The Project, Part I

S has a World Geography project that is due October 23rd. When he brought the assignment home a few weeks ago I wanted to make sure that he knew it is HIS project. I'm trying to teach the kid some responsibility and accountability. No mommy staying up late the night before it's due, frantically trying to finish the project. He had an idea of what he wanted, and I've given him some suggestions, but he drew out the plan for it and collected a few pebbles from our yard for the finishing touches when it's time for that. I suggested to J that he could help him form the mountains out of plaster and then S could take over from there. I should've known better.




J making the wire forms for the paper mache


S providing tape for J, who is still making the wire forms for the paper mache


S working the paper mache (which is slimy and yucky and gross-feeling and yet oddly satisfying too)


S managing the paper mache, but --

J is putting it on the forms. Then, since the newspaper strips were getting a little too soggy, J (old man that he is) was getting a backache, and I was tired of hearing S freak out every time the strips broke from being too soggy and J complain of his old, aching back, I stepped in and handed the strips to S. J hovered, patching and adjusting until...

Looks good, doesn't it? J purposely put an arrete on the right that he'd like to spend some time on. When it dries, J wants to spray paint it, but I keep reminding him that, "It is Sam's project, and it has to look like a 3rd Grader did it, not the 3rd Grader's dad." We'll see if the 3rd Grader's dad can restrain himself.