Literacy:
This week we revised letter X with some writing, and learnt letter A using the Starfall sheets and website. Although the writing exercise lets you do capital and lower-case letters, we're mostly focusing on lower-case.
Maths:
Froglet got two new pages of raisin maths adding up to 8 and 9. I like to mix the results because otherwise I think he would quickly work out that the answer is always 8 (or whatever it is). When he's putting the raisins in the boxes, he always arranges them neatly: the first four in the four corners, then number 5 in the middle, number 6 at the top, number seven at the bottom and eight and nine on the left and right. Not sure what he'll do when we get to ten!
Telling the time:
We worked on recognising that it's "something o'clock". I discovered that although he can count up to 15 quite nicely, he actually doesn't recognise numbers beyond 9 at all, and is rather hazy on 6, 8 and 9. (7 is fine). So that's something else to work on.
Friday, 30 October 2009
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Froglet school week 1 - letter X
Like the blog title says, I'm not really homeschooling... but I do want Froglet to learn to read in English before he starts school in German next year. I've been teaching him sort of vaguely for about a year now, and he knows all the letters but just doesn't do much in the way of stringing them together. So now we are starting to work at it properly, every day.
Last week we concentrated on X, which is Froglet's initial. He played the x game on Starfall, as well as quite a few of the other letters for fun, and we read two phonics books that include x: The Red Hen and It (Floppy phonics). Then we printed out the x exercise sheet from Starfall and he learnt to write X. Last time I tried doing one of these sheets (a) he wasn't very interested but i think now he's four he must be just the right age because he did it quickly and happily and then we played noughts and crosses together. He even helped me draw the noughts-and-crosses board!
We also watched the "when two vowels go walking" song from Starfall and the longer version from Between The Lions, as we're reviewing EE this week too, and did the ee game on the starfall website.
We read the story of how Jesus washed the disciples' feet, and learnt the verse that says "I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you." I'm trying to do a verse and story for each letter. Here the relevant word is example. Then we talked about how we can/do serve others. (After this Froglet went down to the basement all by himself and got the washing out of the machine for me!)
We also did some raisin/smartie/peanut maths. We have these in a transparent folder so he can put the smarties straight on the page and I can just wipe it clean afterwards. So far I've only done pages that add up to 7 - next week we'll add up to 8.
And finally, something I've never done with him before either, patterns. He wasn't so excited about this but he enjoyed playing with his peg board for a while after he had copied a couple of the patterns and then tipped everything out again.
Last week we concentrated on X, which is Froglet's initial. He played the x game on Starfall, as well as quite a few of the other letters for fun, and we read two phonics books that include x: The Red Hen and It (Floppy phonics). Then we printed out the x exercise sheet from Starfall and he learnt to write X. Last time I tried doing one of these sheets (a) he wasn't very interested but i think now he's four he must be just the right age because he did it quickly and happily and then we played noughts and crosses together. He even helped me draw the noughts-and-crosses board!
We also watched the "when two vowels go walking" song from Starfall and the longer version from Between The Lions, as we're reviewing EE this week too, and did the ee game on the starfall website.
We read the story of how Jesus washed the disciples' feet, and learnt the verse that says "I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you." I'm trying to do a verse and story for each letter. Here the relevant word is example. Then we talked about how we can/do serve others. (After this Froglet went down to the basement all by himself and got the washing out of the machine for me!)
We also did some raisin/smartie/peanut maths. We have these in a transparent folder so he can put the smarties straight on the page and I can just wipe it clean afterwards. So far I've only done pages that add up to 7 - next week we'll add up to 8.
And finally, something I've never done with him before either, patterns. He wasn't so excited about this but he enjoyed playing with his peg board for a while after he had copied a couple of the patterns and then tipped everything out again.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Halloween
I have been seeing so much about pumpkins, dressing up, crafts and other items relating to Halloween recently. Some really cool ideas, others that gross me out - eeew spiders! And although I am a big fan of Harry Potter, I'm not actually so keen on Halloween, especially trick-or-treating. Fortunately we don't have to do anything much because this holiday isn't a big deal in Switzerland. We have our main dressing-up-as-monsters event at the start of Lent instead. It's basically Halloween for a whole week, minus the pumpkins.
