secret messages

We are up to our necks in school around here. It is leaving little room for anything else, save barely getting dinner on the table and squeezing in a trip to the grocery store. But so far, fingers crossed, this year is starting off really well. We've got a new curriculum that we're enjoying, some new books that are "clicking", and a better plan and approach than in years past.

Today, Mary delivered this note to me--which I deciphered for you. It is a 'to do' list of the things she wants to accomplish during our upcoming trip to visit her cousins. These notes absolutely, positively kill me. I love them. I want to frame every single one. Dangle them from a clothesline across my dining room. Wallpaper my bathroom with them. Embroider them on pillows. Tattoo them on my forearms. (okay, a stretch.)

You see, Emma was never an "inventive speller". She wanted to know how to do it right, or she wouldn't do it at all. She never sat down, sounded things out and gave it her best shot. She sat at the kitchen table, asked me how to spell it and if I wouldn't give her the straight up answer, she said, never mind. A different approach, and that's okay.

Mary on the other hand, litters my house with these messages.

It never fails to amaze me how my children can tackle the world of learning so differently.

While Mary is leaving me to decipher her inventive notes, Emma has fallen in love with creating her own secret language of hieroglyphics.

We are studying Ancient Egypt and after spending some time this morning trying to write her name in Egyptian hieroglyphics (that barn owl "M" is really tough), I decided to let her create her own alphabet of glyphs.

And we just spent the last hour writing each other secret messages. Hers were all lovey-dovey, mine all business :

We are having tacos for dinner.

We need to do some math. 

I have more things to share with you. Ack! But just need a few more hours in the day. I'll be back soon with another sponsor giveaway, and some more news!

Comments

[Jennifer]

I love children's notes, it is adorable the way they spell things. How precious your notes are.

[aud neal]

I love invented spelling -- it's such a wonderful step on the road of knowledge. One of my favorite notes from my youngest contained a picture of a fireman (they were learning about fire safety at school) with the caption "Firemen poot out fiyre." Of course, she meant "put," not "poot" but I thought it was just perfect. We giggled for days over that one, and I've got it tucked away in a special place, because I know she'll love seeing it again one day.

[gracec]

Nice! My 6 yr old writes about a story a day. The spelling is great. She writes 'em just like they sound - too bad the English language doesn't!

We are working on Ancient Egypt now too. I like the invented heiroglyphics. Maybe we will try that tomorrow.

I'd love to hear what curriulum you are finding useful. It is always nice to hear what is working for others.

[angela]

How wonderful! I love the notes. :)
Do tell which curriculum y'all are finding good these days. I have bits and pieces of a bunch of them here and we are going a bit crazy. Glad your year is off to a good and fun start.

[Meowmie]

I love the notes!

I was totally unprepared for how pleased I was when DD showed me how she writes her name. I mean, I'd worked with her on it but she had decided she wanted to keep on practising on her own, without me knowing.

[tara thayer]

Some of those symbols are works of art! I love those shapes.
And if you find extra hours in the day, well...let me know where to get some.

[Kate]

Love it Molly! I remember spending the night at a friend's house when I was little and coming up with our own written picture language! Too fun! Love it that you wrote notes to each other. You're such a great mom!

[katie]

Seriously. I would frame all of those, too. Can't wait until mine is old enough to leave ME messages...

[Habit Blog]

b. got some little pocket moleskines for his birthday and he's been writing secret languages in them. (earlier in the week i found secret messages written on the top of his math paper - he and a friend are using the code to communicate during class. nice.) and, i have a set of egyptian hieroglyphics rubber stamps you can borrow if you want. xo.

[emily]

oops.

[AJ]

That's so sweet to see your daughters making up these great messages. I can't wait for my daughter to learn how to write. My son used to leave me cute messages and we get a kick out of them to this day. I can't for my daughter to do it too!

[mary]

love this. the girls were sitting with me while I was reading and were quite impressed

[Jenny]

I love the notes ...Hey I have a very interesting resource to share with you .Its about feeding your kids healthy foods. Toddlers go through phases of food acceptance. Eating better is not an overnight happening. It is a process of changing habits, establishing routines and finding ways to deal brilliantly with real world situations. Learn more on Healthy eating habitsI

[tangibleingredients.blogspot.com]

Oh those notes are lovely! I just dropped by to say that I LOVE Habit... I check it every morning, and it always brightens my day. Thank you!

[Mary Smith]

I can tell that your girls are in love with language. How wonderful!!

[Lynelle]

love it, how did you start your first year of homeschooling.. for example Kindergarten.. what are some really good resources for moms who are new to homeschooling or in any similar educational venues?

[Tracy]

I remember writing in secret languages when I was young too. It's nice to remember that, and hear about other littles doing it, too.

[Stacia]

Hello! As a new homeschooler, would you mind sharing your curriculum source? There's so much out there.

[Thank you for this website. Thats all I can say. You most definitely have made this blog into something thats eye opening and important. You clearly know so much about the subject, youve covered so many bases. Great stuff from this part of the internet. A]

Thank you for this website. Thats all I can say. You most definitely have made this blog into something thats eye opening and important. You clearly know so much about the subject, youve covered so many bases. Great stuff from this part of the internet. Again, thank you for this website.

[Brooke]

it is a ugly thing