Ongoing Projects

Today the boys have been learning about different types of triangles. We started here.
Then, also from Primary Resources, I printed off a fact sheet on triangles, and then a set of shape vocabulary posters. So, the walls have had a change around, and now we are loudly faced with SCALENE, ISOSCELES and so on.
Also today the boys have been continuing with their projects on Tamburlaine's Elephants, and on Salaah. Online they are listening to the history of Musa (as). All of these are ongoing projects.
Not to be outdone, I have a new ongoing project! I find that I benefit so much from the shared home ed materials that are available online, I'm really in favour of every home edder sharing as much as possible! Hovever I know that amongst my own friends not everyone has time to get online and share their work, so I thought that I'd share it for them! (With their permission, of course.)
So, I've set up a new blog that is just for sharing resources and ideas, my own and those of friends. There is not much on there yet, but, inshAllah, I have loads I want to post there, I just need the time ......!
And, as if all that is not enough, today the bathroom sink tap snapped off, and this evening I have had the boys bunk beds dismantled and split into two singles, leaving their room in a jumbled chaos. I also need to bake bread, bath the girls...dinner? But I feel calm, because the day's HE is sorted. The rest will get by, inshAllah.

Creative stuff this week

Ia finished a bag she began a year ago, then made another as a gift for a friend.

T shirts by the girls.

T shirts by the boys.

Snow!

My neighbour's beautiful apple tree.

History through literature

I'm working on a literature project with the boys at the moment. I've decided to do three of these per academic year. Last year we read lots of books, but only did a project on "The Wheel on the School", by Meindert Dejong.

Over the last few weeks I read aloud "Tamburlaine's Elephants", by Geraldine McCaughrean. It is a historical fiction based around the sacking of Delhi by Timur i Lang, in 1398.

I think it is beneficial to study some literature, but at the same time think it is important to choose books that have something above entertainment value. "Tamburlaine's Elephants" has the dual function of providing study of good writing, and an introduction to a historical period.

Following up the reading the boys have researched the use of elephants in war, and the life of Timur i Lang. I got them to make notes from their reading on one day, then write the notes up the next day on the computer. InshAllah we'll do various other activities based around the book, then I'll print out their work and we'll assemble a lapbook.

On a completely different topic, this link is useful for learning about teeth.

Weekend Stuff

What is the collective noun for fungus? A fest? A fest of fungi.

Art.

Needlecraft.

Wednesday

Lots of colouring going on here at the moment.

The girls helped to make lunch.

Ia and U watched some slideshows from Primary Resources today, as science study. I would especially recommend "The Thrush's Nest" and "Frog Life Cycle".

Ia's Monday

Ia and U began their day with play in their bedroom. Then they decided to get the playdoh out.
In between Ia wanted to make a start on her work, so she did some pages from her phonics workbook. She also read two pages from her current Ladybird book.

Ia loves to do craft type things. Sometimes though, in the hectic mixof dealing with the boy's work, U's needs and household things, the relaxed time and space for creating can get squeezed. So, I've put a reminder to myself to make sure I facilitate these activities better.

Also I've organised some computer time each day for Ia, so she can make use of sites I've subscribed to.

As part of her English work I've decided to try out book based projects. Ia noticed me looking at a lapbook project idea based on "Owl Babies"by Martin Waddell, on Homeschool Share. We have that book, and she immediately wanted to do the project, (although it is actually aimed at children below her age). So today we read the book together, (she read what she could) and did one of the sections I printed off from the site. When we return to this project we'll read the book again, the idea being that she will learn to read more of it each time, inshAllah. I'll use some printouts, and I'll do some other language based work of my own, inshAllah

Ia also did some maths today, used Education City and recited some surahs along with the computer.

Meanwhile U was doing some art and craft.

Finally, Monday is the day for learning a new Arabic letter. The slow progress through the letters continues. I use every tip and technique I can find for this, but it is hard work. It seems like the alphabet will never end...but must not give up.

The book below gives some light relief.