• Oct. 25, 2007
Ancient Mesopotamia
This week we finished our unit on Ancient Mesopotamia. We also studied some on Jericho, Ur, and Sumer. I think Taylor has the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers down pat. She can find them on most any map or globe and knows that Mesopotamia is the land between the two rivers.
She does not like to be told again something that she already knows. I was reminding her today that Sumer was found toward the bottom of Mesopatomia, close to where the rivers meet and flow into the Persian Gulf. I barely got, "Remember where Sumer is?" out of my mouth when she was asking me to not tell her. So what did I do? I asked her to show me if she was so sure that she knew. And she did! Well, I guess I need to give her more credit for her memory. I tend to do way too much explaining during school time and it does nothing but frustrate her.
I need to work on that.
We also were able to put our first few timeline figures on.
I thought I'd post some pictures of her finished notebook pages. Most of this came from Evan-Moor's Ancient Civilizations History Pocket. We use it alongside Sonlight's Core 1. I recommend them both.
Taylor's puppets
Isaac's puppets
I am aware that Taylor is not the best colorer or drawer. I've seen the work of some 2nd graders and have felt feelings of failure and inadequacy concerning Taylor. But I also see other areas where she shines. So what if she still doesn't color in the lines and refuses to make things the colors they ought to be. Her heart is full of compassion for others and her hands are always busy with helping and kind deeds.
I post this in the hopes that another parent may be encouraged that their child is indeed normal. (If there is any such thing!) Not everyone is an artist, cares about detail, or has handwriting that is a work of art. But EVERYONE is good at something. Maybe we just haven't disovered what it is yet! While we can and should encourage neatness and doing our best. Be real about what that best is. Don't try to work against how God designed your child. It's a fight that you can't win! For me, it's at least a weekly struggle. I have to remember that Taylor is not made in MY image. She shouldn't be a mini me.
Comments
• Oct. 25, 2007
Don't worry
Posted by jbird1898
I wouldn't worry too much about her coloring outside of the lines. It just shows she is too creative to be restricted by boundaries. I had this problem myself. Van Gohe probably never colored in the lines. Picaso probably did but then he was all about lines. lol
• Oct. 25, 2007
Oh and I see
Posted by jbird1898
you are using little hands to heaven. I am using it for Olivia. I love it. But Little Hearts for His Glory which I bought for Lilly I didn't like as much. You have to get allot of books to go along with it. If you are thinking of using it later you are welcome to look through mine.
• Oct. 26, 2007
Untitled Comment
Posted by kristenph
That is great work! Are those History Pockets? I agree with you about coloring skills. All children are different and have different strengths. My 9 year old is a wonderful artist, my 7 year old, not so talented but she does try, but my 5 year old still struggles with holding pencils and crayons correctly. I have to rethink all my teaching methods with him. Who knows about the baby?
