Sly on fiddle at church last Sunday. Sorry the video quality is so poor, but I hope you can still see/hear that they did a great job!
Showing posts with label Sly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sly. Show all posts
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
I'll Fly Away--adding grace notes
I walked in on Sly today practicing his fiddle and captured a bit on video. He was working on "I'll Fly Away," which he and K on guitar/vocals, B on mandolin, and D on string bass are going to play in church either this Sunday or next. His fiddle instructor, W3, has him working on adding in grace notes. So, here he is. Not bad for only having been playing fiddle for about 8 months now! Go, Sly! You're awesome!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sly has a new fiddle--this time for keeps!
When Sly first said he wanted to learn bluegrass fiddle, I shrugged him off and waited. He continued to ask for fiddle lessons, so we went and rented him a violin from one of the local music stores. There was a 4 month minimum to rent, and it was a rent to own. That worked for me--a chance to try this fiddle think out, without sinking TOO much money, and we could decide later whether to keep the fiddle we rented, give it back, or maybe even upgrade if he really did take to playing fiddle.
During that rental time I had done a little more research online, and discovered I could get the same fiddle online for less money, or more fiddle for the same money. And so, the decision was made to give this rented fiddle back, and to watch how Sly progressed. Needless to say, it became obvious he was going to keep playing fiddle, and getting a better fiddle for the same price might be a fair idea.
We talked to Sly's excellent fiddle player, and he directed us to an excellent luthier (violin maker) who was not TOO far away and provided violins for him and many other professional violinists, along with many student violinists as well. And so we went to Mr Stanton's in with a recommendation for a 'student 3' package.
What a neat person! He had three awards on his wall from the governor of the state, plus a framed invitation to GHW Bush's Presidential Inauguration. He was full of stories about local history too. It would be so much fun to get to follow him around and watch him work! But we were pressed for time, and I was stressed trying to manage Jman and SB3, who I had to bring along as well. Ah well, maybe another day!
Anyhow, a pretty piece of change later, and Sly now has his very own fiddle for keeps, including a much nicer bow, a nice case, a new and better shoulder rest, and an extra bow for back up. The boy is set! We spent the same amount of money we would have spent on the other rented fiddle, had we purchased it outright, but this new fiddle sounds SOOOO much better, even to my untrained ear. Everyone at the jam last Saturday agreed too--Sly has a terrific fiddle now! One of these days I'm going to figure out how to efficiently upload video so you can hear him play if you want (or you could come visit us!).
During that rental time I had done a little more research online, and discovered I could get the same fiddle online for less money, or more fiddle for the same money. And so, the decision was made to give this rented fiddle back, and to watch how Sly progressed. Needless to say, it became obvious he was going to keep playing fiddle, and getting a better fiddle for the same price might be a fair idea.
We talked to Sly's excellent fiddle player, and he directed us to an excellent luthier (violin maker) who was not TOO far away and provided violins for him and many other professional violinists, along with many student violinists as well. And so we went to Mr Stanton's in with a recommendation for a 'student 3' package.
What a neat person! He had three awards on his wall from the governor of the state, plus a framed invitation to GHW Bush's Presidential Inauguration. He was full of stories about local history too. It would be so much fun to get to follow him around and watch him work! But we were pressed for time, and I was stressed trying to manage Jman and SB3, who I had to bring along as well. Ah well, maybe another day!
Anyhow, a pretty piece of change later, and Sly now has his very own fiddle for keeps, including a much nicer bow, a nice case, a new and better shoulder rest, and an extra bow for back up. The boy is set! We spent the same amount of money we would have spent on the other rented fiddle, had we purchased it outright, but this new fiddle sounds SOOOO much better, even to my untrained ear. Everyone at the jam last Saturday agreed too--Sly has a terrific fiddle now! One of these days I'm going to figure out how to efficiently upload video so you can hear him play if you want (or you could come visit us!).
