Pottery Class

Tyler had his first pottery class on Sat.  There are 7 kids (4 girls and 3 boys), some have taken the class before and some haven’t.  He had lots of fun at it and said they got to touch the kiln because it wasn’t hot.  They made bugs out of clay.  Here’s what the schedule looks like for class as far as I can tell:  the next 2 weeks they are going to be doing a project (no word on what the project is), then on the 19th they are going to be doing their project on the wheel, the 26th is a break since the instructor won’t be in town (turns out wonderful since Tyler & I won’t be in town either), then they have 1 more project class, then 2 classes of glazing and then the final class is the art show.

The instructor was telling all this to us parents at the end of class.  And one mom mentioned that they would be gone on the 13th, so I casually asked her if they were going somewhere nice for spring break (most of the local school are out next week for spring break), you know how you try to break the ice with someone new type thing.  I got back a snotty response of “No, we homeschool.”  OK… so I mentioned that I homeschooled as well.  And I was thinking that it would be nice for all us homeschoolers if she would take a little of the attitude out of the response.  So on one hand, this is the first art class that Tyler’s been in that there are other homeschoolers (which he’s been going for a year now), but the other mom and I have already started out on rocky ground.  What are the odds?  The other mom (non-homeschooling one) that was standing there answered my spring break question with the fact that they aren’t going anywhere for it this year because they have just too much other stuff.  So I talked with her a little bit.  Then it turns out that the homeschooling mom and the non-homeschooling mom rode to the art class together.  Well, at least I had a good conversation with one of them.  There was a dad there, but he was busy packing up his son’s projects from the last session because they couldn’t make it to the last art show.  Maybe I’ll get to talk to him next time.

Now for why Tyler & I won’t be in town on the 26th.  We are going down to Nashville to my aunt’s house.  She’s running the Country Music Marathon for what I think is the 5th time and we are going down with my grandparents for a long weekend.  It will be fun since we haven’t seen all her friends since we left TN and moved to CO.  And we have to cheer her on during the marathon – we’ll be part of the support team.

Book Illustrator

On Wed afternoon, we were at the library to meet a local book illustrator.  Her name is Sibyl Graber Gerig.  Her books include: The Worry Stone, The Underbed, and Fiddlin’ Sam.  She might have others, but those were the ones she brought to show us.  She showed us what she gets from the publisher: the manuscript and a book lay out so she knows what pictures to draw, where they will be and what words they are supposed to be associated with.  She says that normally the publisher does not give her any direction and she isn’t allowed to talk to the author.  They let her talk to the author for The Worry Stone because there is information about a Native American tribe in the book and the author sent her pictures from a local museum so that she could draw accurate pictures in regards to clothing and customs.

She showed us how she takes pictures of friends and family is poses that she then want to recreate into drawings.  Then she makes lots of drawings before she paints anything.  She said she usually sends the drawings to the publisher so that she knows if she is on track before she paints.  When she gets the OK, then she starts painting.  She showed us some of her paintings that were then used in the books.  She also gave us some tips for painting with watercolors.

Overall she was wonderful.  She had lots to let the kids (all 4 of them – only 2 registered for the program the other 2 just happened to be at the library then) touch and pass around.  She even had the worry stone that she used for the pictures to pass around.  She brought pictures and books that she had created in her childhood to show the kids.  And I would say her art was age appropriate, nothing extraordinary, so she must have worked hard later in life to develop her skills.

And the big thing was that Tyler enjoyed it so that makes me happy.

Exploring 4-H Meeting

We had the first Exploring 4-H meeting last night.  Not being a former 4-Her, I had no idea what to expect.  And Trent, even though he was a 10-year 4-Her, hadn’t ever experienced Exploring 4-H because it wasn’t offered back then.  The first thing on the agenda was to walk around and look at examples of projects of the 14 different categories and ask any questions of the leaders.  This was fairly easy for us because we had already enrolled Tyler and received information in the mail.  I had Tyler read through the categories and everyone sounded good until he got to models, then he realized that only a few did things other than a poster.  That became his main focus – no posters.  So that left models (his top pick) with wildlife and dinosaurs next because they allowed for dioramas.  After we had walked around, the final pick was Models.  Then we sat through a short business meeting.  This included introductions, a little information, and the announcement that all the kids with red tickets (this was picked when we walked in along with a pencil) got door prizes.  Then we went to get our manuals for the project that was decided on and went to pick up the door prize.  He had like 3 or 4 things to pick from and decided on a puzzle.  The puzzle was interesting to him because it is in the shape of a circle and he hasn’t done very many of those.  I couldn’t believe all of the people there.  I saw some people I hadn’t seen in years, but it was so crowded that it was hard to talk to everyone.

