Meal Time

Tonight at dinner the conversation meandered through several topics. The kids talked about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) and who identified with which character...and how cool it would be to have our family dress up as them for Halloween. (That works fine with me - there are four of them and we have four kids - done.) We then discussed music for a bit. Jonny said that right now his favorite groups are The Beatles and BareNakedLadies (BNL). There are other groups that he and the other kids like. (I recognized again that our kids like what they like because they've experienced it and made their own decision - not because it's one of the trendy songs on the radio.) I'm glad my kids like what they like. That morphed into the topic of portable devices that one can use to listen to music. Somehow that went to a question about soundtracks...so we discussed that right before heading into plays, musicals, and musical scores. The difference between a soundtrack and a score. Somewhere in there we revisited a topic about a show we'd seen on Friday called 'Leo'. We were all impressed with the physical escapades of the performer. He had to have been all muscle, coordinated, strong, flexible, and graceful all at the same time. The kids tried to do a couple of the stunts/moves we saw him do. We then circled back around to TMNT...the names of the characters, who they're named after, and why...the characteristics of those historical figures. For those who don't know...or need a reminder...the names are Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo. (Our kids like 'Mike' the best - well, at least of a couple of them consider him to be their favorite character.) I now have an interest in learning more about the actual people and what they did/who they were and what we can learn from them. We've discovered a few things about each of them. I just don't remember all of it. Time for a refresher. Maybe I'll share a few things with the kids. I love our meal time together.

Taking Initiative

The boys are watching the Science of Dr. Who right now. It's interesting to me the different things they find that cover so many different topics. I'm glad they attempt to find a variety of things to explore. Well, there's variety - but, they also have their favorite topics that get a little more time. I love that they initiate so much of their learning. I feel like it's understood and remembered better when it's something they're interested in and they're ready to take it in.

Tornado Research

We had some wind blow through our backyard after dinner. Rachel asked about tornadoes. We (Megan joined us) got the iPad out and started looking for answers. (It was one of the only times 'siri' has actually worked for us. I would give more details - but, that would be a story in itself.) As we were exploring, we talked about what tornadoes were, places where they are common in our country, and gathered some general information on the topic. As we were searching, Rachel started making up a scenario about a tornado coming to our house and washing away the iPad. She said that would be 'the saddest'. I asked her why and she responded with the idea that we wouldn't be able to find 'stuff' out anymore...and she wouldn't be able to play games. (I think the last one might have been the real truth.) I loved exploring and being excited about learning something new - and getting questions answered. It was just for a few minutes - but, they were learning new things and will hopefully remember them a little better because they were getting the information as they wanted it.
I love it when exploring means we get to cover several 'subjects' at once. I think that's how we utilize the information anyway. So, why not learn and discuss it that way?
I also think it's great that a 7 year old knows that we have the technology to get answers when we want it. We didn't have to wait to ask someone next week...or, make a trip to the library in the next day or two. We could do it right then - and be excited about it. She was glad to be reminded that we have more than just the iPad to 'look things up'. We are grateful for technology around here. (I'm not sure what we're going to do when Layne goes back to work and takes his phone with him. We won't have 'data' anymore while we're out and about. Maybe I'll just have to get my own really cool phone.)

The Painting

We went to a performance the other night. During intermission we were out in the lobby looking at a painting. I asked the kids (Rachel, Megan, and their cousin Kate) some questions about it. Things such as what they thought the picture was about and what was their opinion of it? Why did the artist use those colors? What message do you think the artist wants us to get from this work of art? (OK, so I might not have gotten to that one.) One of the questions led to a discussion about the large sun in the painting and the fact that the person depicted was not really that close to the sun. I asked them why they thought that. Kate made the obvious statement that you can't get that close to it because it was too hot. The way she said it also let us know that her six year old brain knew that was an obvious answer and that I should have been able to figure that out without asking them. I almost laughed out loud. But, I didn't (although, her father did). Sometimes things like that happen and you can have even more fun with it. So, I asked if they could think of any other reasons. (I also like to extend ideas whenever possible.) Megan came up with the idea that the sun is made of gasses and they could hurt you if you got too close. Kind of fun to explore the mind of a child. Kind of fun to learn/be reminded of what you know in an everyday setting. After all, I think most of what we learn is applied in an everyday setting anyway. So, we might as well learn it that way. I also think it's fun to find out what my kids know by the ever probing question. Wouldn't it be a great world if everyone kept questioning enough for us to continually be learning?