It's been a while since anything was posted - mainly because we have all been as busy as beavers with out butts on fire (mainly due to the ongoing and ever-accelerating demands of the littlest member of our clan.)
Gordy's homeschooling is progressing well. Though his lack of clear determination and self-motivation have hampered the "unschooling" de-programming, it has finally reached that critical threshhold where he has discovered for himself how much fun can be had from self-guided learning.
His "Ancient Cultures" projects have been interesting to watch, with the Egyptian one faltering mid-stride due to distraction, but followed by a far more involvedc "Mayan/Aztec" project... there's just something about boys and blood-thirsty ancient cultures I guess...
Long have we noticed that when given time to wander around outside he will talk to himself, inventing some of the most amazing stories... but is loath to convert them to harcdopy or digital formats... mainly because, he claims, the astress of trying to remember it all is just too much and it washes clean out of his head.
So, in an effort to capture the creative stories, and also head off his claims of a 'mental enema' effect, for Christmas we bought him a small MP3 player that has the ability to record dictation as well. So now, he can wear it outside while doing his gasbagging, then come inside and type down what he said. (Or I may explore piping the recordings through some voice recognition software and converting it to text he can then edit for typos etc.)
Either way, 2010 is going to be a year for exploring new ways to do old things better, and new ways to do new things in a fun way.
No
Bloody
Lazy
Excuses
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Little by little...
... the boy changes. Well, it's been just over a week now since we started trying the "unschooling" way of things, and already I'm noticing a few small changes in Gordy. He seems happier for a start. Sure, there's still the odd moody outburst, but overall he seems a bit bouncier and happier than he had been before.
He's more willing to do something productive with his time too... he used to spend most of his days outside on his bike or bouncing a ball around while telling himself all sorts of stories. A way of escaping boredom that would frustrate us, as there are so many other ways of filling in time when you're bored... ways that Gordy used to fight, ignore, and just plain avoid as often as possible. He seemed to prefer what was in his head rather than what was happening in the real world. But now... now he makes up a list every morning of the things he wants to do for the day. The list usually includes things like drawing, reading, crafts (which at the moment are more focused on sewing and paper mache), maths (this is one thing I'm insisting stays in there as a daily task, since it is his major weak point), baking, handwriting, and researching Egypt. When he's not doing anything, he'll come and check the list to see if there's anything else he can do on his own, or if I'm free to help him with things like the sewing/paper mache... the self-motivation may be a long way off still, but the first tiny bud is starting to form. When he was in the mood to read, he used to grab a comic book or something similar - now I quite often catch him reading things like his rock and fossils book, or one of the books on egypt or science.
For maths, we're starting to try out Algebra, a subject that took me ages to get my head around at school, but once it "clicked", I LOVED it, although I will admit I've forgotten most of it since leaving school *blush*. The scary thing?? Gordy has said a couple of times already that he's enjoying the algebra!! This, from a kid who hates maths!
Photography is something else he's starting to work on more as well... even if it is mostly pictures of himself!! LOL! But I will admit, he's getting more and more inventive with the photos he takes of himself... it's no longer just a case of point the camera in his direction, set the timer, and smile. Now, he's doing things like pulling his head into his jersey with a balloon hovering above his head or in his arms, so that it looks like he has a balloon for a head.
Poetry as well, has become something new he has started to try out, and found he likes. For a beginner, he's not too bad either! His drawing is improving heaps and has become something he really enjoys. It's also now done daily with more imagination and less copying from a book happening.
He'll spend ages on the computer looking at anything and everything he can soak up about Egypt, with a definite heavy leaning towards the more ancient egypt side of things. The lad is rather morbid with this.. being totally fascinated by the whole mummification process.
Even something as simple as looking up a word he hasn't heard before, something that regularly used to cause a fuss, is something that is now done calmly, almost happily.
Just over a week, and already this many changes. I still worry that he'll spend his day playing and mucking around, that this won't last... but there is now a much stronger flicker of hope that Gordy CAN actually find enjoyment in learning and learn to push himself. If I start worrying that he's not really learning anything, looking at this list helps... photography, maths, history, art, crafts, writing, poetry, science... all things he's now doing reasonably happily, usually by his own choice.
I can't wait to see what he'll be like in say, maybe another month from now??
