A Successful Week

Last week was definitely one of those "this is why we home school" weeks. It was filled with challenges, frustration, success, but most importantly child-led learning. It also helped that I managed to squash the little voice that only knows one way to learn, and was actually able to facilitate their learning.

Zoë managed to make 2 skirts and a shirt as part of her fashion project. Her seam ripper got a workout, but she kept at it and is very pleased with the result. She's also working to improve her blog and started reading the first book on her completed reading list. In her downtime she has been learning how to use Scratch (an open-source program put out by MIT to help people learn how to program).

We also managed to find (thanks to one of the gifted homeschooling listservs that I belong to) an online physics program. The kids decided that they were interested in taking the 6 week class on sound. So they split the cost and used their education budget to join the class. They're really enjoying the live webcast and the fun experiments he has them do. They will have to do the last class while they're at their grandparents, but otherwise it fits nicely into our schedule.

Aiden has been busy making a "cat battler" game on Scratch. Originally he wanted to make a Zelda type room using game maker, but by mid week he was completely frustrated. Scratch seems to be more of a middle step between gamestar and game maker. It was still frustrating for him, but he managed to complete his project. He also made a funny illness diagnoser.

Next week is very busy. We're going to the FIRST Lego League Championship, watching the space shuttle launch, having a piano recital, and a day at JET.