Saturday, May 19, 2007
Colorado Birds
We took a break this afternoon from lawn-mowing, weed-pulling, laundry and dishes to take a walk as a family to a local pond. We were treated to the stunning sight of Yellow-headed Blackbirds in the trees by the reeds along the water as well as the ubiquitous Red-Winged Blackbirds. While we often see a lone loon with its periscope head poking up out of the water, this time we spotted a loon on a log spreading its wings. And half-hidden along the edge of a partly submerged stand of trees, a Great Blue Heron warily waded in the water, then spread its wide wings to fly to a more distant spot of the pond. We enjoyed the calming fresh breath of nature in the midst of the mundane duties of our day.
Ten Months
The little Logeman turned ten months this week. A delightful age. A delightful boy. For the most part. He does have a cranky dark side. Especially when teething. Like now. Fussy boy did just try to claw off my face whilst I tried to snap his pants. Temper, temper.
But back to the good stuff. He definitely knows the meaning of "Hi" and "Goodbye" and waves his little fingers (at himself) when he hears those words. He also has figured out that pointing is directing someone's attention to something of interest. He likes to point at objects and gasp with glee. Thankfully, no one will consider him rude for pointing at ten months. He is rather disruptive at family worship, but that's mainly our fault. We are not disciplining ourselves to stop giggling when he practices his coughing or growling.
He has the crawling down pat now and has the red, rough knees to prove it. He also enjoys pulling up on furniture and walking along it. Evan says that he stood without holding on to anything briefly. (I'll believe it when I see it.) I'm not in any hurry for him to walk.
He's mostly a Momma's boy, though sometimes he prefers Evan to me. (Evan carts him around without trying to "get something done" at the same time.) Logan is very wary of "strangers" (anyone not in his immediate family.) At the least, he stares at others, but if someone dares to try to hold him, it usually elicits much arching of the back and wailing from him. None of my older three did that. I feel bad for my friends who are just itching to cuddle a baby, but get handed a banshee instead!
Sophie sighed this morning, saying, "I'm so glad we have a new baby." He doesn't seem so new to me at ten months, but I sure enjoy this age.
But back to the good stuff. He definitely knows the meaning of "Hi" and "Goodbye" and waves his little fingers (at himself) when he hears those words. He also has figured out that pointing is directing someone's attention to something of interest. He likes to point at objects and gasp with glee. Thankfully, no one will consider him rude for pointing at ten months. He is rather disruptive at family worship, but that's mainly our fault. We are not disciplining ourselves to stop giggling when he practices his coughing or growling.
He has the crawling down pat now and has the red, rough knees to prove it. He also enjoys pulling up on furniture and walking along it. Evan says that he stood without holding on to anything briefly. (I'll believe it when I see it.) I'm not in any hurry for him to walk.
He's mostly a Momma's boy, though sometimes he prefers Evan to me. (Evan carts him around without trying to "get something done" at the same time.) Logan is very wary of "strangers" (anyone not in his immediate family.) At the least, he stares at others, but if someone dares to try to hold him, it usually elicits much arching of the back and wailing from him. None of my older three did that. I feel bad for my friends who are just itching to cuddle a baby, but get handed a banshee instead!
Sophie sighed this morning, saying, "I'm so glad we have a new baby." He doesn't seem so new to me at ten months, but I sure enjoy this age.
Number Eleven
Sometimes birthdays around here are a pleasant family time at home. Sometimes we eat out at a special restaurant. Sometimes we throw a party. In honor of Evan's eleventh birthday this year, the mood hit for a party.
James did the food shopping last night, and this evening the kids and I put together a taco salad supper at the church. Six families attended Evan's party. We set up tables indoors, but the beautiful weather enticed everyone to grab chairs and eat out on the lawn.
Seventeen children (not counting two babies) attended, providing a good number for a few games of "Capture the Flag." After a healthy amount of outdoor running around, the kids came in to play "Space Base." In the latter game, James picked two "aliens" who hid (in relatively plain sight) the pieces to a flashlight around the church building while the space travelers counted in a back room. When the time was up, the space cadets searched for the "laser" parts while trying to avoid getting tagged and frozen by the aliens. The cadets were given twenty minutes to find and assemble the laser and shoot the aliens. If they failed in their mission, the aliens won.
