Enduring Prize

Getting my kids to read all those books!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:57:00 +0000

Help! My literary purchasing power is exceeding my reading capacity.

I can't help myself! The more I clean out those bookshelves the more they swell. It's like my bathroom, it only looks OK for about one hour after it's cleaned. I get rid of books I want to keep but I know that I have to show some restraint. We still have to have furniture that isn't bookcases. I'm almost afraid to go to the library for I don't know where to put the books anymore!

Last year I was so sad to sell one of my kindergarten books. It felt like I was selling a little friend, for we had been through four children together. I was torn, it held lovely memories but I needed space for the next influx.

Now my next challenge is to get the books read.

We are getting through our books but since I only average 2-3 read aloud novels with my children per term that is only 12 novels a year and I have less than 10 years left of read alouds.

We have trips to the library and a well stocked bookcases and all of my children are encouraged to read for pleasure and they do. However there are many beeping temptations about that drag them away from books and I want to foster a high standard of literacy and this needs me to be proactive in making reading a loved life-time habit.

I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this one but for my 14 year old son (who is now in school) I am paying him money to read the books I select. He is an excellent reader but his literary taste has become quite narrow (and school is making demands) so in an effort to expand his genre's I have given him 4 books this term and have told him I will pay $10 for each book read. He was thrilled. One has already been handed back.

For the others I assign them as readers in their homeschool work boxes . This way I know that they are reading at least some of the books that I want read.

We use a literary approach to language arts and for my highschool daughter we are also using Any Novel Novel Guide to look further into a book.

My 10 year old boy has three books in his homeschool workbox that he goes through.

My eight year old has a simple science reader everyday and we continue to read together through a chapter book.

Finding time for me to read seems to be the hardest thing of all. I read large amounts of information gathering books but books for pleasure are a luxury. I actually need to keep away from them as I get lost in them. For now I only allow the holidays to read. As I write I realise I should treat myself more.

There are so many electronic demands on our spare time reading can be pushed aside and I don't want that to be something that happens to us. I regret the books I didn't read in my childhood and thankfully I can read them now. Books have enriched my soul and mind and I want to pass that legacy on to my children.

Even my husband has started reading the books I get hold of for him !

Another Family Shot

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:15:00 +0000

Just got this picture back.

Back to Homeschool--Back to Normal

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:58:00 +0000

Tomorrow we start back officially into school work. We have had all our curriculum packed away for nearly 2 months. Today we even did a few maths pages.

I decided to have a break from blogging as well while I attended to a few projects during the holidays.It has been fruitful. We have renovated four rooms including covering the floors with laminated floorboards. I also have been helping organise a few things with church and doing things with a friend who has had surgery.

Now everything is settling down, school has gone back and the playmates and fun activities have finished and now we can return to our wonderful homeschooling routine.

Whilst I have enjoyed the change and all that we have accomplished, I am looking forward to sitting down on the couch tomorrow, book in hand, and reading those books we have hardly looked at for two months.

What English programs have we used?

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:02:00 +0000

I have used literature based programs in the following ways.

1.Learning Language Arts Through Literature. I did like the original version but the workbook style was not as good. When we hit fifth grade (I think) the books and poems were all very American including the Star Spangled Banner (that is the year they study American history, I believe) which is great for American's but I wanted a little more Australian content.

2.We also tried writing strands (10 years old at the time) initially I thought it was good but then my son was always doing a shoddy job so I shelved it-then sold it.

3.One year I totally took a year off all language curriculum (10 and 11 year olds). We just used narrations and story writing for a whole year. We were working through Diana Warings Roman Reformers and Revolutionaries etc and I got the kids to do a biography on different people every day.

3.Another term I did a literature study from Currclick on Prince Caspian. It was when the movie was coming out. That year I also read The Little Grammar People by Nuri Mass and we read through a book on grammar.

4.For about 12 months we did dictation and copywork everyday using the Charlotte Mason Method. For the younger ones I still do daily copywork and dictation as it arises in Emma Serl's Primary Language Lessons.

5.We started the year with a combination of dictation and Wordsmith and Emma Serl's Intermediate Language Lessons. This has a nice mix.

6.I've just added novel study guide to this term which is excellent.

We have toyed with other things but that is the main ones.

My older kids have scored highly Year 5, 6 and 7 NSW University English Tests (top 15%-8%) in the last two years.

So juggling has worked for us. Can it work for you!

Smiles Michelle

The Habit of Nature Appreciation--November

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:58:00 +0000

"Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight and habit through life." Charlotte Mason

I think that learning to observe nature has enduring value. We have been nature journaling regularly for three years now and I can see the benefits. All of my children have become aware of their surroundings and this brings delight to them and me.

We first began our nature journaling drawing pictures, making observations and reading. The Wonderland of Nature was one of our first adventures into nature reading.

We are currently reading through Amy Mack's A Bush Calendar and The Country Diary of An Edwardian Lady simultaneously. These two books go perfectly together as they are written at the same time. One is set in England whilst the other is on the East Coast of Australia.

For the different ages of our family nature appreciation looks different. Our oldest boy (Master 13) just likes to listen to the reading.

Our oldest daughter (Miss 12) prefers to write her observation. Here is her entry from yesterday.

The warm soft days of spring have past early this year. November, has exchanged its gentleness for a scorching heat not fitting to its normal soft warmth. Even in the morning hours the heat starts to build. The wind, usually refreshing brings no comfort today as it blows hot air on my face. The pavement burns my feet. If this is spring—what will summer be like?
The house is cool, the blinds and curtains are shut, keeping out the heat. Under the big tree in our yard it’s cooler. Leaves shade the ferns and other plants that prefer the cooler weather. The plants are all green thanks to all the October rains.
The gum tree sways in the wind, our rose, once without bloom is the queen of the garden, and its soft pink flowers climb the side fence.

Master 9 and Miss 7 still prefer to draw what they see and take photos.

