Day 146

Ben and I were working on learning some Flash programming this afternoon. I have not done any programming in a while and enjoyed doing it again. I think Ben could be a good programmer. He likes structure and routine but also likes to tinker, test, and extend what he has learned.

Today:

• Math Chapter 8 review
• Newsletter Article
• Ansel Chapter 7
• Betta Project
• Recipe

Days 141-145

Visitors for a family event have made it difficult for us to find much rythum the last few days. We had a more typical day and hope to get some things accomplished over the next couple of days.

Day 140 - Functioning

In math today I introduced the concept of f(x). Until now we have been talking about functions of the form y=mx+b. Today we modified that to f(x)=mx+b. Yes, they are essentially the same. Ben developed a mental block about the change. We had to set it aside and came back to it later but he still was frustrated by it. We will make a run at it again tomorrow.

Today:

• Library Trip
• Math 8-7
• Ansel Adams blog
• Betta Project
• Flash to Web

Day 139 - Focus

Other things going on at home unrelated to Ben and school have made school difficult to concentrate on lately. Despite competing anxiety, we had some good moments today. Ben has been struggling with a particular math concept and we made a breaktrhrough on that. We also got out next Newsletter outlined.

Things will continue to be difficult over the next couple of weeks but we will keep moving ahead.

Today:

• Reviewed Math 8-5
• Worked on Betta Project Board
• Outline Newsletter
• Read Adams chapter 5 and responded to blog
• learned about John Muir

Day 138 - Obscura 2

After telling my science teacher brother about our results with the camera Obscura yesterday he suggested that we do something additional. Yesterday we were looking at the image projected on a white board. Today I made a frame that I mounted a tissue paper on. Then the image was projected on the tissue and we viewed it from the other side. This greatly enhanced what we saw. The most important part was that we saw the shape of thie image. I was not circular like the hole. Instead it was rectangular - like the window. We took turns going out in the driveway and running around so it could be watched. It was a very fun afternoon.

Today

• Math 8-5 need to review
• Card for Shovana
• Baked Pie
• Camera Obscura
• Betta status
• Blog Response

Day 136 & 137 - Obscura

(Did not add a note yesterday.) It was a rather strange day at the School of Dad today because of a number of factors that had nothing to do with the school. Those items were mostly lowlights. The highlight of the day was building a Camera Obscura in Ben's room. We covered his window with black plastic, create a small hole, a were thrilled to see an upside down image of the view out the window appear on a foam board. It was cool and fun.

Today

• Math 8-4
• Betta Research
• Camera Obscura
• Adams Chapter 4
• Other misc

Day 135 - Perspective

As the lightbulb went on in Ben's while we worked on math today he said, "Some math concepts are crazy until you look at them in a different way."

Today

• Ansel Adams
  - Yosemite
  - Pandemic Flu
  - Sierra Club
  - Math Problem
• Math 8-4
• Betta Research
• Spelling Test
• Camera Obscura
• Music Lesson

Day 134 - Context

While a three day weekend does not qualify as a break, Ben and I still were a bit out of sorts getting going today. Our work is currently centered on an Ansel Adams biography that we are reading. Today I had him read the chapter and suggest topics from the chapter that we could explore to put it in better context. It is impossible for a 12 year old (or 46 year old) to understand what life was like nearly 100 years ago. I am glad that he is enjoying the book and identifying essential elements.

Today

• Read Chapter 3 of Adams book. Wrote Blog entry
• Worked on Research for his Betta Fish Project (independant)
• Math 8-3

Day 133 - Letters

Ben has been responsible for writing someone a letter each week. Early in the year he typed the letters. Since the beginning of this year he has handwritten them. (I have come to believe that handwriting is important in that it requires you to be connected to the page more directly then typing does.) One byproduct of handwriting has been that then content of his latest letters has been lacking. (I could review and request changes to the typed version.) I am focusing more on content now. Today he wrote a list to Kris about a book idea he had. I thought it was a significant improvement over other recent work but still could have used a rewrite. I am not sure if I will ask for a draft in the future.

