(no subject)

[ravencallscrows]

Well, people keep asking alexander if he's ready to go to school now, especially since he's turned 5 (i think a good double-handful asked him today).

Now, if you ask the boy where he wants to go to school, he'll tell you- "College."

It'll probably be his first experience with a conventional classroom when it happens, too. He'd be an absolute nightmare to turn loose on a poor elementary teacher who was tied into a lock-step curriculum. Quite simply, alexander can't be dragged into learning something he's not interested in learning. On the other hand, once something catches his interest, he's going to absorb as much information about it as he possibly can in a short period. Things he's expressed an interest in recently: geology and vulcanology; recycling and the environment (the whole hippy/Green thing. Can't imagine where he gets it!); today, it was geography and flags, probably spurred by one of the pages in his new LeapPad's demo cartridge. How many five-year-olds do you know who can pick out Bosnia and Herzegovina on a map? Or for that matter, point out the differences between the flags of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland? Mind you, he still can't be bothered to try to colour within the lines, and has limited interest in learning to write (although he is interested in spelling). In a conventional classroom, he'd be a nightmare- either he'd be bored silly and getting into trouble, or he'd just turn off completely. Thankfully, he'll get home Un-schooling, where we can work in the important elements of basic education within the framework of what interests him. I think he'll be better off for it. Who knows- he may beat both of his parents and start taking isolated college classes before his age reaches double-digits.

Comments

[ithilien.livejournal.com]

How many five-year-olds do you know who can pick out Bosnia and Herzegovina on a map? Or for that matter, point out the differences between the flags of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland?

Okay, I can't do those things. Think he'll tutor me? :P

Re:

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Ah, but you don't live near Ballard, home of countless Scandihoovians. One of the area grocery stores on the outskirts of Ballard flies modified versions of the flags, so he's seen them before.

I'd love to learn Norwegian

[razordead.livejournal.com]

As someone who lives in an area with lots of Scandinavians, would you be able to help me find good resources for learning Norwegian? I'm interested in learning to speak it, as well as possibly reading/writing & I can't find any good resources. Maybe you could ask around for me?

Re: I'd love to learn Norwegian

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Bökmal or Nynornsk Norwegian? Where are you, geographically? I'll see if i can scare anything up which is close to you.

Re: I'd love to learn Norwegian

[razordead.livejournal.com]

I'm not real clear on the Bökmal vs Nynornsk thing. My understanding is those are just for writing & speaking is all the same? I'm not sure which would be better for me. I'm mostly interested because I have family from Norway (from way back, none living that speak it).
Geographically, I'm near Phoenix, AZ.

Re: I'd love to learn Norwegian

[wingedelf.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, looking around the web, there don't seem to be many resources- even online courses seem scarce. Sons of Norway seem to have as comprehensive one as is available- look here Værsågod (http://www.sofn.com/norwegianculture/languagelessons/index.html) for the table of contents.

Lykke til!

Re: I'd love to learn Norwegian

[razordead.livejournal.com]

I've been considering joining Sons of Norway. Last time I looked at their online Norwegian stuff, it was mostly text with some audio samples available to members. I'm actually hoping that if I sign up as a member, they can help me find a human to learn from. So far it sounds like my best bet, but also sounds time-consuming to someone without much free time.