Breeanna, Hat Model

Animal Farm

We explored Animal Farm this morning on our walk to the bus stop. Stories of animals are really stories of people. After coming across that concept I viewed the unfolding of Animal Farm in a different light. I loved how each animal settled themselves in their own way to get ready to listen to a presentation by the pig. I loved the logic of the pig as he denounced humans. Afterwards we got into The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. I read it with almost utter perfection which surprised me. My goal in reading always is to convey meaning. The materials that I present to the children are at times difficult to make sense of so I am proud of myself when I can convey it in a way that is understandable. Bryan listened so carefully as I read the Raven as if he is truly understanding the skill an artistry that went into the writing of it. When I am able to captivate in such a way, it is as if I am presenting something of beauty for him to appreciate...something about the world that he never knew existed before.

Swim Class

Tom Sawyer

This morning the alarm rang at 6am. I turned on the radio next to Breeanna's bed. By 7am Breeanna was dancing and drawing rainbows and hearts with her pastels. I think I've discovered a method of getting kids out of bed in the morning. We read a Native American story about coyote and an excerpt from Tom Sawyer. The children fought over their allotment of real estate on the beach towel that I brought to the bus stop for them to sit on. We finally decided that Breeanna could have the entire towel today and Bryan could have the entire towel tomorrow. The children on the bus are getting used to my cheerful waving at them as the bus pulls away and are actually smiling and waving back at me! It's a beautiful morning.

Oliver Twist

Today we read excerpts from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and six poems before the bus arrived. I was quite theatrical and hope that I didn't waken people asleep in their houses. It was a lovely morning and we heard many chirping away. I told Bryan that a bird sound must be a sort of language. If he was a bird, from sound alone must he visualize what it must be. If he was a bird, he must know from hearing the bird sound alone whether it would be a predator and whether he needs to flee.

First Day Of School

First Day of School: Bryan and Breeanna are riding the bus to Cleaveland school. Pick up at 8:30am but we got there a whole hour before. Why? To a section from What Your Child Needs to know in the Sixth Grade. We read a condensed five page version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet then I read with as much flare as I can muster, Edgar Allen Poe's, The Raven. I told my ex-husband of our morning activity and he thought it rather strange. I am very pleased to be strange.

Dissecting Mark Anthony's Speech

My children were captivated this morning on our walk to the bus stop by our discussion of Mark Anthony's call to action to the Roman people at Julius Caesar's funeral. We analyzed the showmanship and strategy involved as Mark Anthony's speech unfolded. It's great to see Bryan paying such close attention. 8/22/2013