He has announced that he wants to do either a model of a car or a ship.  Please, do not make the same mistake that I made and say boat.  He doesn’t want to do a boat, it must be a ship.  They suggest doing a snap together one for the first time since that is easier for the kids and the parents are supposed to be helpers, not doers, in these projects.

We read through the manual last night and I was excited to see more activities than just putting together a model because I know Tyler and he will want to sit down and do the whole model at once.  No setting it aside and coming back to it for him.

They also have activities that the Exploring 4-Hers can participate in.  They have a Sat morning set aside where they have workshops for the kids so they can get to know other kids that are doing the same project.  Tyler can’t make that because he is already signed up for pottery class.  Then they have a meeting for the parents to talk to them about 4-H in the upcoming years, etc. where they entertain the kids with activities and we’ll go to that one.  And I did register him for a day camp this summer.  They limit it to 100 kids so I don’t know if he’ll get in or not.  The focus is the Olympics and it is run by the 4-H Junior Leaders.

And then there is the Fair itself.  We have to drop off projects on July 14th and pick up on July 28th.  Luckily, us parents get tickets into the Fair so we can see the projects and enjoy the sights and sounds.  Tyler is still young enough to get in free so he doesn’t need a ticket.

So we have 4 months to complete the project.  Shouldn’t be too hard to do.  And I’ll have to share any other experiences along the way as this is all new to me.

Almost there

I planned out the complete curriculum that I got last week.  I also decided to use some resources I already had for science.  So since this year we focused on the solar system, planets, stars, etc., next year’s science topics include: Earth and it’s resources, matter and materials, and electricity, magnetism and light.  Seemed like the next logical step.  So that leaves social studies/history.  I’m sure I will come up with something soon.

I’ve had a few ask me why I’m planning next year now when I have a few months left of this school year and the next one doesn’t start until the fall.  So here goes.  1st – yes, our school year finishes up at the end of June, so I do have a few months left, but I’d rather plan now when the weather outside is still questionable than when it’s nice outside and I want to be outside.  2nd – no, we school year-round.  So July 1st is the first day of the next year, no waiting until the fall.  It’s just easier for us to go year-round, but I do plan a lighter schedule during the summer months to accommodate various camps and lessons, and the need to be outside enjoying the warm weather.  So hopefully that answers those type of questions.

Our snow melted yesterday and the sun is out today.  Now if the temp would get up into the 50s so we could open the windows and air out the house, I would be super happy.

2nd taekwondo

Yesterday morning, we headed over to Mishawaka to Barnes & Noble to check out their school books for 4th grade (yeah, it’s time for me to start planning the next school year.)  I got spelling lists online from some great teachers in Oregon and Minnesota who had their entire year’s spelling lists posted on the school websites.  I have Spanish planned based on resources I already have.  And I have a couple other things already worked out.  But I still needed the bulk of the stuff (language arts, math, science, social studies/history.)  We found a complete curriculum book that we both liked and it includes Reading, Math, Spelling, Language Arts, Writing and Test Prep.  I hadn’t really thought about Test Prep because right now the only test that he takes is Spelling, but it makes sense that maybe this is a skill that he will need for the future.  So now we just need to decide on Science and Social Studies/History for next year.  And I need to input it all into the software that I use for planning.

Oh, I did find MadLibs at Barnes & Noble, so I picked up one for him.  And he bought his first book with his own money.  He picked out a Pokemon book and then when we got home, he gave me the money for it.  I was excited for him.

His 2nd taekwondo class went really well.  He learned more of the form and was kept really busy in class.  He enjoyed it and got his first clip.  Remember those stars I was telling you about before for good reports on attitude and school, well, those are really clips that go on the back of their belts (much easier if you ask me.)  But since he hasn’t earned his belt yet, they put it on the collar of his uniform.  We’ll have to keep track of them to put on his belt when he gets it.

Today he finished up school nicely and quickly.  I was very impressed, especially considering that he’s had a little of a rough week.  Tomorrow is Goofy Golf at the Lowe’s Kids Workshop, which is the last one he’ll go to for a few months due to pottery class starting next week and it being at the same time.

And in a last weather note, it is snowing today.  So, yes, when I talked earlier about my hoping that our snow days were over, I was wrong.  It’s supposed to snow tomorrow, too.  Is there anyone out there willing to take this snow for me?  I’d much rather have temps back up towards the 40s and 50s with sun.  Oh, how I miss the sun!!

