We've done the Old Testament stories in relation to The Creation, the story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden (which Springy thought was unfair), the tale of Noah and his Ark (and again Springy thought this was unfair against the animals who got left to drown), Joseph and His Coat and the story of Moses in the bulrushes. We went to see the Tutankhamun exhibit at the Musuem of Museums in December which tied in to Egypt and Moses.
We're reading Farmer Boy as our read aloud (although 9-year change Springy doesn't like it).
Springy can manage knitting basic knit stitches but I need to find her a teacher because I'm not getting it through in the right way to her. I also have a spinning contact (the same as the knitting tutor) who I hope can give her a lesson in spinning wool. She's done weaving before and also is a member of the Embroidery Guild so has done some interesting projects through that. I'd also like to get her going with crochet but again I'm limited in my own skills with it.
Our building was a willow dome. We still need to find a yurt to look at. We studied about igloos earlier in the autumn.
I still need to do more on weights and measures.
In relation to farming, we have some seed potatoes. Money is tight as usual but I'm hoping to get a raised planter to have some carrots and leeks or salad crops this year. I bought Springy a child-sized garden fork so she can dig up the back bed herself and turn it into her own vegetable patch (or flowers or herbs). I hope to get a little garden rake and hoe as well for her (I noticed her enthusiasm when she played with some real but child-sized tools the other week).
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label knitting. Show all posts
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Saturday, 25 July 2009
The Cat Who Decided
We still have our gorgeous dog. She's such an adorable dog, with spaniel-like ears and looks nothing like a Shih Tzu and more like a Tibetan Spaniel. She's out for a walk now with C and Springy. She can do high fives, sit, down, jump, woof and so on.
Our last read aloud was The Cat Who Decided by Margaret Forrester and at the end I cried. It was a wonderful story about a cat who does indeed get to decide on who his family is.
We just got Miquon Maths - the red and the blue book which I hope is the level where Springy is at and a little bit extra. We also have the Sonlight Science kit and Instructors Guides. I'm managing quite well with removing the Creationism stuff and don't feel at all offended by its inclusion (each to their own is something I've learnt a lot of with home education).
I just found these mandalas for Springy:
http://www.kidsweb.de/basteln/mandala/tier_mandala.htm
Springy's two wonderful Beaver leaders left this term and she made a knitting fork belt for each of them as a gift. She's really good at doing that now. I just need to get my confidence up with regular knitting so that she feels more confident about it (she can do it). I'm using feather yarn to make a scarf at the moment. It's really difficult to use as it's difficult to see and feel the stitches. However, I hope that when it is ready then Springy can use it as a dressing up item and pretend to be a bird with wings etc.
We have some new books for Springy - Magic Hoofbeats, The Year of Miss Agnes and some kind of unicorn book (from a series) called The Magic Bracelet. I need to get her book 1 of the latter though as I didn't realise they were a series. I've been using the Sonlight reading list ideas along with Chinaberry. It's a shame neither have a UK branch but it would be too costly to buy from them direct and then have them shipped over.
Our last read aloud was The Cat Who Decided by Margaret Forrester and at the end I cried. It was a wonderful story about a cat who does indeed get to decide on who his family is.
We just got Miquon Maths - the red and the blue book which I hope is the level where Springy is at and a little bit extra. We also have the Sonlight Science kit and Instructors Guides. I'm managing quite well with removing the Creationism stuff and don't feel at all offended by its inclusion (each to their own is something I've learnt a lot of with home education).
I just found these mandalas for Springy:
http://www.kidsweb.de/basteln/mandala/tier_mandala.htm
Springy's two wonderful Beaver leaders left this term and she made a knitting fork belt for each of them as a gift. She's really good at doing that now. I just need to get my confidence up with regular knitting so that she feels more confident about it (she can do it). I'm using feather yarn to make a scarf at the moment. It's really difficult to use as it's difficult to see and feel the stitches. However, I hope that when it is ready then Springy can use it as a dressing up item and pretend to be a bird with wings etc.
