We found a fun book at the library a couple of weeks ago, called "Silly Billy", written by Anthony Browne. It is the tale of a little boy who worries at night, and has trouble sleeping. Finally his Grandmother gives him some worry dolls to tell his worries to. He puts them under his pillow at night and sleeps like a log! At the end of the book there is a short explanation about Guatemalan Worry Dolls. I found a place to purchase some fair trade worry dolls, and have a set for each of the Elaines!
This afternoon, on our lengthy amble down to the mailbox, we passed a big clump of deer fur in the pine trees. We have passed it for the past 3 weeks or so, and I keep telling J that it must be where the deer were sleeping, even though I was sure that the truth was much more ominous. Today, however, J noticed more hair on the opposite side of our path, and insisted that we follow it. What followed was an impromptu anatomy lesson in the back field as we discovered the entire skeleton of a deer. Both girls were fascinated by the stark, white bones and shiny black hooves. We discussed the insects that were still feeding on minuscule parts of the joints. We talked about what could have happened to this deer, and determined that it was hit on the road, succumbed to its injuries in our pine trees, and was dragged down the hill by unknown carnivores. J wanted to call my Dad (an avid hunter) right away to find out how to determine the sex of the animal. I'm very proud of my two budding scientists and their developing sense of reason!
Oh the amazing things you come across in the country!
T
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4 comments:
...for each of the Elaines...that sounds so nice! Ummm....Tonya, if you decide to homeschool...can we shlep kids to your place for science? I'll teach Latin...smile...
N
Exactly what I need this morning. Lost my temper with both girls and that always makes me feel like chicken scat (it should, considering the age difference). Feel grumpy about going to the doctor tomorrow so midwife can tell me again she'll be surprised if she sees me again. . .Merry's no longer contagious with her strep which is good but cough sounds croaky. Elspeth very, very busy and my mom sold her house in the first week to an Irish couple and is now looking for a new one over the internet in Seattle!
Whew.
The deer lesson is super impressive. I second Nancy's suggestion of science lessons.
K
Just a follow-up note: Jenna was in bed no more than 5 minutes last night when she came out, whimpering and said she keeps thinking about Mr Dulaney running over the deer bones with his tractor (our neighbor who cuts the hay). We put the worry dolls under her pillow, and Daddy told her to close her eyes, and push a button on a pretend remote to change the channel to a nice thought. One of those 2 things worked, as she was asleep just minutes later!
It would be fun to teach science, although part of my hesitation in deciding whether to home school or not is because I don't feel like I would be a good teacher.
Kindergarten meeting at the pre-school tonight...we'll see!
T
Just a follow-up to your follow-up. Homeschooling is really about facilitating learning anyway...not about teaching. You are all ready a very good teacher, as are the other Elaines...one can just tell...don't sell yourself short.
N
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