Thursday, April 23, 2009
Roadschooling, day 8
Day 8 was only on the road when we were returning the RV and running other errands, but we did have a very interesting conversation about language arts. DS2 asked, "What is the subject of Geronimo Stilton? I know that Mr. Morton is the subject of the Tale of Mr. Morton." (Mr. Morton is the subject of the Subject/Predicate Schoolhouse Rock grammar song.) We defined and discussed subject, characters (main characters and supporting characters), setting, and plot. I really think they both understood because we used various TV shows and books as our examples.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Roadschooling - days 6-7
Day 6
DS1 learned how to "break camp" this morning. He helped Daddy get things ready to go before we left, and he helped with the checklist, also. We spent a lot of time driving today. We had a couple of nice visits with DH's relatives and got 2 free meals, too. DSs got a bit antsy at both places, but they amused themselves fairly well. At DH's aunt & uncle's they invented a card game, using a cribbage "29" score board to keep score. At DH's cousin's, DS1 taught our hostess how to play Black Box, which is a logic/geometry game. Both boys also enjoyed playing a verbal game they call "Guess Why". It's based on the book Q is for Duck by Michael Folsom and Mary Elting. A sample is, "E is for food, guess why? Because you eat it."
Our only touristy activity was stopping at Carhenge, an amusing replica of Stonehenge, near Alliance, NE. After we found our campsite at Enders Reservoir state recreation area, we tried out DS2's telescope. I think something inside was out of place, because we couldn't see anything through the telescope. We could, however, see many many stars with the naked eye. Even without a star chart DH and I were able to identity several constellations. The boys recognized the big and little dippers.
Note to self: If driving an RV, stay on paved roads after dark OR check out the park/campground before spending 2 hours with relatives around dinnertime.
Another note to self: When backing an RV in the dark, on a narrow, bumpy, dirt road (because doing that is less treacherous than going forward), the outside guide needs a flashlight to shine on herself so the driver can see her hand directions.
Day 7
This morning was beautiful. We got to see the campground, too. :-) We ate breakfast outside and took our only family pictures (of all 4 of us) with our camera's timer. DS2 got to push the button because he could run fast enough to get into place. We had a picnic lunch at a rest area in NE and also stopped to run and play at our favorite I-70 rest area near Ellsworth, KS. Entertainment today consisted of Black Box, several different card games, and the CD Rhinoceros Tap.
Now we're happy to be home. The food (of which we took too much) is put back in the frig and pantry. Blankets are back on our beds. Everything else is in the living room, waiting for tomorrow.
DS1 learned how to "break camp" this morning. He helped Daddy get things ready to go before we left, and he helped with the checklist, also. We spent a lot of time driving today. We had a couple of nice visits with DH's relatives and got 2 free meals, too. DSs got a bit antsy at both places, but they amused themselves fairly well. At DH's aunt & uncle's they invented a card game, using a cribbage "29" score board to keep score. At DH's cousin's, DS1 taught our hostess how to play Black Box, which is a logic/geometry game. Both boys also enjoyed playing a verbal game they call "Guess Why". It's based on the book Q is for Duck by Michael Folsom and Mary Elting. A sample is, "E is for food, guess why? Because you eat it."
Our only touristy activity was stopping at Carhenge, an amusing replica of Stonehenge, near Alliance, NE. After we found our campsite at Enders Reservoir state recreation area, we tried out DS2's telescope. I think something inside was out of place, because we couldn't see anything through the telescope. We could, however, see many many stars with the naked eye. Even without a star chart DH and I were able to identity several constellations. The boys recognized the big and little dippers.
Note to self: If driving an RV, stay on paved roads after dark OR check out the park/campground before spending 2 hours with relatives around dinnertime.
Another note to self: When backing an RV in the dark, on a narrow, bumpy, dirt road (because doing that is less treacherous than going forward), the outside guide needs a flashlight to shine on herself so the driver can see her hand directions.
Day 7
This morning was beautiful. We got to see the campground, too. :-) We ate breakfast outside and took our only family pictures (of all 4 of us) with our camera's timer. DS2 got to push the button because he could run fast enough to get into place. We had a picnic lunch at a rest area in NE and also stopped to run and play at our favorite I-70 rest area near Ellsworth, KS. Entertainment today consisted of Black Box, several different card games, and the CD Rhinoceros Tap.
Now we're happy to be home. The food (of which we took too much) is put back in the frig and pantry. Blankets are back on our beds. Everything else is in the living room, waiting for tomorrow.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Roadschooling - days 3-5
We are finishing up our 3rd day in the Black Hills, so even though I know Blogger will let me change the date on a post and I could do all 3 days separately, I'm going to write them all together since this is the first time I've had internet access since my last post. (All the campground manager had to do was reboot the DHCP server; I wish he would have tried that Saturday night.)
