Use Your Schema!

Soo,My topic for this week is something my daughter brought to my attention about a month ago. Everytime I think of this word, I think, "I need to tell someone about this" and everytime I do, they look at me like Im crazy!, So I figured if I write about it, and resarch it a bit, maybe someone will believe me..

So, I dont exactly remember how this went, but I do remember telling my daughter, (Brooklyn) to use her brain, and she said,''No mom, you mean my schema"(Pronounce skeema).. and I said to her, yes... your schema...

Then a few days later she was doing something that involved some good thinking.. and she said '' I will use my schema ''.. At this time I was a bit concerned that she was thinking her brain was called a schema, so I decided to explain to her what her brain was, where it was, and how it looked, I also showed her the 2 fist thing, you know the ''actual'' size of your brain with your 2 fists.. anyways.. she agreed with my brain explination, but then again brought up the schema..
So I said, ''Brooklyn, what is a schema??''

So went to on explain that the schema is a chain in her head, and it opens and closes all by itself, and it helps her learn...

Interesting I thought to myself.. so I had to google it. I love google. So here is what a schema is..''A schema is a cognitive framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information. Schmas can be useful, because they allow us to take shortcuts in interpreting a vast amount of information. However, these mental frameworks also cause us to exclude pertinent information in favor of information that confirms our pre-existing beliefs and ideas. Schemas can contribute to stereotypes and make it difficult to retain new information that does not conform to our established schemas.''

 at first when I read this,Im going to be honest here.. I thought,, WTF... Like where does she come up with this and how is it quite similar to her definition to the schema?

 I asked her where did you learn about a schema? She replied, My teacher told me..

So the next thing i did, was ofcourse, go back to google, and I googled ''learning about schema in kindergarten'' lol. I found some more seful information there.

Basically, they call this method ''Planting ALiteracy Garden'' making connections/schema, and what they are doing from grades k-3 is do some hands on activities that are both motivating and stimulating for kids as they read and write about gardening and respond to other literature.., They also srive instruction with the use of hands-on ''tools'' sunglasses (for visualizing), seeds (relate to prior knowledge/SCHEMA), plastic schovels ( to model digging for meaning) rakes ( for questioning), hoes(help us determine importance)""not in my opinion... haha... watering cans(synthsizing agent) and lastly a picture of the sun ( shines light on inderring).
So they say with the acknowledgement of the kids prior knowledge of gardening, they cant wait to get thier hands dirty, use real tools, and produce/nurture the real life gardening...
　
So,a bunch of useless information? Maybe, I have yet to find out in about 15 years from now when my daughter is, ''real life gardening''.. for now, I am glad to know what a schema is, happy to know my daughter knows more then me in some sences. I hope this infornmation was useful (ish) to you, and maybe if your kid comes home from school talking about their schema, You now will know what they are talking about!!
Till next week.
Love Sheena.

Hydro Usage

So, Ive decided to try out blogging, Hopefully the things I say don't cause too much controversy or offend too many people.. But its just stuff on my mind, My opinion's and thoughts about things and life in general..
So here I go..

The topic I am going to blab about this week is HYDRO.. Lately we have seen the effect HST has played in the amount that HYDRO usage has been increased.
I guess it probably may effect some more then others depending on when your home, how many people are home using the hydro, weather your living in a newer home or a 100 year old farm house.

So I am going to suggest some things anyways, to help you bring down your hydro bill. Things I have been doing around my home.
The first action I took when I seen that my hydro bill was almost $300.00 for one month was, find out how much hydro is costing per KW used..
*DID YOU YOU*
There are certain times in the day/night that you are paying a lower amount for hydro usage.
-In the winter (nov 1-apr 30) off peak hours which cost (5.1cent per KWH) runs from (9PM-7AM) these will be the cheapest times to do your laundry,run your dishwasher etc..
-Mid-peak which runs from (11PM-5PM) cost (8.1cent KWH)
-and finally on-peak which is the most often time we all have to do the things we need to do runs from (7AM-11AM and 5PM-9PM) and cost a whopping (9.9cent per KWH!)
-Weekends and holidays all day everyday is 5.1cents per kwh..
-And lastly summer hours (may 1- oct 30) off peak 9PM-7AM,mid-peak 7AM-11AM and5PM-9M,on-peak 11AM-5PM.

So as you can see, there are some smarter times do do certain things.
You may be wondering some changes Ive made around my home.. Well, I have made a few.so may I suggest some to you?

Instead of using those space heaters to keep you warm, double or triple up on the blankets.. We all have done this here in my home and its working great, yeah you may wake up to a chilly house in the morning, but its better then waking up to a empty wallet!!
Start washing you dishes rather then relying on an expensive piece of machine to do it for you, at least then you know the outcome is truly spotless.
Do you laundry when your up late at night studying,working on a heavy workload, or playing farmville, or even do it on weekends when your sitting at home bored snowed in. I have fully dedicated my weekends to doing 4-5 loads of laundry.
Turn off all lights and tvs at night.
Keep your heat low during the day, the sun is a natural heat source.
and finally, make sure everything is turned off when you leave the room/house. IE. tv,lights,computer,heaters.. Did you know your paying for the objetcs you have plugged in and are not using? Why not unplug things from the wall if they aren't used often.
I'm sure there is alot more to write but I don't want to make anyone bored of my first blog, I hit the main points and facts that I was wanting, so I'm done now..
I hope you all take charge of your hydro bill and make some changes around your home, and I really hope you all enjoy the outcome.. Till next week.

Love Sheena.