Tag Archives: Parenting

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Find Out!

. Family, Learning, Parenting . , , , , , ,

Ammon, Carter, and I are in a book! It’s called Find Out Anything From Anyone, Anytime.

Maryann Karinch and James O. Pyle co-authored this book, and one of Maryann’s chapters is Questioning in your Personal Life. She wanted to incorporate my good questioning techniques that I use with Carter and Ammon. She even references my future book (still unpublished, but written none the less!) and has a transcription of a conversation Ammon, Carter, and I had as we planned our Disney World trip last August.

Maryann sent Carter and Ammon signed copies of her book with a “Thank You.” We are all mentioned in her Acknowledgments, and our part of the book can be found on pages 208-211.

Maryann is a very dedicated author, and I think you all would enjoy reading this book. The “Find Out Anything….” can empower us to:

-Identify and practice good questioning techniques.
-Recognize types of questions to avoid.
-Know the questions required when hearing unconfirmed reports of gossip.
-Practice good listening techniques and exploit all leads.
-Determine when and how to control the conversation.
-Gain real expertise fast.

I enjoyed the book, and I think you all will too.

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Autumn 2014

. Family, Jesus Christ Follower . , , , , ,

img_2146

Our Autumn Mantel is set. Our harvest angels have graced our home for several years now. During the autumn, they flank our Lladró figurine of Jesus Christ, The Master Teacher. As I turned their faces toward the figure of Christ, I couldn’t help but think of Dantes Paradiso XXIII 43-45

Then her eyes turned to the eternal Light

Into whose depth we may believe the eyes

45 Of no other creature penetrates more clearly.

When there are angelic figures or human figures on our mantel, I try to position them where their eyes are fixed on the Eternal Light, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Autumn Everyone, and God bless you all.

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Letter B Unit Plan

. Family, Learning, Letter Unit Plans . , , , , , , , ,

Bb
Unit Plan
B=Believe

Cool, Simplistic Wheel of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Gardner

Gardner

(Thanks Connections Academy)

I had no idea that when I took a doctoral class of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
in 1999 that I would one day be using it to educate my own children. On my way to my doctorate, I completed my Education Specialist Degree that is in Curriculum Design. During their Homeschool Preschool year, I created my own curriculum for Carter and Ammon that I still rely on from time to time even though they have a separate Kindergarten curriculum. I am using Tennessee state standards so be sure that if you are trying to follow standards, consult your own state’s Department of Education website.

Whether for your own homeschooling, student remediation, or student enrichment, please feel free to use my plans for your children or classroom.

Letter B "Bean Art"

Letter B “Bean Art”

Mathematics: TN KCC A.3, KCC B.5, KCC B.4b, KOA A.1 & A.2, KMD A.1 & A.2

Social Studies: TN Business 2.02, Seasons 3.02 “c” (Autumn)

Science: TN K Building Blocks 7.1.2 , Biology w/plants & animals 7.3.1 (water, food, & air), Weather 7.8.2

-Weather Data -Heat Chart

Language Arts: TN RFK 2.d, RFK 3.b, SLK 1.a, SLK 1.b, SLK 6, LK 1.a, LK 1.f, RLK1, RLK2, RLK3, RLK4, RLK5, RLK9

Bubble Bear by Maxwell Higgins

Multiple Intelligences

Verbal/Linguistic- reading, writing, Capitals & punctuation

Logical Mathematical- math (numbers 1-20)

Body Kinesthetic- Balance, basketball, bowling, base ball

Spatial- Draw /Color B & b coloring w/ABC Mouse.com

Music/Rhythm- Brahms, Beethoven, Bossa Nova

Brahms

Bossa Nova

Beethoven 5th

Beethoven: Moonlight

Ode to Joy

Interpersonal- Relating to Daddy S, Daddy H, & Mamaw, & Nana

Intrapersonal –Asking how they are experiencing their day with a video journal from iPad

Nature- Biology

http://concord.org/stem-resources/subject/biology?gclid=CPyti9L7hroCFWpp7AodC1oAPg

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Summer Vacations 2014

. Family, Family Travel . , , , , , , , , , ,
Disneyland, California July 12, 2014

Disneyland, California July 12, 2014

We had some excellent summer vacations in 2014!

