Monday, October 12, 2009

What did we learn at the end of the day?

Today was one of those days that I wondered if anyone had learned anything. It seemed like everyone had a case of the not-wanting-to-do-anything disease. Does Mrs. Piggle Wiggle have a cure for that one? But, at the end of the day as I gathered their papers I realized that they must at least have one thing in their heads.
In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
They each had copied this to their varying abilities: Kate in cursive, Brynn printing, and Adrie trying to get the letters in order.
In honor of Columbus Day we talked a bit about his life and watched a clip from the History Channel. The girls also had to copy a few more lines to add to the above.
He discovered America.
The world is not flat. It is round.
Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.

Copying seems to serve a lot of purposes: spelling, grammar, punctuation, and of course whatever info they are copying is sinking into their heads. Last week the girls each chose a poem to learn. Each day they copied a stanza and just by doing that, they have them nearly memorized. Next week we might have to get out some famous quotes and scriptures. Think of the fun we could have with a list of "Mom's rules!"

Monday, October 5, 2009

Thought for the Week

If you want your kids to read, create places in the home where they will want to read.

I found Kate in my bedroom on my bed curled up and reading Roald Dahl's Matilda. When she saw that I was surprised to find her there she explained, "This was the only clean place in the house."