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Sly, Jman, SB3 & Iago--August 2010
This is SO our family! Jman is sucked into a screen, SB3 is about to take off, Iago is folded in half and drug along, and Sly appears to have it mostly all together. And Jamberry and Habeeb are working so hard to get all the kids in a decent picture that they of course are not able to be in the picture themselves. Yep, that's our family. There's a reason we haven't done family portraits in, oh, at least 6 years or so! They are too much WORK! This portrait may not win any photo awards, but it is definitely very much OUR family! And what a GREAT family! Everyone should be so blessed!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Old Joe Clark
At the end of Sly's first fiddle lesson (3 weeks ago), his fiddle instructor told him to go home and listen to at least five different versions of "Old Joe Clark" on youtube every single day, and try to play along. By the end of the week, he was squawking out a very recognizable "Old Joe Clark."
Three weeks later, Sly went to one of the local Saturday morning bluegrass jams, where he was ushered up front by several of the folks in attendance. It wasn't long at all before the lead mandolin player (Mr W, the fellow who told us to go to the fiddle instructor we ended up choosing) had Sly up there with him and a group of guys all playing Old Joe Clark! Sly had decided do just play "mandolin style" instead of using the bow, and Mr W partnered with him so Sly wouldn't have to "rise and shine" entirely by himself. And Sly did GREAT!
As folks were leaving towards the end, many of them came over to talk to both Sly and me, telling me to keep him playing fiddle, to not let him get discouraged, and reminding him that the most of the guys he was playing with had been playing for fifty years so don't get discouraged. I think he was a hit!
Sly also got invited to join the folks at a local monthly "opry" and play with them, and he was invited to another gentleman's house to see a music writing computer program called Music Time Deluxe. We weren't able to go over Saturday night (this new momma was just too beat!), but we did get to go over Tuesday evening, which worked better for us since we had a babysitter for the other boys and Sly's fiddle instructor was traveling. As it turns out, that was when some other folks regularly go to Mr N's house to practice jamming with each other and using Music Time Deluxe. We had no idea what we were getting in to! But lo and behold, Sly found himself getting yet more personalized impromptu jam music lessons for both fiddle and guitar! Is God cool, or what?
Anyway, just wanted to share a bit about my fiddle boy, how proud we are, and how great he's doing in such a short time, and how God is setting him up with all these amazing hook ups. You go, Sly! (And if anyone can tell me how to upload a three minutes of video in less than three hours or more, I'll upload the video clip of him playing at the jam on Saturday morning!)
Three weeks later, Sly went to one of the local Saturday morning bluegrass jams, where he was ushered up front by several of the folks in attendance. It wasn't long at all before the lead mandolin player (Mr W, the fellow who told us to go to the fiddle instructor we ended up choosing) had Sly up there with him and a group of guys all playing Old Joe Clark! Sly had decided do just play "mandolin style" instead of using the bow, and Mr W partnered with him so Sly wouldn't have to "rise and shine" entirely by himself. And Sly did GREAT! As folks were leaving towards the end, many of them came over to talk to both Sly and me, telling me to keep him playing fiddle, to not let him get discouraged, and reminding him that the most of the guys he was playing with had been playing for fifty years so don't get discouraged. I think he was a hit!
Sly also got invited to join the folks at a local monthly "opry" and play with them, and he was invited to another gentleman's house to see a music writing computer program called Music Time Deluxe. We weren't able to go over Saturday night (this new momma was just too beat!), but we did get to go over Tuesday evening, which worked better for us since we had a babysitter for the other boys and Sly's fiddle instructor was traveling. As it turns out, that was when some other folks regularly go to Mr N's house to practice jamming with each other and using Music Time Deluxe. We had no idea what we were getting in to! But lo and behold, Sly found himself getting yet more personalized impromptu jam music lessons for both fiddle and guitar! Is God cool, or what?
Anyway, just wanted to share a bit about my fiddle boy, how proud we are, and how great he's doing in such a short time, and how God is setting him up with all these amazing hook ups. You go, Sly! (And if anyone can tell me how to upload a three minutes of video in less than three hours or more, I'll upload the video clip of him playing at the jam on Saturday morning!)
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Rosin up your bow--it's fiddle lessons time!
