Where'd the Library Go?

Boy did not sleep last night. He came and woke me at 2 AM claiming he had not yet been to sleep and could he get up and play World of War Craft …NO…grrrrrrr! Needless to say we had a bad start to home school this morning as his bed was far more enticing that my table covered with tasks for the day.

Research Skills: After the yelling abated (him at me) Boy settled into getting school over and done with as quickly as possible. He even went to the calendar himself and chose to research about Robinson Crusoe Day. He Googled it while I prepared his breakfast and attempted to read aloud. He had entered a site way too difficult for him but I helped himout by reading and explaining the big words. My gosh, I had never even heard of Robinsoe Crusoe Day, nor did I know the potential factual base to Defoe’s story.

Analytical Thinking: What a fizzer. I prepared a lesson sheet based on the history and functionality of jokes (the ones I posted last week). Given that people with Asperges are so literal in their receiving of information I had hoped to assist Boy develop some empathy toward understanding other people’s jokes. Oh no!!!!! He REALLY didn’t get half the jokes and I spent a long time helping him to understand humour, puns, jokes and riddles. This was great learning though and I even managed to get Boy to write down some answers (pictured). I will post the lesson sheet I prepared as a second blog because the history of jokes stemming from Greek legends is fascinating. Boy really enjoyed learning about it and was able to identify some of the Greek figures.

Studies of Science and Environment: This term we have a rich task focus on getting to know Boy’s community. Because of his anxiety and obsessions, we spend far too much time at home. When we go out, it is usually to places Boy is familiar with. He dislikes new and different things and I dislike the resultant meltdowns. So, trying to marry Robinson Crusoe Day with reading, we went to a small, satellite library in our suburb to get Robinson Crusoe. Boy is totally freaked out by our large city library and I didn’t want to force him to go to it but alas, our satellite library has been replaced with a construction site for a daycare centre. He gingerly agreed to go to the city library, but it was not a fun experience for either of us. We spent 10 minutes there, there were no copies of Robinson Crusoe or Daltora Quest (his request) and he had no patience for browsing, reading notices or engaging in chit chat. This was not a successful day for helping Boy to know his community!

Boy and his step dad do Math tomorrow…which means I get the day off. I’m going to town to have coffee with the girlfriends and then I’ll be going wedding shopping. Life is hard home schooling Asperger’s but life is also so damn good – I love it.