The Lesson on Temptation

One of the things I have been training Maxie is resisting temptation.  She used to think if I held out a treat, it's a hind for her to grab it.   Sorry, honey, not anymore.  

Maxie could smell dried duck breast as soon as I unzip the bag and she'd come to the kitchen as fast as her legs would bring her.  Saying no to this treat takes tremendous self-control.  I am so proud of Maxie that she's learned the best way to do so.

When I hold out the treat, Maxie would look away.  It doesn't matter how close I place the treat to her nose, she'd turn her nose away and refuse to even sniff it.  

Ignoring the temptation.  Staying strong.

Of course, her self-control is always rewarded.  Good girl, Maxie!

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The Gift of Life

Scarlet Runner Beans

Right before school ended last year, for the science unit, Ms. W let each student plant a scarlet runner bean (see how big those beans are?).  Soon, JJ came home with a 5" tall plant in a foam cup.  She was so thrilled to have her very own plant that she watered and watched the plant grow every day.  As the plant grew taller, it started to become floppy.  With my help, JJ transferred it to a terracotta pot with stakes (...well, they were really space filler pieces from an IKEA shelve packaging, disposable chopsticks, garbage bag ties and long rubber bands). 

Sitting on the kitchen windowsill, the bean plant flourished.  It was funny to see the vines tended to cling to the window to kiss the sun.  Then, we spotted the white and yellow bean blossoms, though most just withered after a few days.  Just when we thought nothing else would grow out of this plant, JJ went into the kitchen one afternoon and squealed with delight.  Without fanfare, a slightly curved oblong bean pot had been quietly forming.  By the time JJ picked it, the pod was almost as long as her palm.  Curiously, when JJ opened the pod, she found the bean inside to be creamy white, instead of scarlet, like its mother plant.  We planted the white bean a few weeks ago and found it sprouted this morning (exactly a year after the mother plant was planted)!  Life just keeps on giving.  Isn't it a beautiful thing?

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JJ's New Math Skill--Carry Over Subtraction

Recently I got a set of wooden number rods (similar to the Montessori Number Rods, only in different colors and fit in a child's palm) at a sale for $1.  I write numbers on them to identify their lengths.  Then, I use them to introduce the concept of carry over subtraction to JJ.  Here's how:

1. Set the minuend (the number that is to be subtracted from) using number rods.  In this case, 15--1 ten rod and 1 five rod.
2. Since the subtrahend (the number that is to be subtracted) is greater than the one's place of the minuend, JJ needs to substitute the ten rod with 10 ones cubes. 
3. Remove the ten rod.
4. From the 10 ones cubes, subtract the subtrahend.  In this case, 6 ones cubes.
5. Remove the cubes and get the difference.  Start by saying the name of the number rod (5), then add the remaining ones cubes to that number (6, 7, 8, 9).  Easy?  JJ thinks so, too.

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JJ's 1st Abacus Lesson

I was surprised to hear Z said that learning abacus years ago had helped him with visualizing numbers in his head.  His comments motivated me to get JJ started learning abacus.

The 1^st lesson was to learn how to hold the abacus and pen, the basic movement of beads, and to notate the beads.  I drew 10 squares in a row to have JJ notate 1-10 as she moved the beads one number at a time.

At the end of the lesson, this is what she had.  Good job, JJ!

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