After several space battles, time allowed for another group game and the playing of some assorted board games. The parents enjoyed the opportunity to socialize as well!
James did the food shopping last night, and this evening the kids and I put together a taco salad supper at the church. Six families attended Evan's party. We set up tables indoors, but the beautiful weather enticed everyone to grab chairs and eat out on the lawn.
Seventeen children (not counting two babies) attended, providing a good number for a few games of "Capture the Flag." After a healthy amount of outdoor running around, the kids came in to play "Space Base." In the latter game, James picked two "aliens" who hid (in relatively plain sight) the pieces to a flashlight around the church building while the space travelers counted in a back room. When the time was up, the space cadets searched for the "laser" parts while trying to avoid getting tagged and frozen by the aliens. The cadets were given twenty minutes to find and assemble the laser and shoot the aliens. If they failed in their mission, the aliens won.
After several space battles, time allowed for another group game and the playing of some assorted board games. The parents enjoyed the opportunity to socialize as well!
Evan holds up a truck poster made by his friend Caleb for all to admire.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Towards Multiplication Mastery
My seven year old daughter has begun learning the concept of multiplication as well as memorizing multiplication facts. A friend of mine just emailed me last night and asked for ideas to help her own daughter master her multiplication facts.
This time around, I have been much more consistent in having my child learn skip counting. I wasn't as diligent with my older two boys. They do know their multiplication facts now, but I can see that memorizing skip counting lays a more thorough foundation than just drilling facts. Skip counting communicates the concept that multiplication is fast adding.
We have a skip counting tape which sets the number lists to music, but the tunes are, for the most part, not familiar, making them difficult to learn. So, I just picked my own tunes and used the word "and" strategically to make the list fit the music! For instance, for 6's, I used "Lightly Row": six, twelve, eight-teen, twen-ty-four, thir-ty, a-and thir-ty-six, for-ty-two and for-ty-eight, fif-ty-four and six-ty.
Now when my daughter solves multiplication problems (or division), she can use her skip counting to find the answer. For instance: 6 x 6 ~ She can count "6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36", keeping track how far to go by holding up fingers until she gets to six fingers. She can do this fairly quickly and with repetition is memorizing her facts.
Of course, she drills the facts as well and now we have a tool to use: The Flashmaster which is just a high-falutin' way of doing flashcards, but more fun.
Even at Sophie's young age, she already has her upper times tables down cold thanks to this gem:
The advertising claims that this tool helps children to learn their upper times tables in about an hour. I purchased and used Times Tales Deluxe with my kids and found the advertising to be accurate! My boys already knew their facts, but my daughter learned them for the first time in an hour and still has excellent retention of the facts months later.
These tools for multiplication mastery work for me!
This time around, I have been much more consistent in having my child learn skip counting. I wasn't as diligent with my older two boys. They do know their multiplication facts now, but I can see that memorizing skip counting lays a more thorough foundation than just drilling facts. Skip counting communicates the concept that multiplication is fast adding.
We have a skip counting tape which sets the number lists to music, but the tunes are, for the most part, not familiar, making them difficult to learn. So, I just picked my own tunes and used the word "and" strategically to make the list fit the music! For instance, for 6's, I used "Lightly Row": six, twelve, eight-teen, twen-ty-four, thir-ty, a-and thir-ty-six, for-ty-two and for-ty-eight, fif-ty-four and six-ty.
Now when my daughter solves multiplication problems (or division), she can use her skip counting to find the answer. For instance: 6 x 6 ~ She can count "6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36", keeping track how far to go by holding up fingers until she gets to six fingers. She can do this fairly quickly and with repetition is memorizing her facts.
Of course, she drills the facts as well and now we have a tool to use: The Flashmaster which is just a high-falutin' way of doing flashcards, but more fun.
