Temple Grandin

So, I saw the movie on television about Temple Grandin.  WOW!  My husband was actually the one watching it since I would rather play on the computer than watch tv.  I was shocked that he was viewing something besides wrestling and auto mechanics!
I have been trying to learn more about autism as someone on the outside looking in.  I have to tell you, this movie was awesome.  It really helped me to have more respect for the minds of the autistic.  There are little geniuses hidden in those heads just waiting to be discovered.
Temple truly had a battle ahead of her, but to the shame of the rest of us....she perservered instead of wallowing in her distress.  I don't know that I would have or could have bounced back the way she did and kept my determination.  I envy her that inner strength.
Ok, I know it was a movie and that things aren't really as easy as the movie made them seem.  But the overall impression was that it was all worthwhile, and that Temple was an amazing young lady.  Hats off to all of you who struggle with autism, whether it be because you are educating an autistic child or because you have it yourself.
Thank YOU for being patient with the rest of us.

Night at the Museum/ Battle of the Smithsonian

Hello all!
I'd like to share with you the latest movie I watched.  Night at the Museum/ Battle of the Smithsonian.  It was silly, of course, a fantasy about stationary objects coming to life.  But it was so well done.

Ben Stiller does such a wonderful acting job in this movie.  He and Owen Wilson keep me laughing with their characters and reactions in the movie.  The little cowboy part is just so perfect for Owen Wilson.  And Ben is perfect for someone to get lost in a world no one else would believe exists.  I'll bet he had some pretty vivid dreams as a child, even though this is only a character part for him.  I always felt there has to be a bit of the character in the person for the part to fit so well.

My son's favorite part in Night at the Museum/ Battle of the Smithsonian was when the statue did the gun show part with his muscles!  How cute. 

Something that helps make movies great for me is the type of voices used.  The voice can make or break the character.  A viewer needs that link to connect them with the character.  The voice of Abraham Lincoln in this movie was a great fit. 

I think this movie and the first movie about Night at the Museum are perfect ways to help a homeschool child connect with history, too.  It helps fuel their imaginations and see the history in a fresh and interesting, as well as fun, way.  Every great teacher knows that if the imagination and fun can be sparked, the student is sure to learn easier.

Homeschooling shouldn't be dreary, and movies can help break the monotony.  So why not use those movies to help your child connect with the learning experience?  Integrate them into your class work.  Go out and check your local library if you can't afford to rent a movie.  Our hometown library will rent a movie for free as long as you return it on time, and there are several days given for the patron to have time to watch the movie without being rushed.

I suggest Night at the Museum/ Battle of the Smithsonian if you have a student who thinks history is boring.