Slush

We've watched the rain all day.
There have been elements of sleet.
Now there is white.

And the other picture

I was really pleased with this. Wish I'd taken a photo with good lighting.

8th Birthday

Fresh Air and Sticks

Coffee Smile (or is it Jesus' face and i've drunk god?)

Annie's flowers in a vase



Making a moving model of a woodpecker


Moving rocket


We've just had two days out with other people T loved the running around in groups. I liked being outside. Birthday preparations in full swing. Castle Cake to be made today.

The photos are from last week.

Another Home Day

T's infernal secret agent and henchman:





A. hard at it...















We don't have pictures of the crockery mending, lego model making, banana baking, flapjack making, lego picking up, writing, drawing and colouring, Lego model making, lavatory cleaning, floor washing, laundry processing, Lego model making, tidying, breakfasting, lunching, Lego Model making, Tea-ing, Grepolis city enhancing, googling, table clearing, Life saving and yet more hand washing.












And the results:

Days at home

These are our standing snow monuments. I can't get the light right but in reality they are glowing in the late afternoon light.












Ice Road Trucker

Wandering about the Web while A. Languishes.

Also reading more John Taylor Gatto

http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/learn-as-you-go/take-back-your-education

Two things from this article to do:

"To know yourself, you have to keep track of your random choices, figure out your patterns, and use this knowledge to dominate your own mind. It’s the only way that free will can grow. If you avoid this, other minds will manipulate and control you lifelong.

One method people use to find out who they are becoming, before others do, is to keep a journal, where they log what attracts their attention, along with some commentary. In this way, you get to listen to ­yourself instead of listening only to others."

"I set out to use the classical emphasis on qualities and specific powers. I collected from every kid a list of three powers they felt they already possessed and three weaknesses they might like to remedy in the course of the school year."


More from him:

Really educated people ...

Establish an individual set of values but recognize those of the surrounding community and of the various cultures of the world.

Explore their own ancestry, culture, and place.

Are comfortable being alone, yet understand dynamics between people and form healthy relationships.

Accept mortality, knowing that every choice affects the generations to come.

Create new things and find new experiences.

Think for themselves; observe, analyze, and discover truth without relying on the opinions of others.

Favor love, curiosity, reverence, and empathy rather than material wealth.

Choose a vocation that contributes to the common good.

Enjoy a variety of new places and experiences but identify and cherish a place to call home.

Express their own voice with confidence.

Add value to every encounter and every group of which they are a part.

Always ask: “Who am I? Where are my limits? What are my possibilities?”

---

This list was adapted from John Taylor Gatto latest book, Weapons of Mass Instruction (New Society Publishers, 2009)

Yet more sick (and TV)

Picture just for fun. Going up Irton Pike last year.

Reading Sandra Dodd http://sandradodd.com/unschooling

Particularly http://sandradodd.com/respect

Today I will list their interests:
Engineering, Chemistry, Model Making, Movie Making.