It’s been months since we enjoyed A Book and Activity, so when Bass asked for a craft activity I obliged. Searching Pinterest for inspiration I found Rainbow Fish Craft. Template was supplied and only paint and celery sticks were needed. A fish craft was entirely doable. Looking through our picture books I found, The Rainbow Fish – Marcus Pfister.  Years ago I read Elizabeth Esther’s thoughts about redistribution and since then I’ve been uncomfortable with the author’s intent. I can’t find the post but EE has a satirical video which I haven’t yet watched. After reading I asked Bass, “What did you think of the book?” He answered “I didn’t…

After reading Pobblebonk by Gary Fleming this week we suddenly were inspired to create A Book & Activity craft, I love spontaneity:) A quick search through Pinterest revealed a frog puppet and we were set. Recently I had added a few craft supplies to our grocery shop including paper plates and bags in preparation for many crafts. I admit the legs should have been thinner but the children didn’t care. Bass is now old enough to join in, he was so happy with his frog. Jelly Bean was the first to finish:) Jack Jack loves crafts of any kind, so pleased we made the time.

We’ve been rather occupied with learning to read of late so when the children asked for ‘a book and activity‘, I was happy to oblige but had to do a last minute scramble.  Amongst a whole slew of books I read one morning were a few Madeline books, we enjoyed Madeline, Madeline’s Rescue and Madeline and the Bad Hat.  So Madeline was naturally our theme. Surprisingly Madeline crafts were hard to find, I did find an awesome hat craft but alas didn’t have the materials needed.  We considered making a paper Paris, or colouring, we decided to make Madeline toilet roll dolls. They soon had created these beauties, and all were happy.…

This  week during our Book & Activity time we focused on our collection of Mem Fox titles. Mem Fox’s books do not naturally attract me but as I’ve shared  previously, watching our children, particularly our emerging readers engage with her books has helped me develop a new appreciation of her writing. The first day we read Where is the Green Sheep?, Arabella the Smallest Girl in the World and The Magic Hat.  Making a ‘Magic Hat’ was a huge hit! The attention to detail and creativity was wonderful to watch, the children were so enthused!  Our Book & Activity time has become a treasured time each day (or rather every second day).   On our second day we read Shoes from Grandpa, Harriet You’ll…

Home educating a wide age spread can be a challenge and sometimes there are casualties. For months now, one of our casualties has been our little ones, blush.  I had plans but they consisted of.. “I’ll read two picture books a day and…”  but we weren’t achieving much. For years I used to overplan, investing hours that seemed wasted as our plans always changed.  Attempting to change this situation I became more relaxed and let my planning go. We had a broad structure but no finer details.  However I’ve come the the realisation that planning created & fed  my enthusiasm. So it wasn’t wasted, it just translated differently. Over the…