Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Teachng Complex Ideas

Since children are products of their environments, should parents expose them to a variety of complex concepts while they are young, perhaps frequently, to minimize they perceived difficulty when they are older?

Learning this is overwhelming to me. But is it to kids?
That sounds silly, but I've observed a few instances where it might make sense.

Ty and Za sometimes watch "Martha Speaks." As we watched yesterday, the characters causally used the terms "noun and "adjective." The characters defined them too. I highlighted that, and told Ty and Za that was what I teach. They nodded, not thinking much of these concepts, which are perceived as difficult by older students. I explained a few other grammatical terms, and they didn't pay much attention to me.

A few hours later, I was working on a lesson plan for verbs. Za wanted to know what I was doing, and I told her "verb phrases." She responded, "like 'don't break'?" I couldn't believe it. (Sure she included an adverb, but she's three, so I was excited). I told her yes, exactly like that.

These two separate observations happened really close together, which made me wonder. As a high school English teacher, my students stare at me with "why do you hate us?"-eyes when we discuss grammar. Grammar is really just the words that we speak and read though. They find it difficult, and foreign. Those grammatical terms, they are difficult for older students to understand.

What if these terms were just natural parts of kids' environments? My kids probably are more exposed to language arts terms since I use them very naturally, just as doctors' kids use the correct anatomical terms, or photographers' kids know the difference between memory card sizes.

For years I have heard that teaching children foreign languages should happen at a young age. Is that the situation with everything, or just perceived difficult concepts? Are all concepts difficult, or all simple? Do we expose kids to everything, hoping some of sticks, or hoping that it doesn't intimidate them when they are older?

Or is it a bit of all that?

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Reading Piles

Last night Za and I cleaned up a book mess she made - she pulled out all the books from the bookshelf and put them under and beside the piano. Trying to make them all fit, I stacked the "STEP" books (books that have different levels for different readers - I think every brand has their own label for them). I was sorting, and then I did want to see how many of these STEP books we actually own.

Anyway - I set them off to the side. This morning, Za brought them to me and wanted to read them all. "They are all the same," she said.

So we are reading. We are reading a big pile of books that are all the same size, and it will probably take most of the day.


Our project for the day: reading books and eating jelly toast.
She's thrilled with the project, and so am I.

SAHM successes are important, and their value will show in our children.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Disney On Ice! Tickets

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Switching Classrooms has four tickets for...

Show Logo.jpg

Ty and Za had a blast at Disney Live! and so I accepted another four tickets for a giveaway for a blog winner! First, the information

Peoria Civic Center - December 6-9
Showtimes: Thursday – 7pm
Friday – 7pm
Saturday – 11am, 3pm, 7pm
Sunday – 1pm, 5pm
Tickets: $10, $15, $21, $34, $44
Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800.745.3000, at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office and Ticketmaster outlets, including area Walmart locations.
For more info, visit disneyonice. 


 If you are going to order tickets in advance, be sure to use discount codes: MINNIE4 ($4 off each ticket). 

Exclusions apply. Valid on the following performances: Saturday 11am, 7pm and Sunday 1pm, 5pm. Valid only on $21 and $15 tickets. Not to be used in conjunction with any other discount. Limit 8 tickets. Additional fees may apply.
Now the sweepstakes:

I have four tickets for the Sunday show at 5 pm. I will draw a name on December 5

You guys know the drill, because I don't make it hard:
 
1. Leave a comment about Disney On Ice! on Switching Classrooms' Facebook page. (You will need to 'like' the page if you haven't already).

2. Leave a comment here, below about Disney On Ice!

Keep in mind that you must be 18 years or older to participate. 

One winner will win four tickets for Sunday, December 9.


I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.
 Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.
Disney is not a sponsor, endorser or administrator of this Sweepstakes.
 
Good luck! 

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Disney Live! Mickey's Music

My kids and my blog sweepstakes winners saw Disney Live! yesterday in Peoria. The kids had a blast, and sang and danced through most of the show. It was a very kid-appropriate activity that was not quite two hours - long enough to hold their attention.

Ready to go into the theater!

The theme surrounded music, which is wonderful, because most children are inclined to be musically intelligent. The performers told the stories of "Toy Story" and "Aladdin." My kids have never seen "Aladdin," but they had fun during those songs, and they were non-stop-giggly during the "Toy Story" part, probably because they adore those characters.

Our ridiculously cute sweepstakes winner in a Mickey Mouse outfit.

Mickey and Minnie performed, and had sparkly outfits on for the final number. I was pleasantly surprised when the characters danced to pop songs that kids would recognize, like "Who Let the Dogs Out." Sometimes I take my kids to movies or performances and fear that something will be sexual or inappropriate for a five and three-year old, but I saw nothing of the sort!

Like I mentioned, the theme was enjoying music. At the beginning, Mickey said, "Anything can be a musical instrument" and at the end he closed with, "Music brings us all together." True, and I understood that. I wonder if he should have mentioned that more during the show to emphasize the theme more.

The show was a huge success, and I also think it is great when kids get to experience live performances, where the audience interacts with the performers. We had a blast, and would go to see it again!  

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Disney Live! Update

 

Hello! I am excited to share this fun activity with my readers. Media is such an important part of our children's lives, and discussing what they see, and how they feel about shows is even more important. 

Along with discounts and a ticket giveaway, I received this Disney coloring sheet for my kids. Print it off, and have fun coloring!

I have quite a few entries for Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival, but will gladly accept more. Here are the details for how to enter:
1. Leave a comment about Disney Live! on Switching Classrooms' Facebook page. (You will need to 'like' the page if you haven't already).

2. Leave a comment here, below about
Disney Live!

Keep in mind that you must be 18 years or older to participate. 


One winner will win four tickets for Friday, November 23. 


Not everyone can win, so...


here is purchasing information, along with discount codes!

  • Tickets: $18, $25, $38, $50
  • Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800.745.3000, at the Peoria Civic Center Box Office and Ticketmaster outlets, including area Walmart locations
  • For more info, visit disneylive.com. Check out Disney Live on Facebook for a peek backstage.  
  • Disney Live: offer code/password: MINNIE4 
  • Exclusions apply. Valid only on $25 and $18 tickets. Not to be used in conjunction with any other discount. 
  • Limit 8 tickets. Additional fees may apply.