I was thinking through how to help a friend with her oldest starting out in homeschooling, when I remembered I had a document of early childhood resource recommendations. Several people in a row sent me e-mails asking what I would recommend, and I ended up creating a file that I could e-mail, instead of typing the same thing multiple time. Of course, this was before blogging was mainstream (all of, oh, five years ago or so), and that's one of the main reasons why I have this blog now, so here it is. Enjoy. :-)
Life: Unless your children are clamoring for something earlier than Kindergarten (or even, dare I say, 1st grade), you do not have to worry about doing anything other than live life with them. I promise. I have an education degree; you can trust me. Just read books to them, take them places and play with them.
Wal Mart (type) workbooks: For children who are wanting something to do (perhaps, because there is an older sibling doing school work) or for parents who really want to do something with a preschooler, often a smattering of basic workbooks from the book section at Wal Mart (or Sam’s or Target) is the easiest/best thing. I particularly like being able to pick and choose what skills the child is ready to cover in the smaller books, rather than buying a large “preschool skills” book, although some prefer these for just that reason: it takes the decision-making process out of the equation (note: I originally wrote this when only Malachi had been through this stage. Guess which type of books I purchased for Jonah and Magdalyn this last time we were in the States? The all-in-one type for their levels. I didn’t have time to decide on individual skills! :-P). Also, it is easier to ask for a larger general skills book to be brought overseas, since it would not force someone else to have to choose which individual skills to buy. The brand that we like best out of the options is School Zone, particularly their “Whimsical” series, which has very interesting, intricate illustrations. Another advantage to these type of workbooks is that they are colorful. Most of the other general resources I have listed are black and white, partially so that they can be reproducible. Update: I have found it more and more difficult to find books that are available only in English, most are Spanish/English. If you are having books brought and someone else is purchasing them, you might want to specify English-only, if you’d prefer that (nothing against Spanish, we’re just trying to limit to one extra language right now).
Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready: A birth-to-age-five book with learning activities for each week. I got this book at a pretty tumultuous point in our lives and so was too busy to use it, but I’ve heard great things about it and need to get it out and take a look at it again.
Sonlight Pre-K: A great set of authentic books (as opposed to textbooks) to read to your children and some good workbooks, as well. My opinion: you can’t go wrong with reading your child great books. It’s the best preparation for learning. Be aware: the age range for this set is 4-8 years old, so that close siblings can be combined. There are homeschooling mothers who use this as a Kindergarten and even a 1st grade curriculum (with Math and Language Arts on the students’ level).
- The link above is for their comprehensive package, but you can buy bits and pieces, if you go to www.sonlight.com and click on “go shopping.” There’s a place to “build your own” package.
(- Update: they now have an Earlier Childhood package suitable for 2-4 year olds. I'm planning to purchase what we don't have from it for ZL next spring. I know, though, that everyone up MS will enjoy the components of it, so don't hesitate to consider getting it, even it your child make be a little above the recommended age.)
Before Five in a Row: A book/curriculum designed to be used with 2-4-year-olds. The book covers lesson plans for 23 classic children’s books (which you must buy separately). The intention is for you to read one book each week, once each day (hence “five in a row”) and do an activity/activities related to that book each day. Activities will vary from language exercises to art to science, etc.
- This page contains a description of the book and pictures of the covers of the majority of the picture books used.
- And here is an Amazon list with the book itself and all 23 children’s books.
- There are several “follow-up” books that can be used through with progressively older children. See the official Five in a Row website.
Amish Preschool Workbooks: A series of four workbooks that takes a child from very basic skills, such as drawing a line from one object to another (with guidelines on either side of where they are supposed to draw) to introducing colors and numbers (but not letters). Includes a good amount of tracing practice. The recommended age for these books is 3-4, although I would think some older 2-year-olds might be ready for the first book. This is for a “workbook loving” child. I would not push these on any preschooler.
Rod and Staff Preschool Workbooks: A series of six workbooks that are progressively harder to take a child through about the kindergarten year (or even early 1st). These start with a “typical” preschool level (as opposed to the Amish books, which begin earlier than age 4, although some 3-year-olds would do well with this series) of tracing, cutting, pasting and coloring. Malachi loved these books, especially the cutting and pasting. I bought him a R&S art and music curriculum for Kindergarten just so he could continue with the same type of activities. The directions for both these and the Amish books instruct you to require more out of a young child in terms of carefulness in coloring than I would recommend, but you can ignore that part. If you buy these, be sure and get the set of seven that includes the Bible story book and not the set of six without it. We used this story book and pictures to color as the basis for our local Gathering kids’ time at one point.
- You can purchase these books from the above link or from Rainbow Resource.
Ruth Beechik’s “Three ‘R’s’”: Handbooks of sorts for teaching all subjects in the early years by one of the “mothers” of the homeschooling movement. Definitely worth reading and not expensive. Comes with a chart or charts of some sort, for phonics or math instruction, but I haven’t seen them (I bought mine used). If you’re wondering about the vagueness of this description, I just bought these and have not read them yet.
- Also available from Amazon
Learning to Write
Wal Mart workbooks: Yes, them again. Many children do fine with just some handwriting workbooks from Wal Mart (or a similar store, of course). Beginning handwriting is included in most K level basic skills workbooks and in some preschool ones. Workbooks that teach letters and their sounds usually include practice tracing then writing them (caveat: so far, this has not worked for my kids; they were ready to read long before they were ready to write).
StartWrite: A software program with which you can create your own handwriting worksheets. There are multiple “handwriting fonts” to choose from, including Getty-Dubay (traditional stick-and-ball and cursive) and D’Nealian (a more recent type of print and cursive). If you are using the Handwriting Without Tears program (see below), their font is included, as well. StartWrite also includes both color and black & white (for the child to color) images for each letter of the alphabet that can be inserted into the worksheets you create. Supposedly, you can import your own images (like your child’s picture), as well, but I have not tried this. One advantage to using this program is that you can decide what your child practices handwriting on, using his/her memory verses, for example.
Handwriting Without Tears: Touted as the first and only handwriting program written with a child’s developmental progress (as opposed to phonics learning) taken into account. It was written by a physical therapist who worked with children. Now includes a preschool “crayon-only” workbook that works on pre-writing skills. Offers such manipulatives and hands-on helps as a set of blocks with which all letters can be formed (with large and small curves and long and short lines), a Magna-Doodle with stamps (the same options as the blocks) to form the letters on, etc., and a CD with songs that help with preparation for writing. This program is particularly helpful with a child who needs help getting ready to write (struggles) and is also highly recommended for left-handed students. If in doubt, I would say this program would definitely not hurt and most likely would help.
