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We have had a very busy week with three trips to and from Instead of reading about history from a text book- we explored historical Rather than reading some dry material about Government -- we shook hands with the President of the
We did not crack open a math book but we did learn about reading a timetable for ferries and trains, and calculated how much further we could go on the gas we had left; worked out the most value per dollar at local eateries & balanced cash on hand to purchase Christmas gifts. We did not sit at a desk day after day- we sailed on a ship, rode on ferries, took trains, walked through parks. We had fresh air, sea breezes, sunshine and raindrops in our faces. We did not dust off any science equipment but we did learn about Galileo. We saw the order in God's designs...talked about planes and ships and how they work. We learned about bats and how they spread diseases, ways to eradicate them and ways they survive. We watched as a ferry was being built and how predicting the weather is no easy task (although Paul has it down- just look out the window!) I did not have the kids get changed into gym shorts and run laps around a school yard, but our feet were all sore because we put in miles and miles of walking every day! We did not write a report about other cultures, we experienced some. All of the kids worked on map reading skills as we navigated train & ferry routes & followed historical walking maps...not to mention driving over 2000 Kilometers. We saw the power of the press in action, the rights of citizens to protest and assemble and the difficulties facing political leaders and law enforcement officers. Devon did not get to attend a job fair in a school gym…. instead he is spending a week and a half getting hands-on training in his passion, sailing on tall ships. Yes, our week was much too busy to try to squeeze any school in. Thank heavens classrooms are only one atmosphere kids can learn in! (Keep reading for specifics… and don’t miss the entry a few down where we met President Bush! Ü ) |
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The Australian War memorial has a large annex facility where they store big toys- tanks, trucks, planes ... all those things that make the hearts of boys and daddy’s beat double time. Well, this afternoon they threw open the doors for a rare peek inside so we went along to explore. We met up with Liz K, Kim, Jocelyn & Anya and we saw Michael K. and Andres there as well. It was a fun way to pass a bit of the afternoon -- and all of us homeschoolers jumped at the chance of a sticky beak! Anything to sneak in a little history, eh?!
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Today we spent the day at the Australian Science Festival. We were in on a few different shows and workshops. We did not attend last year and are so glad we jumped on board for this years classes. What a fun way to do some science and get in some learning. Dylan’s favorite from the day was the backyard mad scientist -- you know the one that showed them how to light their hands on fire, make a Pringles can hit the ceiling and who lit a match with water ... Oh ya, Dylan was all over that! I mean really, what kid wouldn’t love to learn THAT stuff?! The classes were all well run and highly informative. The boys enjoyed their classes so much that they decided they will be heading back in on Friday for a few more in-depth year 10-12 classes. We met up with Jocelyn, Janette, Kim, Liz K., Alician, & Natalie so it was a HSers kind of day. What a wonderful way to spend the day!
extracting the DNA from strawberries and peas
Using electrical currents to seperate molecules.
Lesson in Electrophoresis.
Checking things out at the Eukaryotes substation
Cytoplasmic Streaming substation. (The Chloroplasts are moving around the cells on the screan it just didn't show up)
Time out for lunch.
little cutie and her meat pie, hot chips & vanilla coke -- I am sure that is healthy.
Dylan seeing how much energry is needed to hike in full gear. |
Addi making a slide from onion skins
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This afternoon the boys attended a writing workshop that was set up by a HS mom (thanks Corinna). The one off class went from 4:00-6:00 and covered a lot of ground. (As did Addi and I while we were at the mall during the class – I did manage to find my way to the room with about 35 minutes left to spare.) What I heard sounded fantastic and the boys had a positive response after the class.
Here is the blurb that caught our interest: Learn the secrets to improve your essay writing skills. Participants will be taught to use a scaffold that can be adapted to a range of writing. It guarantees a flow of writing and will motivate students to approach essay writing positively. What a superb way to spend the afternoon with a group of HS friends, gleaning advice and tips from a writer. And luckily the boys can put this straight into practice in that essay they are being assigned tomorrow for Omnibus, where one will be pro & one con to this statement: The state should be religiously neutral. Take what you learn and jump right into it eh?! We’d be in for another one of these classes! |
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The boys are both attending a Toastmasters class on Monday evenings. Toastmasters is a worldwide public speaking program. The boys are in a class made up of homeschool high schoolers. Tonight was their second meeting and the first time both boys had to give a speech that they had written throughout the week. Dylan’s speech was called, “This Way and That”, which was about the places he has lived and visited. Devon’s topic of choice was his hobby, sailing. I think both of the boys will put their speeches up on their blog, so I won’t do that here. I hope that they get a lot out of this course that they are able to apply to their confidence in public speaking and their abilities. The course will finish with all participating giving speeches one evening with friends and families in attendance. |
