Conversations with Emma- 81

While finishing up supper, Da, Emma, and I were making a to-do list for tomorrow. I mentioned a math worksheet, Emma was excited.

Me- "Well, what kind of math worksheet do you want? Addition, subtraction, single digits, bigger numbers, what?

Emma- "I don't know."

Me- "Well, I know that you are pretty good with single digit addition, so lets do double digits."

Emma- "What do you mean?"

Me- "Like 55 plus 26."

Emma thinks for, literally, like 10 seconds and said, "81."

I had to figure it out in my head quickly, then I looked at Jared (who was already looking at me with a shocked expression) and we both kinda laughed.

Me- "Emma, that was really good."

Emma- "It was easy. I added 20 plus 50 and got 70 then knew that 6 plus 5 is 11, and that 11 plus 70 is 81."

Me to Jared- "I don't really care how she gets there, I think it's cool that she figured that out in her head"

Jared- "Totally."

I was wowed. Course I always hated math (until I decided to tell myself that it wasn't so bad, now I kinda like it), so to see how much she loves it always wows me.

I know that there are reasons behind the way math is taught in schools, but I can tell you from experience, it didn't make it any easier for me. If Emma ends up WANTING to learn higher levels of math, she will be willing to relearn a few things to achieve her goals.

So, we will be printing up a variety of math worksheets so we can get an idea of where she stands so that we can plan out her future worksheets accordingly. I want her to continue to love numbers. Puts a lot of pressure on me, but I think it's really important that she continue to love numbers and math.

Not because I think higher levels of math are necessary for life, but because it's important for her to have her passions and not loose them because of my lack of providing appropriate materials.

If that makes sense. It might not, I'm tired.

Off to bed so Emma and I can get our learning on tomorrow!

Have a great day!

Would You Rather...

In the car the other day, Emma and Gramma were play the 'Would You Rather...' game that Emma invented. They had been playing for a while, but I was only half paying attention. For whatever reason, this is when I started paying more attention:

Emma to Gramma- "Would you rather be a 'D' or an 'A'?"

Gramma- "An 'A' so I could be first."

Emma- "You could be an apple, or appaloosa. Would you rather be a 'P' or an 'F'?"

Mama- "I would rather be an 'F' because 'P' ends up the butt of a lot of jokes. Would you rather be a ballerina or a construction worker?"

Gramma- "A construction worker because I get to build things. Emma, would you rather be rich, beautiful, or intelligent?

Emma- "I am already beautiful, so I would like to be rich."

Mama- "Do you know what intelligent means?"

Emma- "Um, no."

Mama- "It means smart."

Emma- Oh, well I am already smart too, so I would rather be rich."
(This led to a short conversation about money, beauty, and intelligence)

Da- "Emma, would you rather have feet that smell or a nose that runs?"

Emma, Gramma and I just started laughing. Sometimes Da is just hilarious :0)

Conversations with Emma- Bathroom Math

I actually got out of bed at a normal time this morning (as opposed to 10 a.m.) so I could help Da clean out the car. He was headed for a paintball event and was picking up two other guys.

Anyway, as I came back in the house, Emma was all excited;

E- "Mama, Mama, come in the the bathroom, quick!"

M- "Ok." (I was expecting her to show me a spider which is the norm)

E- "Go stand over there by the stool (step stool)."

M- "Ok." (our bathroom is pretty small)

E- "While I was going potty I noticed something. These squares here, no matter which way you count them they make nine! See-" She then went on to count a 3 by 3 square of floor tiles a few different ways.

M- "That is really cool! So if you have 3 squares by 3 squares it will make 9? Neat."

Then she went off to watch some Rugrats.

Conversations with Emma- Half of 32

Conversation between Emma and Jared- "Da, how old are you"
Jared- "32"
Emma- "What is half of 32?"
Jared- "16"
Emma- "What is half of 16?"
Jared- "8. Want to know what half of 8 is?"
Emma- "It's 4! Because two 4's make 8."

Apparently whatever we are doing is working :)

I think Emma had a purpose to what she was asking, but it was just about bed time and Da asked Emma if she wanted to color before bed. 20 minutes later...

Bookmarks by Emma and Da. 

And just a fun random photo. 

Have a great day!

Feathers from Da

Jared has really gotten into mountain biking lately (well, as 'mountain' as you can get in flat Iowa).

Helmet Hair after a sweaty ride. 

 Every so often he comes home with a treasure for Emma. 

Feathers.

The feather on the bottom was brought home a month or so ago after Jared went riding at Seven Oaks in Boone, IA. Emma thought it was super cool (and so did I). She wanted to know what it was, so we found this site- The Feather Atlas. 

Here is what we decided the bottom feather is.

The search function has you choose a pattern then color and lists all the feathers it could be. It can be a little frustrating trying to figure out which one it might be, but it is a very useful and informative site. 

So when Jared came home yesterday from a mountain bike even in the Quad Cities with the top feather, we knew where to go- The Feather Atlas.

This is what we decided.

It is a little funny that he found the wild turkey feather in the Quad cities, because on one of his last rides at Seven Oaks he got spooked by a "Giant" wild turkey. 

We enjoy collecting feathers and look forward to whatever else Da brings home from his rides (he can leave the ticks there though).

Have a great Sunday!

Conversations with Emma

Before we started this blog, we had one for the family (which we still have and I am horrible at updating it).

There are a few post that I would like to share with you though. Here are the links.

Garbage

Mysteriously

Paleontologist

Fabuloso

They are all pretty funny conversations that we have had with Emma. I kinda wish I had written more down. I just might have to keep a 'Conversations With Emma' journal on me at all times (although now she is more sarcastic then funny- gotta love the 5 going on 15 stage!).

And a nice random photo.

Have a great day!