Last week in February

This week K studied lenses and how they can bend light to create optical illusions and patterns.

He took the lens to Forest school and was able to show his classmates.

The seeds they planted a couple weeks ago are starting to grow.

They also did art and reading.

K, who reads on a 2nd to 3rd grade level, is helping a kindergartener at Forest school learn to read. The teacher called and asked if I would rather have him reading a book on his own or helping a younger child. I was thrilled to learn K, who has autism, wants the opportunity to help a younger pupil.

Speaking of helping a younger child, A1 took some time this week to read to A2. He also reads a Minecraft book to K almost every night.

As far as reading out loud, we finished The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe this week.

Other things we did, was A2 built with the sensory sand, while A1 constructed a building.

A1 also built a Crunch Labs Kit, while A2 enjoyed painting.

We are moving along in 7th grade health for J. This week was on communication and overcoming negative thinking.

Perhaps the most fun for J this week was she decided to declare her room independent from the rest of the house. I told her I would need to see a declaration of independence.  After that, she would need to establish a government. A flag and a motto was also encouraged.  Of course, heat and water were coming from the rest of the house, so she would have to buy these from us.  Her keen mind quickly jumped to all the resources she had to barter with. The sugar, pasta, beans, and rice are stored under her bed. (Yes, we have food storage everywhere in our small, rural, home.)

Back to becoming independent. J named her room Felina. Her cat was elected president. (Although J serves as interpreter.) The official recognized animal is the cat, their motto is, "Meow". Which translates to, "We rule the world, you just don't know it."

A1 also wrote a declaration of independence. His flag was designed off of things he likes. There is a silver dragon with golden eyes and horns, 2 golden snakes with red eyes, and stripes that were supposed to be red and blue since it reminded him of the American flag. He named this room Eunectes, meaning Anaconda, and their motto is, "I'm bored." (Which he say he will probably change.)

While K didn't want to invent a country of his own, all the kids will be participating in a geography fair in a few weeks. K has already picked a country to learn about. Can you guess which one he chose?