But I wanted to join in the fun anyway by linking to this great post by Christine Sine at Godspace, called Getting Ready for Halloween. Whether you believe in celebrating Halloween or really don't like it at all, she has some interesting thoughts. Here's a quote to spark your interest:
Today there seems to be more talk about not celebrating Halloween because it has been so taken over by witches, covens and non Christian groups. But is that the right attitude? How could we redeem the celebration of Halloween and return it to the Christian celebration it once was? How can we enter into the joy and celebration of God’s rhythm of feasting and add to the fun rather than trying to kill it?
I may have more thoughts on this later but I have a German lesson to go to and homeschooling to plan. Where do all you homeschooling mothers find time to blog?!
But I wanted to join in the fun anyway by linking to this great post by Christine Sine at Godspace, called Getting Ready for Halloween. Whether you believe in celebrating Halloween or really don't like it at all, she has some interesting thoughts. Here's a quote to spark your interest:
Today there seems to be more talk about not celebrating Halloween because it has been so taken over by witches, covens and non Christian groups. But is that the right attitude? How could we redeem the celebration of Halloween and return it to the Christian celebration it once was? How can we enter into the joy and celebration of God’s rhythm of feasting and add to the fun rather than trying to kill it?
I may have more thoughts on this later but I have a German lesson to go to and homeschooling to plan. Where do all you homeschooling mothers find time to blog?!
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Things I want to do/make by myself!
Pinwheel bobby pins - I think these would be a cool gift for my little niece.
Danish* heart baskets for Christmas decorations. We used to make these with paper as kids, now I'd like to try with felt.
Finish my knitted blanket for the kids when in the car. It's only taken me a year so far...
That's all for now but I shall add to this list as time goes on, and put a link up in the sidebar like the joint crafts one.
*Random facts about me: I lived in Denmark as a baby, when we would divide our time between Germany and Copenhagen with my dad's job. I then studied Danish at university and lived in Copenhagen on my own for a year. Would love to go back. And the bulk of my translation work is now from Danish to English.
Danish* heart baskets for Christmas decorations. We used to make these with paper as kids, now I'd like to try with felt.
Finish my knitted blanket for the kids when in the car. It's only taken me a year so far...
That's all for now but I shall add to this list as time goes on, and put a link up in the sidebar like the joint crafts one.
*Random facts about me: I lived in Denmark as a baby, when we would divide our time between Germany and Copenhagen with my dad's job. I then studied Danish at university and lived in Copenhagen on my own for a year. Would love to go back. And the bulk of my translation work is now from Danish to English.
Monday, 21 September 2009
MTM - Childrens Lit
If you're looking for the Save One Mammy post, it's here.
Like I said last week, I'm really excited about this theme. I love books, especially childrens books. Click here to see what everyone else came up with.
Froglet and I picked Star Seeker as our book. It's actually on loan from a friend but we love it so much we're definitely going to buy a copy. We love the poetry, the illustrations and the explanations about the Solar System in the back. It's a great book for any kid interested in outer space.
Click on the photo to get a closer look... I think... Anyway clockwise from right we have:Mars, the red planet = bread roll covered in tomato paste
Fireworks on Pluto = yoghurt and raspberries with sprinkles
Moons and asteroids = cheese and pickled onions
Saturn = Pineapple rings and gold-wrapped chocolate
The Milky Way = frothy whipped cream with a gingerbread Bear and a pinwheel, representing the page you can see open (my favourite).
In case you can't read it, it says:
I'll spin like a pinwheel
Through the Milky Way's froth
Take a ride on the Great Bear
And never fall off
Through the Milky Way's froth
Take a ride on the Great Bear
And never fall off
Can you guess why cookies for Venus and fireworks for Pluto? :-)
The Law vs logic
Today I'm posting about something not relating to crafts, gardening or food! Amazing!
Actually the law has been an interest of mine for a long time - at one time I seriously considered becoming a lawyer - and the story of a friend of mine has jolted me back into that line of thinking.