Day 3
Our morning in Scott's Bluff, Nebraska was rainy. We enjoyed the visitor's center at the National Monument, however the view from the top was practically nonexistent. Now we know what it's like to be inside a cloud (just like fog on the ground, really).
Both AAA and our GPS recommended going through Wyoming to get to Custer, SD, so we took that route. I drove that leg, and activities in the back of the RV included reading about the Pony Express, playing a game about the Pony Express with Daddy, and DS1 doing his new 100 piece (2-sided) jigsaw puzzle. We missed the last tour inside Jewel Cave, but the guys walked the Roof Trail in the drizzle anyway. I stayed inside and looked at the exhibits. DS1 recognized that the blackened tree trunks on the ground meant that there had been a fire. The Jasper Fire was in 2000, and the damage was still very evident. We discussed wild fires and "prescribed burns", one of which likely saved the Jewel Cave National Monument Visitor's Center.
The day ended by finding our campground, a campsite, and the playground. It was very muddy, but they boys had a great time anyway (of course)!
Day 4
Using a rental car, we were able to drive Needles Highway to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. In Custer State Park we saw a herd of big horn sheep. Admission to Mt. Rushmore is free, however you have to pay to park in the garage. We saw a "remote parking" area on a map, however I didn't see any signage on how to get there as we arrived, and I don't know whether it is free or for a fee also. First we had lunch at the cafeteria, then we took the Presidential Trail which goes quite close to the base of the mountain. We left without spending time in the gift shop, due to thinking that the Crazy Horse Memorial would be closing early. It was open until 7, but it probably was a good thing to avoid a gift shop. At Crazy Horse we took a van ride to the base of the mountain and learned a little bit more about how it is being constructed. DH and I were there in 1995. At that time Crazy Horse's face was not complete. The guide said that in 5 years (or so) the general shape of the horse's head would be recognizable. DS2 seemed most excited by Crazy Horse and DS1 really liked Mt. Rushmore. It's really great to see them excited about seeing these places in person after having watched videos and read about them at home!
Day 5
Once again we missed the time for our planned cave tour. The trouble with computers, and in this particular case, a GPS, is that they only do exactly what you tell them to do. We put in "Wind Cave National Park" as our destination this morning, and that's where it took us. However, what we really wanted was the south entrance/visitor's center. So we took the scenic route, which turned about to be great for seeing wildlife, but it got us there past the first tour start time. So in exchange for seeing marmot, wild turkey, deer, bison, pronghorn, and prairie dogs, we got to change the order of the day's adventures.
After buying our Wind Cave tour tickets, we headed to Hot Springs and visited The Mammoth Site. I had packed food for a picnic lunch, but since I forgot the bread we opted for lunch at a local burger joint instead. Next we went to Evans Plunge, the world's largest indoor pool filled by natural warm springs. The springs were originally used by the Lakota Souix, then the pool was built over the springs in 1890 by Fred Evans. It was an expensive hour of swimming, but we only had to share the entire place with 2 other family groups. Ahh, the joys of "vacationing" when most people under 18 are in school! DS2 and I went down the water slide together. Even with a life jacket and practicing "going under", we both still came up coughing and sputtering. It didn't help that we started to lose our mat near the end, so I was more concerned with helping him back to the surface quickly than with keeping water out of my nose and mouth. DH got him up and out before he went down a 2nd time, but it was still more than he liked and he cried for a while. Ever resilient, he was ready to play and go down the kiddie slide just a few minutes later. Finally we returned to Wind Cave for the Garden of Eden tour. DS2 was particularly fidgety during the standing/listening/waiting part of the tour. Our guide let both boys lead the way a couple of times, and he also let them turn on/off the lights when we were in one of the rooms.
Dinner was back "at home" in the RV, then School House Rock DVD, and the last Milly-Molly-Mandy story for bedtime. Tomorrow we break camp and head south.
Day 3
Our morning in Scott's Bluff, Nebraska was rainy. We enjoyed the visitor's center at the National Monument, however the view from the top was practically nonexistent. Now we know what it's like to be inside a cloud (just like fog on the ground, really).
Both AAA and our GPS recommended going through Wyoming to get to Custer, SD, so we took that route. I drove that leg, and activities in the back of the RV included reading about the Pony Express, playing a game about the Pony Express with Daddy, and DS1 doing his new 100 piece (2-sided) jigsaw puzzle. We missed the last tour inside Jewel Cave, but the guys walked the Roof Trail in the drizzle anyway. I stayed inside and looked at the exhibits. DS1 recognized that the blackened tree trunks on the ground meant that there had been a fire. The Jasper Fire was in 2000, and the damage was still very evident. We discussed wild fires and "prescribed burns", one of which likely saved the Jewel Cave National Monument Visitor's Center.
The day ended by finding our campground, a campsite, and the playground. It was very muddy, but they boys had a great time anyway (of course)!
Day 4
Using a rental car, we were able to drive Needles Highway to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. In Custer State Park we saw a herd of big horn sheep. Admission to Mt. Rushmore is free, however you have to pay to park in the garage. We saw a "remote parking" area on a map, however I didn't see any signage on how to get there as we arrived, and I don't know whether it is free or for a fee also. First we had lunch at the cafeteria, then we took the Presidential Trail which goes quite close to the base of the mountain. We left without spending time in the gift shop, due to thinking that the Crazy Horse Memorial would be closing early. It was open until 7, but it probably was a good thing to avoid a gift shop. At Crazy Horse we took a van ride to the base of the mountain and learned a little bit more about how it is being constructed. DH and I were there in 1995. At that time Crazy Horse's face was not complete. The guide said that in 5 years (or so) the general shape of the horse's head would be recognizable. DS2 seemed most excited by Crazy Horse and DS1 really liked Mt. Rushmore. It's really great to see them excited about seeing these places in person after having watched videos and read about them at home!
Day 5
Once again we missed the time for our planned cave tour. The trouble with computers, and in this particular case, a GPS, is that they only do exactly what you tell them to do. We put in "Wind Cave National Park" as our destination this morning, and that's where it took us. However, what we really wanted was the south entrance/visitor's center. So we took the scenic route, which turned about to be great for seeing wildlife, but it got us there past the first tour start time. So in exchange for seeing marmot, wild turkey, deer, bison, pronghorn, and prairie dogs, we got to change the order of the day's adventures.
After buying our Wind Cave tour tickets, we headed to Hot Springs and visited The Mammoth Site. I had packed food for a picnic lunch, but since I forgot the bread we opted for lunch at a local burger joint instead. Next we went to Evans Plunge, the world's largest indoor pool filled by natural warm springs. The springs were originally used by the Lakota Souix, then the pool was built over the springs in 1890 by Fred Evans. It was an expensive hour of swimming, but we only had to share the entire place with 2 other family groups. Ahh, the joys of "vacationing" when most people under 18 are in school! DS2 and I went down the water slide together. Even with a life jacket and practicing "going under", we both still came up coughing and sputtering. It didn't help that we started to lose our mat near the end, so I was more concerned with helping him back to the surface quickly than with keeping water out of my nose and mouth. DH got him up and out before he went down a 2nd time, but it was still more than he liked and he cried for a while. Ever resilient, he was ready to play and go down the kiddie slide just a few minutes later. Finally we returned to Wind Cave for the Garden of Eden tour. DS2 was particularly fidgety during the standing/listening/waiting part of the tour. Our guide let both boys lead the way a couple of times, and he also let them turn on/off the lights when we were in one of the rooms.
Dinner was back "at home" in the RV, then School House Rock DVD, and the last Milly-Molly-Mandy story for bedtime. Tomorrow we break camp and head south.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Roadschooling, day 2
Day 2 of our RV adventure started with a pajama breakfast, then getting dressed and a visit to the office/store. I think we were the only ones at the RV park last night, and the owner was quite chatty with us in the morning. She was nice enough, but the conversation reminded me of all of the well-meaning unsolicited advice that I got when pregnant the first time.
We packed up and headed west. I started reading Seaman's Journal to DSs to give them a little "westward expansion" background information. We stopped at Great Platte River Road Archway Monument near Kearney, NE and really enjoyed it. Did you know that all 4 of the major westward migration trails followed the Platte River through mid-Nebraska? The exhibit reminded me of Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, OR, except the one in NE has information about the Oregon, Mormon, and California trails, plus the Pony Express. It also has information about the Lincoln transcontinental highway, the railroad, and fiber optic communication. Plus, since the monument spans I-80, there are radar guns upstairs and you can see how fast the traffic is going. DS1 chose a smashed penny for his souvineer, and DS2 bought an airplane.
The rest of our day included driving in rain, seeing Chimney Rock from the road (we missed the visitor's center by about 10 minutes), and meeting relatives in Scotts Bluff for a late dinner. We will spend time at Scotts Bluff National Monument tomorrow before heading north.
