Our Week

Well....even though it was three days it's still Term 1 Week 1 done!

We had a good few days to be honest. Plenty of learning and folders looking great, with the kids having pride in their work.

The Noeo Physics Science curriculum is working well so far...I am liking the style of it.

The kids are enjoying listening to The Book Thief.

This coming week we will be starting a writing curriculum as well. Write With The Best by Jill Dixon.

The kids work through their Excel maths texts books.

They are working through their Geography text books.

History is the study of WWl for now, and they will also be watching movies and clips, as well as their text books.

For music and visual arts we just talked through what will be happening this year.

Design and technology will begin this week, with the design of something to make the learning room a nicer place to be in.

They enjoyed Parkour as well, with their Auslan class held in the park.
Here are some happy snaps of the week.

                                                                Parkour

                                                       A snapshot of some war stories.

                                                    A snapshot of our working area.

                                 Why do they hate getting their photo taken?????


Here are some links for some of the resources we are using for this term.

The Book Thief
We are loving this story and plan on seeing the movie once we have read it. There are so many study guides and units out there, I just googled The Book Thief unit of work and I had the choice of many.
This can cover nearly every outcome in any stage of the syllabus, depending upon what work you decide to do with it.

Thames & Kosmos Physics Workshop
I use this with the Noeo Physics lll curriculum. Its wonderful, and can't wait until the kids start to build the projects.

This would cover all the values and attitudes 1 in any stage.
Many of the skills outcomes are covered (working scientifically).
SC4 and SC5 -10PW (physical world)
SC4 and SC5-10PW   (physical world)







Elenco Electronics Snap Circuits Snaptricity
This also is used with Noeo Physics lll. Such a great quality kit.

This covers the same outcomes as above.







Went to the library today and borrowed some DVDs and a few books.
This looks great and if my kids, year 7, I will be purchasing if they like it. I have a few Usborne books...they are lovely and many have internet links to further the kids knowledge.

The Usborne Geography Encyclopedia with Complete World Atlas

OK...Well, here's hoping for another good week, although they have all come down with a flu, all of them at different stages of it, so we will see how it goes. Lucky I got plenty of documentaries on ANZACS, Animals and Ancient Egypt, along with MY PLACE...

Until next time
lots of it
Mandy
xxx

Physics lll

At last....yaaaaayyyy...

The last of my resources (for now) have arrived.

This exciting lot of goodies I got from Noeo Science.

This is their Physics lll kit/curriculum. It says it covers years 7 to 8 , big that's in the U.S. Much of the Australian area of physics can be covered with this kit...in both stage 4 and 5, and it even covers some of stage 3.

All I can say is wow.....the electronics kit and the physics kit are amazing quality. The books are informative and beautiful...the instructors guide has reproducible pages for experiments and very clear and simple lesson plans which refer to the books in the kit.

This cost $288 all up including postage.

It sounds quite expensive, but for me it was a kit that I knew I'd use.

I looked at buying the kits and some of the books individually, but in the end thought I'd give the whole thing a go.

Price wise, the kits and some of the books were the same cost. I just wanted to see the curriculum to be honest.

The kits are brilliant.

Firstly, the physics kit...another Thames and Kosmos one...I love these...best quality I've seen. You can purchase these separately too.

This one is the basic kit that comes with it...very sturdy, great quality pieces. It's about $43 at the moment. Thames & Kosmos Physics Workshop

 Thames and kosmos physics workshop

This one, will be purchasing soon...it on for $61 at the
moment...

Thames & Kosmos Physics Pro


The electronic set is awesome...it's a click on one...it's about $33 at the moment...

Here's the link.

Elenco Electronics Snap Circuits Snaptricity

Here are a few if the books with links.

DK Eyewitness Books: Electricity

  Exploring the World of Physics: From Simple Machines to Nuclear Energy (Exploring (New Leaf Press))

  Physics: Why Matter Matters!

I am looking forward to starting this curriculum...I will keep you posted...I will add the curriculum links soon...when I get onto my computer...

Until next time
Mandy
Xxx

The World Wars

This coming term the kids are studying the World Wars.