We have some new books for Springy - Magic Hoofbeats, The Year of Miss Agnes and some kind of unicorn book (from a series) called The Magic Bracelet. I need to get her book 1 of the latter though as I didn't realise they were a series. I've been using the Sonlight reading list ideas along with Chinaberry. It's a shame neither have a UK branch but it would be too costly to buy from them direct and then have them shipped over.
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
Springy's Goals for Autumn
Springy's Learning Wishes and Nice Things to Do
Autumn 2008
Learn how to knit (a toy)
Learn how to sew (pretend toy)
Maths – Times Tables (1, 3, 2, 10)
Multiply and Divide, Plus and Minus (numbers up to 20)
Learning how to do half pasts on the clock
Springy wants to visit a Butterfly Garden
Pretend the kitchen is the South Pole
Blackberry picking (more)
Make mummy play with my Beanie Babies
Play with Barbie dolls
Spelling: archaeologist, information, geologist, guineapig, learn how to knit toy lion
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
First Grade from Linden Waldorf school
I liked this summary of Class 1 (age 6/7 years) from the Linden Waldorf school:
"The first grade curriculum provides a context out of which language arts and math learning grow. It awakens capacities of memory and thinking. At this time in the first grade students’ lives, retaining content is less important than what content and form of presentation do to the children in terms of body growth, physical health and moral development.
History: Fairy tales, folk tales and nature stories cultivate imagination and awareness of environment and world.
Literature: Language is expressive in vocabulary, poems with strong rhythms. Fairy tales imagery gives way to reality of ideas and relationships.Geography: Wonders through observations of nature.
English and Grammar: Writing and reading evolve out of oral tradition. Instead of abstract symbols, the introduction of letters is as actual characters with which the children have a real relationship. Fairy tales and stories introduce each letter. In addition,straight and curved lines are observed in body, classroom, and world and practice through walking and drawing in air, sand, blackboard, and paper. Form drawings train motor skills, awaken powers of observation, and create a foundation for letters. Speech exercises, short plays, and class play are included each year.
Science: Stories from nature build awareness of and sensitivity to their surroundings and they are introduced to the kingdoms of nature through storytelling. Also, the children go outside twice a day to maintain a close connection to seasons and environment.
Mathematics: The children are introduced to whole numbers to 100. They learn qualities of numbers before learning addition or subtraction. What is oneness? What is there only one of in the world? Stones, acorns, and other natural objects are used to introduce counting. Considerable practical experience in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing is expected before written symbols are introduced. This qualitative approach stresses the natural experience of the numbers realm. Rhythms, mental arithmetic, Roman numerals, and number riddles reinforce skills.
Music: The children learn the pentatonic scale, in which all notes have a harmonious sound in any order they are played. Songs are based on seasonal themes. Playing the pentatonic flute develops finger coordination, concentration and breath control.
Artistic work: When painting, the children experience working with color, not creating formed pictures. Children imitate teacher’s work, drawing whole shapes, not filling in outlines. Feeling for form is encouraged through beeswax modeling and crayon illustrations. Form drawing, painting, beeswax modeling, knitting are also practiced."
Ref: http://www.lindenwaldorf.org/curriculum/grades/grade_1.html
In terms of handwork we have done Springy has started with knitting and has also done some weaving (for her dollshouse rugs). Her first knitting project was a plain knit rectangle which has been used in her dollshouse.
"The first grade curriculum provides a context out of which language arts and math learning grow. It awakens capacities of memory and thinking. At this time in the first grade students’ lives, retaining content is less important than what content and form of presentation do to the children in terms of body growth, physical health and moral development.
History: Fairy tales, folk tales and nature stories cultivate imagination and awareness of environment and world.
Literature: Language is expressive in vocabulary, poems with strong rhythms. Fairy tales imagery gives way to reality of ideas and relationships.Geography: Wonders through observations of nature.