He's more willing to do something productive with his time too... he used to spend most of his days outside on his bike or bouncing a ball around while telling himself all sorts of stories. A way of escaping boredom that would frustrate us, as there are so many other ways of filling in time when you're bored... ways that Gordy used to fight, ignore, and just plain avoid as often as possible. He seemed to prefer what was in his head rather than what was happening in the real world. But now... now he makes up a list every morning of the things he wants to do for the day. The list usually includes things like drawing, reading, crafts (which at the moment are more focused on sewing and paper mache), maths (this is one thing I'm insisting stays in there as a daily task, since it is his major weak point), baking, handwriting, and researching Egypt. When he's not doing anything, he'll come and check the list to see if there's anything else he can do on his own, or if I'm free to help him with things like the sewing/paper mache... the self-motivation may be a long way off still, but the first tiny bud is starting to form. When he was in the mood to read, he used to grab a comic book or something similar - now I quite often catch him reading things like his rock and fossils book, or one of the books on egypt or science.
For maths, we're starting to try out Algebra, a subject that took me ages to get my head around at school, but once it "clicked", I LOVED it, although I will admit I've forgotten most of it since leaving school *blush*. The scary thing?? Gordy has said a couple of times already that he's enjoying the algebra!! This, from a kid who hates maths!
Photography is something else he's starting to work on more as well... even if it is mostly pictures of himself!! LOL! But I will admit, he's getting more and more inventive with the photos he takes of himself... it's no longer just a case of point the camera in his direction, set the timer, and smile. Now, he's doing things like pulling his head into his jersey with a balloon hovering above his head or in his arms, so that it looks like he has a balloon for a head.
Poetry as well, has become something new he has started to try out, and found he likes. For a beginner, he's not too bad either! His drawing is improving heaps and has become something he really enjoys. It's also now done daily with more imagination and less copying from a book happening.
He'll spend ages on the computer looking at anything and everything he can soak up about Egypt, with a definite heavy leaning towards the more ancient egypt side of things. The lad is rather morbid with this.. being totally fascinated by the whole mummification process.
Even something as simple as looking up a word he hasn't heard before, something that regularly used to cause a fuss, is something that is now done calmly, almost happily.
Just over a week, and already this many changes. I still worry that he'll spend his day playing and mucking around, that this won't last... but there is now a much stronger flicker of hope that Gordy CAN actually find enjoyment in learning and learn to push himself. If I start worrying that he's not really learning anything, looking at this list helps... photography, maths, history, art, crafts, writing, poetry, science... all things he's now doing reasonably happily, usually by his own choice.
I can't wait to see what he'll be like in say, maybe another month from now??
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Changes in the wind
Well, I know it's been quite some time since I last posted anything... but then, quite frankly, our homeschooling has been rather a shambles these last few months! :/
There's been learning here and there.. but it has been a complete uphill battle. Left to his own devices, Gordy would much rather read, ride his bike, wander round outside telling himself stories (the boy has a FANTASTIC imagination... but do you think he's willing to write any of these wonderful stories down? Yeah right!), drawing, and playing with Lego. Try and push the book/school work and we end up with drama, tears, and everyone's angry and frustrated. NOT my idea of fun! There have been so many days lately where I've ended in tears, left wondering if we made a mistake in pulling him out of school and trying homeschooling... and feeling like a complete failure as a teacher and as though I'm letting him down as a mother. *sighs* Why is it that other homeschooling Parents make it look like such an easy and enjoyable lifestyle?
So.. I turned to the internet and went back to researching, reading homeschool forums and blogs... TRYING desperately to get my head around this and get MY enthusiasm back for the homeschooling way of things so I could TRY and get things going again... because otherwise, I was on the verge of just giving up and sending him back to public school.. which would also mean back to bullies and teachers that really didn't seem to care.
What I found was the reminder of "unschooling" and how, when I'd first learned about this way of doing things, I had thought it would suit Gordy perfectly. Letting him drive his own learning based on his interests. When we'd tried before, I'd let him down.. slacked off. I hit a few bumps in the road and ended up falling into a rut and couldn't seem to get myself out. I was always drained, lacking in interest for anything.. which meant Gordy was left to "push" himself... and I have now learned (the hard way unfortunately, but then I seem to be a person who learns best that way.. UGH!) that he does not yet have the drive to push himself. He needs to be taught that. Which got me thinking... what was really important here? WHAT he was learning? Or the actual LEARNING itself? When it comes down to it, the important thing is that he learns HOW to learn, how to make it fun for himself.. to find his own passion and drive to get out there and learn about the world.
