life is for learning

boston

We have returned from a long weekend in Boston, taking in the city's rich history, architecture, museums, and culinary offerings of the North End.  How does one blog about a three day getaway? By asking up front for patience and forgiveness I believe. This is a long one, but for us, important to capture in this homeschool journal. Here is a day by day review, in words and in photos.

Day One

We arrived at the Boston Science Museum early Friday evening. We spent a few hours there (until closing) and only took in two galleries, including this amazing lightening demonstration. Yes, real lightning, 30 feet away.  Of course we made time for a quick snack at Wolfgang Pucks Cafe, I was so happy to find healthy choices like fruit and cheese. Not your typical but very welcomed museum cafeteria fare. An annual pass was purchased and we will definitely be going back, it was an incredible place with so many high quality exhibits, we knew there wouldn't be enough time to see all of it and look forward to returning soon.

Day Two

We booked our hotel last Tuesday and at that time checked the long range forecast for Boston... sunny, clear, 50 degrees. Perfect. Except for the fact that it was completely wrong by about 10 degrees,  5 billion storm clouds, and wind gusts that promised to turn every other umbrella on the street inside out

Day two plans were to spend the day on the Freedom Trail. Instead it kept us running from one form of shelter to the next. Our first stop, pastry. To balance that out, a stop at Quincy Market for some miso soup. From there we moved on to the Aquarium, which I feel bad saying but we were completely disappointed in. I had expected so much more from a big city museum... for us, it really was not worth the $50 it cost for the three of us to walk in the door. I always think of families of five or six at moments like that... things are pricey out there! There were no sea lions, beluga whales, dolphins, etc., things that can be found close to home at Mystic Aquarium. Lesson learned, the grass isn't always greener.   We filled in the rest of the afternoon with  a trip to Fenway, microbrew and clam chowder,  train rides and more train rides (a BIG highlight for Emily), cappuccino in the North End, a new addition to our library, as an unexpected interest was shown in  a different kind of Boston area history. An early return to the hotel for a quiet dinner and a swim in the pool.

We really made the best of the unexpected nor'easter and had a very full day. I'll be back tomorrow with a recap of day three. This is really long I know, thanks for sticking around this far. The time it's taking to load all these photos is driving me a little batty.

letter writing

Our learning approach is influenced by many, Maria Montessori being high on the list. The method of moving around relatively freely in a "prepared environment" has always worked for Emily. The idea of organized lessons arranged in a self-service way can leave a child feeling very empowered and responsible for their choices. So we have many "lessons" or "work choices" arranged on shelves on trays, in baskets or wooden boxes, each contains all of the materials needed for said lesson.

This is our letter writing box. In it contains every item we could think of that is needed to write a proper letter, an artform really, that at times feels we are losing sight of in this technological age. This is a wonderful activity that Emily chooses regularly.

Letter Writing Box Contents
stationary
thank you cards
address book, filled with friends & family
stamps
pens, pencils
stickers to decorate if desired
and most importantly... a sample letter (you can kind of see mine in the pic) that highlights the format; heading, salutation, body, complementary close, signature. this can be laminated.

We also had a discussion about the letter format at the time this work choice was introduced. We talked about the historical significance of letter writing, papers and utensils that were used, as well as the time it once took for one letter to reach it's destination. Emily loves to feel her connection to history, especially through traditions and daily customs.