Boob Tube Homeschooling

Our Alaskan sun begins shining through the windows again in February and stirs desires for planting and prettiness that the horrors of breakup ice and mud thwart. Because I get a little burned out (actually, probably just lazy with lessons) from February to April 'ish, I purchase Shiny Things for the children to plug into the boob tube, then send them off on inspired, educational rabbit trails. This is not because I want to lock them in the den and do my own thing; quite the contrary, as I watch with them. They love that part. It is because I'm tired of last August's perfect plans. After math (I never renege on math), here is what I've bought the past three years, and some of the activities that sprang from them:


Fantasia 2000 spurred an idea to separate the kids into different corners with a sketch pad and colored pencils. While a piece of classical music played (not one from the film), I told them to draw anything that came to mind (not one from the film). Some drew designs, some drew scenes, and some drew monsters.

Reading Rainbow DVD on music got the kids creating their own version of Stomp. Loud but lovely. Also, the conductor from the orchestra segment said something profound about each musician holding back a bit of breakout talent for the ordered beauty of the orchestra. Made me think about reigning in a bit for the good of the family.

Liberty's Kids spawned writing assignments. Whom did you like the best ~ John Paul Jones? Van Steuben? Dr. Warren? Why? What was he like? Plus so much role-playing.

Schoolhouse Rock. They sing all the songs. That's enough and that's awesome.

Beatrix Potter short films bring to life her little books. They are sweet, proper, a bit naughty, and never crass. I had the children do some nature journaling every day for a week in the same spot, hoping to foster some observation. Some drew bugs, some drew our farm animals, some made up stuff, and one cried that he didn't see anything.

National Geographic VHS tapes (What? You don't have a 23 year old TV bomb with a VHS player? I guess you'll have to stream or something!) from a nice lady at church has been wonderful. Find the place on maps and globes, draw the outline of the land and animal, and write three facts you learned.

Animated Hero Classics are thirty minute sketches of heroes from across time and space that incorporate clear examples of a defining virtue, as well as important facts. The set includes downloadable activity books with crossword puzzles, secret codes, coloring pages, etc. Just too easy.

(Since we homeschool under the state's umbrella, all of these are reimbursable educational expenses.)


So yes, the boob tube helps me homeschool through May, when things turn green up here and I let the earth do its teaching throughout the summer.

Happy mud, friends. Enjoy your boob tubes!
Love, Allison

Mother's Day Movies

What's the matter with this, I ask?

For Mother's Day, Ken got me a copy of Oklahoma! and Rees got me a copy of Les Miserables (plus lots of candy and drinking containers and homemade cards). After the festivities and exclamations concluded, we were discussing what to watch first when Rees picked up Oklahoma! and asked, "So what's this one about?"

I began, "It's famous. It begins with a cowboy singing--"
"STOP!"
Rees held up his hand. "Don't say any more. I can't even ... Please watch that one when I'm at work."

I have failed as a mother. What a caveman.

I'm still thinking about this, almost a week after watching it.  Lifechanging. Thank you, dear Rees! I guess you're not quite a caveman.

Preparing for Noah

No, not that one; but I love this Father Noah, too.

Ken and I are going to see Noah in a few days. We've read (Actually, I read out loud; Ken listened.) so many reviews taking both sides by Catholics we respect that we want to see it ourselves. I do not want to take notes during the show; I want to sit back and let it wash over me, then write.

Here is SDG's positive review at the Register.

Here is Scott Landy's positive review at Catholic Online.

Here is a fascinating piece by a rabbi and expert in Jewish myth.

Here is Rep. Rebecca Hamilton's negative review.

Here is Brad Miner's negative review at The Catholic Thing.



So there. And I've read even more. Now I'm no professional anything, just a regular wife, mother, Catholic-lover, Bible-reader, and movie-watcher. I'll be looking for sin, judgment, love, mercy, family, confusion, pain, hope, earth, water, and rainbows of promise. I'll add my regular lady review in a few days.

(Ken never wants to go to the theater so the girlfriend in me is excited!)
Love, Allison