Jul. 26, 2008 - Our Creative Projects at the Show

Joshua's catapult

Jessica's embroidery for which she received a Highly Commended

Nomi made this bear and received first place - truly well earnt!

I don't have a close up of an individual project of Daniels but here is his collection!

Over the last 9 months or so we have  met with a few other homeschool girls regularly and learnt applique and quilting.  We call this time Keepers, or our Creative Club.  The girls worked hard to complete their quilts for the Show. 

Each of the quilts were different in some way -
but all the same colour scheme and pattern.

Jul. 26, 2008 - Kununurra Agricultural Show

The local show runs for nearly 2 days.  It opens (with minimum fuss really) Friday afternoon until Saturday night.

We have fallen into a bit of a habit of how we "do" the Show.  We try and get their reasonably early Friday afternoon, race around the Pavilion and see how the kids all did with their handicraft/art enteries.  Look around at other things, including the Youth Pavilion where the Homeschoolers have a display.  We then buy burgers from the local Rotary guys and sit down - shivering and freezing - till the fireworks, after which we go home and rest so we can repeat it all again the next day!

I must clarify the "shivering and freezing" because it was probably only just under 10degrees so that isn't very cold but to us who live in the tropics it is cold!!  It is a night to remember the woolies!

Our Saturday varies a little - but we mostly head off mid morning in time for the dog show.  We eat lunch while watching dogs walk, jump and parade.  The kids then have some time off roaming with their friends.  By mid afternoon we are all tired and decide that it is time to head home.  We leave the Saturday night at the Show to those who like partying and loud music.

We call in at the local grocery store to buy an icecream, head home, and crash!  But very happy.

Sunday morning we have to head back into the Show grounds to pick up all the entries.  I have worked out a system to keep this organised.  Each year our family puts more and more entries into the main pavilion so a system did have to happen else we would have had people, and projects and bits all over the place!  But more about the children's crafts another post.

The other thing that happens for our family at the Show is that I co-ordinate a pavilion called the Reg Bolten Youth Pavilion.  It is named in remembrance for a clown that spent many years entertaining our children at the Show with balance tricks.  Our children went to a couple of his workshops and had a ball.  He died one year, at Show time, so the pavilion is named after him.  This pavilion is a place for the youth services and groups in town to show their presence.  The homeschoolers have had a display every year.

We have two aspects to our display - a poster display showing the lifestyle learning opportunities in our family life and second is a 3 dimensional display of varying themes each year.  This year our theme was "Learning from Books".  It was a very simple display to put together - each family brought a 3d project that their children had made as well as a laminated photocopy of a book - fiction or non-fiction that they had studied.

Sunday morning was a bit rushed this year as I had to pack up the Youth Pavilion as well as pick up all the kids projects (all 45 of them) and then get to church.  As it turned out lots of folk arrived to help so it really was a case of many hands make light work.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Show this year.

Jul. 25, 2008 - I made a Widget!

Jul. 12, 2008 - Do it better next time

Jul. 7, 2008 - Do we study Geography?

Sunday morning we had a discussion over geography.  I asked Peter (who loves Geography) if he thought our eldest son 15yo would have a bank of knowledge that would be equal to a highschool course in geography.  ds has never studied geography but he seems (to me) very knowledgeable.   As we discussed what geography involves we became aware of a few little gaps but came to the conclusion that he has learnt geography while he has read broadly and studied history.  He absorbs information from all sorts of sources and makes connections to other bits of knowledge. 

This conversation led into ds and dh have a great conversation about South America (a gap for ds) but as they "prattled" (they were enjoying themselves) the rest of us totally tuned out!    It became obvious that dh and ds have very similar learning styles but the rest of us differ!

As I sat there - bored! - I came up with a scheme that my kids rejoiced over and my dh shook his sadly over (grin!!)  We are going to watch a travel show on TV (when we can but not an extreme priority) and then notebook different aspects, possibly even dig deeper each week.  As I tabled this idea the kids started talking, eagerly, about Greenwich and the Incas which they had seen on this show a week prior.  I must admit it is "twaddle" but it will be a fun relaxed way to cover some geography and maybe create an interest that isn't really there in my other kids just yet.   My hope would be that they would then start  to see these aspects in the books that they read and notebook/journal/learn from more “whole” book perspective.  

We will make a family notebook - probably divided by continents, though I can never keep a filing system so totally simple!  So they will be allowed to make dividers as their studies dictate.  I'm going to use this website  as my reference to help me get my head around what variety there is in the subject though the discussions we have together will really dictate what they notebook about.

Last night as I started to plan our next study block I realised the Olympics will be a great opportunity to look at different nations, their country, their culture etc.  Not just China but any of the countries that are competing.  One thought would be that if a child was following one particular event they could study the country that either won (or lost!), or played off against our own country.   A country’s values are often expressed in their anthem, their history in their flag. 

This will actually open doors to recording other geography aspects of our lives too.  I am particularly thinking of a camping trip we have coming up to some of the most amazing rock formations in Australia.  And then we have a trip around ½ of Australia later in the year.  That all comes under geography if we keep our eyes open!

