A Mega dose of Mythology

Mythology by Edith Hamilton


J. tenaciously plowed through this book, half-jesting about it causing the "scarred-for-life" effect (as J. is only 13 years old). I notice J. gave it 4 goodreads stars. J. aspires to be a writer or a film-maker so feels that a solid grounding in this field of study is essential.

I confess I somehow got out of high school without ever reading ANY myths and I have always wished that I had been pushed harder to familiarize myself with greek, roman, and norse mythology. I should read this book to at least match my child's commitment.

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Centering, Connecting, Focusing, Refueling

I've been playing with some thoughts on daily / weekly schedules, remembering that success lies in scheduling the time, not the content according to Thomas Jefferson Education author Oliver DeMille.

It's Element-ary

The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This stunning and lavishly illustrated book about the periodic table devotes a double-page spread to each element in accessable language and includes intriguing applications.

J. is learning three to five elements a day and creating a power point document about them.

Slide Show Narration

J is enthusiastically listening to a recording of The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volume 2: The Middle Ages by Susan Wise Bauer.  J is "narrating" her listening by jotting down notes and then creating a slide show which we intend to post here.  I am amazed at J's energy and skill and talent. 

Change up the Study Drill...

All work and no play makes J. a dull student.

J. had a great time constructing a snow scuplture of a favorite movie character in the front yard.  J. has practically memorized the script to How to Train Your Dragon.  Of course creating "Toothless" would be much more gratifying than building a snowman.  While it lasted it was a great hit with the children in the neighborhood.  Maybe the adults and teens too.  Every day there would be a slight alteration made to Toothless by unseen passers-by.

J. recently disassembled a hand mixer, seeing as how it was already broken.  This was a great activity in discovery--very "hands on".  Dad was there to direct this activity.

J. has a vast "play-list" to study by and to accompany creative writing binges.

J. attends a weekly evening youth group activity -- sometimes doing activities, sometimes learning skills, sometimes giving service.

J. participates on the local libary's Teen Youth Council.

J. has been infected by a friend with Manga Mania. 

J. has turned the tables on the "reading-aloud" model of the family and is now the one reading aloud a favorite series to Mom instead of the other way around.  The competition is on, Mom.  Turn-about is fair play.

New Year's Resolutions