Just a reminder here..italicized verbage constitutes interruptions and side conversations to “what is really being highlighted.”
Is there such a thing for a mom?!
We now resume our “shout out” for Love of Learning…
and the profile of Son #4 who’s in it.
And his obsession with LEGO…
which in turn, has spawned an obsession with all things oceanography related…
for now.
“Mom, Manta Rays come in several varieties.”
“Do you think that they are poisonous?”
“Well, I know that at least one variety is.”
“Do you remember Steve Irwin?”
“Yes. He was the Crocodile Hunter.”
“Yes, and he was doing a special on Manta Rays and was stung. That is how he died.”
“Son #4, I think that we should look up Manta Rays and get the information that we can.”
“You’ve talked about them a lot lately.”
“Okay!”
Can we sing a round of “God Bless America” for Google here?! However, when possible…
I love to go to a book as a resource.
They are the backbone of knowledge and a concrete example to a young child.
Son #5: “No one ever asks what I would like to do.”
“Yes, we do. A lot of the time.”
“Remember?”…give examples.
“Well, I think what I was trying to say then, is that I don’t WANT to study about dumb ole’ Manta Rays.”
“I think that it will be fun. We can each take a turn reading so you can practice.”
“There will be big science words, though.” ( Still Son #5)
“I am here to help you.”
We go out to the library, which will be discussed in depth and featured later…promise…
for the top two books pictured here.
Right now, the library needs a priest, a canoe, a couple of camels and a lot of prayer to right itself…SIGH.
It’s definitely a work in progress and the focus of much rectifying at the time of this dialogue…
After we’ve made ourselves really comfortable…
and Son #5 has his arms locked in a seemingly permanent crossed position.
Mom: “Wow! I had no idea that there were this many varieties of Manta Rays in the world. Would you look at that?”
#5 voice “from behind” and muttering…
“I’d really rather not.”
#4: “I’ll read. Some of these words are big, Mom.”
“Told ya.” ( Do you need a number?!…5)
“Wow, Mom, those spotted ones must live on the bottom in the sand because of their coloring.”
“Yes, I think that you’re correct. And look at this one, it says that he lives in the center of the ocean’s waters…
where the temperatures are best for his design features.”
“Hey, I can’t see.” #5 moves to where he can see….and adds:
“You know, I already know everything that there is to know about Manta Rays.”
Mom: “Really?”
“Yep.”
Son #4, who’s getting irritated asks, “Okay, how many species are there in all?”
Son #5 assumes deer in the headlights look.
Hey, Mom ( Sons #1-3) we’re leaving for music lessons and taking the car. #2, I’m still needing some help with my Dred Scott arguments, okay?
Mom to Son #5: ” I believe you were asked a question? Speak into the microphone, Mr!”
Son #5 starts to giggle and then laugh.
Hysterically.
“Okay, ya got me! I don’t know everything…except that some of these are kinda funny looking and interesting.”
Mom: Can you draw me a picture of your favorite one when we’re finished?”
Son #4: ” I have something way better planned!” smiles.
Son #5: runs for colored pencils, paper…smiling.
Son #5: “Hey, Mom!’ yells as he’s coloring…
“Yes?”
“I think that I’m happy now!”
Son #4: “Wait until you see mine!”
Are you all ready?!…
Top side of a Manta Ray
underneath view…
You were expecting something else after the LEGO disclosure that started all of this?!
Better yet, here he is at dinner for Valentine’s Day the other night with his order!
Yes, there was a very detailed discussion of crabs…
their eyes, their claws, their joints, their predators, their food sources, their speed, agility, color, size variations…
you get the idea.
Here’s #5’s finished product…
apparently, if you look closely at the top of the paper…
the number of species was quite impactive…
that’s 300-456, in case you can’t make the numbers out.
Bet he doesn’t “know everything” again…
for at least a couple of days.
If you’ll excuse me…
the mentor is going to go and apply for a spot on either “Jeopardy” or “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”…
because I am a plethora of knowledge thanks to #1-#5.
Or, I may study up on schizophrenia…
bipolar disorder…
ADHD
multi-tasking for personal effectiveness…
or the side effects of Xanax.
Today, #4 announced that he is going to look into the logistics of what it takes to build golf courses!
Beautiful.
