Denver Teaches Me a Lesson

Denver reviews math and shares
his opinion on the value
of video games.

Today is Back to School Day in the Degonia home.  After nearly two months off, I felt the boys and I had enough time to relax, goof off, and refresh ourselves.  With the exception of Denver, everyone seemed to agree that easing back into our homeschool routine would be fine.  And so we began. 

The boys each dutifully read their assigned books and entered the date and title into their reading logs.  Then Spencer and John Robert went for a short visit to Paw Paw's house to learn about the Constitution while Denver and I played a little math review. 

While Denver was reviewing math, I asked this question as I placed four quarters in front of him: "What is 25 cents plus 25 cents plus 25 cents plus 25 cents?"
"I thank Plants v. Zombies for this one!" Denver shouted happily.  "In Plants v. Zombies, you get 25 points for every sun and it takes 4 suns to get a peashooter.  The answer is 100 or One dollar!"  He proceeded to write "$1.00" on a piece of paper.  

Yes, it is Back to School Day in the Degonia home.  And as usual, I seem to be the one learning the most.

Java isn't just Coffee-- an old dog learns new tricks.

This was supposed to be Spencer's Big Birthday Gift.  I was happy for him, but had no interest in it for myself: creating Minecraft mods, learning Java programming, and learning a heck of a lot about computers.  

It began happily enough just four days ago on his birthday.  I charged an exorbitant amount of money on our debit card and downloaded a new Java programming tutorial for Spencie to open on his NEW computer when he awoke.

Birthday Morning--
A New Computer and the Minecraft
Tutorial he had been requesting
for MONTHS!

All did not go as planned.  After a happy day of listening and learning, Spencer hit a snag.  No big deal, I thought.  We'll figure it out.  I tried to help.  When we both reached our frustration limit, I sent an email request to the seemingly helpful customer service assistant.  

So far she has emailed me twice with detailed instructions.  I followed the instructions carefully, but the program still is not doing what it needs to do.  I took a picture of the screen and sent a third request for help to her.  We are awaiting her third response.

Ironically, when deciding whether to buy this program for Spencer, my primary concern was whether he would give up too easily.  Now I find that I am the weak link.  Spencer's desire to pursue computer programming is as strong as ever while I am kicking myself for buying this program!  

I am an old dog learning new tricks.  I don't like it.  Maybe this is how Spencer sometimes feels when he is presented with new material that he is told he must learn: multiplying fractions, long division, pre-algebra. 

As I face my frustration, I realize that patience, persistence, and kindness are the skills I need as both teacher and student.  Of course, at this point, we would also like a magic lamp and a computer genie! 

Four Days Later: 
All is Well in paradise.  Customer Service is as devoted to solving our programming problems as Spencer is to learning Java.  The program is working well and we are extremely pleased with both the assistance of Youth Digital and the fun way the Minecraft modding program is presented.  When Spencer is working through the tutorial, all of us stop, watch, and listen.  That guy is funny!  And we all know the Java Dance!  

What I did on my summer vacation

The boys celebrate the return of John Robert by
refusing to let him go!

Jibby and Spencer with cousin Hannah

We picked up a happy John Robert from Vanderbilt's Summer Academy in Nashville.  The boys and I then enjoyed a night in a fancy hotel with a big, beautiful pool (Thank you, Sweetie!) before heading north for Missouri and camping with Mom and Dad.  The trip was made even more joyful by hearing John Robert talk about his week of camp, his classes, and the friends he made.

Visiting my parents was a daily pleasure-- morning coffee watching the birds, bicycle riding, long runs on shady trails, hiking, boat riding and watching the boys ride the tube, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire, and enjoying my two beautiful nieces.

Denver enjoyed leaping off the boat for a swim!

Jibby and I in his dorm room at Vanderbilt.

Getting set for our daily bike ride!

We celebrated Father's Day with a big dinner at my brother's wonderful new home.  It was great to see family and friends and especially to talk with my nieces' great grandmother Betty.

After nearly a week of camping, we went to the St. Louis Science Center and the local outdoor water park with Denver's best buddy Jackson. Then there was the grand finale-- celebrating Spencer's birthday with a Minecraft party.  It was a delightful week.

Rob, Melissa, Dad, me, and John Robert

As every adult knows and no child can imagine, time flies with blinding swiftness.  It seems only yesterday I was learning to ski.  Last week I watched my eldest son wobbling, falling, and learning to ski just like I once did. We are all getting older, and I can only wish to live this life as well as possible.  
For me, that means focusing on loving relationships and joyful memories. Luckily, that is what I did on my summer vacation. 

