Learning Notes Catch-Up — Marie

One day last week, Marie and I watched a bit of the inauguration and read part of To Kill a Mockingbird, which she finished the next day. I thought it was incredibly powerful, setting aside a portrayal of racism in Depression-era Alabama — a world that existed around the time my father was born–to watch [...]

Random Learning Notes & Thoughts About Aspergian Development

Marie and I are reading To Kill a Mockingbird. I am loving it even more the second time around. (Literature, History) She is still spending time on her movie reviews. (Writing, Film Studies) The other day, I suddenly became aware that this avocation is not just about writing and film studies. It is actually a [...]

O.K. … You Savvy Homeschool Moms, I Need to Ask for Advice Again

I put together a summary of stuff Marie’s done in English to submit to the high school, along with some writing samples, so they can decide whether to place her in Honors English. I posted it the other day, and I got some awesome feedback from Christine, JoVE, Rose, Adesa, and Meg. Thank you!
Meg gave [...]

Translating Our English Curriculum (or Lack Thereof) for Public School Folks

Marie wants to take Honors English at the public high school next semester. I offered to submit some information, including writing samples, so they could decide whether this would be a good placement for her. The guidance counselor wants me to get it to them by Dec. 1.
This is a little challenging, since the heart [...]

Reading the Classics

My friend Queen Bee wrote a thought-provoking post on the fact that kids (even homeschoolers) aren’t reading classic literature. She has noticed this with her writing students, and she feels this impoverishes their writing.
I am predisposed to agree with this; it’s one of the reasons I was attracted to Charlotte Mason when I first started [...]

Marie’s Research Project — Includes Various Thoughts About Writing Development, Asperger’s, RDI & Whatever Else Pops Into My Cluttered Mind

This post promises to be long and a bit dry, but if anyone can wade through it, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
As I’ve mentioned before, my 14-year-old daughter, Marie, is a prolific writer — she likes journaling, fiction writing, and writing short book and movie reviews. She also loves list-writing. You know [...]

Repost: Deconstructing Luna

Fall, 2008
Marie and I are reading a lot of young adult literature together. We did a simple literature
study on Luna by Julie Anne Peters using some of the methods described in Deconstructing Penguins by Nancy & Lawrence Goldstone. This novel deals with issues that are sensitive to some, including a teenaged boy who is transgendered.
I [...]

Repost: Because of Winn Dixie, with a Rabbit Trail into the Civil War and the Underground Railroad

Martin and I just finished reading Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Di Camillo. I really love this book. The author manages — with a very light hand — to offer a story that is realistic and profound, with a lot to say about human experience, yet gentle, fun, and — at times — fanciful.
I [...]