Living
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Creating a Nature Collage
Yesterday evolved into a nature theme. After our nature challenge Jem was keen to enjoy another activity. We decided on making a nature collage. We selected various items from the gardens; flowers, seeds, bark, grass, anything that appealed to him. Once he had his collection gathered we headed inside to create a masterpiece. All was needed was a pot of glue, his collection and we had one happy boy.
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Pinning it Down – Backyard Nature Activity
When Sarah first announced that she and Pam were launching a pinning it down linky party I was all excited, just think of all the awesome pics I could share! Then came the kicker, she actually insisted I had to do it!!. I had to actually turn that pin into action and only then could I share. When this morning Jack Jack declared he wanted to ‘do some school’ (we’re on holidays for two more weeks yet) I instantly knew what we would do. I’ve been conscious for some time of the need to spend more time outdoors with the children, reading this article only re-enforced my belief. Endeavouring to do…
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A Week of Friendship and Fun
Once again we were blessed to enjoy a week of fun and friendship after camp with the M family. The first night we (19 of us) headed in to watch Carpenter’s soccer Grand Final. The first time the M’s had watched a soccer game, so a rough grand final was rather a culture shock. With the M’s, and two local families; the Rs and Ls, 36 people turned up to support Carpenter, we filled a bleacher! Carpenter began the game on the bench, so when he ran onto the field a roar went up from the stand, “Carpenter!” which was heard from the other side of the field. Carpenter sweetly turned, waved, grinned at…
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Homeschool Camp – 11th Year
A fortnight ago we were blessed to once again enjoy our annual Catholic Home Education camp. This year we were thrilled to have a large, enthusiastic choir for our annual Confirmation/First Holy Communion Mass. Our two eldest are in the centre, in the two back rows. After the Mass (in which two of ours received Sacraments) we celebrated with cake and party. Each day we enjoyed different activities, this year we visited a local rock pool. It was such a beautiful, sunny day. The children were fascinated by the marine life. Little ones took the opportunity to cool off in the rock pools. Our days were centred around our Faith, including daily Mass and daily catechetical talks…
- Blog, Celebration, Celebration - Sacraments, Faith, Family, Home Education - Sports Day & Camp, Living
Receiving Confirmation and First Holy Communion
Tuesday 13th was a huge day for our family. Michelangelo received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit when he made his Confirmation, taking the name Bernard. Jelly Bean made her First Holy Communion. Yes, this is the moment when Mama burst into tears as JB bought up the Offertory Gifts. As with their older siblings our two made their Sacraments at our Catholic Homeschool Camp with our Bishop. Once again a beautiful Mass. Michelangelo with our Bishop. Our handsome boy, looking so grown up. Einstein was very honoured when Michelangelo asked him to be his sponsor. He takes his role very seriously. There is something so precious about little girls…
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Stepping Forth
Well the day has finally arrived, mentally we knew it would but can you ever really be prepared? Our first-born is ready to move forth, to begin the next stage in her life’s journey. A new beginning for us that will impact across many areas of our family dynamics. Designing your own home education curriculum makes it is a little harder to pre-plan a clear concluding date. Do you finish with a ‘grade’ level, when all assigned work is done, or use age as your guide? As Koala draws closer to her 18th, age seems a good definitive, but mostly we have been guided by her needs. We were expecting to have…
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Term Reflections; Curriculum Highlights
As we have now come to the conclusion of Term 1, I thought to share some curriculum highlights from our first Term. Some I have mentioned in passing before, but I’ve compiled a more complete synopsis. For clarity; Koala is in Grade 12, Carpenter in Grade 10, Einstein Grade 8, Michelangelo Grade 6, Princess Grade 4, Jelly Bean Grade 1 and Jack Jack Pre-School. Jem of course tags along and I’m sure Bass will soon find his niche;) Highschool Didache – This is the second year we have used this program for Faith and I highly recommend it. Very solid, very thorough. Our teens have learnt so much and the books…
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Education is An Atmosphere
“Education is an atmosphere-that is, the child breathes the atmosphere emanating from his parents; that of the ideas which rule their own lives” (Vol 2, p247) “Education is an atmosphere” can be a difficult concept to translate into words. We comprehend the tangible and yet this foundation word for Charlotte Mason’s approach to education is not something so easily concrete. In our search for the tangible we may initially assume that Charlotte Mason could be referring to the physical environment. Sometimes as home educators we feel if only we had; the perfect room, the perfect circumstances, a thriving education would ensue. Whilst it is true that a little organisation can go a long way to…
- Blog, Book Chat, Home Education, Home Education - Charlotte Mason, Home Education - Language Arts, Living
Immersion in Quality Literature
My childhood home was a home of books; thousands of books, I don’t recall many picture books, but we had shelves of quality novels mixed with twaddle. This immersion in quality literature encouraged my own love of reading. Making the decision early on to home educate our children, I began reading about home education approaches and knew our learning would not be reliant on text books. When I first read of Charlotte Mason I was immediately drawn to her love of Living Books, I had found someone whose experience bore out my instinctive thoughts! The past 17 years of parenting have been filled with reading, books are an integral part of…
