Treehouse typology.

Learning about trees and special hideaways with Max this morning, and I confess we got a little carried away with the online tree-house exploration.... Before I reveal the results of our reveille, here are the homeschooling links, activities, worksheets, and resources for our tree house day:

1. Learn about "treehouse knitting" and experiment with making knit tree-house of your own. Discuss how the knit tree-house resembles a cocoon.
2. Watch the Super Tree Houses slide show at Businessweek.com and talk about the different materials used to make tree houses. Make a list of materials you would use if you were going to make a tree house. For inspiration, take a peep at the tropical tree-house made from bamboo and /or explore this exciting image gallery.
3. Download and print the poem "Tree House" by Shel Silverstein. Read it aloud and discuss what makes tree houses so special.

One of the only reasons I dream of going to Iowa is The Big Treehouse and its lovely history. You can see a map of the treehouse and surrounding area (including the historic Shady Oaks Campground) or get actual driving directions online. (The postcards of old Shady Oaks are a virtual siren song.)

Alas, all this treehouse-dreaming leads to categorical and stereotypical thinking on my part (I credit my "Liberal Arts" education with my inability to espouse true intellectual liberalism), and so I've indulged the urge to assign a treehouse to a type of person. A few treehouse-by-type suggestions:

• A treehouse for ambitious solipsists.
• A treehouse for devoted dads.
• A treehouse for those who prefer to live on the edge of legality.
• A treehouse for those planning to invite to Queen of Hearts to their tea parties.
• A treehouse for nostalgiacs.
• A treehouse for fans of D.H. Lawrence.
• A treehouse for second honeymooners.
• A treehouse for megalomaniacs.
• A cabal of treehouses for commune-ites and socialites.
• A treehouse for children and fans of neo-Victorian romance.
• A treehouse for birds-eye-view seekers.
• A treehouse for "rednecks" who like orange.
• A treehouse for classy barrel collectors.
• A treehouse for those seeking to "float through the forest on a wheelchair".
• A treehouse for those who like to get serious about stuff.
• A treehouse for campers.