Homework Assignment #violin

Isaak was saying something about creating a video last week, for Strings class.

The trouble was...his teacher didn't exactly explain how to upload the video. Isaak logged into where he thought he was supposed to put it. It didn't work. His Home Room | Social Studies teacher tried to help him. She couldn't figure it out either.

On Tuesday I mentioned he should stay after to figure it out. If that teacher wasn't able to help, he got behind in Social Studies, so he could pay that teacher a visit.

He got his answers in class. He found out he had to go somewhere entirely different, than where he was at in Office365.

I recorded him last night. I put the video in, only to find out that it was too big of a file, and needed to be compressed. I don't do a whole lot of video editing. I was trying to compress it in iMovie, which I'm sure one can do. I just don't know how. Finally I just opened it in Quicktime, and it had the option to save down in file size. I was thinking it would have been easier to import it in YouTube, if they didn't have to make an account, and all the privacy stuff to work around.

I started thinking: 

How would the average parent help their kid with this? What if they don't know how to get a video from their phone or camera into Office365? What if a kid/parent doesn't have a phone, or camera to record on? What if they don't know how to compress a video, if it's too large? What if a kid doesn't have a parent that's there, for them? 

I know it's not my problem, but I keep thinking about it.

It took 5 runs, but here's Isaak's video:

All said and done, I think it's a cool assignment. Kids and adult should record what they are doing, to watch themselves. That helps them to improve. I was trying to work the kinks out in my mind, to help with technical errors. Maybe a side teacher could take them one by one out to an office room where they record their thing. Then they could show the student how to upload it. At least for the first time. 

Isaak's really looking forward to being done with Strings. He enjoyed it in Elementary School. The teacher he has now basically started them over, for any new kid that is just starting Strings. Isaak's like, "I know how to play the scale, and we've been doing that for 1/2 a semester!" He enjoyed Piano so much more because it was new, and moved along. I'm not so sure his current Piano teacher enjoys how he started learning. She doesn't like the idea of memorizing songs, but instead learning the notes. I get it, but Piano class in school was a short class. In school he was just giving them a flavor of playing the piano, to see if they'd like it. Isaak did, that's why we moved him to lessons. Now he's learning how to read notes more. 

Isaak has to pick one of the following to focus on next year in school: Drama, Art, Strings, Band, Chorus, or World Studies. He's picking Art, but staying in private Piano Lessons. 

Did you play an instrument in school? Do you still play it?

Isaak Loves to Make Noise

I know I've been bad about blogging lately. I've been on the computer so much, that I just needed a bit of a break from blogging.

It's also hard because I can't take photos ANYTIME. It's dark when I wake up to when I need to leave to go to work. Then it's dark when I get home. I get really frustrated about the lack of sunlight this time of year. I just love posting a photo or photos with posts. It's just so hard to get good ones.

Isaak wanted a drone for Christmas. He's not getting one. I just think it's one of those toys that he plays with a handful of times, then it just sits in the box. Plus many drones say for ages 14 and up. Isaak's 9. Just a few days ago he said, "I'd like to have a hover board." He won't be getting that either. It may be a disappointing Christmas for him. Oh trust me he's getting things; just not those two things.

When you were a kid, did you have a certain Christmas where you were disappointed with what you got? 

I remember I wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. I got a homemade doll. I didn't want to seem ungrateful. The following year I got that Cabbage Patch Kid. Kids can't always get everything they want.

Isaak's getting a Lego set he wants, a gold fidget spinner he asked for, nice headphones for his kindle, a Spirograph, a leather wallet, he's getting a few other toys, a game, the Lego Batman movie, and some clothes. Mica's pretty much getting the same things with variation.

Truth be told: Isaak hardly plays with any toys. He likes crafts, art, music, basketball, chess, other games and playing outside.

One thing he asked for last year was a keyboard. I got a cheap keyboard. I just didn't know how much he'd use it. It's the one thing I wish I would have splurged on. The boy plays it daily. You can't even play 2 keys at once.

Source

Isaak sits in his room pounding away on his cheap $15 keyboard. Then he stops and starts singing, "Shot through the heart and you're to blame. Darlin' you give love, a bad name."

Isaak is so me, and Mica is so Travis when you get to the core of their personalities. 

Mica at 8:10: Isaak stop pounding on that keyboard!

Isaak kept on playing.

Mica: Isaak it's time for bed. STOP!

Isaak played hard, and faster.

All the while Travis and I are in the kitchen giggling because Mica's the serious one that abides by rules. Isaak's the goofy one that pokes Mica with teasing him non stop. Mica can have fun too, but not when he's supposed to be in bed. Yes they still go to bed that early because they wake up with the chickens. Listening to them fight was like listening to Travis and I fight.

It's interesting...some nights I get so annoyed with their fighting. Even the sounds of their voices make me want to scream. There's nights like the night above where I felt like laughing at them. I found them amusing. I wonder why parents are that way? Possibly we're that way with everyone. I love my husband, but I need time to myself too.

A month or so ago I saw a harmonica in an end cap at a store. I'm not a shopper. Seriously I've been to 3 stores besides grocery shopping. 

Travis a day ago: I could see Isaak really enjoying a harmonica in his stocking.

Me: I thought about that. The boy loves to make noise. He's either singing, playing his violin, playing his keyboard, or creating something. I thought Isaak having a harmonica might drive you and Mica to your breaking points.

Travis: Just get him one. He'd love it!

Me: Where in the heck did I see one? I can not remember! I saw one somewhere!

Travis: Just get one off Amazon.

Isaak's harmonica is supposed to get here before Christmas. Guess what? I found a gold one. His favorite color. Well not quite. He likes Sparkly Shimmery Shiny Gold. He'll tell you that too. I couldn't find a Sparkly Shimmery Shiny Gold one. You know one that looks like it has gold glitter. 

Source

He may not be getting a drone or a hover board, but by golly he's getting a harmonica.  

What gift are you excited to give someone?