Boston, Mass – The twins will have a total of 30-something days of in-school school this year. And they are going to spend three of those days taking standardized tests. Really? (Those of us who have been overhearing 5th-grade homeschooling…
Back to School
Somerville, Mass – We’re going back to school! A real school, in a building! I didn’t think it would happen, but these two kiddos are finishing out 5th grade IN PERSON. (Not the professor, he’s been in person the whole…
Heartsong Poems
Somerville, Mass – The twins have been studying poetry in 3rd grade, inspired by Mattie Stepanek’s Heartsong poems. Today, the school invited the families into the classrooms to hear the kids recite their own poems. I was tickled that V…
Jurassic Park
Somerville, Mass – Twin S did a special research project with his class. The teacher assigned each student a dinosaur to research and present their findings at the special event “Jurassic Park”. S was assigned Rhamphorhynchus. Seriously? I can’t even…
World Landmarks Project
Somerville, Mass – V’s class is doing a world landmarks project. Each kid chose a landmark building or geographical feature to learn about and create a model of. For some reason, V decided he might choose Machu Picchu for his…
Go Adventure Mom Podcast
Somerville, Mass – It’s always a treat to connect with like-minded mums. Recently I had the pleasure of chatting with Kathy Dalton, the founder, writer, editor and `Chief of Everything’ at Go Adventure Mom. This is a fantastic website that’s…
In Full Bloom
Somerville, Mass–Some time last year, long before this election cycle had reached its fevered pitch, the twins’ school commenced a community art project entitled In Full Bloom. Local mosaic artist David Fichter directed the project, which included every student, as well as parents…
Our Culture of Fear
Somerville, Mass – While riding the bus this week, Twin V noticed that somebody had etched a name into the window pane. “Why would anybody write on the window?” he demanded accusingly. “That’s not right.” I nodded in agreement. Then…
Kindergarten
Somerville, Mass – Last night, we were psyching the twins up about their first day of kindergarten. Daddio enthused (or was it lamented) that he had to go to school too. Twin S said hopefully “Didn’t you know that I cancelled school?”…
Heritage Night
Somerville, Mass – Question: When is going to school like a trip around the world? Answer: When it’s Heritage Night This event was organized by the PTA and the arts council at the twins’ school. The tag line was…