Estimation

This afternoon we decided to estimate the number of pumpkin seeds that we scooped out of the pumpkin we carved over the weekend.  However, it wasn't all of them out of the pumpkin, because we used a couple handfuls for an art project. 

So, Cavett estimated 201.  We counted them out in groups of 10.  Once we got up to 200, he reassessed and decided, "ok, maybe 230."  He came close.  252 was the actual count. 

Literacy Thursday: Odd Numbers

**Welcome to Literacy Thursdays. This post is designed to highlight some of our favorite books in hopes that you will blog about yours. We are always looking for new books to discover. Literacy is so important and even at the youngest of ages is crucial to development. If you don't have children of your own volunteer at a school, read to a neighborhood child, but get involved. It's a great way to share quality time with the youngest of our society.

Here's the play by play: You blog about your book. Give me a shout out in your blog by creating a link to my blog and using my Literacy button. Then at the bottom of my post, you will find Mr. Linky. Sign your name and add the web address of your post. Your post will automatically be linked to mine leaving a list for all to peruse. I hope you will join us.**

This evening I introduced Cavett to the odd numbers through the use of "One Odd Day," by Doris Fisher and Dani Sneed. It's a story of one kid's literal "odd" day. Through the use of rhyme the boy discovers only odd numbers on his clock, that his dog now has 5 legs, and he has 7 bananas for lunch among other things. By the end of the story, he hopes that when he goes to bed all will be back to normal tomorrow, but alas, it is an even day! You can guess where that goes.

I'm not sure Cavett quite grasped it yet, but we shall read it again and there is a "For Creative Minds" page at the back which gives other activities to expound on the concept. I can't wait to dive into them this afternoon.

F.Y.I.--There is also a version with an "even" day and a "half" day.

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The Lesson of the Day

Yesterday brought us pumpkins. We left for church a bit early stopping off at Pei Wei for dinner and we were able to finish up just before the last light of the day. Our church has a pumpkin patch on the front lawn and we were hoping to catch a few pics. Cavett wore his new "War Eagle" shirt just for his aunts and uncles and Kendrick wore his Halloween smocked outfit given to us by William, via his cousin. Unfortunately, Kendrick was not too keen of the big round orange things and several of our shots were either blurry, too golden, or cars zooming past in the background. We'll have to try again, but here are a few good ones.

Today we had a math lesson at lunch. Grapes were the manipulative. Cavett had 10 grapes. They were lined up 2 by 2. We talked about sets/groups and we counted the groups. We counted how many were in the sets and talked about "times"--"it looks like an X." We also described it as 5 by 2, pulling our finger along the sides. I gave him the answer and then we counted all the grapes to see if we were right. He ate 2 and we did it again and a third time, when he decided it was time to switch to subtraction. I think that is his favorite--"take aways." I'm really glad he likes to learn and watching it is so fun.

This past week I have had 2 meetings with different people in Houston ISD. The red tape, buracracy, waste of time and quality just makes me want to home school. I know I could teach them the same things in half the time and possibly do a better job. We'd have so much more time to travel and do fun, ok, educational stuff. The world should be the classroom. However, I know how big the social aspect of actually going to school is. I know there are ways around it with home-schooled kids, but you can't replace the exact same social experience. I also don't know if I could be discplined myself and would go crazy? Thoughts to ponder for at least another year or so. What are your thoughts on home schooling?

Add 'em up

Yesterday was Teacher Appreciation Day at Cavett's school. So, before school we went to the grocery store to pick up some flowers. On our way there we were talking about all his different teachers we needed to buy a flower for-Ms. Jan, Ms. Carol, Ms. Carlino, Ms. Frye, Ms. Beth and Ms. Becky. I held up a finger for each teacher. Immediately, Cavett said "5 and 1." I rephrased and said "5 plus 1, makes...." He counted and said 6. He really likes this game. Adding is pretty easy for him. And he can do numbers other than just adding 1. Subtracting, other than our "eating story" (There once was a boy named Cavett and he had 3 bites of food. He ate one and then he had 2 left) is more difficult. It will come, but I'm so glad that he finds learning "fun."

P.S.-Thanks Uncle Tim for the shirt!!! Way cool!