We packed up and headed west. I started reading Seaman's Journal to DSs to give them a little "westward expansion" background information. We stopped at Great Platte River Road Archway Monument near Kearney, NE and really enjoyed it. Did you know that all 4 of the major westward migration trails followed the Platte River through mid-Nebraska? The exhibit reminded me of Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, OR, except the one in NE has information about the Oregon, Mormon, and California trails, plus the Pony Express. It also has information about the Lincoln transcontinental highway, the railroad, and fiber optic communication. Plus, since the monument spans I-80, there are radar guns upstairs and you can see how fast the traffic is going. DS1 chose a smashed penny for his souvineer, and DS2 bought an airplane.
The rest of our day included driving in rain, seeing Chimney Rock from the road (we missed the visitor's center by about 10 minutes), and meeting relatives in Scotts Bluff for a late dinner. We will spend time at Scotts Bluff National Monument tomorrow before heading north.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Roadschooling, day 1
We left KS this afternoon for our weeklong adventure in an RV. This is a test run, to see if we all like it as much as we imagine. DH and I have dreamed of travelling in an RV for years. Our boys started asking about it after watching a Caillou episode (on PBS Kids) that included an RV a year or two ago.
This morning they built an electric train track at my sister's house while DH and I had the walk-through at the RV rental place. Then we all met at home and packed up the RV. We had been staging things in one room for about a week, and we all set out clothes last night, so except for the kitchen supplies and food it went very quickly.
We bought some new car games as well as some maps and travel/map games to bring along. We have already spotted 10 state license plates! Each boy chose some books, dvds, and toys, too. Tonight for bedtime we read from one of our Sonlight books, Milly-Molly-Mandy, that is usually a breakfast story book.
Today has been a very good birthday for me!
This morning they built an electric train track at my sister's house while DH and I had the walk-through at the RV rental place. Then we all met at home and packed up the RV. We had been staging things in one room for about a week, and we all set out clothes last night, so except for the kitchen supplies and food it went very quickly.
We bought some new car games as well as some maps and travel/map games to bring along. We have already spotted 10 state license plates! Each boy chose some books, dvds, and toys, too. Tonight for bedtime we read from one of our Sonlight books, Milly-Molly-Mandy, that is usually a breakfast story book.
Today has been a very good birthday for me!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
School Lately
We have been doing formal "schoolwork" a bit more lately, so I decided it was time to post an update.
We have a daily schedule (no times, just a list) that we use about half of the time. It includes several times of "Sonlight - read books" (which are me reading aloud), handwriting, math, DS1 reading to me, a physical activity break between some of the seat/table work, and lots of play time. We also go to outside PE and dance/music classes for DS1. (DS2 was enrolled but has not participated... maybe next year.)
DS1 seems to particularly like using the list to go through things during the day. He gets to choose which Sonlight books we read, then we often have an "extra" non-SL book, too. Currently he is on a Geronimo Stilton kick.
Having the list helps me, too. I am planning on using the SL Instructor's Guide a bit more and have added a "Sonlight - Mom chooses" item to our list. I don't think we'll completely convert to using the Sonlight schedule (at least not in the near future), but adding a bit more structure is going well for everyone. DS2 is even sitting with us for reading sometimes, and he has done a little in his handwriting book (Pre-K HWT) and Developing the Early Learner.
Life around here was very unfocused for a while after Grandpa died. Adding the school day structure has helped stabilize us and give us focus.
We have a daily schedule (no times, just a list) that we use about half of the time. It includes several times of "Sonlight - read books" (which are me reading aloud), handwriting, math, DS1 reading to me, a physical activity break between some of the seat/table work, and lots of play time. We also go to outside PE and dance/music classes for DS1. (DS2 was enrolled but has not participated... maybe next year.)
DS1 seems to particularly like using the list to go through things during the day. He gets to choose which Sonlight books we read, then we often have an "extra" non-SL book, too. Currently he is on a Geronimo Stilton kick.
Having the list helps me, too. I am planning on using the SL Instructor's Guide a bit more and have added a "Sonlight - Mom chooses" item to our list. I don't think we'll completely convert to using the Sonlight schedule (at least not in the near future), but adding a bit more structure is going well for everyone. DS2 is even sitting with us for reading sometimes, and he has done a little in his handwriting book (Pre-K HWT) and Developing the Early Learner.
Life around here was very unfocused for a while after Grandpa died. Adding the school day structure has helped stabilize us and give us focus.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Roads to Learning
Roads to Learning has craft and activity ideas that are good for supplementing Sonlight cores. If we ever feel the need for things to "do" to go with our Sonlight books, I will take a look here.
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