Actually the law has been an interest of mine for a long time - at one time I seriously considered becoming a lawyer - and the story of a friend of mine has jolted me back into that line of thinking.
Now let's imagine for a moment that you are separated from your partner, the parent of your children. And that you have custody. Is it right that your ex-partner should get to decide where your child (and you) will live?
Secondly let's suppose that you are British and your ex is Irish. Each of you wants to live in your own country. You are currently living in Britain. We have two possibilities here.
1/ The ex moves back to IE, you remain put with child, they have visiting rights at weekends. This is fine.
2/ The ex takes your child back to IE against your will (you have custody, remember). You are still in the UK. This is known as kidnap. Is it ok legally? Nope. Will your child be returned to you by the Irish courts? Um, maybe. Maybe not. Last year there were 46 new cases of this sort in court in Ireland. It is a signatory to the Hague convention, which means that Ireland should send the child back, but in several cases they did not. Some legal experts are even complaining that Ireland is becoming a safe haven for "abductor parents".
Now - humour me for a moment - let's suppose it's the other way round. You both want to live in your own countries, but you're in Ireland. You still have custody though. Because you want to move away with the child, your ex needs to give official permission.
1/ The ex gives permission. Yay! You make sure they get very frequent visits. This is all wonderful.
2/ The ex does not give permission, even though you offer him a great deal. Your child is living in Ireland against your will, and you are stuck in Ireland against your will. Held hostage. Because if you leave, you will have to relinquish custody. And if you leave with the child, you will be charged with kidnap. Meanwhile as you stay you gradually become ill with the stress, loneliness, and worry.
Is this legal? Oddly enough, yes. Is it logical that it should be legal?
I think not. Surely when the courts grant custody of a child, they must pick the parent they think is better suited to look after that child and look out for its best interests. How is kidnap illegal, but holding someone hostage not?
Then again, who says the law has to be logical, or even fair? Well technically it's the courts that are unfair:
"Where parents cannot agree the Court can make a decision which might permit one parent to move away subject to rights of access in favour of the other parent."
They can. But evidently they don't. Even when the rights of access mentioned have been promised and would even be better than the rights of access the other parent currently receives. It seems the courts think living in Ireland is the best thing for a child regardless of whether they have been kidnapped or whether it is affecting the wellbeing of their main caregiver. I'm sure Ireland is a lovely place. But probably not that lovely, eh?
This situation has been real life for several years for the star of the Save One Mammy campaign, whose story you can read more about here. We hope and pray that in her case it will be resolved happily. But she's not alone. There are many other women out there - and perhaps some men too - who are going through this, and the number will only increase as globalisation leads to more international marriages. Hopefully by blogging about this we can raise awareness so the law will be changed. It shouldn't be all that hard for lawmakers to draft a clause that would state that where rights of access for the non-custodial parent are going to improve as a result of the move abroad, permission should be granted by the courts.
Secondly let's suppose that you are British and your ex is Irish. Each of you wants to live in your own country. You are currently living in Britain. We have two possibilities here.
1/ The ex moves back to IE, you remain put with child, they have visiting rights at weekends. This is fine.
2/ The ex takes your child back to IE against your will (you have custody, remember). You are still in the UK. This is known as kidnap. Is it ok legally? Nope. Will your child be returned to you by the Irish courts? Um, maybe. Maybe not. Last year there were 46 new cases of this sort in court in Ireland. It is a signatory to the Hague convention, which means that Ireland should send the child back, but in several cases they did not. Some legal experts are even complaining that Ireland is becoming a safe haven for "abductor parents".
Now - humour me for a moment - let's suppose it's the other way round. You both want to live in your own countries, but you're in Ireland. You still have custody though. Because you want to move away with the child, your ex needs to give official permission.
1/ The ex gives permission. Yay! You make sure they get very frequent visits. This is all wonderful.
2/ The ex does not give permission, even though you offer him a great deal. Your child is living in Ireland against your will, and you are stuck in Ireland against your will. Held hostage. Because if you leave, you will have to relinquish custody. And if you leave with the child, you will be charged with kidnap. Meanwhile as you stay you gradually become ill with the stress, loneliness, and worry.
