The following is an approximation of the learning undertaken this term. Recording mostly academic work, relying on the children’s notes and my own. Obviously, far more learning occurred than was recorded here.
Swimming Carnival:
The children participated in our annual Swimming Carnival this Term. Children between them ‘cleaned up’ winning Medallions, Age Champions and all or many firsts.
A great day, and I do enjoy not being the main one in charge, just a helper.
Group Work:
Morning Basket: Daily selection of: Poetry and Shakespeare – Poet’s Pen & Tales of Shakespeare – RL Green.
We were quite consistent in our daily reads. The children plenty to say about Shakespeare, they felt his tragedies were rather ridiculous! If only the main characters spoke to one another and didn’t make assumptions! Lots of hot conversations ensued over the characters. It was wonderful to see their engagement.
During this time we read through our books of History, Science and Faith Reads, and our Read Aloud.
History Core:
Sebastian & Siena – Our Island Story by HE Marshall. Read 16 chapters. Covered the Coming of the Romans, Boudica, St Alban, Arthur, St Gregory, King Alfred, Edmund Ironside, the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, the War of the Roses, Richard the Lionheart and St Thomas a Becket.
Ignatius – A History of the English Speaking Peoples – Vol 1 – Churchill. Started but found it quite dry.
Science Core:
Sebastian & Siena – World of Biology – John Hudson Tiner. Read 18 Chapters. Covered Characteristics of living things, Plant vs animal cells, How organisms obtain and use energy, Mendelian genetics, Protists and fungi and Roles in ecosystems.
Ignatius – New Way Things Work – David McCauley. Started, explained well, but mostly information he knew.
Faith Core: Chief Truths of the Faith, began, stopped as we couldn’t get into it. Started a new book, and read 25 chapters.
Read Aloud: Siena and Boys – Began Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. Read 30 Chapters. It just didn’t capture Siena’s interest, boys liked it.
Weekly Writing Club – WC continues to be a success, and we are averaging 30 children a week.
The children all settled back into their various groups, the synergy as always was brilliant, and each of the facilitators extended the children.
This year I moved Siena into my group with Sebastian, a slight stretch for her, but she couldn’t handle the ‘immaturity’ of the behaviour in her, previously, predominantly boy group.
We are so blessed to have our weekly Writing Club, I love seeing the growth and development of all the children as writers.
Monthly Book Club – Book Club continues to be a huge success, new children joining each month! I love how the children are motivated and keen to read.
The Book Club Reads for our children were:
February: Ignatius read Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Sebastian and Siena read My Popper’s Penguins
March: Ignatius read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and S & S read The Hobbit by JR Tolkien
Ignatius
Dictation – 4 Lessons
Maths – 31 lessons
Writing: Ignatius continues his huge writing project this term!! He spends hours most days writing. A novel undertaking!
Faith – Joyful Beggar by Louis deWohl barely started.
History Novel: Slave of the Huns – Geza Gardonyi read most of it, nearly finished. Says ‘quite good’
Science Novel: Proud Eagle by Mary Patchett. Finished it.
Literature: Prince & the Pauper – Mark Twain finished! Enjoyed, says ‘decent’
Also read The Summoner The Novice, Battle Mage, The Inquistion by Taran Matharu, as well as other books.
Sebastian
Dictation: 16 Lessons. Sebastian continues to put in an amazing effort into his Dictation lessons and it continues to pay off. A huge improvement in his spelling, punctuation and recall. So proud of him.
Notebooking: 8 Lessons. Putting in a great effort.
Maths: 46 Lessons. Sebastian puts in the consistent work and gets great results.
Faith Novel: – St Edmund Champion by Harold Gardiner began and finished the book!. Always committed to finishing his assigned Faith Novel each term.
Science Novel: – Read Porcupine Twins by Jane Tompkins. Began and completed. Science and Nature Studies continue to be Sebastian’s favourite area of learning.
History Novel: – When Cobb & Co Was King by Will Lawson. Australian history studies, read the whole book! Finds the bushrangers period interesting.
Geography – 10 lessons online, focus on the countries of the world. Also the States of America. His knowledge is impressive.
Literature: – Royal Rangers Book 4 – John Flanagan was Sebastian’s assigned reading. However he then went on a huge reading binge and read the following as well!
Rangers Apprentice The Royal Rangers: The Missing Prince, Duel at Araluen,The Royal Ranger, The Red Fox Clan, and Escape from Falaise by John Flanagan. RA The Early Years The Tournament at Gorlan and The Battle of Hackman Heath by John Flanagan. Rangers Apprentice: The Siege of Macindor, the Kings of Clonung, Erak’s Ransom, Halt’s Peril, The Emperor of Nihon-Ju, The Lost Stories, Brotherband: The Stern Chase by John Flanagan, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, The Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling.
Wombat by CK Thompson, Wilds of the Wolf by Steve Backshall, Elephant Adventure and Safari Adventure and Underwater Adventure by Willard Price, Mission Survival Gold of the Gods by Bear Gryllis, Angie’s First Case by Donald Sobel and A Maven and Reeve Mystery The Fire Star and The Wolf’s Howl by A L Tait.
Siena
Spelling: 15 Lessons. A consistent effort this term, made great progress.
Dictation: 13 Lessons. Focusing energies on this area. Not Siena’s favourite topic but she reluctantly concedes its importance.
Narrations: 16 Lessons. Wonderful progress! Thrilled with the effort put in.
Maths: 31 Lessons. Great progress and application.
Faith Novel: My Bible Friends 1 by Maxwell – 16 Chapters. Siena has begun this series and really enjoying it
History Novel: John of the Sirius by Doris Chadwick – 16 Chapters. Finished the book and plans on continuing with the trilogy. Terrific Australian history.
Science Novel: The Black Bear – FV Vought – 19 Chapters. Finished the book, learning about Black Bears in North America
Geography: 9 lessons online, focused on the countries of Africa. Siena is incredible how she can name and locate all the countries of Africa!
Literature: 40 Chapters. Read the Lord of the Rings Book 1!! Impressive!! Wonderful to see her be so excited about reading. Continuing the rest of the Trilogy!
Also read, Greetings from Somewhere: The Mystery in the Forbidden City, The Mystery of the Secret Society, The Mystery of the Icy Paw Prints, The Mystery of the Coral Reef, The Mystery Across the Secret Bridge, Mystery of the Sus Spices, The Mystery of the Lion’s Tail, Mystery of the Gold Coin, Mystery of the Stolen Painting, Mystery of the Mosaic by Harper Paris
Music: Violin Lessons. Siena began violin this Term and has picked it up effortlessly! Her teacher is rather impressed with her 🙂