You can find the syllabus link here for NSW


http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/hsie/history-k10/content/1049/


Outcomes covered
 HT5-1        
explains and assesses the historical forces and factors that shaped the modern world and Australia 

HT5-2

sequences and explains the significant patterns of continuity and change in the development of the modern world and Australia

HT5-3

explains and analyses the causes and effects of events and developments in the modern world and Australia

HT5-5

identifies and evaluates the usefulness of sources in the historical inquiry process

HT5-7
explains different contexts, perspectives and interpretations of the modern world and Australia
HT5-9
applies a range of relevant historical terms and concepts when communicating an understanding of the past
HT5-10
selects and uses appropriate oral, written, visual and digital forms to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences



Here is our box of resources, besides textbooks, that we will be using. This also doesn't include the DVDs we will be watching. These are numerous, but on our list are: The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas,
Gallipoli, Life IS Beautiful, Bridge on the River Kwai, to name a few.

In the box there is a poetry book about war, a variety of novels, and two huge books that were purchased at Narellen op shop.The one on the right is filled with newspaper pages during the period...very interesting.

There is also a game called Axis & allies 1942 Second Edition . This is a strategic war game...You can click on the link to find it at Amazon. It was the cheapest I could find, including the postage...if you read my last post I got this as well in my bundle of 6 other  goodies posted for $80 all up. There were a variety of Axis and Allies games there, but this one was and appeared to be the best value...there's a $25 Axis and Allies 1941 Board Game dollar one, but it didn't get the best reviews on it...there's also more expensive ones too Axis And Allies Europe 1940 ...but $45 seemed just about right to me... :-)

The pieces inside are plastic but pretty sturdy...the actual board itself comes in two parts...you open it out...I'd say maybe 80 by 80cm big....and it's a map of the whole world....throw a bit of Geography in there as well...

I'm really looking forward to learning this game and playing it with the kids.


In the box is also a Japanese WW2 helmet that hubby picked up from a local garage sale.


We are also studying The Book Thief for English, and going to see it at the movies the second week back to work.


Ok
Until next time
Mandy
xxx

Getting Our Science Equipment Ready

So happy and excited.


The second lot of  resources came in today.

A big bundle from amazon.

This is the bundle...reasonable postage too...I was pleasantly surprised...the box was huge and all arrived in perfect order. 

First term we are doing physics and using a bought curriculum. When I get that I will show you it...mega excited by that one.

The microscope Thames and Kosmos Biology Tk2 Scope is what we all played with today.  I have not really looked through a microscope with success before, but you should have heard me scream with joy looking at salt crystals...lol...yeah...I was excited...

I will show you the photos I took with my plain old phone shortly.

This microscope is Thames and Kosmos Biology Tk2 Scope ...I did lots of research and reviews on it and this one came out well considering the price...it was just over $81 Australian ...think its about $84 now...plus maybe $15 or so for postage...I got 6 or 7 things from amazon and postage was $80...so pleased with that...

Oh the biology, earth sciences and just plain fun we can do with it at home...it's as sturdy as anything...really strong plastic...feels tough...

Ok...some photos...remember...it was just my camera that I held that took these photos...so not pro quality but good enough for the kids to print out and make some photos for their science books.

Here's a couple of the box and the actual microscope.

The box

The actual microscope

Salt

Pollen

Paramecia

Which is an alga

This is even closer...

Mouth swab...ew!!! not ours, it came with it!!!

I was really happy with the quality...can click onto this for link to it...I think I missed my calling, because this is so exciting to me...even my bigger kids were enjoying looking throughout it...

Roll on school starting date...we are starting next Tuesday...very excited by this year...

Ok...

Until next time

Mandy

Planning planning planning

Been a while for sure.

Thought I'd touch base again as we are coming into the new year of learning.

Thought I'd give an update since July 2013.
 We continued to struggle through our learning...when I say struggle I mean finding our way...it does take a while to get into the groove of how your family works best...I could show you lots of things, exciting wonderful things, that we did...also lots of great work...but I won't....

What I will do is start from this point...and hopefully pop into this blog some useful info, links and ideas, and what the kids get up to.

I have spent a few weeks last year, just before Christmas, planning for 2014. I planned it all, then at the beginning of this year found a whole heap of wonderful resources, so of course I changed our programme, as you do, to make it more hands on for the kids.

I must admit, I am very excited about this year.

My goal is to have a peaceful year of learning...peaceful and beautiful.

I have read a bit about Steiner education, and although I am not totally following it I really can relate to many of the ideas in it.

So, this year will involve lots of beautiful artworks, drawings and really making beautiful folders of work...something that the kids didn't do much of last year, we'll the artwork they did, but not the bookwork.

Term 1 will consist of a study of the world wars...much of our work will be related to them. For English we are studying The Book Thief....reading it, and seeing the movie and studying the world wars for History, in particular Australia's involvement in the wars.

I'll go further in depth and show you some of the resources we are using for all the subjects as they arrive.

