Beautiful Friday to everyone! At least it's beautiful here. It's sunny, warm, 87° with a nice breeze blowing. Andrew took Eler Beth out for the day. They are running errands together, getting something to eat, and then they're going to some friends' to play video games. It was very nice of him to do that. And I got a whole day free!!!
What have I done with it? Not much, really. I called my Mom to check in on her and talked to my sister Maxine (visiting from FL) instead because my Mom was lying down. She was feeling okay when she got up but then started getting short-winded. They are going shopping this evening and she wanted to be relaxed for that, so she took half a Xanex and lay down for a nap.
I've done laundry but I haven't done any trimming on my yard. I guess it can wait till later. Or tomorrow. I gassed up my car, got myself some lunch --ALL BY MYSELF! -- and then I went to KSS School Supply Store because they are having a sale this weekend and next week Eler Beth and I are starting her 7th grade year.
Yes, I know it's still summer, but we're going to start with one subject this month. We'll only spend 1-1/2 to 2 hrs a day, and it won't hurt her. Then during the fall and winter we can take a week off here and there if we want to because we'll be SO much ahead. I hope.
I decided that her knowledge of world geography and world history is woefully negligent, so I've worked up a world history/geography curriculum that I hope won't be too confusing or stupid. We're starting with the Middle East. We had to start somewhere, and I thought that would be a good place, given the things going on in the world today. I'll keep you posted as we move to other regions of the world. I found some really neat things at KSS to aid in our quest for knowledge. I have an idea that Eler Beth won't be quite so enthusiastic as I am, but that's to be expected.
I also got some incentive charts, stickers, and attitude thing-ys because she is exhibiting signs of being a teenager. Go figure! She has all these places she wants to go on "field trips" this year, and she'd like to bring along a friend most of the time, so she's going to have to earn the privilege. Believe me, this is necessary. If you give her an ailing/newborn/orphaned/cute/young/old/dirty/beautiful/happy/oh-forget-it-let's-just-say-ANY animal to care for she'll research on the Internet, call any "expert" she knows, including a local call-in show, get up through the night for numerous feedings, and anything else she has to do to learn about how to care for or to care for said animal. Give her an interesting rock, fossil, or plant and she'll do the same. But social studies/history? Polishing her math or grammar skills? Reading a book that MOM has picked out for her and says will enrich her knowledge/vocabulary/horizons? PUL-LEASE! It is to laugh. But that's okay. She doesn't take too long usually to get in the right mind frame, and I'm not a tyrant.
Usually.
8 comments:
Yay, I missed the Sa-LUTEs!
Sounds like you've had a lovely summer day, enjoying some solitude. Similar weather here, and we're off to see a minor league game tonight. Great night for the ball park!
Glad to hear that while Eler Beth may drag her feet about some lessons, she usually winds up enjoying them somewhat. I think everyone has their passion, and it sounds like you have a budding veterinarian or botanist on your hands! I always enjoyed learning about history, even as a kid, but as I've gotten older, I've become FASCINATED by it. I love old buildings of all types, even if it's just seeing pictures of places I've never visited.
Maybe you can connect history lessons to current movies--there have been such good ones..."Gladiator" when learning about ancient Rome (although that's kind of graphic for a youngster--but how about "Spartacus"?), "The Mummy" (new or original versions) when learning about ancient Egypt, "Braveheart," "The Patriot," etc., etc., etc. While they might not always be completely historically accurate, I think a lot of times they can give a pretty good idea of what it was like. Oh, and one of my favorites, "Gettysburg," which actually IS quite historically accurate.
I think most people become a little more interested in history as they get older.
Hey, can I join in on the Middle East lessons? I could use some brushing up! :)
Beth
((Lori)) thanks for popping over. Hmm...'twould seem I'm in good company, what with the potential for tyRANTisms...lol. One little bit of advise from a rising (hey...if the kiddies can rise as the years progress...we can too!) second year mom of a teen..go with the flow as much as you can...YOUR life will SEEM better...lol. We're the enemies after all...;) Seriously, the biggest change I've made these last two years is getting and keeping a better perspective on the big picture of a child's tutalage (sp?)...it isn't easy...to remember to really pick your battles for the big picture (as opposed to our all important immediate mommy standards, 'cause we're raising them). Gotta' run...still feel like stingin' here...;) C.
Well, I guess it had to happen that Eler Beth would go teenage sometime right? LOL My eldest that I homeschool is a little lopsided too!
be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
Sounds like you had a great day. Nice to have a "me" break. Hope you have a wonderful week. Janie
Have to say Lori, you put a lot of effort and commitment into this home-teaching of your daughter. I wish you luck, particularly when those 'difficult' years are looming large.
Guido
http://journals.aol.co.uk/pharmolo/NorthernTrip
How sweet for the two of them to go out and about together! - Barbara
How nice of Andrew to take Eler Beth with him...I bet she is enjoying his attention. I was just like her when I was young, I took care of anything that needed care...hard to imagine doing that now without the help of the internet at my fingertips (LOL). She has such a warm, caring heart. What a sweet girl.
xx
Lisa
sounds very promising! let us know what happens!
love,natalie
Post a Comment