For Memorial Day and Independence Day, we spent several days up in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at Dollywood. If you live in East Tennessee and you love amusement parks, it would be wise to buy a season pass to Dollywood. After your second visit on a season pass, you have paid for your season ticket. The rides are thrilling and adventuresome, and the songs, shows, and crafts that permeate the park are sooooo Dolly Parton. I’ve been a fan of hers since I was 10 years old.

Carter & Ammon May 22, 2014

Carter & Ammon May 22, 2014

June 6-15 we were in our “adopted city” of New York, Manhattan. We stayed at the Doubletree, went to shows, saw the Statue of Liberty, met up with an old friend, Patsy Claiborne Webb for a day, and went to Coney Island. We also saw a dear friend and tour guide, Marion, at the American Museum of Natural History. She gave us a private tour of the museum before it opened one Tuesday morning. Regarding the shows, all four of us, Ammon, Carter, Sean, and I, agree that “Kinky Boots” was our favorite show. It was Sean and my 2nd time to see it the first being December of 2013.

IMG_1224

Chalk Drawing from Central Park NYC Father's Day (June 15, 2014)

Chalk Drawing from Central Park NYC Father’s Day (June 15, 2014)

July 11-21 we were in Anaheim, California. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel. We spent 5 days going back and forth from Disneyland to the Disney California Adventure Park. On Monday we spent all day at Universal Studios. On Friday July 18, we drove down to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Other adventures were to Venice Beach where Ammon and Carter placed their feet in the Pacific Ocean for the 1st time, and to the Santa Monica Pier where the famous Route 66 ends. We rode its roller coaster.

Universal Studios at the new Menion Mayhem: July 14

Universal Studios at the new Menion Mayhem: July 14

Santa Monica Pier July 16.

Santa Monica Pier July 16.

Back Scenes Tour San Diego Wild Nature Park: Tiger's House July 18.

Back Scenes Tour San Diego Wild Nature Park: Tiger’s House July 18.

Venice Beach July 20

Venice Beach July 20

Space Mountain Disneyland

Space Mountain Disneyland

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Letter A Unit Plan

. Learning, Letter Unit Plans . , , , , ,

Aa- Unit Plan

A= Autumn

A=Acceptance

Cool, Simplistic Wheel of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Multiple Intelligence Wheel

Multiple Intelligence Wheel

(Thanks Connections Academy)

Autumn

Autumn

I had no idea that when I took a doctoral class of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
in 1999 that I would one day be using it to educate my own children. On my way to my doctorate, I completed my Education Specialist Degree that is in Curriculum Design. During their Homeschool Preschool year, I created my own curriculum for Carter and Ammon that I still rely on from time to time even though they have a separate Kindergarten curriculum. I am using Tennessee state standards so be sure that if you are trying to follow standards, consult your own state’s Department of Education website.

The standards I have chosen for Preschool align with Tennessee’s Kindergarten Standards, and I have chosen the core classes of Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Poetry, etc.). Several letter “A” words from each core is then made focal points to study during the Unit Plan.

The plan for the Multiple Intelligences is the same whereby letter “A” words are woven through the intelligences and focused on during the unit.

Whether for your own homeschooling, student remediation, or student enrichment, please feel free to use my plans for your children or classroom.

