(not on) thursday things - homeschooling

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this week's thursday things (ha! do you see how i act as though it's been going on weekly all this time?) is about homeschooling. specifically, things that have enhanced thehobbit's experience this past year. by the way, i'm writing this post on a monday for 2 reasons: 1) i am going to be too busy this thursday, & b) because. 


* murderous maths are amazing books! there are some of them, pictured above. they are clever, silly, & ofttimes obnoxious - perfect for my hobbity teen. we get ours from this website, which also sells the horrible histories  (likewise fabulous for homeschooling). i should say here that thehobbit loathes math, yet still enjoys these books.


* brain pop is a great resource for learning all manner of things. i ate too much, so am too sleepy to explain how it works. i'll let them instead (from their website), "brain pop creates animated, curriculum-based content that engages students, supports educators, and bolsters achievement.". to access the majority of their lessons, you do have to pay an annual fee. that said? there are still enough free lessons to make visiting worth your while. 


* netflix. no, seriously! the site is overflowing with documentaries, plays, & educational television series. just spend some time poking around, & you'll see what i mean.


* google earth blows my mind. it's one thing to read about the annex in which anne frank lived, it is entirely another thing to see it, & be able to scroll your view around however you like. we were able to see the gum, on the sidewalk, in front of the building. touristy gum! don't ask me why this thrilled us so.


which reminds me, you can use a few of these together to create a fabulous experience. an example: thehobbit read the diary of anne frank, watched the bbc's version on netflix, looked up the places she mentioned on google earth, then ended with the brain pop lessons (anne frank, adolf  hitler, holocaust). 


of course this way of teaching may not be your cuppa. or you may not be homeschooling. or have children. or like children. however, if you do have (& like) homeschooled children, & this style appeals to you, give some of these a try. let me know in what adventures you find yourself!


~peace.

thursday things - pestilence

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mama's medicine

pestilence has hit the belfry. nothing serious, just the common cold, in various stages of coldosity (real word). still, it's enough to keep us home. elfling & i are thrilled to for the respite from adventuring, but a certain hobbit would rather be running wild with friends at the park. i decided he was in need of a bit of pampering. this brings us to this month's week's thursday things: pestilence pampering of the pouting preteen.

* iced tea pops. sucking on popsicles is good for easing throat & belly pains, as well as for bringing down a fever. we've even used them for keeping hydrated when unable to keep anything down (the small amount of liquid ingested with each suck doesn't usually trigger vomiting). i've found that juice pops don't soothe as well as pops made from tea. or it could be that thehobbit & i just aren't juice drinkers.

it's simple really, all you need do is freeze tea in popsicle molds. chamomile is a good choice for all pestilence, & especially so when there is nausea. no need to sweeten these pops, by the way. we've used all sors of herbal & fruity teas, even green tea. i've got hibiscus tea pops freezing as i type.

we have this mold. look at these, & scroll down for the description of this set!

* a good book. kids this age can get lost for hours in a book, which is good when feeling crummy. if your pestilenced preteen is not feeling well enough to read, he/she can listen to the book on tape. here is a hobbit-approved list:
- harry potter (series). we highly recommend listening to these. jim dale is the reader, & will blow your mind.
- percy jackson (series). do not judge these books by the mediocre film. the books are clever & fun.
- the red pyramid. the same author as the percy jackson series, same idea, but with ancient egyptian gods, instead of greek.
- theodosia (series). set in 1902 england, with a girl as the main character!
- nathaniel fludd (series). the same author as the theodosia books. we've yet to read these, so can't say if they are good. they are on thehobbit's wish list though.

* entertaining "tv". we haven't cable or satellite, so rely on netflix ("instant watch" on my laptop) when diversion is needed. if your preteen is faint if heart, do not go with either of our recommendations. thehobbit is an odd duck.
- man vs food. he travels the country, taking on the most insane food challenges. insane as in a 12lb burger, or a 72oz steak. yes, we are still vegetarians, we just aren't offended by others eating meat.
- man vs wild. bear grylls in a looney, but my menfolk love him. it's a how to survive show.

* coloring in real books. many years ago thehobbit pointed out that shel silverstein's books looked like coloring books for bigger guys. when he was recovering from surgery a few years later, he received his own copy of a light in the attic. i handed him a box of colored pencils, & he spent a few days healing & coloring. he was also given castle, but said it was no fun coloring so much gray. 3 years later & he still loves coloring in real books. at this very moment he is in bed, working on one of my old calvin & hobbes.

that's all i have for now. i hope you don't have any pestilence ruining your adventures.
~peace.