I heart Jack Black movies

Although his movies present themselves as silly comedies - the ones I really like School of Rock and now Be Kind Rewind are really about building community. Both of them have the message that together we can do more than we expected possible. That looking for the good in others is worth the effort. That it's worth risking a little bit for friendship and to see others grow into their dreams. Yes, it's all in these movies. I am not talking about Nacho Libre - that was not one of his better films (that is the last film we saw in the dollar theater before little man was born - other than that it was pretty forgetable). We also saw The Holiday - it was okay, a pretty typical romantic comedy. Still about finding passion -but not in community.

If you do decide to watch Be Kind Rewind please suspend your disbelief for about the first 20 minutes of the movie - after that it gets good. You should also watch the special feature Pasaic Mosaic - basically it talks about how this movie helped bring a community back together. People from the community make up most of the cast!

So, remember that community building can happen in all kinds of ways - even with a crazy comedian in the forefront.

Real Life Snippet

For his birthday, little guy was given a book that has a light at the end of it (when you lift the flap). It has been well loved and so the light on top of the birthday cake no longer works. It was dying a few weeks ago and little guy kept making the sign for light and looking at us to fix it and make it brighter. Unfortunately there is no way to fix it. Today he discovered that the light had totally gone out. I told him that there wasn't any way to fix it. He then went into the other room and pointed at the cell phone charger (I didn't even know he knew what it was). Apparently he wanted to use the charger to help the light in his book. He was very disappointed when I told him that the charger could not fix his book. It was a good thought though.

No Child Left Inside

Even though the heat index is 105 around here - we have spent a lot of time outside this summer. As a result I have been thinking about how to improve our backyard - to make it more comfortable for adults and more interesting for little man. At first I checked out a bunch of books on building decks, patios and playground equipment. Then I started thinking about how nature study is a cornerstone of Charlotte Mason's approach. So I've been thinking about how I could make that more possible here.

Little did I know that there is a movement (or here) and almost a syndrome named for children's lack of interaction with the natural world! They really advocate for natural spaces (ponds, tree stumps, grasses, etc. ) where kids can be kids. So today I tried to give little guy some time among the plastic playground equipment (he LOVES those swings) and take him to an area that was just rocks and leaves and trees. He really liked crumpling the leaves and throwing them.

If this is something you've thought about but don't know where to start you might try these two sites:

Kids Gardening - lots of neat ideas about planting, gardening and getting in touch with the natural world

Play spaces - this is a collection of photos and comments about what makes play spaces work (and fail)

Natural Playgrounds - This is a company that specializes in creating these types of landscapes and they have lots of pictures of their work - which is fun to look at.

I am not a fanatic but I do think that we are all refreshed by nature and our children should have an opportunity to explore and wonder about the world God created.

Train sets ROCK

Well we just got back from a birthday party. It was lots of fun and the Dad just made a train table for his 4 year old son. It is FABULOUS! I intentionally take my little guy to Barnes and Noble to play with the train table. Sure, he probably is exposed to every disease known to man - but he can play for 20 or 30 minutes straight (and it's air conditioned and free - and there are books!). So, I think a good train set is an excellent investement.

Today, I was looking at other people's blogs and someone recommended ImagiPLAY - now here are some good wooden toys at a reasonable price. These are the types of toys that kids can tell stories with FOR HOURS - if you let them. So, I encourage you to check them out. I haven't ordered anything from them (yet) but I think we probably will. They have sets of wooden animals for $6.00. You can hardly get a pair of plastic animals for that price!

Little guy still isn't old enough to be telling stories with the stuff that he owns - but he does line up all his bath toys on the edge of tub like his friend did when they came over. He's a little bit of a copy cat. Oh well! I look forward to the stories he'll tell.

Awww to AHHH!

This morning little man slept in (until 6:30). While we played in his room he took his stuffed English bulldog (who he is kind of bonding with) and gave him a hug and a kiss. I was impressed - this is the most he has ever "played" with a stuffed animal. Then he proceeded to lie it down on the pillow in his big bed. Next he put both of his blankets over the dog (with the dog's head sticking out on the pillow). He looked around and found his empty sippy cup of milk. He then stuck the sippy cup near the dogs face. It was VERY cute. I guess our bed time routine is sticking with him! AWWW!