Autumn Activities: http://www.123child.com/lessonplans/seasonal/fall/fall.php

Mathematics: TN KCC A.3, KCC B.5, KCC B.4b, KOA A.1, A.2, A.3, A.4, & A.5 KMD A.1 & A.2

Measuring ingredients for Home Made APPLE Pies

Carter creates his Apple Pies

Carter creates his Apple Pies

Ammon creates her Apple PIes

Ammon creates her Apple PIes

Social Studies: TN Seasons K3.02 (c) (Autumn), K 1.01-Physical Attributes, K4.01 (d) Authority, 4.04 (b) Allegiance

Science: TN K Take APART 7.1.3, Biology w/animals 7.3.1 (water, food, & air), Weather- 7.8.1, 7.8.2

-Weather Data -Heat Chart

Language Arts: TN RFK 2.d, RFK 3.b, SLK 1.a, SLK 1.b, SLK 6, LK 1.a, LK 1.f, RLK1, RLK2, RLK3, RLK4, RLK5, RLK9

The Adventures of Abby Alligator By Maria Fleming

Multiple Intelligences

Verbal/Linguistic- reading, writing, Capitals & punctuation, short “a” & long “a”, articulate, analogize,

Logical Mathematical- math (numbers 1-20), addition, analyze, abstract, analogize,

Apple Pies- Recipe (measuring ingredients)

Body Kinesthetic- Acrobatics, activate, assemble,

Spatial- Air art (straws), align,

Apple Jack Necklace (Kellogg's Cereal loved the Tweet)

Apple Jack Necklace (Kellogg’s Cereal loved the Tweet)

https://twitter.com/Twin_Travel/status/388708218433593344/photo/1

Music/Rhythm- accordion

Interpersonal- Relating to Daddy S, Daddy H, & Mamaw, & Nana, associate,

Intrapersonal –Asking how they are experiencing their day with a video journal from iPad, analyze, assess,

Nature- Adopt a tree

Adopt a Tree: October 10, 2013. Our Maple Tree is still quite green and Carter & Ammon can still wear shorts

Adopt a Tree: October 10, 2013. Our Maple Tree is still quite green and Carter & Ammon can still wear shorts

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

2014 Summer Swims

. Family . , , , , , , ,
Carter & his Cannoball

Carter & his Cannoball

Ammon & her Cannonball

Ammon & her Cannonball

At the end of Summer 2013, I asked Carter and Ammon if they wanted to join a local swim team that has an awesome facility for year-round swimming (Olympic size pool with a retractable roof). They said they would consider it, and I asked the coach for a trial. Carter and Ammon did wonderfully considering they were 4 years old. However, they were the youngest, needed extra coaching, were always behind the group (they were practicing the WHOLE length of the pool….tired little fellers they were!), and by the time they were finishing, the group was starting their next thing to practice. Sean and I both walked up and down the pool giving instructions from what we had heard from the coach. Our last trial day the coach didn’t even get in the pool for half the instruction time. We decided that we wouldn’t continue with the team….maybe later.

This summer’s swimming at our house has been awesome! We’ve practiced several strokes, but not much. It’s purely fun and adventure. We have been so blessed to have a pool, been able to provide swimming lessons for Ammon and Carter, and been able to give them some of our own tips for jumping off the diving board, swimming, and diving to the bottom for pool toys.

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St. Patrick’s Day 2015

. European Destinations, Family Travel, Holidays . , , , , , , ,

St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin, Ireland: June 13, 2011 I’ve always enjoyed all the “wearing of the green” and the leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day. However, it wasn’t until our day in Dublin, Ireland June of 2011, that I felt a “spiritual conncetion” with Saint Patrick.  I had even read several times yet without absorbing much history of Saint Patrick to really know his story.

St. Patrick

He had been taken from  homeland in Wales (Great Britain) to be a slave in Ireland. He was approximately 16, and by his early 20s he had made it back to Wales. He then became a minister and returned to Ireland. He writes that he “baptized thousands of people”. He ordained priests to lead the new Christian communities. He converted wealthy women, some of whom became nuns in the face of family opposition. He also dealt with the sons of kings, converting them too.

Carter, Nana, Haven, & Ammon (admiring the vaulted ceilings)
June 13, 2011: St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin, Ireland

My favorite building in Dublin, Ireland was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It had such a warmth and “spirit” about it. It wasn’t like other cathedrals I have been in where it was like a museum instead of a place of worship. St. Patrick’s work was filled with love and giving, and his spirit seems to permeate his cathedral.