Our Jibber in his second home . . . the pool.

Minecraft Birthday Party!

Minecraft Cake and figures

Spencer delights in the gifts
from his cousins.

Spencer and John Robert work in the laboratory
at the St. Louis Science Center.

  

The Science Center's special exhibit featured
mechanical dinosaurs as movable pieces of art.

Relaxing around the hotel pool
while the boys swim.

Spencer and Denver chillin' at the hotel in their own bedroom!

Denver and Jackson sit in the front row
during a chemistry show at the
St. Louis Science Center.

Mr. Muscles drives the boat.

Knowing the Score and Reading Between the Lines

John Robert receives his award from Duke University
for his outstanding SAT score.

I remember when Jibby was almost seven years old and couldn't read a word other than his name.  On his first day of public school, the teacher handed the students a worksheet asking them to spell their colors.  Jibby walked from student to student asking for help (a normal thing to do in the non-competitive Montessori school he was accustomed to).  This behavior initially alarmed his teacher, who later grew to love our boy even though he occasionally disregarded her directions and went to the reading corner to look at books instead.

John Robert with Denver, Spencer, Mimi, and Paw Paw
at the Duke TIP ceremony.

A slightly nervous John Robert with his
Daddy in his dorm room at Vanderbuilt.

This spring, John Robert's SAT critical reading score placed him in the 99th percentile for his age group. We were thrilled for him to receive a medal from Duke University's Talent Identification Program.  As I write this blog entry, John Robert is studying logic at Vanderbilt University's Summer Academy and says it is "super fun."

It is easy to look back now and realize I need not have worried about John Robert's reading skills. Every piece of research I have found states clearly that no matter what approach a teacher uses-- phonics, whole language, whatever-- the vast majority of students eventually learn to read.  Boys tend to learn to read later than girls (about age eight) while their math skills tend to develop earlier.  

Denver enjoys looking at a Moe Willems
book at a Macon bookstore.

This is certainly true for John Robert and Denver.  

Unfortunately, standardized tests for the lower age groups emphasize reading over mathematical difficulty. This year, although Denver scored in the 99th  percentile in every other category, he did not receive a score in reading because he simply could not yet read the numerous paragraphs required of him.  He tried very hard and spent a lot of time crying in frustration during his exam.  On the other hand, there was only one math problem offered on this year's exam that concerned anything he had learned over the school year.  Every other problem he could have answered correctly in kindergarten.  Interesting.

Spencer enjoys an afternoon
at the pool with friends.

Spencer is different: he loves words, stories, animals, ideas, and history.  He dislikes standardized tests and feels intimidated by their meaning. They are emotionless, dull, and tiring.  I believe his scores do not fully reflect his true skills since they do not even attempt to test creativity, empathy, or appreciation for nature.  Nevertheless, Spencie scored well this year, landing in the 90th percentile overall with an average grade equivalency of 9th grade.  Pretty good for a fifth grader!

It can be tempting to read too much into standardized test scores-- whether they are high or low.  I am grateful.  I get to spend so much time with the boys that I know the boys' skills and I am not overly impressed or intimidated by the computer generated evaluations.  These boys are many wonderful things . . . most of which could never be measured with a number two pencil.

Splashing into Summer

Denver, John Robert, Spencer and friend
begin a game of chicken.

Nearly every afternoon for the last two weeks, we load up the swim goggles, towels, and pool noodles, and head over to our swimming pool.  Sometimes we bring a friend or two-- which usually leads to cannonball contests and games of chicken.

It doesn't last long!

Of course, I am merely the taxi service and support staff for their fun.  While they run like wild Indians, I stake out a corner lounge chair and peek at the boys from behind Jackie O glasses and a big hat. I love it that way.  If not for all the water splashing on my books, I would get a lot of quiet reading done!

The Pool is Open for Fun

My Someone to Lean On

My Someone to Lean On
A rare photo op-- John wearing something
other than a t-shirt or work uniform.
Photo by John Robert.

Was there ever a person whose dying words were, "I wish I'd spent more time worrying?" 
I doubt it.  More time with your kids maybe.  Or more time with your parents and friends.  

Yet sometimes we are overcome with unexpected expenses, car repairs, or paycheck shortages that we can do little about.  At these times, we can feel overwhelmed.

I find that during those times, it's really good to have someone to lean on.