This afternoon was the AHHH moment. We had been playing outside for a while (yes it was VERY hot). He was playing in the pool and there was an unwelcome guest hanging out there. One time this little pest got near to the little guy - but when I told my son to stop moving - he actually did and the pest left him alone. I thought we were in the clear. Then I heard little guy sort of yelp and back away (he rarely complains). I knew that a BEE had gotten him! So I rushed him inside (dripping wet) and tried to remember what my first aid lessons. They totally failed me. Then I tried the Internet - it wasn't working either. Called my hubby - no answer. Tried my parents - they were in the middle of a storm but they turned back on their computers to check and see what I should do.

The good news - Little guy was totally fine. He was trying to figure out what the hub-bub was about. He actually wanted to get up and start playing while the stinger was still in him. He was very chill during the "doctoring"- ice and a baking soda/water paste - thanks mom and dad.

The bad news - I think the cure was almost as bad as the bite - we gave him some Benadryl just in case. He barely made it through dinner - his little eyelids were so heavy! (He only had a 45 minute nap today - instead of his 2 -3 hour one - so that could have something to do with it too).
So, apparently bee stings are just a minor inconvenience for him which is GREAT! I did have a student have a serious (call 911) reaction to a fire ant bite (I missed part of a friends wedding as a result - but she was fine which is VERY good). Apparently a serious reaction to fire ants is more common in Asian people - two people on campus in one week had to go to the ER because of this issue. So it's been quite a day - and I stayed up WAY too late.

Where have all the teachers gone? . . .

Home!

In all my reading about education and the lack of teachers no one seems to address this cruical issue. Since teaching is mostly a female profession and typically those females really enjoy children - it makes sense that they stay home (if they can) when they have their own children. If you enjoy children and know how crucial the early years are for them, like most teachers do, then why wouldn't many elect to stay home.

I have many excellent teacher friends and most of them are at home with their children. They taught for a 4 or 5 years and then started a family. They are trying to find ways to continue in education without being in a classroom full time. Everyone always talks about a teacher schedule working out so well with kids - well not when they are 5 and under!

Some of the options they have found:
1. Consulting
2. Finding summer programs to work with
3. One taught with a University Model School - so she taught twice a week for about 3 hours
4. Teaching On-line courses
5. Tutoring

Some of them may never return to the classroom full time. Some moms realize, after working in a public school, that maybe a homeschool environment would be better for their children and they never return to a classroom. Other moms know that being a good teacher requires a 60 to 70 hour week - so they aren't going to return to that while their children are still young. Still other moms start a home business or find other interests that never lead them back to the classroom.

I am actually really intrigued by the University Model School idea because I think it could be a good way to help excellent teachers continue to teach and balance with their family well. Especially if they have a supportive community that can help switch off child care.

Basically the University Model is a hybrid of a private school and homeschooling - with the curriculum outlined by the teacher. In elementary school the teacher has a self contained class on Tuesday and Thursday for most of a normal school day (8:30 to 2:30 for example). The other days the family is helping the child with their education (learning spelling words, reading one on one, memorizing math facts, etc.). In middle and high school classes meet like a college class does - 3 hours a week. The certified teacher prepares a curriculum that shares the educational load between the teacher and the parent/ student. This allows group projects, discussion, science labs, etc. while also giving students time to read, study and digest information on their own. Although this part time teaching isn't lucrative - it can help meet many needs that aren't financial.

I want to bless those teachers that have gone home and those who feel they need to return to the classroom. It is difficult to find the right balance - especially when children (yours and others) are involved!

Educational Musings

Well, I decided that I needed to better organize my thoughts about education, homeschooling and the like. So I created a wiki website to bring it all together. After trying blogging, using tags and other methods - this just seemed to make the most sense. I have no idea if anyone will benefit from it - but it is helpful to me to keep links together and in some sort of order. I invite your comments, other programs I should consider, etc. Again, it is pretty much in draft mode right now - but hopefully I will be faithful to this wiki (I think this is probably the third or fourth one I've created) and it will grow.

You can visit it here: www.educationalmusings.pbwiki.com. I don't think you need a password to see it. So from now on I intend to post most of my "educational" theories, curriculum and approaches over there. I have LOTS of theory - hopefully someday I can put it into practice. I will try to post my personal experiences with education here.

For example, we have started listening to the SWR phonogram CD. My hubby was listening to it and his comment was that it was WAY over little guys head. I told him that I was trying to learn it - not little man. It is helpful and I can see how the program is useful. Anyway, the fun part is that little guy is trying to repeat the sounds after me. So, he has NO concept of what he is doing but he is trying to be like mommy and make the sounds. Maybe this will make it easier when we actually start learning about letters and all those things.

Philosophy for Children?

As I was taking classes in gifted education one of the programs they encouraged was "Philosophy for Children" which helps students consider some of the bigger ideas out there in the world. At first I was very much in favor of this - and then I started using my noggin'. In this curriculum students read stories (elementary aged students) and then discuss the "big issues" within the story - it is a way of doing character development (of sorts) and also introducing them to the greater questions of life. I am all for that - my main issue is that often these types of program (similar to values clarification) expect the 7 year old to create their own moral system and universe. That seems to be asking a little much. Young children still need guidance - unfortunately many aren't getting it at home - that's why some people think the classroom should step in and help these students clarify their values.

I was thinking about this today because I ran across the book Little Big Minds in the bookstore. At first I thought that I would like this book - but then I actually looked at the contents. In this book they look at philosophical topics - like friendship and justice - and then introduce two philosophers points of view about that issue. On the surface that sounds okay - but remember these are 7 and 8 year olds! They include Albert Camus (The Stranger) and Paolo Friere (Pedagogy of the Oppressed - the title isn't even appropriate for children) and a discussion of children's rights as part of the curriculum. I think I'm against high school students reading Albert Camus' at times. As my husband, the philosohpy major said, "Anyone who is teaching Camus and Satre to 3rd graders needs to have their head examined". I have to agree.

I think these developers think that because kids ask these questions that means they are "philosophers". Well, their brains aren't really wired to approach these questions the same way that an adult would. They need really clear guidance - they like to know what is right and wrong (have you ever tried to fudge the rules with an 8 year old - ain't gonna happen). Although I understand the push for "critical thinking" and "higher order thinking skills" this needs to be developmentally appropriate. Additionally, students need to have a standard, a clear idea, of what they are comparing ideas and thoughts to - not just a "whatever you think" attitude.

So, I guess I am leaning more towards the classical education approach which focuses on learning facts and information until about 9 or 10 years old. Then they intentionally focus on critical thinking skills once kids hit about 10 or 11. It is more developmentally appropriate and a well rounded education should invite conversation about these topics - ONCE A FOUNDATION HAS BEEN LAID. Unfortunately many people either tend towards not laying a foundation and allowing a child to "figure it out" for themselves. Or, they never invite a child to think, discuss and consider why they believe what they have been taught as foundational truths.

There is a time for this and it is middle and high school. Unfortunately most middle schools waste this opportunity and are more like holding pens than educational institutions. We have such low expectations of students today. I really appreciate the fact that I was introduced to Lincoln Douglas debate - values debate - in middle school. It was the right challenge at the right time for this chica.

Goals . . . update

Well I finished reading Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. It was not as upbeat as Gilead but it was still a good read. At times her water imagery got to be a little much - it was also hard to concentrate when the movie Semi-Pro (Will Farrell) was playing in the background. I have to agree with the reviewer who said that this one will not go down as one of the best comidies ever.
So now I have to choose another book to read - I haven't figured out what will come next. Actually, I do want to read Five Little Pepper's and How they Grew (going to wikipedia I learned it's a series - we'll have to see about this). I did look at the "scope and sequence" of classical readings on the Well Trained Mind website. So maybe I will read some of those. Talking about history and the Well Trained Mind is another topic altogether.

