We had a friend visit on Saturday, who helped us with our watercolours - 13 colour set from the Czech Republic, obtained from our local art shop.
The brilliance of colour is amazing, and with her techniques the children were well on the way to some gorgeous pictures.
Her Ideas:
Wet the paper first, if you like
Use a candle to draw on the paper, then watercolour over it
Sprinkle salt over the painting, and little dots appear, where the paint is drawn around the salt
Apply some masking tape to the paper, gently remove, and paint over - the paint bleeds into the torn edges - lovely effect
Methylated Spirits dropped onto the watercolour- need to try this as yet
Scratching into the paper with a fork or other instrument, then paint over
Dab painted areas with a scrunched up paper serviette
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Farmer Boy
Just finished this book, with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Read it, and you'll know why. The children adored this book. We have only read one chapter per day. It has inspired me to get the children involved with every activity in the home and outside. Almanzo's family are a great inspiration - honest hard workers,their thriftiness, teamwork, bargaining skills, orderliness, and cleanliness (of the mother's housework), promptness and boy, did they know how to cook up a feast!
Pearl of Wisdom
In the chapter Breaking the Calves, young Almanzo "knew you could never teach an animal anything if you struck it, or even shouted at it angrily. He must always be gentle, and quiet, and patient, even when they made mistakes"...
Now we're on to Little House On The Prairie. A lovely Aunty and Uncle gave this entire set to us for our family's birthdays. We can't thank them enough.
Narration Jar
We are a little tired of narrating every reading from AO Year 1.
So, it has been suggested to try the Narration Jar.
We pick a slip of paper after every reading from the Narration Jar, and narrate using the suggestion on the paper.
We're all set to go.
Printed, laminated and cut up, all we need to do is read, narrate, read, narrate, read, narrate!
Narration Jar Ideas (not mine)
Draw a picture from your reading.
Tell me everything you can remember about the reading.
Tell me the story back in your own words.
Answer questions Mama asks about the reading.
Ask Mama questions about the reading.
Let your animals or dolls act out the story.
Narrate to Mama.
Write down five sentences about what you read.
Play dice narration game - not quite sure what this game is, yet.
Think about another story or even that reminds you of what you just read about. Tell Mama about it.
Write down three sentences about what you read.
If you were giving a test on this reading, what are three questions you would ask?
Skip the narration today.
Model something out of play-dough while you tell me the story.
Write a letter about the story. Pretend you are one of the characters.
Draw and label a map based on the reading.
Copy two important or interesting quotations from the reading.
Draw a portrait and write a short description of a person or character
in the reading.
Write two important facts or events from the reading.
Tell me how someone in the reading behaved.
Find and define two new or important words from the reading.
Mama narrates today!
So, it has been suggested to try the Narration Jar.
We pick a slip of paper after every reading from the Narration Jar, and narrate using the suggestion on the paper.
We're all set to go.
Printed, laminated and cut up, all we need to do is read, narrate, read, narrate, read, narrate!
Narration Jar Ideas (not mine)
Draw a picture from your reading.
Tell me everything you can remember about the reading.
Tell me the story back in your own words.
Answer questions Mama asks about the reading.
Ask Mama questions about the reading.
Let your animals or dolls act out the story.
Narrate to Mama.
Write down five sentences about what you read.
Play dice narration game - not quite sure what this game is, yet.
Think about another story or even that reminds you of what you just read about. Tell Mama about it.
Write down three sentences about what you read.
If you were giving a test on this reading, what are three questions you would ask?
Skip the narration today.
Model something out of play-dough while you tell me the story.
Write a letter about the story. Pretend you are one of the characters.
Draw and label a map based on the reading.
Copy two important or interesting quotations from the reading.
Draw a portrait and write a short description of a person or character
in the reading.
Write two important facts or events from the reading.
Tell me how someone in the reading behaved.
Find and define two new or important words from the reading.
Mama narrates today!
Wish List
Home Education Wishlist:
French Learnables CD set from Chariot Press
Weighted Keyboard - a Cassio Privia PX100
Music Lessons - piano
Order Apologia Elementary books
Colour Laser Printer
Tales from Shakespeare Studyguide from Homeschool Favourites
Poetry Primer from Homeschool Favourites
A Child's Garden of Verses ISBN 0877016089 - (looks wonderful with numerous illustrations by noted artists)
Things I Wish I'd Know by Diana Waring
Bach's Goldberg Variations by Anna Harwell Celenza
Personal:
miessence Hand Cream
Insulation
Dryer
Finish Flannel Quilt
Eat du pain in France
French Learnables CD set from Chariot Press
Weighted Keyboard - a Cassio Privia PX100
Music Lessons - piano
Order Apologia Elementary books
Colour Laser Printer
Tales from Shakespeare Studyguide from Homeschool Favourites
Poetry Primer from Homeschool Favourites
A Child's Garden of Verses ISBN 0877016089 - (looks wonderful with numerous illustrations by noted artists)
Things I Wish I'd Know by Diana Waring
Bach's Goldberg Variations by Anna Harwell Celenza
Personal:
miessence Hand Cream
Insulation
Dryer
Finish Flannel Quilt
Eat du pain in France
Excavations
They started here on the 17th February. We've put up with mud mud mud for nearly 3 months! The entire front yard is mucky. Since the excavations we have had rain rain rain.
Milly-Mollly-Mandy series
We managed to pick up the last three books to the series. We now have four.
Captain promptly read the last three and has rated them eight out of ten.
Captain promptly read the last three and has rated them eight out of ten.
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