Results

BRAINIACS:  Good news came in the mail today, in envelopes from the Assessment Office of Shoreline Public Schools. Inside were results from the "Measurement of Student Progress" - a standardized test that all Washington State students have to take each year.  These tests always make me a tad Nervous because of our decidedly non-traditional approach to education. 

CJ was a fifth grader last year and had to take reading, writing, and science tests. Annabelle had reading and math exams. Each of them passed all sections with flying colors! In fact, they each scored "Advanced" on reading and math, and CJ was "proficient in science. And yes, I know that's ironic, considering we do waaaay more science than anything! I guess all of our rocket, rover and orbiter watching and astronaut chasing doesn't necessarily translate into a top science score, LOL. I also remember him after the science test not feeling good about it, but at least his "not good" was above average. :)

Bottom line is, we clearly don't teach to the test or follow a 'normal' curriculum AT ALL.  Much of the kids' education is experiential and organic, and we primarily delve into things they're personally interested in. That said, I'm always mindful about the fact that in the not too distant future, they're going to go to college, and so we don't want to get too far afield from what's 'normal.' And so, tonight, I feel good knowing we're doing alright compared to the "norm." Go MPA! :)

REGURGITATED:  SUCH fun in science class today up north! The kids got to dissect owl pellets!

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of that experience, owl pellets are the indigestible material left in an owl's gizzard (think teeth, bones, claws, feathers, fur) after it consumes their prey (usually whole). The owls regurgitate this stuff, and here's what you get.  Pretty! ...  

And when you carefully pull the owl pellets apart, you start finding cool stuff like this ... 

A big ol' rodent skull!

CJ had a good sized pellet, and he found the skull, the jaw, a number of vertebra, a femur, and other assorted bones. 

I love how a science lesson can take something as otherwise unsavory as handling rodent bones from the "GROSS!" category to "COOL!"

SO BRIGHT:  Once a month, there's a spirit day at the kids' Shoreline school. Since we're only there four times a month, that's 1 in every 4 days is spirit day - fun for them!

The theme for today was neon, and participation was high. CJ and Annabelle were glowing. Here are a couple of self portraits Bee drew today.