Sly had his first official fiddle lesson last night. Yes, fiddle, not violin. He specifically wanted to learn to play bluegrass fiddle, so fiddle it is! And today he's been working on finding "Old Joe Clark" on YouTube and trying to play along. While he can't exactly keep up with the videos on YouTube, he has managed to "find" the melody and can pluck it out mandolin style or squawk it out with the bow, and has also "found" the tune on guitar as well. Not bad for a brand spanking new beginner!
Sly's instructor we chose is quite the guy. He's young (maybe 20?), been playing violin since he was 4, Suzuki trained, plus certified to teach Suzuki, plus a performing member of the city symphony, plus in a string trio with his brothers, plus in another band, plus pre-med, plus a Spanish minor, and of course teaches lessons, including one night teaching underpriveleged kids in a nearby town. Whew! Is that wild or what? Oh and he plays and teaches guitar also. Makes my head spin! (and yes, he was homeschooled--anyone surprised?!? Of course not! Ha!)
When we first met this guy to "check him out," he played "twinkle twinkle little star" on the fiddle. Then he played it "classical" ororchestral style. Then he played it jazz style. Then bluegrass style. Then Celtic. You name it, he can play it. Pick your style. Or make your own style! Versatile doesn't begin to describe it! He's willing and able to teach Sly what Sly wants to learn, with the approach that Sly wants to learn with, plus being able to throw in other twists and styles when/if Sly decides he's interested in that too. There's not just one "box!" How cool is that?!?
Sly's first real lesson consisted of both note reading, including written homework, and some basic direction on how to hold the fiddle and the bow when Sly asked for clarification. He was also given the assignment to listen to at least five different versions of "Old Joe Clark" on YouTube everyday and try to play along. We both now have the tune for "Old Joe Clark" stuck in our heads, which was of course probably part of the whole point, of course! AND Sly can play a squawky but definitely recognizable "Old Joe Clark" on the fiddle already! Woo-hoo!
There are "bluegrass jams" at various local venues almost every Saturday around these parts. I've been trying to get Sly to them for at least a bit when I can this month, but of course there's Jman's bowling which has temporary priority since it's only two months long anyway. However, Sly's teacher says he's gonna try to get Sly ready to join in the jams as soon as he can, including teaching him "band ettiquette" about when and how to join in. Way cool! Afterall, that's part of what it's all about--learning how to jam with others! We're both looking for more than "book learning" with his fiddle lessons, and like I said, I think we may have found the right guy to provide that. Plus, he can provide crossover guitar stuff as well! Woo-hoo!
So, anyway, Sly has officially begun fiddle lessons, and I think is off to a great start! We're both excited! Now I'm thinking maybe I need to start taking some banjo lessons, or maybe mandolin--we already have one of those!
Oh, and yes, Jman and SB3 are interested in the fiddle (and guitar) too, much to Sly's great consternation! I think it's kind of cool though! Sly's just worried about them breaking the instruments (or untuning them, or touching them, or looking at them, or looking at the case, or anything else related to his beloved, precious fiddle or guitar!). We may have to get some "beater" instruments that they can play around with without wigging Sly out. :)
Sly's instructor we chose is quite the guy. He's young (maybe 20?), been playing violin since he was 4, Suzuki trained, plus certified to teach Suzuki, plus a performing member of the city symphony, plus in a string trio with his brothers, plus in another band, plus pre-med, plus a Spanish minor, and of course teaches lessons, including one night teaching underpriveleged kids in a nearby town. Whew! Is that wild or what? Oh and he plays and teaches guitar also. Makes my head spin! (and yes, he was homeschooled--anyone surprised?!? Of course not! Ha!)
When we first met this guy to "check him out," he played "twinkle twinkle little star" on the fiddle. Then he played it "classical" ororchestral style. Then he played it jazz style. Then bluegrass style. Then Celtic. You name it, he can play it. Pick your style. Or make your own style! Versatile doesn't begin to describe it! He's willing and able to teach Sly what Sly wants to learn, with the approach that Sly wants to learn with, plus being able to throw in other twists and styles when/if Sly decides he's interested in that too. There's not just one "box!" How cool is that?!?