Gordy actually has quite a few interests... rocks/fossils, Outer Space, anything and everything Egyptian, reading, drawing, science, History, crafts... all things I can use to guide his learning and teach him to drive himself. So, we're doing things a little differently now. At the beginning of each day, we talk about what he wants to learn for that day, what kind of activities he wants to do. I've told him that I will let HIM control his day, what he learns, as long as he doesn't waste his day playing all day, and actually tries to learn things too. This is something I remind him of occasionally so he stays focused. Ok, we only started this yesterday, so it is WAY too early to know if this is going to work... but once more, I have high hopes. This just feels RIGHT for Gordy.. but this time I WON'T slack off, I'll stay there to guide him, give him a nudge occasionally if he starts to slack off and spend too much time playing.
This homeschooling business is sure a bumpy road, and I fell off the track for a while, and dragged him with me.. but I think we're back on the right road again, and this time.. I'm hanging on tighter! :P
I have a feeling we'll be spending a lot of time doing crafty things, as he's a very "hands-on" kinda kid.. but then that suits me.. it's a fun way to learn, and it means we'll have a lot of cool looking projects to show what we've been learning at the end of it. What better way to spend our days??!!
There's been learning here and there.. but it has been a complete uphill battle. Left to his own devices, Gordy would much rather read, ride his bike, wander round outside telling himself stories (the boy has a FANTASTIC imagination... but do you think he's willing to write any of these wonderful stories down? Yeah right!), drawing, and playing with Lego. Try and push the book/school work and we end up with drama, tears, and everyone's angry and frustrated. NOT my idea of fun! There have been so many days lately where I've ended in tears, left wondering if we made a mistake in pulling him out of school and trying homeschooling... and feeling like a complete failure as a teacher and as though I'm letting him down as a mother. *sighs* Why is it that other homeschooling Parents make it look like such an easy and enjoyable lifestyle?
So.. I turned to the internet and went back to researching, reading homeschool forums and blogs... TRYING desperately to get my head around this and get MY enthusiasm back for the homeschooling way of things so I could TRY and get things going again... because otherwise, I was on the verge of just giving up and sending him back to public school.. which would also mean back to bullies and teachers that really didn't seem to care.
What I found was the reminder of "unschooling" and how, when I'd first learned about this way of doing things, I had thought it would suit Gordy perfectly. Letting him drive his own learning based on his interests. When we'd tried before, I'd let him down.. slacked off. I hit a few bumps in the road and ended up falling into a rut and couldn't seem to get myself out. I was always drained, lacking in interest for anything.. which meant Gordy was left to "push" himself... and I have now learned (the hard way unfortunately, but then I seem to be a person who learns best that way.. UGH!) that he does not yet have the drive to push himself. He needs to be taught that. Which got me thinking... what was really important here? WHAT he was learning? Or the actual LEARNING itself? When it comes down to it, the important thing is that he learns HOW to learn, how to make it fun for himself.. to find his own passion and drive to get out there and learn about the world.
Gordy actually has quite a few interests... rocks/fossils, Outer Space, anything and everything Egyptian, reading, drawing, science, History, crafts... all things I can use to guide his learning and teach him to drive himself. So, we're doing things a little differently now. At the beginning of each day, we talk about what he wants to learn for that day, what kind of activities he wants to do. I've told him that I will let HIM control his day, what he learns, as long as he doesn't waste his day playing all day, and actually tries to learn things too. This is something I remind him of occasionally so he stays focused. Ok, we only started this yesterday, so it is WAY too early to know if this is going to work... but once more, I have high hopes. This just feels RIGHT for Gordy.. but this time I WON'T slack off, I'll stay there to guide him, give him a nudge occasionally if he starts to slack off and spend too much time playing.
This homeschooling business is sure a bumpy road, and I fell off the track for a while, and dragged him with me.. but I think we're back on the right road again, and this time.. I'm hanging on tighter! :P
I have a feeling we'll be spending a lot of time doing crafty things, as he's a very "hands-on" kinda kid.. but then that suits me.. it's a fun way to learn, and it means we'll have a lot of cool looking projects to show what we've been learning at the end of it. What better way to spend our days??!!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
A budding author...
