Why is a Square a Rectangle?

My daughter and I were looking at shapes counting rectangles amid a bunch of triangles and circles.  One rectangle looked a bit more like a square then the others so she didn't count it.  She said that is a square not a rectangle.  I then explained, "Actually, squares are rectangles and so you would count the squares."  My daughter lost it.  It was like I had told her that the world really is flat.  She started crying and crying out, "No, they are not!"

I was lost myself at to how to explain then I found two websites.

Geometry: Basic Ideas
Ask Dr. Math

I think she would still rather not believe it but maybe when it comes up in Math the next time she will be ready to accept it as fact.

Meditate on it Day and Night: Instilling a Love of Scripture

My husband has a  morning quiet time with each child.  Most days when the children get up they have some time with Dad reading through a Story book Bible.  We have some favorites, but below are all the Bible books and children devotional books - which we have used in the past, are using now or we own and plan to use soon.  I've put a * next to our favorites.

Each of our children look forward to that time on Daddy's lap to read the scriptures.

Family-Time Bible in Pictures  Right Choices

101 Favorite Stories from the BibleThe Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories
* The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
Children's Everyday Bible
*The Big Picture Story Bible
NIrV Discoverer's Bible for Young Readers100 Bible Stories

Leading Little Ones to God: A Child's Book of Bible Teachings

The American Indian Prayer Guide

International Children's Bible Field Guide: Answering Kids' Questions from Genesis to Revelation

*Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God

*Herein Is Love: Genesis

History through film

I found two fun websites I thought I would share with you all:

Have Fun with History    and  tV School House

Art, History and Fiction - working like clockwork to tell an interesting story!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

This books set in Paris during the 1930's is one of the neatest works of art, history and fiction!  

This books is amazing with the way that every page of art work helps to tell the story of a young boy - orphaned and left by his Uncle in a train station winding clocks.  The book is also a story about how History is everywhere.  That within each person we may be surprised to find out what they contributed to the world around us.   

My children loved this book - I got the book on CD for them to listen to and when I saw the photos in the book decided we would read the book and listen to it at the same time.   I would read a few chapters then they would listen to it as they went to bed.  They couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.  

The art work in this books is amazing - this will be one of those books that stands the test of time.  Click on the link above to hear about the book straight from the author Brian Selznick.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

A Journey of a SPOILED stuffed rabbit starts with one perilous fall.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane  

We read this book by Kate DiCamillo some time ago now - but while thinking of books that we have read the past year, this is one I have to recommend.

I enjoyed this book - and I will admit to a few tears at the end of the story.  I was actually mopping my eyes with tissues.  My kids didn't quite get all the nuances of the story - they heard the adventures and misadventures of a rabbit.  I don't think they even picked up any of the dysfunctional family elements.

The story is really about the journey many of us take - through our own selfishness and the people we come into contact with as we realize what is really important in life:

To truly love others and to be truly loved.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Other books by Kate DiCamillo:
The Magician's Elephant
The Tiger Rising
Because of Winn-Dixie
Great Joy
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
Mercy Watson: Three-Treat Collection: Slipcased Gift Set
Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken
Bink and Gollie
Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise
Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig
Mercy Watson Fights Crime
Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride