images. I used these to create costume for Graveyard, one of the ghosts she created through I Spy Spooky Mansion Deluxe. In order to do this, we all worked together to move through the game, in order to see the ghost, as we couldn't find online images.
- Independent pumpkin carving with Jeremiah.
Sterling Renaissance Festival -
- 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; leather flowers: observed and spoke with glass flameworker; flamework glass art; cairns and cairn artist; Renaissance fence maze with mythological art.
- Explored various artworks, spoke with artisans, and engaged in assorted artistic expression, including: hair dyeing; stuffed friend spa play; 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; musical and assorted talent show performances; created playdough cakes; mirror art, and a collage she named "Century", and which as the story of her life, which she says will be 100 years long; hair salon with friends Alana, 6, and Gabrielle, 5; nature art yarn weaving; free dramatic play with friend Lily, 7; mock ninja fighting with props; decorated crown from Usborne Books Princess Kid Kit.
- Annalise 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".
- Chalkboard art and writing.
- 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.
- 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".
- Using play food, Annalise sorted many varieties of vegetables into sets; stocked bins; and operated a grocery store, identifying all vegetables as I "shopped".
- Free play using stick ponies; dollhouse; stables; and model horses.
- Jeremiah and Annalise played "school" using a picture book, antique desk, and Lise as teacher.
- Explored assorted rough and cut Herkimer diamonds and other quartz; jewelry and jewelry settings.
- Observed and explored art trading cards (ATCs) made by artist Ericka Pitre-Davis. Dancing, singing, and cooperative free play.
- Annalise enjoyed several crafts and decorating projects, including: foam ghosts (she cut off the arms and tails so they would look more like snowmen) ; foam bats; frosting and decorating a cupcake; and making a bobby-pin and glue ghost necklace (which, sadly, dripped into oblivion before it dried. Thankfully, I got pictures).
- Explored puzzles, comedy skits, and art with Jeremiah and friends Gabrielle, 5, and Ethan, 8.
Music:
Objectives: Annalise has always been fascinated and enthralled by music. We will support her 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.
- Learning DSi technology, focusing on sounds, exploring corresponding sine waves, and adapting music.
- Enjoyed Latin music at Amigo's Cantina.
- Watched as Jeremiah began learning to drum Bon Jovi's (Wanted) Dead or Alive using Rock Band, then attempted it herself. learned to sing the chorus.
- Created a shaking instrument using beads and a painted egg carton. Chose moroccas at local yard sale and spent time playing them.
- Attended Felix's Big Dance Party. Assorted music and dancing.
- Disney's Dog Songs CD, including songs such as"How Much is That Doggie in the Window?" "Me and My Arrow; "Autumn to May"; "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo"; "Puppy Love"; "Cruella DeVille"; and "Gonna Buy Me a Dog".
- 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.
Sterling Renaissance Festival -
- Attended a live outdoor performance of Irish folk music, with voices and period instruments.
- Attended several musical performances, including: Recording artists Carsie Blanton and Julian Baptista, and Ken and Marla Briggs from popular local band Nite Train; several talent show acts and impromptu jam sessions.
Tugboat Roundup -
- Live Irish music and big band music. Second, more intimate performance of Irish music aboard the floating barge museum.
- 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: Annalise has had a lifelong passion for languages, including American Sign Language, Braille, French, and Spanish. We will therefore continue to offer her ample opportunity to enjoy the written and spoken forms of various languages through performances, programming, music, and an environment rich in people of many cultures.
- Explored traditional Taiwanese character nature art.
- Watched Swedish language, English captioned videotape on horse care several times; asked for me to read portions aloud.
- Enjoyed Spanish-language music at Amigo's Cantina. Also continues to learn names of menu items and assorted words and phrases in Spanish.
- Exposure to written Bosnian.
Resources have included, but are not limited to: Computer with Internet access; free access to home and public libraries; exposure to written and spoken languages via programming, games, and environmental sources; discussion; subtitles and dictionaries; parent facilitators.
Health:
Objectives: Annalise has always had a very balanced approach to her health. We will continue to support this through providing a wide array of food and drink choices; discussion of safety concerns and alcohol, drug, and tobacco abuse; support in maintaining her natural sleep/wake cycles; and offering many opportunities for directed and free physical play.
- Various free play activities and opportunities, detailed under the Physical Education heading below.
- Discussion of nutritious food choices; and food prep, both independently and with each parent.
- 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.
- Requested specific ingredients (spring salad mix,, cheese, sour cream) and assembled her own soft tacos.
- Discussed and actively practiced, with guidance and independently, safety awareness in these areas: hotel; elevator; fire, pool, dog, blade, and stranger safety.
- 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 safely.
- 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 she 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. Annalise loves to scoop the ashes from our woodstove, and is learning how to safely dispose of them.
- Swimming, several times and locations, practicing water safety. Also traffic, water and lock safety while visiting Erie Canal Lock 2.
- Hotel stay; practicing stranger awareness and discussing fire safety; evacuation procedures; and elevator safety.
- Blade safety during food prep.
- Practiced traffic safety on rural and village streets. Used bicycle safety skills (helmet use, proper side of road, watching for traffic) on our rural street, and at cousins' home in a mobile home park.
- Scooped ashes from woodstove; helped me to place them in a flowerbed to replace missing nutrients. Discussed fire prevention as regards ash disposal (we always allow ashes to cool completely before scooping, and dispose of them immediately outside,generally in a flowerbed or compost pile away from the house structure).
- Helped build 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.
- 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 interaction with Vinnie, the very aged standard poodle belonging to our hosts.
- 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. Annalise became intrigued by this interactive display, and spent 10 -15 minutes interacting with the fireman operating the display. It was very important to her to make the doll family's home completely safe, and she didn't leave it until she'd accomplished that goal.
- Viewed simulated rollover accident, using an adult and child dummy using seat belt/car safety seat and without.
Physical Education:
Objectives: We will continue to support Annalise's instinct for challenging herself physically with ample opportunities for group, team, and individual sports and play, both purposeful and free. We will continue to indulge in such favorites as swimming, hiking, swinging, climbing, balancing, dancing, and biking, as well as exploring new physical activities.
- Annalise engaged in assorted physical activities this quarter, including but not limited to:
- swimming
- Ladder of Truth Renaissance-era climbing game
- indoor play area
- dog training
- hide and seek
- tag
- running
- stunt falls
- nature exploration
- bouncing; vampires
- bubble play
- dancing
- running
- climbing
- nature walk
- bouldering and scrambling
- mock ninja fighting with props
- swinging
- Bop - It!
- pillow play;
- balancing stunts
- tire mountain
- wooden play structures
- giant cylindrical hay bale arrangement play at Bowman's Orchard
- pedal cars
- digging in corn house and assorted sand areas
- giant hamster wheel
- giant underground slide
- balancing
- lassoing
- digging using a hand-operated scooping machine
- puddle-jumping
- golf ball treasure hunt
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.
August 2010 - 147 hours.
September 2010 - 127 hours. Year-to-date - 273 hours.
October 2010 - 155 hours. Year-to-date - 423 hours.
No comments:
Post a Comment