Sunday, November 11, 2012

More Phonophotos for your Viewing Pleasure or Week 11



George's oldest brother brought home his report card this week from the first nine weeks of eighth grade in public school. I oohed and aahed over the Honor Roll stamp and then marveled over one more difference between this experience with George and last year's experience, wherein I mulled over his report card and wished for more feedback, wanting to know where he was weak in math and where he was strong, why he didn't like fiction and what might be the academic fallout from that. Now I know well how George's mind works -- I don't need a report card anymore.


For example I now know that George is a doubting George. When presented with Math Facts, he does not believe them readily. He prefers to work out each problem independently using manipulatives, then write out the Fact Families in his own hand, so he knows them to be true. We spent a lot of time this week on Fact Families in multiplication and division. Next week we will continue -- this is a long process but one that will send us flying forward when completed.


Currently the mood in our house is sad and concerned for Pilot Mountain, which is on fire. Pilot Mountain is bar none our favorite outdoor classroom and our favorite outdoor playground. Last I heard 800 acres had gone up in flames. We are beyond devastated, and George would like to go as soon as it reopens to "hug the mountain". On a happy-ish note, our recent discussions on habitat have taught us that habitats are incredible things, and while it will take time for the damaged land to heal, heal it will.


Poems this week were
  • "Where Go the Boats?" by Robert Louis Stevenson
  • "You are Old, Father William" by Lewis Carroll
  • "Sea Fever" by John Mansfield
  • "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer
  • "The Months" by Sara Coleridge

3 comments:

Maniacalmuse said...

When I was a child "Trees" always moved me to tears. It still makes me a little misty. I am all upset about the fire. I have a friend who lives at the base of the mountain and I worry about her safety and health. George, please give the mountain a hug from me when you get a chance.

E MacMillan said...

I thought you and George would like to know: the Charlie Daniels Band is performing at MerleFest 2013 in Wilkesboro, NC. They perform Saturday April 27, and even though its not for a while, I thought I might as well let you know ahead of time. MerleFest is a great festival and kids 12 and under are free, so I thought you and George- or the whole family- might like to go for a day. It would be awesome for George to get to see The Devil Went Down To Georgia performed live! I highly recommend the festival and just wanted to let you know.
www.merlefest.org has more info and the complete lineup.

Lucy said...

E MacMillan, thank you for thinking of George when you learned of that! I've never been to Merlefest, but I've heard nothing but raves about it. I'll have to look into how one gets tickets.

Kathy, the mountain is still closed. :( I have no idea when they'll reopen it. We're rather anxious to get there.