brain week

just love this happy shot of color sitting on my table everyday

Several years ago, I came across the idea of integrated thematic instruction and brain-compatible learning. I found it intriguing. While I explored it a little but didn't implement it into our schooling. This happened probably two or three more times. Recently, when I came across some information on it yet again, it hit me that perhaps I was receiving a gentle nudge from a divine hand to use this methodology. So I am. Finally.

Our theme for this year's learning adventure is titled "Raiders of the Renaissance Mind". With this being our first year, I purchased an  "epic adventure" from Courageous Beings so I could get a feel for how to put a thematic study together. This is how they explain the rationale behind the theme:
"The unifying concept of Raiders of the Renaissance Minds is to help students recognize the distinctive traits that characterize a Renaissance Mind and apply them to recognizing their own potentials. We have chosen people who made tremendous leaps and affected mankind profoundly thereafter. We relate one Renaissance Mind to another, searching for common threads. We help our students not only to recognize a Renaissance Mind but also to understand the sacrifice and hard work that produced it. Our goal is that each student may catch the vision of his or her own potential and what it takes to develop it. 
"As we, alongside of our students, become raiders of great minds we are given a means of seeking, through repetition, the patterns necessary to understand what qualities great minds have in common. We are also providing a fun way to perceive learning. Learning is no longer a dry biographical book report, but an adventure. We are raiding, like archeologists, like an Indiana Jones, those great minds of the past
and present. It becomes a quest that directly applies to our own minds and how we can tap into the greatness that exists within each of us."

This week was Brain Week. We started with the concrete study of the brain, its lobes and functions and then moved into abstract ideas like "thoughts precede actions". Our activities this week included dissecting a sheep brain, building a neuron out of Play-dough, watching Hoosiers (to illustrate "beginning with the end in mind"), and listening to "Choosing" from My Turn on Earth.

We ended the week with a Renaissance feast celebrating our learning yet to come, complete with costumes, fancy dishes and fantastic food.

Today I spent all day finishing up preparations for the year. I hope it all comes together the way I have envisioned. I am taking a leap of faith. It is hard to let go of the more traditional subject-based learning we have done for 8 years. Adventure awaits!

snaggle tooth

Nathan's looks have been evolving in an interesting fashion, don't you think?

en garde

Slade participated in a fencing camp last week. As proof that miracles do happen, he actually loved it. He never complained about turning of the TV to go. He told me he wanted to stay longer. I even caught him practicing at home. The only frustration he expressed was on Thursday which was the first day of actual fencing matches. He did not like that he had to compete against two older, larger, taller kids. Of course, he lost the matches. However, the next day, they had a "tournament" with the five kids in class. Slade fared better this time and felt a sense of accomplishment at his improvement against these opponents.

He has always loved playing with swords. He was about three years old when he first started stealing butter knives out of the kitchen drawer to use for swordplay. Fencing seems to be a natural extension. We'll be looking to put him in a class this fall.Shall I dream big and imagine him at the Olympics in 2020? You never know with this kid.

let the games begin

Watching the Olympics every few years is one of my favorite things. I fully intend to have the TV showing the Olympics nearly all day for the next two week. Last night, we hosted another family for an Opening Ceremonies Viewing Party. I know it is absolutely unnecessary but creating special treats and decorations just makes me happy. I hope it makes things that much more memorable too.

bald

Nathan was at his cousin's house when he called to ask if he could buzz his hair. I replied that while I would rather he didn't but that he could if he really wanted to do it. Of course, I was thinking he would actually have a little hair left. When he got home, I was shocked to see a totally shaved head. Apparently, he got started on his own and cut his hair down so far that his aunt had to resort to a full-on shave.

Dave and I do groan a little about what he looks like with the shaved head and white tank tops he like to wear. Not exactly the persona we want for him. Oh well. At least its not permanent.

a year in photos

I put up these pictures of Ben all over the cabinets for his birthday. It was fun to see how he has grown. When I first sat down to choose photos, I was worried that I wouldn't have enough because of how sparse the picture-taking has been in the last year. Happily, I found plenty.

one sweet cookie

Our little Benny Boo Boo turned 1 today! We celebrated this evening with a Milk and Cookies party. As always, I didn't manage to get everything done for the party that I wanted, but it was still a nice celebration. We had a mixture of homemade (Chocolate Chip, Lemon Crinkle, Chocolate Ginger) and store-bought cookies. For the milk, we had flavored milk (Orange, Vanilla, Rootbeer, Strawberry, and Chocolate) and homemade ice cream (Peach, Strawberry Buttermilk, and Mint Chocolate Chip).

Ben had no trouble digging right into his cake. Cousin Lauren wanted some too.
the following pictures were taken by Dana
 

Party guests included the Vances, the Linders and all the Daniels. It was a house full of lots of people who love Ben. One sweet evening.