I’m actually excited about this myself!

Jul. 6, 2008 - The next season of life....

Seasons come and go, they bring with them unique opportunities and if we dont grab the opportunity now, we cannot replicate it during the next season. We cannot go to the beach in the winter! The beach is for summer, warm fires is for winter.

Jul. 6, 2008 - Discipleship and Curriculum

How do you implement Discipleship into your curriculum? Discipleship is more than a Christian education, it is more than .... read full article

Jul. 6, 2008 - Writing for a Purpose

It is important to have a purpose for writing and an audience to appreicate your effort. Here is a list of family-friendly, naturally created audiences.

Jul. 6, 2008 - Do you have something to share?

Jul. 6, 2008 - Nature Journals for the Reluctant

In response to a question emailed to me I have listed some of the things that we have done to encourage nature journals, even when there has been some resistance.  Read Nature Journals for the Reluctant

Has Nature Journaling been hard to get started in your family? Both Kerry and I would love to hear how you tackled this. Read Nature Journals not happening and share things that you have done.

Jul. 6, 2008 - New Chart for our Routines

The kids are getting a big picture of keeping house too.  As they refer to this chart for their daily tasks, they are seeing all that needs to be done.  They see what I am working on, they see what each other is working on.  Over the two weeks we have had this new system going they have offered to help more, they have taken initiative with chores more and they have taken up their own responsibilities with a lot more "heart", often going the extra mile.  We still have aspects of training to work on, but their attitude has been different.  I am sure it is because this chart has helped them see they are a part of a team.

Jul. 2, 2008 - I've been very quiet round here

Jul. 2, 2008 - Realising what housework really does happen

Jun. 30, 2008 - What a laugh

Jun. 26, 2008 - New Chore System – Being Responsible

Over the last few months I have changed our chore system.  Over the years we have had many different systems to encourage the children with their household chores.  As the children grow in responsibility our systems have changed to suit.

We have three set times for household chores – after breakfast, after lunch and at 5.00pm.  The evening dishes are done together.  Cleaning the bathroom (handbasin) and kitchen dishes were some of the first jobs my children learnt.  As more children become able other daily chores have been added to the roster.  We now have 4 children and 4 main areas of responsibility.

Kitchen

Bathroom, Rubbish

Laundry

Outside / Helper

The biggest change I have made recently has been to make one child responsible for their area for the whole day, for the entire week.  Today I have added one extra chore per day, still within that area.  This will give them the opportunity to see those deeper cleaning jobs that have to get done somewhere.

Kitchen – dishes, wipe benches etc, and then over the course of the week they will wipe the stove, polish the sink (x2), wipe cupboard doors, clean the dishwasher and tidy a cupboard or drawer.  The person on Kitchen duty will also help out with cooking the evening meal when that is appropriate.

Bathroom, Rubbish – Daily will empty and burn rubbish bins, clean the bathroom and lock up chickens.  Over the course of the week they will change towels, clean the shower, mirror and bathroom walls as well as tidy a cupboard or drawer.

Laundry – Daily will sort, wash, hang, and put away any laundry that needs doing.  Over the course of the week they will do a little ironing, clean the laundry sink, wipe down the cupboard doors and look for cobwebs on the ceiling. 

Outside & Helper – Daily will water pot plants, tidy the veranda, blitz the house after lunch, sweep the family room floor, clean up afternoon tea dishes and set the dinner table. During the course of the week they will sweep the verandas, a little bit each day.

It has been great to see how much actually does get done with short, regular effort throughout the day.

One of the key benefits of having one child responsible for an area for the whole week is that they learn what is necessary and start to take initiative.  Many of the chores aren’t necessarily time sensitive and can be done whenever they have the time – therefore giving themselves more free time later in the day.  It is my responsibility not to keep giving chores to those children who seem to have free time on their hands.  I need to recongise that the only reason they have free time is that they have worked hard for it!

Jun. 25, 2008 - Physical Health

Yesterday I was sharing with a friend who is back in town for a few weeks that last week I had some back pain which I put down to the fact that I wasn’t drinking enough water.  Her comment was “haven’t we been here before!”  We all need friends to help us with different areas of our life – I need help to remember to drink water!

This morning I was reading Crystal’s blog, Biblical Womanhood  and was encouraged to stay on track with my efforts to try and get healthier.  Similar to Crystal my goals in this area are:

• Eat healthily
• Take vitamins (though I like the idea of getting all my goodness from real food reality is it doesn’t happen these days and if a vitamin helps me stay on top of my game that is what has to happen.)
• Exercise
• Drink water (see, it should be on the top of my list and yet I don’t automatically remember!)
• Get to bed at a decent hour (and take power naps regularly, especially if I have an evening commitment)
• 
  

Finding time to exercise has been one of my challenges of being a stay at home mum.  The best time for me to exercise (due to heat) is first thing in the morning and yet I’d like to be around when my children wake up.  As my children have got older this conflict isn’t so much of a big deal.  My challenge these days is to get out the door – just to put down the to-do list and go and do it!

