Steady as She Goes

GET CENTERED: Right out of the gate, we worked on some science exercises about balance and stability. Much hilarity ensued.

The kids had to try several exercises challenging their center of gravity. For instance, they were supposed to try to stand up from a chair without leaning forward. Pretty tricky. And they had to stand on one foot with their eyes open and closed (it was easier with them open).

The funniest one of all was when the kids had to stand with their heels against the wall and try to pick something up off the floor. Try as they might, it just couldn't be done. Here's a photo of CJ cheating ...
Overall, the exercises were excellent examples demonstrating the principles of center of gravity, balance, and stability.

TAKING NOTE: We spent some time this morning listening to the kids latest Musikgarten CD. On three of the selections, they had sheet music they were supposed to follow along with during the song.
It was a good exercise, as it really illustrated the difference between triplet notes and quarter notes.

HAIRY TALE: One of the books we read today was "The Fright Before Christmas". It was about the Monroe family's menagerie - a big dog, a dachshund, a cat and a rabbit named Bunnicula. It was Christmas Eve and the dachshund was afraid of the thought of Santa sneaking into the house, and Chester the cat wasn't too keen about ghosts (of Christmas past) showing up, either. Somehow, they all survived the night (oops, sorry if I just ruined the ending for you).

IN REVIEW: We finished up another chapter in Singapore Math. The last exercise for the chapter is a review, and it's about twice as long as other daily exercises. As usual, CJ was done ahead of Annabelle. It's interesting how he's always done way ahead of her in math, and she's usually done well ahead of him in writing.

BACK IN THE USSR: Well, former USSR ... the Russians have Soyuz TMA-20 on the launch pad. It's set to lift off on Wednesday at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

photo: NASA

So, the kids and I did some poking aroudn the Russian Federal Space Agency's Web site for the first time today. It's not as comprehensive as NASA's site by any means, but it's pretty cool - lots of info about past launches, a cosmonaut's blog, there's video. And how nice that they translated all this into English for us!

Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a link to a live Web cast of their launches. We'll have to settle for news after the fact.

During our sleuthing, we did come across "Learn Russian" program from the Russian government. It looks like it would be a great start toward learning the language.

THE TROUBLE WITH TRIBBLES: This afternoon CJ asked me when the "Trouble with Tribbles" Star Trek episode first aired. That would be December, 1967. His question was prompted by playing with the "Tribble" they received from Aunt Renee and Uncle Jim for Christmas.

I found a YouTube clip from the Tribble episode. In it, the crew learns that Tribbles reproduce every three hours. CJ was fascinated by that and we talked about the math involved and how quickly it would grow exponentially. I think tomorrow we need to do a chart to illustrate just how quickly they'd fill up a starship's cargo hold. :)

SRSLY?!: Recently there has been what I thought was a really valuable thread on a homeschool email list I belong to. Someone asked for suggestions regarding math curriculum and there was an outpouring of really great links and resources. Seriously awesome, awesome stuff.

But then tonight there came this voice of dissension:

"It's not that important!
Is it?
Why are we grilling ourselves with math?
Either kids like math or they don't ..
Goes for parents too.
I say limit math and enjoy life...
All the best."

And it was signed by a homeschooler's dad.

I about fell out of my chair.

Limit math and enjoy life? Like the two are mutually exclusive? I don't know about you, but I LIKE being able to do math. For instance today, thanks to math, I was able to figure out that I saved 95 percent off a magazine subscription. And I was able to decide which truffles to buy (the 8 oz tube or two 5 ouncers) based on their per ounce price. I also drove the speed limit, cooked a couple of meals, operated a computer, did some banking. Nothing "fancy" but I find this math thing rather valuable whether you like it or not. I pity the poor homeschooler - or standard schooler - who is NOT learning math.

PUFFIN' WHAT?: Tonight, as part of their "Christmas" programming, ABC Family showed a "Puff the Magic Dragon" cartoon. It was straight from the psychedelic 70s, and Burgess Meredith (a/k/a The Penguin) voiced the dragon. What a trip.

Fortunately for Annabelle, the cartoon didn't end with Jackie Paper dying. It ended with Jackie promising he'd never leave the dragon, and Burgess, er, the dragon replying, "We'll see, we'll see," and shedding a tear. Seems the Dragon sees the handwriting on the wall. One day Jackie Paper will come no more.

I told Annabelle I remember crying and crying the first time I realized "a dragon lives forever, but not so little boys."

DANCE CAMP: This afternoon we skipped yoga as Annabelle was signed up for a special "Snowflake Dance" session at her regular ballet school. When we arrived Annabelle started chatting up an older girl in the hallway. Turns out the girl is three years ahead of Annabelle ballet school wise and Annabelle was pumping her for information. It was amusing listening to it.

Annabelle emerged from class 90 minutes later, sweating and smiling, wearing a silver crown and bearing a snowflake ornament.