Finally got the tree up. As in, yesterday, December 19. Does that strike you as odd and wildly off-schedule? Not me. I look at the FB statuses which celebrated trees being erected Thanksgiving weekend, and I think…if I had done that, I would be sick of it all by now. I sort of am anyway (in that twenty years ago, I was aghast to hear people – mostly middle-aged women with many years of childrearing behind them – say, “If I never have to put up another Christmas tree again, that’ll be fine with me.” How could they? I would think. Well, now, twenty years later, I’m her, and: This.
Besides, I really do try to do Advent, and while obviously the two aren’t mutually exclusive for many – like for example, the Pope in Rome and his St. Peter’s Square front yard – for me, in my head, they are. I like to wait as long as possible.
Anne Engelhart and I finished another book this week, and this time, it’s really all ours. The previous books have been hers, illustration-wise, but my role has really been minimal, as I’ve acted as more of an editor/agent in the process, since Pope Benedict’s words formed the core of the books. Not this time! The book is a Christmas-themed story for children, will be published next year, and I’ll have details available in a couple of months once the trade shows start. I’m really pleased with it. After Christmas, we’re starting work on another.
Ann’s house – with her permission – contemplating the final stages….
Speaking of children, thanks to someone’s FB post, I discovered this gang out West somewhere who produce “Kid History” and “Kid Snippets.” Hysterical. The basic idea is that the grown-ups act out the stories the kids tell. ”Kid History” involve lore from family history, and Snippets are scenarios the children are asked to ad lib. My two favorites are below.
“Math Class” will be eerily familiar for any teachers…..
Book club this week was Tinkers by Paul Harding. Some gorgeous writing and precise description, but to me, was ultimately empty. The book is about life and death, but I came away thinking that the author doesn’t really much about the import or meaning of either, so while there are passages I want to go back and learn from in terms of writing, the book itself I didn’t find memorable.
School is going well. I’m going to change it up a bit come January to add more disciplined treatments of writing and science. More discussion of that after Christmas – any suggestions/advice, add to comments.
Next field trip involves going up to the Florence area to see friends, but in the process seeing the Helen Keller home in Tuscumbia (as well as the Frank Lloyd Wright house and maybe the Indian mound…who knows!
Ah…speaking of Be Saints…here’s what Elizabeth Scalia had to say about it – thanks, Elizabeth!
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Your friend’s house is gorgeous!
Have you looked at the Brave Writer program? I saw Melissa Wiley’s endorsement of it, and we’ve dipped our toes in it with the Arrow. We might try one of the writing programs this spring because I really have no idea how to teach that.subject.
I have heard of it but not looked into it..I was going to ask you about Singapore Science..I saw that you use it…
I put up my tree on Christmas Eve and try to take it down before the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. That is, since becoming a Catholic. Before that, I believed in putting it up around Dec. 1st and taking it down before New Year’s Day. Some people I know want to set it up the day after Thanksgiving and take it down in the last quarter of January. it probably has to do with how much room you have as well as religious issues and how long it takes. I hate taking it down because that’s when ornaments are likely to break.
Writing. Sigh. With a degree in journalism, I feel like I should have a better grasp on the subject. However, my love of writing didn’t appear until high school. So while I’ve tried varying programs I’m never sure how hard to press my elementary aged kids. I like the Institute for Excellence in Writing, but we couldn’t stick with it this year. My kids hated it though, and I’ve never found a “program” they like. Currently, they keep journals and I’m pleased with the copywork that’s naturally arisen in my 1st grader and the longer entries of my oldest. My middle son doesn’t write much in his journal, but writes movies, comic books and stories outside of “school time” so I don’t worry too much. As a believer in classical methods, I *should* think a rigorous program that instills good writing and grammer skills is essential, however, my love of writing wasn’t born that way. And I certainly don’t want to kill whatever joy my children currently derive from writIng, no matter how small it may be.
I’m curious to know how your background in writing is influencing your curriculum decisions.
Singapore Science–really like it. We often skip or substitute some of the experiments–balsam plants are common in Malaysia, but not so common in the US or even North China. Teacher’s edition is pretty thorough. I also use the extra homework and the HOTS (like enrichment). HOTS make the tests easier. Since, unlike the math, the English edition doesn’t come in an American edition, the plant and animal examples are tropical species. And for the “Systems” book, understanding how karaoke works is helpful.