Is this legal? Oddly enough, yes. Is it logical that it should be legal?
I think not. Surely when the courts grant custody of a child, they must pick the parent they think is better suited to look after that child and look out for its best interests. How is kidnap illegal, but holding someone hostage not?
Then again, who says the law has to be logical, or even fair? Well technically it's the courts that are unfair:
"Where parents cannot agree the Court can make a decision which might permit one parent to move away subject to rights of access in favour of the other parent."
They can. But evidently they don't. Even when the rights of access mentioned have been promised and would even be better than the rights of access the other parent currently receives. It seems the courts think living in Ireland is the best thing for a child regardless of whether they have been kidnapped or whether it is affecting the wellbeing of their main caregiver. I'm sure Ireland is a lovely place. But probably not that lovely, eh?
This situation has been real life for several years for the star of the Save One Mammy campaign, whose story you can read more about here. We hope and pray that in her case it will be resolved happily. But she's not alone. There are many other women out there - and perhaps some men too - who are going through this, and the number will only increase as globalisation leads to more international marriages. Hopefully by blogging about this we can raise awareness so the law will be changed. It shouldn't be all that hard for lawmakers to draft a clause that would state that where rights of access for the non-custodial parent are going to improve as a result of the move abroad, permission should be granted by the courts.
This post is part of the Save One Mammy campaign. Mammy is fighting for the permission to leave Ireland together with her English-born daughter and return home to England; something her estranged husband is trying to prevent by all means and for seemingly egotistical reasons only. Parental alienation, unfair hearings and a clear and blatant violation of every EU citizen’s right to free movement are just a few of the hurdles she has to overcome. Please help us to raise awareness and visit her blog to support her in her campaign.
Sources:
http://www.international-divorce.com/ireland_child_abduction.htm
http://www.rdj.ie/_fileupload/File/Child%20Abuse%20Feb%2009.pdf
Friday, 18 September 2009
Sweet seven-months
Nutmeg turned seven months last week. She celebrated by being incredibly grouchy all week, possibly a combination of teething and a cold coming on. Now she is happy again but suffering from a blocked nose. The night before last she woke five times where normally she would sleep through. But even when grumpy she is still the loveliest baby in the world.
This week you have started crawling.
You would rather be walking.
So you push your little bottom up into the air with your legs all straight like Mowgli, and advance like a caterpillar.
Our (second) little Frog!
So you push your little bottom up into the air with your legs all straight like Mowgli, and advance like a caterpillar.
Our (second) little Frog!
I am trying to baby proof the house and you are trying to follow me wherever I go.
Usually you get tired before moving more than a couple of feet.
Then you lie down and suck your thumb, or else flail your arms and cry loudly.
You also try to move objects out of your way by headbutting them.
So determined.
You adore your brother and try to follow him about when he's around.
Nothing he can say or do will stop you smiling sweetly at him.
Even when he throws a screaming fit.
No wonder he loves you so much.
Today he offered you a choice of two new rattles.
You chose the pink one.
My little girly girl.
You love solid food, and have only turned one thing down so far.
Banana.
The one thing all babies are supposed to like.
You cry when you want the potty, and then cry more if it's too late.
But if you were already naked you splash your feet in it and laugh.
And I don't even mind cleaning it up, because you're so sweet.
I could probably go on writing all night, because there are so many things I love about you.
And then Daddy could take over and write all day tomorrow.
We are so happy God gave you to us,
our lovely, wonderful daughter.
So determined.
You adore your brother and try to follow him about when he's around.
Nothing he can say or do will stop you smiling sweetly at him.
Even when he throws a screaming fit.
No wonder he loves you so much.
Today he offered you a choice of two new rattles.
You chose the pink one.
My little girly girl.
You love solid food, and have only turned one thing down so far.
Banana.
The one thing all babies are supposed to like.
You cry when you want the potty, and then cry more if it's too late.
But if you were already naked you splash your feet in it and laugh.
And I don't even mind cleaning it up, because you're so sweet.
I could probably go on writing all night, because there are so many things I love about you.
And then Daddy could take over and write all day tomorrow.
We are so happy God gave you to us,
our lovely, wonderful daughter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