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Today Devon was back home, his working having finished. We were all ready to dig into some studies. I woke up extra bright and early and baked up a blueberry coffee cake for the family to enjoy, once it came out of the oven I opened the hall door and it wasn't too much longer before three hungry kids came down the hall lead by their noses. Since Paul had worked on Saturday (driving to We jumped right into our school work once the breakfast dishes were finished. Devon, Dylan and I were able to get back into a chapter of Omnibus, The Church History. We had not done a study since last term, waiting for Devon to be home to continue. Paul sat in for our discussion and it was nice. I really am enjoying the Omnibus materials. I love how each days discussion begins with “ a question to consider” to get you thinking- you answer it based on your experience- then it breaks it down – first is the “Text Analysis” which has you take count of the authors views and expression in the book, at this time for us it is Eusebius:The Church History. Once you discuss what the text is saying about the question to consider, you move onto “Cultural Analysis” which has you discuss what the culture says about the topic of the day, and not lastly we move onto “:Biblical Analysis” where we see what the Bible unchanging yet relevant word has to say about the topic … After looking at the question from the author, cultural, and Biblical perspectives- it asks you the Summa – asks the question again and now using all the tools and references we just went over- now use those to KNOW why you believe this or that. I find it to really be a wonderful way to make informed views on the variety of topics considered so far. I love how it makes you start big- what does the author have to say and then it brings it through cultural and right back to the Bible which should be the compass all is compared to anyways. And then, then the boys are able to answer the question with conviction in their voices and a peace in their hearts – knowing they may be disagreeing with the author and/or with society at large but giving them the facts and backbone to do so! Anyway – it was nice to get back into it yesterday morning. I am looking forward to finishng this Eusebius this week and moving onto the next selected text. |
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After an enjoyable and relaxing 2 week break, Monday started the first week of term 3; and man was our week full! Monday~ Tuesday~ Kim and her kids come over for lunch and we followed that up with our Keepers at Home meeting. (More on that in previous entry.) Wednesday ~ Thursday~ my Bible study, Dylan was at the AU War Memorial for a model-making class, piano lessons, choir and a ladies BUNCO night ended the evening at our place. ( more below) Friday~ well, of course is our scrapbooking day here at the house. Busy first week of term. It looks like this term will fly by with fun activities, learning opportunities, book work and praises. |
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Today I took Dylan along to the Australian War Memorial where he had a lesson on WWII aircraft, some history of the war and then he had a model making class where he made a P-51D “Mustang” IV. He learned a bit about this plane before he made it. It was a great activity for starting off term 3 & he really enjoyed it.
Dylan learned…. The Mustang was the most used plane in the American and Australian Air Forces. It was one of the best planes at the time because it had a deadly combination of speed, maneuverability & endurance. Aussie Pilots that flew the Mustang called themselves pony pilots. During the war the Mustangs were flown without being painted. Did you know that paint on airplanes actually weighs heaps, removing the paint made the aircraft much lighter and faster. They would even wax the plane to fill in the ridges and bumps to make the aircraft more aerodynamic. Each wing could carry three rockets and was equipped with three machine guns. It could also carry extra fuel tanks on it’s wings to fly further. |
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I am so loving this book and the life lesson study guide. If you have not seen or heard about this book ... it is a simple little story with a big message. The story is about a princess who saves her first kiss for the man she will marry- even though many suitors arrive and seem to be wonderful. She is wise enough to know that physical appearances, romance & wealth are not reasons to choose a husband. She saves her first kiss, a gift from God, for the man that God sends her – who has also been wise in seeking the woman God made for him.
The lesson book has 21 lessons in it. Addison and I have been working through at about a lesson per week and will be finishing up this week. It has really been a blessing for each of us. The lessons are RIGHT where she is at, can understand them and are giving her so much meat to chew on along with the values, answers and hopefully defenses she, as a young lady, will need to save her reputation and virtue as God would have her. The lessons are not long, they are not preachy – they too are simple, to the point and just really, spot on! As a girl that was boy crazy (6 & used to chase boys around so I could give ‘em a kiss) I am so thankful for this type of study to help Addison doesn't know it but when we finish the study she will receive this lovely necklace as a gift and reminder.
I’ll share a few of my favorite entries that Addi has done:
this is the first page in her notebook- I love the glimpse into her heart.
Learning to put others first
already thinking of the good things she'll look for & pray for in her husband.
wanting to give her husband a gift of pure reputation- not a background marred with regrets!
Learning that beauty is from the inside and is shown through your actions- not in how you look/what you wear.
learning that God wants her to use her gifts now and as she grows older. You can order the books and other materials from: http://www.reviveourhearts.com/princess/about_PNK.php
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Sunday. The kids and I left our driveway at 5:20 am ... drove straight to We proceeded to the Intercon hotel in Circular Quay where we parked our car and hopped in with Paul to drive over to I thought the Don't tread on me flag was of interest:
The following text and these images are excerpted from the Web site of the USS Kitty Hawk.
Don't Tread On Me History
As the first ships of the Continental Navy readied in the Delaware River during the fall of 1775, Commodore Esek Hopkins issued a set of fleet signals. His signals for the fleet to engage the enemy provided for the "Strip'd Jack and Ensign at their proper places." Thus, the First Navy Jack was a flag consisting of 13 horizontal alternating red and white stripes bearing diagonally across them a rattlesnake in a moving position with the motto "Don’t Tread On Me." In 1977, the Secretary of the Navy directed that the ship in active status with the longest total period of active service shall display the First Navy Jack until decommissioned or transferred to inactive service, at which time the flag shall be passed to the next ship in line with appropriate honors. The display of this jack by the oldest ship in the fleet is an appropriate form of recognition and promotes pride of service, enhances morale, and contributes to the tradition of naval service. USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) became the oldest active ship in the United States Navy upon the decommissioning of USS Independence (CV 62) on September 30, 1998. Kitty Hawk is only the second aircraft carrier ever to hold the honor of flying the First Navy Jack. After our tour we hopped in a taxi and made our way to The Hard Rock Cafe for a late lunch/early dinner. It was a nice way to finish off our time in Sydney. After picking up our car the kids and I drove back to Canberra arriving at 8:40. Where we all fell straight into bed and crashed hard for the night. Paul has a few piccies on his phone that I'll toss on here in a day or two. |
