Ward's Sward... Where the Grass is Always Greener

• Jul. 17, 2007 - The Answer Machine

Rupert Piper had the Univac. Our boys have "The Answer Machine".

In the kid's book "Triple Trouble for Rupert", Rupert and his friends constructed a make-believe computer out of a piano box, an old sweeper, a beat-up fan and a dog clipper.

Our boys made their "computer" out of a large trampoline box, a card table and blankets. It didn't have all the bells-n-whistles like Rupert's, but an old school bell and the good ol' vocal chords worked just fine for sound effects.

Their goal? To create a machine that would spit out answers to all your questions within 5 minutes... or your money back.

Here's a sampling of some of the questions and answers that passed back and forth through the slot in this fantastic machine:

Q= Why does chocolate taste so good?

A= Becase it has SURGAR!

Q=Where's God now?

A= He's everywhere.

Q= Will it rain today?

A= Maby!

Q= Why do babies cry?

A= They want somthing

Q= How does a program work?

A= Little computer chips

Q= How tall is the earth?

A= VERY TALL

Q= What does an 8-year-old boy do when he is bored?

A= Ask to go to Mc Donleds!

Q= Do boys like Mc Donald's ice cream?

A= Let's go there and see.

Our boys really enjoyed taking turns playing in the "The Answer Machine", and they spit out the answers fairly quickly, too. This got me to thinking... (maybe it had something to do with all the misspelled words. ha!)... Why couldn't we use this technique with our schoolwork? We could use it for drilling math facts, states and capitals... and even spelling!

So, how 'bout it? Wouldn't this make our schooling lots more fun?

I know! Let's ask "The Answer Machine"! J

~Connie~

• Jul. 18, 2007 - LOL

Posted by jugglingpaynes

That would be a great idea! I wonder if it would muck up the works to have it do spelling? :o)
In answer to your comment, no, I'm not pregnant again. I'm adding the third child because my third child was noticing she was missing (I had originally started the comic two years before I had her.) Since I'm also a third child, I can't blame her for feeling left out. ;o) I'm going to let her name the baby, which should be interesting since she name her anole "Flower."
Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

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• Jul. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I LOVE it! The computer gives good answers. :-)

Steph

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• Jul. 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by takingthechallenge

Love their imaginations and their fun answers!! Sounds like a winner for school, too :)

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• Jul. 19, 2007 - hi!

Posted by sarah

haha, I love the boys' answers! :) It's fun to watch how creative kids are....
I like your site! It's very similar to xanga, I thought. I wonder if it's affiliated? Who knows.
I will keep your site link and visit you often as well!

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• Jul. 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by callmekate

What a terrific idea! Perhaps a Spell-check program could be installed, as well! Anything to assist in learning sounds good to me. I love it when kids create things on their own with whatever they can find. And I like the fact that your boys are spending time making something non-violent. My sons have been blowing each other up and flying paper airplanes into each other, for mid-air collisions. Fortunately, they're into chess at the moment, too. Their kid sister plays with them and has beaten them both several times - go, girl!

Kate

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• Jul. 23, 2007 - File This Under "Two Minds With But A Single Thought"

Posted by callmekate

Connie - thanks for making me laugh out loud, again! Just 4 hours before you posted your comment, I was showing my kids a real photo of Pa's fiddle, in a book I haven't looked at for some time. Spooky, huh? You've almost got me convinced to buy that neighbor's house next to yours - the Prego was the clincher! Seriously, I do plan on visiting all the Laura Ingalls sites I can, some day. When I do, you can bet I'll try to make a trip out your way. I'll let you know in advance so you can have that wading pool ready!

Kate

P.S. Tonight, I just finished reading "The Long Winter" to my daughter. We'll start "Little Town On The Prairie" tomorrow night. It was strange reading about how cold they were when we were having a heat wave a few weeks ago. And tonight, it was spring and warm for Laura, while it's been raining here for days!

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• Jul. 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by KarenW

Sounds like a lot of fun. It's nice to see that kids can still be imaginative these days!

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• Jul. 24, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JenIG

that is GENIUS!!
ps i wish i had a univac. i don't know what it is, but it sounds like something i'd need

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About Me

Welcome to the Ward's Sward family blogsite! Here, you will find a wide variety of writings posted by Norman (dad), Connie (mom), sbw (11-year-old boy) and jcw (9-year-old boy). And yes, there are the tigers and their friends! We can't forget them! After all, they are family, too. :-)