Even at Sophie's young age, she already has her upper times tables down cold thanks to this gem:
The advertising claims that this tool helps children to learn their upper times tables in about an hour. I purchased and used Times Tales Deluxe with my kids and found the advertising to be accurate! My boys already knew their facts, but my daughter learned them for the first time in an hour and still has excellent retention of the facts months later.
These tools for multiplication mastery work for me!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Two Dudes on a Ranch
Last Saturday, the boys were treated to a trip to a dude ranch by Bob and Cheryl. Matthew asked me if he could blog about it. (Yes, my boy asked me if he could write.) You can go to The Far Side of the Mountain to read about their adventures and view pictures.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Word Detectives
As far as I can tell, this week I've been hit in succession with a cold virus and a stomach virus. I'm looking forward to feeling better and getting out of survival mode. I'm sure that my whole family feels the same...I'm glad they didn't haul me out to the corner with the broken-down washer!
In recent weeks, I've read aloud to the children from historical novels set during World War II. We finished Escape from Warsaw and are currently reading The Winged Watchman which is proving to be quite captivating and well-written. I am also reading aloud The Good Fight: How World War II Was Won, an excellent pictorial history. The children have read other non-fiction World War II books on their own as well.
Two nights ago for supper, we ate grilled bratwursts and some chorizo (spicy Italian sausage which James alone could tolerate) along with sauerkraut and succotash made with corn and edamame. We noticed that we were eating foods common to Germany, Italy and Japan (stretching it with the edamame) and called it our Axis powers dinner. I know, we're bad.
We have continued with our beginning Latin studies which, surprisingly to me, has added more enjoyment to our read-alouds. The kids can earn a penny for any Latin derivative that they identify, defining both the Latin root and the English word. Sometimes the kids even catch derivatives that fly under my radar (or is it over?). I remember several months ago, reading from Caddie Woodlawn and beginning to explain the meaning of "portage." Before I got the definition out of my mouth, Sophie piped up, "Portage comes from porto which means I carry!" Well...Yes!
And today, while reading The Good Fight, Matthew stated, "Primitive comes from primus which means first." I had to say, "You might be right! Let's look it up" and read "Middle English primitif from Old French from Latin primitivus from primus, first." I read the definition and asked, "Can you give me an example of a primitive weapon?"
"An atom bomb?" answered Matthew.
"Actually, an atom bomb is the opposite of primitive, because it is very technologically advanced," I explained.
Evan answered, "A spear."
"Yes, a spear is primitive," I replied, "because it is a simple weapon and it was one of the first weapons used."
I learn something new every day!
In recent weeks, I've read aloud to the children from historical novels set during World War II. We finished Escape from Warsaw and are currently reading The Winged Watchman which is proving to be quite captivating and well-written. I am also reading aloud The Good Fight: How World War II Was Won, an excellent pictorial history. The children have read other non-fiction World War II books on their own as well.
Two nights ago for supper, we ate grilled bratwursts and some chorizo (spicy Italian sausage which James alone could tolerate) along with sauerkraut and succotash made with corn and edamame. We noticed that we were eating foods common to Germany, Italy and Japan (stretching it with the edamame) and called it our Axis powers dinner. I know, we're bad.
We have continued with our beginning Latin studies which, surprisingly to me, has added more enjoyment to our read-alouds. The kids can earn a penny for any Latin derivative that they identify, defining both the Latin root and the English word. Sometimes the kids even catch derivatives that fly under my radar (or is it over?). I remember several months ago, reading from Caddie Woodlawn and beginning to explain the meaning of "portage." Before I got the definition out of my mouth, Sophie piped up, "Portage comes from porto which means I carry!" Well...Yes!
And today, while reading The Good Fight, Matthew stated, "Primitive comes from primus which means first." I had to say, "You might be right! Let's look it up" and read "Middle English primitif from Old French from Latin primitivus from primus, first." I read the definition and asked, "Can you give me an example of a primitive weapon?"
"An atom bomb?" answered Matthew.
"Actually, an atom bomb is the opposite of primitive, because it is very technologically advanced," I explained.
Evan answered, "A spear."
"Yes, a spear is primitive," I replied, "because it is a simple weapon and it was one of the first weapons used."
I learn something new every day!
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