Literacy, Animal Needs and Basic Maths

Cal and I always start our day with the days of the week song (to the tune of the Adams Family theme song) and the weather. We have all been a little nuts this week and when we were doing the weather chart yesterday morning we realised that it was the first day this week that we had not had wind, so Cal and I decided that was why we felt less agitated friday!

Maths: graphing using elephant charts (count the elephants and then fill in that many squares on the bar graph). This activity is finally becoming easy for him after much practice during term 2, so we will need to figure out the next step.

Maths: measurement using slinkied apple skin. It was as long as Callum with his arm in the air. He thought this was a great measurement activity!

Phonics: /h/ sound book with pictures and words starting with /h/. Discussion of words starting with /h/. Cal was excited that hammer starts with /h/. A hammer is of course a necessary accessory in this house.

Science and Reading: Animal Houses book from Reading A-Z. Discussed where animals live, why they live there and other things that animals (and humans) need to survive. Cal really enjoyed this activity and participated freely (sometimes he is very resistive).

Cal continued digging his hole (begins with /h/!). Just about to china now!

Played house (begins with /h/ also) in the huge box that our new dishwasher came in (woo hoo, we got a Miele!).

Shoe Art and Jelly Maths

Caitlin is artist of the week next week. She is making some altered sandshoes, using sharpies and rubbing alcohol on her canvas shoes that cost us all of $3.50 at Kmart today! The project that inspired us is from The Art Girl Jackie.

Caitlin made really cool flower shaped rainbow patterns. She is going to stick on some gems tomorrow after school.

Callum's shoes are looking great too. He had a plan of what he wanted to do and then went about making them. Great job buddy! Great sequencing, planning, practicing pencil grip.

Library time thursday afternoons - Vanessa read 3 books today. Cal "read" sound words modelled by another participant.

Jelly maths was the only way I was going to get some real learning done today! Fractions made easy - one mixture of jelly, divided into four cups - hey presto, quarters. Callum divided it into quarters, halves and a whole. So easy to explain dividing something into equal parts when you get to eat the outcome! Above, jelly divided into halves (made up of 2 quarters per half). This concept needs reinforcing before Cal gets it I think.

Adventures in Home Schooling

Callum and I have embarked on a new adventure - home schooling. We started at the start of last term and we are now into our second term. I am so pleased that we are making progress (most days!).

Here I am going to record our journey through the maze of the Australian Curriculum and filling our lives with knowledge.

Making and copying patterns. This one is a simple rainbow colour pattern. This skill is important in pre-literacy/numeracy.