St Anthony Academy

Today in St Anthony's Academy

2010-03-15T22:45:00.004+11:00

Model making and painting

Pie...for Pi Day

Highlights of this week

2010-03-03T12:57:00.003+11:00

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Importance of Being Earnest ~ Wilde's play and the 1952 and 2002 movie versions.

First French Lessons

Computer Games ~ Open University

The Screwtape Letters

Fathers of the Church Lenten Reading Plan

Homeschool Teen Group

Mass for the start of Term 1 at Campion College

Late lunch at the Coffee Club, after serving at a funeral.

Weekly Mass and Novena to St Anthony

Installation mass for Bishop Anthony Fisher op

Stations of the Cross

Youth Group ~ CorYouth

The Giver by Lois Lowry ~ Writing Memories

Kumon Maths

Making Welsh Rarebit for the feast of St David..and Pasta and Garlic Bread for today, the feast day, of some of the Franciscan patron saints for the year ( Thomas, Alexander and Luke's saints-from-the-basket-on-the-Epiphany)

And many other things...including chores, work at Kumon, volunteer work, games and music..but no time this week for Latin or piano lessons. Sigh.

Movies and Media Literacy

2010-02-17T22:51:00.003+11:00

This week, February 15, we are watching movies and initiating discussion on film as text.

What film?

The Dr Who special

Doubt

Stargate

The Cardinal

What discussion?

Be Your Own Film Critic discussion questions ~

Image—What We See

In what spaces or locations did the filmmaker choose to shoot the scenes? (indoor, outdoor, daytime, nighttime, real life building, stage set...)
What objects or staging elements help to tell the story? (props, costumes, wardrobe, backgrounds, furnishings, special effects, models or miniatures...)
What moves during the clip? (actors, props, background, lighting, the camera...)
The clip was screened on a flat television screen but appears to have depth? Why?(placement of foreground and background elements, relative size and brightness of objects, focus changing from one part of the picture to another...)
How would you describe the lighting in the clip? (bright, dark, shadowy, changing, colorful, muted, gloomy, realistic, other-worldly...)
Why are some characters seen in close-up more often than others? What does camera framing tell us about the characters? (close-ups and/or prominent placement in foreground denotes importance, wide shots give "geography" of scene, low angles suggest a threat...)

Sound—What We Hear

How many separate types of sound appear in the clip? What are they? (dialogue, music, sound effects, natural sounds...) How many are heard at one time?
How would you describe the sound of this clip? (bright, dark, lively, solemn, rich, sparse, harmonious, dissonant . . .)
If you close your eyes and listen to the clip can you describe what's going on?
How did the filmmaker use microphones and sound equipment creatively? (using a variety of musical instruments, distortions, rising or falling volume, combinations of sounds, use of silence...)
How do the different elements work together to create a sound atmosphere? (one sound louder than another, off-screen sounds, musical moods, dramatic emphasis, sound traveling from one speaker to the other...)

Organization—How It's Put Together

How many times do the pictures change in the clip? What kinds of techniques does the filmmaker use to make the changes? (fade to black, dissolves, special effects, revealing detail, action continuing from one picture to another . . .)
How did time pass in the clip? (time was expanded or compressed, real "clock" time, slowly, in a rush...)
How would you describe the rhythm and pacing of the clip? (fast, slow, changing, building, descending, soothing, discordant...)
How did the filmmaker build suspense and interest in the story? (music, locations, tempo, dialogue, character and story development...)
Did the filmmaker put the pictures and sound in a logical order to tell the story? (sequence, timing, balance, believability...)

Expressive—How We Feel

What feelings did you experience while watching this clip? What elements contributed the most to these feelings?
Do you think people act in real life the way they do in the film? (stereotyping, realism...)
What kind of people might react negatively to this clip? What kind of people might react positively to it? Why? (women, minorities, certain nationalities...)
What might have influenced the filmmaker in making this film (personal experience, ethnic origin or nationality, political point of view...)
If you were to make a film on a similar subject or story, what would you do differently? What would you do the same?

Looking at art and at picture books this week.

2010-02-08T10:19:00.002+11:00

A monthly art theme - explanation here.

A picture book is a story told in words and pictures. Each makes an important contribution to the way the story is told, the meaning created.

A picture is not the same as an illustrated story: there the words alone could tell the story and the illustrations simply break up the words or decorate the text...In the best picture books, the illustrations are absolutely necessary. They carry parts of the story or narrative and in some cases the language is dropped and the pictures alone are all that is needed.
Libby Gleeson. Making Picture Books, 2003. p. 2

Maths week of Feb 1

2010-02-07T14:23:00.003+11:00

Studying the novel and TV series

2010-02-01T08:35:00.003+11:00

The novel Cranford by Elizabth Gaskell and the ( reasonably recent) TV series.

Is the town of Cranford a glimpse of Utopia..St Thomas More's idea of everyone living and working together, of community..Modeled on Plato's Republic, written in Latin, finished and published in 1516, it describes an imaginary land, purged of the ostentation, greed, and violence of the English and European scenes that More surveyed. Did More write this tongue-in-cheek? Did Gaskell?

Or is Cranford a statement on women's roles, at that time?

In the first place, Cranford is in possession of the Amazons; all the holders of houses above a certain rent are women. If a married couple come to settle in the town, somehow the gentleman disappears; he is either fairly frightened to death by being the only man in the Cranford evening parties, or he is accounted for by being with his regiment, his ship, or closely engaged in business all the week in the great neighbouring commercial town of Drumble, distant only twenty miles on a railroad. In short, whatever does become of the gentlemen, they are not at Cranford. What could they do if they were there?

This week, we are also looking at The Giver by Lois Lowry - is Josh's society meant to be Utopia, yet ends up being a dystopian society, full of horror...who has the right to say whether a child will live?

Using literature as a model text for student writing is widely regarded as a sound strategy for engaging students, both as readers and as writers. This practice is especially effective when the connection between model text and student writing is reflexive, as in the case of The Giver, in which storytelling and memories are central to understanding and appreciating the literature. Students should be led to understand, as Jeffery Wilhelm notes in You Gotta BE the Book: Teaching Engaged and Reflective Reading with Adolescents, that storytelling is "a primary way of knowing and organizing our personal knowledge of ourselves and the world. Storying defines humanity, makes us human, empowers us in being who we are, and makes it possible for us to conceive of being more than we are" (52-53). Reading stories about memories and storytelling while writing such stories themselves, students build literacy skills and gain an appreciation of the importance of narrative and history in their lives.

And then there is The Catcher in the Rye - author J.D. Salinger passed away this week. "I almost always write about very young people"

Science, Week of January 25

2010-01-27T19:07:00.001+11:00

Experiments on or with electromagnetism .

Plans Monday January 18...2010!

2010-01-18T20:28:00.002+11:00

Monday
Kumon Maths
Chemistry
Alexander work on translating essay from Italian
Reading and discussion
Gaming and social networking
Fitness and trampolining
Anthony at friend's for role playing games/miniatures
Guitar and piano
Pollack - info and art
Current events
Work at Kumon
St Margaret of Hungary
Social with visitor

Tuesday
Chores and cooking
Anne of Green Gables class with otyher homeschoolers
Politics and Poleconomy
Socal, games, tablw tennis with friends
Alexander work at Kumon
Salmat junk mail folding
St Anthony Mass and serve
Reading
Movies

Wednesday
St Sebastian
Salmat work
Religion reading and discussion
Current activities
Computer
Cooking
Time with friends
Music
Movies

Thursday
Kumon Maths
Latin
Alexander translating essay
Work at Kumon
Cooking
Budget and money
Fitness
Chores and Life Skills
Reading
Computers
Games
Discussion
St Agnes

Friday
Mass and serve
Volunteer work
Kumon maths
Essay writing
Reading and discussion
Movies and discussion
Alexander work at Kumon

January 2010

2010-01-13T21:45:00.000+11:00

MATHEMATICS
Kumon Maths
Strategies for game playing with friends

ENGLISH
Reading and discussion - new Anthony Horowitz, Mass and the Sacraments, Mere Christianity, Biggles, Heretics, The Giver.
Journal writing
Movies and discuss plot elements and techniques - Gran Torino, The Mummy, The Proposal

SOCIETY& ENVIRONMENT
Visit to Melbourne - art galleries, explore area and trams;Springvale and multi culturalism, Acmi, cathedral, Fitzroy Gardens, Captain Cooks cottage, Federation Square, Weribee open zoo and Werribee Mansion.
Current events - Haiti earthquake, new Bishop of Parramatta.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Computer and internet
Cooking
Models for game playing
See Society & Envt above

ARTS & LANGUAGE
See Society & Envt above.
Latin prayers and quotes
Piano practice
Journals
Music appreciation - classic masterpieces

HEALTH PE PD
Work at Kumon and Salmat
Walking
Religion reading and Mass
Plans for day and week

Log December!

2009-12-03T12:28:00.002+11:00

We have been reading about the saints - St Andrew, St Francis Anthony Fasani, St Elizabeth of Hungary, St Francis Xavier; reading about Advent; choosing spiritual reading for Advent ( Heretics G K Chesterton, Mass and the Sacraments Fr Laux, Mere Christianity C S Lewis, Pius X, The Way of Perfection St Teresa of Avila); praying the novena to Our Lady for the feast of the Immaculate Conception; discussing mass and rubrics and prayer...

Students value and implement practices that promote personal growth and well being.
Students understand cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia

Maths has continued with Kumon Maths study ( volume, graphs, quadratic functions) ; game playing; planning budgets and comparison shopping; talking about the family budget, about house buying and shares...

Students select,integrate and apply numerical and spatial concepts and techniques.

Lots of discussion - liturgy, movies, decision making, relationships,,,and movies with friends, family friends, family , online - Star Wars nerd quotes, quips, The Kingdom of Heaven, Alien Vs Predator 2, Alien, 310 to Yuma, Christmas With the Cranks.

Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others
Students understand their cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia
Students understand and appreciate the physical,biological and technological world and have the knowledge and skills to make decisions inrelation to it.
Students select, use and adapt technologies.

We have sung Latin hymns and carols..studied Latin with Lingua Angelica and Latina Christiana..some Latin translation..some Italian translation..Chinese study and exam...essay for course for Catholic Education Centre..French class with other homeschoolers.

