Sketchup

David was planning to do a stop-motion animation class for art this year. (He is a freshman.) However, buying the materials we need has not been in the budget. So yesterday, when I read this entry on the Math-U-See blog, my interest was piqued.

So I went looking for Google Sketchup, thinking maybe it was something David would be interested in learning.

Wow! It's a FREE 3D computer modeling program. Of course, there is a Pro version that bears a hefty $500 pricetag, but the free version looks pretty darn useful.

David is enthralled with the idea of trying it out and designing some 3D models, starting with some cell phone prototypes he's been sketching on paper. This won't be the first 3D computer modeling he's worked with, though. Another great FREE program is the Lego Digital Designer. The car graphic to the left is a screenshot from LDD.

So, he will be practicing 3D computer modeling beginning very soon. The other kids will also have the opportunity to explore the program and what it can do. However, David plans to build a career around computer-aided design in some fashion, so this will be great experience for him.

As I was searching for some good illustrations for this blog, I noticed that a Google Sketchup for Dummies book has been published. I've just requested that at the library and hopefully it will prove useful.

Check out Google Sketchup. Even preschoolers can use this program, as evidenced by the winners of the contest referenced on the MUS blog. They had a category for children ages 0-5. See what you and your children can do with this program!

Apple Orchard Trip

We visited a local apple orchard a couple weeks ago. It was a cool rainy day, but we had fun anyway.

Who I Read

Bloggers worldwide have a lot to share, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorite blogs with you today. Although I read blogs of some of my real-life friends and those are definitely great, these are all bloggers I've never met in person.

Inexpensively - A money-saving blog with tips on freebies, using coupons, cheap deals, and more! I subscribe to the RSS feed so I can get all the newest tips in my Google reader. Check the Deal Alerts for this great way to stay informed.

Jimmie's Collage - the adventures of Jimmie and her husband and daughter, Americans living and homeschooling in China. Jimmie inspires me with her homeschooling projects and entertains me with her often humorous and always interesting observations on living in a foreign country.

Lynette Kraft - Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground - I first found Lynette when she blogged about the losses of her infant sons and young daughter. Her entries brought me to tears and I continued following her blog in which she details her joyous Christian life with her husband and six living children, toddlers through teens.

Shut up!

I wrote this post a couple weeks ago and was too anxious to actually publish it. But I am going to click that button and be brave in the interest of realism.

A lot of homeschool moms imagine that every other homeschooling mom has it all worked out. That their houses are clean and quiet. That their children do perfect work and never argue or pick on their siblings. That they know perfectly how to handle every situation and how to teach every child. And that she alone is the only one who faces problems.

Encouraged by a couple friends, I have decided to try "being real" about the struggles we face. I hope you can see beyond the occasional frustration and inadequacy I post. I had those when I taught school too, so teachers don't have it all down pat either.

So, without further ado or any editing, here is my original post, entitled "Shut up!" (And yes, I say it on occasion. Certainly more frequently than I ought. Just being real, now! LOL)

I am SO TIRED of constant noise as my children work (or not work, as the case may be). Yes, I have been known to shout the above words. Clearly not the best plan of action, but I'm just being real here.

One of my children seems to need to make constant noise - blowing raspberries, chanting single words or phrases over and over, humming just loud enough so everyone can hear. The others don't make noise constantly, but don't seem to heed that others around them need a quiet atmosphere to concentrate on their lessons.

I used to teach. My classroom of nineteen children could be quieter than the four children who live here.

Here is a small slice of our day. Maybe five minutes? They are supposed to all be working quietly. Suzy is silent reading, David and Emily are doing grammar worksheets, and James is waiting on me to do Spelling. I could have intervened in this scenario at any point, but I decided to let it play out and just transcribe what was said.

D: Captain American lives there.
E: Who's Captain America?
S: (not paying attention to THEM, but commenting on a picture in her book) It's a pepper!
J: What?
S takes book over to J and he begins to read aloud to her.
D repeats a phrase from the book and shakes a necklace around, making plastic beads clank.
D (in English accent): He's a spotted deceiver. He's a spotted deceiver.
J is still reading aloud with occasional loud outbursts.
D: CHEESE! (clear reaction to J's reading, which apparently mentioned the word)
D: CHEESE! Cheese is the answer to all the world's problems. I have to say that to Alex. Cheese! Cheese is the answer to all of America's problems. CHEEEEEESE!!!! (makes noises in his throat)
E laughs.
D: Cheese.
J reads on.
D: I know I said Cheese. My name is Cheese.
E: Dakota is a cat. Brody is a dog. (commenting on the read-aloud)
J reads on. D continues to mess with the plastic necklace.
J: Who could that be? (reading aloud)
D: It could be an intruder with a gun!
J slams book closed.
S: Hey, that's not all of it! There's one more page.
E: David, stop!!
D: I'm just practicing my acupuncture techniques on you.
E: Owww!!!!
Meanwhile, J resumes reading.

At this point, I have enough and call the room to order. See how inane it all is? Shouldn't a teenager know how to sit quietly so as not to bother those around him? For that matter, shouldn't a seven-year-old?

I am at a loss as to how to require silence during work time. I have heard people say (or write), "we just don't allow this kind of behavior" (whatever kind it may be), but how does that play out? How do you reinforce "not allowing it"?

What is tempting is the idea of putting them all in school and letting some anonymous teacher train them to be quiet in class. I did it for a bunch of kids. I should know how! Why is it not working? Am I just not strict? Am I stupid?

Input please!

To Read Aloud Or Not To Read Aloud

I got out of the habit of reading aloud to the children during the summer. When we started our lessons back up, it was one thing I didn't jump right back into doing.

Reading aloud is one of my least favorite things. I admit it, however reluctantly.

Does that surprise you? Maybe it does. I love to read. I love my children. I like homeschooling. (notice I didn't say love) I love books. I love to see my children enjoying books.

However.... reading aloud is SO SLOW. I can read way faster than I can speak. And no matter what I pick as a read-aloud, there seems to always be one child with whom my choice of reading material doesn't resonate.

The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald was our read-aloud in the spring. I remembered reading this series of books as a child and thought it would be nice to share with my kids. When actually reading though, I realized they weren't as compelling as I recalled, and I tended to think my kids were not really enthralled. We stopped in the middle of it and never picked it back up. (Yes, I will admit that too!)

So, when the kids started asking me when we were going to start reading aloud again, I began thinking which new book to begin.

They protested.

"But, Mom! We were reading The Great Brain!"

"We didn't even finish it!"

"Yeah, Mom, we left the kids lost in the cave."

Wow. They remembered the kids were lost in the cave? Maybe they were paying better attention than I realized.

"OK, I'll finish reading it."

"Noooo....." OK, there's the obligatory child who doesn't like the current read-aloud. Ah well, hopefully the next book will appeal more to that one, but the three who are enjoying The Great Brain will get to hear the rest of it.

And I will keep reading aloud because I know I ought to. And because they like it.

Simple Woman's Daybook - October 11

For Today... October 11, 2009
I'll be doing my Daybook on Sundays from now on.

Outside my window... I see blue sky and puffy white clouds. A slight breeze is riffling through the greenish gold and red leaves. The yard is freshly mowed.

I am thinking... about how best to use my time; how to arrange my day so that my children and husband don't lose out, but I can still accomplish my goals

From the learning rooms... NaNoWriMo workbooks for the kids - FREE at ywp.nanowrimo.org. Click on Writer's Resources. These are AWESOME, even if you don't do NaNo, but just want to teach your kids fiction writing. There are Elementary, Middle School, and High School workbooks.

I am thankful for... God's provision and learning to wait on His timing

From the kitchen... Caramel apples

I am wearing... Brown long sleeved tee, soft pink hoodie, jeans, white socks, slippers, hair and makeup done

I am reading... listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Disc 21 of 48) by Diana Gabaldon (#6 in Outlander series). Also reading No Need for Speed, a book on running, and finally making some progress on The Count of Monte Cristo.

I've been watching... Napoleon Dynamite (liked it better this time, probably because I watched it with David and he appreciated it very much), Meet Dave (better than I imagined, but still not very good - although the kids found it extremely amusing), & Van Halen youtube videos

I am hoping... that I can find a way to make some money besides selling everything I own

I am creating... a list of businesses to cold call

I am hearing... David and James washing dishes (peacefully for once!)

Around the house... lots of stuff that needs to be put away!

One of my favorite things... listening to Davina Porter read Diana Gabaldon. I don't usually enjoy audiobooks much, but Porter has a special talent. She does the accents and just is a perfect fit for Gabaldon's writing. She won the 2006 Audie Award for Best Female Narrator with A Breath of Snow and Ashes, which is what I am listening to currently. You can hear clips of her reading here. (Fiery Cross is the only Gabaldon book represented in the clips.)

A few plans for the rest of the week... Teaching my 3 Spanish classes, Last week of soccer games for Suzy (1) and James (3). James may be starting Young Marines, a field trip to the fire station. Jury Duty call-in for Bob. Bob working daytime hours and me working on getting my business going and also working on expanding my novella.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
Here I am watching David's last soccer game. It was 46 degrees and pouring rain. And I'm still smiling! LOL That's because it just STARTED.

