Thursday, November 18, 2010

Riding the Wave!

This week has been especially full of activity and learning. It seems that it comes in bursts or waves, with times of intellectual resting in between.

Micah has been aspiring to be a writer. He has been writing poems, short stories, and is working on a book. He found a writing contest he plans to enter as well. He set up a computer in his room just for writing. He has been seeking out all the grammar, spelling and vocabulary books he can find and working in them. (He even asked me to buy more!) In addition, he has done a lot of research on line about publishing one’s work. He has begun his own blogspot (www.micahmcgee.blogspot.com) for sharing his works. He came up to me yesterday asking, “How did you get to be such a good speller.” I told him, “ Wanting to be, first of all, and reading a lot!” I’ve seen improvement in his spelling and mechanics already in this past week. He likes to come down after studying in his room and use sentences with new big words that he learned in a vocabulary book that we have, hoping to stump me. (He’s even using a thesaurus to better his writing!) He is bombarding his dad as well, with his writings and with much enthusiasm (at bedtime and when he’s at work as well). James loves writing, language, grammar, and prides himself on editing. (He is a court reporter, after all- one of the best!) So he is the guru around here. It is great to see them “bonding” through this common interest. Micah never does anything half way.( except perhaps sometimes his chores. lol) It is always a wonder and delight to see him on a learning streak.

This has in turn inspired Jacob who has started a detective business and is keeping a journal for it. He keeps begging us to hire him for jobs. He has solved a couple of missing items mysteries. (Which reminds me, I owe him some money.) He has been reading several detective mystery type books such as Jigsaw Jones and scientific books like Popular Mechanics for kids-how to make certain gadgets and electronics. He needs some black electric tape to make a homemade camera. This is the time to strike when the iron is hot. This is what I do; I help them when motivation is high (or encourage, motivate and direct when it is low), helping them find the right resources and tools, and library books to explore an area, before they move on to a new interest. Jacob also got interested in mine and Hannah’s doll-making. In one day, he drew up a pattern, cut, sewed, and stuffed all the pieces, and made himself a little super hero guy complete with cape. He drew on his clothes and face with marker. Jacob has seldom been without a little stunt figure guy, (you may NOT EVER call it a doll!) and well, since Woody lost his head and had to be trashed last week, Jacob just made his own. I was VERY impressed to say the least.
Hannah and I are finishing with her doll. WE sewed on arms, hair, eyes and lips yesterday. We have to sew on more rows of hair and then adjust the dress a little. She worked on a lot of it by herself, when I was doing other things. It is actually turning our very nice, and her stitching is greatly improving. WE also sat down one afternoon with a health/body book and learned all about the reproductive system. She had been asking a lot of questions lately and wondering what certain things were in the bathroom, so we sat down (Jacob joined us as well) and learned all about the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and all that good stuff. They were very quiet (in shock maybe) afterwards. Jacob later said he learned a lot.
She continues to read to Nathan almost every night. In addition to that, she and I have done a lot of oral math here and there. Also this week, she and Micah made a delicious chocolate cake all by themselves.

Everyone drew and wrote more letters to family and friends this week.
Also today, the boys read and learned all about the physics behind yo-yos. We are getting some for their educational enrichment!

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