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

“Find Out Anything From Anyone, Anytime”

. Family, Learning, Parenting . , , , , , , ,

Ammon, Carter, and I are in a book! It’s called Find Out Anything From Anyone, Anytime.

Maryann Karinch and James O. Pyle co-authored this book, and one of Maryann’s chapters is Questioning in your Personal Life. She wanted to incorporate my good questioning techniques that I use with Carter and Ammon. She even references my future book (still unpublished, but written none the less!) and has a transcription of a conversation Ammon, Carter, and I had as we planned our Disney World trip last August.

Maryann sent Carter and Ammon signed copies of her book with a “Thank You.” We are all mentioned in her Acknowledgments, and our part of the book can be found on pages 208-211.

Maryann is an effective author, and I think you all would enjoy reading this book. The “Find Out Anything….” can empower us to:

-Identify and practice good questioning techniques.
-Recognize types of questions to avoid.
-Know the questions required when hearing unconfirmed reports of gossip.
-Practice good listening techniques and exploit all leads.
-Determine when and how to control the conversation.
-Gain real expertise fast.

I enjoyed the book, and I think you all will too.

Haven Caylor-Brown's avatar

Letter G – Preschool Unit Plan

. Preschool Unit Plans . , , , , , ,
G Week!

G Week!

Gardner

Gardner

(Thanks, Connections Academy) I had no idea that when I took a doctoral class of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences in 1999 that I would one day be using it to educate my own children. On my way to my doctorate, I completed my Education Specialist Degree that is in Curriculum Design. During their Homeschool Preschool year, I created my own curriculum for Carter and Ammon that I still rely on from time to time even though they have a separate Kindergarten curriculum. Verbal/linguistic 1. Practicing writing the letter G 2. Gorilla be Good (Letter G): Scholastic Items used/needed: Any paper, pencil, jumbo crayons (actually Ammon is holding colored pencils real well, so she asked for pencils. I obliged. Preschool Workbook by Mead (bought at WalMart) Logical/Mathematical Geometry-triangles, hexagons: We spent a few minutes introducing “lines” and triangles that have 180 degree angles. Items needed: sidewalk chalk The Dot and the Line: a Romance in Lower Mathematics http://bit.ly/Y96he3 Visual/Spatial 1. Typing the letter G: pointer finger left hand Items used/needed: any computer keyboard. Ammon and Carter used their iPads with two different Apps. 1)ABCKeyboard 2)ABC Games Art: Gauguin : comparing and contrasting European painting vs. Tahitian paintings. Power Point (less than 6 slides) with Gauguin paintings Music: explore the music of Gershwin 1. Breakfast to the sounds of “I’ve got Rhythm” –several times during the week, we would break out in a “tap-danced” to this tune 2. Watch a video of “An American in Paris” Bodily/Kinesthetic 1. Gallop Intrapersonal: 1. What does it mean to be grateful (discussion) During meal or evening prayers, we would discuss what each of us were grateful for. Interpersonal: 1. How can you show gratitude to others? (discussion) We stopped often to tell each other “thank you!” and MEAN IT! Nature Plan a garden or plant seeds Learning in Action In Blooms Taxonomy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloom’s_Taxonomy) , the pinnacle of the learning pyramid is creativity. My favorite part of the week was when Carter and Ammon CREATED their own “G”ame. We made up rules as we went along, and you and yours can do the same: IT’S YOUR GAME! LOL Cowboys and Indians (Carter and Ammon style) 1. Cowboys and Indians (like a pack for $1 at the Dollar General) 2. Bottle caps 3. Line up your men (it can be by color, or Indians vs. Cowboys, rifles against pistols whatever) 4. Line up your men about 3 ft. apart. From each side and taking turns, toss your bottle cap at the line of “soldier” so as to knock down the men. 5. The first contestant to knock down all the figures wins.

General Tso’s Chicken for a Cultural & Cooking Activity