Today

• long morning walk to coffee store
• while there wrote letter (him to Kris, me to Vet)
• Review Math 8-2 (not ready to move on to 8-3)
• Looked for Recipe
• Discussed Newsletter
• Worked on Betta Project.

Day 132 - World Fair

Ben and I have begun reading the book "Ansel Adams - America's Photographer" by Beverly Gherman. In the second chapter it notes how his father pulled his hyperactive son from school to homeschool him. When Adams was 12 his father bought him a pass to the 1915 Pan-American Exhibition in San Francisco (where they lived). The fathers bought the pass expectng that his son would school himself there (supplemented by some music and other work at home).

When I asked Ben what he would have thought about that arrangement he said it it would have seemed a bit like cheating. I assured him that Ansel was curious enough to take advantage of that opportunity.

We chose this book on a bit of a lark but we are both enjoying it. I am not sure Ben can appreciate how different the world was in 1915 - yet how much the ability to be successful is a product of the same basic personal skills.

Today

• Math 8-2
• Betta Project - organize research
• Ansel Adams Chapter 2
  researched Pan-Pacific Exhibition.
• Vocab
• Easter Letters
• Gym Class

Day 131 - No Dog

Our day felt a bit wierd today (every day has been feeling a bit wierd to me lately but that is another story) because our dog was not here. He is at the Vet being treated for heart worm. The treatment is serious and I was worried about him but so far he is doing fine.

We felt some momentum on our new projects which I hope will continue to build as the week goes by.

Today:

• Began Chapter 8 in Math
• Worked of Vocab 15 (first two pages)
• Worked on Betta Project:
  - added cards
  - organized data into a binder
• Ansel Adams project continued to evolve.
  - began writing note card for each chapter
  - gathered things into one binder.
  - wrote blog response
  - signed up for Flicker.
• Got some Easter cards ready for this weeks letters

Day 130 - New Book

We began reading a new book today - Ansel Adams, America's Photographer. This is our first non-fiction read. I am trying to work on a variety of connections. This week we are looking briefly at the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 and th 1915 Pan-Pacific Worlds Fair. Ben will have a weekly photo project. It will take us 6 weeks to read the book. I am pondering finishing the year by having him write a autobiography.

Today:

• Math Chapter 407 Review
• Begin Vocab 15
• Betta Projects - review sorces, begin note cards
• Mail letter to Flower Lady
• Review Flash
• Discuss Photo Project

Day 129 - Inadvertantly Forgot

Day 128 - Limping Along

It has been a tough week as we try to find rythum again. Ben's sickness yesterday did not help either of us. Today some unrelated news regarding the dog got me preoccupied - which was the last thing I needed. On the plus side, some of our projects are coming together in design and things should get humming soon.

Today:

• Review Math Chapter 10, Test for homework
• A few errands were necessary. Stopped at the Falls Park for a ncie walk.
• Finished Book report on Invisible Boy
• Set dates for Newsletter
• Set dates for Fighting fish and began Research.

Day 127 - Catching Up

Ben was sick today (wen) so I used the day to catch up. It was not as productive as I hoped it would be but I made progress.

Day 126 - Restart

I always have a hard time getting restarted. We finished a bunch of projects before spring break so this week brought all new things. We outlined a new project that Ben has been interested in related to Siamese Fighting Fish. I was reviewing a new book today that I think will be a good project with some nice side trip/connections. I will feel better about things after we establish some momentum.

Today:

• Worked on Math 7-7 Problems
• Outlined Betta Fish Project
• Worked on Invisible Boy book report
• OSU for Flute Lesson

Day 125 - 10 Weeks

Ben and I started the first day back from Spring Break by putting together a calendar to get us to the end of the year. 10 weeks. 48 days of school. I am anxious for it to be a good quarter.