Simple Woman's Daybook - October 4

For Today... October 4, 2009
I'll be doing my Daybook on Sundays from now on.

Outside my window... The sun is shining finally and the sky is blue. The leaves are starting to turn. The grass is really long! It's been too wet to mow most days. [8:52 pm - FULL MOON!]

I am thinking... about church

From the learning rooms... More handwritten assignment sheets. That seems to work well for my thought patterns right now.

I am thankful for... income! Bob got his first paycheck Friday. He hasn't had an earned paycheck since May 2002! (For you newbies, that's when he was injured at work.)

From the kitchen... I washed the fridge and tossed the undesirables. Now it's all clean and shiny for the groceries I will buy tomorrow.

I am wearing... Black v-neck long-sleeved stretchy shirt, grey exercise pants that are REALLY LONG and drag on the floor. White socks and black slippers. I straightened my hair. Oh, and I have on earrings!

I am reading... listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Disc 18 of 48) by Diana Gabaldon (#6 in Outlander series). Also reading No Need for Speed, a book on running.

I've been watching... The Chorus (French with English subtitles), Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Robin Hood Season 3 (Episodes 2-4), Ghostbusters

I am hoping... that Bob will decide to have a conversation with me. A real live two-way conversation. Instead of just telling me what he's decided. That's not going over real well.

I am creating... Spanish lessons. More Spanish lessons. And a menu plan.

I am hearing... Webkinz World

Around the house... Trying to think of a place to hang the hammock INSIDE the house.

One of my favorite things... NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). It begins November 1st, but I signed up this week. Are YOU going to write a novel in November?

A few plans for the rest of the week... Oh, it looks like a hectic week. Teaching not one but THREE Spanish classes, Soccer practices and games for David, Suzy, and James. Girls have a nature center outing, James has Science club. Jury Duty for Bob. Bob working daytime hours and me working in the evenings!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.

Free Lapbooking Resources

Some Lapbook resources I found through Jimmie's Collage blog:


Egypt and daVinci lapbook free downloads at Handle on the Arts

Lapbook templates - free downloads at That Resource Site
There is also a free kangaroo lapbook at the bottom of the page.

More templates at Gidget's Homeschool Networking and Fileshare Site

Enjoy!

5K Official Results

Our official times from the Emmett Green Run 2009.

1 Mile Run
James Wagner 9:43
Suzanne Wagner 12:08
I was really amazed by the little ones' results. They ran hard! And they hadn't trained at all.

1 Mile Walk
David Wagner 15:23
Emily Wagner 19:24
Robert Wagner 20:03

5K Run
Lisa Wagner 34:55

Simple Woman's Daybook - September 28

For Today... September 28, 2009

Outside my window... sunshine on the wet leaves and grass, some trees are beginning to turn color, and WINDY!!! When I typed this earlier, there was sun - now it's just cold and gray and still windy!

I am thinking... about how God is meeting every need, if I just bring it to Him in prayer. It's quite amazing really.

From the learning rooms... handwritten assignment sheets instead of done on the computer

I am thankful for... sweet and generous birthday wishes!

From the kitchen... frozen pizza for lunch and COFFEE! We had oreo cookie cake yesterday for my birthday. The kids had hot cocoa when we got back from the rain-soaked soccer fields.

I am wearing... [9:30 am?] black polo shirt, jean skirt, bare feet right now and wet hair [10:41 pm] PJ's, robe, wool socks

I am reading... listening to A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Disc 15 of 48) by Diana Gabaldon (#6 in Outlander series). Also reading Ted Dekker's The Slumber of Christianity and The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas for book club.

I've been watching... Armageddon (had never seen it before!), The Soloist (loved it!), and The Count of Monte Cristo

I am hoping... David's coach will call and cancel his windy cold practice tonight. But that's not too likely. [Note: The practice was indeed windy, cold, and uncancelled.]

I am creating... a class list for my new Spanish class. It will be right after the current class - consolidating my time out of the house. Two classes in a row, one set of lesson plans! Whee!

I am hearing... Some faint humming machinery, wind in the trees whipping twigs against the windows, the kids banging around in the yard, and someone chatting in the kitchen

Around the house... a pile of books & DVD's to sell

One of my favorite things... A new book by a favorite author - it's the anticipation of something delicious! Case in point - Diana Gabaldon's An Echo in the Bone.... I can't start it yet, but I lovingly placed it on my shelf awaiting its turn to be enjoyed!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Teaching Spanish, Soccer practices and games for David, Suzy, and James. Field Trip to an orchard. Art class for E & J. Bob working M night, Th/Fr daytime!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you.
Suzy grabbed my cell phone and snapped this picture of the wedding cake my sister-in-law made for her daughter's wedding on Saturday.