Sly's first real lesson consisted of both note reading, including written homework, and some basic direction on how to hold the fiddle and the bow when Sly asked for clarification. He was also given the assignment to listen to at least five different versions of "Old Joe Clark" on YouTube everyday and try to play along. We both now have the tune for "Old Joe Clark" stuck in our heads, which was of course probably part of the whole point, of course! AND Sly can play a squawky but definitely recognizable "Old Joe Clark" on the fiddle already! Woo-hoo!
There are "bluegrass jams" at various local venues almost every Saturday around these parts. I've been trying to get Sly to them for at least a bit when I can this month, but of course there's Jman's bowling which has temporary priority since it's only two months long anyway. However, Sly's teacher says he's gonna try to get Sly ready to join in the jams as soon as he can, including teaching him "band ettiquette" about when and how to join in. Way cool! Afterall, that's part of what it's all about--learning how to jam with others! We're both looking for more than "book learning" with his fiddle lessons, and like I said, I think we may have found the right guy to provide that. Plus, he can provide crossover guitar stuff as well! Woo-hoo!
So, anyway, Sly has officially begun fiddle lessons, and I think is off to a great start! We're both excited! Now I'm thinking maybe I need to start taking some banjo lessons, or maybe mandolin--we already have one of those!
Oh, and yes, Jman and SB3 are interested in the fiddle (and guitar) too, much to Sly's great consternation! I think it's kind of cool though! Sly's just worried about them breaking the instruments (or untuning them, or touching them, or looking at them, or looking at the case, or anything else related to his beloved, precious fiddle or guitar!). We may have to get some "beater" instruments that they can play around with without wigging Sly out. :)
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
AutoCAD
Sly and a handful of other homeschool friends are happy campers at a homemade homeschool computer camp this month. Together and with the amazing guidance of another homeschool mom, they are learning and doing more with Alice and also getting an introduction to AutoCAD and related programs. 
Today Sly and the happy campers went on a 'field trip' where they got to see AutoCAD in action in the real world. They not only learned a bit more about AutoCAD, but also about some job applications, such as civil engineering projects, rehab projects, interior design, and more. It was way cool!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Next year
It's that time if year when typical homeschoolers start planning for next year and comparing notes. I don't typically pay close attention to the school-year calendar, but we do have a pretty distinct "summer break" this year on account of Iago's summer arrival. As a result, I got a kick out of reading people's replies to the question on a homeschool board "If you have a sixth grader, what are your plans for next year?" Most folks posted a bullet list of subjects and curricula/programs they were purchasing to use for each subject. But we're taking a different tack (gee, go figure!). Here's a cut and paste of where I see us going with Sly, or rather where I see Sly going, over the next year or so. After re-reading it, I was pretty confident that it's gonna be a "best school year yet" for him/us, and I feel SO good about the direction we're heading!
My 6th grader is increasingly unschooling, but this is what I can currently foresee happening in "subject form:"
math: finish Key to Algebra
science, PE, leadership, etc: Civil Air Patrol
more science: a cool homeschool group is doing some neat science stuff this summer+
tech stuff: computer programming and CAD stuff
language arts: CAP correspondence as necessary (forms, email for events, etc), reading books he's interested in, misc read alouds we choose together plus associated discussion
history: a blend of current events and discussion plus learning/researching related history and/or philosophies, including reading aloud and discussing related literature
lifeskills: ds is "man of the house" while dh is stationed on a ship in another state, so he's doing all sorts of "lifeskills" (everything from lawn care to minor repairs to housework to child & baby care)
arts: continuing guitar lessons and asking to start fiddle lessons
Bible/religion: reading together and discussing, plus discussing sermons (perhaps to include relistening to them online), plus following one or two chosen missionaries/missionary groups, including related politics and comparing other religions, plus giving (ds earns $ with a lawn business plus other occasional opportunities)
other stuff: legos, nerf war zone (homeschool group thing), some stop action movies, maybe electronics, plus learning dh's job to the extent allowed (from both conversations/teaching and field trips, including not only the job but related geography, politics, leadership, and sciences), plus he's currently talking about writing a short story (I'm curious to see if this happens and where it leads to, maybe a Lego movie or a game/program/digital film, which he's getting into)
I know that sounds kind of crazy and haphazard, but since we've been moving this direction (more unschooling and especially pushing the "man of the house" angle, ds has really been stepping up to the challenge and I'm feeling more and more comfortable with dropping "curriculum" and really customizing his education. We'll still finish some/most of the few (Sonlight) core 5 readers/read alouds we have left. I don't know that I'm getting Core 6 (we already have SOTW), and if we do, it'll be for the lit. I also have A Patriot's History of the US that I was considering reading, but it may wait for another year or two (baby due in 5 weeks, so we'll play that by ear).