[Partial cross-posting]
As part of G's homeschool English work, he is given a list of around 20 random words and has to write a mini story that uses them all in reasonable situations. Nothing too 'out there' but still fun.
Off his own bat, he decided that the individual stories wouldn't be stand-alones, but each would be a chapter in a little novel! Great use of the brain there lad.
So far, 5 'chapters' are done, and he's still finding it fun('ish) to do... so that's great. Though the story is, by necessity, a little wonky in places in order to include the list of words, he's doing a great job of trying to keep an overall consistent plot. Well done!
On top of that, he has taken a real shine to writing product reviews on the toys, books, movies and activities he experiences thanks to the 'hobby site'. The results have been amazing there too, with reviews being written that read more like a 10-12 year old, rather than a boy about to turn 9 (in just over 5 weeks!)
Thats the sort of stuff that makes my chest puff out in pride. :)
As part of G's homeschool English work, he is given a list of around 20 random words and has to write a mini story that uses them all in reasonable situations. Nothing too 'out there' but still fun.
Off his own bat, he decided that the individual stories wouldn't be stand-alones, but each would be a chapter in a little novel! Great use of the brain there lad.
So far, 5 'chapters' are done, and he's still finding it fun('ish) to do... so that's great. Though the story is, by necessity, a little wonky in places in order to include the list of words, he's doing a great job of trying to keep an overall consistent plot. Well done!
On top of that, he has taken a real shine to writing product reviews on the toys, books, movies and activities he experiences thanks to the 'hobby site'. The results have been amazing there too, with reviews being written that read more like a 10-12 year old, rather than a boy about to turn 9 (in just over 5 weeks!)
Thats the sort of stuff that makes my chest puff out in pride. :)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Somebody bring back my son... on 2nd thoughts, nah, I like the new Gordy better!!
Gordy had an awesome day today... Got stuck into his writing with creating a new character for this week's story (minor bit of fuss when he tried to do only the bare minimum, and I told him that was no longer going to "wash" with me... I wanted more details... but that settled pretty quickly once a few questions were asked and he realised he COULD do the extra detail!), happily sat down to draw a scene from the story he'd written last week, hung out two loads of washing without even a HINT of complaint... and was just plain in a good mood. And then there was the maths work! This is what makes me think someone's changed my son for a look-alike! I decided it was time to get started on the "Start Right Workbooks", and the Maths one was the first to be put through its paces. I expected the usual grizzles, the sitting there for ages, wasting time, trying to find EVERY excuse under the sun to delay actually doing the work... you know, the USUAL! Errr... not today it seems. After a brief explanation of the instructions (the topic should've been still quite fresh in his mind, because it was the same as one of the maths games he'd played on friday), he got working, with no grizzles! There was the occasional request for help, but he got the hang of it really quickly, and most of them he managed to work out how to do for himself. What REALLY shocked me??? He said it was FUN!!!!! WHAT THE??????? Ok, Gordy, Maths, and the word FUN just do NOT go together! Maths is boring, maths is hard, maths is unnecessary and stupid..... but it is definitely not fun! That is... until today! Have we made a break-through??? By Jove, I think we have! I guess only time will tell for sure, especially as to how long this new Gordy's going to hang around, but I certainly hope it's a permanent change.
I'm finding it easier now, as well, getting into the school-work each day. Slowly the routine (ugh.. still hate that horrible word!) is moulding itself into our days. Another couple of weeks to get it all completely sorted and under SOME form of control, but we're definitely, ALREADY, doing better than all through last term... so that's a huge bonus!! I'd forgotten all about the photography "foot" assignment though, so going to need to get onto that this week. Tomorrow's probably going to be mostly an arts n crafts day as I promised Gordy some sculpting time today, and time kinda ran away from us, plus there'll be his story-writing (setting the scene is tomorrow's task), and I'll probably still throw maths in there somewhere. Still, a relatively cruisy day ahead.
Anyways, the sculpting calls... night all.
I'm finding it easier now, as well, getting into the school-work each day. Slowly the routine (ugh.. still hate that horrible word!) is moulding itself into our days. Another couple of weeks to get it all completely sorted and under SOME form of control, but we're definitely, ALREADY, doing better than all through last term... so that's a huge bonus!! I'd forgotten all about the photography "foot" assignment though, so going to need to get onto that this week. Tomorrow's probably going to be mostly an arts n crafts day as I promised Gordy some sculpting time today, and time kinda ran away from us, plus there'll be his story-writing (setting the scene is tomorrow's task), and I'll probably still throw maths in there somewhere. Still, a relatively cruisy day ahead.
