This weekend was opening weekend for the Handcrafted Gift Shop we are running out of our studio. Loren has "supervised" us in construction and preparation for the gift shop opening over the past few weeks and was especially excited when we setup and turned on the Christmas lights on the front door and down our long dark driveway.
All weekend long, she greeted customers, attempted to sell to them, supervised both Dad and me working on various shop projects, and practiced sales and conversations with customers through her imaginary play. We even practiced some math skills using coins to count, match, and make and complete patterns.
Showing posts with label life lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life lessons. Show all posts
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Storytime and Lessons from Ballet Class
Wednesday was Storytime at our local library. We've been attending Storytime for a little more than a year, moving from the Toddler class to the Preschool class a year early on the teachers suggestion that Loren would probably fit in nicely with the more mature group as the Toddler class had a number of kids that had a hard time sitting still and focusing on the story.
Normally Loren sits quietly during Storytime, attentive, but with minimal active participation. She's usually tentative to join the group of kids without a short warming up period and regularly checks in with me throughout the hour class. This week however, she didn't even hold my hand walking into the room. She immediately ran into the group and began excitedly chatting with the teacher and other kids. Then during the stories, she was the first to answer the teacher's questions about the story, she did all of the motions to songs, and even sang most of the words to the songs.
The only thing I can attribute this change to is her experience in ballet class on Monday. I look forward to seeing her develop independence as we progress in our studies and community classes.
Normally Loren sits quietly during Storytime, attentive, but with minimal active participation. She's usually tentative to join the group of kids without a short warming up period and regularly checks in with me throughout the hour class. This week however, she didn't even hold my hand walking into the room. She immediately ran into the group and began excitedly chatting with the teacher and other kids. Then during the stories, she was the first to answer the teacher's questions about the story, she did all of the motions to songs, and even sang most of the words to the songs.
The only thing I can attribute this change to is her experience in ballet class on Monday. I look forward to seeing her develop independence as we progress in our studies and community classes.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Physics of Galloping Gertie
Last week while we were at the Washington State History Museum, we checked out a display on Galloping Gertie, the old Tacoma Narrows Bridge that fell into the Puget Sound.
I didn't think that Loren had understood what it was about until yesterday morning when we were driving over the new Narrows Bridge into Tacoma. Randomly from the back seat I hear, "Mom, why that bridge fall into the water?" We spent the rest of our drive talking about how the guy who designed it had messed up and that when the wind blew it waved up and down until it broke and fell into the water. This didn't appease the questions, so when we got to our destination (a show in Puyallup), we broke out the computer and internet and did a search for information.
First, we watched a YouTube video of the bridge collapse. 4 times. During the video I pointed out how the trees and bushes were blowing and the bridge was waving up and down because of the wind. The video that I found had some of the best footage of the collapse I'd ever seen, and I grew up in the area learning about it every year around the anniversary of the collapse. (View video here)
After exhausting the video (well, actually we exhausted mom's attention to the video, Loren would have watched it all day if I'd let her), we did a Wikipedia search for Galloping Gertie and read about the history of the bridge and the scientific explanation of why it collapsed. We learned the words "aerolastics" and "aerodynamics" during this research as well as what "resonance" is in relation to physics. I don't know how much of the physics she understood, but I plan to do a demonstration of the concepts that broke the bridge at home this week, maybe with dad's help.
On the drive home last night, I discovered that her interest in the bridge collapsing stemmed from her concern that the new bridges would meet the same fate. To alleviate her concerns, we talked about how Galloping Gertie taught the engineers how to build a stronger bridge and that even big mistakes like that can be learning experiences. Vocabulary, history, physics, researching, and life lessons all in one lesson. Gotta love Child-Led Learning!
I didn't think that Loren had understood what it was about until yesterday morning when we were driving over the new Narrows Bridge into Tacoma. Randomly from the back seat I hear, "Mom, why that bridge fall into the water?" We spent the rest of our drive talking about how the guy who designed it had messed up and that when the wind blew it waved up and down until it broke and fell into the water. This didn't appease the questions, so when we got to our destination (a show in Puyallup), we broke out the computer and internet and did a search for information.
