Today, we were about 15 minutes into our session when Annabelle turned on the whine machine and started complaining that she could never score as well as CJ because clearly her Wii remote was defective and blahblahblah.
I told her that tomorrow they could change remotes and positions on the floor, but based on watching her, I wouldn't expect the outcome to change. I also suggested that she give me the 'defective' remote for one song and we'd see how it went.
And so CeeJ and I went head to head during "Jerk it Out" by Caesers. It was a song neither one of us knew, so that made it a level playing field. Imagine everyone's surprise when suddenly Annabelle's 'defective' remote came to life in my hand. In fact, I SCHOOLED CJ, 7700-something to 2500- some. Go me, go me, go me! I like shocking the kids once in awhile. :)
GAME CHANGERS: We read an online Popular Mechanics' article today about 10 World-Changing Innovators for 2012.
The list led off with amazing Voyagers 1 & 2, which are breaking on through to the other side - exiting our solar system. That, my friends, is a Really Big Deal.
The twin spacecraft launched in 1977 on what was supposed to be a 12-year mission, to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldy go where no probes had gone before!!
Sorry, couldn't help myself there. But seriously, who knew back then that 35 years later we'd be knock-knock-knocking on the heliopause.
Other amazing inventions profiled in their sideshow include tires that maintain their own air pressure, cameras that can see around corners, a revolutionary oil spill cleaning system, prosthetic devices with built in, pain relieving thermo-resistive wiring and a solar powered battery. Oh, and of course Elon Musk of Space X (it *is* the year of the Dragon, after all). Wonderful photo gallery of Dragon's first mission to the ISS here: http://www.spacex.com/dragon.php
Speaking of SpaceX and the Dragon, the private space company will be launching a resupply mission on Oct. 7, this Sunday. We'll be watching for sure. Hope these flights become routine - and MANNED - in the very near future.
SO CLOSE: It's not quite as monumental as crossing into another solar system, but today the kids were thrilled to discover they're just one exercise away from completing their Singapore 3B math books.
I remember that feeling of great satisfaction as a student. I also remember my excitement at getting a new book. And how quickly that excitement wore off as I started slogging through it, LOL. ;)
STORYBOOK SESSION: We checked out two library DVDs that need to be returned soon. The first was "An Apple for Harriet Tubman." We are familiar with Tubman's fetes as an adult, but this story focused on her childhood and early years. It made her easier to think of and relate to for Annabelle and CJ, I'm sure. For instance, we learned that slave children had to work long and hard and that as a 7-year-old girl, one of Harriet's jobs was to sit up all night and tend to her owner's infant. If the baby cried and woke its mother, apparently Harriet would get beaten or whipped. "Think about that!" I said to the kids. "She was Annabelle's age. Can you imagine having to do that all night, every night, Annabelle?" It's just plain horrifying thinking of a child being in that position.
We learned that one of her jobs as a teen was harvesting apples. She had to pick and polish them, but she wasn't allowed to eat a single one. Harriet loved apples, and one day the temptation was too great. When she thought the field boss wasn't looking, she took a bite of one. Unfortunately, she was caught and as a result, whipped mercilessly. Harriet bore scars from the attack for life.
The stories are almost too much to bear. And it happened here, in America, just a handful of generations ago. And now, we have an African American president. Talk about change! Here's to social justice and equal rights.
We also watched a Scholastic Storybook Treasures collection. It was quite a mishmash, with no theme. The first feature was "I'm Dirty," which was a very primary-ish counting book about backhoe.
Next up was "Burt Dow: Deep-Water Man," the last book written by acclaimed children's author Robert McCloskey. It's about a retired fisherman who rides out a storm int he belly of a whale.
"The Paperboy" by Dav Pilkey of Captain Underpants fame had lovely illustrations of a paperboy making his way along his early morning route with his faithful canine companion.
"Stars! Stars Stars!" written and illustrated by Bob Barner is from the good ol' days, when Pluto was still a planet. :)
"Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" is a book we've read before. It's a sweet story about a young fox who thinks "his" tree is sick, as its leaves are changing and falling off. He learns from his mother it's just the cycle of life and the seasons playing out.
The last story was a version of "Johnny Appleseed," written by Reeve Lindbergh and illustrated by Kathy Jakobsen. It told of John Chapman's botanical adventures and the messages he shared during his travel - and he wasn't just talking apples.
"Apparently this man was religious," CJ said when the story shared some of Chapman's proclivities such as always carrying a bible and often preaching to people he'd encounter in his 40 years of wandering around Ohio and eastern Indiana.
Illustration of John Chapman from 1862, 17 years after he died, as published in
A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County
I told CJ that some called Appleseed an eccentric pioneer, while others have labeled him a religious fanatic. One resource we read today said Chapman practiced Swedenborgian religion. That was a new one on me. Multiple resources said Appleseed was usually attired in a coffee sack with cutouts for his arms and head, multiple papers of tattered pants, one or no shoes, and he wore his cooking pot on his head. Practical, and waterproof. ...
Way to go Mom - Hope the lesson sticks.
ReplyDeleteJohnny Appleseed would probably be committed in this day and age. Interesting - never told us that part of the story in my grade school
Yeah, the rest of the story about Mr. Chapman didn't make the Disney version. ;) I forgot to include that he also apparently refused to ever sleep inside. Or on a bed.
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