What’s Superboy up to now?

Posted by lapazfarm on September 12th, 2008 filed in alaska, Curriculum or Lack Thereof..., Superboy Work Samples

Ok, so here is the promised update on Superboy. Be sure to read to the end-there’s some exciting news there!

Most of Superboy’s time is taken up on his choice of studies: the Natural History of Alaska. I think it is a brilliant way for him to incorporate his love of the outdoors with science, geography, and history, and getting to know our new home state!

We found a couple of good resources for this and are enjoying them immensely.

I say “we” because I am learning this stuff right alongside Superboy. Fascinating, it is! We read a bit and then we go and see if we can see it for ourselves.We are racing through the plants section of AK Science Nuggets in order to complete it before all the plants become inaccessible (as in, buried under 4 feet of snow) and then we will move on to other sections. We are really looking forward to using this book throughout the year.

Thanks to my friend Paula in MN, he is also absorbed in this book:

Big surprise, right??? So most of the time I see him he looks like this:

Unless, of course he reads something that gets him started on a project. Then he looks more like this:

He surprised me yesterday by making a pair of Alaska Native-style snow goggles out of birch bark, inspired by several books including this one:

Gotta love the enthusiasm! And it is coming in handy because he is about to embark on a VERY exciting adventure this weekend!

He is going on his very first caribou hunt!!!

A good friend and long-time hunting enthusiast has generously offered to take Superboy along on a hunt and Ed and I have nervously decided to let him go.

To say he is excited would be the understatement of the year. He has been studying the hunting regulations and readying his gear:

Not sure why he has to use MY BED as his staging area, but it seems to be a popular place for all kinds of things that don’t belong. Including Hobbes, who Superboy insists I tell you is most definitely NOT going hunting with him!LOL!

I’ve looked over his gear and am impressed by the thought and care he has given to the selction of items to take along. The boy has learned a lot from his survival studies and Ed and I are confident he will be fine on his hunt. Despite the fact that SNOW is predicted.

And despite the fact that part of me is thinking, “My baby! Out there in the tundra!!! In the snow??? Killing a caribou!!!” The logical part of my brain says, “Why did I bother to encourage him studying all this stuff if he won’t have the opportunity to test his knowledge and skills?” Oh, yea. That.

I have to accept that when you allow a child the freedom to pursue his own interests, sometimes they will go places (literally and figuratively) that you did not expect them to go.

And so he goes. And I will wave and smile and watch him go, thinking how blessed I am to have played a part in it.

17 Responses to “What’s Superboy up to now?”

Explore Academy (Think!) Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Very cool! I hope he finds room to pack a camera. Can’t wait to hear what he learns! Also, looking forward to receiving your Think! submissions.
Robin Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Man! I got all choked up reading about it. I always knew you were an impressive mama. Even though GB would kill me for saying it, I hope Superboy has a fantastic time. Not that GB wants him to have a terrible time, but being a vegetarian and animal lover, and all……….well, you get it. But his mom isn’t. And the mom in me is hoping that Superboy has the trip of a lifetime, while quietly sympathizing with your growing pains!
jove Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
That is fabulous. And caribou is SOOOO tasty.
Angela Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I love it! As hunters in the lower 48, that is a dream. But I understand the trepidation. Even though I’ve done it myself, the idea that HoneyGirl will be out there deer and turkey hunting now brings a sense of angst that I don’t have for myself! He’ll be fine, and remember to have the fixin’s for jerky!!!
Kathy Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
My dh and son are drooling over the thought of caribou jerky. Have a fantastic adventure, Superboy!
piseco Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Oh, how exciting for him! And how good, how strong of you to send your very heart out into the world, caribou hunting.

Makes me glad JediBoy is still only 6. When he’s older I’ll draw strength from you!

Oh, and we also have the Roadside Geology books for our state and the next one down, and we love those. One of my favorite resources is the field trip manual to a 1980’s geology course taught at a local college, a fantastic yard sale find! Now we can follow along in their footsteps - at least to the sites that haven’t been built up in the past 20 years.
Arwen Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
My husband has those Roadside Geology books for several different states, and he really likes them too.
Not June Cleaver Says:
September 12th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Superboy is so lucky to be in your family!

I love the way the cat curled up in the middle of everything as if he were going too.
Heather @ CamianAcademy Says:
September 13th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Looks like lots of great stuff to learn from! The cat is quite a cute addition to his hunting gear lol
Jennifer Says:
September 13th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Awesome! Good luck, Superboy!
Marianna Says:
September 13th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Whoa, dude that is awesome.
Paula in MN Says:
September 14th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I’m so glad he likes the book! And Caribou is so yummy!
Karen Edmisten Says:
September 14th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
He must be so excited! We can’t wait to hear all about it.
Theresa ♥ Says:
September 15th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Oh how fun!!! Maybe he could do a guest entry on his trip when he gets back. Praying for his safety and peace of mind for mom.
Angel Says:
September 16th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I SO know what you mean. But since he’s not my son, I get to say unreservedly — wow! how cool!
Emily Says:
September 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
He’s going hunting?
WHAT?
When did he get that old? I did I miss a memo or something? I swear, next time I see you he’ll be taller than me, and then the world will just end.
But, on the other hand, COOL! And Good luck! I bet he’s ecstatic. He’ll have to tell me how it goes.
Love you!
Emily Says:
September 16th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Oh, and I love how Hobbes is laying there in the middle of everything. That’s so like him. I’m surprised he wasn’t in the backpack.