English and Grammar: Writing and reading evolve out of oral tradition. Instead of abstract symbols, the introduction of letters is as actual characters with which the children have a real relationship. Fairy tales and stories introduce each letter. In addition,straight and curved lines are observed in body, classroom, and world and practice through walking and drawing in air, sand, blackboard, and paper. Form drawings train motor skills, awaken powers of observation, and create a foundation for letters. Speech exercises, short plays, and class play are included each year.
Science: Stories from nature build awareness of and sensitivity to their surroundings and they are introduced to the kingdoms of nature through storytelling. Also, the children go outside twice a day to maintain a close connection to seasons and environment.
Mathematics: The children are introduced to whole numbers to 100. They learn qualities of numbers before learning addition or subtraction. What is oneness? What is there only one of in the world? Stones, acorns, and other natural objects are used to introduce counting. Considerable practical experience in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing is expected before written symbols are introduced. This qualitative approach stresses the natural experience of the numbers realm. Rhythms, mental arithmetic, Roman numerals, and number riddles reinforce skills.
Music: The children learn the pentatonic scale, in which all notes have a harmonious sound in any order they are played. Songs are based on seasonal themes. Playing the pentatonic flute develops finger coordination, concentration and breath control.
Artistic work: When painting, the children experience working with color, not creating formed pictures. Children imitate teacher’s work, drawing whole shapes, not filling in outlines. Feeling for form is encouraged through beeswax modeling and crayon illustrations. Form drawing, painting, beeswax modeling, knitting are also practiced."
Ref: http://www.lindenwaldorf.org/curriculum/grades/grade_1.html
In terms of handwork we have done Springy has started with knitting and has also done some weaving (for her dollshouse rugs). Her first knitting project was a plain knit rectangle which has been used in her dollshouse.
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Knitted chick
Springy, Uncle C and I went to the cinema. It was the first time ever that Springy has seen a film at the cinema and we saw Wall-E. We really enjoyed it.
Later we went to a fantastic playground.
Chick Knitting Pattern:
Cast on 20 stitches.
Knit 2 rows
Increase to 30 stitches next row
Knit 7 rows
Increase at each end of next and alternate rows until 36 stitches.
Knit 1 row
Cast off 10 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows (so left with 16 stitches).
Knit 8 rows.
Thread wool through remaining stitches.
Sew eyes
Use a felt diamond for beak
Draw up thread to make head and stitch together.
Stuff head with wool
Tie piece of ribbon around neck.
Later we went to a fantastic playground.
Chick Knitting Pattern:
Cast on 20 stitches.
Knit 2 rows
Increase to 30 stitches next row
Knit 7 rows
Increase at each end of next and alternate rows until 36 stitches.
Knit 1 row
Cast off 10 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows (so left with 16 stitches).
Knit 8 rows.
Thread wool through remaining stitches.
Sew eyes
Use a felt diamond for beak
Draw up thread to make head and stitch together.
Stuff head with wool
Tie piece of ribbon around neck.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Sea Monkeys RIP
Our sea monkeys are no more. I've been watching the tank for a few weeks now, expecting to see little hatchlings but it would seem that they have come and gone as many times now, and won't be returning unless we set up a brand new tank.
Springy helped me do some work-related sticking today - great for her hand-eye co-ordination and she is so careful doing them + enjoys helping.
She's been playing with the Rainbow River animals from the Noble Knights set and I also asked her to watch from her bedroom window for birds. We watched a great tit feed, she saw some swifts (and added this bird to her RSPB/Usborne sticker book as having been spotted) and a wood pigeon.
I'm making another knitted piggy at the moment, as another friend has a small baby with a birthday.
Today is so wet; it's been raining and raining, non-stop. It's grey and miserable and...where has the summer gone? It's so offputting because it makes it difficult to go on walks (we had a nice walk in a stream yesterday evening though) and the garden is green but very, very wet (not good for our tomatoes and the currants have given up hanging on).