I think nature observation is often not thought of as "real science" > I do not agree. Chemist, Hideki Shirakawa of Japan, winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry (2000), said that long hours of nature study were critical in his formation as a scientist.

To find out more about Nature Journaling with Kids

visit our website.

Margaret Catchpole--Australian History Narration

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:04:00 +0000

This term one of Miss 11's books was Margaret Catchpole by Nance Donkin.

Here is her narration.

Margaret Catchpole
By Nance Donkin ©1974

Margaret Catchpole arrived as a convict in Port Jackson on a transport ship called The Nile. The Governor came down to meet the ship and when he saw Margaret, he asked the Captain about and her. He said she was a good person, neat and clean, and an excellent cook.The Governor decided to assign her as a cook for Mr Palmer and his wife.

Margret enjoyed her new job although she was finding it hard to forget her dark past. Margaret tells the story of how she became a convict, to her mistress Mrs Palmer.....
When she was young she had loved horses, she could ride without a saddle, she was the youngest of six children. When she thirty five she was bored. She wanted to go to London so she stole a horse. Margaret didn’t finish the story.

She earns her ticket of leave and moves out to the country. She has a little house near the Hawkesbury River. She loves country life and she is happy and content. She took many long walks, she can see the distant mountains and wonders what is over the other side; there were some Irish convicts that believed that over the other side was a straight road to China, Margaret laughed over this tale, she knew that when you are in prison you make up many dreams and fantasies. She becomes a well respected nurse and travels around the countryside caring for the sick.

A flood devastates the land, Margaret helps nurse the sick people and she also swims in the water to save people. She catches a bad cold, She feels better when she receives news from home.

Mrs Palmer asked her if she would like to come and live them again she refuses.

Margaret goes to the city. The price of cotton and leather is rising because of corrupt traders that triple the prices. Margaret sends letters to her friends in England to send her some sewing supplies so she can set up a shop. She hears word that a package has arrived for her in Sydney harbour. She walks for two days, picks up the crate and takes a carriage back home, the package is full of good things. She sets up a shop in the front room of her house. Every penny she can spare she saves for a trip back to England.

Governor Macquarie came to visit and he saw that most of the farmers were living near the river where it sometimes flooded. So he started five new towns on high land; they were called Windsor, Richmond Hills, Pitt Town, Castlereagh and Wilberforce. Some of the farmers moved there but most of them didn’t. The Governor was quiet annoyed at this, he also observed that some of the farmers where not taking very good care of themselves or their farms. The complaint was published in the local newspaper and read out in church. Most of the villages took note of this and started to improve their farms.

The town continued to thrive but Margaret’s health started to fail. She continued to help people when they were sick and eventually caught influenza herself. She died on the 13th of May 1819 at the age of 58. She was buried the next day in the Richmond Church graveyard.

Diana Waring

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:15:00 +0000

I've been lucky enough to meet Diana and Bill Waring this month as they travel Australia on their Living Learning and Laughing tour. They both have a wealth of information to offer homeschoolers and I have really enjoyed their transparency as they discuss some of the highs and lows of their homeschool journey with three children.

And I'm not the only one who is benefiting in my family. My kids and husband have also enjoyed listening to her inspirational talks.

She still has a few more stops on her tour. If you haven't seen her yet see if you can make it.

Downunder Literature will be attending these events. Hope to see you there.

Brisbane 10th October

Melbourne 17th October

Canberra 23rd October.

Michelle

River Murray Mary - A Murray River Living Book

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Mary is an eleven year old happy girl who loves nature and her dog. Her father, a WWI soldier settler, now has a fruit farm along the Murray River. Mary, an only child, helps her parents with the daily and seasonal responsibilities of farming.
The family experiences hard times when illness strikes, crops fail, floods come and fruit prices plummet. Mary’s family handles each new challenge with an Australian battler spirit. Their family and community are strong and optimistic.
This short chapter book (9 chapters) has watercolour illustrations from Robert Ingpen. Recommended reading age 7-12

Spring into Winter - 100 years ago!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:53:00 +0000

South Australian Wattle by GE Fenton 1850s

"August--According to the official calendar it is still winter, but out in the bush
all the world knows it is spring." A Bush Calendar by Amy Mack 1909

The above little phrase has been going over in my head all week as I've enjoyed the last few days of winter in Australia. The weather has been so warm. I'm back to T-shirts and shorts and 5 loads of dried washing in one day. This week we went to the beach with a friends and much to my chagrin, two of my children ended up swimming fully clothed in the surf. That put an end to the shopping trip on the way home!

Amy Mack's A Bush Calendar was written exactly one hundred years ago. The first chapter begins and ends with observations she makes in August 1909. And even then we had warm days at the end of winter. Sounds like an anti-global warming statement doesn't it --maybe it is!

"Rare, indeed, is it to find a coachwhip building so early in the year, and to
come across a nest with a full set more than repaid me for my long wet walk.And
when upon my homeward way I met the first butterfly of the season, a pretty,
bright, brown thing, with black-veined wings, I felt that, despite the rain,
which was once more beginning to creep up, spring was indeed well on her way." A Bush Calendar by Amy Mack 1909

The Coach Whip Bird by John Gould 1848

I am so glad that we can read about what it was like 100 years ago. This book was a gift from Amy Mack to Australian nature lovers.

Michelle

A Seven Year Old Can Knit

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:10:00 +0000

Well as you can see my daughter is very proud of her first knitting project. What started as 4 stitches in a row, ended in 15 stiches on the row. After we worked out the problem we pruned her back to 4 and we turned it into a hat for her polar bear.

My older daughter is also knitting and loving it.

Australian Book Traveller--Five in a Row

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:09:00 +0000

About five years ago I had a homeschool meltdown and sent 2 children to school for a term. My schooly approach to homeschooling was stressing me out. I felt like a failure.