Another goal was to work on my storytelling ability. I am glad to report that I now try to tell little man stories while we are at the park swinging. So far I have told Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Little Red Hen. Today I tried to tell The Three Little Pigs but the influx of kindergarten students was much more interesting than my story. Alas, we will tell it another day when there are fewer distractions. He LOVES playing with big kids - these happened to be older kids from the local school for the deaf - but they all had a great time. I do have a few faiury tale books checked out to refresh my memory - so I am adding to my collection to tell.

I have started reading more about SWR and homeschooling curriculum in general. I think I am going to have to really hype myself up to get into SWR. I did listen to the phonogram CD this morning so I am beginning to learn the 70 phonograms and how they are spelled. Even little guy was trying to repeat some of the sounds he heard - this could be a good way to help him learn. My husband kids me because I know the lyrics to the MOST random songs - maybe the little guy has my ability to remember random stuff like that.

I guess another goal I should work on is creating and planning meals. I have been REALLY bad about it this week. Heck - tonight I spent 3 hours helping cook for a fundraiser but I didn't really have dinner myself. I am still making bread from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. I really like it. My mom keeps sending me Pioneer Woman recipes - I should actually try them, they look great. My thought was to make a different kind of pasta salad at the beginning of the week and eat off that throughout adding different meats and sides -but that hasn't happened. The last pasta or potato salad I made was in March!

Back to old goals - I think we did go to the park 3 or 4 times this week. Not on a schedule yet - but we will get there. Little guy really likes the park - he also apparently loves our best friend's backyard - he played out there for about 2 1/2 hours today and was REALLY mad when we made him come in - covered in dirt and left over spaghetti sauce from dinner.

I also need to work on going to bed at a decent hour - so I will sign off now and try to pull myself away from the Internet.

I feel like Timmy

The other day I was telling a friend that I feel a little like Timmy from the show Lassie. My son is constantly pointing and trying to talk and I am trying to decipher what he is saying. Their typical conversation went like this:

Lassie (running up): Bark, bark
Timmy: "There's trouble, where? "
Lassie: bark, bark
Timmy: "at the well".

That's sort of how our day goes but it's more like:

little man: pointing and grunting - possibly sticking his pointer finger in his mouth - his sign for food
me: What would you like? A sandwich (since that is a staple of his diet).
Little man: exagerated yes nods
me: What kind of sandwich?
Little Man: but
me: Oh, you want peanut butter.
Little Man: more exagerated nods as he either finds a dish for me or makes his way to the table where he eats.

The signing is helping - although he mostly seems to think and talk about the cats and dogs that he MIGHT see once a day. We really should teach him more signs but ah well.

Great Weekend

Our family went to meet our nephew in Houston this weekend. We stayed with some long time friends who are like second parents to me. They LOVED having little guy around and little guy thought he had died and gone to heaven - there were cats to play with! The cats and little guy played fetch together pretty well. We had to stop the boy from trying to escape through the kitty door a few times though. He was constantly looking for, signing about and playing with the cats. With a little Benadryl I did fine.

It was a busy weekend. Our new nephew is cute and the family is adjusting well. His sister is SUPER proud and wants to help out as much as possible. We also went to a high school reunion at The John Cooper School. We got a backstage tour of their 12 MILLION DOLLAR Performing Arts Center. It is gorgeous. We remember the days when they didn't have a high school building on the main campus so we had to drive from one part of the Woodlands to another part in the middle of the day. We had our choir classes in a 4th grade science lab, etc. They have come a LONG way in a few years. We also met some very cute kids of our high school friends. It was fun.

On Sunday we went to church (our friends and my brother go to the same church). Afterwards we all went out to brunch which was an unexpected surprise. It was great to just hang out with everyone. Then we said our good byes and packed up. We made more stop to meet up with a college friend and saw his beautiful daughter. We ate at Luby's - we were the youngest ones there by far - but it was fun. We made it home safely and I am so glad we went.

Today we took one of little guy's friends to the zoo with us. Hubbie had the day off so we went as a family to the zoo. Our friends two older siblings started "big school" today - it's really a summer camp - so the youngest one was feeling a little left out. We had a great time at the zoo and then we stopped by the park on the way home - to swing of course. We rested most of the afternoon and are ready to face a new week.