Today

• Put together calendar for next 210 weeks.
• Review list of topics and set some target dates.
• Discuss possible topics for non fiction books.
• Math 7-8 (Simple & Compound Interest)
• Baked two pies.
• Review project list.

Day 124 - Spring Break Starts

No Comment. Left for WI at 2pm

Day 123 - Meeting

We had a meeting today at the school Ben would attend next year. Our goal has always been to homeschool through Middle School and then get him back into school in High School. We recognize that this could represent a rather abrupt and difficult transition. We began the process today that would end in a IEP (Individual Education Plan). It is not clear to me how this will play out but I felt good about the people that we met with.

Today

• Closed the book on the Australia Powerpoint
• Worked toward completion of the Applewhite Metamopheisi Document
• Worked on Math 7-7 (compount interest). Difficult. Will redo tomorrow.
• Baked some cookies (Cooking Friday a day early).
• Dealt with a case of Ick in the fish tank with a trip to the fish store and a water change.

Day 122 - Closing

Ben and I are good idea generaters but we often struggle to bring projects to a close. I recognize that this is more my problem then his. We have a couple of projects to close out before the break starts on Friday. I am not feeling like we are ending either on a satisfying note.

On the plus side it was a beautiful day here and we enjoyed some extra time outside. Fresh air is good for the soul.

Today

• Worked on Applewhites Pupae page. It has been fristrating for both of us.
• Finished Australia Powerpoint. Not great but good enough.
• REviewed Math 7-6 which Ben needed some extra time on
• Decided to make some cookies for me to take to WI friday.
• Had a frustrating time with some Flash Action Script today.

Day 121 - New Lesson

Ben had his first flute lesson with a new teacher today. She is a graduate student at Ohio State and he will have his lesson there every other week. Today was one of the nicest days of the year and the students were out taking it all in. It is also finals week so kids are getting ready to be gone for a while. It felt great to be there. Ben and I need to get out more.

Today

• spelling test
• Math 7-6
• Applewhites Metamorphosis - Pupae stage
• Final Review of Australia Powerpoint
• Quick Library trip
• Downtown for Flute Lesson

Day 119 & 120 - In the Mail

(Forgot to add note on Friday - 119)
Ben and I finally got the February Issue of the newsletter in the mail today. It is four weeks late. The tardiness does not reflect that we have not been working on it. Instead, the Music theme proved difficult to capture in a meaningful way on paper. The final result, which includes a web component, was worth the effort.

Today

• Mostly focused on getting newsletter out
• Math 7-5
• Final Australia Powerpoint Edit
• Applewhite Carachert Study part 1 - Caterpillar's, complete.
• Flash Tutorial.

Day 118 - Inspired

Ben and I have been working at learning Adobe Flash. He has enjoyed it but has not jumped in. Today we learned a technique that turned a lightbulb on for him. He immediately went to work and extended it in a number of ways. He is looking forward to learning more.

I wish we had more of those moments.

Today

• Baked a pie for the neighbors (moving next week)
• Worked on Applewhite Character study. Made Progress (breakthrough)
• Edit of the Australia Power Point.
• Math 7-4
• Flash Animation Tutorial.

Day 117 - Daily Set

Each morning Ben and I do a online puzzle called the Daily Set. It is easily learned. 12 figures are presented and you have to form six sets that conform to a set of rules. Ben beats me every day. The pattern is similar:
- He gets out to a fast start (finding 2 sets before I find one)
- I catch up and we both have 5 sets
- He finds the last one before me. (Usually long before me.)

It routinely takes him about 2 minutes and me about 3.

Ben's mind loves patterns and one step problems. If he does not get frustrated (and is interested) he is a very good problem solver - always employing an interesting approach.

Today:

• Applewhite Character Study
• Considerable time getting the newsletter together (new graphics, editing, CD Label design)
• Math 7-4
• Gym Class this afternoon.

