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A VERY successful part of our homeschool this year is Tuesday Teatime!
I got the idea from Bravewriter here http://www.bravewri It’s a simple concept really, make it special (out of the ordinary, change the environment), keep it simple (store bought treats are just fine), and relax and enjoy (I think that is the secret)! In preparing everything I get the kids involved, they set the tablecloth (something we don’t use everyday) and special plastic placemats. I have my special tea cup and saucer that I use for myself (a special splurge purchase that I made) and I got the kids some cute sets at used store in town. Joshua loves his Japanese set and Noah loves the restaurant style tea pot and his crystal cup and saucer that I got for $1. For treats we have a special platter (another splurge, but it makes the treats special). It has 3 tiers so we divide whatever treats we are having out equally (math), this was the 3 year olds idea. I let the kids choose their beverage of choice (sometimes it’s tea, sometimes juice). The rule is no one partakes in tea or treats until we are all sitting at the table. Then we slowly pour our own teas, then the kids choose a treat and I begin with a read aloud. Do you feel the "sigh" yet? When I’m done it’s their turn and I get to sip tea and have a treat while they read. We each share some reading – I’ve setup a bookshelf of all those books that I think are so incredible but I never seem to get a chance to read with the kids – the kids share a special part of a book they are currently reading or again something simple for them. The kids really do enjoy "choosing" their something. Sometimes it's to do with a special season or event. It really just depends on what we all feel like reading. One day we had a great time with poetry (not something I really cover in our day to day curriculum, the kids loved it!) We sometimes do some writing inspired from the reading and we usually play a game (word, math or geography) or do some small art project (coloring or drawing) to wrap things up. Sometimes we even do our regular book work activities but it doesn't feel like the usual fare! I really haven’t figured out why it works so well. I think part of it is the slowing down process and the chance to take a deep breath before we begin. I think part of it is changing the environment to something special and out of the ordinary. Or maybe it's just how homeschool is supposed to be but we are too stubborn to do it that way all the time. Anyways whatever IT is I'm going with it as it has made our Tuesdays very special! Here are some more “tea” sites that I’ve used for inspiration – but a warning -- don’t make it too complicated make it special but simple. http://www.anniesho http://www.catteaco To buy tea I use a shop where the kids can choose their own by sniffing all the different teas and by special request she creates her own labels so she’ll make up a special one for me (with my kids names or a special theme, for example when we do pirates I'm getting Blackbeards Black Tea). I highly recommend this activity, as long as you promise to keep it simple. I hope you enjoy your tea time together as much as we enjoy ours! |
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Posted by Anonymous
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