Students interact with people and cultures other than their own and are equipped to contribute to the global community.
Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others

Anne of Green Gables literature class...vocabulary, reading, discussing, drawing descriptions, poetry, learn about medieval times, writing reviews, talking about editing writing precisely and specifically, learn about wincey and geography and nature.

Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others
Students understand their cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia.]
Students understand and appreciate the physical,biological and technological world and have the knowledge and skills to make decisions inrelation to it.
Students participate in creative activity of their own and understand and engage with the artistic, cultural and intellectual work of others.

Discussion about politics, Church politics, the Liberal Party, new leader.

Students understand their cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia.

Junk mail delivery, Kumon assistant work, attend Mass, serve at mass, chores, cooking, housework!

Students value and implement practices that promote personal growth and well being.
Fitness exercises, walking, trampolining, Bocci, park equipment play, active games with friends.
Students value and implement practices that promote personal growth and well being.

Computer and video games; Singstar; listen to music; band practice, piano practice, play at Youth Mass, music lessons.

Students select, use and adapt technologies.
Students participate in creative activity of their own and understand and engage with the artistic, cultural and intellectual work of others.

Volunteer work and meetings in the parish.

Students select, use and adapt technologies.
Students value and implement practices that promote personal growth and well being.
Students interact with people and cultures other than their own and are equipped to contribute to the global community.
Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others
Students select,integrate and applynumerical and spatial concepts and techniques.

Map making and map comparisons, role playing games, writing on their novels, reading - The Water Babies Kingsley, Skipping Christmas John Grisham, Coming Up For Air George Orwell, The Secret Life of Bees, Ballet Shoes Noel Streetfield.

Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others
Students understand their cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia.
Students understand and appreciate the physical,biological and technological world and have the knowledge and skills to make decisions inrelation to it
Students participate in creative activity of their own and understand and engage with the artistic, cultural and intellectual work of others.

This week

2009-10-30T00:42:00.000+11:00

Want to see some of Anthony's unschooling week? Check here.

Beach Biology

2009-10-20T16:05:00.002+11:00

Yesterday, Anthony researched plankton and types of plankton. Who knew there were so many different types of plankton?

Plankton consist of any drifting organisms (animals, plants, archaea, or bacteria) that inhabit the pelagic zone of oceans, seas, or bodies of fresh water. Plankton are defined by their ecological niche rather than their phylogenetic or taxonomic classification. They provide a crucial source of food to more familiar aquatic organisms such as fish.
Though many planktonic species are microscopic in size, the plankton includes organisms covering a wide range of sizes, including large organisms such as jellyfish.

Thomas completed his Chinese assignment. We went to a Latin Mass, talked about St Peter of Alcantara, all did maths, reading, music, chores, work at Kumon. Then pizza and talk about Fiji with friends.

Today? Latin Mass again - and mass and Novena tonight for St Anthony. Movie Club tonight - Surrogate, a sci fi film with Bruce Willis. French Class - researching France and sharing of info. Table tennis and Monopoly with friends. Guitar hero. Reading. Mere Christianity.

Our lady of Fatima

2009-10-13T08:39:00.002+11:00

Our Lady of Fatima. Today.

And I am responsible for posting a novena to the Unschooling Catholics list, a novena for families, to St John Bosco, starting today.

Good luck! I am often remiss at posting. Even here at logging what we do.

Why? I used to document faithfully but , now, well, I know the State requres it, but I just see kids learning, sometimes a lot, sometimes, a little and the need..urge..desire ...to document just isn't there!

What have we been up to you?

Well, Anthony just asked Greg - Is talking of God here, in the accusative case? He is reading his birthday book, a primer on the ancient language Akkadian.

So, Akkadian is on the list of educational things we do...Thomas is studying Chinese through Open University..Alexander and I just completed a unit on Christian prayer for certificate courses in Religion.

Thomas and Anthony continue Kumon Maths study. Religion reading has been about the Cure of Ares; from Fr Laux's book Mass and the Sacraments; living - discussing - celebrating - reading about the liturgical year. I have Mere Christianity out for Thomas to read this week.

We've done Latin, mostly translating hymns and prayers, using Lingua Angelica and listening to the oh-so-calming CD.

French class. Cooking. Volunteer work at the parish ( Gardening! Chickens! Woo hoo!).

Anthony has started his beach biology project - wave diagrams, ocean zonation, why waves break what causes waves of different sizes et al, will start a labelled shell collection after our trip to Wollongong.

Writing. Music Piano. Games. Work at Kumon and Salmat. Lots of reading, including Dracula and War and Peace. Lost of movies. Time with friends. A Singstar party. Role playing games. Visitors.

Blogging. Internet research. Questions. discussion, follow up, talking about books and movies...Current events...Facebook ( is that educational??).

St Wenceslaus

2009-09-28T12:50:00.002+10:00

Good King Wenceslaus went out.. from Good King Wenceslaus

Mamma, just killed a man....from Bohemian Rhapsody

Today is the feast of St Wenceslaus - we read about the saint, about Bohemia now part of the Czech Republic, about how he was murdered by his brother, about the songs above. ( Society & Envt; English; Religion; Arts)

Went to a Latin Mass.( Religion; Language)

Played computer games. ( Computer)

Practiced the piano and guitar. (Arts)

Read the Sydney Morning Herald online. ( English; Society & Envt)

Worked on maps, free drawing, for LOTR.( Arts; Society & Envt; English)

Wrote part of a short story. Worked on essay for religion unit. ( English)

Did cleaning and tidying up and organising chores.( Personal Devt)

Kumon Maths ( Mathematics)

Chinese assignment. ( Language)

Latin - read altar serving manual, write out and practise responses; translation ( Language)

To come - work at the Kumon centre, reading, cooking. ( Work Ed; English; Food & Technology)

Plans for the Week of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

2009-09-13T17:25:00.002+10:00

Kumon Maths

Chinese study Thomas

Work on Religion unit Alexander

Botany project, Harry Potter, Anthony

Research project on types of crosses and crucifixes

Read about Our Lady of Sorrows and pray the Dolores Rosary

Serve at Mass

St Anthony Mass and novena

French class with other homeschoolers

Lunch out and visit Borders with other homeschoolers

Junk mail delivery

Religion reading - Guide For Young Men

Writing summaries

Piano lessons and music practive

Games afternoon with other homeschoolers

Latin - Lingua Angelica; other

Morning tea with parishioners

Kumon Centre work

Computer

Watch The Reluctant Saint

Movies and discussion

Silent reading and book discussion

Cooking

Chores

Skateboarding lessons with Teen group and active social at the Olympic park

Youth group

Play in youth band and serve at Youth mass, help with and social at supper after

Emails and facebook

Current events - daily check and discussion ninemsn

Monday Sept 7

2009-09-13T17:13:00.002+10:00

Mathematics
Students select,integrate and apply numerical and spatial concepts and techniques.
Kumon Maths
Role playing games
Cooking
English
Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others
Reading and discusion
Movies and discussion
Creative Writing - Harry Potter unit
Reading sermon of St John Damascene and discuss history, language, use, homilies, public speaking
Blogging, emails, Facebook
Writing activities, storyboard, crossword puzzle activity at Catholic Homeschoolers
Library
Society & Environment
Students understand their cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia
Reading sermon of St John Damascene and discuss history, language, use, homilies, public speaking
Current events
History of liturgical year and feast Nativity of Our Lady
Library
Technology
Students select, use and adapt technologies.
Computer
Cooking
Library
Phys Ed, PD, Health
Students value and implement practices that promote personal growth and well being.
Serve at Mass
Catholic Homeschoolers
teen group @ Rouse Hill
Youth group
Kumon
Junk mail
Bike ride
XBX programme
Trampolining
Language
Students interact with people and cultures other than their own and are equipped to contribute to the global community
Latin - Lingua Angelica and CD
Latin prayers
Chinese revision
Arts
Students participate in creative activity of their own and understand and engage with the artistic, cultural and intellectual work of others.
Lingua Angelica
Saints and Art
Music practice
Play in youth band @ Mass
Music appreciation

This week so far...

2009-09-01T08:36:00.004+10:00

On Monday, the kids did fitness, Kumon Maths, worked on language assignments, internet research, Anthony worked on a Science and Society & Environment project from the book Science Is... survival techniques on the moon! Gaming, reading, book and movie discussions, piano, guotar, work at Kumon, watch Premonition with Sandra Bullock and discuss possible endings and how directors/writerd create tension, prayers in Latin and English. And we went to a Latin Mass.

Tuesday, today, we plan on table tennis, bike rides, French class and active games with friends, work at Kumon and at junk mail delivery, Mass and Novena and serve at Mass. Reading? Anny - The Aeneied; Thomas - War and Peace. And the Akkadian language book just arrived in the mail - Introduction to Akkadian. Anny is rapt! We also have to do our September bulletin board..thinking about a wall for the Year of the Priest.

Wednesday Junk Mail delivery and help friends with their work ( Work Education); read about the saints for the week; work on personal projects ( Latin, Akkadian, study for Chinese and Italian exams, silent reading, role playing game creation); music lessons; games with friends

Thursday Maths; Latin, exam prep, baking, work at Kumon, movies and discussion, music practice, fitness; mass for the Year of the priest and breakfast out with others from the parish

Friday Mass and serving; Open Uni exams; skateboarding lesson and free skate; active social games and lunch with other homeschoolers @ Olympic Park

Log Aug 24 and on

2009-08-27T22:24:00.003+10:00

Monday ~ Kumon Maths, Chinese and Italian assignments, Harry Potter unit - Hagrids';letter and research/report/diagram re bats, games, reading,music, fitness, work at Kumon, Stargate Atlantis and discussion.

Tuesday ~ Work ed- Junk mail delivery, French class - movies, games with friends, Work ed - Kumon, chores, mass and novena, serve at Mass, finish SG series and talk about other possible endings, characters, etc, silent reading, prayers in Latin.

Wednesday ~ Food and Technology - cooking; computers, mini golf and games with friends, junk mail delivery, help with dinner and Kumon reports, reading, Akkadian, writing on novels, music, watch Willow and discuss fantasy genre.

