A very proud SLOCA student posing alongside the chalkboard and timeline artwork piece
{photo by Kary Antoniadis}
Down Home has another wonder-full Magical Moment to share with you today. This was sent in by Track B mom Kary Antoniadis back in December. Kary, her husband Jimi, and daughter Antonia (Primary) are in their 3rd year at SLOCA.
Susie promised last August we would see wonders, and I wanted to share with you a jaw dropping experience I had last week.
We began to prep for Antonia’s presentation of her assigned timeline piece, the 'Battle of Badr.' We had done preliminary research on existing images from this historic battle, and Antonia chose to draw intersecting scimitars to represent the two sides of the battle – the Muslims and the Meccans.
Next it was time to revisit Story of the World’s description the battle. Most of the time I allow her to gather drawing materials or another quiet activity while I read. Today she wanted to draw on the chalkboard. I was a little hesitant because she needed to come up with some facts to present to the class, and I assumed that she was going sketch out her usual fun array of fashion designs and/or animals and flowers. I assumed she would use the narration technique to come up with her three facts.
For this reason I didn’t look at the chalkboard while I concentrated on reading Story of the World. Several times she asked me to slow down or repeat a sentence. Finally I looked up at the chalkboard and discovered she was taking notes on what I was reading, and picking out key words/concepts and grouping them together, much in the vein of our early exposure to the IEW.
By the time I had finished the excerpt on the Battle of Badr, I could no longer contain my excitement and commended Antonia on her astounding feat. I told her that what she had just done is very similar to an early stage IEW, and then she of course had to add the title on the board “My IEW (by myself).”
I told her I wanted to send a picture of the chalkboard to Mrs. Perneel. But first… Antonia wanted to know if she made any spelling errors. She insisted she correct them before Mrs. Perneel sees them. 
The M is her abbreviation for Mohammed.
In addition to this being a very proud moment of “seeing wonders” in not only my daughter’s ability but her clear enjoyment of learning, it was, for me, a validation of the curriculum taught at SLOCA and the excellence of instruction by Mrs. Perneel.
This is so inspiring, Kary and Antonia! It’s so cool to see these moments where our children amaze us as they grow and learn. This is a wonderful idea for kids while we read, too – taking notes on the chalkboard! Thanks for sharing.
If you have a Magical Moment you’d like to see on the blog, we would love to share it. Email Down Home with your story or if you have any questions.
NOTE: We look forward to seeing everyone tonight for the annual Parent Potluck and Mandatory Family Business Meeting at Grace Church in SLO. The potluck starts at 6:00 pm; the meeting starts at 6:30 pm. If you haven’t signed up and still want to bring a Soup, Salad, Bread, or Dessert, check the sign-up sheet here to see what what’s coming and what’s needed.