First, we watched a YouTube video of the bridge collapse. 4 times. During the video I pointed out how the trees and bushes were blowing and the bridge was waving up and down because of the wind. The video that I found had some of the best footage of the collapse I'd ever seen, and I grew up in the area learning about it every year around the anniversary of the collapse. (View video here)
After exhausting the video (well, actually we exhausted mom's attention to the video, Loren would have watched it all day if I'd let her), we did a Wikipedia search for Galloping Gertie and read about the history of the bridge and the scientific explanation of why it collapsed. We learned the words "aerolastics" and "aerodynamics" during this research as well as what "resonance" is in relation to physics. I don't know how much of the physics she understood, but I plan to do a demonstration of the concepts that broke the bridge at home this week, maybe with dad's help.
On the drive home last night, I discovered that her interest in the bridge collapsing stemmed from her concern that the new bridges would meet the same fate. To alleviate her concerns, we talked about how Galloping Gertie taught the engineers how to build a stronger bridge and that even big mistakes like that can be learning experiences. Vocabulary, history, physics, researching, and life lessons all in one lesson. Gotta love Child-Led Learning!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
September Catch Up...
Here is a quick overview of the learning experiences we had during the month of September:
Goats!
We brought home our first two pygora goats on August 28th and spent a number of days getting to know them and prepare their new home, a fenced in area of brush that they are clearing for the chickens we will be getting later this year. We loved the first two goats so much that we bought two more 3 weeks later! Their names are Ellie (aka Elephant), Chip (aka Chipmunk), Nilla (aka Cherry Vanilla), and Prince. We've learned a lot about caring for animals, different types of goats and farm animals, visited a pygora goat ranch in Oregon (Hawks Mountain Ranch), sheering and preparing angora fiber, and I'm sure much, much more that I have failed to notice. Loren has also developed an amazing independance and confidence since we brought home the goats, often telling her friends, other adults, or complete strangers about them and how we take care of them. She has begun taking responsibility for some of the goat care and loves bringing them their grain/cob treat in the evenings.
Learn Through Play Group
September's theme was "The Seashore." We did some imaginary play using a kid-sized swimming pool and a sandbox. We explored Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park where we colored booklets on sea life, played in sensory bins, and painted using natural-material paint brushes (ie. sticks, leaves, rocks). We also built stick rafts at China Lake Park and floated them in the water. All of these activities involved both the education value of the lessons included, but also the valuable social experiences with kids ranging from 2-9 years old. Loren's current favorite friend is a 6 year old little girl, MC, and she loves learning and playing with her.
Puyallup Fair
We attended free day at the Puyallup Fair. We always love taking advantage of free day at the fair. It's a wonderful time to see all of the animals, visit with the animal's owners and ask questions. We even met a woman who lives near us and has miniature horses that she's invited us over to visit! Loren is SO excited! While we were there, we ran into other homeschooling friends, and of course we had to try out a few rides.
Shows & Studio
Loren attended one show with us during the month of September, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. While there, she learned about the construction and culture of wooden boat building in our area. She observed and participated the sale of our work and the organizing and PR of running a show (this is one of the few shows that I actually help to organize during they year). She also increased her independence from us by socializing with other kids who happened to be at the show and wandering to the playground that was nearby to play without needing one of us to be by her side. In the studio, she continued working on making beaded necklaces using pony beads and string and talked about selling them to customers for "4 bucks," lol.
Storytime, Play 2 Learn, & TLC
We regularly participate in these weekly preschool-style programs. Storytime and Play 2 Learn are great places for Loren to learn about sitting still and listening to someone else in order to learn. She also learns how to participate and learn in a group of other kids who may or may not be following directions or paying attention. TLC is a favorite program that combines both normally developing kids with developmentally-delayed kids for a free-play session in their therapy classroom. This usually involves imaginary play as well as gross motor activities with other kids.
Homeschool Group Park Date
This weekly playdate is a chance for other homeschool families to get together and visit. Loren gets some social interaction with other homeschoolers and I get a chance to talk with other homeschooling parents. We've developed a fairly strong core group of families over the summer and hope to continue (with a location change for weather) through out the school year. Loren has been learning about social dynamics in groups of older kids through this group and the older kids are teaching her games like tag and hide-and-seek.
