Living
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Charlotte Mason and Dictation
When Koala was seven I heard of Charlotte Mason for the first time, her ideas resonated with me, in particular her teaching on Language Arts and Living Books. At nine Koala began dictation lessons, they have long been part of our learning. Over the years we have used various resources, Bible passages, Psalms, Catechism questions, a current read aloud, excerpts from the Queensland School Readers(excellent quality literature) and more recently we have purchased Spelling Wisdom. The quality of literature in these books is incredible and truthfully they are making our days flow far smoother. Despite years of dictation though, I still felt we were missing the result I desired. The…
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Designing Our Learning Room – Help Please
As we slowly start to use all available space in the extensions, I can see the time is nearing to consider the design of our learning room. Up to this point I have resolutely not even thought about it as I haven’t wanted to get too excited. Obviously as we have been homeschooling for over a decade now I have an idea of what would be wonderful additions to have, I am also considering our weaknesses and strengths.(I know doors are probably better for us than shelves) I know I want tables rather than individual desks and a reading lounge is a must. This will be our main learning room,…
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Another Successful Homeschool Camp
We are home from another wonderful homeschool camp, a week filled with fun, catechetics and daily Mass. Catching up with old friends and making new ones. We were blessed with many new families at camp this year which was fantastic. Father Terence-Mary was once again our camp chaplain, we are always so thrilled to enjoy his company each year. We were also blessed to have Father Nicholas, a newly ordained priest (last year) from our diocese, visit and spend time talking with our teens about prayer. Tuesday we were joined by our Bishop once again for Confirmation and First Holy Communion. (Princess in the yellow and Carpenter behind the Bishop…
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My ‘Truth About Mum’ and Planning
Sarah’s recent post, Truth About Mum really resonated with me. She shares so much wisdom and truth; considering Mum’s teaching style is vital for a “Happy Home Educating Mum.” With our new school term starting back on Monday, I have spent a couple of days this week re-assessing and tweaking our yearly plans. Whilst doing this I have wrestled with myself once again, about planning. Just why do I plan and how much detail do I need? Part of that planning is to take an honest look at my teaching style and be realistic. Sarah’s thoughts have encouraged me to put ‘pen to paper’ and share my Truth About Mum.…
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City Cousins Come to Visit
Last Weekend we were blessed to have PC’s brother, wife and children visit for four days:) We were very excited as they have never stayed with us before. Every day the children played from dawn till well after dusk. Country cousins introduced their city cousin to the delights of mud cuisine and making homemade lemonade with homegrown lemons and copious amounts of sugar. Many an hour was spent playing in the tree house down in the bush. (This impressive construction was made by Michelangelo and Uncle Dominic) Note cousin S. standing next to Jem, he is a couple of months younger but a whole head taller. On the last night…
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Catholic Home Education Camp – Lismore Diocese
We’d like to invite all Australian Catholic Home Educators to join us for our 10th annual Catholic Home Educators Camp which is held on 6-10th September in the Lismore Diocese. A wonderful week for Home Educating families come together for a few faith filled days of friendship, fellowship, fun activities. Devotions include: -Daily Mass (in the Traditional Rite) -Daily Rosary and Benediction -Spiritual Talks -Catechesis of the Good Shepherd -Regular Confession Fr Terence Mary Naughtin is Camp Chaplain, Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of the Lismore diocese celebrates Mass on Tuesday offering the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion. We are in walking distance to the beach and each day time…
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Arranging Our Study
Tuesday saw many changes. Once the children moved out we turned our energies towards cleaning their abandoned rooms. The boys’ room began its transformation into a study. As the children were eager to see this occur they worked with a will. Very quickly tables and desks were moved in and a whole bank of computers were set up. To be totally honest I didn’t quite realise just how many computers we had. Most had been packed away. Due to the benevolence of uncles there is no shortage. PC and I invested a fair amount of research into decisions regarding the computers. We decided to keep all computers in the one…
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Direction For Our Highschoolers
This year finds us with three highschoolers, and even more sobering, our oldest is in Grade 11! *(Highschool in NSW, Australia is Grades 7- 12) We spent time in the holidays prayerfully discerning our direction, and consequently decided on some new materials (and old). In thanks to friends and fellow bloggers who have supported and inspired, we share with you. Faith – Didache Series (Complete Course) We are very, very happy with our choice. It was time for a systematic approach. They are attractive, modern looking, with a thorough content. Maths – Mathematics.com.au These are online/disc programs. Concepts are introduced and explained then work given. Children then enter their answers…
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Our Girls’ Play Kitchen
Our girls spend hours playing ‘cafe’ up by the sandpit. Therefore PC and I thought a play kitchen would be a much loved and used Christmas present. After looking at prices however, we realised we would have to become creative. We found some wonderful ideas; simple Ikea conversions at ohdeedoh and Life is a Feast but the ones that captured our imagination were the converted entertainment units at Sutton Grace and Giggleberry Creations. Accordingly I set out to all the op-shops in town to find a beat up entertainment unit for a bargain price. I found a chipboard one for $5, but upon reflection, for the amount of time and…