I used that term to reassess. I researched how to do it differently and some very helpful homeschool mums pointed out new ways of doing things. That's when I was introduced to Five in a Row.

Wow! What a difference it made to my homeschool. I now cuddled up with the kids on the couch and we read living books.

Since then I have been collecting Australian Picture Books that I thought had that same Five in a Row feel to them.

Last year on holidays in the Jenolan Caves I saw an Australian Map for tourists. I fell in love with it and something clicked in my head and I was finally able to pull together my Australian Five in a Row project.

Now it's finally finished (well almost) and I've called it Australian Book Traveller.

I hope you like it!

Workboxes-How are they going.

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:56:00 +0000

Well, this is just a quick post as I should be doing something else instead of procrastinating with this blog post.

I still love the workbox system---but I have made it suit me more.

I have pruned my boxes down to five or six. These are the reasons.

I found it stressed me out trying to fill all the boxes with something interesting. I was putting in things just for the sake of it rather than things I really felt passionate about them doing. Five-Six boxes is much easier to fill and they all have a variation the same topic everyday.

English

Math

Reading (science for older kids)

Reader with Mum

Another notebooking Topic

Music practice or Mathletics or a blog post.

I also found that the workboxes segregated us from each other. They all had their own work but our group time was diminished. Our read alouds were almost nothing. We have gone back to our notebooking group time.

The workbox system does require organisation. But since simplyfying it I have a quick set up and although its not that exciting I know that they are getting the basics of the day done. I try to make most of the things in their boxes work alone things so they can just get on with it and I can conserve my teaching energy for specific needs and the group times.

Would I still recommend workboxes . YES! Absolutely--whilst I had an OK system (pre workbox) before, this one allows me a more concrete way of knowing where the kids are up to and prompts me to forward plan. I also find that I mark their work more while I am setting up for the next day.

The kids also want it. They like knowing where they are up to and how far they have to go. If their boxes aren't set up they ask for it.

So that's all for now. I'll try to post another whats in the box soon. I better go and do what I am supposed to be doing.

Smiles

Michelle.

Aboriginal Dot Paintings-An Outback Art Lesson

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Uluru by Miss 11

Yesterday we did some some Aboriginal dot paintings.We used acylic paints, cotton buds for the big dots and for the little dots-toothpicks.

Lizard dot- Miss 7

Western Desert Art is style of painting used by Aboriginals in the desert regions. Dot paintings today are recognised globally as unique to Australian Aboriginal art. Aboriginal dot paintings tell a story and often have secret meanings.

Footprint in texta- Master 9

This painting style arose from the Papunya art movement in the 1970s when Aboriginal artist began to paint their stories onto canvas. They paint with circles, spirals, lines, dashes and dots, the traditional visual language of the Western Desert Aboriginal People. Bright colours are now more common with the use of acrylic paint, but traditional dot painters used natural pigments such as ochre and crushed seeds.
To see some great childrens picture books with this style I suggest looking through work from Bronwyn Bancroft.

Mum's

This was a fun art lesson. For someone who cant draw I enjoyed just dotting around.

All the Rivers Run by Nancy Cato -- Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:51:00 +0000

I've just finished reading All the Rivers Run by Nancy Cato.

I have to confess I was very disappointed in the heroine. This story is seen by many as an Australian classic but for me I found it to be a pathetic sad tale. Delie the main character has a very disturbing philosophy to life that, I think, the author tried to portray as strength and enlightenment of character. Feminism, infidelity, evolution, hedonism, anti marriage, anti family, anti Christian, and disrespect for the sanctity of life are some of the ideals held up in this book.

The story is set along the Murray River in the early 1900’s. It follows the life of Philedelphia Gordon in the paddle steamer days. I did learn a lot about paddle steamers, navigating the river and river trade but the story I found lacking the inspiration and challenge of a true classic.

Here are some of the events of this epic 600 plus page book.

The governess 'sleeps' with her 17 year old student Adam. No calms. The governess is seen as the epitome of a modern woman who should be revered.
Delie who is in love with Adam (her cousin) refuses to 'sleep' with him. In frustration of her rejection he goes for a walk and falls over and dies. She blames herself for his death.
Her next love Brenton is not refused as Adam was. After a few dates she goes 'all the way ' with him. This relationship continues throughout the book with adulterous relationships 'on the side' by both partners.
Delie decides to move to Melbourne to pursue her painting career. Marriage is not for her. She refuses Brenton’s offer of marriage, but when she finds out she has TB she decides to accept his offer afterall she has to leave Melbourne and the river would be better for her health. Later she finds out it was a misdiagnosis-she didn't need to get married after all.
Delie is disappointed when she becomes pregnant. Motherhood is a burden to her. "For once she wanted time to flow swiftly, to bear her forward out of this bondage." Chapter 57
She continues to have children. For one of her pregnancies she contemplates getting rid of it, deciding against an abortion she buys some morning after type pills. They don't work. She has a baby a girl. Chapter 58
Her fifth pregnancy results in a Down syndrome baby. When she brings it home from hospital she decides she will not let it live. When she sees the baby rolled on its face struggling to breath she decides this is the perfect opportunity to make it die. She leaves the baby struggling and goes for a long walk outside. She waits till her husband comes home. He finds the baby dead. She fains remorse but it is really relief. Whilst some might argue post natal depression for this act-there is no remorse about it ever. She thinks she did everyone a favour.
“She had only to be strong and unflinching do what was right, for the sake of the other children, for the sake of the child itself. No false sentiment, no cant about the sacredness of human life, must be allowed to obscure the issue.” Chapter 65;
The book has an evolutionary undertone. Christians are seen as sentimental idiots. Here are some quotes (there are many more);
“His logical mind rejected the resurrection of the flesh; those bones could not be clothed with life again...No one would really live forever, it would make life pointless. Instead of fixing his mind on a future life; he would prefer to make life as good as possible.” Chapter 89
“But Vickie’s ideas of God were primitive and anthromorphic. 'Is God bigger than a king?'....Delie thought it best to let the child work things out for herself, as everyone must do in the end unless he was one of the sheep minds, who preferred doctrine ready-made.” Chapter 103.
Delie never seemed to relish her role as a mother. She always felt her destiny was to be a famous artist.
“At times she had a feeling of almost panic—it had come to late, she had lost twenty years when she should have been developing and soon she would be dead, or old; either way it would mean the death of art.” Chapter 90.
Even in her old age she had a favourite Granddaughter and didn’t seem to care much about any of the others.
“But I do envy you Italy. You do that Vicky...You go, and whatever happens. Don’t get married instead.”Chapter 108
The book also has a real disgust for old age. In the end Delie is a pathetic, incontinent, dribbling, crippled woman. Since her life’s work of painting could no longer be continued she felt worthless.
“I’ve lived too long already, you know. I remember telling myself once that if I couldn’t skip seventy I’d be better off dead. The Aborigines were more realistic; they used to knock old people on the head , when they couldn’t march. Much more humane than keeping them alive with drugs—to drag out a useless existence—a half life with the senses dulled and the blood kept moving with hot water bottles and liver injections and vitamin pills.” Chapter109

