Nuremburg Zoo Trip

"We are sure to see curious things, and for the last two months we have not had time for dullness. The last marvel is always the most astonishing; and, if we continue this progression, I do not know how it will end. It is my opinion that we shall never again see the like. I think then, with no offence to master, that a happy year would be one in which we could see everything."

-Conseil, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, chapter 19

We've been forgoing regular lessons in favor of travel a lot lately. I find tremendous value in real-life experience, and favor it over book learning almost any day. 

Being that we have such a short time in Germany, we try to make the most of it by seeing as much as possible. After all, we just learned that next summer we'll be moving back stateside. It's not what we want to do, but it's what the Army needs from my husband. 

We have ten months left in Europe. We intend to see, not everything, but as much as possible this year. So, expect lots of travel schooling over the next ten months. 

Today, we visited the beautiful Tiergarten der Stadt Nurnberg: The Nurnberg Zoo. Zoos here are different than zoos in the United States. Barriers between human and animal are more natural and less obtrusive. Landscaping is interactive: you climb, you step, you pull yourself up rocks and tree roots. You navigate rope bridges. 

This was a fantastic zoo. 

 Also, the Autumn colors in full splendor added to the pleasures of the zoo. The air was crisp, the breeze refreshing, and the sky blue, mostly. We even had sun today!

 This was a group trip that I set up for our homeschool group. Only two other families could make it, but I think that actually worked out for the best. The kids were all terrific and were wonderful to one another. And the other two moms there were awesome, too. It was great to get to know two homeschool families over the seven hours we spent at the zoo. We all had a lot of fun together. 

 We got to take in a sea lion and dolphin show. There was something special about seeing this show with the October colors in the background. 

 Tuna (and the other kids) loved the show. Watching her expressions was just as rewarding to me as watching the show itself. 

The petting zoo with its requisite goat herd was ...intense. The goats were aggressive in their per suit of grain, headbutting me and cornering Tuna on the rocks. Still, she's like the goat whisperer and they didn't give her any trouble at all. 

It was a splendid Autumn day. I'm thankful for the chance to explore new places like this zoo, practically in my backyard. The zoo's impressive animal collection was a great treat. We learned a few new things along the way, and made friends, and had fun. I couldn't have planned a better school day. 

Tomorrow: We're visiting a volcano!

Co-Op P.E. and Critical Thinking Classes

What fun Mondays are, with group P.E. and a critical thinking class! It's always fun to get together with other kids and learn something new. 

We held P.E. right outside the ground of the American elementary school. So while our kids were laughing and playing, those kids inside were watching. I wonder what they were thinking about us. 

Awww no fair! Which class is that playing outside?
Is it recess time yet?
Why do they get to play outside and we don't?
They're going to get in trouble for making all that noise. 
Is school over? Did the bell ring?

And the teachers:

Someone shut those kids up. 
Who told them they could play outside the school like that?
How disrespectful of them, playing like that while we learn!
Whose class is that, anyway?
Is school over? Did the bell ring?

Second Time's the Charm

The first time we tried a homeschool co-op, we were stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado. I found a co-op located quite some distance from home. It sounded promising though, with weekly classes, a dance troupe, music lessons, and a large member base. So, for a couple of weeks, we journeyed to this group. 

They met in a church. 

I knew these were very, very religious homeschoolers. Most homeschoolers are. I could live that. 

What I didn't know is that they began each day with not only the pledge to the American flag, but also the pledge to the Christian flag (did you know there was such a thing? I didn't.) and the pledge to the Bible. They all put their hands on this huge Bible and, in the same rhythm as the Pledge of Allegiance, they swore their dedication to it. 

Whatever. It's not what we do, but I respect them and what they do, and there is so much this group offers. Dance troupe! Classes! Friends!

After all the pledging, the kids led each other in a morning devotion while the moms had what they called "mom time." 

Uh oh. 

We all stood in a circle and held hands. I knew that prayer was coming. Prayer that differed from my beliefs. No big deal. Dance troupe! Classes! Friends!

What came next (this was week two) shocked me into reality. 

They started speaking in tongues. 

This is a real thing that really happens! It's not just for those crazy televangelists! Real people do this! At first, I thought my ears weren't working right. But they went on with their "lelelele sha la la LAY lah mosh kee toh" while I squinty-eye peeked at them. I didn't make a scene. We even stayed until co-op was through for the day. 

But we never went back. 

And for a long time, I swore off homeschool groups. Crazy long-skirt wearing evangelicals scared me away. 

___________________________________________________

We tried another co-op recently. And we love it. 

Sure, the majority of the members homeschool for religious reasons. But they are warm. And nice. And quiet. And accepting. 

And they have classes and friends. 

MIning for chocolate chip "gems"

Today, we started geology class. Tuna loved every minute of the crystal formations and the mining for "gems" in her chocolate chip cookie. 

Second time's the charm. We found a co-op without the bat shit crazy. 

So if you're searching for kindred spirits in a world of weird, keep looking. They're out there. You just have to go mining for them. 

Interpretive Nature Walk: Grafenwoehr, Germany

Today, we went to a homeschool group field trip to the Grafenwoehr nature trail. We were guided by two well-informed, German (English-speaking) women who made the hike a fabulous learning experience. 

Our guides were wonderful. So knowledgeable about the wildlife in the area and very much in tune with what the kids needed. Lots of hands-on, lots of demonstration, lots of patience and kindness. We had a great time. 

The guides gave all the kids little canvas bags to fill with specimens from trees on the hike, which they all pulled out toward the end to discuss and compare. 

We saw some cool plants we've never seen before, like this neat "jelly" mushroom. 

Tuna enjoyed the time with the other homeschool kids. 

Deadly mushrooms!

Our homeschool group has a lot of activities planned for this school year. We'll pick and choose which ones to attend. Today whetted our appetite for more, though. We had a great time, and learned a bit, too!