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.

After a busy week

Today I took the girls out on their scooters. We saw some beautiful trees and leaves, maashAllah.

A couple of weeks ago I started making up a weekly task list and fixing it to the wall. I started it just with the boys, so they could see clearly what was to be done every day, and so they wouldn't keep asking me over and over! This has worked really well, alhamdulillah, and I have started using it for Ia too.

Also, after a couple of experimental weeks, I have a clearer idea of how to organise Ia's curriculum. The trickiest part has been breaking down the English into the various skills (phonics, reading, handwriting, writing, comprehension) and making sure that a balance is achieved over the week. Next week I'll be trying out a new arrangement. Let's see if it proves satisfactory!

Until then it is time for sports, friends and acting out stories with Dora the Explorer cut outs taped to coloured pencils.