Learn to Read: Be a Copycat
There are many things that can only be said without words. Yes, without words. This summer we launched a visual literacy campaign inside my guild. We began with observational exercises. I call this close looking. The goal is to discover…
Unplug: Wire Works
Most of my boy’s friends are not only scheduled to the hilt with summer activities, the majority of their down time is spent video gaming or surfing the web. My boys are embarking upon August charging ahead recklessly into the…
Sewing Fall Pumpkins!
Fall always provides inspiration in abundance. Pumpkins are everywhere! But we all know that once fall arrives, it's too late to actually plant. So if you've missed your window for sowing pumpkins seeds in your garden, use this summer to…
The Unplug Challenge: Call for Ideas
Help us grow a collective “Unplug” list. Share your ideas on our Facebook page. Pass it on, and let’s see how long of a list we can create. If you have a longer story to share about “unplugging,” email it…
Device of Wonder
Way back in the fall of 2001 we made several trips to The Getty to marvel at an exhibit of fanciful machines, Devices of Wonder. Back then Søren was barely two-years-old so he made his way via a stroller. But…
The Unplug Challenge
At first the Unplug Challenge gave me laryngitis. Seriously, the vibration of my vocal chords was a jumprope snapping, “No No No No No!” The simple summer goal was to challenge my boys that low tech is fun. It began…
Da Vinci Summer III, Stitch a Tradition
I never could relate to spring cleaning. The timing just never worked out for me when Evelyn and Wesley were young. March, April, and May were busy with culminating end-of-the-year school activities. I'd say summer purging was more the thing,…
A Souvenir of Stars
This summer we’re exploring our Italian roots via an extended virtual tour. It’s such fun visiting all the places we would visit if we could really visit. Thanks to the wonder of technology, we can experience the landscape of Italy…
CORE ELA Integrated Literature + Writing
Blackbird & Company Literature and Writing Discovery guides are an integrated approach to mastering English Language Arts skills. Each guide is a reading and writing journey. Our titles span a wide range of genres and represent what we believe is…
Metamorphosis of a Baseball
It‘s true. I’m one of those people who do not get sports analogies. So last week, I was tickled when I noticed Søren unraveling a baseball. The activity began when he found an old ball in the ivy. He tossed…