Aloun Farms
We went on a field trip today to the pumpkin patch. Even though field trips are stressful for teachers, thanks to the helpful parent chaperones I was able to enjoy the kids. The only thing I'd change is how sticky and hot it was! Of course I can't post pictures of the kids, but here are a few of the pumpkins-the closest thing to seasons we have here!
Dezi's Blanket
When I was in NM this summer I got fabric to make Dezi a stripped rag quilt for his 1st birthday. Then during one of our conversations Keli randomly mentioned that she wanted to learn how to sew, so I invited her over to help make it so she could learn. Here are some pics:
Isn't the fabric adorable?
Keli ironing...Close up of the surfboard/palm tree fabric.
An action shot...
Here is a really short video of Keli sewing!We had a good time developing our talents, being creative, and just having fun! After we finished, Keli took the blanket home to clip the edges and wash it so it would fray. She is busy getting ready for Dezi's 1st birthday party, but when she updates her blog you can check it out for a picture of the finished product! http://thedelizfamily.blogspot.com
Thanks Mom and Jill for teaching me how to make it and helping pick out the fabric!
Thanks Debbie McArthur for your help and for letting us borrow your machine!
Thanks Keli for making it! It was much more fun than it would have been doing it by myself!
Thanks Mom and Jill for teaching me how to make it and helping pick out the fabric!
Thanks Debbie McArthur for your help and for letting us borrow your machine!
Thanks Keli for making it! It was much more fun than it would have been doing it by myself!
Banned Books Week
So Brian and I went to the library the other day. I guess the last week in September is "Banned Books Week" and so I took some time to look at the display they had up. It was very interesting to read about it and the reasons why certain books are challenged.
I have read some books that instantly lowered my IQ (the most recent one was "Blubber" by Judy Blume, which I read to find out why it was on the list), and parts of some books are written poorly (like the grammar in the Junie B. Jones books-as a teacher I physically cannot read those books out loud without correcting them). I also don't like the behavior in Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but does that mean they deserve to be banned? As a teacher, I ask myself, "Which is the lesser evil? A poorly crafted book or a child who hasn't found anything he likes to read?"
There were a lot of books on the most frequently challenged list that really surprised me. Of Mice and Men, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Giver, the Harry Potter Series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Twilight are just a few.
In grades k-2, kids learn to read; after that, they read to learn. We cannot let kids become dependent on others for information. If we shelter our kids to the point of removing Huckleberry Finn because of racism, how will they learn about history and learn from others' mistakes? Kids need to learn to make their own opinions and assessments of the world around them, and how will they do that if creativity is pulled out from under them?
As long as parents teach their kids the difference between reality and fantasy and make sure what their kids are reading is age-appropriate, I don't see the harm. Anyone have any other thoughts?
I have read some books that instantly lowered my IQ (the most recent one was "Blubber" by Judy Blume, which I read to find out why it was on the list), and parts of some books are written poorly (like the grammar in the Junie B. Jones books-as a teacher I physically cannot read those books out loud without correcting them). I also don't like the behavior in Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but does that mean they deserve to be banned? As a teacher, I ask myself, "Which is the lesser evil? A poorly crafted book or a child who hasn't found anything he likes to read?"
There were a lot of books on the most frequently challenged list that really surprised me. Of Mice and Men, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Giver, the Harry Potter Series, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Twilight are just a few.
In grades k-2, kids learn to read; after that, they read to learn. We cannot let kids become dependent on others for information. If we shelter our kids to the point of removing Huckleberry Finn because of racism, how will they learn about history and learn from others' mistakes? Kids need to learn to make their own opinions and assessments of the world around them, and how will they do that if creativity is pulled out from under them?
As long as parents teach their kids the difference between reality and fantasy and make sure what their kids are reading is age-appropriate, I don't see the harm. Anyone have any other thoughts?
Halloween "Stamp Camp"
Amalie invited Keli and me to a "stamp camp" and these are the cards we made! It was so much fun! These kinds of things help me relax and just really enjoy myself. Thanks Amalie for inviting us, and thanks Keli for going with me!
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