Thursday ~ Kumon Maths, Chinese and Italian, work on novels, Latin - Lingua Angelica and Gregorian Chant, reading,music, bike ride, work at Kumon, watch old Disney films, computer

Friday ~ Junk mail delivery, mass and serve at Mass, movies - GI Joe, lunch and conversation, reading, Youth group, cooking, games

Week of Monday August 11

2009-08-10T23:07:00.004+10:00

Mathematics
Students select,integrate and applynumerical and spatial concepts and techniques.
Kumon maths
Roleplaying games
Game theory and strategies
Tables and graphs
Measurement - cooking
Consumer education - budgets and banking
English
Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others
Silent reading
Internet writing - blogs, facebook
Report writing - film review Harry Potter, fun fast facts about chickens , on leaflet Priests
Descriptions and lists for games
Discussion group Catholic Homeschoolers
Language
Students interact with people and cultures other than their own and are equipped to contribute to the global community.
Latin - Grammar, Latin Mass
Akkadian and culture
Chinese/Italian assignment
Arts
Students participate in creative activity of their own and understand and engage with the artistic, cultural and intellectual work of others.
Music practice and lessons
Appreciation
Artowrk for Harry Potter unit
Technology
Students select, use and adapt technologies.
Computer troubleshooting
Blogs and Facebook
Gaming
Cooking
Model making
Society & Environment
Students understand their cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia.
Ancient history - reading
Current events
Cultural and societal differences and changes - Ashes to Ashes, life in the 1970s, 1980s, now
Saints reading - their lives and societies and times - St Lawrence, St Clare, Mary Mackillop, Edith Stein
Chickens - history
Auschwitz and St Maximilian Kolbe
Phys Ed, PD, Health
Students value and implement practices that promote personal growth and well being.
Fitness
trampolining
Nutrition discussion
Meeting and social with Catholic homeschoolers
Work ed - Kumon, Salmat
Religion reading and discussion
Science
Students understand and appreciate the physical,biological and technological world and have the knowledge and skills to make decisions inrelation to it.
Experments and lab book Harry Potter unit
Visit to Australian Museum
Chickens - skeletons
The human mind and memory, discussion re research and findings

Second Week of the School Holidays

2009-07-23T23:31:00.002+10:00

1. Kumon Maths. Of course.
2. Work on the Sydney Harbour Bridge booklet - research, share, write up information the New Guard.
3.Social with friends - games, active play, chats, friend over for sleepover, priests for dinner, conversation.
4. Fitness and Wii Fit Resort.
5. Attend/serve at Mass Extraordinary Form - Latin.Attebd Night prayers @ conference.
6. Read about St Bridget of Sweden, St Mary Magdalene and Pope JP2's Motu Proprio re C-Patrons of Europe.
7. Chinese study and Latin revision.
8. Discuss SCENE - attene Catholic Underground, Youth Mass and supper and help out, talk about pub talks.
9. Write reports on recent reading - The Cure of Ars, the Introduction to the Pope's new encyclical.
10. Work education - Salmat and Kumon.
11. Movies with youth group ( The Proposal - thumbs down) and with family and friends ( Harry Potter - thumbs up). Movie discussion and book comparisons.
12. Cooking.
13. Attend lecture on Eclipse of Christianity:Expedition to Pontus and discuss style, history, archeology.
14. Lunch at Pancakes on the Rocks @ the Rocks with other homeschoolers - wander through history of the Rocks area.
15. Read Harry Potter and Jane Austen.

One Has To Love Unschooling

2009-07-17T23:22:00.003+10:00

One has to love unschooling! My kids do more "schoolwork" in the "school holidays" than they do in school terms! Maths, Chinese, Italian, Latin, making a video, research on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, reading the new encyclical and The Cure of Ars, catching up on Harry Potter books, on Rosemary Sutcliffe novels and on Jane Austen! Plus Mass, read and talk about the saints, Catholic homeschoolers, Mass and serving at Mass, hanging out with friends, Arkadian, Internet time, games and a nature walk at Rouse Hill Regional Park.

This week, end of June, beginning of July

2009-07-05T11:08:00.003+10:00

What have we done this week? A conglomeration of both planned and unplanned activities; of both directed and undirected activities; of the usual and the different.

Kumon Maths, of course. We have a chart on the fridge, to keep us on track with Maths and the completion of the programme.

Religion reading ~ Saints of the day, the missal in mass in Latin and in English, a biography of St John Vianney, the Cure of Ars.

Serving at mass.

Fitness. Trampolining.

Computer skills.

Work education ~ at Kumon and with Salmat.

Cooking and decorating and organizing for a birthday. Lunches and dinners and morning tea with friends!

Study of Chinese, of Italian, Latin Grammar, Arkadian and Arkadian history.

Writing skills. Research.

Watch We Were Soldiers and read about, talk about the Vietnam War.

Talk about politics, about debating, about political parties and "leaking" and current events.

Teen Group at the Sydney Museum and read about Sydney Town and history.

Piano lessons and practice.

Roleplaying games. Cards. War strategy board games.

Read more of Jane Austen. Read about growing up and issues in Listen Son.

Movies with friends. And discussion - what does it mean to human?

Listening to Michael Jackson CDs and talk about music and trends. And pray.

Thursday and Friday

2009-06-27T10:24:00.002+10:00

Library. Shops. Hairdresser. Chinese. Latin. Errands. Reading. Games. Computer. Piano.Work at Kumon. Chat with a visitor.

Mass. Help out with stuff for youth group, morning tea with the Rosary group. Be part of the live audience for the ABC TV show The New Inventors and discuss and ask questions. Reading. Music. Talk about Michael Jackson, the Cure of Ars, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sts Cyril and Methodius and Bible translations. Work on Arkadian. Youth group. Stargate Atlantis and discussion.

So far this week...

2009-06-24T11:20:00.002+10:00

Maths, Chinese assignment, choose a post-Sydney-Aquarium-visit activity to complete. Volunteer and paid work at Kumon for Monday.

For Tuesday we had French class and games withb other homeschoolers and hearing all about Cebu from mum. A visitor for afternoon tea, Alexander Kumon work, Mass and St Anthony novena with Anthony serving, reading, computer, Stargate Atlantis.

Wednesday the Feast of the Birth of St John the Baptist. Read about St John. Christmas in June - pudding and ice cream. Kumon Maths. Fold and deliver Salmat. Computer. Read. Music practice.

Week so far in a nutshell!

Updating that log

2009-06-17T08:49:00.002+10:00

Monday June 15 ~ Kumon Maths. Chinese for Thomas ( Open University). Anthony and I searched the Sydney Aquarium site and found some activities/worksheets on Aquatic Habitats and Animal Classification. Anthony chose the Murray River basin for his habitat and set off to research. Silent reading. Blogs and Facebook and games. Chores and life skills. PIano practice. WOrk at Kumon. Help with dinner. Watch Stargate Atlantis and talk about why we dislike one character ( Dr Weir) - is it acting or script? Is it her decisons? The way she presents?

Tuesday June 16 - Mass in the Extraordinary Form ( reading missal and Latin). Helping the priest with moving stuff - volunteer work? To the Sydney Aquarium with other homeschoolers (Science Club - next month's topic will be oceans, so the excursion fit in..). Alexander do Maths in the car; Thomas work on Chinese characters; Anthony reading; all listen to music. Lunch after at the Lindt Cafe and fun with friends. Alexander work @ Kumon. Read and talk about Pride and Prejudice. Mass and St Anthony novena, Anthony serving. Help with statues and flowers after and chat to others before organsing takeaway dinner ( kids paying!) and more Stargate Atlantis - discussing science fiction genre.

Wednesday June 17 - Today. Games and chores and computer. Folding and delivery of junk mail ( Work Education). Kumon Maths. Chinese assignment. Read Religion book and write a summary ( those Five Fun Fast Facts). And tell mum about your reading! Morning tea with a friar. Help organise food for parish youth supper. Music lessons. LOTR miniatures games with friends. Free time to read, play games, watch DVDs while mum out for dinner ..

Plans for the rest of the week - Thursday Latin Club; Mass; games with friends; work at Kumon. Mum in the Philippines Thurs night for work; Dad home from Wagga late Thurs night. Friday Mass; Teen group - games and lunch and social at our house; dinner with visiting priest; read about the Sacred Heart.

Last week

2009-06-06T16:46:00.002+10:00

Monday we built our June bulletin board; read and talked a little about the history of the Philippines; read the letter from the Congregation of the Clergy re the Year of the Priest; went to Borders and the library @ Rouse Hill; did some Kumon Maths; Thomas worked on Chinese for Open University and Alexander on Italian; Anthony did some Chemistry worksheets on metals and metalloids and on chemical and physical properties of objects. Cup of tea and a chat with a friar and his parents; work @ Kumon; reading and DVDs ( both Austen - book Pride and Prejudice DVD Sense and Sensibility)

Tuesday - mow the lawn, do chores, practise piano, play games before French Class - a cooking class - read recipes in French, make tart, a charlotte, stuffed potatoes..DON'T ask about the tinned bananas! Games with friends, orthodontist appointment, winter clothes shopping, reading, serve at Mass and St Anthony novena; some go to the movies ( Night At the Museum 2, Ghost of Girlfriends Past - ghastly ghosts!) and others tidy cupboards, make a birthday list and watch a Marx Bros film.

Wednesday? Mass, read about St Charles Lwanga and companions, look up info about Uganda and Kenya in the geographical encyclopedia, visit shops for errands, do folding for Salmat delivery, play a strategy board game ( Battlelore); Thomas listen to Chinese CD and Alexander work on Latin; Anthony piano and more reading of Pride and Prejudice and piano lessons; afternoon tea and a discussion on Dr Who with a visitor; some of us delivered junk mail ( work education) while Anthony played LOTR strategy/miniatites game with a friend. Help make African Curry for the feast day for dinner and watch Stargate Atlantis with discussion on plot and script writing.

On Thursday we went to Mass again in the morning, this time in the Extraordinary Form ( Latin Mass). Chatted to priest after...then Thomas home to bake a cake for tomorrow's outing( Cocoa Cola Cake from Nigella's How To Be A Domestic Goddess, followed by Chinese CD) and Anthony and I to visit a mum and toddler from our parish. Alexander working on assignment. Anthony played with toddler and read stories to him..Home again for Kumon Maths and completing a chemistry "homework" assignment i.e. choosing an object, exploring its chemical and physical properties and making notes. Early to work at the Kumon centre; Anthony and Jonathon and dh went to mass for the St Anthony novena ( Anthony serving), I went to womens' group, the others cooked dinner and played games together ( Pasta Alfredo) - until I came home and we had a long discussion on the WG topic ( fortgiveness) and on charismatic prayer before I MADE everyone watch another Alias episode.