For maths we are using excel revision text books, along with khan academy...the kids love Khan so we will go with that for a while.

Science was going to be purely text books...but science is one subject that we seemed to do in spits and spats so I purchased a curriculum with gorgeous books and a couple of great kits. Can't wait until that one arrives.

Music will involve a great composers unit study, plus ukulele with a home schooling group...which is loads of fun.

Visual arts will involve a study of the great artists, using a great online unit of work, plus a variety of fun activities for the kids...term one will involve a stop motion movie....looking forward to that one.

Technology is going to be covered by building veggie patches, designing toys and using digital programmes, cooking, sewing and designing something to make their school area more pleasant.

PDHPE happens naturally when you home educate, but the kids will also be doing a parkour lesson each week at the local YMCA. They love it.

LOTE is going to be Auslan this year, not a traditionally accepted language but in our world a very important one. We have a lesson and use apps for that.

Pretty sure all is covered now.

What I will do in coming days is go into each one in detail, listing resources, which I can't wait to get!!!

Our learning room....

Our bench in the learning area...

That's it for now.
Until next time
Take care
Mandy

Weekly Timetable

Hi there!
I have had many people ask to look at how I program and in particular how I do my weekly timetable. I am showing you a sample of my weekly schedule. We roughly stick to this, and as you can see it shows a small section down the bottom for additional activities that we do, for example excursions, cooking and the natural learning that happens as life happens. It also allows you to pop notes down if you didn't finish work, or if your children need extra help etc...Hope you find it helpful. It's not perfect, but it helps the kids see what is to be done, helps me keep on track and satisfies the need to record the activities for the NSW BOS.

TERM 1 WEEK 6	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
MORNING SESSION	English Reading “A Ghost in my Suitcase” Writing…journal   Maths C Maths online ___________________ ___________________                                                J  and M Textbooks 3d space 2 pages 24 and 25	English Reading.A Ghost in my Suitcase Writing…journal Maths C Maths online ___________________ ___________________   J and M Textbook Begin revision of term AssessmentPage 26 and 27	English Reading A ghost in my suitcase Writing..journal Spelling ipad app Maths C Maths Online ___________________ ___________________ J and M Textbook Patterns and algebra 1: Constructing number sentences 28 and 29	English Reading: A ghost in my suitcase/reading aloud Maths C Maths online ____________________ ____________________ J and M Textbook Patterns and algebra 2: Problem solving 30 and 31	HSIE Continue own choice Language/ Italian Audio of greetings and basic colours/numbers   HSIE will be an emergency services day, filled with practical experiences, listening and questioning.
BREAK
MID SESSION	Science Connor Textbook 19 to 21 Science as a human endeavour Workbook page 9 M and J Finish writing up mould experiment…discuss results.. Begin migration of animals…	HSIE Gold workbook: Diary entry as a child on the goldrush fields Geography Geographers use maps and atlases.. Worksheet (workbook) on knowledge of maps.. 8 and 9(textbook)	Visual Arts Look at timeline of art periods Complete magazine face, and painting over magazine face. Connor:Design and Technology Create 2 pages for portfolio Maddie and Jacob, catchup time	HSIE Gold continued History Connor: Textbook:read page 42, answer questions 2.1 page 43 Read page 43 to 46…answer questions 2.2 page 46	PDHPE Organised play in the park, sporting activities, social meet-up.
BREAK
AFTERNOON	Visual Arts Portrait out of junkmail And starting magazine face.	Music Piano and recorder Performance	Science Connor:use page 16 as a guide to conduct own experiment… J and M Also conduct own experiment using Connors textbook as a guide. Assessment task	Music Discuss timeline of music periods, listen to and discuss selected music from youtube. Practical…select song to perform as group…begin group practice.	Play in the park and socialising with the home schooling community
OTHER ACTIVITIES

 Until next time

Mandy :-)

Term 3 Week 1 Day 1 2012

Well...today proved to be rather trying. To get the kids motivated was quite tricky, but with a few bickers and tanties we got there in the end.
Today we thoguht we would show you some of the more enjoyable activities we did today.
Connor did a great experiment project  to see how different substances change the time it took to dissolve an alka seltzer. He is still waiting for the oil to dissolve it...He guessed that the oil placed a barrier around the tab and that it may never dissolve.

Maddie and Jacob did some visual arts. Last term they drew some trees out at a local park. Today they used watercolours and acrylics and tree branches to paint a picture of a sunrise in our front yard. A brayer for the suburbia part.

Here is the photo...

Here is Jacob's

 Here is Maddie's

Signing off

Mandy