How to Escape Education's Death Valley

Ken Robinson continues to make so much sense.

TED - Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Just listened to this presentation and had to share the thoughts. Excellent talk by Sir Ken Robinson.

Fill-In Math Word Problems

I just wanted to give a big "HUZZAH!" to Scholastic's Fill-In Math Word Problems. While they are ultimately math problems, they also reinforce grammar and build reading comprehension skills. I use these as a fun supplement to do with my child, one on one, for extra practice. These are especially great if you have a child who struggles with story problems.

Past Year's Reflections Writing

It's time again for our New Year Writing. It's a tradition, but it's a little different every year. Here is Part 1 for this year, reflecting on last year.

Tomorrow will be Part 2 when we will choose one of the things we wrote here and write about it in length and detail.

AFRICA: Serengeti Silhouettes

Here is an awesome art project I found on Pinterest to go with a unit study on Africa, or even grasslands in an ecology unit. I was pleased with how they turned out.

First, with watercolor paper and watercolors, paint a sunset background with warm colors.

After the paper is dry, and using silhouette examples if needed, draw the outlines of your silhouettes with pencil.

Then trace over the pencil with a black Sharpie and fill it in.

HYMN STUDY: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

During the holidays we did a few hymn studies. These are really expanded literary studies in poetry. We spend time on vocabulary, learning any words we do not already know. We look to understand any symbolism, metaphors, etc. We point out poetic devices used and how they influence the chosen language. We pick apart and put back together, appreciating the tiniest nuances and the grandest themes. We dig for meaning and look for personal applications. 

One of the hymns we focused on was "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," which is one of my favorites. In addition to studying it literally, we listened to several arrangements and compared the musicality. Then there was an interpretive art component where the kids sought images to personally illustrate each verse for themselves.

To really understand this hymn, it's important to know what in the world "Here I raise my Ebenezer" means. I found "Raising Your Ebenezer: A Monument to Remember" which is a wonderful lesson on that which we read and talked a lot about.

Finally, though I don't think I've met a version I don't like, I'll share one of my favorite arrangements of the piece. I like the "I will sing" bridge additions. Also, I like some of the images and quotes in the following video.

New Year, New Soul