We're about three weeks into homeschooling, and so far so good! We picked a curriculum that involves lots of sitting together and reading, which seems to be the perfect fit for our family. One of Perrin's favorite books is our children's encyclopedia, which we've been using lately to discuss ancient cultures. The coolest thing is that each page has a QR code I can scan on my phone, and it'll take us to a neat website with extra pictures or videos. We've looked at pictures of cave paintings, watched a video on how a mummy is made, and browsed artists' depictions of the early Olympic games (which I scrolled through quickly once I realized they were historically accurate--meaning sans clothing.)
Now the kids think every QR code they come across is going to reveal something fascinating. Perrin brought me a water bottle the other day and tried to get me to scan it. I tried to explain to him that I didn't particularly want to visit the Aquafina website, but he was pretty convinced I was holding out on him. Even Brielle has gotten into the spirit. We got some funny looks from an older woman at the grocery store when Bri exclaimed, "Look, a QR code!" in her squeaky two-year-old voice. (I can hear the silent judgment: "When MY kids were little, they played with dirt and sticks, not these new-fangled QR codes!" To which I would reply, "Good job keeping your kids away from technology that didn't exist yet.")
Some days are better than others. Today we were reading through a book about weather. One page near the end talked briefly about the things that may contribute to warming the atmosphere--namely the burning of fossil fuels and animals passing gas. The book so kindly included a picture of a cow farting. Perrin laughed for about 20 minutes, and I gave up on quizzing him on how hail is formed. I had completely lost him. We transitioned to math next, where he was supposed to be practicing writing the numbers 1-6. His sixes all had little gas clouds coming out behind them. He thought it was hilarious.
Tomorrow we're making a weather vane and graphing answers to a poll Perrin helped me conduct on Facebook. I think I might also look up some youtube clips on amazing Olympic moments. Honestly, I'm having a blast learning alongside him (farting cows aside).