I have read a glowing review of this book before and that is why I was keen to read it. Here is the publishers version of the book.

Philadelphia Gordon is an artist, a riverboat skipper, a beautiful and independent woman. Orphaned by a shipwreck, Philadelphia grows up on the banks of her beloved Murray River, seemingly destined for a conventional life. But tragedy leads her first to a successful career as a painter, then to marriage to the dashing captain of the paddle-steamer that bears her name.

This epic novel, set against the panoramic countryside and winding rivers of Australia, is her story, as powerful and unforgettable as its heroine.

The only reason I am glad I wasted my holiday ploughing through this book is that I can write this review.

Smiles Michelle

Ebooks in the homeschool-A great resource!

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Here are some great ebooks to buy

The Worbox System

Spelling Wisdom

Charlotte Mason Study Guide

And of Course (excuse the plug)

Downunder Literature ebooks

The exciting developments in technology today mean that so many new resources can be available to us through the use of eBooks (electronic version of books that you can download and print). Don’t panic about ebooks. Now that I am used to them and have a good system I have found them invaluable.

Ebooks have so many advantages;
• In most cases you can have them instantly.
• You have access to many Authors (Many of our resources may never have seen the light-of-day without this great new medium)
• Many ebooks are free.
• No postage required.
• Easy to breakdown the book into sections to encourage children to read.
• Reusable-I many cases copyright allows reuse within the family.
• Most eBooks have been made to suit A4 paper, perfect for home computer printing.

I've just found another great use in our homeschool for ebooks. We utilize them for our workboxes. You can put a portion of the book into the folder for them to read.

To Print Your Ebook

• Printers: For most of my ebooks we print off on a laser black and white printer. In Australia they cost less than $100 to buy and they a quick and very economical. Buy one if you print a lot of ebooks.Nearly all of my ebooks are printed on this printer. We also have a multifunction inkjet colour printer that I use to print the cover just to make it look a little prettier.

• Paper choice: Regular 80gsm paper is fine for printing your eBooks.

• Double Sided Printing: This option is quite easy once you get the hang of it. Open your eBook and select print. Then under the pages box select print even pages only. Then press the OK button. As the sheets are printing keep them in the order that they come out. Then put all the pages back into the printer tray (paper loading differs) so that the pages will print on the other side. This time select odd pages only. Then press the OK button. You should then have printed a double sided document. Caution I made a few mistakes in the early days. You may need to do a practice on page 1 and 2.

• Binding Options: At this stage If I have a ebook that I will want to keep and reread I print my ebook at home and take it to a quick copy centre and have it bound.

• For resources that are more like worksheets I either staple, I hole punch and use paper fasteners. Have a look at this to see what I mean.

Copyright on ebooks

Copyright on ebooks is why many publishers choose not to this electronic publishing. Copyright on ebooks is like software. It is usually licenced for one computer. Sharing of an ebook that you have bought is breaching copyright and stealing from the author unless that have specifically said it is for sharing. I was annoyed to see a couple of months ago that someone had put some of my ebooks on their blog and file share site and was sharing it with anyone who visited their blog.

Here is a good video about sharing homeschool materials.
http://www.youtube.com/v/XJmWKb0_aXw&hl=en&fs=1

I think copyright can be confusing for some. We often can think something is old or out of print so it is no longer in copyright.

The law in Australia states that copyright lasts until 75 years after the author dies. It used to be 50 years. So any authors that died after 1955 their work will not be available to copy for public domain until at least 2020.

For example we had to pay and acknowledge the copyright owners in order to print My Country by Dorothea Mackellar in Our Sunburnt Country because she died in 1968 so this poem is not public domain until 2043. We could only print it 2000 times and then we would have to reapply.

There are times when it is OK to do some copying you can look at this fact sheet from the Australian Copyright Council.

http://www.copyright.org.au/pdf/acc/infosheets_pdf/G053.pdf

Smiles to you

Chore Time

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:54:00 +0000

What a great illustration by Billyart. It is titled

All hard work leads to profit.

Isn't that something we want our children to know!To see more of his beautiful art work visit his site.

I was asked by a friend to blog about getting kids to work around the house. This is for you Trisha!

One lesson that I learnt early on was that you had to teach your children how to do the job. It was no use saying, "Go and clean your room," if when they walked in there they felt crippled because they didn't know where to start. So I would sit on the bed and instruct them. Now pick up the blocks. Now put your jumper away. Now put those dirty clothes in the wash basket. For the washing line I teach them how to hang the items.