Day 116 - Character Study

We recently finished reading our group book (Surviving the Applewhites) and are working on a concluding project. Initially Ben wanted to draw a 'before and after' picture of two characters that changed significantly in the book. It seemed like a good idea - but I have nothing to offer in the mechanics of drawing and Ben was having a difficult time getting going. I decided to take the comparison and make it a written character study. Yesterday Ben mades some notes on the Physical and Emotional changes the characters had undegone. We discussed it a little more this morning and then I had him write the draft for one of the characters. He had a very difficult time translating the ideas into a narrative. Once he is frustrated it is difficult to move ahead. I am not filled with strategies to help.

Today:

• Started Draft of Applewhite character study. Very difficult for Ben.
• Continued with Vocabulary.
• Math Chapter 7-3
• Finished Australia Powerpoint Draft
• Made a poster of flute finger positions.
• Flash tutorial - worked on making a ball bounce.

Day 115 - Flash of Inspiration

Ben and I have had the Adobe Suite of tools (Photoshop, Fireworks, Flash, Dreamweaver, other) for a while now. We use Fireworks as a graphics editor and have toyed with Dreamweaver but not done anything sugnificant with it. Last week we started with a video Flash training program. Both Ben and I are good idea people. Moving those ideas to implementation is not easy for either one of us. Of course he has a better excuse. We will focus on producing something with Flash this week.

Today:

• Staretd Vocab 14
• Worked on Newsletter. Good Progress. In Mail on Friday
• Finalizing Australia Powerpoint
• Math 7-2
• Applewhite Character Study started
• Continued with Flash Tutorial

Day 114 - No Update

Day 113 - Breakthrough?

As I wrote a couple of days ago, Ben and I have been struggling with the February (now March) newsletter. Writing about music is not easy. I thought Ben's first draft was quite uninspired. The second was not much of an improvement. I was tempted to scrap the theme and do something else. We got a little energy yesterday. Ben was engaged in the editing process. He produced a very nice article by this morning. We have a couple of ideas for finishing it up. I think it will be quite good.

Today

• Edited Main newsletter article and moved ahead on the rest.
• Finished a couple of old brain teasers.
• Spent 30 minutes on his Australia Powerpoint
• We tried to figure out how to move ahead on the Applewhite picture project.
• Started Chapter 7 in Math
• Watched more of the Flash Tutorial.
• Went and got a Loach for the Aquarium.
• Choose an old neighbor as the letter recipient.
• Choose Potato Candy for our Friday Cooking.

Day 111 - Now and Then

I have forgotten how Ben and I got on the topic yesterday but it ended with us deciding to write a 'Now and Then' list. This is a list of behaviors that we are not happy with. The list includes the behavior, how we react to it now, and how we would like to react to it. The goal being to think about how we can get from where were are to where we want to be. I agreed to make a list of my own.

Today:

• Significant progress on the newsletter
• Australia Powerpoint
• Continued with Vocab 13
• Worked on finalizing the cost of bread problem.
• Gym Class this afternoon.

Day 110 - Wrong Media

Ben and I have been having a hard time moving ahead on our February (now March) newsletter. I could not figure out the problem until we were discussing it today. It is our 'Music Issue". I am guessing that the problem is obvious. How do you adequately cover an aural topic on paper. His main article is not very interesting so I am trying to get him to connect it better to who he is and how he thinks.

Today:

• Began work on the Australia Power point
• Took the Chapter 6 standardized test. Errors were do to sloppy work.
• Worked on the newsletter plan
• Began a drawing project for the applewhites
• Continued Vob 13 work.
• Decided to work on learning Flash and watch a little of a tutorial.

Day 109 - Not Interested

Ben and I had another episode getting frustrated with something and deciding he did not want to work on it because it had not been his idea in the first place. This is a pattern with him and I am at loss as to how to help him engage in difficult work.

Today:

• Math 6 Test ( 78% )
• Worked of cost of loaf problem
• Got a card ready for Ms. Suzanne
• Began Vocab 13
• Discussed how to proceed with newsletter. Will decide tomorrow.
• Discussed other projects he is interested in. With choose something this week.
• Outlined Australia Powerpoint.