Friday was sunnier and warmer - yay! Fitness, chores, talk about St Boniface, print the Athanasian Creed for Trinity Sunday, Mass @ 9.15 am and serving, chat to others after and move food for youth group and morning tea..At home for more chores, pack food, Thomas ice cake, me to make mini quiches..pick up a priest to come with us to Catholic Homeschoolers/birthday party in the Blue Mountains..looking at and talking about jouney and scenery..reading..Thomas looking at Chinese study..80s music on the CD player..games and chatting @ the party with lunch and birthday cake..Home again for work for me, work for Alexander, games and piano and reading for others . Youth Group, Mass and Novena for St Anthony, making eggs and chips for St Boniface ( born in UK - UK food you know!), Stargate Atlantis, prayers, reading, computer...

Our usual mix of academics and life and liturgy. ... with dh at work and Greg and Jonathon at uni...

Wednesday May 27. Homeschool Open House

2009-05-28T08:35:00.001+10:00

Homeschool Open House. On a day I was hardly home.

But the kids do okay without me. No one is indispensable. Not even me!

Chores, workout, morning prayers, laundry....We went to nine o'clock Mass. I dropped the younger three kids at home ( all teens now, the youngest is thirteen..).. with a little chat about morning activities. Some folding for their junk mail delivery work; some Kumon maths; Alexander working on an essay for his Italian Open University course; Thomas and Anthony to read the next section in their religion books (Fr. Laux series )~ and writing about their reading for me. Because I asked. Nicely. Pretty please. I want to know about their reading and writing is good for university study, you know...Quiet down that inner unschooling voice!

Should we play computer games before or after folding? asked Thomas
.It's up to you, I said. Ask Alexander, cos he has a deadline for that uni essay.

So, no objections from anyone re morning activities. And I went off to do some volunteer work at the parish office.

Home at lunch time, got out leftovers for lunch, we prayed, I checked in on the kids' morning. No time for lunch for me - hey, I didn't have breakfast either! I made some Kumon phone calls, suggested some reading or games or DVDs for the kids for the afternoon, then I went to a friend's house. To be a listening ear. On that irritable male syndrome.

And she fed me, too!

As the day grew cold and wet, I mentally reviewed activities...Came home, read religion reports, did some money stuff on the internet, talked to a Kumon staff member on the phone and found I will be doing MC work at presentations on Saturday so printed off material, to the post office we all trekked, to pick up a parcel and send a fax..onto junk mail delivery. In the rain. We wore our hoodies!

Home, laundry, kids reading and gaming, Alexander still at work on that essay, Thomas reading through his parcel of stuff for Open Uni ( Chinese language - Mandarin!). I mopped the floors and tidied. Dh came home - been away these last few days for work..One son came home from college today..a friend arrived to take two sons to the movies. Another son ventured home...Spent time with dh, we ordered Chinese takeaway simply because dh was home and happy - yay! - ( and, hey, Thomas is studying Chinese, right, so it all fits in with homeschooling!).
Our friend stayed for dinner, Jonathon went to a photoshoot for his band ( Bright Young Things) and we talked..kids a bit too loud and noisy..and disagreeing with dh..and a little side discussion on actions that are morally good/evil/indifferent...and on our years spent reading aloud as a family..and on study and pushing oneself..that getting out of one's comfort zone thing.
I cleaned up while everyone went to bed..did the last online Kumon follow up..made a To Do List for Thursday and trailed upstairs, tired, forgetting prayers ( oh no) and my personal reading ( sad).

Today. Our Lady Help of Christians. And plans for tomorrow - St Philip Neri.

2009-05-25T13:51:00.004+10:00

Went to Mass - some of us this morning and some will go this evening; Anthony planning on serving.

We read about Fr John Therry, St Mary's Cathedral and Our Lady Help of Christians. And pulled out our books of The Pictorial History of the Catholic Church in Australia, for our book basket and for Anthony and Thomas to read. Read about St Bede the Venerable, too - putting Bede's History of England in the book basket and for perusal. Along with an Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. For prayers tonight.

Computer games, reading, piano practice, the internet, fitness.

Thomas and Anthony baked Nigella's Chocolate Fudge Cake, in honour of Our Lady. Will melt chocolate and make the frosting this evening.

Kumon Maths, completing a Chemistry worksheet for formal academics - and Alexander writing an essay in Italian for his uni assignment.

Tidying chores, part time work at Kumon..a busy day. As always.

Tomorrow? Plan on reading about St Philip Neri and his influence on St John Bosco - and the Oratory. Attend mass in the Extraordinary Form. Visit the Powerhouse Museum with other homeschoolers, then tour the ABC TV studios. Alexander will work @ Kumon; the others will read, play games, rpgs, maybe do junk mail folding ( their part time job)...before Mass and St Anthony novena..and maybe watching Sense and Sensibility. With discussion. What else?

Last Week

2009-05-11T09:05:00.003+10:00

Monday

Journey North

Kumon Maths

Reading and talking

Piano

Shakespeare sheets - Romeo and Juliet - quotes and character game

Computer and games and blogs and Facebook

Work at Kumon

Stargate Atlantis

Read aloud, taking turns, re saints for this week

Fold and organise envelopes for church

Tuesday

French class - lesson, read French blog, activities in French from website, phrases to use in conversation this week

Games with friends for lunch and active play

Chores

Alexander work at Kumon

Reading and discussion

Mass and serve at St Anthony Mass

Cook dinner (crustless quiche) while mum out at a meeting

DVDs and games with a friend

Wednesday

Fold and deliver junk mail ( Salmat)

Science Club - atoms and chemistry, youtube, worksheets, experiments, discussion

Lunch and games at the park with friends

Discussion re Confirmation and sacraments

Computer and gaming

Music lessons

Discuss economics and political parties

Discussion re choices and decisions

Thursday

Attend Mass in Extraordinary Form ( Latin Mass) and chat after

Kumon Maths

Read religion books - Fr Laux - Anthony write points re rite of Baptism, Thomas write answers re free will

Review periodic table of elemtns ( to Abba's Ring Ring) and French phrases

Work on novels

Check ninemsn for current events/ news and talk about some of the topics

Nutrition discussion during lunch at Subway

Fitness and trampolining

Alexander uni stuff

Work at Kumon

Games with Dad and friend while mum out

Talk about forgiveness related to Mum's Women's group session
Stargate Atlantis and discussion re plot

Read part of Twilight and talk about grammatical structure, comparing novelists

Friday

Attend Mass, serve at Mass, discuss homily, talk about St Theresa Benedicta of the Cross and Christian Feminism

Homeschool Teen Group - breakfast and social at Ikea, walk along Brickpit Ringwalk at the Olympic Park, look at area and ruins, read and talk about history, trade unions, privatisation, natural habitats.

Alexander work at Kumon

Hang out and games with a friend

Youth Group

Finish Stargate Atlantis and discuss possible endings

Silent reading

Saturday

Chores

Stick up flyers at church

Attend picnic with a local parish - games of soccer, talk to others, bbq lunch, nature walk. Talk about different gardens in International Gardens section, abput English gardens and Jane Austen

Chat with a visitor at home

Some out with friends, others read and play games and play music

Some begin watching Lost in Austen and discuss Austen, Pride and Prejudice, fave books and characters, which book we would like to be live in and why...

Set up book basket - Austen, catechism re gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, missal re Litany of Our Lady for May...

Week in review

2009-05-03T09:43:00.002+10:00

On Monday, the kids elected to stay home and catch up on stuff when I went for coffee with a friend. They did their Kumon Maths, Aexander caught up on language study and Anthony did some more exploring with Journey North stuff - it is almost finished, so he and Greg looked up latititudes and longitudes and pics of possible places...Then we went to Kumon! Read some more of Inkheart, watched Stargate Atlantis.

Tuesday was French - a review of body parts, of dialogue, some translation and grammar. We wolfed down morning tea and went to the movies with French class to see Inkheart. Discussed Brendan Fraser's character and the power of words over lunch and shopping with friends. Work for Alexander, serving at Mass, novena to St Anthony , games with brothers and friends - while mum went to movie club.

Wednesday began with games and fitness, silent reading, Alexander and I went to the dentist and shops. We read about St Catherine of Siena and Doctors of the Church. Anthony regaled us with information about The Great Schism and the Byzantines. He went through a Byzantine-ish reading frenzy awhile ago. And while we talked of Shakespeare and found our copy of the book Tales From Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb, Anthony and I also discussed his personal reading. Bulldog Drummond ( an bit B grade, he says), poems by Tennyson and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Prayed the Anima Christi. Morning tea with a visitor, lunch out and a long discussion of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and the Holocaust, delivery of junk mail, games with brothers and friends while mum at a meeting.Lots of reading and writing of novels.

We began Thursday with Latin Breakfast Club, after mum going to mass and working out and kids doing chores and using the computer. The kids played at the park, played active games, played Star Trek Monopoly -oh, and did Latin! We reviewed some Latin words and greetings and grace, listened to Veni Veni Emanuel, learned Adeste Fideles and vocabulary. Work at Kumon, gaming and ordering pozza for dinner, cake with dad when he came home from interstae, discuss Womens' Group with mum when she came home.

Friday fitness, Mass and serve at Mass, discussion about the internet and
appropriate/inappropriate conversation,ice skating with other homeschoolers, reading, lunch with dad, music practice, more reading, youth group for some, attend a Missa Cantata in Extraordinary Form for others, discussion of our different nights with family and a friend. Oh, and a Numbers episode before bed!

Today?

2009-04-23T23:31:00.002+10:00

As well as all the usual - games, fitness, chores, internet, blogs, piano, guitar - the kids did Kumon maths. Thomas and Anthony read the chapter from Famous Men of Rome about Romulous, simply because it fit in with the Latin lesson from Latin Christiana. The lesson they also completed.

New role playing game miniatures arrived so a game was set up, rules read, plots enacted, discussions ensuing..

Lots of discussion, too, about people and control and parenting and children.

Anthony started reading Inkheart.

