Ms. Nancy Online

A mother wrote and wanted an online place for her K student to practice math. I found three very good sites that are multi-leveled so you can “graduate” your child as they become more skilled. While I don’t think these are a replacement for the math programs you are already doing, they might be a fun review of skills that would be preferable to the “drill and kill” typical in some texts. Here they are: www.bbc.co.uk/schools/numbertime;www.fungame.com;www.learningplanet.com. Let me know how these work for you. The bbc site also has a number of other interesting connections to other subject areas.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Stone has written about his trip and you get all the details in his blog at the Peterson site at the right.

If you or your child want to learn about the Indians of this area, make some games and have some fun with your friends, call or send an email me to sign up. Cost will be $5 in supplies and the time will be at 9:00 at the library on Thursday. I need to know by Tuesday in order to get enough supplies for everybody.

When one of our children has an opportunity to make an impact on the world, I think we should know about it. I’m sure Stone’s visit to England with his grandmother has created a stir there. How can anyone resist that face that looks you straight in the eye and expects good? So have a conversation with him when you next see him. Ask him about the Tower of London, Canterbury, Big Ben, the people of England. I can’t think of a better ambassador of good will than Stone and I’m sure we will feel the ripples for some time.

Cerritos has invited me to a workshop where I get training in percussion instruments that have been donated by Yamaha. The workshop is next week, so look for a coming adventure for your children that will make some serious noise. I doubt if the library will want us there, so maybe we will have to have to find another venue. Any ideas? Perhaps we can just use the outside patio or the park down the street. Stay tuned!

Frequently over the last few days I realized how long it has been since I have updated this site and yet resisted the discipline of writing. Perhaps the most frequent admonishment in how-to books on writing is to establish the discipline of writing. If your children keep a journal at your request (or mine), know that the struggle is a real one, much like exercising when you don’t feel like it. And yet, if you “just do it,” it becomes a habit that you don’t think about. So I urge you to parent your child (and yourself) in establishing the good habit of daily writing. For homeschoolers this can be the activity the kids do as you are getting everybody organized for the day or it can be a wind-up activity that reflects on all that was accomplished. Either way, it is an established fact that good writers practice the craft. If you need inspiration on the subject, try “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott or any of the Ralph Fletcher books. I think the Resource Center has the Fletcher books; the former is available at a number of libraries.

If you and your family haven’t seen this movie, I highly recommend it. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a spelling bee this year? I’m thinking it might be possible to slip in a JCS Orange County tournament in January when the learning center has a little lull. We could have prizes and another opportunity to speak in front of a group! Watching this movie would be a good introduction to the process.

Good spelling and hard work are emphasized of course, but there are also wonderful life principles illustrated. It is well worth a family night viewing.

The month celebrating Hispanic heritage began September 15th and there are some great resources on the web if you need ideas. I particularly like educationworld.com and teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic. Both have numerous activities that are fun and interesting.

For students in high school, The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros would be great reading. For younger students, you might try Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers, edited by Pat Mora. She collects pieces from thirteen poets that explore the relationships that are most universal and that tie us all together. Can there ever be enough celebration of mothers?

A number of you have talked to me about difficulty interacting with the site, which was one of my original goals. It appears that the difficulty is with the site itself, not with you or your computer. They are working on making it interactive again, so I will notify you when it is easily accessible. Until then, I suppose this will be a communication forum that will be helpful to you. You can still establish a learnerblog for your child/children and post their best writings, but unlike my first idea, there won’t be the back and forth writing interaction that would improve their writing before publishing. If you feel insecure about publishing before writing is reviewed, I would be glad to edit/comment on any of their writings via email. Just send it as a Word attachment to me.

The recent OCFamily has some great articles on internet safety. I will bring you a copy at our next meeting.

Russian Seasons Dance Company
Grades 4-12

Friday, October 27, 2006 @ 11:30
The name “Russian Seasons” is a metaphor evoking the many facets of this dance company. From the traditional Kalinka to cutting edge modern dance, Russian Seasons Dance Company gives an overview of the richly textured Russian culture. The traditional dances take us back to a time when men demonstrated their athletic abilities through physically demanding steps on complex rhythms, and women projected an ethereal quality in highly structured dances. The company also performs a breathtaking modern piece with two dancers on skis. The music and the costumes are as varied as the dances. The dynamic and energetic company inspires everyone!

Anaheim Ballet: Carnival of the Animals
Grades 2-6

Tuesday, October 31, 2006 @ 11:30

This one-act ballet with live music and narration presents a novel approach to this traditional work. Anaheim Ballet’s original choreography expands on Camille Saint-Saens’ familiarizing the audience with a few lesser known musical works by the illustrious composer. Freeway Philharmonic provides live accompaniment for the dancers with instruments such as the Chapman Stick and electric viola. In this celebration of the imagination, each aspect of the ballet—the movements, the costumes, the lighting design, and the live music—is a delight for the senses and the narration provides invaluable insight into the world of dance. In addition, students will have the opportunity to meet Anaheim Ballet Co-Director Lawrence Rosenberg during a question and answer session integrated into the performance.

Journeys to the Past    
Grades 3-6

Tuesday, November 7, 2006 @ 11:30

Imagine opening a history book about a Native American tribe, the Acjachemen from San Juan Capistrano in Southern California. The book has many vivid illustrations depicting the Acjachemen’s life. Imagine stepping into these illustrations with a tribe member as your narrator. You experience indigenous cooking, the art of weaving baskets, children’s games, community celebrations, and more.

In this play, a modern-time working mother wishing her life was less hectic, takes us back to her ancestor’s way of life. The talented actress/storyteller Jacque Nunez takes us back to a time when the beautiful Acjachemen Nation flourished along the California coast, through the re-creation of an early California Indian village. This performance features an all tribal cast. Jacque Nunez herself is a ninth-generation Rios (the name given to the Acjachemen by the Spanish) whose ancestors built the Mission at San Juan Capistrano. This energetic and interactive performance engages the audience from beginning to end.

Note: Remember if you sign up, you must come as seats are reserved for you.