Learning

Kate's class has been doing research for a couple of weeks on a country in Asia. Today they presented what they've learned in a fair setting where other classes and families were welcome to visit. Kate and Lilly worked together to study Thailand. Kate's been excited about it as we've heard a lot about it at home even though all the work was done at school. I happen to love that approach as my neighbors have complained over the years about the work they have to put into their kids' reports. The teachers expect professional looking projects rather than allowing the kids to create and explore for themselves. It is a missed learning opportunity at best.

Kate was eager to show off her work today. Her adviser Jana has her sister visiting the class this week since she just returned from teaching in Thailand for three years. She asked the girls what they were going to tell people about Thailand when they stopped by their booth. Both little girls shrugged as they hadn't thought about the actual presentation beyond coloring, gluing and printing on cardboard. She then asked them if they knew what Buddhism was. Lilly volunteered that she was pretty sure it meant "people who don't wear boots". Adorable. Apparently the year in Thailand is 2554 because they base their calendar on the life of Buddha rather than Christ......interesting little piece of trivia for you today.

After we visited the fair where Aiden was exposed to the chinchillas, bearded dragon, birds, fish, snakes and crabs around the school for the first time we headed home to make cupcakes. The boys loved lining the pans and stirring the ingredients. They are quite proud of themselves and can't wait to share their treats with the houseful of teens we will be hosting after tonight's basketball game.