It's been a couple years (three?) since I've been here and I think it'll be good to be back. I will once again be using this blog to journal our homeschooling year. I will end *most* blog entries with the Nuts n' Bolts section of our weekly learning activities, mainly for Julie Johnston's (our awesome facilitator) and Mr. Fraser's (our new principal) reference and report card purposes.
My hopes for this blog is that it will keep me engaged in this schooling (or rather, unschooling!) process. It provides incentive to really deeply observe my children and their learning experiences then later distill it. And share with those that are interested!
I am excited too, because Lauren wants to add her own entries to the blog. Stay tuned for that!
So here we are 2013!! Lauren in Grade 4 and Matthew in Grade 2!!! *faint*
Every year the kids begin by creating Mind Maps. Essentially, it forms the basis of their self-designed curriculum. We will do this later today. Matthew just finished making rice pudding from start to finish, and Lauren is currently drawing her Four Element Tribe characters with matching outfits. She is beginning a story of how the universe came to be with Air, Fire, Water and Earth tribes creating it all....and how they worked together.
Here are today's mind maps:
Matthew's:
Lauren's:
Both children's mind maps are full of ideas and potential for adventure and rich learning. Each year we dive into many of them. I don't think we've ever got to ALL these ideas. But it is an excellent way to learn more about your child and his or her interests. I had to laugh at one of Matthew's entries: animal dung. Well, why not!? (we have this card game called the Dung Deck showing a variety of animal poop based on size, yuck factor, frequency, smelliness, etc! I must admit it is very interesting!).
Today it is grey, and windy and rainy. Thunder rumbling too. Suddenly Fall is here. So we are having a cozy inside day. So far it has looked like this:
and then lunch made for me by Lauren (see below):
A mind mapping, story writing and rice pudding making (and salad eating) kind of day!
Now, I shall sign off and go sign up these kids up for the activities on their mind maps- piano, swimming, violin, etc.! And it's only 1 o'clock! Matt is now playing at the neighbours house, another homeschooling family. Lauren is busy chatting my ear off about the new Tinkerbell movie.
This is my life and it is a good one.
Bye for now,
Joanne
No comments:
Post a Comment