Are You Ready for Some Football?!?!

MORNING MUSIC: Come 9 a.m. we sloshed our way (Kirby included) to Musikgarten. Today the group finished their first unit, with music centering on the theme of "Home." Starting next week, they start "The Woodlands" unit, so they got new folders (which they were excited about) and a CD full of new-to-them music.

McMAP: Lately Friday has meant playdate with Connor and since today was so miserable outside, we decided to meet at (groan) McDonald's. I would MUCH rather take the kids to a park, but that wasn't in the cards weather wise and I wanted CJ and Annabelle to have the chance to run around and play. So, in this case, McDonald's fit the bill, as one in Ballard has a pretty darn big indoor play area/climbing/sliding structure. Plus, it's close, it's free (no admission charge), and (mercifully!) CJ & Annabelle would actually prefer a Happy Meal of chicken nuggets, apple slices and milk or water than a burger, fries and pop. So, they ate and then played for about an hour with Connor as well as a half dozen other kids there. More evidence that maps are all around us - in one part of the play area was a colorful map of McDonald Land. The kids both spent some time checking it out.

FOOTBALL BY THE BOOK: Once back home, we sat down to read three books about football. Why football, you ask? Because we'll be going to the UW Husky/UO Ducks football game on Saturday. Although the kids have been to a Seahawks' and a Huskies' game before, they don't know football as well as they do baseball, and I know the game is more fun to watch when you understand more about it. "My Football Book" gave some facts and figures, and I realize the football isn't an easy game to explain clearly or quickly, but frankly, I thought the author and illustrator could have done a better job. Next was "Football: Rules of the Game." It was a little bit clearer, but bo-ring. Lastly, we read "The Story of Football," which gave a little bit of info about the history of football (including that its genesis is rugby, and that Harvard and Yale students played the first game).

SCRIMMAGE: After reading up on football, we were ready to put the kids' new found knowledge to use! Naturally, I had a football field game board in the closet (doesn't everyone?). It was decided it would be Robots vs. Ponies, you guess who was whom. I quick-like made up some rules. The player on offense started on their own 20 and, just like legit football, they had 4 downs to try to get 10 yards. They would role a die and that = the number of yards gained on a play. So where was some good math involved

FLAG ON THE PLAY: Roughing the pony, 15 yard penalty and loss of down.

C'MON AND MEET THE ELEMENTS: They Might Be Giants' fabulous "Here Comes Science" CD is in heavy rotation in our car. One of the kids favorite tracks is "Meet the Elements." This afternoon I showed them the music video for the first time. They must have watched it a half dozen times. HIGHLY recommended listening and viewing. Give it a listen and I'll bet you'll find yourself singing it days from now.