Springy helped me do some work-related sticking today - great for her hand-eye co-ordination and she is so careful doing them + enjoys helping.
She's been playing with the Rainbow River animals from the Noble Knights set and I also asked her to watch from her bedroom window for birds. We watched a great tit feed, she saw some swifts (and added this bird to her RSPB/Usborne sticker book as having been spotted) and a wood pigeon.
I'm making another knitted piggy at the moment, as another friend has a small baby with a birthday.
Today is so wet; it's been raining and raining, non-stop. It's grey and miserable and...where has the summer gone? It's so offputting because it makes it difficult to go on walks (we had a nice walk in a stream yesterday evening though) and the garden is green but very, very wet (not good for our tomatoes and the currants have given up hanging on).
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Learning to Knit - our way
I think the thing about knitting is that you have to be able to knit first yourself. This does not mean you have to be a brilliant knitter (I'm not) but knit around your child so that he or she will notice knitting.
I've been learning to knit for a few years now because...that's how long it has taken me and I still cannot knit a jumper or do anything fancy, or read a proper pattern. I've struggled but now my daughter is finally interested in knitting herself.
The book that has given me the most hope (for myself) is The First Book of Knitting for Children by Bonnie Gosse and this is our "book" to learn from. First off Springy has managed to finger crochet for a good while now and also managed to use a lucette (knitting fork) which we got from Myriad (it's a nice big chunky size, perfect to see what is going on with the wool for small people.
Today we did some more knitting. I find that big needles are working best along with thick yarn. This way it is easy to see the pattern the stitches make and easier to work out how to undo any dropped stitches and so on (won't call them mistakes as it is great to learn how to pick up stitches this way). Springy sits on my lap so we work together with the knitting - she can see what to do from her and my perspective and I can see from her and my persective too - we're working with the same view and the same hand positions etc. We talk about the stitches as sheep (based on the First Book of Knitting...) and every few rows we've been counting the stitches, as sheep, to check that they all got herded up.
I've let Springy set the length of duration - she loves knitting so she's happy to do 6-8 rows at a time (with 6 stitches on the row). I've used a wool which is very cheerful - it's 100% wool and is slightly tie-dye in appearance - purple, pink and so on. I think you've got to get them to think about what to make (not too many choices though because I didn't want to baffle her) - so we said either a blanket for the dollshouse or a scarf for a small doll - and because it will be the same either way it will work out in terms of its practical use.
The hand-eye co-ordination is great and she has to count stitches, use her memory (both kinetic and auditory - for the knitting rhyme) and so on. She's noticeably ready to learn knitting and that for me is great because it's not as if I'm having to "teach" her - she's observing, absorbing and learning it that way.
I've been learning to knit for a few years now because...that's how long it has taken me and I still cannot knit a jumper or do anything fancy, or read a proper pattern. I've struggled but now my daughter is finally interested in knitting herself.
The book that has given me the most hope (for myself) is The First Book of Knitting for Children by Bonnie Gosse and this is our "book" to learn from. First off Springy has managed to finger crochet for a good while now and also managed to use a lucette (knitting fork) which we got from Myriad (it's a nice big chunky size, perfect to see what is going on with the wool for small people.
Today we did some more knitting. I find that big needles are working best along with thick yarn. This way it is easy to see the pattern the stitches make and easier to work out how to undo any dropped stitches and so on (won't call them mistakes as it is great to learn how to pick up stitches this way). Springy sits on my lap so we work together with the knitting - she can see what to do from her and my perspective and I can see from her and my persective too - we're working with the same view and the same hand positions etc. We talk about the stitches as sheep (based on the First Book of Knitting...) and every few rows we've been counting the stitches, as sheep, to check that they all got herded up.
