August 22, 2011- Sequence Terms and Knot Tying

Today, the Strait of Juan de Fuca has strong winds and dense fog.  It would be uncomfortable and possibly dangerous to take the boat out there today.  So instead, we will stay safely anchored in the port of Sooke, on Vancouver Island.  A smart sailor has to be patient, waiting for the weather conditions to be right for traveling.

While I'm waiting, I often work on my writing so I can become a better writer.  Learning to use "sequence terms" can help make your writing more clear and organized.  Sequence terms tell the order in which something happens.  They help the reader picture how something happened in their heads.

For example, when you brush your teeth, which do you do first:  wet your tooth brush, or put paste on the tooth brush?

When you get dressed, what order do you do these things (number them):
(  )  Put on my shoes.
(  )  Put on my pants.
(  )  Zip the fly.
(  )  Tie the laces.

When I practice writing in my journal, I do it in this order:
1. Put my journal and a pen on the table.
2. Think of an idea I want to write about.
3. Open my journal to a blank page.
4.

What do you think I might do next?  Did your brain come up with ideas like:
sketch a picture
make a list
write some sentences

Great job!  You're getting the idea of writing things in a logical sequence.

Some useful sequence terms are:
first
next
then
last or finally

Put these sentences in order. Watch for sequence terms.  Read it aloud to make sure it makes sense.

Eating A Bowl Of Cornflakes
Next, pour the cornflakes into the bowl.
Finally, gobble the cornflakes with a big spoon!
First, get a box of Cornflakes, some milk, a bowl, and a spoon.
Then, pour milk over the flakes.

Did you get it?  Nice work, Busy Brains!

Busy Brains love to learn new skills!
Today, let's practice a skill that is fun, useful, and will improve your dexterity.  When you read the directions below, notice the use of sequence terms.

Tying A Bowline
Sailors use many different ropes or "lines" to do their work on board.  Depending on the purpose of each line, various knots may be used.  Probably the most common and useful knot for a sailor is the bowline (pronounced, "BO-LIN").  A bowline is a strong, versatile knot for tying a line around a fixed object.  It's easy to learn, with a little practice.  Let's try!

First, make a counter clockwise loop near the end of the line (about a foot from the end).  Sailors call this free end of the line the "bitter end".

Next, loop the bitter end around the object you want to tie the knot onto.

Here's the fun part:  Imagine the bitter end is a silly, nervous rabbit.  Make the rabbit pop OUT of his hole.

Then, make the rabbit run AROUND the tree trunk (the long end of the line; that is called the "standing end").

Then, make the rabbit jump back DOWN into his hole.

Finally, pull the ends to tighten the knot.  You did it!

You can use this knot to pull a wagon, take Teddy for a walk, tie a scarf around your bed post, etc.

Busy Brain Challenges:
1. Write directions for how to do something, using sequence terms such as: first, next, then, finally.  Share your directions with us!  It will be in the next blog posting.
2. Practice tying a bowline knot.  Then teach it to someone else.  Tell us who you taught and/or what you used your bowline for.  We'll get to read your answer in the next blog posting.

Here's how to share your answer with other Busy Brains:

1.  First, click on the title of this post.  
2.  Go to the bottom of the post and click on the words "Post a comment".

Come on!  It's easy and fun!  You'll be able to see your answer posted with the other answers on the next Busy Brains posting!