Yesterday we spent a few minutes at one of our many favorite libraries. I was alarmed to discover that we are to now check-out our own books using a handy-dandy scanner. Additionally, I observed a librarian instructing a patron on how to reserve a computer for herself and how to do it without assistance the next time. What will happen to the librarians??! Will their role be reduced to that of reshelving the books that I have plucked from the shelf and checked out for myself?
I see this trend continuing when, at a store that shall remain nameless, I discovered a self check out line. My favorite husband enjoys this, but I want someone to thank me - even if it is not a sincere response.
Troubling...
6/27/2007
6/06/2007
Field Trip
Wed-Fri of last week found the kids and I traveling to Thunder Bay, Canada, with 38 other people. This field trip was arranged through the 'Wednesday School' that the girls now attend (which is through a Christian school that invites homeschool students in every week). We left early, early on Wednesday morning, traveling through Duluth, MN and up the North Shore to Thunder Bay.
Activities while there included: a visit to Ft. William (amazing place - check it out), North America's largest amethyst mine, the Terry Fox memorial (again, google this young man - his story is incredible), Keccebaka (sp?) Falls, and much more. On the return trip to stopped at Grand Portage and Pigeon Falls. The combination of Fort William and the fort at Grand Portage made a great learning experience. Fort William is totally set in the period with all workers within the fort speaking as though the fur trade is currently happening. The staff at Grand Portage are dressed in period costume, but speak about the fur trade in present day terms. Our guide in the Great Hall at Grand Portage was exceptional. Experiencing both forts gave the kids a chance to understand how and why it all happened. This was the culmination of a year studying Canada at Wednesday school (or K4K as it is known). Additionally, it rounded out the study done several years ago on the state of Minnesota as the students did a unit on the voyagers.
Sadly, the teacher who made this all happen retired this spring. We do look forward to getting to know the new teacher, but will really miss Mrs. L.
We got home, to our house, at 1:30A Saturday morning. The kids and I slept all day Saturday and much of Sunday.
Hopefully, if the planets are aligned just right, if the bytes and megabytes are flowing through the lines correctly and IF no one calls in to break our very tenuous connection - I will share some photos in a future post.
Activities while there included: a visit to Ft. William (amazing place - check it out), North America's largest amethyst mine, the Terry Fox memorial (again, google this young man - his story is incredible), Keccebaka (sp?) Falls, and much more. On the return trip to stopped at Grand Portage and Pigeon Falls. The combination of Fort William and the fort at Grand Portage made a great learning experience. Fort William is totally set in the period with all workers within the fort speaking as though the fur trade is currently happening. The staff at Grand Portage are dressed in period costume, but speak about the fur trade in present day terms. Our guide in the Great Hall at Grand Portage was exceptional. Experiencing both forts gave the kids a chance to understand how and why it all happened. This was the culmination of a year studying Canada at Wednesday school (or K4K as it is known). Additionally, it rounded out the study done several years ago on the state of Minnesota as the students did a unit on the voyagers.
Sadly, the teacher who made this all happen retired this spring. We do look forward to getting to know the new teacher, but will really miss Mrs. L.
We got home, to our house, at 1:30A Saturday morning. The kids and I slept all day Saturday and much of Sunday.
Hopefully, if the planets are aligned just right, if the bytes and megabytes are flowing through the lines correctly and IF no one calls in to break our very tenuous connection - I will share some photos in a future post.
Peer Pressure, Speaking
Peer Pressure - family members on my favorite husband's side communicate with one another via myspace. I have an account so I can be listed as a "friend" and see some accounts kept private, but do absolutely NOTHING with it. I don't have the time, the high speed access nor the inclination to keep up with the cool graphics and other features I see out there. I do, however, enjoy catching up on the family news. It appears that one niece has received a significant promotion, another has a new job and possibly a new relationship, and one of my favorite husband's sisters has passed an exam for her job. We did get the 'heads up' that one nephew is getting married in August, but much of what used to be a telephone call or an e-mail is now out there on myspace. Not commenting re: good/bad, just there.
Speaking - Next week I am giving a series of five seminars on homeschooling. Someone referred to me as "an experienced homeschool parent." I still don't feel like it, but realized that after doing this for 11 years, I probably am.
Speaking - Next week I am giving a series of five seminars on homeschooling. Someone referred to me as "an experienced homeschool parent." I still don't feel like it, but realized that after doing this for 11 years, I probably am.
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