- partially available from Sonlight (without some of the manipulatives and the CD)
Explode the Code: Teaches writing of letters, as well as phonics (see below).
- Also available from Sonlight and Amazon
Learning to Read
The following is what I've written up so far; however, I have a post coming soon (hopefully within the next couple of days) that lays out what I've used with JW and MA. It includes some of what's listed below with some dropped and some added. These are a good start, though.
Phonics Pathways: What I used to teach MS to read, so I’m most familiar with this approach. It was perfect for a no-nonsense, tell-me-what-I-need-to-know-and-let’s-move-on, memorize-it-the-first-time kind of kid, but you also repeat each lesson until it’s mastered before you move on, so it can be easily paced for any child. With just one book to buy, it would be a good place to start before moving to something that required more parent-prep and more time. If you’re in the States, this could probably be browsed at a Barnes & Noble. Note: for a child who enjoys more parent/child social interaction and/or different kinds of activities, this would not be the route to go. Look at Sonlight Language Arts K, instead.
- available from Amazon
Bob Books: Simple beginning-to-read books boxed in sets of 8-10. If your child knows his/her letter sounds or is ready to, you might could teach reading with just these books. I used them in conjunction with Phonics Pathways, and we started them after he got to the right point in the progression of lessons (ready to sound out three-letter words). When things seemed too hard, we would go back a set or two (there are five sets) and repeat. We worked all the way through all five sets, eventually, and then moved on to simple Dr. Seuss like Hop on Pop (that helps you know where these will get you to).
- available from Amazon and at book stores & teacher supply stores in the States
Leap Frog letters and words videos: Useful for impressing people with a two-year-old who knows all of her letter names and sounds. Okay, so that’s just a side benefit. These videos painlessly teach all of the letter sounds and how to put them together (and when I say painlessly, I mean that the kids request the videos). I recommended them to my sister-in-law and they took my 4.5-year-old niece from knowing most of her letter sounds to ready for Bob Books in a matter of a couple of weeks (I sound like an infomercial, but they really did do this). Both Jonah and Magdalyn learned their letter sounds from these, and Jonah began to sound out words after watching them, although he is not putting the sounds together fluently, yet. We got a set that included both DVD’s and a plush “Leap Frog” who plays a key role in the videos, which makes a nice gift option.
- If possible, get the DVD version(s), because it includes games.
- available from Amazon and at Wal Mart, Target, etc.
Explode the Code: A series of workbooks beginning with the “pre-code” books Get Ready, Get Set, and Go For the Code, also known as A, B & C (the books from there on out are numbered). Offers a variety of activities that familiarize kids with each letter’s sound first and then move on to short words and then blending. These books can be used with a student who is not ready to write by the child dictating the answers for the parent to write. We have used them this way.
(-Update: I would use the A, B, & C books simultaneously with the LeapFrog Letters DVD. WIth both JW and MA, I waited until later to use them, and they were just busy work. MA liked that, because that's her style. It didn't do much for JW, so we dropped them and went straight into the numbered ones, which start with early reading.)
Reading Reflex: Another all-in-one book that is highly recommended for teaching reading. I have not looked at it in quite a while, so I’ll just link to on-line descriptions.
- You might want to use this site (www.homeschoolreviews.com) to look up any other programs you’re deciding between.
- available from Amazon, Sonlight, and US bookstores
Sing, Spell, Read and Write: A more kinesthetic, sensory-oriented approach to teaching reading. Again, since I don’t have personal experience, I’ll defer to on-line reviews.
Sonlight Language Arts K: I will be using this program with JW, as he would seem to want “more” out of a program than Phonics Pathways. It introduces the letter sounds, one per week, but has the student reading three-letter words after only about six weeks. While the program is completely laid out for you in the Instructor’s Guide, it is very interactive between child and parent with such activities as making a “letter book” with examples of words that start with each letter using pictures they provide.
(- Update: Okay, so this program did not teach JW how to read. Bob Books and Sonlight's Fun Tales, plus another similar set did. We still did parts of LA K, but not the learning-to-read parts. With MS, I made the mistake of jumping to LA 1, because that's where his reading level was. We ended up circling back around to do parts of LA K for the grammar foundation it lays. Didn't make the same mistake with JW.)
The Writing Road to Reading: An approach to teaching reading that has been around for quite a while. It involves learning reading through writing (just in case that wasn’t apparent), so would need to be used with a child who is developmentally ready to write or it would need to be done using typing.
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons: Many people really like this program and have great success with it (it’s another all-in-one book). Others hate it and find it unnecessarily confusing and complicated. I was in that latter category (if it needs to be complicated, I’ll wade through it, but…). I wanted to include it as an option for those who might fall into the former category.
- available at Amazon and US bookstores
Early Childhood Math
Cuisenaire Alphabet: I bought this originally for MS when he was learning letters and sounds. It had some limited application at that point but was a lot of work. Some kids who are more fine motor oriented might be able to do it more independently at that level. Basically, Cuisenaire rods are math manipulatives starting with a cubic centimeter cube that is a certain color with a separate color representing each value past that up to ten. I myself have not used them to learn or teach math, so I’m going through this journey with my kids. I’ve heard/read from many that it is a very valuable tool for teaching children to think mathematically/figure out mathematical challenges for themselves. In this book, the child builds a letter of the alphabet given a set of parameters (less than six, all one color, only two colors, etc.). There is also a page where he/she builds different pictures representing that letter of the alphabet. I am now using this program for MS as a pre-Miquon (see below) intro to the value of the different rods and to some basic problem solving skills using them.
- You will also need a set of Cuisenaire rods. I think I got the basic plastic set of 155 (forgive me if I don’t go count). Plastic was recommended to me over wood.
(- Update: They now have ones that link and are marked by denomination, which I think are much cooler than what we have, and now I want some. :-)
Miquon: A math program that allows children to explore mathematical thinking on their own using Cuisenaire rods (see above) and workbooks that offer parameters for different exercises. We are using this in conjunction with Singapore Math (see below). I think it would be an ideal program to supplement math in a national school, because in most places children would be getting only an education in rote math there. The first two books (orange & red) are supposed to be 1st grade level, but many parents use them as early as age 4. They can be repeated.
