Earthquake

Robin was outside in a driveway area with his dad when the earthquake happened on Tuesday this week.  They said that they couldn't feel the ground moving but they could see the buildings and windows shaking.  There was no damage, either there or at our home, but it was quite exciting for everyone.  I read Robin some of the news coverage and attempted to explain the Richter Scale to him.  We looked at maps to understand where the quake occurred.  In other science education, we read a book about amazing animals.

Robin continues to use Saxon Math K.

Robin began using Kumon Uppercase Alphabet tracing cards.  I read to him as well.

Including a book about how cuts and bruises, etc. heal.  

Robin rode his bike.

Tree Trimming

Our Sweet Gum tree had a large, dead branch hanging over our rope swing which needed to be removed, and the rest of the tree needed trimming out.  The tree trimmers came on Monday this week and Robin was fascinated and watched the whole thing.  Here are before and after pictures:

We read books about clouds and geologic change.

Robin continues to enjoy Saxon Math K.  We visited the Lego Exhibit at the National Building Museum.  Here is Robin with his contributions (the tall tower on the left and the blue/grey building to the right) to the city-scape they allow visitors to create each day:

We read a book about shapes in art. Robin selected a fabric to use in making a quilt square

And lots of other books.

Including one featuring three African-American spirituals.  We attended a special music presentation at our local library featuring Uncle Pete - sort of karoke on cupcakes.

Robin went swimming, walking, running, scootering, and biking.

Robin learned about the care of insect stings when he and his brother were stung by yellow jackets after 'finding' a nest with their feet.

August Week 2

Robin is really enjoying Saxon Math K.  I think partly he enjoys the subject matter, but mostly he enjoys having my full attention for the length of time it takes to "do" a "lesson".

We read a book about shapes in famous artwork.

I read a lot to Robin.  We also expanded our reading of the Harry Potter books this week by going to the theatre to see the last of the Harry Potter films.  I think he liked it.

We read a book illustrating Mussorgsky's Night on Bare Mountain and listened to a portion of the orchestral music.

Robin walked, ran, biked, and scootered.

We read books about animals, reptiles, snow, and cloning.

Helping

Robin is very capable of finding things to do to help if one of his parents is working on a job of some sort.  He moseys around, is a good go-fer, and thinks of independent projects (finding a radio station, vacuuming up dust, etc.) that will be useful.  We were reminded of this this week as we are starting to paint a space of my dads.

We read a book about shapes and patterns.  This is an elaborate pattern he made as part of one of his Saxon Math K lessons.

We read lots of books.

Including one about a visit to an art museum.

One about a Black community in Nova Scotia.

One about fire-signals in 19th century Korea.

And books about seeds and animal camouflage.  We also identified a Ruby Throated Hummingbird.

Robin went for several hikes, scoots, etc.

"I don't like peace!"

One of the books I read to Robin this week was Dear Ichiro by Jean Davies Okimoto, illustrated by Doug Keith.  It's a very skillfully done story about peace and what it means, at a concrete level which is perfect for early elementary age kids.  While I was reading it Robin said, "I don't like peace!" which was great, because then I could ask him what he thought peace was.  "Being quiet" he said.  And then I could explain that sometimes peace doesn't mean being quiet - instead it can mean being in good relationship with another person so you can do really fun, exciting things together.

Robin continued to work with Saxon Math K.

We went for several walks, bikes, or hikes.

And read books about the rain forest and the wind.

Robin was able to look at money from Great Britain when his godmother came over with cash still in her wallet from a recent trip overseas.

Robin had the opportunity to observe the extinguishing of a small kitchen fire after his brother accidentally lit a paper cup on fire.

Climbing Old Rag

Robin climbed a good part of the Old Rag hike in the Shenandoah National Forest this week with his dad!  We figure it was probably about a 5 mile round trip walk & climb - and he was REALLY tired when he got back.  But he did it!

He did all of the White Oak Canyon trail two days earlier, too.

Yay, Robin!

Kindergarten Math

Robin got to the point with using his brother's beginning-of-1st-grade math sheets where I felt it was too difficult for him.  Hence, we have (a little early) got him Saxon Math K, and started using it!  It is a little basic for him, but I feel like he needs a bit of extra foundation in the basics.  I asked him tonight if he liked it and he said it was a little too short.  But agreed that it was better for it to be too short than too long.