8 Responses to “Giving a Shout Out for Love of Learning, part 2”
Leave a Reply
Tammiejoe » Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 8:28 am
Love it! I could practically hear the conversation as if I were there in person! I love the lego manta ray by #4, and the drawing by #5 is equally impressive! Way to go mom! I will patiently wait for your appearances on Jeopardy and Millionare…in the meantime I am looking forward (with great aniticipation) on your follow up column to:
“Or, I may study up on schizophrenia…
bipolar disorder…
ADHD
multi-tasking for personal effectiveness…
or the side effects of Xanax.”
[Reply]
Erika Lundquist » Wednesday, February 24, 2010, 10:55 am
I just love you, Teri!! Thanks for sharing. It’s really helpful to see the different phases interacting together
. But yes… it does make one a little loopy and definitely raises our ability to mutitask to a whole new level! I am also looking forward to a follow-up post that Tammie alluded to above 
.
[Reply]
Debbie » Thursday, February 25, 2010, 5:42 am
Teri, how much time do you typically set aside for son #4 in L of L stage (time, not content)?
I love the lego and the drawing of the ray!
[Reply]
Teri Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 7:04 am
@Debbie: Debbie, This is an excellent question! I think that you “get in a groove” so to speak and you honestly get to a point where you have to think about it. Please bear in mind, that part of the reason that I hesitate to answer some of these things, is because while they are principles, they are not tried and true formulas. ALL of Leadership Education hinges on RELATIONSHIP. Knowing your child and what to look for is paramount. It depends on the topic that he and I are discussing and how the journey of that discussion goes. That being said, you need to know that we have core work that we do together daily. That is 30-40 minutes depending on what he and I are “accomplishing.” When he wants to “discuss” something, we will generally take the same amount of time, sometimes up to an hour. When I see his eyes begin to “glaze” or physical fatigue, we’re done….for now.
Sometimes, he will sit and talk to me about exploring a topic for an hour or more. And other times he sits for 30 minutes, goes away and contemplates that by putting together more LEGO, or studying in a book, and comes back and asks the next question.
Please know that this child, while extroverted because he is secure, is very contemplative, easily amused with his own thought processes and can entertain himself with a toothpick, a piece of dental floss and a rock for 2-3 hours at a time! Also know that I am very aware that his mind is turning this entire time and he is getting more ideas. We also read together daily from a classic.
I would love to hear how others have worked with a different personality type in Love of Learning! I’ve rambled on enough. Anyone game?!? Come on! You can do it! We’d LOVE to hear from you! ;0)
[Reply]
Debbie » Thursday, February 25, 2010, 11:56 am
Thanks, Teri. Yes, I would love to hear how much time others set aside for the different Love of Learners. Any info. is helpful!
[Reply]
Christy » Friday, February 26, 2010, 7:12 am
I can’t stop smiling – similar events have happened here at the GBA… #1 ans #2, being girls are interested in different things, and #3 gets dragged along kicking and screaming…until – it actually IS interesting! Heavens above I love Leadership Education!
@ Debbie… I have 2…bouncing back and forth between core and LOL, In my opinion…
I don’t set aside time for them, lol- they seek me out – everywhere! When the moment strikes, we often go to the computer and google ( yes, god bless google), as Teri mentioned – some answers come in 5 minutes – others set us onto a three day “tangent”. And super honestly – sometimes I am busy working, planning, or having MOM time and we put our inquiries on a list to revisit… occasionally I ‘loose’ them, and their interest wanes – but I am, in my opinion, showing them that I have responsibilities to meet, and I must schedule my time. Trust me – more often than not I drop my stuff like a hot potato to embrace the LOLers request.
Being schedule orientated – I try, try, try to set aside 30 minutes of one on one time for each of my children during “school time” – but it never quite works out that way… one does not want me involved, one needs more time, one is lost in the backyard, etc… seriously – just go with the flow, and enjoy every moment! HTH!
[Reply]
Joelle » Friday, February 26, 2010, 5:04 pm
I love these ’snapshots’ of your days with the boys. Keep doing these. I find them really helpful. I’m always wondering…what is everyone else doing out there? You’ve inspired me.
Joelle
[Reply]
Debbie » Sunday, February 28, 2010, 5:27 am
Thank you, Christy!!! It is so helpful to look into others’ lives and see what is working for them!!!
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