Thanks. It had to be appreciated while the thought of actually following through was still fresh.
We've had the kids teach each other math concepts before, but this was the first year we've decided to have everybody teach one subject, for two hours, each week (thus the extensive charts). Our goal is to make them better teachers, and more involved learners.
Cache teaches a really fun math/science class with me this year, to three others -13 or older. He's a huge help, unfortunately we're too busy co-teaching to snap pictures. I do have a shot of him learning his more practical skills though, like cooking-
and multi-tasking. (Book on tape, yard manager, and babysitter/hero)
Jesse teaches art, of course. She has planned out the semester, with the artists she tearfully whittled down, to sixteen in number. Today was Botticelli. She was embarrassed to have me out there with her while she taught for the first time. I agreed to do my own thing, if they would allow a quiz at the end. They agreed. It was fun to occasionally hear them laughing together. When I came back out this is what I learned:
Botticelli has beautiful paintings. Many of them our favorites.
Botticelli was a Gothic painter (and what that is).
Botticelli lived in the 1400's, during the same time as Michelangelo.
Botticelli was in love and used the same married woman as a model in most of his prints.
Botticelli liked to paint in 'the round'.
Botticelli was highly influenced by Savonarola, and personally burned many of his own paintings in The Bonfire of the Vanities.
These are the finished-painting in the round-results, which are being enjoyed while they last. They will be enthusiastically burned this coming Wednesday, on our own little bonfire .
Calder takes each Friday to teach the unit lesson of the day. At the moment we are studying Africa, and Calder was in charge of Egypt. We learned about the Nile, the Rosetta Stone, Pyramids, and Mummies.
Here I am being dried with salt and my interior stuffed.
Here are the priests looking very priestly, one very looooong hour later.
Mummification is a tiring process.
And the mask? A very good likeness.
Calder also has practical skills to teach Pal; like why he never wants to be a plumber.
Maddie is in charge of teaching Hy preschool activities, and helping Pal pass off scout requirements (can you say, "gen-ius")! She takes her job very seriously and has lots of things planned.
Like blocks, pipe cleaner shapes, and studying bugs...
What a great idea. Thanks Jane.
