Tuesday Today was all about doing what had to be done. First up it was another Mango tree for the kids to pick. No swimming today as we had a dentist appointment for the boys. We dashed home to see the horse race that stops a nation no betting, no dressing up and no hats but we watched it none the less! Three of the kids all have sore throats and the snuffles so as I prepare for a Mums meeting tonight they are just lying around feeling blah!
Wednesday The librarian has given Nomi a fantastic opportunity to sit in on a writing workshop with Mark Greenwood. By using his own story telling, pictures on overheads and sound recordings he prompted their imaginations to let go. They were to just write their thoughts in his words they made a Sloppy Copy really just brainstorming a story. Nomi came away very inspired to write.
While we were at the library, both Jess and Josh were working on their own stories. Daniel and I had lots of reading time together.
Later in the car the kids and I talked about doing research for a story. To date the kids have never put in any research when they write they write from either what they know of in their life or mimicking other stories (such as Enid Blyton adventures or Sherlock Holmes mysteries). I think the older two understood how research would improve their story for their reader while Nomi was stuck on it being an imagination story and therefore you didnt need facts or research. I am not too worried about Nomi not getting it as she is just starting out with creative writing but it would be a good step for Jess and Josh to work towards.
We were invited out to friends for lunch, which was lovely. While the Ladies (myself and my friend) chatted inside in the air-conditioning the man of the family took the kids out on a Tinnie (which was a first for them all) and they went bird watching. Coming home they were full of all the different birds they saw and what they looked like. Their favourite was the Jesus bird a bird that walks on water. I am sure there is a more proper name for it!
Good research sure makes a story more enjoyable for the reader – take my reaction to the Australian story I read a little while ago written by an American author – the inconsistencies of non Australian aspects spoilt what was really a good story – so much so that I ended up emailing the author with some of the inconsistencies – yes I eventually followed up on my ‘I should write them a letter’!!
Ham’G
I’m curious about the “Jesus Bird”. We are avid bird watchers so I’ll have to ask my son if he knows of a bird that walks on water. I also have two questions: What was the horse race that you watched (I am a lowly American but we enjoy the Triple Crown races here in the U.S.) and what is a Tinnie? Enjoyed your blog, especially about writing, a subject that we encourage and enjoy around here. Take care!
Kate
I’ll have to find out more details about this bird they were calling a “Jesus Bird.” From what I now it is a small bird and it may actually be walking on lillypads not “Water”. I’ll get back to you.
The horse race is the “Melbourne Cup” which has a reputation of stopping a nation (Australia) and though we aren’t into horse racing the girls like watching this race. Lots of hype, lots of fashion and a very emotional crowd when a horse wins!
A tinnie – a nickname for a small alluminium dingy/boat with an outboard motor.
Thank you for the answers. We love learning about Australia so the Melbourne Cup is something new for my oldest son to research. He enjoys learning horse racing stats – it’s a hobby. Since I live around a lot of water, I see lots of tinnies all the time and never knew it! Thank you also for your nice comments on my blog. I’ll visit here again. Have a good weekend!
Kate