Days 106,7,8 - No Update

Failed to Update

Day 105 - Homework List

I have tried many ways to get Ben a homework list that makes the 'I Forgot' response totally indefensible.

Today I began writing the list on a small (8 X 12) White board that is leaning against his computer monitor. How will he explain missing that?

Today:

• Discuss plans for last music lesson with current teacher
• Australia Diary Entry 5 edit.
  
• Newsletter Draft edit
• Examined 'What makes a fish a fish'
• Math 6-7
• Hair Cut
• Stop at Library for new independent reading book.
  

Day 104 - Music Memories

The theme for our next newsletter is Music. Today Ben and I talked about music memories - songs that trigger memories of specific events or periods in time. Ben brought up a song that caused me to flashback to when we were living in Massecusetts and Ben's sister and brother attended a local daycare/kindergarten/hippy school. (Ben was too young.) It was a nice memory and I dropped them a quick note while listening to the CD on iTunes.

Today:

• Reveiwed Weekend homework. Not Pretty
• Math 6-6
• Final Australia Diary Entry Draft
• Newsletter Status
• Vocab Review

Day 103 - Cooking

I asked Ben the other morning as we walked if there was anything we were doing that he really liked. He responded that he enjoyed our Friday cooking the most of all. Today we made some candies from a book we picked up at the library earlier in the week. They are quite tasty.

Today:

• Cooked two kids on candy
• Wrote a letter to his uncle
• Added an entry to the Applewhites blog
• Reviewed Math Homework
• Took a mid-chapter math quiz (91%)
• Edited Australia Entry
• Reviewed vocabulary words.

102 - Daily Log

Though evolving, that daily list that Ben and I are working from is working well of us. He enjoys the puzzles on the back of the page. The front is a guide to what we are working on that day and helps us to keep on track. I end up making most of the notes on it but that is ok.

Today:

• Reviewed yesterdays Math work (6-4)
• Chose book report and set deadline
• Shopping list for tomorrows candy making
• Chose Rod and Letter recipient
• Searched for Albino Tetra Classification
• Discussed studying Ohio History
• Finished Australia Entry 4
• Math 6-5
• Read Applewhites

Day 101 - Evolving

We are using the Fish tank as an entry point for some science topics. Today we were discussing classification. I was feeling under water. He does not have the background knowledge (cellular biology) to appreciate fully how choices are made. We should have started with Darwin. I am not sure how to dig my way out of this.

Today:

• Outline next newsletter
• Math 6-4
• Added a Applewhiotes blog entry
• Had a spelling test and began three chapter review.
  
• Discussed classification
• Discussed early Ohio history (BCE)
• Daily puzzles, et al.
  

Days 99 & 100: Telling

There is something telling in the fact that I forgot to make and entry on the 99th day of school (Friday). Of course I have no idea what that would be.

The bottomline on day 100 remains about the same - I wish I felt like I was doing better and hope that the costs to Ben have been less then the benefits.

Today included:

• Math Review - Ben needed to finish homework. Ongoing discussion regarding checking his answers. I do not seem to be able to make a connection on this.
• Read Applewhites at Cofee shop
• Went to library for Ohio history books.
• Reviewed status of Australia project and worked current diary entry.
• Various daily puzzles.
• Review of week ahead.

Day 98 - Not connecting

Yesterday Ben and I had a problem because he did not check the answers for his math in the back of the book. I thought I could make it easier by copying the answer page so he did not have to flip back to it. When I looked at his math last night I realized he had not checked his answers again!

I am not connecting with something here but I cannot figure out what it is.

I added another twist today. He must highlight the answer on the answer page to show me that he actually saw it.