1st Taekwondo

Yesterday was the first taekwondo class that Tyler attended.  And I have to say that I was impressed by all that they accomplished in 1 hour.  They kept the kids moving the entire time, except for a little break in the middle where they got water then had to practice their splits while everyone was finishing up the 5 minute break.  The instructors and helpers were all positive with the kids.  They practiced punching and kicking during the first half.  The second half was spent on learning their forms (combinations of punches and kicks in a set order.)  They went over the attitude reports, teacher reports and book lists at the end of class, so the kids could earn the colored clips for their belts.  Everyone who did good received a “High Five” paper and when they collect 5 of them, then they get a star.  There were even a couple kids who had to stay after class and talk with Mr. Birky because their attitude reports were not good.  Tyler told me he didn’t want to be one of them – I’m sure hoping so because there are times when his attitude could use some work.

I got to talk to someone I graduated high school with and her son just started a month ago.  So she could give me an idea of what to expect and what she’s experienced so far.  She only had positive things to say, which is nice.  Tyler talked with a few of the kids before class, which is a big step for my shy little one.

Overall, Tyler was excited about class and had fun.  I felt it was a good class and that he learned lots in it.  So we’re both happy.

Oh, and no trip to the art museum today.  It is supposed to be 37 with a snow/rain mix today.  The museum we were going to visit was the one I told you about before that had no heat.  I have no desire to drive an hour one way to go to a building that I know has no heat.  We’ll go again when the weather warms up.

Making Maple Syrup

This was a great program!!!!  There were 12 kids and 9 of them were boys (this is amazing since the girls outnumbered the boys in this age group when we lived in Denver.)  The instructor is very knowledgeable and she really likes kids and what she is doing.  Makes a big difference.

They started out learning about where maple sap comes from, maple trees and the taps used.  She gave the kids all straws to drink water.  Then she had them poke a hole in the straw and try drinking again to give the kids the idea of what a tap does.  Then she talked about how it gets from sap to syrup, evaporation, cooking it at the right temperature, etc.  They had 2 examples of evaporators outside so we bundled up and headed out.  She also showed them the cross section of a tree before we hiked over to the tree we were going to tap.  Along the way she talked about how all trees have sap but that maple trees are the sweetest, how to identify a maple tree and how big it has to be to be tapped.  There were 2 maple trees side by side and one had been tapped yesterday, so the kids all tasted what maple sap tastes like.  They all said it tasted like water, which is what it basically is.  Then they all took turns with a power drill to tap the other tree.  It started flowing right away and the kids all tasted sap again.  Then they were all cold (it was only about 37 with no sun, so very chilly) so we headed back.  Once back, she told them that not all syrup has maple syrup in it and that you have read the ingredients to see if it is included or not.  FYI – Mrs. Butterworths and Log Cabin are 2 that don’t have any maple syrup in them.  While a helper started making the pancakes, she had the kids do a blind taste test of Mrs. Butterworths, Log Cabin and 100% maple syrup made right there at OxBow Park.  The kids like the real maple syrup the best, but they couldn’t identify it very well.  Then they had pancakes with the real maple syrup and talked more things.  Interesting fact: it takes 40 gallons of maple sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup and a typical tree only produces 20 gallons of sap a season – no wonder the real stuff is so expensive!

Most of the moms left (it was our choice) so I didn’t get to meet them.  One dad stayed the whole program.  One mom came back early.  I talked to her.  Turns out that she doesn’t even homeschool right now, though she has in the past and is considering it again for next school year.  She’s really nice and the reason why her son was there is because he was just diagnosed with diabetes and he had a doctors appointment earlier, so instead of taking him back to school, she brought him to this fun class.  She was nice to talk to.

We did get handouts to bring home to continue talking about the topic (which I viewed as very together on the instructor’s part.)  Oh, and she was together for the class as well.  All the handouts were on individual clipboards for the kids during class, she provided extra sheets for kids that wanted to use them to take notes or journal, and she provided pencils.  How cool is that!?!  So now Tyler has some handouts and quiz pages to review to make sure he really was paying attention during class.

Can’t wait till next month when they learn about water cycles.

Monday

Tyler’s been sick this past week.  I’m not used to him being sick for so long.  Usually he gets sick and then a few hours later he is eating and eating and eating like there is no tomorrow – he gets this from his dad.  But he has been sick since Tuesday.  First it was sick to his stomach and fever on Tuesday.  Since then he’s had a runny nose and a cough.  He’s getting better, but slowly.  Luckily, the cough is not in his chest so I don’t have to worry about that.  He’s funny about things though.  He tells us that he can’t talk because it makes him cough, but then he’ll watch Tom & Jerry and it is never-ending commentary to the TV.  So we’ve been vegging out here at home giving him time to recover from this.