- carried by Sonlight and Rainbow Resource
- You need to buy the Lab Sheet Annotations to be able to guide your children through the process. This is a large book that covers all of the workbooks, which go through grade 3. The “Notes to Teachers” book is not necessary, unless you want to know more of the theory behind the program.
Singapore Earlybird: The math program used in Singapore, of course. While closer to a traditional math program in that it teaches facts and processes rather than leaving a child to discover them, Singapore also excels in producing math-thinking students (or so everyone says; we’re still in the beginning stages). If you’re wanting a more traditional program to supplement national school math, this would be good. We’re using it solely with Miquon right now. We may add a more rote program (like Rod & Staff) lightly to emphasize fact-learning at some point, since our kids aren’t in national schools.
(- Update: We're a little past the beginning stages now, and I don't know whether Singapore math is completely to credit or not, but MS is an incredible mathematical thinker and JW is developing into one. I highly recommend this program, especially in conjunction with Miquon.)
Saxon K: A large, manipulative-based package that involves using a calendar to teach counting and some time concepts. For those wanting a more traditional approach but would like something hands-on, this would be a good fit. In the later grades (starting around 3rd or 4th), Saxon is less cumbersome (just text- and workbooks) and is really good for those children who struggle with math and need extra repetition. It can be wearying for those that don’t.
Science Options
Berenstain Bears Big Book of Science and Nature: A basic overview of seasons and other simple science and nature topics done in rhyme format featuring the bears from the popular children’s books. Great for pre-K, but would be useful up through early elementary.
- As far as I can tell this book is out of print and only available through Sonlight (they have certain books reprinted just for them).
(- Update: still a very popular book with all of my kids, especially my 1st grader, so don't write it off, if your kids are older.)
Sonlight Science K: A basic introduction to the scientific principles of God’s world perfect for K up to 2nd grade (maybe some pre-K’ers, depending on their bent). One of the great things about purchasing science from Sonlight is that you can buy a science supply kit that includes all of the little things you need to do the experiments (okay, maybe you know where to buy a teaspoon of iron shavings where you live, but…). They are also now in the process of creating a series of DVD’s that show the experiments in each of their science programs. So far, K, 1st & 2nd are available. The DVD’s alone might be a good purchase.
(- Update: We have, so far, used Sonlight's K and 1 science programs, and have been very pleased with them.)
Magic School Bus: Now, having said all that great stuff about Sonlight Science K, I have to confess, we’re not doing it until JW's K year (MS’s 2nd grade, MA’s pre-K), because I really want to have more than one child benefit, if I’m going to go to all the trouble to do the experiments, etc. (others might really enjoy it). So, for now Ms. Frizzle teaches science at our house. For those that aren’t familiar with the Magic School Bus books or TV show, Ms. Frizzle is the crazy teacher always taking her class on field trips where the bus turns into, say, a frog to learn about animal habitats or a space shuttle to learn about the planets.
- There are the original books that are more complex (mid-elementary level, but enjoyable below that) and have lots of extra info in the margins (all presented interestingly), like this. There are only about 7 of these.
- Then, there are ones based on the TV show, which are simpler (read at an early elementary level, enjoyed earlier) like this. There are many, many of these.
- And then, there are the DVD’s of the TV show, which are available in a collection like this and some as individual episodes. You might ask relatives to tape them, as well. Originally, they were on PBS, but they might be on other channels now, as well.
General Thoughts
Because many people I know are in situations where it is difficult or just a pain to get school books, I recommend having bound copies made of anything reproducible, if it is fiscally possible. Where we are, this is cheap to do. Basically, we just take the workbook to a copy shop, and they comb-bind it with a clear (or colored, see-through) plastic cover and a card stock back.
If you are using a book like Phonics Pathways, Reading Reflex or 100 Easy Lessons, I recommend having a section (decide on a cut-off point) copied and bound at a time. Two reasons: 1. This gives the child a feeling of accomplishment as he/she completes each smaller section (we have a family “party” with a special dessert at our house; read: we actually have dessert :-). 2. This preserves the original book through the end of its use, either with this child or with future children.
Many of the learn-to-read options recommend (or demand) that you teach writing at the same time. From experience, I have learned that this is hogwash (that's an official educational opinion). Most, if not all, options can be modified to have the child give oral answers or just skip the written portions.
I would suggest getting a few basic homeschool catalogs to browse. Being a “Sonlight family,” that’s certainly one I would recommend. Timberdoodle is kind of a mid-level catalog that carries a broad array of products, many of them both educational and fun, and Rainbow Resource, as you can probably guess by all of the links above, is like the five-and-dime of homeschool retailers. They carry everything. If you stick to just a section or two or if you are looking for something specific, it would be useful. It would be quite overwhelming to just browse, though. And, although their catalog is available for download, even the smallest sections require a lot of paper and ink. That said, there’s something for everyone in their catalog (maps, science books, manipulatives and everything else). The print version is the size of a phone book for a major metropolitan area (really, it is).
Another very useful resource, especially for those of us not in a larger context of homeschoolers, is the Sonlight discussion forum on line. There is a forum for asking questions about which Sonlight level(s) is right for your child(ren), one for each Sonlight level for those currently teaching that level, general parenting forums, special needs forums, and even a forum for international Sonlight users. Those like the parenting and international forums don’t stick to Sonlight-only topics and the international one can cover things like, “What should we see during our layover in Thailand?” Also, those on the international board tend to be/are supposed to be careful about using “sensitive” words that might be picked up by anyone “looking over your shoulder” as you browse, although there are slip-ups.
(Update: Some of these forums are now only available to people who have paid a one-time fee or have purchased a certain amount from Sonlight. The “choosing” forum is still free to all.)
Think that’s it for now (“just” nine pages in a Word doc). Please, feel free to post any follow-up questions. I’m sure I have not exhaustively covered what everyone might need to know (although you might be exhausted by it all right now :-P).
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Token's Universe
Blog posts two days in a row! Don't faint or anything, okay? GfG made me do it (see yesterday's comments :-).
Inspired by the news that friends with kids similar ages had a token system that regulated their entertainment time, ML and I decided that such a system was probably just the thing we needed to use to motivate MS.