Work @ Kumon.

Watch Numbers, an episode about patterns and geographical locations. Research on the internet about the episode and about Numbers.

Tuesday and Wednesday

2009-04-22T14:31:00.003+10:00

Tuesday began as normal - I went to morning Mass, came home and woke up the kids for the morning routine of fitness, tidying up, breakfast, look at the saint for the day, talk about the day, gaming.

Alexander worked on his Italian work for uni. Thomas and Anthony did their Kumon Maths and then we read together the first two stories in the Easy French Reader. They wrote their answers to the comprehension questions.

Silent reading, talking, listening to music, playing guitar before going to a friend's house for a birthday party. Trip to Borders, buying Inkheart to read before we see the movie next week.

Mass and Novena to St Anthony, Anthony serving @ Mass. Chatting after. Discussion on family choices and decisions. Watch an episode of Stargate Atlantis and discuss the morality of the ascended beings. Watch an episode of Numbers and discuss Chaos and Game Theory. Prayers and more reading before bed.

Wednesday? Another quiet day. Blogs and email and gaming. Fitness. Folding pamphlets for Salmat delivery. Chatting to a visitor. Doing online quizzes on Facebook . Piano practice. Read religion books Mass and the Sacraments; Catholic Morality - Fr Laux. More work on Italian and Maths for Alexander.

Wargaming. Gardening. Talk to an unexpected visitor and daughter. Friend over for LOTR miniatures gaming. Alexander help with computer at our parish. Delivery of junk mail - part time job - work ed! Dinner out at a local cafe with people from Women's Group in our parish.

And I guess reading and prayers before bed.

Monday April 20

2009-04-20T23:09:00.003+10:00

The kids did some Kumon Maths. Alexander worked on his Italian for Open Uni. Thomas did some more writing on his novel, with discussion on spelling of words. Anthony updated the Journey North project and graph and journal - he has guessed three locations but is still thinking about the other seven!

We looked through Science books for suggested Science work. Shared morning tea and discussions with visitors. Played games. Read email and blogs. Worked on rpgs.Read books. Did chores.

Went to Kumon and worked at the Kumon centre, followed by helping cook a quick ( very quick) dinner and then movies with family and friends - Race To Witch Moutain. Can't wait to watch the originals again on DVD and to compare and contrast.

Made plans for the next day and prayers before bed...

week of Monday March 23

2009-03-28T17:31:00.002+11:00

Monday
Kumon Maths
Journey North
Morning tea with an older parishioner
Book exploration @ Borders
Silent reading
Music practice
Work @ Kumon
Making trifle
Stargate Atlantis
Tuesday
French class
Art/sketching with French class
Active games w other hsers
Social @ friends house
Chores and life skills
Cooking and decorating for pary
Charades and trivia game
Wednesday
Junk mail delivery
Lent and religion reading
Mass and read about the Annunciation
Writing skills - personal writing
Look @ art re Annunciation
Books and music @ David Jones
Help set up hall @ parish
Help friend cook dinner
Gaming
Thursday
Latin Breakfast Club
Making Easter cards in Latin
Ball games and sport w other hsers
Silent reading
Study Akkadian ( ancient language )
Review grammar
Read and discuss re ancient history
Work @ Kumon
Games
Stargate Atlantis
Friday
Chores and birthday organise
Serve @ Mass and @ Stations of the Cross
Lunch w friends
Shopping @ Castle Towers
Silent reading
Piano lessons
Bike ride
Work on Akkadian
Youth group - visit to SES
Dinner w friends
Singstar
Saturday
Youth Group and help w parish working bee
Salmat
Reading
Games
Chores
Movie and discussion
Sunday
Junk Mail delivery
Games
Serve and play in band @ Mass

St Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T23:27:00.003+11:00

Read about St Patrick, celebrate day, help prepare for celebrations, the breastplate of St Patrick

French homework

Homeschool French class

Active games with friends

Discussions with friends

Computer and video games

Silent reading

Serve @ Mass

Singstar

Cooking for St Patrick's dinner

Lethal Weapon 2 and discussion on action films and genre

Zoo origami

Stations of the Cross

Read about the history of Pi and bake Pies ( Sunday)

Email and blogs

Monday Third Week in Lent

2009-03-17T00:23:00.002+11:00

Computer games

Fitness

Chores and life skills

Discussion with a visitor

Kumon Maths

Journey North

Blogging

Data collecting, reading, writing for rpgs

Piano

Silent reading - Lenten reading

Work education @ Kumon

The Last Samuri

Making pancakes for dinner

Second Week in Lent

2009-03-08T22:36:00.003+11:00

Monday March 9

Kumon Maths

Journey North

Work ed @ Kumon

Wii sports and Wii Fit

Lenten reading and activities

Film and discussion

Silent reading

Music practice

Tuesday March 10

Catholic Homeschool Meeting - Precepts of the Church, Stations of the Cross, Social

Rouse Hill library visit and skills

Daily fitness

Music practice

Silent reading

Games

Work ed - Salmat

Serve @ Mass

Kumon Maths

Current events and follow up

Wednesday March 11

Chatswood library visit and skills

Games Workshop

Borders

Social w friends

Religion reading and discussion

Film discussion - mothers' film club follow up

Lenten discussion - lenten group follow up and lenten activity

Work ed - junk mail delivery

Kumon Maths

Thursday March 12

Food and technology -baking for latin Club; cooking for dinner

Breakfast Latin Club - vocab, bible verses, group skills, social

Local area geography and community and history - Schofields

Consumer ed and recycling - op shops etc

Work ed @ Kumon

Silent reading

Music practice

Daily fitness

Saints and Art

Friday March 13

Discuss history of Friday 13th

Saints and Art

Serve @ Mass

Ice skating w other hsers

Piano lessons

Youth group

Stations of the cross

Wii Sport

Singstar

Silent reading

Week of March 2

2009-03-08T22:19:00.004+11:00

Mathematics
Students select,integrate and applynumerical and spatial concepts and techniques.
Kumon Maths
Games/strategies/problem solving
Timetables and graphs and maps
Data - Journey North
English
Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others.
Oral language and group skills
Journal and reports - Journey North
Summary - artist bio Cricket In Times Square
Read Cricket and discuss
Undirected silent reading
Discuss books and movies
Writing for rpgs
Informal writing, email etc
Greek and Latin word roots
Word games and spelling - finding words in RESURRECTION
Discuss fairy tales , cultures, story telling ( U film)
Language
Students interact with people and cultures other than their own and are equipped to contribute to the global community.
French class - next lesson First French
French charades
French words @ the Taronga Zoo
French Film Festival - U.
Latin prayers
Arts
Students participate increative activity of their own and understand and engage with the artistic, cultural and intellectual work of others.
French film festival and animation
Music practice
Listening skills
Pen and ink sketch
Read about illustrator Garth Williams and look @ books with his illustrations
Technology
Students select, use and adapt technologies.
Computer, video games, Singstar
Food and technogy - baking, planning and cooking meals
Design and construct items for rpgs
Blogging
Society & Environment
Students understand their cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia.
Journey North and geography
Current events and look up info re earth tremors and cyclones and archeology
Visit to Taronga Park Zoo
Discuss Mardi Gras
Maps
Phys Ed, PD, Health
Students value and implement practices that promote personal growth and well being.
Discuss chastity and sex education
Lenten activites, readings, reflections, penances
Social with friends - French, zoo, youth group, dinner and lunch visitors, french film, archery
Daily fitness
Archery class w other hsers
Discuss confirmation
Science
Students understand and appreciate the physical,biological and technological world and have the knowledge and skills to make decisions inrelation to it.
Journey North and geography
Current events and look up info re earth tremors and cyclones and archeology
Visit to Taronga Park Zoo

Plans - and review....

2009-02-22T18:06:00.005+11:00

Mathematics
Students select,integrate and applynumerical and spatial concepts and techniques.
Kumon Maths
Games and strategies and problem solving
Journey North graphs and data
Chess
English
Students use language to understand, develop and communicate ideas and information and interact with others.
Working with others in groups - discussion
Silent reading -
A Cricket in Times Square
Film and media - Alias, Dr Who, Life on Mars
Journal writing Journey North
Report writing
Novel writing
Writing for rpgs
Book and movie discussions - The Princess Bride, LOTR The Return of the King
Language
Students interact with people and cultures other than their own and are equipped to contribute to the global community.
French class and homework
Breakfast Latin Club and homework
French blog - the Louvre
Arts
Students participate increative activity of their own and understand and engage with the artistic, cultural and intellectual work of others.
Piano lessons
Art history - Saints and Art Through the Year
Music appreciation
Play @ youth mass
Technology
Students select, use and adapt technologies.
Computer
Food and technology - pancakes for pancake day
Work on miniatures
Society & Environment
Students understand their cultural, geographic and historical contexts and have the knowledge, skills and values necessary for active participation in life in Australia.
Ash Wednesday, Lent, Fat Tuesday - customs and history and culture
Journey North geography
Cricket in Times Square integrated unit
Current events
Visit to the Australian Museum
Phys Ed, PD, Health
Students value and implement practices that promote personal growth and well being.
Lent penances and reading
Serve @ Mass; attend mass
Religion reading
Group work; negotiation skills
Youth group
Iceskating w hsers
Fitness; Wii fit
Bike ride
Active games with other hsers
Science
Students understand and appreciate the physical,biological and technological world and have the knowledge and skills to make decisions inrelation to it.
Journey North - shadows, sun, etc
Cricket in Times Square integrated unit
Current events
Visit to the Australian Museum

This week (Feb 15 - 21)

