Today we returned our Viking hoard to the museum.

I've been reading up a bit on some of the 'Viking' tax systems, especially under the Christian transfer, which resulted in some raids occurring on other villages/places. Basically you were told your tax bill by some official ruling author...ities which you couldn't pay, you then, in order to save your own village, had to go off and raid somewhere else to get the payment and you needed extra to build a church too. It had nothing to do with Christianity but some bright sparks realised that it was a very effective way of lining their own coffers.

Norse Myths and Man and Animal

I have to say that so far I'm really enjoying learning with these as our focus.  The Norse Myths have always been stories I enjoyed.  I love the capricious nature of Loki and the stubborness and honourable mix of the other deities.

We picked up a box on Tuesday of Viking replica artefacts from our local museum. There is a linen shift and a woolen tabard type thing. There is also a replica Thor's hammer pendant and a drinking horn. 

Today, in the oven are 2 fimo Thor's hammer Mjolnir pendants and a piece of very fetching turquoise fimo with the imprint of the Viking comb in it. We also had a bit more of our Norse Myths and earlier in the morning I read the chapter on seals from Charles Kovacs' book.

Yesterday I wrote "Fields have been harvested, chickens are out making lots of squawking noises and there is a tinge to the leaves that says Lammas has been."

Last week Springy got her dream.  She got a pet hamster called Snuggle.  It is unfortunate though that said hamster has been unwell with 'wet tail' and also seems to have skin mites!  However, I complained to the pet shop and their vet has been treating her. 

The activities I recommend other than listening, writing summaries out on the board and popping stuff in the MLB are:

- using a lucet/knitting fork to make braid (handwork)
- getting a Scandinavian recipe or two - e.g. cinnamon buns and maybe something on rye bread 
- discussing how the length of night and daytime differ in Scandinavian countries
- dressing up in a linen shift and wear a woollen over Viking tunic
- making a Thor's hammer with Fimo modelling clay or beeswax
- asking your nearest museum if they can help you with a box of replica artefacts
- looking at Viking patterns for braiding and bookwork (so either try and make them or draw them)
- Read some runes - make some puzzles up by writing messages in runes and get your child to work them out


With the Charles Kovacs book I'm reading directly out of it.  I find he has a jolly style that is engaging Springy really well.

July 2011

We went to Chatsworth House, Chester Zoo, the Legoland in the Trafford Centre and generally had a really good week holiday visiting family.  Chester Zoo was amazing as usual.  They have so many habitats.  Our favourite was probably the new African Painted Dogs enclosure.  The dogs are beautiful in terms of their colouring and the way they stand.  It was an excellent trip to coincide with Class 4 Man and Animal.  I must admit to not really getting the way this is presented in Waldorf schools.  However, as zoology it is interesting and Springy was able to see a wide variety of the wonderful creatures that inhabit our planet.

Legoland mini was fun.  We went three times on the laser ride and Springy had a good time in the play section, climbing nets and sliding.  Chatsworth House was also very interesting.  The house had an outstanding collection of native crystals such as Blue Johnstone and there were two very large crystals - amethyst and rock crystal.  We enjoyed the garden there too, especially the maze and the rock garden (and the weeping tree fountain).

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Our current read aloud is The Witches by Roald Dahl.  It seems to be tying in nicely with Class 4 Steiner Waldorf.  The grandma is Norwegian and the witches are very similar to trolls.  The little boy in it also is transformed into a mouse which ties in with Man and Animal.