Maximizing Learning Potential: November 2009

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

INDEPENDENT LEARNING!!

I am trying out a new curriculum (thanks Rachel!) called Aleks. We were able to sign up for a free 1-month trial period for all kids. It's an online program, but the unique aspect of it is that there is not needless repitition. Once you master a concept, you go on. For my kids, this seems perfect. I signed Maddie up for 5th-grade math and Haley for Algebra II. The best part I see so far, though, is that the girls can completely work independently. I haven't needed to step in for more than a couple minutes. They are motivated and LOVE the program! Both girls started at 4:00 on Monday and worked for 4 hours, until bedtime. Then, the same on Tuesday. They are now reaching hour 11 on the program. The only time they stop is when they want to show me something "cool" they learned. I am loving it so far!! The only drawback I see is that I'm not sure if it EVER comes back to topics they have covered. I'm afraid that they may not completely have a skill mastered 2 months from now. We'll see! For now, I am LOVING the break from teaching :)

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Math Break

After a conversation with Maddie's JET teacher, I have decided to take a short break from math with Haley next year. Oh, don't get me wrong: we WILL be doing math, just not structured "curriculum" math. She had an awesome idea to do a budget-based math course. Haley and Maddie will have to research several different popular professions and find out the average salary. They will then have to put a budget together for each person/family. They will have to research places to live/dine/shop/etc. Since both girls are already WAY ahead of schedule as far as math courses, I think it will be fun to take a break from the textbooks. Now, I have an entire semester to plan!!! I'm planning on incorporating simple/compound interest, balancing a checkbook, and other life skills. Haley will probably also review Algebra II next year (on a much slower pace).

Is it a Cheetah?

When we think of cheetahs we are likely to think first of their speed. It's flashy. It is impressive. It's unique. If a cheetah is confined to a 10 X 12 foot cage, though it may pace or fling itself against the bars in restless frustration, it won't run 70 mph.

IS IT STILL A CHEETAH?

If a cheetah has only 20 mph rabbits to chase for food, it won't run 70 mph while hunting.

A school system that defines giftedness (or talent) as behavior, achievement and performance is as compromised in its ability to recognize its highly gifted students and to give them what they need as a zoo would be to recognize and provide for its cheetahs if it looked only for speed.

However, schools are to extraordinarily intelligent children what zoos are to cheetahs. Many schools provide a 10 x 12 foot cage, giving the unusual mind no room to get up to speed. Many highly gifted children sit in the classroom the way big cats sit in their cages, dull-eyed and silent. Some, unable to resist the urge from inside even though they can't exercise it, pace the bars, snarl and lash out at their keepers, or throw themselves against the bars until they do themselves damage.
In some schools brilliant children are asked to do what they were never designed to do while the attributes that are a natural aspect of unusual mental capacity -- intensity, passion, high energy, independence, moral reasoning, curiosity, humor, unusual interests and insistence on truth and accuracy -- are considered problems that need fixing.

Exerpts from Stephanie S. Tolan ©1996

Work Samples

Manatees (unedited)
By Haley
05/14/09

Manatees are very different than other animals. Manatees are aquatic mammals. They are also endangered. Manatees live in warm waters. They are very slow. Manatees are related to elephants. Manatees never hurt any other animal.

Manatees are funny looking creatures. Manatees are a grey- brown color. They are known as sea cows. A baby manatee weighs about 60 pounds. A grown manatee weighs about 1000 pounds. Sharp propellers from motor boats scar the manatees back.

Manatees have to lots of things after they have a baby. A mother manatee always stays near her calf. Manatees always teach there calf which plants are safe to eat. Manatees usally have one baby at a time every three years. The first thing a baby manatee does after it gets born it rises to the surface to breath. Last, a female manatee becomes an adult when it is five.

Manatees were used in lots of different ways. Its skin was burned as fuel. Also its bones where used as medican and jewelry. Its skin was made into shoes. Manatees fed many people.

Manatees are endangered animals. People need to protect them and not hurt them so they don’t dye out!