On this day, August 15th, 1912, Peter Calvert Leary Hodgson was born in Montreal. He grew up to be an American marketing executive and entrepreneur. It is my intention, to introduce Mr. Hodgson to my children, today. Then, I’ll have one of the older ones look up his name on the PC and research his history. They’ll write highlights of his life and their younger siblings will read them. Do you know what they’ll discover? Peter Hodgson named Silly Putty.
It is only on very rare occasions, for a severely limited amount of time, that I allow Silly Putty in my house. It reminds me of chewing gum, which is also normally banned, because it inevitably ends up in the worst places! Today, to the utter amazement of my children, we will make homemade Silly Putty.
2 Parts White Elmer’s Glue to 1 Part Sta Flo Liquid Starch
Mix well. Let dry slightly to become workable. Store in an airtight container.
Mold it, stretch it or bounce it, and transfer ink from newsprint.
2 tablespoons Glue and 1 tablespoon of Starch make a good amount to fill a plastic “Easter” egg; mimicking the egg that Silly Putty comes in, when you purchase it.
With ease and delight, we will spend time on the Who, What and Where of History, strengthen Research Skills, hone Writing, Composition and Grammar, practice Reading; measure, mix, and experiment for Science and Math, and use Artistic Imagination to transform a blob into something creative. Thanks to This Week In History, I will stimulate new ideas and pique a genuine interest in learning, while connecting multiple subject areas.
Click graphic to view a Sample Week
This Week In History is a Weekly Resource with cross-curricular content anchored in historical events. It is researched and written by Rachel DeMille. She and her husband, Oliver, as co-authors, have popularized A Thomas Jefferson Education, through their creative writing and sound teaching.
Click to read – What is A Thomas Jefferson Education?
A Thomas Jefferson Education, also known as TJEd or Leadership Education, is a philosophy and methodology of education. It is based on the Seven Keys of Great Teaching and the Phases of Learning, covering each phase of life from birth to grand parenting.
The Seven Keys of Great Teaching are:
- Classics – Not Textbooks
- Mentors – Not Professors
- Inspire – Not Require
- Structure Time – Not Content
- Quality – Not Conformity
- Simplicity – Not Complexity
- You – Not Them
Even though I am new to the concept of A Thomas Jefferson Education, as a whole, I am familiar with several of the Key Principles. After reading, in more detail, I believe that the application of the Seven Keys to any level of education, would dramatically effect the success of learning.
Rachel and Oliver DeMille believe that “every person has inner genius. TJEd consists of helping each student discover, develop and polish her genius.” When you browse the website for A Thomas Jefferson Education you will find support, resources, books and videos, games, and recommended classics. You’ll also find a heart’s desire to “help you lead and inspire your students to explore, learn and excel,” when you subscribe to This Week In History.
The content is searchable by date, topic and key word, and the archives, for the entire year, are always accessible to subscribers. The subscription cost is $9.99 per month.
~
If I read the background or watch a profile of a football player, hearing about his childhood, parents, neighborhood; struggles, or about his wife and children, I generally feel a humanistic concern for him when I watch him play. When I’ve connected on other levels, I have a strong interest in his game and performance, otherwise, football really isn’t my thing. Similarly, I think This Week In History gives me topics, personalities, and nuggets of history to probe, that help my students connect, via the element of human interest, to math, science, geography and more. My children are engaged and self-motivated to dig deeper and learn more!
~
Comments, Suggestions, or Questions?
Contact the DeMille’s by email, from their website,
through Rachel’s Blog,
or
Please, use the links I’ve provided throughout this post to learn more about this exceptional program. Oliver DeMille has been called a modern-day Founding Father. He believes the proper education of our youth can reverse the decline of America and restore The Republic. As educators, we have the power to change the future! To read what my Crew mates have to say about A Thomas Jefferson Education and specifically, This Week In History, click the banner below.
Blessings,
Disclaimer* Access to This Week in History, a weekly online bundle of resources, was given to me free of charge, in exchange for my honest review, as a member of the Schoolhouse Review Crew. I receive no other compensation for my reviews on this blog. The opinions expressed are my own.
As always, thank you for your comments.
Contents of this blog are copyrighted; they are the property of Knee Deep In Grace and may not be used without written permission.
Sarah says
Sounds like a fun program! 🙂