MS has approximately 70 tokens each week (poker chips that my mom bought for me at the dollar store, I think; they were going to be math manipulatives, but we have plenty of other counters, so we re-tasked them). Each token is worth 5 minutes of computer or Wii time on the weekend (during the week, only educational play is allowed on either of the above) or 5 kirsch (roughly 7 cents), although he has yet to choose the cash.
During the week, he might lose a token for not staying on task (either with schoolwork or with Family Responsibilities), for speaking rudely to a sibling, for not obeying quickly, or for looking at the list of iTunes episodes on the kids' computer, instead of picking up his room (to use a [purely hypothetical, of course] example). He might gain tokens for diligently working through a job or assignment, running an errand, or for packing up breakfast to-go for his toddler brother who slept in after a rough night (yeah, that's a hypothetical example, too).
The tokens given, though, stop if there is ever the expectation of receiving them. They are purely a blessing on top of the joy of serving family (well, that's our goal, at least, and I will have to say, he's doing pretty good these days at reaching it).
Tokens are brought to the parent who has asked for them so as to keep the system on the up and up (as opposed to transfered by MS himself, which might be a temptation to "fudge").
He has three colors of tokens. White ones go first, then, hm, I'm not sure, whichever one he decides is next, and then the other one. This helps him gauge his week and be aware of how many tokens he's burning through.
Some weeks, he earns very little or no time on the Wii or computer. He has had up to three hours on a good week, but I don't think that has happened more than once, and when it did, it was definitely earned.
In the process, MS has learned to budget his entertainment time and has become very selective as to what he plays when he's earned it. We're pleased that this skill has been a benefit of the system.
Oh, and arguing, rather than respectfully asking to challenge the loss of a token just adds another token (and another and another and another, in some cases).
Inspired by the news that friends with kids similar ages had a token system that regulated their entertainment time, ML and I decided that such a system was probably just the thing we needed to use to motivate MS.
MS has approximately 70 tokens each week (poker chips that my mom bought for me at the dollar store, I think; they were going to be math manipulatives, but we have plenty of other counters, so we re-tasked them). Each token is worth 5 minutes of computer or Wii time on the weekend (during the week, only educational play is allowed on either of the above) or 5 kirsch (roughly 7 cents), although he has yet to choose the cash.
During the week, he might lose a token for not staying on task (either with schoolwork or with Family Responsibilities), for speaking rudely to a sibling, for not obeying quickly, or for looking at the list of iTunes episodes on the kids' computer, instead of picking up his room (to use a [purely hypothetical, of course] example). He might gain tokens for diligently working through a job or assignment, running an errand, or for packing up breakfast to-go for his toddler brother who slept in after a rough night (yeah, that's a hypothetical example, too).
The tokens given, though, stop if there is ever the expectation of receiving them. They are purely a blessing on top of the joy of serving family (well, that's our goal, at least, and I will have to say, he's doing pretty good these days at reaching it).
Tokens are brought to the parent who has asked for them so as to keep the system on the up and up (as opposed to transfered by MS himself, which might be a temptation to "fudge").
He has three colors of tokens. White ones go first, then, hm, I'm not sure, whichever one he decides is next, and then the other one. This helps him gauge his week and be aware of how many tokens he's burning through.
Some weeks, he earns very little or no time on the Wii or computer. He has had up to three hours on a good week, but I don't think that has happened more than once, and when it did, it was definitely earned.
In the process, MS has learned to budget his entertainment time and has become very selective as to what he plays when he's earned it. We're pleased that this skill has been a benefit of the system.
Oh, and arguing, rather than respectfully asking to challenge the loss of a token just adds another token (and another and another and another, in some cases).
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Of Tokens and Beans
Long time, no blog. I know, I know. Life gets in the way.
We have a behavior/discipline system that we've been using (with some modifications along the way) since early February. Now that we've gotten most of the kinks worked out, it's going pretty smoothly, so I thought I'd share. Nothing works forever for any child, so I'm sure we'll move on/modify it eventually, but I'm happy with it for now.
If you were a fly on the wall in our house, you would often hear "JW, move a bean. You're not working diligently," or "MS, bring me a token. I asked you not to do that," (and I would be checking the windows to see who had left one open and let you in). Not quite as often, you might hear, "Thank you for getting bread for me at the store, here's a token," or "Way to clean that up quickly! Go move a bean back the other direction."
MA and JW each have a little bowl (well, actually a Baskin Robbins baseball cap ice cream sundae cup) with beans in them. JW has 20 total, and they have green Sharpie dots on them. MA has 25 with red dots (well, they used to have red dots on them; many of them are worn off now; if it doesn't have a green dot, it's MA's).
For each infraction throughout the day, such as playing when they have a responsibility to take care of, they must move a bean to another bowl (JW) or bring a bean to me (MA). And for each time, they're "caught" obeying well, working diligently, doing an act of kindness or are asked to do something above and beyond their normal responsibilities, they are given back a bean or told to move one back the other direction.
In the morning, after breakfast, JW and MA "mark their goal charts." These are 100's charts with their names at the bottom. For every bean left in the baseball cap bowl, they get to mark off one number. When they get to 100, they get a new book (yes, those are big treats in our house; thank goodness for English language bookstores that carry children's books!). Since February, JW has earned 4-5 and MA 2-3 (she's a little more obedience-challenged at this point :-/).
So, that's the good part. But what if they're having a bad day? You'd be surprised how a 6.75yo and a 5yo can burn through 25 and 20 beans, respectively. It doesn't happen that often (no more than once every 2 weeks, at the most), but when it does, they're done for the day.* On their beds. With books (I'm a softy). They can join us for dinner, but they return to their beds as soon as they're done until it's time to get ready to go to sleep. No more playing. No videos (even when everyone else is watching one; I'm not that soft). The day is over.
Why that?
Well, it breaks their cycle of disobedience by removing them from any possible way in which they could disobey (okay, yeah, I have relatively compliant kids; they have yet to refuse to go to their beds, but I also only instituted this with kids I knew were at the point where that was not an issue; that type of training came earlier and differently). Also, being sent to their beds "releases" them from a rough day, too. It's actually more peaceful for the child when they're struggling so hard and not finding much success.
And, well, um, it means I'm through with them for the day, too. Oh, that sounds awful. But do you know how much easier it is to get through a difficult day with a child when you know that, at some point, very soon, if it's a really bad day, there will be no more conflict? It's incredibly freeing. It helps your attitude with them immensely. It stretches your patience to make it last longer. It's really the best thing for everyone involved.