Homeschool Group Game Day
We participated in a game day hosted by a member of our homeschool group. This was a wonderful opportunity to practice playing games such as Candyland, with other kids. Loren began to understand about turn-taking and following the movement directions specific to Candyland.
Fire Station Field Trip
We took a tour of a fire station in Lakewood with a homeschool group. Loren loved getting to see the fire truck up close and sitting in the front seat. Though I think she actually liked sitting in the back seat of the cab of the engine better... More to look at maybe?
Testing out the driver's seat of the fire truck.
Goats!
We brought home our first two pygora goats on August 28th and spent a number of days getting to know them and prepare their new home, a fenced in area of brush that they are clearing for the chickens we will be getting later this year. We loved the first two goats so much that we bought two more 3 weeks later! Their names are Ellie (aka Elephant), Chip (aka Chipmunk), Nilla (aka Cherry Vanilla), and Prince. We've learned a lot about caring for animals, different types of goats and farm animals, visited a pygora goat ranch in Oregon (Hawks Mountain Ranch), sheering and preparing angora fiber, and I'm sure much, much more that I have failed to notice. Loren has also developed an amazing independance and confidence since we brought home the goats, often telling her friends, other adults, or complete strangers about them and how we take care of them. She has begun taking responsibility for some of the goat care and loves bringing them their grain/cob treat in the evenings.
Loren showing off her new goats.
Learn Through Play Group
September's theme was "The Seashore." We did some imaginary play using a kid-sized swimming pool and a sandbox. We explored Owen Beach at Point Defiance Park where we colored booklets on sea life, played in sensory bins, and painted using natural-material paint brushes (ie. sticks, leaves, rocks). We also built stick rafts at China Lake Park and floated them in the water. All of these activities involved both the education value of the lessons included, but also the valuable social experiences with kids ranging from 2-9 years old. Loren's current favorite friend is a 6 year old little girl, MC, and she loves learning and playing with her.
Pic to come...
Loren testing out the raft with her building partners.
We attended free day at the Puyallup Fair. We always love taking advantage of free day at the fair. It's a wonderful time to see all of the animals, visit with the animal's owners and ask questions. We even met a woman who lives near us and has miniature horses that she's invited us over to visit! Loren is SO excited! While we were there, we ran into other homeschooling friends, and of course we had to try out a few rides.
Pic to come...
Riding in the canoe ride.
Shows & Studio
Loren attended one show with us during the month of September, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. While there, she learned about the construction and culture of wooden boat building in our area. She observed and participated the sale of our work and the organizing and PR of running a show (this is one of the few shows that I actually help to organize during they year). She also increased her independence from us by socializing with other kids who happened to be at the show and wandering to the playground that was nearby to play without needing one of us to be by her side. In the studio, she continued working on making beaded necklaces using pony beads and string and talked about selling them to customers for "4 bucks," lol.
Loren playing with her "customer." She sold her a necklace and hairclip.
Storytime, Play 2 Learn, & TLC
We regularly participate in these weekly preschool-style programs. Storytime and Play 2 Learn are great places for Loren to learn about sitting still and listening to someone else in order to learn. She also learns how to participate and learn in a group of other kids who may or may not be following directions or paying attention. TLC is a favorite program that combines both normally developing kids with developmentally-delayed kids for a free-play session in their therapy classroom. This usually involves imaginary play as well as gross motor activities with other kids.
Pic to come...
Learning about teamwork... and gravity.
Homeschool Group Park Date
This weekly playdate is a chance for other homeschool families to get together and visit. Loren gets some social interaction with other homeschoolers and I get a chance to talk with other homeschooling parents. We've developed a fairly strong core group of families over the summer and hope to continue (with a location change for weather) through out the school year. Loren has been learning about social dynamics in groups of older kids through this group and the older kids are teaching her games like tag and hide-and-seek.
Homeschool Group Game Day
We participated in a game day hosted by a member of our homeschool group. This was a wonderful opportunity to practice playing games such as Candyland, with other kids. Loren began to understand about turn-taking and following the movement directions specific to Candyland.
Fire Station Field Trip
We took a tour of a fire station in Lakewood with a homeschool group. Loren loved getting to see the fire truck up close and sitting in the front seat. Though I think she actually liked sitting in the back seat of the cab of the engine better... More to look at maybe?
Testing out the driver's seat of the fire truck.
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