Leap Into Literature – Around the World – Seven Little Australians & Counting

Our previous efforts ironed out the wrinkles in our organising and the past fortnight saw us in a settled rhythm. Although we did take a few days off for socialising, not something we lightly do preferring to leave socialising for afternoons. However at this stage of my pregnancy I’m ‘knackered’ by the afternoon, but as I’ve been a hermit and have been ignoring everyone, I really needed to catch up with a few friends, afterall socialising is important too.

Our best days are when we start our lessons at 8.30am, for various reasons though we kept starting late, therefore skipping our ‘Gathering Time‘. Not a great idea, not only does Gathering Time give us a focal beginning but it sets a gentle tone for the day, determined to do better next week. Daily rhythm was maths, writing and reading. Reading to me for JB, JJ & Jem, reading independently for the three older children and reading our current Leap into Literature books, which the past fortnight has been a Tour Around the World.

Writing approaches included; essays, dressing as characters in the book, writing 5 points of what learnt, the moral of the story, narrations, writing new endings, characters making a different decision and more.

Visiting various lands led to the introduction of previously unknown topics and we had some excellent discussions. The younger children and I discussed; AIDS in Africa and how many children are orphaned, the Chinese Cultural Revolution, the Chinese Zodiac, Communism and the realities, droughts, Russian orphanages and adoption, Muslims and their faith, war and refugees, migrants and the 2nd generation and various endearments around the world. Princess learnt about foot binding, arranged marriages, the Cultural Revolution and Communism etc. Michelangelo read about Holocaust survivors, Jewish migration to Israel and kibbutzes. Einstein learnt about the fishing industry and racial intolerance. Lots of thought provoking topics to ponder.

List of Books Enjoyed
Einstein
The Ice Boy – Patricia Elliott
Listen to the Wind – HF Brinsmead(Australia)