Oh, fwiw, ds will be 13 in July, so he's an "old" 6th grader now. We're taking advantage of that and working more on "Man Building" while resting confident in the fact that he has the three R's down, and can now begin to use those three R's for beginning his "real" education.
So, that's the "plan," keeping in mind of course that in our house a "plan" is merely "something from which to deviate."
My 6th grader is increasingly unschooling, but this is what I can currently foresee happening in "subject form:"
math: finish Key to Algebra
science, PE, leadership, etc: Civil Air Patrol
more science: a cool homeschool group is doing some neat science stuff this summer+
tech stuff: computer programming and CAD stuff
language arts: CAP correspondence as necessary (forms, email for events, etc), reading books he's interested in, misc read alouds we choose together plus associated discussion
history: a blend of current events and discussion plus learning/researching related history and/or philosophies, including reading aloud and discussing related literature
lifeskills: ds is "man of the house" while dh is stationed on a ship in another state, so he's doing all sorts of "lifeskills" (everything from lawn care to minor repairs to housework to child & baby care)
arts: continuing guitar lessons and asking to start fiddle lessons
Bible/religion: reading together and discussing, plus discussing sermons (perhaps to include relistening to them online), plus following one or two chosen missionaries/missionary groups, including related politics and comparing other religions, plus giving (ds earns $ with a lawn business plus other occasional opportunities)
other stuff: legos, nerf war zone (homeschool group thing), some stop action movies, maybe electronics, plus learning dh's job to the extent allowed (from both conversations/teaching and field trips, including not only the job but related geography, politics, leadership, and sciences), plus he's currently talking about writing a short story (I'm curious to see if this happens and where it leads to, maybe a Lego movie or a game/program/digital film, which he's getting into)
I know that sounds kind of crazy and haphazard, but since we've been moving this direction (more unschooling and especially pushing the "man of the house" angle, ds has really been stepping up to the challenge and I'm feeling more and more comfortable with dropping "curriculum" and really customizing his education. We'll still finish some/most of the few (Sonlight) core 5 readers/read alouds we have left. I don't know that I'm getting Core 6 (we already have SOTW), and if we do, it'll be for the lit. I also have A Patriot's History of the US that I was considering reading, but it may wait for another year or two (baby due in 5 weeks, so we'll play that by ear).
Oh, fwiw, ds will be 13 in July, so he's an "old" 6th grader now. We're taking advantage of that and working more on "Man Building" while resting confident in the fact that he has the three R's down, and can now begin to use those three R's for beginning his "real" education.
So, that's the "plan," keeping in mind of course that in our house a "plan" is merely "something from which to deviate."
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Congrats to Sly and his teammates!!!!
