The Schoolhouse Log: November 2010

November started with Jack giving his presentation to the public of the making of " Terror of Porridge," his new comic style book published by Lulu.com. We had a great crowd of very interested children and adults. The children probably asked as many questions as the adults. Jack gave a computer presentation and then this was followed by a reading of the book, and a question and answer session. Jack also completed his "Terror of Porridge" computer game, which can be found on Jack's web page with more information about the book. Click on the image to the right to visit Jack's site.



Lorna had a chance to try her hand at creating a very unique floor cloth. This program was offered at our local library for the cost of the materials. She got to use paint, stencils, varnish and wax on the cloth and really did have a lot of fun. Nancy Leary, the lady who lead the class, presents art and music workshops for children, teens, and adults.

The same day as Lorna made her floor cloth, Jack's piano teacher, Tom, held a recital for Jack and another of his students, Magda, at his house. He feels they are both very talented and keen to progress in the areas of music they love. For Jack, this is orchestral composing, and for Magda, singing and writing song lyrics. It was a wonderful session and as we are good friends with Magda's parents, we shall be encouraging Jack and Magda to get together and work on compositions and songs.

We were invited to the Grow a Row Thank You Barn Dance on the 12th November. Jack helped with the parking and met two very nice young ladies whom he enjoyed dancing with and talking to that evening. We were thanked personally during the presentations, which was a surprise and an honor. Grow a Row, under Chip Paillex's leadership and direction, has gone from giving a few surplus tomatoes to a food pantry, in 2005, to donating over 1,000,000 pounds of food in 2010! We have been involved in collecting apples with them, but also in advertising their work and volunteer opportunities through Lorna's networks. Recently, Grow a Row has purchased a farm, which it wants to use to teach people to grow their own food, as well as growing food to help feed the hungry of New Jersey. We had a wonderful evening meeting new people and eating great food (Yes, they provided Jack and myself with a gluten free meal!!!) and that included gluten free desserts. Click on the logo to the right to visit the Grow a Row website.

We made two field trips for our US Government Class this month. The first was to Trenton, the NJ State Capitol. We sat in on an Appellate Court session and heard the verbal arguments for three appeals. After the hearings finished, the three judges came down to meet us; we assume they don't see many children in the public seating. All the children got to ask them questions which the judges took turns to answer. Then we moved to the State House and met with Jodee Inscho, who works for our local assemblyman, John Dimaio. Jodee is a local friend and member of our church, and organized this part of our visit. We attended a press conference calling on Congress to review the airport screening x-rays and pat-downs, and heard statements by Senators Michael Doherty, Diane Allen and James Beach, and Deborah Jacobs, NJ Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), amongst others. We had an opportunity later to compare what we heard with what the news actually reported. This was a great educational opportunity for the students, as they realized how little actually gets reported. We took a tour of the Senate and Assembly chambers with our representatives, and whilst enjoying lunch we got to chat with the ACLU representative that had been part of the morning press conference. Another formal tour followed in the afternoon before we returned home.



The following Monday we got to meet with the NJ Governor, Chris Christy, at a Town Hall Meeting in Hackettstown. It was a fantastic opportunity for the students and they were the first four to ask questions of the governor. They were also interviewed and featured in many local and state papers. This also gave them another opportunity to compare newspapers, think about what is actually reported, and to bring that information to a discussion on basis. 

There is a photograph of Amy asking her question (with Lynn next in line) on the Governor's web site. Hunter and Jack had already asked their questions.

We started back with our US historical discussion group this month at Shippen Manor, led by the curator Andy Drysdale. The children have studied each period we have looked at in great detail, and we have all learned so much, especially as we are studying US Government at the same time.

Which reminded me, that back in October, we dropped in on General George Washington taking luncheon at Shippen Manor. He ate slowly so there was time for Phil to paint this quick oil portrait ;-)



We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Meal with Lourdes and Carlos and their family. We were so glad to have them join us as they are moving to Illinois and we shall be losing them from the homeschooling community here. We have already decided to make plans to visit!





Phil tried his hand at tanning a deer hide (the deer was killed with his crossbow in September.) He learned that it was a lot of work to do this on a frame, but got a hide that he thinks he can make a pair of moccasins from. See next month!


We purchased our Christmas tree from our friends and organic farm owners, Les and Deb, and we got a chance to catch up on their news. We also chatted with their two interns, one of whom we may be connecting up with as part of our "Energy Economy" Project. We discovered this month we have been awarded a $4,000 grant for this project by power company Pensynlvania Power and Light (PPL) . This was the first grant Lorna has ever applied for and we are the first homeschool group to be awarded a grant by PPL, as far we we know!