The school year is off to a good start with the girls at a new school that has an amazing curriculum. It is called University Public Schools, and they attend Polytechnic Elementary. It is associated with ASU, and the teachers (who are NOT students, but rather "well qualified teachers") utilize resources at ASU (such as distinguished professors as mentors) to help shape their lessons. The goal is not to simply pass AIMS tests with flying colors, but to assist them in preparing for university type learning. I probably didn't describe that as eloquently as I should have, but the overall experience has been amazing so far. The girls absolutely love their new school, and I can already see a positive change in their approach to schoolwork.
Things at Boeing have been rather slow lately. We are in between projects and everyone is milling around looking for work. I have been able to stay at home (unpaid, of course) and tried and get some projects done around the house (along with a few naps thrown in). Thank goodness I sold several houses in the last couple months, or we would be on a strict diet of Ramen noodles. As far as the projects go...I guess you could say I am well rested.
Jessica started playing the flute this year, much to my chagrin. I would have much rather her taken up an obscure instrument with no competition. Secretly I am pleased because she seems to be doing well, and she really enjoys it. Their new school does not have a band or an orchestra yet, being that this is their first year in operation. Instead, Jessica is taking private lessons from an instructor who I put through a rigorous interview process. I tried to teach Jessica a little myself when we first brought the flute home from the music store. It went a little like this:
First lesson: Putting the instrument together without breaking off any keys.
Result: No broken keys. Excellent.
Second lesson: Attempt to blow into the mouthpiece and make a sound.
Result: A few weak sounds followed by a tearful protest, "You just don't understand how hard this is!! Life is so unfair!"
Needless to say, I quickly started in on researching and interviewing local flute teachers.
Alisa resumed piano lessons after a 2 year sabbatical. She is doing amazingly well. For the entire two years off, she begged to resume lessons. My well intentioned, but highly failed, attempt to teach her myself resulted in finally locating a local piano instructor who could pass the aforementioned interview process. Alisa loves the piano so much, that when she finally added up all the minutes that she practices throughout the day, it totals to approximately 60 minutes each day. Keep in mind, this is a 9 year old, playing at a basic level. Whoo hoo! Maybe she'll be my gravy train. Oh wait, pianists don't make very much money. Shucks. Maybe I need to refocus her attention to her sewing skills and studying the anatomy of the heart.
On top of music lessons we have soccer, swimming, and girl scouts, so needless to say, we are poor and busy.
Until next time, thanks for checking in.
~cc
5 comments:
Yayayayay! You're back! I haven't checked your blog since...well, before you posted again, so now I'll be back to checking...NO PRESSURE or anything ;)
That school sounds interesting. I hope you post more about it during the school year.
How funny that you thought about the "competition" in the flute world. That was my first thought when I read she was playing it. I watch all these gazillions of little girls at the boy's school and know how it'll be for them *sigh*.
Hey Christy! I'm curious about this school. Is it public, private? Charter school?
Deanna took the words out of my mouth. More details about the school, por favor?
Also, weighing in on the choice of instruments. I played the oboe for four years, and wish I had kept it up through high school and college. I think playing for a symphony would preferable to my current job! There aren't many accomlished oboists in the world. But regardless of their choice of instrument, I think it's awesome that both of your girls are musically inclined.
Michelle, I didn't know you played oboe! You should have kept it up - you could have been a band fool at MdN with me. As far as choosing instruments, selfishly I would prefer her to play a less common instrument (oboe, bassoon, baritone, french horn), but ultimately each child should pick the instrument they like best, right?
Regarding the school - it is a public charter school. Tuition free, and seems to have some good funding. Each student has their own iBook for online research and writing. They are also buying ergonomic chairs for each student to utilize when they open the new building. I do love the daily spanish and PE. The kids are learning so much Spanish and they just love it. The daily PE allows the coach to teach them the rules of each sport (they do volleyball for 2 weeks, kickball for 2 weeks, etc) instead of just kicking around a ball once a week with no understanding of the sport.
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