Lifelong Learners

As a teacher of course I believe in creating life long learners.  While I currently have no desire to do homeschooling, I do like doing educational activities with the kids. I keep a large tub filled with workbooks, flashcards, and games. These days we tend to break open the tub of learning stuff during that horrible stretch of time between nap and dinner. It's really helped us survive.

Linus' current favorite is doing a tracing workbook. He thinks they are mazes and I don't correct him.  Linus and I both really enjoy the Bambino Luk he got from his aunt. I had never heard of them until he got it as a gift.  We have the concentration games pack and math pack.   I like that he can do it independently and it requires lots of critical thinking.

Eileen is no longer willing to sit idly by while Linus works.  She wants to be fully included and will not settle for a coloring page.  She likes using the alphabet whiteboard.  She really wants to learn the alphabet.  One of her favorite activities is grabbing letters from the alphabet puzzle and asking me what letter they are.  After repeating the letter, she runs back to get a new letter.  The other afternoon I got out the puff balls for her to sort.  She was entertained for a good thirty minutes.

Eileen with the alphabet board and Linus with the tracing workbook.

Using chopsticks to pick up puff balls.

She quickly became proficient and then began sorting by color.

Eileen can often be found under a pile of books, reading to herself.

I've been back at school myself this month trying to get my last few clock hours.  I signed up for a few classes at North Seattle Community College.  Since I can barely wield a hammer, taking a class called hands on home repair and maintenance seemed like a good idea. The class is a bit dry and I have managed to pick up a few new understandings, but I won't miss the class when it ends this Tuesday.  Yesterday I took a grant writing class.  I learned a lot and the teacher was really good.  I am definitely excited to maybe try out that new skill.  Today I attend a baking workshop focused on cakes, cookies, and quick breads.  It was taught by the owner of Mangia Bene Catering.  It was so much fun (and tasty)!  Another woman and I partnered up and labored for five hours on a coconut and lime curd cake.

sooo good

I came away with some really great recipes, one I think I can change to gluten free.  I will definitely sign up for some more cooking classes there.  I am on my way to becoming a domestic goddess.

Taking classes has been wonderful.  I feel so invigorated.  I love learning a new skill, even learning from my mistakes. Being out of the classroom for the while, I have come to appreciate good teaching even more.  That grant writing class could have been a really long 6 hours, but it went by quickly.  It was a little weird being away from my kids all weekend and I know that it was maybe a bit more exhausting for Dave so I probably won't sign up for a whole weekend of classes again if I can help it.  In the meantime I am already fantasizing about what classes I will take next.