2009-02-17T22:43:00.004+11:00

Mathematics
Students select,
integrate and apply
numerical and spatial
concepts and techniques.
Kumon Maths
Role playing games and statistics
Journey North
Budget and banking
Games and problem solving
English
Students use language
to understand, develop and
communicate ideas and
information and interact
with others.
Journal writing
Writing novel
Writing game instructions
Blogs
Silent reading and author discussion
Lord of the Rings
Alias
Word roots
Report writing
Cricket in Times Square
Meaning of votive and votive masses
Language
Students interact with
people and cultures other than
their own and are equipped to
contribute to the global
community.
French class
Making French games; playing games
Word roots - Dolors - Latin
Arts
Students participate in
creative activity of their own
and understand and engage
with the artistic, cultural and
intellectual work of others.
Music practice
Youth band @ Mass
Saints: A Year in Faith and Art
Read about Fra Angelico
Technology
Students select, use
and adapt technologies.
Computer usage and programs
Baking and meal preparation
Game design and construction
Science
Students understand and
appreciate the physical,
biological and technological
world and have the knowledge
and skills to make decisions in
relation to it.
Journey North and research
Research and report on insects, phyllum
Society & Environment
Students understand their
cultural, geographic and
historical contexts and have
the knowledge, skills and
values necessary for active
participation in life in
Australia.
Journey North
Current events - fire, Liberal Party
Read about St Peter Damien and Seven Servite Founders and Chair of St Peter
History of Bondi Beach
Phys Ed, PD, Health
Students value and
implement practices that
promote personal growth and
well being.
Fitness
Skipping
Trampolining
Serve @ Mass
Group skills
Active games w other hsers
Work ed - Kumon; Salmat
Discussion re relationships
Homeschool Teen Group and movies

Week of Monday Feb 9

2009-02-11T22:36:00.005+11:00

Mathematics

Kumon Maths

Games - video games, computer games, board games, role playing games

Salaries and accounts Kumon ( help with)

Data and graphs Journey North

English

Silent reading - Holes, F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Invisible Man

Read aloud re saints

Writing skills - novel, reports, journal

Discussion and oral language

Group skills - French and Latin Club

Research skills re reports and Journey North

Film and media - Battlestar Galactica, Stargate Atlantis, The Watcher in the Woods, Alias, Marx Brothers, cinema - Hotel For Dogs and critical analysis

Book study - Cricket in Times Square

Critical thinking - re education and wide reading

English From The Roots Up

Borders

Rouse Hill library

Society & Environment

Journey North - photoperiods, geography, data sheets, internet research, journal

Research New York city and report( Cricket in Times Square)

Current events - ninemsn and Fox news - bushfire, stimulus package

Science

Journey North - sunset and sunrise - data, hypothesis, etc

The Daring Book for Boys

Personal Devt Health Phys Ed

Fitness - yoga, skipping, bike ride, trampoline

Nutrition discussion; discussion re weight control

Work ed - @ Kumon; junk mail delivery; volunteer work homeschool group and @ parish

Time management, chores, life skills

Social w friends @ movies and @ hs groups @ youth group and youth mass and supper

Arts

Piano

Listen to CDs

Art history - re saints through art

Illustrations for Integrated Unit file folder

Piano lesson

Play in youth band @ mass

Language

French class

Breakfast Latin Club

Latin Mass

Technology

Computer - games, internet, email, power point, excel, blogs, tables, Office

Model miniatures

Food and technology ( cooking - Valentines Day)

Religion

St Scholastica

Our Lady of Lourdes

St Valentine

Serve @ Mass

Log for the rest of the week

2009-02-07T08:20:00.001+11:00

Wednesday
Religion reading and discussion/narration
Strategies and games
Music practice
Chores and life skills
Silent reading
Work ed - junk mail delivery
Book and movie thematic and technique discussion

Thursday
Kumon Maths
Latin - listen to Lingua Angelica CD
Library skills ( Rouse Hill library)
Wriing skills and maths - tables and data and descriptions for rpgs
Work ed @ Kumon Centre
Research and discussion, using internet, on role of women and 2nd Vatican Council
Watch Life on Mars and compare characters, set, exposition with UK series

Friday
Attend Mass; serve @ Mass
Morning fitness
Teen group with other homeschoolers ~ games, active play, sports, talking, music, Singsar, make your own ice cream sundaes
Chores and life skills
Piano
Silent reading and reading and discussing blogs
Youth group
Watch 1961 Miss Marple - talk about new and old films, characterisation, development of plot, Agatha Christie, difference in novels and films..

Tuesday. St Blaise

2009-02-03T22:16:00.003+11:00

French homework - writing goals in English and French

French class with other homeschoolers

Active play with friends

Computer games with friends

Discussion on values and movies and curfews and standards and life with visitors

Work education - junk mail

Writing and reading novels

Silent reading

Create tables for rpgs

Read blogs, esp on philosophy of rpgs

Serve @ Mass

Read about St Blaise

More Battlestar Galactica and discussion on logic, on what is right, on politics

Read about PM Rudd's stimulus package for the economy

Monday. Candlemas

2009-02-03T22:10:00.002+11:00

Kumon Maths
Fitness and trampolining
Piano practice
Writing skills - novels
Silent reading
Work @ Kumon Centre
Lunch and discussion with visitor
Computer and video games
Watch Battlestar Galactica and discuss society and choices
Serve @ Mass
Read about The Presentation of Our Lord and Candlemas

Another Week...

2009-01-27T15:18:00.003+11:00

Books
The Martian Way - Isaac Asimov
The Island of Dr Moreau - H G Welles
The Invisible Man - Ibid.
Movies
Battlestar Galactica
Prince Caspian
Last Man Standing
Nim's Island

Dr Who special
Music
The Priests
Divo
Beethoven
Read aloud
Letter of St Paul to the Romans
Saints Through the Year/The St Andrews Missal /A Saints Calendar for daily feast days
Religion
Reading aloud
Prayers
Mass - St Anthony and others; serve @ Mass
Visit Mary Mackillop Museum and Chapel
Perhaps visit Schoenstatt Shrine
Read Pope Benedict's Letter re communciations
Language
French class
Society and Environment
Australia day and history; race and culture and racism discussion
Mary Makillop Museum
Inaugaration of President Obama
Daily current events
Effective Social Strudies - NSW geography; the coastal plain
Science
Effective Social Studies - the Steel Industry in NSW; steel industry booklet and chemical reactions
ComputerI
nternet searches
Games, forum, email, Facebook, blogs
Troubleshooting
Maths
Kumon Maths
Games, cooking, strategies
English
Reading and discussion
Movies and discussion
Email
Taboo language game
Writing skills - reports, chpice of topics
Work on portfolios
Arts
Listen to music
Look at famous artwork daily in saints book
Instrument practice
Music lessons
PE/PD/Health
Daily fitness - Wii, trampoline, yoga, bike ride, walk.
Iceskating
Discussion re goals, university, study, structure, jobs, careers.
Time management, self management, chores and life skills
Work Education
Work @ Kumon
Volunteer work @ church
Junk Mail delivery
Social
Friends over
Lunch with friends
Iceskating with other homeschoolers

And More Wollongong

2009-01-25T18:42:00.004+11:00

More Wollongong

2009-01-25T18:39:00.005+11:00

Wollongong

2009-01-25T18:25:00.016+11:00

Books and Movies and Miscellanea for this week...

2009-01-19T10:35:00.008+11:00

Reading
A Handful of Dust
Galaxy in Flames
Supermanship
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Movies
James Bond with Roger Moore
Battlestar Galactica
Dr Who
Music
The Lord of the Rings soundtrack
Read aloud
Letter of St Paul to the Romans
Saints Through the Year/The St Andrews Missal for daily feast days
Religion
Reading aloud
Prayers
Mass - St Anthony and others; serve @ Mass
Perhaps Confession
Language
Lingua Angelica Latin CD
Prayers in Latin
Society and Environment
Current events daily on ninemsn
Trip to Wollongong - steelworks tour; treetops walk
Science
Trip to Wollongong - steelworks tour; treetops walk
Reading The Backyard Scientist and try an experiment.
Computer
Internet searches
Games, forum, email, Facebook, blogs
Maths
Kumon Maths
Games, cooking, Numbers on TV
English
Reading and discussion
Movies and discussion
Work on novels
Email
Writing ideas for rpgs
Travel journal Wollongong
Arts
Listen to music
Look at famous artwork daily in saints book
Instrument practice
Illustrations in journals/nature sketches
PE/PD/Health
Daily fitness - Wii, trampoline, yoga, bike ride, walk.
Discussion re drugs, alcohol, health, relationships, nutrition, conflict negotiation issues as they come up ( and they always do!)
Time management, self management, chores and life skills
Work Education
Work @ Kumon
Volunteer work @ church
Junk Mail delivery
Social
Friends over
Movies with friends
Dinner guests
Catholic Homeschoolers meeting
Visiting with people in Wollongong

Week in reflection

2009-01-17T18:10:00.002+11:00

Monday
Kumon Maths
Library visit and skills ( Rouse Hill library)
Games and discussion with visitor
Work education @ Kumon
Writing skills re rpgs
Confilct negotiation
Genre/plot/characterisation - Stargate Atlantis
Silent reading
Religion - discuss Ordinary TIme
Tuesday
French class with other homeschoolers
Active games; board games; video games
Junk mail delivery
Piano practice
Bike ride
Serve @ Mass
Discussion with dinner guest
Religion/Society and Environment - St Hilary, role of the Church in history, role of women.
Computers and technology
Wednesday
Kumon Maths
Food and technology - cooking lunch for visitors; baking
Film and media - movie marathon with friends and discussion - Dr Who
Wii Fit
Silent reading
Computers and technology
Thursday
Kumon Maths
Latin - Lingua Angelica
Music - piano; Gregorian chant for music appreciation
Work education @ Kumon
Personal Development and Society and Environment - discuss politicac bias, how political parties work, ehtics re violence and abortion and terrorism, using Battlestar Galactica as a springboard.
Writing skills - novels
Friday
Library visit and skills - Chatswood Library
Visit Games Workshop, Borders and explore topics
Attend mass/serve @ Mass
Read about and discuss St Paul the Hermit and St Anthony of the Desert and monastic life and St Benedict
Watch Dr Who and discussion with visitors
Saturday
Volunteer work @ parish - cleaning church, organising cupboards/room for storage
Games/Singstar/lunch/discussion with friends
Movie marathon and lots of talking and compring with the Roger Moore James Bond movie marathon
Sunday
Attend mass and profession of nuns
Serve and play in band @ Mass
Junk mail delivery

1st Wed in January

2009-01-07T22:04:00.001+11:00

Today we went to the beach. spent time with friends. Worked on Kumon Maths. Writing skills - novels, rpg.characters and scenarios.Played games collaboratively. Played piano. Silent reading. Discussed goals and plans for the year and possible career paths. Talked about authors and writing styles.