Anyways, the sculpting calls... night all.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The installation of the dreaded "routine"
I have always hated routine, despite knowing I need it to actually make sure I get anything done, so having to start creating one to get Gordy back into his schooling (and actually DO some schooling this time round, instead of like term 4 last year which became one big holiday), is quite a challenge for me... but one I'm slowly working on. When we started getting back into things last week, I just started nice and slow with one task each day. Some days it was drawing, some days it was photography or photoshop, some days it was writing. Later on in the week I bumped it up to a couple of tasks a day. Today, we managed 4, plus his housework chores, which have been left to slide for quite a while. Almost every day this week, I've gotten Gordy to do up another "piece" of the story I was planning on getting him to write today. Monday was creating the main character for the story, and describing it. Tuesday was creating the "where" the story would take place. Wednesday we were out most of the day, so didn't do anything. Thursday brought about the "what" that was going to happen to the character in the story. Then today, Friday, came the writing of the actual story... the putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. This turned out to be a far more successful process than any other I've tried so far. Ok, the story could've been quite a bit longer, with quite a few more details needing to be filled in, but that's something we'll work on as we get into it more. The biggie, as far as I was concerned, was that the usual dramas were pretty much absent this time round. Although he admitted to still finding the writing things down made him nervous, the usual fuss that would have blown into full on drama was rather easily diverted, especially after reassuring him that I wasn't expecting perfection nor a whole chapter book first time round. I've told him we'll do this each week too... break it down into small bits, and he just works on one bit each day, and on the friday of each week, writes the story putting all the pieces together. He actually seemed almost excited about the idea! Ok, who's taken off with my son and left a changling in his place???
Then there's his art. Now I have a huge stack of assorted drawing books, and he has been getting more and more willing to grab his drawing pad, one of the books, and have a go at drawing something out of it. This was helped a LOT when I gave him the book I have that shows you how to draw the dragons etc from the Deltora Quest books, which he's currently reading and absolutely LOVING. So of course, he dived into the book, and has had a go already at most of the different dragons and characters in there. The other day he even grabbed the book without even being ASKED, and did another drawing. There is definitely an improvement in his artwork now... a lot better than the stick figures with scribbled clothing. He's getting rather good (for a beginner 8-year old artist) at copying from the books. Once he's gotten the confidence with his drawing from that, I'll start getting him to draw more and more from real life instead of books, but I still throw a bit of that in every now and then anyways.
Reading of course is something I don't have to ask him to do. He dives into his book quite regularly when he's got nothing else to do... either that, or works on the big dragon puzzle that's currently spread out across the table in the lounge. So far, it's all his work, and it's already about half done. Seriously gotta start getting in there with him!
I decided today that it was time we brought the dreaded maths work back into the equation (yeah ok, bad BAD pun), but with wanting to keep his least favourite topic somewhat interesting, I let him have a go with some of the maths games on this site... http://www.toonuniversity.com/. A LOT of the games on there are only available to paying members, but there's still quite a few good ones that are free (and not JUST maths games either). So that was maths, with no grizzles whatsoever, and with a whole heap of fun. He did pretty good with them too.
So... improvements are slowly coming with his attitude, and a routine is inching its way into place. I'm hoping to have a reasonably stable routine in place by the time term 1 actually starts. For the social side of things, we're looking into things like gym classes (he has ALWAYS loved gym when he did it at daycare and school), drama classes (give the drama "king" in him somewhere to actually roam free and be taught how to use it properly and appropriately), cubs, and sports... probably badminton from what I've seen so far. Then of course there's also his swimming, which starts back up again. Don't think we'll be doing ALL of these... probably too darn expensive, and I don't want to wear him out with too much on his plate. But I'll be doing the ring-around on Monday to find out what costs what, and then we'll decide what we can afford and what suits better from there.
