::::::::Another Noahism:::::::
We took Rachel to Fernbank Natural History Museum to do a memory study for Emory University's Bauer Research Center. Since we had a family pass we took the rest of the kids. I went up to the Member Service counter and presented my identification to the young man behind the counter to get our tickets. Noah came up to stand next to me and asked the the man, "Hello Sir, but could you tell me if your necklace is metamorphic, igneous or sedimentary rock?" The poor guy looked shocked and befuddled, then he said, "It's a citrine." So Noah asked, "So what is a citrine?" The guy responded, "I don't know. It's just a citrine."
Michael took Aaron, Noah and Eve around to the different exhibits, while I went with Rachel and the researcher around Fernbank. Rachel was given a digital camera to take different photographs of things in the facility. She was assigned some specific items to photograph and sometimes she was allowed to take some of her choice. She had to take 3 photos of each thing because they said the image would process in her memory better that way. She kept commenting on the dead bird exhibits and that she wouldn't photograph any animals private parts. She believes in "Privacy".
After the researcher was finished with Rachel we joined the others to play in the hands on exhibits. The kids really love to make giant bubbles.
Rachel went to the research lab on Tuesday and they put the cap on her head that would allow them to monitor her brain waves. They put her in a room and gave her a thing that was like a computer game controller because they figured that apparatus would be easiest for computer savvy kids to operate. She was having a little bit of a learning. So they took a little more time to explain how to use it to her. Michael said he explained that she didn't play computer games much, that she liked to read a lot. They asked what she was reading. She told them, Pride and Prejudice, also Johnny Tremain. The researchers then put her in a dark room and displayed photographs, some were hers and some not, to see how and where her brain responded. We love science!
:::::::::::::::Parent/Teacher Conferences Begin::::::::
Michael and I went tonight to conferences for Rachel and Noah. I don't think I've walked away so at ease for the progress of two of my kids. The best news is that Rachel's teacher is now cancer free!!! All the parents clapped and cried for her. We really are pleased at the rapport she has with the her class. She is such a fantastic teacher and she tries to keep the bar raised, so the kids really achieve and stretch. Rachel scored well on all of her tests, but could use some help with fractions.
I had to run up after 10 minutes to make my appointment with Noah's teacher. I was surprised that all she had to say was good stuff. She said he has matured and really works hard to turn in assignments on time. His reading tests for the accelerated reader program are showing he is reading at grade level. His other tests show he needs improvement in punctuation, capitalization and another grammar area. He was outstanding in every other area, so my little man with poor fine motor skills is really coming along.
:::::::::::This Morning::::::::
Another Noah story. Noah decided he didn't want to watch morning programs on PBS, or play on the computer. He wanted to create circuit that he had made with Michael before. He said it wouldn't take long because there were only 11 steps. He called me in after a few minutes because he said he couldn't find the right resistor. He had a code that listed the color he needed. We went through all of the resistors, but couldn't find the one he said he needed. I grabbed the phone and called Michael at work. After talking to Noah for a couple of minutes he realized that Noah confused the resistor for the integrated circuit he actually needed. We thanked Michael and got only a few steps into the circuit before he had to run off and get on the bus. Interesting morning for an 8 year-old.
I hope y'all have a happy Valentine's Day! I will be baking sugar cookies for Eve's Kindergarten class to decorate tomorrow. I will be using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, of course. (((HUGS))) to all!