I've let Springy set the length of duration - she loves knitting so she's happy to do 6-8 rows at a time (with 6 stitches on the row). I've used a wool which is very cheerful - it's 100% wool and is slightly tie-dye in appearance - purple, pink and so on. I think you've got to get them to think about what to make (not too many choices though because I didn't want to baffle her) - so we said either a blanket for the dollshouse or a scarf for a small doll - and because it will be the same either way it will work out in terms of its practical use.
The hand-eye co-ordination is great and she has to count stitches, use her memory (both kinetic and auditory - for the knitting rhyme) and so on. She's noticeably ready to learn knitting and that for me is great because it's not as if I'm having to "teach" her - she's observing, absorbing and learning it that way.
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Strawberry jam
Our strawberry jam is so delicious. Yesterday we had it with croissants for our breakfast and today we had it on our toast. another favourite breakfast of ours is mackerel - Springy is partial to mackerel and we find that one fish is enough between us (not C) girls.
C used:
1kg strawberries
juice of 1 lemon
250g fructose sugar
You boil up the strawberries after mashing them (and hulling them - which was Springy's job), in a big pot.
Today I was working for most of the time. I've just finished editing a book. Springy and C went for a bicycle ride - Springy didn't want to go on her bike so she just ran alongside C! At the moment they are at the playground (which one I'm not sure) because Springy said she needed to run and play outside. It's a very windy day but it is sunny. My washing is outside on the line (and I hope it doesn't blow away).
Our potatoes were delicious but we could only make 1 meal out of them. I think I hadn't watered the potatoes at the bottom enough and so the dry soil meant they didn't grow very big. Next year I will know better. We ate one of our courgettes - Springy was fascinated by the large, orange flowers - it was delicious. We've got strawberries, tomatoes and blueberries yet to come (and the chives are continuing well).
I've made a knitted horse, a knitted pig and am in the process of stuffing and stitching a lamb. I'm really pleased at the progress with my own knitting because it will make it much easier for me to teach Springy.
We're going to my parents in a few weeks and I cannot wait because my Oma will be there too.
The day after the Solstice always feels a little sad for me because I think, oh the days will be starting to grow shorter again. I love the long days and I like waking up to the light.
C used:
1kg strawberries
juice of 1 lemon
250g fructose sugar
You boil up the strawberries after mashing them (and hulling them - which was Springy's job), in a big pot.
Today I was working for most of the time. I've just finished editing a book. Springy and C went for a bicycle ride - Springy didn't want to go on her bike so she just ran alongside C! At the moment they are at the playground (which one I'm not sure) because Springy said she needed to run and play outside. It's a very windy day but it is sunny. My washing is outside on the line (and I hope it doesn't blow away).
Our potatoes were delicious but we could only make 1 meal out of them. I think I hadn't watered the potatoes at the bottom enough and so the dry soil meant they didn't grow very big. Next year I will know better. We ate one of our courgettes - Springy was fascinated by the large, orange flowers - it was delicious. We've got strawberries, tomatoes and blueberries yet to come (and the chives are continuing well).
I've made a knitted horse, a knitted pig and am in the process of stuffing and stitching a lamb. I'm really pleased at the progress with my own knitting because it will make it much easier for me to teach Springy.
We're going to my parents in a few weeks and I cannot wait because my Oma will be there too.
The day after the Solstice always feels a little sad for me because I think, oh the days will be starting to grow shorter again. I love the long days and I like waking up to the light.
Friday, 2 May 2008
It's May
I was really ill last night. I have a cold and as the evening went on my ear got worse and worse. As a child I used to have lots of earache and would be dosed up on antibiotics (I'm now allergic to most antibiotics). It took me back. I used to scream and cry. Last night I cried and cried because the pain was so unbearable. My husband gave me some paracetamol and Ibuprofen to counteract it but neither worked (my limbs felt great though). In the end I went downstairs (dizzy as well) and crushed some garlic and stuck that in my ear. I felt it start to work - it burns but garlic has antimicrobial and anti-viral properties. My husband helped with some olive oil in my ear (took the edge off the garlic) and this morning I'm feeling loads better.