It is a pleasure though seeing the changes in him... a happier boy who is far more willing to help out around the home without the fuss that was so "normal" for him before, and who is slowly becoming more willing to at least try things without talking his way out of it first. I don't know what the year ahead holds for us... but I know it will be a busy one!! Looking forward to it though! *s*
Then there's his art. Now I have a huge stack of assorted drawing books, and he has been getting more and more willing to grab his drawing pad, one of the books, and have a go at drawing something out of it. This was helped a LOT when I gave him the book I have that shows you how to draw the dragons etc from the Deltora Quest books, which he's currently reading and absolutely LOVING. So of course, he dived into the book, and has had a go already at most of the different dragons and characters in there. The other day he even grabbed the book without even being ASKED, and did another drawing. There is definitely an improvement in his artwork now... a lot better than the stick figures with scribbled clothing. He's getting rather good (for a beginner 8-year old artist) at copying from the books. Once he's gotten the confidence with his drawing from that, I'll start getting him to draw more and more from real life instead of books, but I still throw a bit of that in every now and then anyways.
Reading of course is something I don't have to ask him to do. He dives into his book quite regularly when he's got nothing else to do... either that, or works on the big dragon puzzle that's currently spread out across the table in the lounge. So far, it's all his work, and it's already about half done. Seriously gotta start getting in there with him!
I decided today that it was time we brought the dreaded maths work back into the equation (yeah ok, bad BAD pun), but with wanting to keep his least favourite topic somewhat interesting, I let him have a go with some of the maths games on this site... http://www.toonuniversity.com/. A LOT of the games on there are only available to paying members, but there's still quite a few good ones that are free (and not JUST maths games either). So that was maths, with no grizzles whatsoever, and with a whole heap of fun. He did pretty good with them too.
So... improvements are slowly coming with his attitude, and a routine is inching its way into place. I'm hoping to have a reasonably stable routine in place by the time term 1 actually starts. For the social side of things, we're looking into things like gym classes (he has ALWAYS loved gym when he did it at daycare and school), drama classes (give the drama "king" in him somewhere to actually roam free and be taught how to use it properly and appropriately), cubs, and sports... probably badminton from what I've seen so far. Then of course there's also his swimming, which starts back up again. Don't think we'll be doing ALL of these... probably too darn expensive, and I don't want to wear him out with too much on his plate. But I'll be doing the ring-around on Monday to find out what costs what, and then we'll decide what we can afford and what suits better from there.
It is a pleasure though seeing the changes in him... a happier boy who is far more willing to help out around the home without the fuss that was so "normal" for him before, and who is slowly becoming more willing to at least try things without talking his way out of it first. I don't know what the year ahead holds for us... but I know it will be a busy one!! Looking forward to it though! *s*
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
But I want perfection NOWWWW!!!
Well, we've finally gotten back into things today after a rather slow Term 4, and of course a bit of a holiday (yeah ok, so Term 4 kinda became a rather extended holiday with bits of schoolwork thrown in every now and then as a break from the holiday... but it was our first go at this, and I kind of floundered a bit *sigh*).
Gordy is actually quite a good little photographer, although he needs regular encouragement to actually take the camera out and USE it! Ya realise kiddo that cameras are NOT meant to just sit in their box, gathering a collection of dust bunnies? Well, if push (or persistantly, yet gently, nudge) I must, then push I will. I know I've always been one who's needed that constant pushing to actually get anything done, and I sooooooo apologise for how often I tend to snap people's heads off for doing just that *blushes*... I NEED it, I just don't LIKE it, and it seems Gordy is very much the same. The drama queen...err... KING... still reigns supreme in him, especially when he's not getting the hang of things straight away. A budding little perfectionist our boy is! I've lost count of the many times we've had to tell him that it takes practice, loads and loads of it, to actually get good at things... yet it still seems to puddle on the surface without ever sinking in. Hmph!! Who likes the sound of a broken record?? But how else can we get this small amount of knowledge to make it's point? That no, he WON'T get it right straight away (most of the time anyway). That it will take practice, hard work, actually putting in the effort and NOT giving up as soon as the going gets tough, before he learns something new and gets good at it. Is this just a typical kid thing, or is it only some kids who think perfection, or at least being able to do some new straight away, is a given?
