Wildcat1

Inspite of (or because of) Ds#3's obvious over-excitement, he won the sportsmanship award, the "mental attitude" award among all the age groups at his Wildcat site. He was encouraging to all the kids and a great sport the whole summer. Dave and I were really proud of him!

Wildcat2

Ds#3 is at 3rd base and we teased him all summer long about how he'd have his glove in his hand and jump up and down and wave his hands because he'd get so excited about the possibility of catching the ball!

Wildcat3

When I watch this all keep thinking is "Ds#4, get your dirty hands out of your mouth!"

Wildcat Summer

Book Reports

I'm not a big fan of book reports because I don't want kids to dread reading because they know they have a report coming. I also don't want to burden younger grades with too much writing. When I was in school, I thought the format took an exciting book and didn't do it justice (just making it boring).

I do like book reports because when I'm not available to discuss with the kids each book they've read, I'd like them to reflect on it. I also sometimes just need a small writing assignment and it seems to fit in how easy they are to do.

Here are some of my favorite book report ideas:

• Find a critic's review of the book and write a comparison/contrast from your perspective
• Compare / contrast yourself with the main character
• Make a list of 10-15 rules to live by that the main character lives by. Compare this to a list of rules others want him to live by. What is the outcome?
• Make a test (and answer key) for the book
• Put yourself in the role of main character. What would have been different?
• Tell what way this book has added to your life? What have you learned? What have you discovered about yourself or others?
• Write an alternate ending for the book
• Do a character sketch (give the moral, emotional, emotional, physical and circumstantial characteristics of one of the people in the book).
• Explain why you would or would not want to live in a world presented by the author
• Write a jeopardy game / questions about the book
• Plan a party with a theme based on the book.

If these aren't enough, do a google search for "creative book report ideas."
I also liked this link.

Quote of the Day - 2

I know this is our 2nd quote of the day, but while discussing the last quote of the day...

Dd#2

So, they didn't really fall down, they were having an occasion.

Daddy

A WHAT?

Dd#2

That's what Mama said happens when two people sin. They have an occasion.

Daddy looking at Mama dubiously

WHAT?

Mama

She means fornication.

Dd#1

She thought Mama said the sin was for an occasion instead of fornication.

Quote of the Day

The children were watching a show with us that I did not pre-screen. There was one passionate kiss (the extent of the inappropriate content.) The two kissing people, who had been sitting kissing for about 2 seconds, went diagonal and as they were kissing in motion toward a horizontal position went out of sight off the screen. I was blushing inside wondering if I should turn off the TV or discuss it or what when :
Ds#4 as he was laughing hilariously.

Look! The kissed so much they fell unconscious and fell over!