Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Dragonology

Modgirl and I are sick, so school has been on default setting- do math and then read something. But that has sent Superboy (the healthy) on a wonderful rabbit trail. Yesterday while left to his own devices he happened upon a long forgotten resource, The Box of Stars- A practical guide to the night sky, its myths and legends, by Catherine Tennant. Inside is a booklet about stars, but the really neat thing that caught Superboy's imagination is the set of constellation cards. These are beautifully illustrated cards with pinholes for the stars that you can hold up to the light and they twinkle like real stars. The one that Superboy got excited about was Draco-of course-due to his current obsession with anything and everything dragons.
He must have thought about it all night, because this morning he got up and, after doing his math, decided he did not care for the illustration for Draco on the card- it looked too snake-like. I suggested he make one of his own to illustrate. So he did-pinhole punched on black paper and illustrated in pastel pencil, and it turned out great!
Then he decided he wanted to work on his Dragon notebook (his independant study project). So I suggested he add the card, and then read some Draco myths and add a summary to his notebook. So he did-read, wrote, typed it up in a fancy font, and it turned out great!
We spent some time with our Star Gazer wheel, learned how to use it so that if we ever again have a clear night we can find Draco in the sky. We also pinned up our star chart. Then I remembered a website to make your own star wheel. I sugested he make it and add it to his notebook. So he did-printed, cut, paste, assembled, and it works great!
In order to put the wheel in his notebook so that it could be removed and used, we learned how to fold little mounting corners from another website. Then he wrote up instructions on how to use the wheel and pasted them in his notebook.
The result of a day's work is a beautiful 2-page spread that looks fantastic and is all his own. He is so proud, and I have to say that so am I.
The best part-a happy day full of completely self-motivated, interest-driven learning and no whining whatsoever!
What more could a homeschooling mom ask for?
Well... maybe if I could just kick this flu.
As soon as I figure out how to post pictures, I'll add some of his notebook.

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