Gordy is actually quite a good little photographer, although he needs regular encouragement to actually take the camera out and USE it! Ya realise kiddo that cameras are NOT meant to just sit in their box, gathering a collection of dust bunnies? Well, if push (or persistantly, yet gently, nudge) I must, then push I will. I know I've always been one who's needed that constant pushing to actually get anything done, and I sooooooo apologise for how often I tend to snap people's heads off for doing just that *blushes*... I NEED it, I just don't LIKE it, and it seems Gordy is very much the same. The drama queen...err... KING... still reigns supreme in him, especially when he's not getting the hang of things straight away. A budding little perfectionist our boy is! I've lost count of the many times we've had to tell him that it takes practice, loads and loads of it, to actually get good at things... yet it still seems to puddle on the surface without ever sinking in. Hmph!! Who likes the sound of a broken record?? But how else can we get this small amount of knowledge to make it's point? That no, he WON'T get it right straight away (most of the time anyway). That it will take practice, hard work, actually putting in the effort and NOT giving up as soon as the going gets tough, before he learns something new and gets good at it. Is this just a typical kid thing, or is it only some kids who think perfection, or at least being able to do some new straight away, is a given?
Ergg... Rambling again *climbs down off my rather tall, disgruntled soap box and gets back to the original topic*
EG: -------------->
TOP: Taken 16/12/08 for one of the Xmas prezzies he was making. Good practice using the timer function on his camera! *G*
MIDDLE: Gordy and I both find these lil guys fascinating... not sure who spotted it, but he held our attention for a while, especially as he tickled Gordy's arm and face while walking all over him... hehehehe!!
BOTTOM: Xani the Nun?? Gordy LOVES taking photos of his little brother, and loves throwing the cloth nappy over his head 
(which Xani seems to find highly amusing, always chuckling away from beneath the cloth), so the combo usually makes for many a good photo.
(which Xani seems to find highly amusing, always chuckling away from beneath the cloth), so the combo usually makes for many a good photo.So this morning I set him a photography assignment... one which he will be given every week/fortnight, or possibly even month (haven't decided exactly how often it'll change yet), with a new topic. His first topic.... FEET!! It was the first thing that sprang to mind, but that was probably helped out by the Home and Country 
show's topic for the photography section this year, also being feet! So today, after he had made a small list (he got 6 this time, but I'm hoping this part of the assignment will end up with a longer list the more he practices (yep, there's that there word again... hehehehe) his photography and learns to think outside the square) on things the word "feet" made him think of (quite a bit of help needed, but again, hoping that'll change the more he does this), we looked online at the results on a Google Image search on the word "feet", saving a few of the more interesting images as inspiration for the next part. Sometime in the next few days, when time (and weather) allows, we will head out with the cameras, and start taking a few feet photos. I'll try and remember to upload the results once we take the photos.
show's topic for the photography section this year, also being feet! So today, after he had made a small list (he got 6 this time, but I'm hoping this part of the assignment will end up with a longer list the more he practices (yep, there's that there word again... hehehehe) his photography and learns to think outside the square) on things the word "feet" made him think of (quite a bit of help needed, but again, hoping that'll change the more he does this), we looked online at the results on a Google Image search on the word "feet", saving a few of the more interesting images as inspiration for the next part. Sometime in the next few days, when time (and weather) allows, we will head out with the cameras, and start taking a few feet photos. I'll try and remember to upload the results once we take the photos.Along with photography, the art pad was dragged back out, and this is where most of the "Drama King" behaviour came into play, because his drawings "weren't good enough". I ended up having to take his eraser off him, because he wanted to rub it all out and start again. Nope... not allowed. The eraser is now banned from making an appearance on his art pad. I'm hoping that by not allowing him to erase them, he'll be able to watch his own progress, and SEE the improvements for himself, which, in turn, will hopefully help him gain that confidence he so desperately needs.
Photoshop has been another activity added to the list (and soon I'll be including Corel Painter X as well), which will be good for both of us, as HOPEFULLY I'll learn the programs as I fumble my way through teaching him. Gotta love the internet and books for tutorials!! LOL!!
So, off to a rather "artistic" start I guess, but at least we've started. Right now the goal is to keep him occupied so he doesn't spend so much time wearing a hole in the ground outside with all his pacing back and forth as he tells himself stories. My poor boy spends far too much time locked away in his own little world... and I know I've slacked off. Learning to juggle handling a very active, now 7 month old, plus homeschooling, AND still TRYING (yet miserably failing) to keep up with the housework, and actually get into arts n crafts myself, has certainly NOT been an easy task. But, we're getting there... ever so slowly. Hopefully this year will help me get there even more. Guess only time will tell... but I promise I will do my best to try and update this blog (and the others) far more regularly than last year's efforts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)