Unschooling Journal April 25 to May 1, 2021

by | May 3, 2021 | Blog, Home Learning, Homeschooling, Unschooling, 언스쿨링 | 0 comments

This week, I went to my taekwondo and violin classes. I also went to swimming (on Monday and Friday) and orchestra on Saturday. I also did a little bit of Unity this week, and I did a little bit of Scratch as well.

I kept learning about Integrals, and learned about the fundamental theorem of calculus. These days, the math is becoming more difficult, but also more fun, because I like a challenge.
I learned how you can plot the Covid cases on a logarithmic plot, and that way, you can see if a country is beating covid-19. There is an interactive version here: https://aatishb.com/covidtrends/. I found this is one of my recommended videos in YouTube, and it seemed interesting, so I clicked on it.
I started the course on acceleration in the Big History project, where humans started to take over the globe.
I started learning about mirrors and virtual images. A virtual image is basically the thing you see BEHIND the mirror, even though it isn’t actually there.
I started writing about different types of stars. I was thinking of something to write about, and then I thought about different types of stars, and so I looked it up, and found an article from Astronomy Cast, which is a podcast that I used to listen to. Anyway, I found this article, and then I thought that it would be a good thing to write about, so I did! Find the writing here: https://www.howtodostuffwithethan.com/the-different-types-of-stars/
I learned about multiple lens systems, because it was in line after the mirrors.
I started my creative pattern for taekwondo. I have to make a creative series of moves called a pattern if I want to test for black belt. It was fun to make it.
I started doing Brilliant again! This was about geometry.
My video about the universal law of gravitation finally went up. Find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUSq0ePOjKk
Here is that Unity project! I’m not done, of course.
Gameplay: rotate around and don’t touch the hexagons!
I did Science News about exoplanets, and how a few high school students discovered them!

LC Short Response

Hello Ethan and Carl, 

Thank you so much for the summary of highlights. I appreciate your perspective and the way you have organized, grouped and described them. It is clear and it will really help me in my process as well.  I will be sure to include them and more in your Year End Summary. 

I had no idea you made 37 videos! And have 197 new subscribers, wow!

And congratulations on the FSA scores too. I don’t see them so it is great to hear from you directly about the whole experience. 

Who did you end up selecting as an LC for next year? ( I am just curious, they ar eso lucky to have you)

Carl, it is inspiring to look at the “big picture” and see how much has happened since that first year when you travelling across Canada in the VW. 

It has been my pleasure to work with Ethan and your family these last few years. 

Week 34 is your last Observing for Learning so please write it how you like, all of your photos and links are always appreciated. 

For Week 35 let’s find a date and time which works for us for a zoom farewell. I sent and email with possible dates and times. 

I am following the thread on the cross-enrolling. I have never had a learner do it, so I am learning as we go. I know this will be an aspect that your new LC will pick up next year. I wish you luck in the process of finding the best opportunities for Ethan.

Grade 7 completion you are…..

Happy weekend! 

Natasha

Thoughts on upcoming months

Since this is Ethan’s last year of elementary school, we are thinking about how the future will unfold with Grade 8 beginning in September.

Ethan will have a new LC, as you know (we’ll miss you!!), so along with changes to what Ethan may be learning and how, Ethan will also be building a new relationship with a new LC.

We’re also looking at cross-enrollment options for Ethan in order to take courses at a local high school so that is something we’re all wondering about.

As parents, we’re proud of everything Ethan has accomplished, in spite of any daily challenges that have presented themselves.

When we add up all those days and look at the big picture, we see just how much Ethan has done and learned. But we know that it’s not just about accomplishing things from a list.

We also see the personal growth in Ethan, how he has learned to communicate better when speaking to us and in writing. We see his empathy and compassion as a human being when dealing with others and with us within our family.

We are proud and excited for who Ethan has become and as he moves into a new chapter in his life, we’re so happy to be a part of his journey. We hope he continues to learn deeply, to follow his passions and to continue loving to learn.

We also want to say thank you to you for your incredible support. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Highlights of the 2020-21 year
  • Writing (writing essays, about things I like, I research it a lot, look at different sources, and write a fun essay. I realized that I could write about what I want.)
  • Calculus (integrals, derivatives, 45-45-90 triangles, 30-60-90 triangles, etc.)
  • Coding (Learning Unity, improving at Scratch and HTML. Learning C#.)
  • Started piano (Kinda gave up, might start again)
  • Started trying to improve language arts
  • Did more comprehension questions (What in the world and Science news)
  • Improved in violin (Started book 4, switched to full violin, still practicing in the symphony)
  • Started a big history course on Khan Academy (History of the universe)
  • Improved in planning and schedules
  • Started learning more in physics (Mirrors, Lenses, forces, gravitational force, relativity, forces, etc.)
  • I started a book club with other SelfDesign® learners and learned about leadership
  • Getting more exercise (mostly trying to go jogging in the morning, being motivated to do more by the Apple watch)
  • Preparing for a black belt in taekwondo
  • Passed level 10 in swimming, still going to classes anyway to improve
  • Made 37 videos from September till May
  • Gained 197 subscribers on YouTube®
  • Got a good score on the reading comprehension part of the FSA
YES contribution

Hello Ethan, 

The end of the year is fast approaching and I need to write up the Year End Summary (YES).

I invite you and your family to contribute any highlights from the year and what you will be working on in the upcoming months. 

Here is a template you can use to inspire you. Feel free to answer any or all of the questions below or choose your own style of reflecting on the last year. 

Natasha

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