Gifted? You mean in a box?

Not many things these days make me angry about the Asperger's label. I've seen it all and been part of it all.  Mainly because I see it as just a list of symptoms. In fact the only reason I use this label now is to identify with others to share information.

But it really peeves me that people think your child has to be Gifted. It's not Gifted people it's a Narrowed Specialisation!!

What does gifted really mean anyway? My child isn't exceptional at anything, he doesn't have a natural talent or ability that jumps out at you (we all have our talents, some need time to develop), he isn't exceptionally intelligent.

What does that say about my son?? He has a diagnosis of Asperger's but he's not especially talented. Stop asking what his special ability is and if he is a Little Scientist people!!

Lucky you if your child has a talent or many. But I'm sure there will be many things they struggle with also, especially if they have a diagnosis of Asperger's. Stop associating the label Asperger's with being Gifted!! You are causing pain to those who are just plain ordinary. Even Tony Attwood has updated his definitions.

I'm sure I've offended here....but hey...how else do I get my point across? I'm sick of listening to theirs.

Deschooling Journal Updates

27th March

Growth 

Wow... upon reviewing E's growth there would have to be at least 1 year, probably closer to 2, added to his maturity since starting our Unschooling journey at Christmas. Here are some of the changes I have noticed that are 'new'.

• he doesn't react like a toddler when he hurts himself
• he completes his morning jobs so he can play
• he is willing to do more jobs for money
• he puts himself to bed
• he wants to sit and do craft activities
• he tells me what he has learnt by himself

To some this may not seem like much but to us these are real milestones of his growth. The non-compliance and lack of interest in general life and self worth are really starting to disappear into the past.

17th March
Learning Opportunities
While eating Breakfast I read the Discover Science Maps & Mapping. Great book! E really got involved in learning with me and didn't even know he was learning.

These books provide a good combination of visual and written information.
Examples are provided in a number of ways which makes it easy to understand and form a picture in our head.



13th March
The Natural World
Upon waking, while Dad was walking in and out of the ensuite getting ready for work, we played a game of 'know your state capitals' on the bed. E got them all right without prompting. So we have reached a stage where that has sunk in. Yipee!
So many times I have taught him this and it just doesn't seem to stick. Yet again it reminds me that WHEN HE IS READY he will learn.
After a good two hours of playing a transformer game on his computer, E surprised me by coming out and asking to go back onto the National Geographic Kids website. Wonders will never cease!!




12th March
Technology
Today E was caught in the midst of bad habits (that affect his teeth). The rule we have is to ban screen time....TV, IPads, Ipods, Computer...etc. So I called him out so I could read some books to him before he dissappeared onto his bed to 'think' about stuff.
We kneeled at the coffee table in the lounge and started by reading an RACQ QLD map which you can pick up free in store. He traced all the states with his finger, we named all the capitals and we talked about what the capitals have in common - they are all on the coast, and why - they were mostly all settled by ship and needed ports. We also discussed points of the compass.
E then proceeded to play with his Discovery Channel Smart Globe. I love this thing. It has been a favourite of his since about 5yo.
So, we definately achieved some learning today and not once did he complain.
Then later, because of the rain, I decided to go against my own rules and set him up on the computer with access to learning sites that he could explore.
I setup National Geographic, National Geographic Kids, Nasa, Nasa kids, etc. He sat there for a good two hours watching animal documentaries.
learning...learning...learning...and he thinks he is playing!

Yogurt Success

Well, I am now achieving Yogurt success.

A GAPSAustralia forum follower told me I might be heating it up too quickly. She was right.

I had the settings on the dehydrator wrong. At least I had cheese to eat instead.

The yogurt is a little more wet than store bought, but I have figured out that this can be overcome by leaving the lid off the yogurt in the dehydrator. It tastes great as it is though. And soooo creamy with this beautiful raw milk. We just add honey or cooked apple and cinnamon. YUM

Mrs Cranky Pants

What is it about me that I need to go 'off my tree' sometimes??!!