Another lesson was make the jobs do-able. If you want them to unpack the dishwasher then make sure they can reach the cupboards. Organise the job so they can do it. If you want them to put away their own clothes, lable the draws and put the clothes at a reachable height. If they clean the bathroom, have the cleaning fluids together in a spot they can reach. Our washing line drops down so they youngest ones hang socks and undies and the older ones hang the rest.

For vacuuming we have regions. Each child has a particular sections.

For which bathroom to clean, first to get to the bathroom job gets to pick.

Make the roster easy. We work on a monthly roster. This cuts out all the arguements of ," He didn't do it last night, it's not my turn etc." We have one month on washing the dishes, one month on stacking the dishwasher. There is a monthly rotation for the dishwasher with the added bonus that you can sit in the front seat of the car.

What if they refuse to work?

Well, I suppose it depend why they are refusing. One child finds our vacuum cleaner too loud. So I get the siblings to do his room. He has always found noise bothers him. Another found the cleaning fluid for the toilet too strong, I changed the brand.

Out right refusal just because they don't feel like it has not been a big issue. They know it is expected. But I do tie incentives to their work. For example when asked "Can I play on the computer?". I usually respond with "Is your room tidy?"Another thing is we often all work together. All the kids are taking the washing off the line, all the kids are sorting out the washing. Everyone is cleaning at the same time. Saturday morning is often spent getting the house in order.

We do use pocket money as an incentive. If they want to be paid more pocket money we discuss more responsibility. The money is direct deposited into a savings account for them which is difficult for them to access without planning.

We have an attitude if you live in this family you work as part of this family. These include all the daily chores that make the house function.They include: clean bathroom including toilet, hang out washing, sort washing and put own clothes away, pack and unpack dishwasher, wash dishes, clean the kitchen(if asked)vacuum, dust, sweep, set the table, clean own rooms and other room they have messed up. Help with the shopping, take the groceries out of the car etc.

When we have extra jobs that need doing that are horrible such as;clean the oven, scrub the mold from the shower, rake up the leaves, vacuum the car etc. -we pay extra, at a negotiated fee -in cash.

My kids don't just think to do a job. They don't see a mess. They still need to be told to do their jobs 70% of the time but we are making progress.

I have tried to teach ironing. But I find it hard to teach without having conniptions- but I will keep trying and I will pay big money for it when the time comes.

A wise homeschool mum who was admired for all the things she managed to do with her time once said, "You don't know how much I don't do!"

If you have more ideas that you have found helpful-especially with ironing. Please let me know.

Does Charlotte Mason teach children to write?

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Just skimmed the article on the difference between classical and Charlotte Mason homeschooling

www.welltrainedmind.com/charlottemason.php

and one thing I think that it seems to imply is that with CM method your child doesn't write until they are ten- ie. pick up a pencil and write.

To me that is not what the method is at all. There is lots of writing required from a child before they are ten.With CM the emphasis for the first 'writing' is on copywork. Transcription as she calls it from an early age.Writing and copying quality copywork,getting it perfect,getting the punctuation perfect. Then leading on to dictation when you again focus on getting the punctuation etc perfect because you spend time examining the dictation passage before you are required to write it.

‘The earliest practice in writing proper for children of seven or eight should
be, not letter writing or dictation, but transcription [copy work], slow and
beautiful work...Transcription should be an introduction to spelling. Children
should be encouraged to look at the word, see a picture of it with their eyes
shut, and then write from memory....Double ruled lines, small text-hand, should
be used at first, as children are eager to write very minute “small hand”, and
once they have fallen into this habit it is not easy to get good writing. A
sense of beauty in their writing and in the lines they copy should carry them
over this stage of their work with pleasure. Not more than ten minutes or a
quarter of an hour should be given to the early writing lessons. If they are
longer the children get tired and slovenly.’ Charlotte Mason from Home Education

Now before you can copy you must also be able to write your letters and hopefully read the words (CM expected the kids to be able to read before they started school)

Narration is only one aspect of 'writing' in the CM method. Narration is to help the child think through the passage they are narrating and then take out as much as they can from it. It is a memory, comprehension and concerntration skill.A six year old can tell you a whole lot more during an oral narration than they can if they had to write it and ask you to spell every word.

I personally like Ruth Beechick's opinion on writing. Just get them writing something every day. Form the habit of writing in your children.She is practical and realises that some kids have a 'story in their head' and seem to be an author in the making- while others wont but you can still get them to write something even if it's send a card to Grandma. Sometimes my theories match up with what I see and other times they don't and then I have to go looking for something that will work for my child even if GULP(a confession coming) it doesn't really suit how I think I should be doing it.Children are so individual.

Even with grammar it is implied that you don't teach grammar. But you do-although it is more subtle in its approach.Her emphasis is on sentence stucture ie. predicate and subject and then working on the verbs. Grammar and punctation are taught in the midst of quality literature and how they are used in a sentence. The child is taught to become confident in constructing a good sentence using correct punctation and word usage. Specific rules for commas, capitals, contractions, abbreviation and initials are also identified during their copywork and dictation. They know that; this is a comma, that is a capital, and that is a full stop ect. Emma Serl also thinks this way.

"English is rather a logical study dealing with sentences and the positions that
words occupy in them than with words and what they are in their own right.
Therefore it is better that a child should begin with a sentence and not with
the parts of speech, that is, he should learn a little of what is called
analysis before he learns to parse. It requires some effort of abstraction for a
child to perceive that when we speak, we speak about something and say something
about it; and he has learned nearly all the grammar that is necessary when he
knows that when we speak we use sentences and that a sentence makes sense. "
Charlotte Mason

By the way I am not really a CM homeschooler I follow the Everchanging Method ie. my own style but I have read many CM books and many of her suggestions are ispirational and have worked for me and brought a great deal of enjoyment into our homeschool.

Here is a blog related to this topic.http://www.enduringprize.com/search/label/handwriting

Workbox system-What am I filling them with?

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:52:00 +0000

Well, we are now at the end of our second week using the workbox system. We are still refining it to suit our family. Next week I will work on getting our group time more coordinated.

The kids have responded well to this system. They like having it all layed out. I think the schedule chart is excellent. I agree with Sue Patrick, it gives them a sence of progress. Seeing their boxes empty also motivates them to finish. I have been wanting to find a way to bring more accountability into my highschoolers life and this system does that beautifully. I am finding that this system has really really helped us get more work done and in a shorter period of time. It helps us all to stay focussed on the task.

Filling the Workboxes

I will tell you what was in todays boxes.

Miss Seven

1. Copywork page

2.Own reader- Bertie and the Bear by Pamela Allen

3.Reader Rabbit computer game 20mins

4.Picture study -look at pictures from Whistler

5.Make an entry in notebook. I provided a page of Whistler's pictures. to put in her notebook. I also put glue and scissors in the workbox

6.1/2 piano lesson (the teacher comes today)

7.Math page Singapore math (work with mum-wwm)
8.Read chapter of reader (wwm)

9.Emma Serl -Primary Language Lessons (wwm). This is an example.

10. Check work over with Mum.

Master Nine

1. Chapter of Box Car children

2. Page of Copywork.

3.Address letter to Ma and Pa. Address (on seperate piece of paper to copy), envelope, card (from yesterday) and stamp all in workbox.

4.Music Ace on the computer

5.Page of Singapore Math (wwm)

6.Read 2 pages on Franz Schubert.

7.Put picture in notebook of Franz Schubert (provided) and write his name.

8.Emma Serl-Primary language Lesson. -wwm. We do this with his sister at the same time.

9.Clue Finders CD Rom-Monkey Kingdom

10. Bring work to Mum to check.

Miss Eleven

1. 1/2 hour piano lesson

2. Emma Serl Intermediate Language Lessons.

3. Life of Fred Fractions

4.Mark Life of Fred

5.Read chapter of When Science Fails by John Hudson Tiner

6.Mathletics for 20 mins

7.Read 2 pages of Franz Schubert

8. Make an entry in music notebook about Franz Schubert using information from previous reading. Picture of Franz provided.

9.Rosetta Stone-Spanish 20 mins

10. Bring work to be checked.

Master 13

1.Piano Lesson with teacher

2. Mathletics 20 mins

3. Wordsmith exercise.

4. Life of Fred Algebra

5.Check answers with mum

6.Apologia Physical science module test (1/2 of test)

7.Mark test

8.Picture study Whistler. Read life of Whistler and do a crossword from Garden of Praise.

9.Make an entry in picture study notebook on Whistler.

10.Bring work to Mum to check.

Here are the baskets brought back at the end of the day.

Drawbacks

I am finding less time for our read alouds but I am getting the children to do more reading on their own - something I have been wanting the older ones to do. Using this method I am allocating the reading to be done each session.

Less group time- before we did a large portion of our day together and I find that they are more confined to 'their boxes'. This is something that I will be streamlining more as the weeks go by.

Less time to escape for me. This is a negative and a postive. To keep things moving we are all in the same room and I am working with the kids as needed. I'm finding it harder to get the washing on or do a few jobs around the house. But then I also have all the work finished much earlier so I can attend to those things after they have finished (hence todays blog entry).

It has not been hard to fill the workboxes each day but it does require me to fill them. This is a discipline that I am working on and I am enjoying planning their day out and using things that I have but haven't been using.I refill as I check their work for the day. I have slacked off a couple of times and been sorting at night or like today getting up early but it is worth it!

It has been a positve change for our homeschool.

Michelle

Workbox System -What's in the box.

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:14:00 +0000

Day one went really well with the new workbox system. The kids were far more focused and we got through our workboxes quickly. I found that as I checked through their work I was able to set up the next day’s folders at the same time.

Miss 7 always wants something to do, so she was in her element working through the system. I did not fill her ‘boxes’ with busy work but lots of bite size work that she could do. She was able to work a lot more independently and knew when she was supposed to work with me and when she was to work on her own.

Master 9 who can be quite contrary said he didn’t like it much but I actually think he enjoyed the structure and will enjoy it more when he gets used to it.

Miss 11 liked having some tasks added to her workbox that she wanted to do but never seemed to get around to it.

Master 13 is very unstructured and doesn’t pace himself well. Normally he would just work on his favourite topics until he is sick of it and exhaust himself for other subjects. We managed to get more out of his day.

I felt far more in touch with what the older ones were doing. I was able to have times table races with my son-I slaughtered him but he loves a challenge and will be trying to beat me tomorrow. I was also able to keep the computer under control better. They all had their computer activities to do but they were all spaced evenly and I made them wear the headphones so they wouldn’t distract.

The ‘boxes’ are set for tomorrow. This is what I put in them.

Workbox content -Miss 7
1. 5 mins piano practice
2. Primary language Lessons Emma Serl lesson (work with Mum and brother)
3. One page of copywork
4. Read a chapter of assigned reader (work with Mum)
5. One exercise of Singapore Math
6. Play phonics racing on computer 20mins
7. Read on your own book.
8. Make a craft clock
9. Clock worksheet
10. Come and show work to Mum

Workbox content Master 9
1. Math copywork 2x &3x
2. Primary language Lessons Emma Serl lesson (work with Mum and sister)
3. Singapore Math 1 exercise
4. Downunder Copywork
5. Music Ace computer 1 lesson
6. Make a clock craft
7. Read 5 pages Wilbur and Orville Wright
8. Look through nature book all the bird types.
9. Work on bird book (his request)
10. Come and show Mum work.

