Alien Hummus and Odes to Arthur Ashe

I have to believe that one of the great pluses of this homeschool thing is creative freedom. Full-on creative control. We are taking a classical approach to school-- heavy focus on the written word. I read at least 10 books a day and ask them each to write everything from grocery lists to reasons they're angry at me to plans for their own farmer's market. So when they've done the writing I've asked for I want to really allow them to have their own extra-curricular plans.

Yesterday, this meant Alien Hummus for Benicio. A green potion of paint, soap and sundry lotions. He enlisted unguents from around the house. No one's toiletries were safe. He proceeded to scoop it into a plastic ziploc and freeze it "for when I get to Space," he says. He told Manny, "They can dip any food they want into this!" I did not know that Aliens had a special love for garlicky Mediterranean food.

I need to post photos of these-- we have been taking tennis clinics at Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center. Apart from the funloving vibe, you really get a sense that Arthur Ashe leaves his legacy, a commitment to his people and to see that everyone gets an opportunity to play. We did our first "reports" on Arthur Ashe. Manny did a poster with tiny, detailed cutouts of Ashe's head-- of course, a racket, and a few other things like an eagle (for America), a camera (bc he married a photographer). Arthur Ashe's glasses are the best part!!

Benicio did a booklet. It was going to be called "A Hard Road to Glory" (Ashe's epitaph) until I showed too much enthusiasm for that idea and now it is simply called, "Arthur Ashe." It's a five page picture book including a drawing of the state of Virginia, and an "about the author" section in the back where he's drawn a self-portrait.

Secrets for homeschool I have learned this week: We don't always have to be confined to the homeschool room. If they get an idea for a project, let them see it through.