Discipline
We started at 8 a.m today and went downstairs at Ihsan's request, though I've actually planned to go anyway. The boys played ball for a while, then when Umayr wanted to play at the slides, Ihsan asked whether he can take a nature walk and look for snails. He came back a few minutes later, shouting in excitement that he found a grandpa snail with lots of twirls on his shell...indeed.
We later tried to watch a spider build his web. I say try because, depending on the reflection of the light, you can't really see the threads. We sat down to discuss what they did yesterday and their plans for today when we got back. I drew rough sketches of the materials that Umayr wanted to work with and their names below so that he can start linking them.
When our neighbour's son joined us; I insisted that we did an opening prayer and recitation. They didn't want to come to me, so I went to them. I felt it was necessary to have some structure as they were pushing boundaries and my sons were enjoying getting away with the time Iman was there not doing anything much. Even if it's one hour of the morning, I feel that the rhythm is disrupted.
I continued with storytelling and opening verse. Somehow, they sat and commented. There were hints of resistance from Iman, but he stayed on. Thereafter, I stated that they have to now work with their materials; I forgot I had to present one:) Iman only got his drawing pad in the last 15 minutes, but by then he has worked through a material or two; that was good enough for me.
When Iman left, Ihsan asked that we complete whatever was undone of his current Math workbook. After working through 5 pages or so, on top of the two he did earlier, we were quite drained....told him we can take the rest of the week or next.
Earlier in the morning I remember Ihsan asking ' What's zero minus 1?' I can try and see if he's ready for the abstract world of negatives. Now, I haven't even read up on fractions which he's into at the moment...sigh.
Ihsan is excited to learn that squids are in the same family of snails as its his favourite seafood. I've never been academically interested in my dinner....God gives inspiration to tired souls...
We later tried to watch a spider build his web. I say try because, depending on the reflection of the light, you can't really see the threads. We sat down to discuss what they did yesterday and their plans for today when we got back. I drew rough sketches of the materials that Umayr wanted to work with and their names below so that he can start linking them.
When our neighbour's son joined us; I insisted that we did an opening prayer and recitation. They didn't want to come to me, so I went to them. I felt it was necessary to have some structure as they were pushing boundaries and my sons were enjoying getting away with the time Iman was there not doing anything much. Even if it's one hour of the morning, I feel that the rhythm is disrupted.
I continued with storytelling and opening verse. Somehow, they sat and commented. There were hints of resistance from Iman, but he stayed on. Thereafter, I stated that they have to now work with their materials; I forgot I had to present one:) Iman only got his drawing pad in the last 15 minutes, but by then he has worked through a material or two; that was good enough for me.
When Iman left, Ihsan asked that we complete whatever was undone of his current Math workbook. After working through 5 pages or so, on top of the two he did earlier, we were quite drained....told him we can take the rest of the week or next.
Earlier in the morning I remember Ihsan asking ' What's zero minus 1?' I can try and see if he's ready for the abstract world of negatives. Now, I haven't even read up on fractions which he's into at the moment...sigh.
Ihsan is excited to learn that squids are in the same family of snails as its his favourite seafood. I've never been academically interested in my dinner....God gives inspiration to tired souls...
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