This morning I flew off the handle at E (actually I just used a loud'ish voice). He just wasn't believing in himself. So a small activity seemed impossible and it was all because he thought he 'can't do it' once again.


I'm so tired of this attitude!! I know it stems from his experiences with us as parents, his previous school life, the negativity of the world and the way Asperger's changes his environment in all shapes and forms.


''You have to try, it's only your attitude that's stopping you. You cannot go through life without trying! I say.
I feel so bad and I am usually running and saying sorry at the first opportunity. I really don't want to 'Go Off' at him as I know he learns everything from us. Especially when I have spent years teaching him about the 'emotional scale'.


Our aim is to always stay positive so that he doesn't dive into depression again, and here I am getting all cranky pants on him. His self confidence is at an all time high and here I am growling at him to do better.


Oh the trials of motherhood!! Oh the frustrations of motherhood!!
Motherhood guilt.... It hits me all the time. To me it seems just part of parenting, or maybe its just part of me.

Sydney Harbour Bridge 80th Birthday

E and Dad on the ferry 2008
Sydney Harbour Bridge

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened this day - March 19th - 80 years ago.
Here is a great lesson for our little and big learners and some of the ideas and links used we used for our research.

We will be using a map of Australia, the Internet, paper and cardboard, lego.

We will be colouring, building and talking about whatever else comes up in the discussion and play. We are still unschooling but E joins in when he sees me doing something interesting. So it wont be too hard to engage him in the learning activities.

Math

• In what year was the bridge opened if it's the 80th Birthday today?
• How many years did it take to build?
• What is the length of the bridge?
• Sydney land area, population
• Measure the distance to travel to Sydney

Literacy

• Explore the origins of the word bridge  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge 

Geography & Geology

• What is a harbour
• The need for harbours
• Submergent Coastline, rivers, Pacific Ocean  http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/bioregions/SydneyBasin-Landform.htm 
• Sydney, NSW
• http://friendsberowravalley.org.au/html/landscape_-_geology.html 

Construction

• Civil (city scape - the need for bridges)
• Mechanical - building bridges, types of bridges (cable, arch, cantilever, movable, etc) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge#Types_of_bridges
• Graphic design - draw the bridge, angles, etc

Art Celebrations

• If you were Mayor how would you promote the opening of the bridge (posters, invitations, broadcasting)
• What entertainment would you provide?
• How would the celebration be different from 1932?
• Design a postage stamp
• What significant event uses the whole span of the bridge and has millions of people of watching each year?

Other Areas to explore...tourism, ports, settlement, outlying areas, disasters and weather, other landmarks

Other resources

• http://www.sydneyharbourbridge.info/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Australia-Stamp-1932-SydneyHarbourBridge.jpg 
• http://homeschooling.about.com/od/unitssubjgeog/ss/australiaprint_9.htm 
• http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/sydneys-grand-lady-the-harbour-bridge-turns-80/story-e6frfq80-1226303424130 
• https://www.google.com.au/webhp?hl=en  - Google is celebrating

http://www.redbubble.com/people/tonycrehan/works/6309206-the-big-meccano-set 

Our Greatest Work

When do you know that your greatest work is done?


I was just reviewing a Ken Robinson Google search looking for some new exciting and controversial stuff (procrastinating I guess), and although a little dissappointed that there wasn't anything that got my creative juices flowing I started pondering...'has he completed his greatest work/s?'...'will nothing be as controversial and communicative?'...'will this ('Schools Kill Creativity') be his defining output?'
No offence to Ken of course, he is still in the throws of his great offerings. Go Ken!! Love your work!! The more educators/officials you reach (and convert) the better.


Then I asked....'What is my greatest work?'
(putting aside that E is my greatest work with regard to family)


Here is what I came up with regarding my individual journey.
1. I don't think I have completed mine yet.
2. Some of it has to do with my past and current experiences with E.
3. I want to share the tools and ideas we used to get through 7yo depression with little support from family, friends or professionals (surely it can help someone!!)
4. There is something about how E learns that I want to formalise...I call it Whole Picture learning.
5. I really want to share my knowledge of Career Counselling so people can move forward more positively without paying a fortune for it.


So how do we know we have completed our greatest work/s? That piece of work that other's define us by. Maybe we ask...

• What's at the other end of your greatest work?
• How do you know you have finished promoting it?
• Do we feel the need to move to something else or greater?
• Is it when all the knowledge culminates into something you can share?
• Do you have something tangible?
• Is there any more creative energy left on that subject?
• Is it because we feel we are heard and have made our point?
• Did you share everything?
• .....

How do you know it's your greatest work?

• Is it because it lingers and defines us??
• Is it because nothing will inspire us this much again? (oh please no!)
• Is it because our passion changes gear to a more sedate level?
• Or, is it because we will be working on it forever more, feeding off it and garnering new experiences?

I know I have so much to give and haven't reached my 'culmination' period as yet. I am more happy in myself to put myself 'out there'..apparently that happens after 40. In the past I would make a pitiful attempt by starting and then stopping because of naysayers, but this is just NOT on.
I will share, share, share. After all, the listener has a choice.
And I will continue to be passionate.

Australian Coin Timeline

A quick post to add an Australian resource....a Timeline History of Australian Coins.
I came across it looking for History Timelines. I found a few great timelines however I'm not willing to part with my money just yet.

One is an Evolution Timeline that I have pinned so I don't forget the link http://pinterest.com/pin/7529524346900695/. I might have to purchase this one though as E is an animal expert.

Here is the timeline of Australian coins. I love it. It's very comprehensive. You can use it when teaching about the Royal Mint, the Discovery of Gold, Foreign Currency, First Fleet, Decimal Currency, and 'old money' - 1c, 2c, etc.

http://www.ramint.gov.au/education/downloads/2011_History_Timeline_Poster_A3.pdf

Here is our Shop game that we have played with coins. It has been a real winner for us. The original game came form www.teachthis.com.au so if you want a template look there first. Otherwise I created the transformers template below. Just have to work our how to share it now...

Latest Craft Project

After 30 years I have picked up crochet again. Unfortunately I find it difficult to follow a pattern. Same as a recipe for me.....I'd rather just throw stuff in and see how it works.
So I started a blanket.....it's rather boring to show, just the same stitch over again for a King Size blanket....hopefully it will be finished by Winter?!!

But I felt too creative not to start something else. So I started on a circle.

Not really remembering much I just dived in and hoped it worked. I really wanted to make a mat but acrylic wool is not the best material for that. And I can see now that it's not holey enough for a mat. It looks more like a cushion.....albeit a rather large one. I want to keep going but now I think it's probably a waste of yarn until I know what I will use it for. I am loving the basket weave and bullion stitches....thanks to YouTube!!


My Nana originally taught me to crochet left handed (because she was left handed) when I was about 14. I never really knew how to learn new stitches back then so eventually got bored of the granny squares. I look up every now and then and have a chat to her when I make a mistake or complete a new stitch successfully. Crochet is so easy and forgiving. I'm glad I picked it up again and I look forward to many new items in our house that I don't have to spend oodles on in updating our decor....and I can have fun doing it.

See-n-Read

Today we received our See-n-Read in the mail. I couldn't purchase them in Australia so I decided to get a few to see if they are beneficial for the early or late readers who need assistance.

I love them. They are light and easy to handle. They really block out the glare off the page and help to focus on one line. I think I might find myself using them at night when I start drifting around the page because I'm tired but really want to finish the chapter.

It's too early too see if they are beneficial for E yet since I am de-schooling him I can't make him sit and read. Maybe I could find a way to sneak it into a game this week. I will post an update once we have given this new tool a fair go.

Links to purchase the See-n-Read can be found here ->

http://acresoflearning.blogspot.com.au/p/reading-support.html