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March 11, 2009
Simon Bolivar, Redux
Okay, I'm sold.
The three-week study of Simon Bolivar is, in reality, an excuse to jump into the study of South America for a few weeks. We can do that.
I broke down and bought the main recommended text:
I highly recommend this book. It covers the history of each country in South America in a style that is easily readable, but not condescending. It includes information about local flora and fauna, and resources. It does not shy away from discussing the drug trade. I'm glad I bought it, as the library system simply has nothing comparable.
And South America is fun, and interesting. So we will, after all, follow the progam.
Posted by lynx at 8:18 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 9, 2009
Simon Bolivar
Tapestry of Grace has us scheduled for a three-week study of Simon Bolivar's life and deeds.
We plan to read about him, yes; but can anyone give me a compelling reason for spending three weeks on him? Right now, I'm thinking we will condense the study into one week, and move on.
Am I missing some reason to go in-depth here? In 5th and 7th grade?
Posted by lynx at 12:04 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
March 6, 2009
Field Trip
We took a little field trip last Friday, to do something I never, ever thought I'd do: take part in a political protest, in front of the White House.
We attended the D.C. New American Tea Party, and had a great time! I will happily go again. Approximately 300 people were there, all energetic, all enthusiastic, and all fed up with the way the government is handling our money.
One of the piggy pork balloons
One of my favorite signs
It is true, and funny, that more conservative folks don't know how to have a good protest. We tried, but it's just not in our natures. We're not good at outraged chanting. We're outraged, yes, but screaming and chanting slogans? It's just ... not us. Or maybe it's just the more libertarian conservatives, because Republicans chanted well enough at their rallies. Either way, this Tea Party group need some work. Yes. Nevertheless, we were all having a good, outraged time, and I hope there are more. I am happy to do this. Thrilled!
And we all had a good laugh at the Wall Street Journal column covering the event (no, I'm not going to bother linking). This columnist described the gathering as a group of zombies, chanting dead slogans from the zombie Right. I ought to go back and count the number of times he used the word "zombies." If he uses the word enough times, that makes it true, right? Plus, if you want to make your point that this was an insignificant, tiny gathering of whiners, you'd do better to ignore us completely. Spending an entire column to proclaim our irrelevance doesn't quite get the job done. Who's whining?
Afterwards, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the Smithsonian. For Friday science (and history) we took in their exhibit on atomic power/bombs. To tie in with history we viewed the flag that flew at Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812, the one that Francis Scott Key was watching when he wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner." That, folks, is an amazing thing to see.
Posted by lynx at 1:02 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack