Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Blog Renew: 3

Sharing family life will always be a part of my blog. So, here are the obligatory first day of school pictures for Blog Renew: 3.

Claire is a freshman in high school! She is playing the tenor sax in marching band and the oboe (which is in the white tote) in concert band. She carries all this to school every day!

Benjamin is in his first year of middle school as a sixth grader! They've been in school for about two and a half weeks and everything seems to be going well.

(Did you see Lincoln peering through the window?)

Our school district recently implemented a visionary technology program and all students received iPads to use in their classrooms and at home. It's been absolutely incredible to see the ways they use these devices to enhance, organize and direct their studies.

We had Benjamin's open house last night. His Language Arts teacher has implemented a 40 book challenge. She encouraged the kids to read 40 books before school's out in June. She's reading right along with them and posting her log on the bulletin board in the classroom. Here is her recommended break down for exploring different genres of reading.


Both Claire and Benjamin are avid readers, but they know what they like and they don't venture too far outside of their favorite styles. I love the idea of reading different genres, but I'm not going to twist their arms when they already have a stack of books on their night stands.

By the way, I'm currently reading The Power of One for book club and it's going slowly. (Partly because I spend too much time reading FB, twitter, blogs, etc. Also browsing instagram and Pinterest. Ahem.) It would probably fall into the "historical fiction" requirement on the challenge list. The best book I've read recently was Tell the Wolves I'm Home. Loved it! I'd call it a "personal choice chapter book."

1 comment:

Joanne S said...

Maine has been giving out iPads this year instead of the laptops (apple air) that we had been buying for them (tax dollars). They showed pre kindergarteners using the iPad screens to trace the letters of the alphabet. Skipping the need to be able to hold a pencil. And these 3 and 4 year olds are already fond of fractions (dividing pies like pros) Think how fast they will fly thru regular school work. IF only they could spell when they graduate from high school. But they can't as I witness every day at work. It makes me VERY sad.

I remember both Claire and Benjamin being very small. I remember Claire asking questions about the Ipcar (like) animal quilt on display at the library.

I think they will enjoy the iPads.