When I shared this system with an on-line friend, she said, "We just might have to try that. Although with the way things are going, they'll be on their beds by noon." She was joking, but we had that happen a couple of times when we used this system with MS when he was about 5. And he had 100 coins (they've since phased out the smallest coin here, which is why we used beans this go-round).
So far, all three of our olders have reached a point around this age where they're disobeying constantly. Although we do spank for major offenses, there was just no way it was even physically possible for me to discipline them that many times in a day and get anything done/take care of their siblings. Plus, they really needed a concrete, tangible (which is redundant, I know; I'm trying to make a point) way to see how many, many times a day they were disobeying. They also definitely needed some incentive to obey and some reward when they did.
Something I've seen with MA, specifically, too, is that having to stop her disobedience to bring me a bean.each.and.every.time. helps drive home the message that she's disobeying and that it needs to change.
And, oh, how they beam when they earn a bean/get to move one the other direction. I was not as good at that part at first, but am getting better, and it's really a positive for them.
To give credit where credit is due, this system is a conglomeration of some different ideas I'd read on the Sonlight discussion boards and something Lisa Whelchel talked about in her book Creative Correction, I think. I took concepts from several systems and meshed them into something that would work for our family.
For anyone worried about the choking hazard of dried beans (they're navy beans, in case you were wondering, which are not navy, in case you were wondering that, too), the bowls are all above the reach of ZL, who is thankfully past the major oral phase, anyway.
Okay, I said tokens and beans, but I'm holding this to beans, instead. I'll talk about the token system we use with MS another time. It has its similarities, but it's enough different that it would take another several paragraphs to explain, and it's time for Rest Time to be over and for us to get on with our afternoon. :-)
*Exception: if they're not done with their Family Responsibilities for the day, they have to finish those first, but I usually shadow them at that point to keep them on task and make sure they finish as quickly as possible with no opportunities to get into mischief.
We have a behavior/discipline system that we've been using (with some modifications along the way) since early February. Now that we've gotten most of the kinks worked out, it's going pretty smoothly, so I thought I'd share. Nothing works forever for any child, so I'm sure we'll move on/modify it eventually, but I'm happy with it for now.
If you were a fly on the wall in our house, you would often hear "JW, move a bean. You're not working diligently," or "MS, bring me a token. I asked you not to do that," (and I would be checking the windows to see who had left one open and let you in). Not quite as often, you might hear, "Thank you for getting bread for me at the store, here's a token," or "Way to clean that up quickly! Go move a bean back the other direction."
MA and JW each have a little bowl (well, actually a Baskin Robbins baseball cap ice cream sundae cup) with beans in them. JW has 20 total, and they have green Sharpie dots on them. MA has 25 with red dots (well, they used to have red dots on them; many of them are worn off now; if it doesn't have a green dot, it's MA's).
For each infraction throughout the day, such as playing when they have a responsibility to take care of, they must move a bean to another bowl (JW) or bring a bean to me (MA). And for each time, they're "caught" obeying well, working diligently, doing an act of kindness or are asked to do something above and beyond their normal responsibilities, they are given back a bean or told to move one back the other direction.
In the morning, after breakfast, JW and MA "mark their goal charts." These are 100's charts with their names at the bottom. For every bean left in the baseball cap bowl, they get to mark off one number. When they get to 100, they get a new book (yes, those are big treats in our house; thank goodness for English language bookstores that carry children's books!). Since February, JW has earned 4-5 and MA 2-3 (she's a little more obedience-challenged at this point :-/).
So, that's the good part. But what if they're having a bad day? You'd be surprised how a 6.75yo and a 5yo can burn through 25 and 20 beans, respectively. It doesn't happen that often (no more than once every 2 weeks, at the most), but when it does, they're done for the day.* On their beds. With books (I'm a softy). They can join us for dinner, but they return to their beds as soon as they're done until it's time to get ready to go to sleep. No more playing. No videos (even when everyone else is watching one; I'm not that soft). The day is over.
Why that?
Well, it breaks their cycle of disobedience by removing them from any possible way in which they could disobey (okay, yeah, I have relatively compliant kids; they have yet to refuse to go to their beds, but I also only instituted this with kids I knew were at the point where that was not an issue; that type of training came earlier and differently). Also, being sent to their beds "releases" them from a rough day, too. It's actually more peaceful for the child when they're struggling so hard and not finding much success.
And, well, um, it means I'm through with them for the day, too. Oh, that sounds awful. But do you know how much easier it is to get through a difficult day with a child when you know that, at some point, very soon, if it's a really bad day, there will be no more conflict? It's incredibly freeing. It helps your attitude with them immensely. It stretches your patience to make it last longer. It's really the best thing for everyone involved.
When I shared this system with an on-line friend, she said, "We just might have to try that. Although with the way things are going, they'll be on their beds by noon." She was joking, but we had that happen a couple of times when we used this system with MS when he was about 5. And he had 100 coins (they've since phased out the smallest coin here, which is why we used beans this go-round).
So far, all three of our olders have reached a point around this age where they're disobeying constantly. Although we do spank for major offenses, there was just no way it was even physically possible for me to discipline them that many times in a day and get anything done/take care of their siblings. Plus, they really needed a concrete, tangible (which is redundant, I know; I'm trying to make a point) way to see how many, many times a day they were disobeying. They also definitely needed some incentive to obey and some reward when they did.
Something I've seen with MA, specifically, too, is that having to stop her disobedience to bring me a bean.each.and.every.time. helps drive home the message that she's disobeying and that it needs to change.
And, oh, how they beam when they earn a bean/get to move one the other direction. I was not as good at that part at first, but am getting better, and it's really a positive for them.
To give credit where credit is due, this system is a conglomeration of some different ideas I'd read on the Sonlight discussion boards and something Lisa Whelchel talked about in her book Creative Correction, I think. I took concepts from several systems and meshed them into something that would work for our family.
For anyone worried about the choking hazard of dried beans (they're navy beans, in case you were wondering, which are not navy, in case you were wondering that, too), the bowls are all above the reach of ZL, who is thankfully past the major oral phase, anyway.
Okay, I said tokens and beans, but I'm holding this to beans, instead. I'll talk about the token system we use with MS another time. It has its similarities, but it's enough different that it would take another several paragraphs to explain, and it's time for Rest Time to be over and for us to get on with our afternoon. :-)
*Exception: if they're not done with their Family Responsibilities for the day, they have to finish those first, but I usually shadow them at that point to keep them on task and make sure they finish as quickly as possible with no opportunities to get into mischief.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Ringtones
True confession time: I knew I was a ringtone junkie; it was not until I typed up a list for posting here, though, that I realized exactly how bad it was. I have 85 ringtones on my phone! (Thank goodness for automatic numbering in Word.) I've added a few at a time over the year that I've had my "fancy phone" (as opposed to the bottom-of-the-line model I've always had previously). Wow, that few-at-a-time sure adds up, doesn't it?
So, here they are:
24 Theme Song
411 Packet
A-Team
A-Team 2
Get Your Adverbs Here
Al in This Together (from HSM)
Back to the Future
Batman (old TV show)
Belly of a Whale
Be Your Friend
Breaking Free
The Bunny Song
Cheers Chorus
Chocolate Rain
CTU Phone Ring (from 24, text alert)
Do Do Do (from HSM)
Eye of the Tiger
False Hope – Barack Obama
Family Ties
Greensleeves
Firefly Theme Song
Fruity Oaty Bars (from Serenity)
Inspector Gadget, instrumental
Inspector Gadget, siren (text alert)
Inspector Gadget, theme
Ghostbusters, instrumental
Ghostbusters, intro
Ghostbusters, theme
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cindy Lauper
God is Bigger (Than the Boogie Man)
Go Gadget Go
Go Speed Racer
Hairbrush Song, Japanese
Hard Days Night – The Beatles
Hero of Canton (from Firefly)
His Banner
Honeyful Day
Hotel California
How Great the Father’s Love
I’m Still Here (from Treasure Planet)
I’ve Never Had (from HSM)
I’m Bad – Michael Jackson
In the Name of Love – U2
Jeopardy, text alert
Jeopardy, text alert 2
Jonah Was a Prophet
Welcome Home – JWGulley
Kim Possible, text alert
Light My Fire – The Doors
Little Einsteins, theme
Little Einsteins, text alert
System Failure – LOST
LOST, title sequence
Love, Love Me Do – The Beatles
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, theme song
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Mii Channel
Muppets Theme
Name Above All Names
NCIS Theme
No Sweeter Name
Numa Numa
Numb3rs Theme
Power Rangers Theme
Soarin’ Flyin’ (from HSM)
Speed Racer Theme
Speed Racer, text alert
Spiderman (old show)
Sweet Home Alabama
Thankful Heart
Tigger & Pooh Theme
Twilight Zone
Walk Like an Egyptian
Walk the Line – Johnny Cash
Wedding March
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns ‘N Roses
White and Nerdy – Weird Al Yankovic
Wii Sports
Wild Cats – HSM
With or Without You – U2
X-Men Theme
X-Men, text alert
Yes We Can – Barack Obama
Yip Yip Telephone (Sesame Street)
You All Everybody (from LOST)
The fascinating thing to me is that I've used probably 80% of them at one point or another.
So, here they are:
24 Theme Song
411 Packet
A-Team
A-Team 2
Get Your Adverbs Here
Al in This Together (from HSM)
Back to the Future
Batman (old TV show)
Belly of a Whale
Be Your Friend
Breaking Free
The Bunny Song
Cheers Chorus
Chocolate Rain
CTU Phone Ring (from 24, text alert)
Do Do Do (from HSM)
Eye of the Tiger
False Hope – Barack Obama
Family Ties
Greensleeves
Firefly Theme Song
Fruity Oaty Bars (from Serenity)
Inspector Gadget, instrumental
Inspector Gadget, siren (text alert)
Inspector Gadget, theme
Ghostbusters, instrumental
Ghostbusters, intro
Ghostbusters, theme
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cindy Lauper
God is Bigger (Than the Boogie Man)
Go Gadget Go
Go Speed Racer
Hairbrush Song, Japanese
Hard Days Night – The Beatles
Hero of Canton (from Firefly)
His Banner
Honeyful Day
Hotel California
How Great the Father’s Love
I’m Still Here (from Treasure Planet)
I’ve Never Had (from HSM)
I’m Bad – Michael Jackson
In the Name of Love – U2
Jeopardy, text alert
Jeopardy, text alert 2
Jonah Was a Prophet
Welcome Home – JWGulley
Kim Possible, text alert
Light My Fire – The Doors
Little Einsteins, theme
Little Einsteins, text alert
System Failure – LOST
LOST, title sequence
Love, Love Me Do – The Beatles
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, theme song
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E
Mii Channel
Muppets Theme
Name Above All Names
NCIS Theme
No Sweeter Name
Numa Numa
Numb3rs Theme
Power Rangers Theme
Soarin’ Flyin’ (from HSM)
Speed Racer Theme
Speed Racer, text alert
Spiderman (old show)
Sweet Home Alabama
Thankful Heart
Tigger & Pooh Theme
Twilight Zone
Walk Like an Egyptian
Walk the Line – Johnny Cash
Wedding March
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns ‘N Roses
White and Nerdy – Weird Al Yankovic
Wii Sports
Wild Cats – HSM
With or Without You – U2
X-Men Theme
X-Men, text alert
Yes We Can – Barack Obama
Yip Yip Telephone (Sesame Street)
You All Everybody (from LOST)
The fascinating thing to me is that I've used probably 80% of them at one point or another.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
LOST Playlist
As I was reading about and pondering this week's LOST episode, I realized I hadn't updated my LOST playlist recently.
As the title indicates, this is a list of songs played on LOST episodes. It started like most of my other playlists: I heard a song on the show, liked it, and tracked it down on iTunes. Soon, I had a collection. So I created a separate playlist. It's a fun, eclectic group of songs that we enjoy listening to. Although it's a been a while. I think we overdosed. Time to pull it back out, though. It sounds fun again Plus, I added two songs from the end of Season 3.
Originally, I just wrote down the songs as they played. But then, ML found this site that does the work for me. So, I just check there periodically, look up the songs on iTunes, and download the ones I want. I don't buy all of them. I'm not a purist. I'm not going to listen to a song just because it was on LOST (for example, I chose to bypass Rump Shaker :-l *and I have also have foregone Jack's "Jeep music," a little too heavy even for me*). I have been introduced to some neat songs this way, though.
