The Williams Family

So I thought that maybe I would post something besides pictures tonight and just fill you in on us.

Jon is doing very well with school and seems to be learning a ton. When he shows me questions that he has to answer, I am amazed that somehow, from the information they give you in the question, you are suppose to be able to answer it.
Here's an example:
After passing over Nassau in the Bahamas, headed north, Amelia notes that it is noon, local time and that the shadow of her aircraft is preceding her across the waters at an angular distance of about 25 degrees. It must be the start of which season?
A: Summer
B: Winter
C: Either spring or fall, but not summer or winter
D: Impossible to make any judgment

Any guesses? This is one of the easier questions. The answer will be listed below with explanation.

So if any of you look at that and think, "Eh, that's easy!" then I am amazed and must have missed something in school. Because I read that and think, "How in the world are you suppose to know that?!" Anyway, I just wanted you to see a glimpse of what Jon is learning.

I am still a primary teacher for the six year olds. This year, I have 8 boys and 3 girls, which is quite differnt from last year, when I had 8 girls and 1 boy. It is like night and day. 1 boy with 8 other girls (last year's class) does pretty well at keeping still. But this year, each boy has several other boys to tempt him to wiggle, talk, and play all throughout class. It has taken my primary partner and I a month and a half, but I think we are beginning to figure out how to calm them down. Right now, we are trying to start with an activity that wears them down at the very begginning of class. One example was everyone took turns thinking of things we could do as we sang, "Do as I'm Doing." We then have everyone take their turns at saying whatever they need to see about what they did last week, and we can start our lesson. So far, the last two classes have been great! They are MUCH more quiet and MUCH less wiggly during class! It definitely helps us with getting through our lesson. We were nervous that our activity at the beginning of our class would possibly have the exact opposite effect, and that they would be even more wild during our class time, but thankfully, this idea has worked in our favor so far.

I'm trying really hard to think of something else to share with all of you, but to be honest, our life is pretty normal and pretty much the same. So I'm sorry that you only got to read about two different things, but hey! at least you got something. ;) I'll definitely keep you posted if something exciting/interesting/new happens. But now... the answer to the what I believe is a hard question:

(Jon typing)
OK guys, the answer is C; either spring or fall, but not summer or winter. The way to arrive at this conclusion is to disect the information provided in the question. 1) Amelia is heading north and the shadow of her plane is in front of her, so obviously the sun is to her south. 2) It is noon local time, which is when the sun is at it's highest during the day. 3) Nassau, Bahamas is 25 degrees N. latitude, so if the angular distance of the sun is 25 degrees, then the sun is directly over the equator. So, from these clues, you are able to arrive that it is the start of either spring of fall. Spring if the angular distance of the sun lessens over the next few days, or fall if the angular distance of the sun increases over the next few days as it moves across the equator.

If you would like to hear another question that I have, please let me know. I'll be here all week.