Tuesday –
We have a different routine on Tuesday morning so I can be free to listen to Cindy Rushton's online Workshop.
We started the day with the children finding something in the garden to draw in their Nature Journals. Joshua found a dog bone, the girls both drew a Desert Rose and Daniel drew a garden scene rather than on specimen. The started by standing a distance to draw the outline, then moved in closer to draw a bit more details, and then closer again to draw more details etc.
They then played a game together – it wasn't so very successful as it was not a game that all four could play with equal skill. Something to remember for when I want some uninterrupted time in the future.
After morning tea, Jessica read Daniel his Magic School Bus Volcano book, Josh prepared a science experiment (building a volcano) and Nomi continued with her research on Monkeys.
They all watched the volcano happen – lots of red lava flowing over the sandpit! They then left Daniel to playing with this by himself – they went through over 2litres of vinegar!! Oh well, such is hands on learning.
After lunch I started the new read aloud unit with the girls: Monet and the Impressionists for Kids.
Nomi is into origami again with making many folds a day – but she is trying new folds and persevering when things don't go right first time which is a good thing for her to be confronted with.
Jess is practicing her oral presentation for Friday. She has written a biographical story on Cleopatra as told by her hairdresser. She is practicing speaking slowly and precisely.
I spent some time with Josh establishing a new Finance Journal – ledger / budget etc. He is ready to go to the bank tomorrow. Which has lead him to the next activity for him – letter writing. He has one friend who he wants to send a letter to tomorrow so will be writing that letter today.
One thing I don't want to forget to mention is the diligence and initiative Joshua showed early this morning. He got into his morning chores with real vigor and they were completed so early. He then worked on his 1 hour of history reading (and note taking) and was done by 8.00am. This is amazing as we usually start our routine lessons at 8.30 and never has he done one hour of study before that! So well done Josh. He is starting to see that he prefers his free time in a larger block of time. Whereas if he works with the family routine he has a little free time here and a little there but there is no reason why he can't get on with his own work since most of the time he is independent.
Nomi and Daniel are listening to Narnia again on audio. I have been listening to Sally Clarksons messages from a conference talking about the habit of focusing and attention. This is what is developing as they sit there for an hour or so listening to stories.
