We seem to be ‘enjoying a theme’ of interrupted weeks this term.  Our challenges this week included days off to welcome home our teen Pilgrims (hooray they are home safe and sound:) and for our town’s annual festival.  Both of course important events, nevertheless I’m happy that we’ve managed to continue with solid learning despite the many life events being thrown at us. I was excited to discover a couple of picture biographies this week, Meet Douglas Mawson by Mike Dumbleton and Jubilee! One Man’s BIG, BOLD, and VERY, VERY LOUD CELEBRATION of PEACE – Alicia Potter were excellent, as were some of our Art, Antarctica and Aboriginal finds, which I really do plan…

Last week we launched our ‘traditional’ 4th Term venture, Leaping into Literature with a bang. Readers commented on the ‘low marks’ the children assigned to some of the books, and I confess to surprise myself, they were tough critics.  Keep in mind though that the children rating the picture books are 10, 8 & 6, so they are going to be a harder sell than younger children, actually several books our 6 year old rates higher than his siblings, thus the star rating is sometimes an average score. This week there were more Keepers than Duds, whilst many of the books I reserved via the online catalogue, I picked up…

Last year towards the end of 4th term we immersed ourselves in literature, reading our way through towering piles of books, christening this time, Leaping into Literature. It was so popular we’ve decided to conclude our school year this way once again, thus a tradition has been born. As per our approach last year we are focusing on literature and the 4Rs although this year our Leaping into Literature is more for the younger children. Our teenagers’ focus is more of an intensive writing/grammar nature, so they aren’t joining us other than reading as per usual, which translates to a a couple of books a week for each teen. Our first week…

(old pic) Last week we focused on Australian history, always a personal favourite of mine, though the children moan they know it all, not true. It was the third last week of the school year and a definite feeling of winding down. However we forged on and managed to continue with maths, independent studies for the older three, a little writing (emphasise little) and reading continued happily. Independent studies included, Church History and Science Matters for Einstein, he loves Science Matters! Lots of maths for Michelangelo, he is trying to finish up a large portion of his maths CD. Princess is loving the freedom to read as much as she…

(old pic) Into a rhythm now with our ‘Leap into Literature‘ focus, not to say we’re achieving everything planned every  day, but that is par for the course at the end of the school year.  It’s hot, we’re winding down and expecting a baby in less than a month, so all things considered I’m happy with what we’re achieving. Most exciting Jelly Bean’s reading has picked up a few paces.  Having an older child still working on reading skills is not ideal, you feel like a hamster on a wheel, stuck there for years and years, any little progress is hugely celebrated.  Added to the mix is Jack Jack who…

 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…

Previously I shared that our Leap into Literature ‘was a resounding success!’, I really should have known better.  We’ve been homeschooling for a decade and a half now and I know that ‘first days/weeks’ are always followed by an adjustment period. In this case it wasn’t over-ambition, I have finally learnt not to over-schedule, though it took many years to learn that lesson, but simply life. Although the life interruptions were ones that I also know how to avoid, outside appointments should always be made for afternoons, and telephone calls should never be made/answered in the mornings.   Consequently our one week focus on Science ended up being a two week…

We launched our Leaping into Literature plan this week and it was a resounding success!  With its focus on literature and the 4Rs we had a structure which still allowed for a relaxed atmosphere. No ‘completing work with a tick box mentality’, it was so lovely, the atmosphere was what we used to have years back and I have missed for so long:):):) We didn’t achieve all I’d planned, but that was fine, I implemented a rolling plan (thanks Ruth) and it worked beautifully.  The rolling plan meant if everything I wanted to achieve each day wasn’t, we simply started with what hadn’t been accomplished the previous day.  ie if one day we…