Today:

• Edited australia diary based on Kris' feedback. (Similar to min but he choose to ignore a fair portion of mine.
• Relooked at Math 6-2 and did mixed review.
• Began talking about classification in reference to the fish tank.
• Read Chapters 19& 20 of Applewhites and gave a blog response.
• Journal, Daily Set, Independent Reading.
• Note: New Daily page seems to be working well.

Day 97 - Daily Log

I began givng Ben a daily sheet today. (I have done other variations in the past but did not feel they were helpful.) The front of the page list work for the day and other considerations. The back of the page is a couple of Brain Teasers. The front has sections like: "Are you thinking about:", "Don't Forget", or "Things we must finish today". I am hopeful that the creation of the page will help me better organize the day ahead.

Today

• Got his Australia Journal up to day. Hopefully will finish another entry this week.
• Got some Valentines out.
• Worked on Math 6-2 (Proportions)
• Gym Class This afternoon.
  

Day 96 - Lousy Start

Our day got off to a lousy start today. I graded Ben's math homework and found that he had a number of answers wrong or in the wrong format.

"Did you check your answers with the back of the book?"
"I forgot."
He forgot despite the fact that I remind him to do so everytime I give him homework and is said "Check Your Answers" on the page he was doing on the work on.

Perplexed would be the kindest way to describe how I was feeling.

Today:

• We spent most of the morning getting the Fish Tank running. It required one trip to the fish store. It turned out very well. We need to do some studying before adding fish.
• Checked out two new games - "Set" and "Ken Ken". We enjoyed both of them very much. Good brain excercise.
• Worked on revisions to Australia Diary entries based on feeback from Kris.
• Other daily routine: Journal, Reading, etc.

Day 95 - Nonyo Beezwax

I put a couple ot SAT math questions of Ben's daily work page. He solved one of them exponentially faster then I did. We also worked on a rather complex logic puzzle. It took our combined effort to answer it. (We were equal contributers.) He submitted the answer to the website I got it from. The response form asked for his name. He put "Nonyo Beezwax". My chuckle for the day.

Today:

• Reviewed the tasks for the week ahead.
• Detailed what we needed for the Aquarium.
• Wrote a thank you note.
• Practiced the Flute and worked on a composition for his teacher.
• Worked on his 4th Australia Diary Entry
• Introduced this weeks vocabulary words.
• Read two chapters in Applewhites
• Started Chapter 6 in Math.

Day 94 - Sweet

For our usual Friday cooking, Ben and I made some Marshmallows today. Just to make sure they were sweet enough we dipped some of them in chocolate. It was a fun way to end the week.

I began giving Ben a page of brain teasers today. He loves 'puzzles' and I will give him 3 or 4 daily. (I have been giving him some weekly math problems from a single source. I am gathering these from a variety of places and getting better diversity.)

Today:

• Cooking - Marshmallows and Sour Cherry Brown Betty
• Spelling Test including writing a story using 5 of the words. Ben chose to use 10 in his story and used them properly.
• Chapters 13-15 of Applewhite. He is enjoying the book and is not missing important plot elements.
• Getting ready for some office reorganization.
• Daily brain teasers, Journal

Day 93 - Aquarium

Ben and I are going to be getting our Aquarium operating again. I will use it as the conversation starter for the science topics we will cover in the weeks ahead. Out topics will include:

- classification (what makes it a fish?)
- biome/ecosystems
- microscopic life
- photosynthesis
- working towards genetics

Ben is looking forward to getting some Loaches.

Today

• Worked on his Australia diary entry regarding the Great Barrier reef. This included a discussion of the characteristics of the different Australian states.
• Reviewed Weekly Vocab in advance of tomorrows test.
• Worked a some daily brain teasers
• Discussed our Aquarium Project
• Made a trip to the Library to return some items and get cookbooks.
• Did Applewhite reading at Caribu. (Also Diary)
• Practiced Flute

Day 92 - Joy

I have been reading “Letters to a Young Teacher” by Jonathan Kozol. Today I was reading a chapter about ‘fun’ not being considered an essential element of modern education. That certainly hit home with me. Ben has a naturally joyous side to his personality but I do not sense any passion or excitement in the work we are doing. The problem is that when trying to keep the boat floating is hard to think about charting a new chart.

