island school

This wouldn’t be the ordinary way to ‘memorize’ the periodic table, but it worked for Edward!

Another good version is done by Mike Stanfill.

Memorization can be a very useful tool for some kids, especially those who don’t have all the ordinary ‘connections’ used in reading and math. It gives them something to carry with them as a reference point. I think this way of learning something has been discounted as ‘fake’ , but it depends on the students.

The most amazing thing happened when I started homeschooling. I found out that all my kids learn in a unique way. Sometimes its hard to ‘find’ the way that a particular kid learns certain things, and memorization skills are worth developing in any student. I’m reading “Memorize the Faith And Most Everything Else” by Kevin Vost (Sophia Press), which gives some helpful strategies for parents and students.

In the Cayman Islands we ‘celebrate’ Pirates’ Week. Its much bigger than ‘Hallowe’en, and it does last an entire week! Of course, it usually gets some rain delays for the main events, and this year we had Hurricane Paloma!

My ‘eldest at home’ has been building the ‘Governor’s Float’ the past couple of weeks, as well as the props for the ‘pirate invasion’. He works construction 2 days a week to help fund his rugby trips (and because he is not focused enough on school to warrant staying home idle!)

Yesterday morning he went down to the harbour early to set up, went to our Church Chapel to paint from 10-12, then back downtown to drive the float in the parade.

Here are some pictures of his handiwork, and the pirate-y day.

Mark(r) and his pirate friend Ryan

The Pirates capture the (faux)Governor!

(more Pirate pics at “cayside”)