School has been a mix of book lessons and life lessons this week. Our book lessons included the following:
- Literature: We've just completed "The Red Badge of Courage," by Stephen Crane. Hated it! But I didn't tell Baby Boy that; instead, I showed him the beauty of Stephen Crane's ability to use hundreds of words to overly describe something that could be all said and done in a brief pamphlet. Anyway, we're done with that book and will be starting Earnest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" next week. I actually like that book, so perhaps next week's report will be more uplifting, LOL.
- Algebra II: We completed a chapter on 3rd and 4Th degree equations. I don't really know what that means, so you'll have to ask Baby Boy. Next week he'll begin a chapter on multi variable 2Nd degree equations. I don't know what those are either. Math is an area where I provide scratch paper, pencils, and the phone number to the local homework helpline, if you know what I mean, LOL.
- U.S. History: We have recently completed a long study of the life of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln as well as an in-depth look at the nuances of the Civil War. I don't think I was much of a history buff before this, but after all the extra reading and movie watching we've done on the Civil War, I think Baby Boy, Mom #2 and I are all much more informed than we started out. What an interesting, turbulent and complex time in our nation's history. We just started the book, "Dragon's Gate," which is the story of an Asian American's experience working on the Transcontinental Railroad. It's extremely eye-opening. Often, when studying American History, you find much text fixated on the white verses black racial issues, but my family has had our eyes opened to a lot of other ethnic groups and their struggles for equality as well. Of course, there is still much to learn.
- Human Anatomy: We are right smack in the middle of studying the Central Nervous System. We are slowing down and spending extra time detailing the anatomy of the brain since Baby Boy is having such a great time. As an added bonus, my Sister discovered she had a little eye twitch and her doctor recommended she have a dye-contrast MRI of her brain to make sure she didn't have any problems. We got extra-special permission to go to her procedure with her and even watch the contrast material snake it's way through the brain. It was very exciting! I hope her brain is OK. ;-) We sure had fun looking at it from the inside out. Due to privacy issues, I won't show pictures of her brain, but I just can't resist posting a photo of her in her darling hospital-issued ensemble.
Look, they have ugly shorts to go with the ugly gown!
Where's my Xanax???!!!!!
That'll show her who's boss!
Where's my Xanax???!!!!!
I'm sure you already know how the rest of our week went, so no need to rehash the past.
I'm looking forward to a relaxing, uneventful (PLEASE!) weekend. Hope you all have a great one too.
Until next time . . .
7 comments:
Sounds like a good week. Personally, I hate Hemingway, but glad you enjoy it so it will be a good week for you :-).
It's been an interesting struggle deciding how much, how, and when to share the ugly side of history with James. With CA recent marriage decision, we talked about how his dad and would not have been able to have been able to be married 50 years ago. Last year, when we went to Death Valley, I really wanted to visit the Japanese internment cmps, but for the time we had, it didn't work out. And honestly, part of me was relieved, because that is so hard to explain to, at the time, a 5 year old.
I hope you're sister is o.k. You guys need a break from medical issues to be sure :-).
Now that I've added my own post, I'll sign off with my own, have a great weekend.
I never enjoyed Red Badge. I mean, I got why we had to read it but it was not a fun or enjoyable book for me. (And I've never read Old Man and the Sea. Please don't tell anyone!)
Here's hoping for a relaxing UNEVENTFUL weekend for you, God know's you've earned it and then some!!!
Christopher has a math tutor... I have no clue past adding 2 and 2.
How exciting for Baby Boy to see his aunts brain..
(ok, that sounded strange).
Have a GREAT WEEKEND! You need a nice quiet relaxing time..
And here I just assumed you guys were just sitting around on your asses all week!
Glad everything is going so well with all you have had to deal with.
How cool to get to watch the dye going through the brain.
Take care!
The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston is somewhat of a classic, as Chinese American lit goes. She has a "male" version, China Men, but I've never read it.
On Gold Mountain by Lisa See is quite good, traces a family through immigration (gold rush times) to the 1990s.
There's a new book. a hgrapic novel, American Born Chinese, I haven't read it, but will get it for review when I think James is old enough to follow it. I've heard good things about it.
The Bracelet is a good book about Japanese internment, but it's a picture book, for younger kids, I don't know any novels.
LOL! You are cracking me up as usual. That sure was an expensive way to find a cause for an eye twitch! Did she get her results? I hope all is well. Sounds like you had a great week!
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