Workbox content Miss 11
1. Intermediate Language Lesson by Emma Serl –one exercise
2. 15mins piano practice
3. Life of Fred Fractions Bridge test
4. Read chapter of When Science Fails by John Hudson Tiner
5. Mathletics 20mins
6. Go on blog for 15 mins
7. Have a snack
8. Rosetta Stone study guide review page.
9. Work on water colour painting 30mins
10. Come and show Mum your Work

Workbox Content Master 13

1. 15mins Piano Practice
2. Wordsmith exercise
3. Rosetta Stone CD 20mins
4. Times table races. Work with Mum
5. Study guide questions Apologia Physical Science
6. Mark questions
7. Snack
8. Life of Fred Algebra- Your turn to play questions.
9. Adobe Flash 30mins
10. Come and show Mum work

* We also do readalouds , devotion and one group activity each day -it's history tomorrow.

The Workbox System of Organization

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Sun, 31 May 2009 07:10:00 +0000

My friend told me all about the Workbox System by Sue Patrick. It didn't take much to convince me that this would benefit our homeschool. I had been looking for a way to add some structure into our homeschool and foster a little more independance.

The next day I read the book and immediately afterwards I was reorganising the house trying to see how I was going to implement it in my home. When I told my husband about the system he was excited to-he loves structure. The following night I read through the FIVE IN A ROW forum's 369 posts on the topic.

Many of these women have come up with some great ways to implement this in their home, and they all talk about how it has helped Mum and kids get organised.

I haven't followed the storage suggestion of boxes instead I have used plastic envelopes and magazine boxes.

So this weekend I have been laminating and organising work.

To help with the daily (or nightly) set up I have stored work beside the boxes.

I will also get them to place their completed work in their own basket that they can bring to me at the end of the day for checking. Then I can refill the envelopes from the baskets and stack them neatly together ready for the next day.

We will still do our regular read alouds and morning bible study then we will try out the boxes. The kids are very excited.

I highly recommend you read about this method from the author and buy her ebook.Workbox System by Sue Patrick.

I will try to post later this week about how it is all going and what I am putting in the boxes.

Michelle

Fully Convinced to Homeschool

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:38:00 +0000

Romans 14:1-5 (New International Version)

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

Today this verse stood out to me because I realised that God wants us to be fully convinced in our own minds about how we are going to deal with particular 'disputable or doubtful' matters.

I often have wondered how I could be fully convinced about homeschooling when other non homeschooling friends have been fully convinced it is not the right thing to do. I would think where is the error in my(or their) thinking.

This verse reminded me that it is OK to be fully convinced about my decision. I have sought the Lord and this is how I feel He wants me to go. I have friends that also have sought the Lord and school is how he wants them to go.

It's Ok. I do not have to make a judgement on their decision. That is between them and God. Just as my decision is between our family and God.

Documenting your homeschool -Registration NSW

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:53:00 +0000

Registration in NSW requires homeschool parents to jump through a few hoops in order to get their children registered. This is how we do it.

In NSW recording keeping is an essential part of the registration process. Our children have been registered for eight years and I have gone through the registration process quite a few times.

Here is a list of some the requirements for registration and some examples of how I document them.

This is the current document being used for registration. http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/manuals/pdf_doc/home_edu_info_package_06.pdf

A Plan Or Outline (program) of what you intend to teach your child.

Here I write what I plan to do in each of the key learning areas (KLA's).

For Example here is an old one I used (for my then 6-7 year old) for two KLA's English and Science.

English. We will use a phonics based approach for the teaching of basic skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. This will be supplemented by the regular reading (to dd) of a wide range of good fiction and non-fiction books. We will also encourage her to read books including \'readers\' and other age appropriate materials that are of interest to her. We will also make some use of computer based reading and spelling programs to supplement her learning as well as occasional ABC TV school programs.

Resources / Curriculum:

• LEM Phonics Course - (Single & Multiple phonograms already completed) Word Lists (K & Grade 1), Reading with the phonograms. Reading on. Base Words & Endings 1 & 2.• Books - mainly from the Library (normal borrowing rate is about 30 books per month, of which half to one third are non-fiction). A record of non-fiction titles will be kept.

• "Readers" - a range of age appropriate readers which are compatible with the phonics approach to learning will be used such as : Fitzroy Readers, LEM Readers, Ladybird Phonics Readers.• Computer Programs - "Reader Rabbit, Phonics Adventure etc".

• TV programs - "Word Machine".

For Science & Technology. We will continue to develop DD\'s understanding of the natural and man made environment through the reading of a range of appropriate books. The aim will be to cover a diverse selection of topics at an age appropriate level, rather than to delve deeply into specific topics. Where practicable, simple experiments will be used to reinforce some of the learnt concepts. All of this will be supplemented by learning gained from "hands on" home based activities and from excursions. We will also be viewing some science / nature videos as well as ABC TV School programs.

Resources / Curriculum :

• Books - mainly from the Library and covering a wide selection of topics, will be read.

• Home based activities - Home Science (cooking). Agriculture (gardening), Home Maintenance.

• Excursions - Museum, Reptile Park, Zoo, Botanic Gardens, Bush Walks, Grandparents Farm, Steamfest, Blackbutt Reserve, Beach, Harbour, Fishing, Regional Show etc.

• TV Programs - "For the Juniors", "Scientific Eye".

A method for recording achievement and progress in each area of study and a method of recording learning activities completed by your child.

I HAVE NEVER KEPT A DAILY DIARY. I used to get a frown from the inspector but now he says he really likes what I do. This is how I do it.

I start the term with a general timetable of what we are doing. Here is our current timetable for the 2009.

http://www.downunderlit.com/blog/timetableblog2009.pdf

I then make a record of learning for the term on the computer. This is like a goal chart of what we are hoping to achieve for the term. At the end of the term I use this same document to write a term report. I don't use the KLA's as my headings because it is sometimes hard to break things down into a particular topic as they cover a range of subjects.

Here is an example of last terms for my 7 year old.

If it looks a bit much in some areas it is because her read alouds are happening because of her siblings. I wouldn't normally choose these for a 7 year ols.

DD Homeschool work journal Date…19/1/09—3/4/09

Term One: 10 weeks (1 week off in the middle).