I have recently bought a mini-trampoline as a cheap and yet good exercise tool.  The benefits of a mini-tramp is that it hurts!  I can feel my muscles working after a 10min session (yes, I am not very fit!) so I guess it is working, whereas walking takes longer.  I prefer to walk as I think the 30-45min of walking is good overall and I enjoy the mental thinking space walking gives me too.  The mini-tramp is a quick alternative for those days that I am just not going to take 30minutes.  10min on the min-tramp is also a quick pick-me-up during the day.  The other benefit is that I can bring the mini-tramp inside to the airconditioner if I miss the cool of the day.

Today we have one of Nomi’s friends staying the night and she needs to catch the school bus.  She needs to be at the end of our road at 7.20am!!  So it will be the mini-tramp for me today!

Jun. 25, 2008 - Homemaking

My heart is stirring at the moment to be more intentional on the home front.

* to guard the atmosphere of peace and order

* to be more diligent with budgeting issues

* to get back to more home-cooked foods

* table manners – which means more meals at the table!

After reading some archive issues of Everyday Homemaking

newsletter I have set myself some specific goals re money.

1.  Plan all meals and snacks.  I had been toying with the idea of planning lunches too (at the moment the kids find whatever is in the cupboard) so I’ll start doing that.

2.  Get back to weekly shopping trip (with one extra day for fresh fruit and veg)

3.  Allow time in my schedule to shop at the cheaper, and consequently busier shop

4.  Record my expenditure as soon as I come home.

Jun. 23, 2008 - Bootcamp for the Sluggard - what is this?

Here are my notes so far on my current bootcamp - intensive, intentional training - on diligence / responsibilitity issues.

Here are the three direct links

post 1 - overview

post 2 - know your goal

post 3 - finish your work

This is an ongoing training period - no doubt I will post more teaching moments as we work on this.

Jun. 23, 2008 - Learning Happened from 16th June

Peter had Monday at home and was able to spend most of that time with the children working on family projects.

Daniel had a play date with some boys while I talked to his mum at the park. 

The kids have worked on their persuasive speech diligently.  This has been a big project for them in that it is the first time they have been required to write to a formal structure.  I am really pleased with the topics that they have chosen though initially Josh wanted to do “The Sky is Green”.  Where does he come up with these thoughts!!

I started woodworking with Daniel.  We have made our first completed woodwork project – though we did need a little help from Peter!  We made a bench hook – which will help Daniel the next time he is sawing more wood.

We had a big bake day.  I baked lamingtons for my friends birthday morning tea, and the girls cooked double recipes since we are on the morning tea roster on Sunday.  I’d like us to do one more slice but if we don’t store bought chocolate biscuits will have to do.

Nomi resumed her computer lessons with A.BB.  A.BB isn’t teaching as much as she is learning beside Nomi but it is good to have an adult with Nomi.  So it is working well.  They are just learning about the different parts of a computer and what they all do.  Getting a big picture before they start to use a computer.

Jess processed an internet order.   Mmmm   I trust this is a good life skill to have!

Daniel and I have been having good lesson time together.  We have started with our devotional reading and prayer, then read a chapter from the Bible (his request – he wants me to read the whole Bible to him) and then we have worked on telling the time and his reading lessons.  We have been doing this outside on the veranda – the mornings have been lovely.

Nomi prepared the table for a lovely morning tea – she cleaned crockery, set the table, arranged flowers, made sure everything was just right.  She did this all while I was in town.

We are helping a boy with a disability, with a photographic project.  He has photographed and interviewed the staff for one of the farming ventures in town and is making a notice board display including a map, photos, personal info and then a small mini project based on each of the countries they all come from. This will take us about 4 weeks to put together.  Josh is doing so very well in communicating to him, teaching him, keeping him on track and even bringing things back on track if they stray off.  I have been very proud of the way Josh is handling this situation.

Saturday brought cricket for Daniel and Netball for the girls.  The girls comp is a few girls short so Jess has been playing in the 10-11yo and Nomi has been playing in the 12-13yo.  Both of them have been getting two games most Saturdays.  Thanks to our friend LS who taught them so much last year they are thoroughly enjoying the sport.

Jess played the piano and sang backup for a few songs on Sunday.

Pete and I headed off for another date (2 in as many weeks!!).  We had guests arriving for dinner so we asked the children to get the house ready.  What a blessing to be able to have a date, and come home to a very well ordered home, ready for guests to arrive 30minutes later!

Jun. 23, 2008 - Bootcamp for the Sluggard – Finishing the job

I previously wrote about being thorough and knowing the goal for the moment – knowing what needs to be done and keeping our focus on that.  The next thing bootcamp is going to cover is finishing the job.  What constitutes a finished job?

• Everything I was asked to do is done
• I have done my best
• I have put away all my tools
• I report back to mum

It is the reporting back that we will be focusing on now.  I will expect the following words, “Mum, I am finished …….. (insert whatever job was just completed) What would you like me to do now”. (or something similar)  The idea is that the children tell me what they have finished and are available for further instruction.