So, without further ado,
LOST Playlist
1. You All Everybody – Driveshaft
2. Are You Sure – Willie Nelson
3. Wash Away – Joe Purdy
4. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
5. I Shall Not Walk Alone – The Blind Boys of Alabama
6. Walkin’ After Midnight – Patsy Cline
7. Delicate – Damien Rice
8. Make Your Own Kind of Music – Cass Elliot
9. The End of the World – Skeeter Davis
10. Redemption Song – Bob Marley
11. My Conversation – The Uniques
12. These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
13. Catch a Falling Star – Perry Como
14. The Hard Way – Kasey Chambers
15. Moonlight Serenade – Glenn Miller Orchestra
16. Downtown – Petula Clark
17. I Wonder – Brenda Lee
18. They – Jem (the stand-alone: not on the show, but from a great YouTube video montage)
19. Shambala – Three Dog Night
20. Wonderwall – Oasis
21. Show Me the Way to Go Home – Bing Crosby
*22. Everyday - Buddy Holly
*Added since original posting.
As the title indicates, this is a list of songs played on LOST episodes. It started like most of my other playlists: I heard a song on the show, liked it, and tracked it down on iTunes. Soon, I had a collection. So I created a separate playlist. It's a fun, eclectic group of songs that we enjoy listening to. Although it's a been a while. I think we overdosed. Time to pull it back out, though. It sounds fun again Plus, I added two songs from the end of Season 3.
Originally, I just wrote down the songs as they played. But then, ML found this site that does the work for me. So, I just check there periodically, look up the songs on iTunes, and download the ones I want. I don't buy all of them. I'm not a purist. I'm not going to listen to a song just because it was on LOST (for example, I chose to bypass Rump Shaker :-l *and I have also have foregone Jack's "Jeep music," a little too heavy even for me*). I have been introduced to some neat songs this way, though.
So, without further ado,
LOST Playlist
1. You All Everybody – Driveshaft
2. Are You Sure – Willie Nelson
3. Wash Away – Joe Purdy
4. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
5. I Shall Not Walk Alone – The Blind Boys of Alabama
6. Walkin’ After Midnight – Patsy Cline
7. Delicate – Damien Rice
8. Make Your Own Kind of Music – Cass Elliot
9. The End of the World – Skeeter Davis
10. Redemption Song – Bob Marley
11. My Conversation – The Uniques
12. These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
13. Catch a Falling Star – Perry Como
14. The Hard Way – Kasey Chambers
15. Moonlight Serenade – Glenn Miller Orchestra
16. Downtown – Petula Clark
17. I Wonder – Brenda Lee
18. They – Jem (the stand-alone: not on the show, but from a great YouTube video montage)
19. Shambala – Three Dog Night
20. Wonderwall – Oasis
21. Show Me the Way to Go Home – Bing Crosby
*22. Everyday - Buddy Holly
*Added since original posting.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Updated lists
As an ongoing process of finding a system that works for family responsibilities, I've decided that we're going to "pass jobs down" primarily at birthdays and half-birthdays. Well, at least the Big Three's birthdays and half-birthdays, because it's convenient. :-/
MA & MS have birthdays in early February. JW's is in early July. So, they're exactly six months from each other. Thus, we'll "pass jobs down" in February and July.
So, the week of MA & MS's birthdays, I took a good look at the lists and determined what MS could take on new and what he and everyone else could pass down to the next youngest (MA had several empty slots to fill; don't know what I'm going to do with the jobs she "outgrows" in July, since ZL will probably not be ready to take them on).
For example, MA added putting away dishes (which she was excited about) and an allowance deposit, since she's now five, and several other odd jobs. Since JW was taking on the play area (which he does a meticulous, albeit slow, job of) as well as the family area, I dropped putting away dishes from his list and kept it on MS's, instead of passing that on to JW as I'd intended. MS is a very detail-oriented by nature (as is MA), and so, learning the homes for all of the miscellaneous kitchen items that go in the right-hand dish drainer was not a problem for him (mostly). It would be a great challenge for JW, so I chose to wait until he's older to train him in that. Just an example of how I hope to train all of the kids in doing all of the jobs around the house, but I want to take into consideration their giftings and preferences in how soon they learn certain things and how long they're responsible for them.
Bedtimes had been a particular challenge for a while, so we moved the boys from reading in the living areas at bedtime (which had kept them out of the communal bedroom and let the others settle in) to their beds with reading lights. For now, ML and I take turns sitting outside the door to their room (usually doing stuff on a laptop) while they settle in, which they have come to really like. This keeps the popping out of bed and training away from such limited to a shorter period of time, rather than dragging it out over two hours. So, they boys' bedtime lists reflect this. Also, to help with bedtime, we've been more consistent about getting the kids (and ourselves) up earlier in the mornings. So now, MS turns the alarm on each evening and off each morning along with turning off their sound machine and on the light.
So, here are the adjusted lists.
- morning lists
- bedtime lists
- MS daily & weekly
- JW daily & weekly
- MA daily & weekly
MA & MS have birthdays in early February. JW's is in early July. So, they're exactly six months from each other. Thus, we'll "pass jobs down" in February and July.
So, the week of MA & MS's birthdays, I took a good look at the lists and determined what MS could take on new and what he and everyone else could pass down to the next youngest (MA had several empty slots to fill; don't know what I'm going to do with the jobs she "outgrows" in July, since ZL will probably not be ready to take them on).
For example, MA added putting away dishes (which she was excited about) and an allowance deposit, since she's now five, and several other odd jobs. Since JW was taking on the play area (which he does a meticulous, albeit slow, job of) as well as the family area, I dropped putting away dishes from his list and kept it on MS's, instead of passing that on to JW as I'd intended. MS is a very detail-oriented by nature (as is MA), and so, learning the homes for all of the miscellaneous kitchen items that go in the right-hand dish drainer was not a problem for him (mostly). It would be a great challenge for JW, so I chose to wait until he's older to train him in that. Just an example of how I hope to train all of the kids in doing all of the jobs around the house, but I want to take into consideration their giftings and preferences in how soon they learn certain things and how long they're responsible for them.
Bedtimes had been a particular challenge for a while, so we moved the boys from reading in the living areas at bedtime (which had kept them out of the communal bedroom and let the others settle in) to their beds with reading lights. For now, ML and I take turns sitting outside the door to their room (usually doing stuff on a laptop) while they settle in, which they have come to really like. This keeps the popping out of bed and training away from such limited to a shorter period of time, rather than dragging it out over two hours. So, they boys' bedtime lists reflect this. Also, to help with bedtime, we've been more consistent about getting the kids (and ourselves) up earlier in the mornings. So now, MS turns the alarm on each evening and off each morning along with turning off their sound machine and on the light.