The Epiphany

2009-01-06T18:29:00.002+11:00

Read about today's feast ( and ate gold wrapped chocolate coins from the Three Kings!).

Played computer and video games.

Wii Fit.

Reading - The Day the Earth Stood Still, Get Cooking, My Word Is My Bond, The Tale of Desperaux, Star Wars gaming stuff.

Volunteer work at church, taking down Xmas decorations.

Work at Kumon and for pamphlet delivery.

Writing for novels.

Clean and organise desk for new year.

Attend mass for St Anthony; serve.

Discuss and compare books and movies.

Talk about work and work skills and work ethic.

St Edward the Confessor

2009-01-05T09:46:00.004+11:00

Plans for today.

1. Read about St Edward and perhaps some more of the letters of St Paul

2. Kumon Mathematics

3. Lingua Angelica - Latin Reading Course

4. Work education at the Kumon Centre

5. Fitness of choice

6. And the usual - piano, reading, computer games, email, internet, check ninemsn for news, chores, games, role playing games, a movie or TV, talking and talking, maybe some cooking.....

St Frances Cabrini

2008-12-22T12:37:00.002+11:00

Friday

Homeschool Teen Group at Rouse Hill Town Centre
Sound of Music - attend stage production and musical

Weekend

Christmas shopping
Games
Hillsong Christmas Spectacular
Play and serve at Mass
Movies
Help at youth supper

Monday

Kumon Maths
Work on Photobook for this term ~ An Unschooling Life
Silent reading
Fitness - walk; Wii Fit
Attend Latin Mass
Read about St Frances Cabrini
Social with friend
Cooking
Read news at ninemsn
Work ed at Kumon

Thursday, One Week before Xmas

2008-12-18T23:48:00.002+11:00

Computer games Technology; Maths

Kumon Maths Mathematics

Look at Star Wars Visual Dictionaries Science; Technology

Read current news articles at nine msn Current Events; Society and Environment

Read and discuss the O Antiphons; pray the Christmas Novena English; Society and Environment; Religion

Read about St Jospeh of Cupertino. Discuss. English; Society and Environment; Religion

Music practice Arts

Help out with setting up nativity scene at church and building a shed at home Work Education

Work at Kumon Work Education

Attend Latin Mass

Singstar

Cook dinner Food and Technology

Social and conversation

Today's plans

2008-12-17T09:14:00.003+11:00

Kumon Maths Mathematics

Writing about the Immaculate Conception in the Mary Notebooks ; illustrate or use google image to find and print a suitable image. English; Arts; Computer

Visit Star Wars exhibition Film and media; Technology; Arts

Computer/video games Maths; Computer

Wii Fit PE

Discuss Advent reading and Advent programme English; Society and Environment; Personal Devt

Junk mail delivery Work Education

Games at friends' house P.D./Social

What we have been up to

2008-12-16T17:27:00.003+11:00

Kumon Maths

Reading about Japan

Life skills

Time with friends

Movies

Advent reading

Listening to carols

Playing piano

Serving at mass

Sightseeing in Wollongong - Buddhist Temple, Botanic gardens, Battery area on the coast

French class and homework

Singstar

Fitness

Work on photobook - a day in an unschooling life

Help out at church and at Christmas Carols

Work at Kumon

Catholic homeschoolers and Trivia Quiz

Our week so far...

2008-11-27T22:39:00.002+11:00

We had French class. Worked through another lesson, leaving translation for homework and broke into small groups to write friendy letters in French

Visited Castle Hill library. Dymocks. The dentist. Long talk on dental care and on customer service and being assertive.

Singstar and active games with friends.

Computer and email and facebook and myspace and internet research.

Play piano. Listen to music. Part time work. Serve at Mass.

And watch an episode of The Howard Years. Discuss the GST, the East Timor crisis, refugees, political figures and parties, left wing and right wing, moderates, leaders. History being made in our time..

More episodes of Alias - talk about the Cold War, Russia, communism.

We also got into a long philosophical discussion on actions that are morally right or morally justified. This was over a game - my four teens, including my 13 year old, and me and one of the kids’ friends. We talked about what the Church teaches and then our friend asked, simply because he is not Catholic - but how could what the Church teaches apply to me? So then we talked about truth, about absolute truth, about logic, about the Bible.

Read about St Catherine of Alexandria and about Catherine Wheels, fireworks. And about Vietnam - Vietnamese martyrs.

Kumon and uni Maths.

Writing out lists and ideas for role playing games.

Latin -Memoria Press.

Cooking ~ ice cream ( a failure). Cake ( a success). Look at Egyptian Cookbook from British Museum and discuss history and cooking and culture.

Reading, talk about books, compare and contrast.

Write novels.

Time management and weekend plans.

Bible reading and follow up on parish Advent programme.

Tomorrow is mass, ice skating, piano lessons, work, youth group...

A homeschooling morning. In photos.

2008-11-24T13:48:00.008+11:00

The Vietnamese Martyrs

2008-11-24T09:02:00.002+11:00

Saturday was the feast of St Cecilia. Sunday was Christ the King.

Our log for last week.

Monday - see the post on St Elizabeth of Hungary.

Tuesday - Went to the Monet Exhibition at the NSW Art Gallery with French class. Reading. Salmat. Kumon work. Mass.

Wednesday - Kumon Maths. Religion reading. Comversation and games with visitors. Reading. Piano. Junk mail delivery. Computer

Thursday - Kumon Maths. Latin. Help with hosting a morning tea. Abba Singstar. Kumon work at centre.

Friday - more reading. Use maps and street directory. Homeschool Teen group excursion to Taronga Zoo. Youth group. More Singstar and more Alias and more discussion.

Saturday - read about St Cecilia. Discuss groups and behaviour. Kumon work. Salmat. Drove to Manly and discussions with priest. Abba Singstar. Discuss ordinations and Extraordinary Rite of Mass with visitor.

Sunday - read at Mass. Discuss Christ the King, Blessed Miguel Pro, liturgical year. Attend and participate in Kumon awards ceremony. Help out. Receive awards. A MC. T Anny look at Borders. Discuss aliens and souls and Church teaching, and ethics and morals and beauty with visitor. Alias. Silent reading. Computer.

Monday November 17 Elizabeth of Hungary

2008-11-17T14:06:00.008+11:00

Reading about St Elizabeth of Hungary and her connections with the Franciscans seemed serendipitous to us...We live in a Franciscan parish...We prayed for a priest on the anniversary of his ordination today, and for the soul of my grandmother, birthday Nov 17.

Worked on maths - online for uni and Kumon worksheets.

Then tidied up French class folders, reading picture books in French and listening to the accompanying CD. Before grabbing laptops and writing more on novels ( progress- very slow).

Alexander studied Latin and Italian; Jonathn worked on uni and website design; I did Kumon and various other bits and pieces from my To Do list.

Fitness? Daily fitness routines, yoga, trampolining..Playing the piano..Reading...Got out Tales From Shakespeare by the Lambs, talk about Macbeth because yesterday was St Margaret of Scotland and she married Malcom, mentioned in Macbeth...Ate the shortbread from yesterday's Scottish cooking and put Hungarian Goulash in the crockpot for todays' feast day...More reading and discussion, this time on social capital, on the encyclical Rerum Novarem, on the philosophy of education - for work, for voctional education, the liberal arts, for the soul and the mind? What use is higher maths?

Off to Kumon (work education - and head office visiting!). Probably music and movies or TV and more reading and discussion tonight...Prayers, in Latin...

St Albert the Great

2008-11-14T21:57:00.003+11:00

Saturday's Saint. Yet we read about him today, about Scholasticism, about St Thomas Aquinas and discussed the marriage of faith and reason and Science. English, Society and Environment, Religion

Our unschool days the last two days?

Kumon Maths. Of course. Mathematics

Then we listened to the Lingua Angelica CD, very peaceful on a very busy morning. And Anthony completed a worksheet related to the CD, from the Lingua Angelica course, on Christus Vincit. Language, Arts

Also did some other Latin worksheets with Thomas. Still listening to the CD.Language

More physics and engineering with this week's THINK challenge - creating a catalogue construction. Since the kids deliver junk mail, we have old catalogues around with which to create buildings - no other materials, no scissors, glue, or tape allowed. Mathematics, Science

Work at Kumon. Help with dinner. Watch Get Smart and Alias. Listen to music. Work on role playing game rules and guides. Read - fiction and non fiction. Computer games and usage. The usual. Work education, Computers, English, Film and Media, Food and technology, Arts

Discuss humur and satire in Terry Pratchett's Truckers book and compare it with the humour of the TV show Fry and Laurie. English

Mass. Homeschool ice skating and hanging out time with other homeschoolers. And piano lessons and piano practise. Phys Ed, Personal Development, Religion

Youth Group for some - helping to organise a party for the friars. Including cooking. Food and Technology, Personal Development

Our days

2008-11-12T23:51:00.002+11:00

Tuesday ( St Martin of Tours) and Wednesday.

November 11 and 12.

French class with other homeschoolers - review, counting, dialogue, translation, look at Monet's wotk and read educational guide for next week's excursion to the Art Gallery.

Discussion. Followed by active team games.

Read about and discuss St Martin of Tours.

Further discussion of US election and reactions.

Work ed - Kumon and Salmat

Music practice.

Silent reading.

Games of Chess.

Computer games and usage.

Help with cooking dinners and adapting recipes.

Read and write lists and characters and rules for rpgs.

Serve at Mass.

Watch and talk about Get Smart ( types of humour) and Alias ( predictability in plots; drama)

Library visit and skills - Chatswood library

Money and budget

Discussion with Kumon Supervisors re awards ceremony

Listen to music CDs

Movies - Burn After reading - discuss film making and techniques; actors and roles

Watch slideshow and read about new Egyptian pyramid discovery south of Cairo.

Read religion texts

Chores

Today, on the Feast of St Leo the Great

2008-11-10T14:17:00.003+11:00

So far ~

Read about St Leo; looked at Raphael's painting of the meeting of Leo and Attilla the Hun

Computer games ; internet research; email

Piano

Maths - uni and Kumon

French class homework

THINK Challenge - building an arch with marshmallows; look at interactive website on building arches

Errands

Reading - DK's Guide to Myths and Legends, Terry Pratchett's Bromeliad series, Holes by Louis Sacher, Dungeons and Dragons, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams

Chores

Fitness and trampolining

Getting ready for work at Kumon

Watch and discuss episode of Jeeves and Wooster and talk about Wodehouse and his books and humour

Work on cardboard Tardis model

And from yesterday ~

Visit Castle Hill cemetery and look at old tombstones, familar area names, discuss local history

Games of BALDERDASH ( word definitions)

Friday, November 7

2008-11-07T23:55:00.002+11:00

Mass, serve at Mass.