Sly and two other homeschool friends put together and submitted a truly last minute effort in a computer programming "digital film" competition sponsored by a state university a couple weeks ago. They entered the middle school level team division. The presentations/awards ceremony was today, and they officially got Honorable Mention/4th place out of 8 teams. However, you had to be present to receive any prize, and 2nd place didn't show up. Therefore, Sly's team was awarded the 3rd place prize. They did awesome!!! Next year they can start working before the last week of submissions and REALLY kick some butt!!!! Y'all done GOOD!!!!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Air Show
Sly got to go behind the scenes with a VIP group from CAP to meet and greet (and of course watch) the Blue Angels, the US Navy Flight Demonstration Team. Way awesome cool! He did awesome with his self-portraits! Thatsa m'boy!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Cadet Airman Sly
On Monday, Sly had three big events. First, he found out "It's a girl one!" (To which he enthusiastically exclaimed, "I TOLD you!"). Second, he promoted to Cadet Airman in Civil Air Patrol and was pinned by a visiting Air Force Brigadier General (because mom and dad were late for the ceremony after driving back from a long-distance ultrasound). Third, we were there before the end of the entire awards ceremony, and the CAP Captain running the show had Sly unpinned and re-pinned by Habeeb (who didn't punch the pins in nearly hard enough!). Congratulations, Cadet Airman Sly!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
A few photos for fun
SB3 happy to be free in the backyard
Jman's been on a water/balloon kick (not water balloons, but water and balloons--making fountains and what not, and he got Sly to join him at one point)
Habeeb in his new office--why is it a 'higher' job led to a smaller office with nasty cubicle-esque furniture? ah well, whatever! It's a job, and he's doing great. :)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Robogator
It walks. It chases you down. It starts chomping when you get too close. It is WAY cool. Lego MindStorms rocks!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Left to his own devices . . .
On our road trip, we read aloud the book "God's Adventurer" by Phyllis Thompson. It's a 'novelized' biography of Hudson Taylor. The whole family really enjoyed it and highly recommends it, btw.
So, yesterday morning I discover Sly sewing together some folded sheets of paper to make a notebook. He said, "I got the idea from Hudson Taylor!" And yes, in the book, Hudson Taylor sews together some sheets of paper to make a notebook because he doesn't have the extra money to go to the stationery store to buy one premade.
Anyway, it once again brought me back to considering how we homeschool. Clearly Sly was listening to the family read aloud. The story has also spawned several conversations, both when we were still reading it and since we've finished. In some cases, we've had the natural opportunities to compare and contrast events and perspectives presented in the story to events and perspectives we've encountered in real life. I was thinking about it and realized that life itself has presented more than enough 'comprehension questions' for what we've read, and with his self-initiated project, Sly also demonstrated that life can present some great related 'hands-on' projects as well.
The thought crossed my mind when I found Sly sewing that there were other things I could have him doing at that time. But far be it from me to interrupt initiative and creativity and learning! Instead, I patiently listened as he explained (in more detail than I was interested in) what he was doing, how, and why. I bit my tongue about giving him some basic sewing advice (his thread was knotting up on him in part because he cut it WAY too long!). When, a very short while later, he asked if we had a thimble, I hid my pleasure and went digging around for the lone red plastic thimble I've had since I was a litty bitty kid. I told him, "I want this back when you're done!" and the boy who never puts ANYTHING away did indeed promptly return it to me when he was finished. Throughout the day he was proud of his good work on his project and was excited to show it to Habeeb when he got home from work, after already telling him all about it over lunch earlier in the day.
So, here's to some unschooling. He's listened, he's discussed, he's applied what he's learned to real life situations, he's thought of a related project, he's prepped and completed and cleaned up said project (awesome organization for his disorganized self!), and he's shared his enthusiam with others. I'm pretty sure that he will never forget the story of Hudson Taylor, despite the fact that there was no assigned reading, or required vocabulary lessons, or comprehension questions, or book reports, or other created tools of instruction. I could have stopped him and had him doing something more 'schooly,' but that would have seriously interfered with his learning and development!
So, yesterday morning I discover Sly sewing together some folded sheets of paper to make a notebook. He said, "I got the idea from Hudson Taylor!" And yes, in the book, Hudson Taylor sews together some sheets of paper to make a notebook because he doesn't have the extra money to go to the stationery store to buy one premade. Anyway, it once again brought me back to considering how we homeschool. Clearly Sly was listening to the family read aloud. The story has also spawned several conversations, both when we were still reading it and since we've finished. In some cases, we've had the natural opportunities to compare and contrast events and perspectives presented in the story to events and perspectives we've encountered in real life. I was thinking about it and realized that life itself has presented more than enough 'comprehension questions' for what we've read, and with his self-initiated project, Sly also demonstrated that life can present some great related 'hands-on' projects as well.
