5 interesting phrases…
“Oh my gosh! Your baby is so cute, I could just gobble him up!” (Laughter) “Just kidding, I’m not hungry.”
“Last year some punks smashed our pumpkins in the street. I’m just buying fake ones this year.”
“No man, the doctor said her leg is broken. She can’t play for almost 2 months. That’s gonna kill our season.”
“Every time I go there they mess up my coffee. For real. I don’t go there anymore, that Starbucks is dead to me.”
“Why are you smiling like that? It’s creepy”
Premise - Two friends, Mary and Martha, are shopping for Halloween decorations in the seasonal section of a department store. They are walking up and down a few aisles of the store, browsing the merchandise for sale this year and discussing how to make their decorations this year better than last year’s.
Mary – “Look at these door covers. Do you plan on decorating again this year?”
Martha – “I have to. Logan gets so excited about Halloween, there’s no way he’ll let me skip it!”
Mary – “What’s he gonna be this year?”
Martha – “He keeps saying he wants to be Captain America, he’s on this super hero kick.”
Mary – “I think they have those costumes here in the next aisle.”
Martha – “Yeah, I only need the outfit for his body. He has the mask and shield already. My mom bought them for his birthday. Is Hannah going to be a bumble bee again this year?”
Mary – “Probably. She’s too young to know the difference. And those antennas are so cute on her!” (Makes an irritated noise, Beat change.) “They are all out of those light up jack-o-lantern candles! That’s the whole reason I came to this store!”
Martha – “Ask that guy.” (Both women look at the sales person at the end of the aisle, then look back at each other.)
Mary – “That’s okay. I have to come back later this week anyways.”
Martha – “Last year some punks smashed our pumpkins in the street. I’m just buying fake ones this year.”
Mary – “Your family won’t carve any?”
Martha – “Nah, Logan thinks scraping out the guts is slimy and gross. And Jerry isn’t very creative with his jack-o-lantern faces.”
Mary – (Laughs at Marth’s response to her question) “Well, I have to kick it up a notch this year. My neighbors put our decorations to shame last Halloween.”
Martha – “I just dug out all my decorations from the basement. I could probably give you a few things.”
Mary – “Aw, thanks! That would be great actually. I can’t spend too much money this year. Our new car payment has made things pretty tight.”
Martha – “Yeah, we’ve been there too." (Beat change.) "Ready to check out?”
Mary – “Yes, I can’t be late for my appointment at 3:00.”
Martha – “I’ve already spent too much, let’s go.”
(Both women leave the seasonal section and walk towards the checkout lanes.)
-End of Scene-
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Documentary Subject
This interview could prove to be particularly useful in a documentary about education and homeschooling. Heather has over 10 years of homeschooling experience, after sending her children to both public and private schools that did not meet her expectations and meet the specific educational needs of her children. This is a very hot topic among teachers, educators and parents, posing many questions about the accountability of parents and children, meeting state and local education requirements and the differences in homeschool curriculums. People also debate on whether or not homeschooled children receive the necessary social opportunities and lessons that typical mainstream children experience. The testimony that a subject like Heather could provide in this field has the possibility to provide personal insight and advice, along with sharing the first hand successes and downfalls that homeschooling can bring.
Heather C. is a married, stay at home mother and teacher to three children, one whom is still homeschooled (duel enrolled in both high school and college), and two who are enrolled in mainstream schooling at private catholic academies. Her eldest daughter started homeschooling in the 4th grade, continuing through high school and is now 16 years old, finishing her senior year of high school while simultaneously finishing her sophomore year of college. Her middle son started homeschooling in the 2nd grade. It was extremely beneficial for him because he suffers from ADHD and a mild speech disorder. He reentered a private catholic academy in the 8th grade and has been successful since. Her youngest son did not receive any homeschooling thus far, and has attended a catholic academy for preschool and kindergarten. Aside from mothering and teaching, Heather also earned her BS in Nursing.
1. What were the major factors that lead you to pull your children from traditional schooling and start to teach them at home?
2. Was there a learning curve? Was the transition tough for you and/or the children?
3. How do you decide on what kind of curriculum to follow and what to teach your children? Is there a specific company or organization that helps or guides you? How do you know this curriculum meets the standards for the state requirements?
4. Socializing, playing and learning with other children is a big part of what going to a traditional school is all about. How do you help your children achieve these things, even though they are learning from home? Are there after school activities or athletic clubs or events? Field trips?
5. Your daughter has had the most success from this home schooling path, but are there any aspects of this homeschooling path that did not go so well, or you wish you could change?
6. What kinds of advice would you give to other parents out there who are thinking that homeschool might be right for their children?
7. It became clear to you early on that your middle son needed more attention to his academics, so what ways were you able to craft schooling at home to address his ADHD and speech disorder needs?
8. Is there a community of support for homeschooling? Are there other people you learned from or rely on?
9. To be able to teach your children, you have to thoroughly have a knowledge of all of these subjects yourself. Is that challenging for you? Do you find yourself having to re learn any of the material? Are there any areas where you struggle and have to reach out for help?
10. What kind of routine or schedule has your family established in order to simulate a real school like environment?
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