SUBJECT DETAILS;

Bible Study Genesis and beginning Exodus 1-12

Read Alouds Out of the Black Shadows, Richest man in Babylon. The Golden Goblet. Started Tirzah, Anzac House, Tiger Tale, Grandad Marches on Anzac Day, Are we there yet?, Alexanders Outing

English; Downunder Copywork book 1 completed for second time. Emma Searl Primary Language lessons completed to 55. Letter to Sophia. ReadersFitzroy readers completed with ease 31-36; Lem reader book 2, Other random readers.Will encourage reading for pleasure with own choice books at library visits.

Maths; Completed 1 B Singapore. Commenced 2A completed to page 25Field Trips Myall lakes and Farm VisitScience Nature study. Parrots, snakes, fish, frogs and Myall lakes, Koalas, flies and Blue Wrens.

Social Study; Ancient Civilizationa and the Bible. Chapter 1-3 Creation, Origins of Man, Flood, Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia map work, Babylon, Egypt. Discussion about relevant issues as they arise.

Music; Weekly piano lessons. Hal Leonard Piano Lessons book One pages 1-43Weekly Choir and concert. Seek ye First, Grandma we love you, Ha Kuna Mattata. I’ts a lovely Day today, Jamaica Farewell. Composer studies; Bach and Hayden. Drum workshop-Jamo Jamo.

Art; Nature drawings; notebooking. Picture Study Tom Roberts-Bailed up. Michael Angelo –Sistine Chapel and Leonardo Divinchi DVD.

Sport; Junior development Gymnastics 2 hours per week. Jan and Feb swimming 3 times per week plus weekly swimming lesson.

This is the assessment of progress part of the report.

Report: DD’s reading is coming along well. She has reread Fitzroy readers 31-35 and she hardly misses a word. She is becoming much more confident in this area and reading easy books on her own. Next term we will continue to do some reading together. Her handwriting is also excellent. We have been doing some spelling during the dictation process and she seems to remember a lot of words.DD’s favourite homeschool subject is nature study. This usually involves me reading about a nature topic and then she makes an entry into her nature journal.DD’s piano lessons are progressing well and she practices 4 times per week. She attended the junior development program in gymnastics but has decided it is too serious and she will be returning to the homeschool program. She is very flexible and can do one handed cartwheels, the splits, handsprings on the trampoline and rip stick.We attended the homeschool group events at Largs (2 times) and one of the Newcastle support group days. DD has lots of girlfriends at these events.DD can swim quite confidently and has gone into the dolphin group.

Equivalent Amount of Hours as School

Nowhere do I actually write how much time I spend on activities. It does say "The time allocated to student learning is sufficient to allow coverage of the same work and is comparable to the times taken in school." I show them the work. I show them the progress and that is it. My assesor seems to like my method. I find this method frees me up to only one day at the end of term where I collate all the info and try to remember what we have done.

The other thing I do is start a portfolio of work I want seen. Here I might display certificates, drawing or sample writing assignments.

Every one documents differently and the main thing is to find a method that works for you and meets the registration requirements. With 4 children to document and many years of homeschooling left I want a system that is simple and not time consuming. So far this one works well for me.

Poetry Recital

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:41:00 +0000

Yesterday our homeschool group had a wonderful poetry recital and high tea. All the mums brought their fine china and some tasty treats and we all enjoyed an elegant afternoon tea while listening to some of our homeschool students on the piano.

Sixteen families turned up and 26 children read out a poem of their choice. We had 54 people all together.

The child that stole the show was a little 3 year old who whispered Hey Diddle Diddle into the microphone. It was a very encouraging day.

Why not organise one of these for your homeschool group?

What a Wonderful Life

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Sun, 17 May 2009 22:34:00 +0000

I was a bit cross. I could here my kids outside playing when I had specifically told them to get on with their homeschool. But when I found them they were forgiven.

What a great life homeschool kids can have!

Phonics, Spelling and Dictation

noreply@blogger.com (Michelle) — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:53:00 +0000

Today we had a great spelling and phonics lesson while doing our dictation.

We are using Emma Serl’s Primary Language Lessons that has dictation lessons from time to time. My youngest kids 7 and 9 are not ready to do dictation without any help so I coach them through it.We look and read the dictation passage. Then we all identify the difficult words.
Today’s words were; horses, taught , lives, father, load, many, where and there.

Then we have a small whiteboard and some coloured whiteboard markers and we practice writing the words on the whiteboard. We keep rubbing them out until we get them right. This is my version of CM spelling technique. I also take this opportunity to identify the phonograms, ‘augh’ in taught, ‘oa’ in load and the difference between ‘there’ and ‘their’. When I know they are confident with the words in the sentence then we do a dictation sentence.

We then begin working on the next sentence. Today we did three sentences. After the dictation we sometimes do a little extra phonics. For example I wrote ‘augh’ and asked them to fill in the letters for ‘taught’. Then I write it again to see if they can write the letters for caught. For ‘oa’ I ask them to fill in the letters for boat and load etc.This whole lesson takes about 30 mins. That seems to be enough for us all.

We have never used a formal spelling program but we did start with an intensive phonics based reading program (LEM). This was good for me because I learnt about the phonograms. But I found it too intensive as a whole so I switched to Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and just used the LEM workbooks 1-3 .

Now I can easily break down words to help the kids understand the spelling. Most of the phonics I already knew (and I am sure you do too). I just hadn’t put much thought into it until I had to teach it. I think teaching spelling and writing using this method is very natural and not to stressful.

Here is a list of phonograms http://www.phonogrampage.com/
Jan Brett has some beautiful phonogram flash cards. http://www.janbrett.com/phonograms/phonogram_fc_main.htm

With my older children who are 11 and 13 we have continued with the dictation. This is still our primary method for spelling and I still believe it works. Sure they spell things wrong sometimes but we correct asap.

Smiles