We are one full week into isolation. In recognition of the exponential increase of Covid-19 cases in the US, my kids and I watched an episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood about dominoes (season 6, episode 2 if you've got Prime!). Then of course we set up our own displays of dominoes - smaller, due to shorter attention spans and a hundred-year-old crooked house. Spartacus really likes the slow motion feature on my ipad, so enjoy his videos: ... Read More about Day 7: Falling Like Dominoes
Day 4: Puppet Theater
This week Spartacus' preschool class had been scheduled for a field trip to a puppet show at the library. Obviously the libraries are all now closed, and he was super bummed to miss out. SO we made our own puppet theater! Puppet Theater We told the story of the Good Samaritan for Jesus time. The sad set-upon Jewish traveler was played by a puppy. The role of the Good Samaritan was played exquisitely by Olaf. Good times were had by all. How to do at home? Put two dining room chairs ... Read More about Day 4: Puppet Theater
Day 3: Ode to the Poop Game
My goal in this isolating time is to avoid screen time for my kids during school hours (longer if we can!). We have so many toys and games and supplies to entertain, even when the weather is crummy and we're stuck inside. Today, while I put Scoober Doo down for a nap, the other two got out their current favorite board game and played all by themselves (success!). They call it "The Poop Game" but its official name is "Chickapiglets." Chickapiglets It's a cooperative game, so either all ... Read More about Day 3: Ode to the Poop Game
Day 2: Different time zones
It is our second full day of remote learning and self-isolating. I did not teach today with my part-time course load, so here's a reflection on our family scheduling and sleep schedules. Sleep schedules Kid 1: 7:30PM-7:30AM Our oldest, Spartacus, is five and a half. He plays hard all day, is ready for bed by 7:30 PM, and is awake exactly twelve hours later ready for the new day. Spartacus & Little Miss watching their preschool chapel service on YouTube earlier today Kid 2: ... Read More about Day 2: Different time zones
Day 1: Intro to Remote Learning
My children's preschool teachers are AMAZING. They created bags of activities, recorded themselves reading books for circle time and hosting Jesus time, and they joined the pastor to record a chapel message. I WISH I were half that put together as a remote-learning teacher! Hubster teaches three section of junior World Religions, and three sections of sophomore Epistles. I have two sections of AP English Language and Composition. Our classes today looked something like this: "This is the ... Read More about Day 1: Intro to Remote Learning
Day 0: Remote Learning
It has been a long time since I've blogged. Our third child, some postpartum anxiety, and hubster's new job(s) have made the last nine months CRAZY. Even crazier? This switch to remote learning in response to the coronavirus in the U.S. New blog series = what the heck this might look like... COVID-19 & Remote Learning Coronavirus & Getting Out of the Pool I saw this metaphor on Facebook yesterday as a way to explain this new craziness to kids (or adults perhaps...): ... Read More about Day 0: Remote Learning
“We can do hard things” – the Power of a Growth Mindset
As part of my AP English summer assignment, I ask my students to write me an introductory letter describing what they hope to achieve by taking AP English. Some are brutally honest: “It’s for my Honors diploma.” Some are flattering: “I’ve heard you’re a great teacher and I had to take your class because I’d love it!” But the most common personal descriptor I see is students who describe themselves as “Bad at English.” "We can do hard things" A few years ago I attended a ... Read More about “We can do hard things” – the Power of a Growth Mindset
Waiting for Baby: a Labor Story Part One
Jump to Waterbirth: a Labor Story Part 2 I have been married for eight years, and spent the better part of six of those years either pregnant or breastfeeding a baby. My mom had her first baby at 29, so growing up I never imagined I'd have three kids under the age of 5 before I turned 30, but whelp, here I am! I delivered Spartacus three weeks early at an army hospital in Texas, and Little Miss was born half an hour after arriving at the hospital, but Scoober Doo #3 made us wait -- not long, ... Read More about Waiting for Baby: a Labor Story Part One
Spring Break Craft: Wine Cork Flag
Spring break this year wasn't glamorous. One kid got the flu, the other got annual shots, I got a cold, and of course it was a drill weekend for Hubster (It's ALWAYS a drill weekend, it seems). Also it snowed. At any rate, there wasn't a lot of extra time for sleep, projects, or even a ton of relaxing. Still, I carved out two hours to create something with my hands, a rare feat in my world. I managed a Pinterest project and did NOT fail: I made an American flag out of wine corks. Making a ... Read More about Spring Break Craft: Wine Cork Flag
Romeo & Juliet, according to freshmen
One of the summative projects for my freshman English 9 Romeo and Juliet unit is a "Tic-tac-toe" project. They get a checkerboard of 9 options and they draw a line through the middle, each producing a visual, written, and performance component. It's an easy creative project that generally yields fun results during the last week before spring break. Since I am enjoying grading them, I thought I would share some student work with my readers. I may have edited for some readability and a few missing ... Read More about Romeo & Juliet, according to freshmen
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