STL Symphony

During the school year the St. Louis symphony gives an educational series where they invite schools in the area to come and enjoy a symphony that is designed to be good for their age. The programs include good music, an interactive program with the director, and more. I enjoy going to these programs because they are fun and soothing. Several other symphonies across the U.S. and around the world have similar programs. The symphony programs are good for auditory learners.

Duolingo

Auditory and Visual Learners
Duolingo is a free website and app for smart phones to learn other
languages. One of the biggest advantages of Duolingo is that it works
to many learning styles based on the various exercises used to learn a
new language.  For each language Duolingo breaks down skill and
lessons in each of those skills.

As part of the skills, the user may repeat a phrase or sentence, type
the English version of the language from a spoken sentence or print of
a sentence, type the language version from a print of a sentence, type
a word based on a picture.

In our house, as English speakers, we are learning Spanish and German.
We have used Rosetta Stone before as well to learn Spanish.

Duolingo is free! It moves much faster than Rosetta Stone so you have
to do your own review. It's very easy to go back to any lesson and
re-do it. Duolingo will have you go back to skills occasionally, but
we have found that we need to review them much more frequently than
suggested.

Duolingo also assigns XP's for each skill that you complete
successfully. For learners that are competitive and are motivated by
earning incentives, Duolingo provides the ability to keep you
motivated.

 

 

Pack of Matches    

I like to go camping, and here is a  quick list of ten things and why to bring them. 

 TENT

 Any will do.

Unless you're a veteran boy scout, chances are you need some sort of flame to start a fire. Without a fire, you have limited food options and nights become a whole lot colder. Don't risk it, and buy matches in bulk. You can leave them in your camping essentials bag for years at a time.

Rope

Rope has so many uses at a campsite, especially if you can tie a variety of knots. Make a clothes line for wet garments, hang your coolers from a branch at night, create a shelter, or tow people out of a tight situation on a hike or swim. Bottom line: don't go camping without one.

Tarps

Whether you're using it to protect the bottom of your tent or as an extra shelter at your campsite, tarps are essential. They're easy to fold, and only take up a small amount of space in your camping bags.

A Jar of Peanut Butter

Peanut butter has a long shelf life, and can be used in more ways than you can count. As a versatile source of fat and protein, this should be with you on every camping trip. In a bind, you can schmear it on bread, remove gum from your hair, or just enjoy it in spoonfuls.

Portable Spice Rack

You wouldn't dig into an under-seasoned dinner at home, so why would you suffer at the campsite. A plastic, portable spice rack is perfect to throw into your camping essentials bag; most of these are small, easy to pack and hard to break.

Lantern, Flashlight or Headlamp

Whether you're stumbling to the bathroom after dark or sneaking a midnight snack, you should always have a lantern and/or flashlight in your camping essentials box. Be sure your light source is easy to reach in the car, in the event that you arrive at your site after dark.

Maps and Compass

You have GPS on your phone, and you may even have a GPS system sitting in your car console. Unfortunately, you may not get a signal in remote camping spots, or as you disappear into the forest to go hiking. Have your navigation essentials, such as a map and compass, with you at all times in case your GPS is less than reliable.

Alternate Weather Wear

You've checked the weather forecast for weeks—no rain, only sun. Unfortunately, the weather can change at the drop of a dime, leaving you stuck in the rain or huddling around your campfire. With an extra set of clothes, you won't have to worry about sudden weather changes; you can swap out wet clothes for dry ones or layer during a cold front.

Pocket Knife

Most commonly known as a Swiss Army Knife, this tool is a camping essential that takes up almost no space in your bags. With a knife, corkscrew, saw, small scissors and more, you'll have a variety of camping essentials in an easy to pack, compact size.  You do not need  Swiss Army brand.  any will do like US Buck, SOG, and Smith and Wesson. 

Webaite is LAUNCHED

Hi everyone,
The website is finally launched, the address is www.r3cubed.weebly.com/ so go check it out.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum - Springfield, Illinois

This 200,000 square foot complex is designed to impress both the history lover and their tag-along friends or family members. The museum allows you to experience Abraham Lincoln's life from a small boy growing up in his one room cabin reading by the fireplace to his law office and then on through the White House years. Each section of the museum has things to appeal to every type of learner with the interactive displays/videos, written documentation and beautifully designed displays. The 4-D theater is a perfect way to end a fun day at the Lincoln Museum. I would highly recommend this museum to help history come to life.

"George Washington's World" by Genevieve Foster

For students of U.S. History this book is a great read as it tells the exciting story of George Washington from his childhood through his death in 1799. What I enjoyed the most about this book is the way the author told his story while simultaneously explaining other interesting people, events and inventions happening at the same time around the world. I found it very beneficial to see his life in perspective of what was occurring not only in the United States but around the globe. The short sections of this book make it a perfect read-aloud book for a group or family with various aged students.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

I learned so much when I went to this Presidential Library located in Simi Valley, California.  My dad and I went there a few years ago and we both really enjoyed it. The museum has self-guided displays suited for everyone. One of my favorites was the Air Force One plane that Ronald Reagan flew in during his presidency which you get to walk through during the tour.  Some other highlights include a section of the Berlin wall, some of the Secret Service cars of the time and a Marine One helicopter.  The museum not only has a lot of U.S. history it also has shares the details of Ronald Reagan's life from childhood, acting career through his death. This museum is well suited for all types of learners.