Today:

• Worked on Australia Diary Entry (more research needed).
• Worked on some Math Problem solving techniques (he has some very good natural problem solving abilities.)
• Reviewed current Vocab.
• Discussed Plans for Aquarium and accompanying Office reorg.
• Gym Class.
• Journal & Independent Reading.

Day 91 - Unclear

Ben is working on a multi-part writing project about Australia. We have frequently discussed that each piece has two naratives. One is about a virtual trip to Australia. The second is general information about Australia. We spoke a number of times about how to weave these things together. We outlined how each entry could address a different Australia topic.

He worked on the draft of a piece yesterday. I told him I would read it today and give him some general editing suggestions before he mailed it on to Kris (she works with him on writing). When I read the draft there was no general Australia information at all.

Was I not clear? Was it too complicated for him to process so he skipped it? Did he simply not want to? I do not feel much closer to figuring him out.

Days 89 & 90

We had two weather days last week. Yes, a snow day for home schooling is ridiculous but when there are two other kids in the house that are home from the public school it is hard to get anything done so we do not try. We were back to school Friday but it was a rather 'stupid' day. We had no enthusiasm and it showed.

Today we began what promises to be an actual 5 day week. We were busy, I hesitate to stay productive. Today's unanswerable question was whether I am offering Ben anything fundamentally different then what he would get in 'real school'. I wish I could give a definitive YES to that.

Day 88 - Close to Home

Ben and I began reading a new group text today - 'Surviving the Applewhites' by Stephanie Tolan. It is about a delinquent sent to the Applewhites home school (because he was expelled from the local school). The Applewhites are a creative/artsy family except for one daughter(E.D.).

I laughed when I read that her describe her family as having a 'disturbing lack of focus and follow-up'. I guess it hit close to home....

Day 87 - Quality

I was very unhappy with the quality of the math work that Ben and done on Thursday. WE talked about his need to provide better attention to work he was not very interested in. I offered an incentive (bowling Friday) based on improved quality between now and then.

Fridays work was as bad as Thursdays. I was perplexed but mostly maintained my cool. We reviewed what he had failed to do (neatness, check answers in the back of the book, use the 'does it make sense' test) and then I assigned him more problems from the same section. Those answeres were not in the back of the book so I had to do all of the problems to give him a list of the answers.

I was pleased that he did a much better job on the redo and gave a similar effort to todays work. Hopefully that can be leveraged to more good work.

Day 86 - Bad Habit

I had been in the habit of adding something here everyday - no matter how sort (lame?). I forgot to add something Firday. I will focus on being more faithful from this point.

Day 85 - In The Game

I feel like I have been in a fugue state since coming back from Christmas break. I was getting things together and then my back went out. I was feeling signs of clarity today. Ben and I had a productive day.

He is working on a large project related to Australia. I am struggling with my own organizational issues as I help him to move forward.

We had a discussion today regarding the quality issues with some of his recent work. We are working on some incentives that hopefully will help him to improve his focus.

Day 84 - 'Back' at it

My sore back took a step backwards today but Ben and I were able to soldier on. We finalized a draft of the Janaury Newsletter, kept moving ahead in math, worked on his Australia project, and a variety of other miscellaneous things. That said, I feel ongoing anxiety about the quality of the work we are doing together.

Day 83 - Inaguration

Our shortened week got off to a wierd start. I hurt my back shoveling snow on Sunday and was out of commission the rest of that day and all day yesterday. I stayed off the pain medication so we could have a school day today. It was poorly prepared for but we made it through.

It was inaguration day for President Obama. Ben and I enjoyed watching the coverage from Bush and Obama leaving the White House together until after the final benedicition at the ceremony. I was surprised how closely Ben paid attention. We both were quite curious about what various participants were thinking as they participated in the event.

