April 4, 2013

• All things new

  I decided to start the new school year today.  The kids have been out for two and a half weeks, and I felt like they were getting a little bored.  Starting today means we can sort of ease our way into the new year as year.  This is helpful because we are starting an entirely new curriculum this year.  The new curriculum is very similar to the one I have used the last two years.  I really liked the last two years in the old curriculum, but it was a real challenge to get through two students’ worth without falling behind.  After having done a bit of research, I learned that I could get a very similar curriculum that was cheaper and also allowed me to do a significant amount of work with the boys together rather than two teach them two separate things, I can now just teach one lesson.  Out of necessity, also, I needed to change the math around because the books we had been using do not go beyond 6th grade.  Here again, I needed to do quite a bit of research and finally decided on a new curriculum that I felt was good and that my 7th grader would find something redeemable in the math curriculum.  After having used it today, it looks like we found a good fit for him.  I also had a peg board and pegs all ready to go for Maya, but she thought it was more fun to clutter the living room floor with all her toys and change her outfit a dozen times or so this morning.  She did want to look at a map with me and color a picture later on this afternoon.  Tomo wanted to teach her about Vikings and Leif Ericsson too, and she listened as well as an three year old would.  I like that Tomo was trying to teach the info he learned this morning.  You learn by teaching.

  The whole day went pretty well.  There were a few kinks that I will need to work out, but I anticipated that to be true.   I have the chance to work out those things tomorrow since we are not having school tomorrow.  I know, why start today?  Kids were bored and needed to see what wrinkles needed ironed out.  I think I successfully staved off boredom and found the wrinkles.  I have to say after teaching the new curriculum today I felt so much calmer and not as tired as I did all last year.  The kids were calmer as well, and they expressed that they thought their respectful grade levels would go well for them this year.  Let’s hope that is true for the rest of the year.  As a whole, I am very pleased how the day went.

  This afternoon, the new policeman in charge of our area stopped by our house.  Actually, he was stopping by everyone’s houses.  Since this is the season of all things new, he had been placed at our local police box this year.  It is pretty standard, in this area, that the local policeman stops in at each house and makes sure he has all the occupants of the house listed in his book.  He checks the old information and collects new information.  Since he is new this year, he also introduced himself to us. It is always a little unnerving when the police show up at your door, and I always have to remind myself that this is what they do.  I know that should there be any sort of emergency it is good that he knows who lives in the house.

  I was able to take a walk today to the local park.  I hadn’t walk to the park for several months due to cold and or snow, so it was nice to get over there and stretch my legs a bit.  Today was a nice spring day, and the trees are finally getting their buds.  I am looking forward to the trees blooming.  My friends further south have already enjoyed the peak seasons for cherry blossom viewing, and we are still waiting here in Niigata for our trees to open up. 

  In other new news, Skyler has joined a track club.  He is as excited as I have ever seen him about anything.  Two practices down and he is still smiling and happy to be a part of the new club.  He was not able to register for the April track meet, but it looks like he will be able to run the May meet.  He can choose between the 100M or the 1500M.  He has been asking, almost insisting, that he wants to run the 1500M.  Tonight I filled out the form for him to run that race in May.  I am really happy to hear the excitement in his voice, and I cannot wait to cheer on my guy at his first track meet!

  • 8:30 am
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