Anyway, the last few days we have been reading chapters from The Dolls House by Rumer Godden. We've been feeding the ducks who beg at our door for bread. Springy and C went on a bike ride yesterday afternoon whilst I did some work. We went shopping several times yesterday and this past week I knitted my daughter a guineapig.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25250744@N06/2438489679/
Anyway, the last few days we have been reading chapters from The Dolls House by Rumer Godden. We've been feeding the ducks who beg at our door for bread. Springy and C went on a bike ride yesterday afternoon whilst I did some work. We went shopping several times yesterday and this past week I knitted my daughter a guineapig.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25250744@N06/2438489679/
Monday, 23 April 2007
There and back again...
We had a lovely time at my parents' house. We went to a zoo, to the Chestnut Center for Owls and Otters (if we had gone a week later we would have seen the valley covered in bluebells), and a number of other things.
We went to the library - daughter likes the Oxford Reading Tree books ( we don't have them in our local library) and read a number to me at the library. She had a great time playing with cousins and also children of old friends of mine during our stay as well.
I managed to dye some wool using the leftover pink dye from our boiled Easter eggs. With a capful of vinegar the colour has stayed put (the wool looks like candy floss - it's a cochineal-based dye). Unfortunately we both picked up a bad cold whilst we were away and although daughter has recovered I've got pharyngitis (and I feel useless because I can't read or sing).
Today was French (usually I attend but didn't want to pass this on to the tutor) so daughter went in alone. I noticed daughter doing scissor legs (Enki stuff - well not Enki in origin but she's picked it up through that) around the garden today and she's getting very adventurous on the swing (fell off and bumped her elbow and then re-enacted same thing for daddy to show him how she had fallen off, only this time she bumped her head - fortunately not hard!).
She also went to the playground when the schools had finished. It's a good way to ensure social interaction (with an only child you need to make a lot more effort) by finding a good local playground and going on a regular basis. She has made some friends there who now bound over to her. I think they are fascinated as well because they know she doesn't go to school. After that we went to the library and I found a few knitting books with small items in. I've decided that I will stick to knitting small items because no matter how much I try anything larger eg a jumper goes wrong for me. I also got a feltcraft book out (I'm awful at handicrafts but enjoy doing them and reading up on the theories and then attempting the smallest item possible).
Tonight's dinner was a tagliatelle bolognese - olive oil, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, beef, smoky bacon
We went to the library - daughter likes the Oxford Reading Tree books ( we don't have them in our local library) and read a number to me at the library. She had a great time playing with cousins and also children of old friends of mine during our stay as well.
I managed to dye some wool using the leftover pink dye from our boiled Easter eggs. With a capful of vinegar the colour has stayed put (the wool looks like candy floss - it's a cochineal-based dye). Unfortunately we both picked up a bad cold whilst we were away and although daughter has recovered I've got pharyngitis (and I feel useless because I can't read or sing).
Today was French (usually I attend but didn't want to pass this on to the tutor) so daughter went in alone. I noticed daughter doing scissor legs (Enki stuff - well not Enki in origin but she's picked it up through that) around the garden today and she's getting very adventurous on the swing (fell off and bumped her elbow and then re-enacted same thing for daddy to show him how she had fallen off, only this time she bumped her head - fortunately not hard!).
She also went to the playground when the schools had finished. It's a good way to ensure social interaction (with an only child you need to make a lot more effort) by finding a good local playground and going on a regular basis. She has made some friends there who now bound over to her. I think they are fascinated as well because they know she doesn't go to school. After that we went to the library and I found a few knitting books with small items in. I've decided that I will stick to knitting small items because no matter how much I try anything larger eg a jumper goes wrong for me. I also got a feltcraft book out (I'm awful at handicrafts but enjoy doing them and reading up on the theories and then attempting the smallest item possible).
Tonight's dinner was a tagliatelle bolognese - olive oil, celery, carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, beef, smoky bacon
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