This afternoon he has his first Science Sleuths class at the park.  It is on Making Maple Syrup.  No idea what the expectations are for the parents, but the class sounds interesting to me so I hope we get to stay.  He’ll have his first taekwondo class tomorrow (since we didn’t go last Thurs).  We’re going to a art museum on Wed to see a display on Kids’ Art.  Thursday brings us another taekwondo class.  And Sat is Goofy Golf for the Lowes Kids Workshop.

Taekwondo

We went to Tyler’s evaluation yesterday for Taekwondo and ended up signing him up for the basic program.  There were lots of similarities to the karate school that he attended in TN and we were happy about that.  Mr. Birky (owner/instructor) first taught Tyler a few moves (punching, kicking and blocking.)  He had Tyler kicking over his head.  Then he talked with us parents about the different programs.  Tyler will start out in the basic program and that encompasses the white, orange, yellow and camo belts.  It will take about 6 months for him to complete this program.  Then they have a Black Belt in Training program, a Master’s Club, and a Leadership Club.  Each one is for a different set of goals and I really would like to get Tyler into the Leadership Club eventually.  It is a training program for future martial arts instructors, but even if he doesn’t want to do that in the future it would give him great experience with leading, teaching and public speaking.  Mr. Birky also mentioned that this program teaches incorporating different techniques, like dance, into the martial arts moves and allows the students to start creating their own routines.  That creativity would be something Tyler would probably like.  At the end of the meeting Tyler got his uniform and a patch that has to be sewn on it, but he didn’t get his white belt because that is something he has to earn over the next few weeks with his attitude and dedication during class.  His first class is tomorrow because we decided to go on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Oh, and tournaments are totally optional, which was great.

Now I mentioned that it is similar to the karate school in TN.  Here’s what the whole taekwondo lifestyle for us will look like.  First, he has classes twice a week (we chose Tues & Thurs) for an hour each time.  Every class he has to turn in his All-Star Attitude Report from us parents.  This is a checklist that includes: showing respect by listening to my parents and teachers; showing self-discipline by doing all my homework; showing responsibility by picking up my toys and clothes, making my bed, brushing my teeth and hair, and caring for my pets; showing black belt attitude by practicing taekwondo and helping mom and dad; and showing self-control by being nice to my family.  Once a week, he has to turn in his School Worksheet form from his teacher (that would be me.)  It is designed to reinforce and create good behavior and study habits.  So in the categories of behavior, grades and homework, I have to rank whether he is excellent, is improving, average or needs improvement.  If he gets an average then they talk to him about how average is OK, but that being a black belt takes something extra, which is above average.  If he gets a needs improvement, then the first time they talk to him, the second time they talk with us the parents and the third time they talk to the teacher, all in an effort to find out what is going on and what can be done to improve the situation.  He also has a book list that he fills out until he’s read 10 books and then he turns it in (since he’s reading chapter books now, 50 pages equals a book.)  Also, every month they have a lifetime learning concept that they talk about every class for the month.  These include: goals, self-control, courtesy, integrity, friendship, confidence, self awareness, self-esteem, perseverance, self-improvement, respect, and dedication.

Now he does have forms (or poom-sae) he will have to learn and then do to pass his testing to go to the next belt level, but the good news here for me is that this school has DVDs that you get for each level that shows what they are learning and step-by-step instruction.  Yeah!!!  This means I don’t have to memorize what goes on in class in order to help him practice, like I was doing before.

He also is trying to earn different Victory patches.  Remember those sheets he has to turn in about attitude, school and books.  Well, he is earning stars for those that are great.  Gold stars for straight As, honor roll or significant improvement.  Silver stars for special performance awards during taekwondo class.  Blue stars for monthly themes, weekly lessons and classroom performance.  Red stars for tournament participation.  Those stars get added up for him to earn different Victory patches.  Basically, it is an incentive program, but it sounds great to me.

There are also optional clinics available about once a month that could be extra training in a certain weapon or just for fun.  This Friday is a parents night out.  They feed the kids, play games and do a variety of stuff with them.  I’m not sure if Tyler will go to it since he’s so new to the school, but we’ll see what he says tomorrow after class about it.

Oh, and I found online that each belt color signifies something specific.  So I will leave you with information about the white belt, which is where Tyler will be starting.  “Pure and without the knowledge of Songahm Taekwondo.  As with the Pine Tree, the seed must now be planted and nourished to develop strong roots.”  The student has no knowledge of Songahm Taekwondo and begins with a clean (pure) slate.  Purity is often signified by the color white.

Picture Links

Here is the link to the pictures from Tyler’s birthday:

2008 – Tyler B-day

Here’s the link to the picture from Tyler’s Art Show – this was the Family Fun Mixed Media, so Trent & I have creations as well: 

2008 – Tyler Art Show (Mar)