The thought crossed my mind when I found Sly sewing that there were other things I could have him doing at that time. But far be it from me to interrupt initiative and creativity and learning! Instead, I patiently listened as he explained (in more detail than I was interested in) what he was doing, how, and why. I bit my tongue about giving him some basic sewing advice (his thread was knotting up on him in part because he cut it WAY too long!). When, a very short while later, he asked if we had a thimble, I hid my pleasure and went digging around for the lone red plastic thimble I've had since I was a litty bitty kid. I told him, "I want this back when you're done!" and the boy who never puts ANYTHING away did indeed promptly return it to me when he was finished. Throughout the day he was proud of his good work on his project and was excited to show it to Habeeb when he got home from work, after already telling him all about it over lunch earlier in the day.
So, here's to some unschooling. He's listened, he's discussed, he's applied what he's learned to real life situations, he's thought of a related project, he's prepped and completed and cleaned up said project (awesome organization for his disorganized self!), and he's shared his enthusiam with others. I'm pretty sure that he will never forget the story of Hudson Taylor, despite the fact that there was no assigned reading, or required vocabulary lessons, or comprehension questions, or book reports, or other created tools of instruction. I could have stopped him and had him doing something more 'schooly,' but that would have seriously interfered with his learning and development!
Friday, September 11, 2009
jackpot at the library
We don't have the best local library. It's small. It's old. The books are old, and there aren't too many of them. There are some computers, but there really isn't much else. You even have to ask for a key to be able to use the restrooms. I think they do have a story time for little kids, but that's about it.
However, some of the old books are pretty cool. And the library thinned out some of their old books the last couple days. And I just happened to stop by the library today, and noticed the huge stacks of newly 'available' old books for sale.
Yes, I stood there for a long time shuffling through all those old books. I weeded my selections down to 45 books. A lot of them are biographies written for kids--perfect for homeschooling, and much more interesting than textbooks. Several of them were old Landmark books, which I just love being able to find. And probably a fifth of what we got were hands-on 'gadget' books for Sly, including a book he's checked out more than once in the past, and as recently as last month, entitled literally "The Gadget Book" by Jim Weiss. Right now Sly is working with a long piece of yarn and a really thick book called "Fun with String." I swear when he was a little kid (3-4-5yo and older even) his absolute favorite toy was a long red shoestring. He still loves playing with strings (and sticks and rocks). He also got a book on how to make your own moccasins, one on paper airplanes, another on mechanical drawing (like drafting), and one that tells you how to build a fort (or a battleship or a jet or a catapult or other cool things) in your backyard. He's planning on hitting Habeeb up for some shop nite projects out of that one!
So, how much did my stack of 45 books cost me? A whopping $11.25. Seriously, I may go back in the morning and get some more! And I think we may need to get some more bookcases. Here's some of them. Jman already took off with one about trains, and Sly has half a dozen separated out for his own already.
However, some of the old books are pretty cool. And the library thinned out some of their old books the last couple days. And I just happened to stop by the library today, and noticed the huge stacks of newly 'available' old books for sale.
Yes, I stood there for a long time shuffling through all those old books. I weeded my selections down to 45 books. A lot of them are biographies written for kids--perfect for homeschooling, and much more interesting than textbooks. Several of them were old Landmark books, which I just love being able to find. And probably a fifth of what we got were hands-on 'gadget' books for Sly, including a book he's checked out more than once in the past, and as recently as last month, entitled literally "The Gadget Book" by Jim Weiss. Right now Sly is working with a long piece of yarn and a really thick book called "Fun with String." I swear when he was a little kid (3-4-5yo and older even) his absolute favorite toy was a long red shoestring. He still loves playing with strings (and sticks and rocks). He also got a book on how to make your own moccasins, one on paper airplanes, another on mechanical drawing (like drafting), and one that tells you how to build a fort (or a battleship or a jet or a catapult or other cool things) in your backyard. He's planning on hitting Habeeb up for some shop nite projects out of that one!
So, how much did my stack of 45 books cost me? A whopping $11.25. Seriously, I may go back in the morning and get some more! And I think we may need to get some more bookcases. Here's some of them. Jman already took off with one about trains, and Sly has half a dozen separated out for his own already.
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