So, here are the adjusted lists.
- morning lists
- bedtime lists
- MS daily & weekly
- JW daily & weekly
- MA daily & weekly
Pop Playlist
Eventually, this will probably divide out in to Pop, Rock, and maybe an Alternative playlist, but for now, it's just grouped under Pop. I've been waiting until I had some time to spend on this post, because I wanted to give the "story" behind each song, since most have a story. Since a certain blog-reading friend pointed out recently that I don't post often, I thought I'd take the time to post this list today (just teasing :-).
1. Firefly Main Theme - Sonny Rhodes: fairly obvious
2. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor: from an episode of Medium** (You can all collectively gasp at the fact that we watch that show. Would you believe that my mom recommended it?)
3. Bubbly - Colbie Caillat: On our family vacation this last fall, the pop (meaning, American) radio station that they had on in the restaurant each morning at breakfast played this song. It's catchy, and it reminds me of our vacation (which had its high points, although we will be returning to the Dead Sea this spring and probably not deviating from that tradition again).
4. That’s Not Me - Bianca Ryan: I discovered this song after seeing the Bianca Ryan YouTube video from America's Got Talent. I know it's just a cover she does, but I like the song and the way she sings it.
5. Where is My Mind? - Pixies: from the ending of a 4400 episode (I also heard it in another show, but I can't find anywhere on the internet where that was. Frustrating. ETA: Just figured out where it was. Not another show, but a great LOST fan video montage.)
6. Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel: After a date night dinner at TGIFriday's in the capital during which we sat next to a wall of record covers, I dug this song up on iTunes. I listened to my parents' record when I was little. I had the tape. I skipped the CD rendition. I have it in digital format.
7. Shiny Happy People - R.E.M: Would you believe it was a Sesame Street short that led me to get this song? I was looking up various Sesame Street shorts from my childhood to put on my iPod, and I came across a bunch of celebrity appearances, too, most of which are very fun, including R.E.M's "Smiling, Happy Monsters." :-P Then, I had to have the original, harkening back to my jr. high/high school days.
8. Lullaby – Dixie Chicks: another Medium episode
9. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen: re-introduced to this song thanks to the amusing "LOST Rhapsody" YouTube video
10. The Rose - Bianca Ryan: Another Bianca Ryan cover that I liked. Reminds me of seeing Beaches at the drive-in with my mom and a friend.
11. I’m Still Here – Johnny Rzeznik: from the sleeper Disney movie, Treasure Planet
12. White Flag – Dido: I heard this in the video store and remembered liking it, so I dug it up.
13. What I Like About You – The Romantics: I have no idea.
14. In The Sun – Joesph Arthur: from the alternate, alternate ending to Bourne Identity (took some digging on the internet to figure that out, if you can imagine)
15. American Pie – Don McLean: Not quite sure on this one either.
16. Eureka End Theme - Eureka: self-explanitory
*17. Who Will Save Your Soul - Jewel: I think I just like it. :-P
*18. Complicated - Avril Lagrine: ditto
*19. Extreme Ways - Moby: Bourne movie credits theme
*20. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - They Might Be Giants: Just fun. Plus, Micah sings it occasionally. :-)
*Added since original posting
**And in case anyone's worried about how much TV we watch, we will rent a season of a show, download it to our computer, and then watch it over a couple of months (deleting the episodes from the computer as we watch them). We don't have satellite, so this is the only TV we watch. :-)
1. Firefly Main Theme - Sonny Rhodes: fairly obvious
2. I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor: from an episode of Medium** (You can all collectively gasp at the fact that we watch that show. Would you believe that my mom recommended it?)
3. Bubbly - Colbie Caillat: On our family vacation this last fall, the pop (meaning, American) radio station that they had on in the restaurant each morning at breakfast played this song. It's catchy, and it reminds me of our vacation (which had its high points, although we will be returning to the Dead Sea this spring and probably not deviating from that tradition again).
4. That’s Not Me - Bianca Ryan: I discovered this song after seeing the Bianca Ryan YouTube video from America's Got Talent. I know it's just a cover she does, but I like the song and the way she sings it.
5. Where is My Mind? - Pixies: from the ending of a 4400 episode (I also heard it in another show, but I can't find anywhere on the internet where that was. Frustrating. ETA: Just figured out where it was. Not another show, but a great LOST fan video montage.)
6. Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel: After a date night dinner at TGIFriday's in the capital during which we sat next to a wall of record covers, I dug this song up on iTunes. I listened to my parents' record when I was little. I had the tape. I skipped the CD rendition. I have it in digital format.
7. Shiny Happy People - R.E.M: Would you believe it was a Sesame Street short that led me to get this song? I was looking up various Sesame Street shorts from my childhood to put on my iPod, and I came across a bunch of celebrity appearances, too, most of which are very fun, including R.E.M's "Smiling, Happy Monsters." :-P Then, I had to have the original, harkening back to my jr. high/high school days.
8. Lullaby – Dixie Chicks: another Medium episode
9. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen: re-introduced to this song thanks to the amusing "LOST Rhapsody" YouTube video
10. The Rose - Bianca Ryan: Another Bianca Ryan cover that I liked. Reminds me of seeing Beaches at the drive-in with my mom and a friend.
11. I’m Still Here – Johnny Rzeznik: from the sleeper Disney movie, Treasure Planet
12. White Flag – Dido: I heard this in the video store and remembered liking it, so I dug it up.
13. What I Like About You – The Romantics: I have no idea.
14. In The Sun – Joesph Arthur: from the alternate, alternate ending to Bourne Identity (took some digging on the internet to figure that out, if you can imagine)
15. American Pie – Don McLean: Not quite sure on this one either.
16. Eureka End Theme - Eureka: self-explanitory
*17. Who Will Save Your Soul - Jewel: I think I just like it. :-P
*18. Complicated - Avril Lagrine: ditto
*19. Extreme Ways - Moby: Bourne movie credits theme
*20. Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - They Might Be Giants: Just fun. Plus, Micah sings it occasionally. :-)
*Added since original posting
**And in case anyone's worried about how much TV we watch, we will rent a season of a show, download it to our computer, and then watch it over a couple of months (deleting the episodes from the computer as we watch them). We don't have satellite, so this is the only TV we watch. :-)
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