October 31, 2007
October 30, 2007
Science and Art Week--Day 2
This morning we started by curling up on the loveseat, talking, and looking at book about mosaics. Then the kids browsed the gallery at the back of the book, laughing when we got to the shish kebob mosaic, to get ideas for their own artwork. Golden moment: Anthony pointed out that the perspective in one mosaic reminded him of how Cezanne changed perspective within a piece to draw your eye across the entire work. (They have learned something!)
They took out pattern blocks and used different colors of background paper (to simulate different colors of grout) and designed their own mosaics. Cecilia used mosaic magnets. Maria, who is also sick with croup and only halfway doing school, stayed absorbed with the blocks the rest of the morning. Her dream is of a school day of only art.
To segue back to our Human Body study I showed the boys some pictures of the bone mosaics in the crypt below Santa Maria della Concezione in Rome. I don’t think they are proper mosaics really, but they are pretty cool. Sadly though, nothing could make our study of bones less dry after the excitement of designing their own artwork in a new style, and it was tough to keep their attention. Dem Bones by Bob Barner came to my rescue, at least halfway engaging them so we could look at the more educational but un-singable Visual Dictionary of Human Anatomy.
To segue back to our Human Body study I showed the boys some pictures of the bone mosaics in the crypt below Santa Maria della Concezione in Rome. I don’t think they are proper mosaics really, but they are pretty cool. Sadly though, nothing could make our study of bones less dry after the excitement of designing their own artwork in a new style, and it was tough to keep their attention. Dem Bones by Bob Barner came to my rescue, at least halfway engaging them so we could look at the more educational but un-singable Visual Dictionary of Human Anatomy.
October 29, 2007
Learning Notes--Science and Art Week
This week we have set aside our regular curriculum for unit studies in art and science. When I plan a unit study, I choose a topic and then free associate books, projects, games, and field trips to come up with a plan that is book heavy, project heavy, mom- and learning-intensive, and fun. Based on the 3rd grade science suggestions in What Your Third Grader Should Know, I chose the Human Body for our science topic. Since Cecilia had a trip to the doc this morning (diagnosis: croup), our art study of mosaics will begin tomorrow.
Day 1--Today we colored and built a skeleton using the patterns in the book The Body Book, Ferbys, and brads. Even though the kids don't seem to enjoy coloring in general, they enthusiastically worked on the project all day long. They asked lots of questions, and we discussed the body as we worked. When it was time to break for lunch, they watched School House Rock! and cut out their skeletons. The Science Rock section of the DVD has some great songs about the body. In fact all 5 of the older kids asked where on the skeleton you would find the villi ("In through the villi which look a little sill-i!"). I broke it to them gently that the small intestine (not a part of the skeleton) will be a part of our lesson on Wednesday.
Day 1--Today we colored and built a skeleton using the patterns in the book The Body Book, Ferbys, and brads. Even though the kids don't seem to enjoy coloring in general, they enthusiastically worked on the project all day long. They asked lots of questions, and we discussed the body as we worked. When it was time to break for lunch, they watched School House Rock! and cut out their skeletons. The Science Rock section of the DVD has some great songs about the body. In fact all 5 of the older kids asked where on the skeleton you would find the villi ("In through the villi which look a little sill-i!"). I broke it to them gently that the small intestine (not a part of the skeleton) will be a part of our lesson on Wednesday.
October 25, 2007
Because he's cute
Here is James checking in with Uncle "Christmastom" who is home with my parents after being evacuated from St. Michael's because of the wildfires. Chrysostom says that the air quality is poor at the abbey, but otherwise things are fine.
October 9, 2007
Charles at 5 years old
Charles loves: his Fuzzy (a quilt), his Lighting McQueen toy, his toy airplane, pizza, the color green, He said Yes, Max and Ruby (movie), Jeff Gordon (NASCAR driver), birthday parties, and climbing trees.
When he grows up, Charles wants to be a firefighter. He wants to go to Duke for college.
Charles does not care for: dying, being a policeman, meat, and tacos (ironically this is tonight's dinner....)
When he grows up, Charles wants to be a firefighter. He wants to go to Duke for college.
Charles does not care for: dying, being a policeman, meat, and tacos (ironically this is tonight's dinner....)
October 7, 2007
Happy Birthday, Charles!
Charles turned 5 today! He opened some gifts this morning before church. Later, Bill took Charles, Maria, and Anthony to Oktoberfest on base, and the kids had a great time going on the rides and eating and going on the rides...
Later Charles' friends from the neighborhood came to sing and eat cake. James definitely enjoyed his piece of cake.
October 4, 2007
The Latest Model
Baby #7 is due March 30, 2008 which is the Sunday after Easter. Having had kids arrive between 5 weeks early and 4 days late, I don't put much faith in, or even try to remember, due dates. This ultra sound is from Sept. 5 and was done for dating purposes. She looks good, has all the parts we wanted to see, and measured at 10 weeks 6 days. We will not be finding out her true gender until she arrives, but our priest guessed she's a girl so that's what I'm calling her for now.
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