Blog Entries

Xavier and Math

amber@thenappyboutique.com.au — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:00:00 +0100

A few weeks back I started Xavier making steps using C-rods (OK on second thoughts it was probably a couple of months ago). He caught on very quickly and was happy to sort anything from shortest to tallest including the cut straws in one of our activity bags.

This week we started to make some connections. I brought out some number cards which we practiced putting in order 0 to 10. Then we built Duplo towers and matched them to the numbers. He immedia [...]

Picture Study - Van Gogh

amber@thenappyboutique.com.au — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Today we finished up our picture study on Van Gogh. Ethany and Xavier have really enjoyed learning about Van Gogh, both his life and appreciation of his paintings. Here is our Van Gogh wall, we have studied each of these paintings for 2 weeks. We have also completed our own version of several of his works.

Over this time we borrowed a number of books from th [...]

Workboxes, taking the homeschool world by storm

amber@thenappyboutique.com.au — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:00:00 +0100

There isn't a blog yet that I have looked at that has not had a comment on Workboxes and mine will be no different! I took a long time, looking, reading, learning, thinking about workboxes and how they may or may not work for my family. After all that thinking I decided it could work for us, but not how written.

Here are our Family Workboxes.

And this is how we use them.

& [...]

All About Spelling

amber@thenappyboutique.com.au — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:00:00 +0100

After much consideration and almost purchasing LEM Phonics I decided to get All About Spelling, and I am soooo glad I did!! We just LOVE it!!

As Ethany is reading fabulously I didn't feel it necessary to put her through normal formal learning to read phonics, and she hated Explode the Code with a passion! So I decided to move on to teaching spelling which provides a backdoor route for phonics and it is a hit.

Today we taught Bindi a few [...]

We are making a few changes

amber@thenappyboutique.com.au — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Owing to some changes occurring in our life at the moment we are at present unable to offer Dandy Bumz for sale. We are hoping to release our pattern at some point in the future so you can sew these wonderful one size nappies at home.

We have also changed our shipping policy. As we are homeschoolers and VERY busy during the week we will be posting all items on Saturday mornings. Postage will be on the Saturday following clearance of funds into our account. [...]

Ethany turns 5

amber@thenappyboutique.com.au — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:00:00 +0100

It is Ethany's Birthday today and we got her a pet mouse which she has named Annie. She is a very cute little mouse and Ethany picked her out at the shop herself.

I'm still here

amber@thenappyboutique.com.au — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Just wanted to drop in quickly to let everyone know that I am still here. We were having some major internet problems, then my beloved iMac died and we have just been super, super busy!! My Blog was the last thing on my mind.

Things are now getting back to normal so I hope to once again be posting regularly.

Ethany's Journal page today

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0100

A few random things

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0100

It's hard to get a good picture of Imogen, because as soon as she sees the camera she pulls a funny smiling kind of face and runs right towards you. Here are a couple of shots.

Being a little Mummy wiping her drink cup with the tea towel.

There's the face.
These are new boo [...]

Wordless Wednesday

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0100

A day in the life of Amber

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0100

7am - Up and dressed, then breakfast and morning chores. Started the morning with circle time at 9am. Xavier didn’t participate, he woke up on the wrong side of the bed, lol.

Went straight into math. Ethany did her review questions, she had a little trouble with sequencing numbers backwards so we will review that tomorrow. Her new topic today was ordinal numbers we made queues and race [...]

Our last Week or so

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0100

We had Russell home for a little bit and I got this happy snap. The kids all had to be up at the same time ofcourse!

I found this Marbled Gecko on my laundry window sill. This was very interesting because it is the first one we have found that has lost it's tail. They have false tails to fool their predators so when something grabs them they can d [...]

Pre-School Activity Bags

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Reading lots of blogs you find out what seems to be popular and at the moment pre-school activity bags seem to be getting a lot of mentions. After my previous posts about the kids enjoying the Montessori-ish activities that I whiped up for them I too am going down the activity bag path (I just don't have space for all that shelving true Monti requires).

These materials will not be used as a core program, just a time filler for when I am giving some 1 on 1 instru [...]

Happy Birthday!!

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Love Ethany

I can hear the clogs in Xavier's head

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Something is going on with my little man at the moment. A few days ago I shared his new found 1 to 1 correspondence, well today he threw himself into Reading Eggs and completed a lesson that has had him stumped for about 6 weeks now. He was actually reading some cvc words. So hold onto your seat for this ride it could be a rollercoaster! I think I will begin 100 Easy Lessons with him and see what happens.

Achievement

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Ethany passed her level at swimming today!! She now moves into Marlin's which she is very excited about. It sees the end of pre-school swimming and she will now go with the 'big' school kids for swimming. Unfortunately for me that means another trip to the pool each week for after school or weekend swimming. At this stage I think we will go with a weekend class as our schedule during the week is full enough and really I want to be spending a little more time at home ra [...]

Xavier's First Day

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Well today was a big day at our house. Xavier had his first official day of school, lol. He has been participating with Ethany's lessons since we started HSing but now he has things to do of his very own. He has his own school books, own tasks and his own special 1 on 1 time with Mum snuggling on the couch reading a book.

He did really well today. Not that much changed for him except I guess there was a little more structure for him whereas it has be [...]

4yo Curriculum

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Books to read aloud

Big Thoughts for Little People Peter Pan Winnie-the-Pooh The Velveteen Rabbit Madeline Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening The Clown of God Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel Make Way for Ducklings Brer Rabbit Book Milly-Molly-Mandy Stories Paintings and Children’s Verses of Australian Bush Animals The Complete Adventures of Peter Rabbit Shy the Platypus Dot and the Kangaroo The Magic Faraway Tree Children’ [...]

3yo curriculum

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0100

Books to read aloud

Jesse Bear, What will you Wear? The Little Rabbit The Runaway Bunny Where the Wild things Are Possum Magic Little Mouse’s Book of Colours Richard Scarry’s Best Little Word Book Ever! When I’m feeling Sad When I’m feeling Loved When I’m feeling Angry When I’m feeling Lonely When I’m feeling Scared When I’m feeling Jealous This is my Family The Saggy Baggy Elephant The Pokey Littl [...]

Decisions, decisions ...

bates.family@optusnet.com.au — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0100

isn't that what every Homeschooling Mum does figuring out what to do next (grin). Well I have just finalised my 3yo, 4yo and 5yo plans. Gosh, I feel like it has taken me forever! I really didn't have any plans to do anything for 3yo year but Xavier NEEDS the 1 on 1 time with me so why not make it productive, nothing fancy but atleast he will get something out of the year.

Loosely each year is Sonlight based but with my own CM spin, and also some books we a [...]