Day 81 & 82 - Skipped

Last days without posts for the year.

Day 80 - Tough Choice

We have had a hard time picking our next group read. Given Ben's project relating to Australia, I thought it would be a good idea to find a book with a Australia connection. A few were recommended but rejected for various reasons. ("I do not want to read a book with 'pony' or 'cannibal' in the title." "I do not like the idea of an Evil Genious.")

I gave up on the Australia angle and looked for something with a 'little guy wins' theme. I recieved three recommendations. Ben has read them all.

I am not sure what Plan C will be.

Day 79 - Australia

Ben began working on a social studies project involving Australia. He is currently doing some research. Next he will diary a 5 day trip to Australia. Finally he will create a powerpoint of the trip. (He is following a Social Studies Fair project outline from the school that our writing helper works at.)

We have enjoyed learning about the land down under. For our weekly cooking last week we made ANZAC Bikkees -an australian cookie designed to provide nourishment to WWI soldiers. We have been looking for a book set in Australia for our group read but have yet to find one that looks exciting. (I wanted Ben to go with me to see the current Movie 'Australia'. He liked the idea until he saw it was almost 3 hours long.)

Day 78 - Forgot

Forgot to add a note

Day 77 - Hand Writing

I have been trying to get Ben to write in a journal since the first days of the School of Dad. I have told him that how he writes (by hand or by typing) and what he writes about is not important but I wanted him to do it daily. I have had periods of success but his journal writing was directly related to my vigilence.

Beginning with the new year we have done something different. I got us both a journal and at an appoionted (variable) time we sit and write together. The writing is done by hand and we do not read what the other has written.

I have found hand writing quite satisfying. It requires a different thought process then typing and it is gratifying se see the final product. My writing content is nothing special and may evolve to something more introspective over time but right now I just enjoy the moments.

Day 76 - Library

Ben and I headed to the Main branch on the Columbus Public Library this morning. We have a branch near our home but it did not have a couple of videos that we wanted to we took the ride to downtown Columbus.

I do not remember spending any significant time in the library as a student. This is even more remarkable given that was pre-internet days so if research was to be done that is where it was to be done. It probably speaks to the quality of the work product that I was producing.

I enjoyed the library today. I was thinking it would be nice to come back by myself and browse at leasure.

As I said to Ben, it is humbling to be in a library because you realize how much there is to know - and how little of it you can hope to actually acquire. I did not mean it to be discouraging and I do not think he took it that way.

Day 75 - Easing into it

Ben and I had another good day today. We (broadly) reviewed the topics to be covered in the weeks ahead and began review of the math we had completed before break. We have a solid list of things we would like to accomplish.

We reviewed half of the 180 spelling words that we had covered in the first part of the year. Ben spelled 87 of them correctly - and only could use about 65 of them in a sentance. Clearly we will need to do some more review there.

I am writing at 8pm which is always the low point of the day for me. Fortunately the best time my day (morning) is when Ben and I are working together but I am often finding myself with little in the tank when planning time comes in the evening.

Day 74 - Back at it

Ben and I had a good day today as we got back into the swing of things at the School of Dad. Ben's Aunt had sent him a 'Flat Stanley'. We started the new year by doing a little research, taking Stanley to a local monument, and then preparing a letter. We sent off the report early afternoon. The excercise got us thinking again and was a good 'warm-up'.

I have been struggling all year to get Ben to write in his journal. I decided that from now on each day we will have a period of silent time were we will read and write at the same time. After mailing our letter we stopped at the Library for a couple of research books. We took the opportunity to sit at one of the library tables and do our journaling for the day. We both have new journals and are hand writing them. I enjoyed the moment. I am not sure what I will choose to write about myself.

Tomorrow we will focus on some goal setting and think about how to meassure our progress.

Days - 71,72,73

I got lazy as the pre-Christmas week came to a close. Ben and I were busy wrapping some math, reading, and writing up before the two week haitus. We both needed a break.