Surfing lessons with other homeschoolers.

Lots of talk of movies and plots and characters and screenplays and special fx with others.

Active games.

Silent reading.

Youth group; attend a birthday party.

My Fair Lady

2008-11-05T23:31:00.002+11:00

Today's homeschooling? Excursion day. Met other homeschoolers, caught the train to Central, changed trains and went to Martin Place. Lunch at the MLC Centre. Talking. Then the musical, the stage show My Fair Lady. Compared it to the movie version with Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn and the the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. Which the kids have read, on their own and in Kumon English. Enjoyed the music, the costumes, the set. Afternoon tea together while watching Obama's , President-Elect of the US, election speech. Then more discussion of US politics. Train home, delivery of junk mail, visitor for dinner, watch some TV...

St Charles Borromeo

2008-11-04T17:16:00.002+11:00

An orchestra requires men with different talents and, within limits, different tastes; if all men insisted upon playing the trombone, orchestral music would be impossible. Social co-operation, in like manner, requires differences of taste and aptitude, which are less likely to exist if all children are exposed to the same influences than if parental differences are allowed to affect them ....
Another merit of home is that it preserves the diversity between individuals. If we were all alike, it might be convenient for the bureaucrat and the statistician, but it would be very dull, and would lead to a very unprogressive society. - Bertrand Russell

Log for Monday Nov 3 and Tues Nov 4

Discuss plans for the week Personal Development

Kumon Maths, games, collaborative and team games Maths, Social and P.D.

Read Famous Men of Rome English, Society and Environment

Read about and discuss the Byzantines English, Society and Environment

Work on novel writing, do related internet searches English, Computer

Make biscotti Food and Technology

French homework Language

Look at Monet's art, read biography, use French blog, look at and read books on Monet Arts, Language, Computer

Watch A Bit of Fry and Laurie and discuss humour, satire English, Film and Media

Piano practice Arts

Work at Kumon Work Education

Social with visitors P.D.

Discuss US election and parties and candidates Society and Environment

French class with other homeschoolers, after games after Language, Phys Ed

Make hats ( chapeaux) for Melbourne Cup day and talk about the Melbourne Cup and about French fashion designers Arts, Design and technology, Society and Environment

First aid Health

Work at Mc Donalds, Kumon, pamphlet folding Work education

Serve at Mass P.D.

Pray the Litany of All Saints and discuss

Making Biscotti

2008-11-03T12:45:00.004+11:00

Part of our homeschooling morning, today ~ Food and Technology...With thanks to Mary G. ...And, yes, we added the chocolate chips. Of course!

A Very Brief Note

2008-11-02T23:05:00.003+11:00

...for Friday October 31. Did chores. Read about All Hallows Eve, All Saints, All Souls. Prayed the De Profundis ( hey, Latin!). Played computer. Went to mass and served. Went to homeschool ice skating. Skated and chatted to friends. Had a friend over for games and water bombs ( sport?). Had piano lessons. Helped buy food for youth group supper. Some went to youth group; the rest of us had visitors for an impromptu dinner/snack. Cooked desserts for All Saints. Watched the old film version of Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Reading.

Thursday's THINK Challenge

2008-10-30T23:39:00.004+11:00

Daily Notes for Wednesday and Thursday

2008-10-30T08:21:00.003+11:00

Maths and more Maths - Kumon Maths, Alexander uni Maths, work on budgets and money and wish lists, maths in games. Mathematics

Read religion books ~ talk about form matter intent, write a summary, do an internet search for suitable pics. English, Personal Development, Computer

Piano practice - Fur Elise, House of the Rising Sun. Arts

Games with visiting friends Maths, Personal Development, Phys Ed, Computers

Afternoon tea with visitor and play with her baby Social, Personal Development, Health

And, as usual, lots of reading. And reading. And reading. English

Discuss economic theory, band ACDC and financial crisis. Article on internet. English, Society and Environmnet, Economics, Art

Discuss and plan day - when to do some formal work, personal goals and want tos, cooking for Halloween. Personal Development, Food and Technology

Write more on novels - finally! Re-read, edit, work on flow, talk about writing to date. English

THINK challenge for this week. Science, Maths

Put the following out on a table: 2 cups, 2 spoons (plastic or real), 6 sticks of spaghetti, 15 inches of tape, two 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper, a measuring tape and lots of quarters or pennies(the measuring tape and quarters/pennies cannot be used in the solution). Using the cups as the ends, tell your students to build a bridge that spans 9 inches and will hold as much weight as possible. When the bridge is complete, measure its strength by placing quarters/pennies on it (or anything else you want). Count how many quarters the bridge holds. Put the following out on a table: 2 cups, 2 spoons (plastic or real), 6 sticks of spaghetti, 15 inches of tape, two 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper, a measuring tape and lots of quarters or pennies(the measuring tape and quarters/pennies cannot be used in the solution). Using the cups as the ends, tell your students to build a bridge that spans 9 inches and will hold as much weight as possible. When the bridge is complete, measure its strength by placing quarters/pennies on it (or anything else you want). Count how many quarters the bridge holds.

Work at Mc Donalds and Kumon - I work all night, I work all day...Work Education

Look at Monet and Star Wars exhibitions and plan outings. Arts, Science, Film and Media

Look at books on current strewing, I mean coffee table - topics include cartography, seven wonders of the world, myths Society and Environment, Science, English

St Simon and St Jude

2008-10-28T07:01:00.003+11:00

Log for Monday and Tuesday

Read about Saints for this week ( Society and Environment) and talked about feast and foods, plans of food to make ( Food and Technology)

Kumon Maths ( Maths)

Silent reading -Ancient Rome, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, gaming magazines , Biggles in France( English, Society and Environment)

Games - role playing - teams and strategies and game theory ( Maths, English)

Movies and discussion ( Engish - Film and Media)

Discuss terrorism and security while at airport ( Society and Environment)

Work for Kumon and Salmat ( Work Education - P.D.)

Cook dinner ( Food and Technology)

Listen to music; play piano (Arts)

Discuss word meanings after reading ( English)

Write game scenarios, email ( English)

Games, install games, internet research ( Computers)

French homework and French Class ( Language; Soical - P.D.)

Fitness ( P.E.)

IKEA outing with French Class

Current events - ninemsn ( Society and Environment)

Look up info re bird eating spider ( Science)

Bike riding ( P.E.)

Read and talk about St Crispin's Day, the B attle of Agincourt, Willima Shakspeare's St Crispin's Day speech in Henry V ( English, Society and Environment)

St Anthony Mary Claret

2008-10-24T21:59:00.002+11:00

Today's saint - we looked at the portrait in our saint book - quite colourful.

Life skills - getting ready for a day out.

Serve/pray at Mass

Surfing with other homeschoolers.

Social and chat afterwards

Listen to music - discuss different types, riffs, compare and contrast

Part time work at Kumon; volunteer work

Attended school fete and subsequent LOTS of reading of the books we purchased. In particular, discussed War Stories with Anthony - the different wars, history via wars, rules for war, morality, decision making, effect on history, empathy and sympathy.

Chores at home - some attend youth group

Talk about healthy eating and exercise

Writing skills - email

Watch ALIAS and relate to war and history discussion above.

Lego creations

St John of Capestrano

2008-10-23T22:31:00.002+11:00

Kumon Maths ( Mathematics)

Latin - Latin Grammar ( Language)

THINK Challenge - Place the following materials on the table: 12 straws 30 cm of tape scissors (these may not be used in the solution) an egg (raw or hard-boiled although raw is more fun). The challenge is to build a structure that will support the egg and keep it at least 3 cm above the surface of the table. You may not tape anything to the table or the egg. You may not use any materials besides those listed above. ( Science)

Computer ( Technology)

Game problem solving ( Mathematics)

Reading - Greece and Rome At War; Rome - Echoes of an Ancient Civilization ( Society and Evironment; English)

Piano practice ( Arts)

Fitness ( Phys Ed)

Work at Kumon ( Work Education; Personal Development)

Watch and discuss movies - Crackerjack; episode of Alias ( English; Film and Media).

Read about today's Saint ( Society and Environment)

Tuesday/Wednesday ~ It's better in Latin?

2008-10-22T23:04:00.004+11:00

I learned most, not from those who taught me but from those who talked with me. - St. Augustine

We had French class - vocabulary, grammar, masculine and feminine, dialogue, translations.

Games, active games, with other homeschoolers from French class.

Discussions - on education, on nutrition, on fast food, on the internet, on weather, on Dr Who, on teams, on ethics, on books, on history...

Work education - Salmat, Kumon, McDonalds

Chores and life skills

Serve at Mass

Silent reading

Work on writing scenarios for games

Game of Poleconomy - Australia political system

Video games

Internet research - history, recipes, lego, dictionary, slang, French translations

Kumon Maths - Alexander university maths

Read and discuss religion texts - blog, find suitable pic, print as Word document for file, read aloud to others

Conversations wth visitors

Wii fit

Piano practice

Help with cooking

Emails

Watching ALIAS and talk about characters - believable? Why/why not?

Prayer - English and Latin

Look at T shirt designs ( sample above) and talk about ideas for logos for T shirts/own designs

Lego construction and design

Photoessay of a homeschooling morning...

2008-10-20T22:18:00.004+11:00

St Cornelius

2008-10-19T23:40:00.005+11:00

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education. - Sir Walter Scott

Homeschooling Plans for the day

Read about today's Saint.

Kumon Maths

Look at THINK blog - this week's activity; cardboard boat challenge

Baking for the week/freezer

French homework

Discussion re book making this term ~ a Science theme? A book each or a family book?

Work education at Kumon

Things that just happen naturally

Chores and life skills

Fitness

Discussion

Reading - Anthony is reading about Ancient Rome right now

Current events - via ninemsn

Listen to music

Computer usage

Piano practice

Social

Movies and talking as follow up

Prayers

ETA - Anthony worked on building Lego and designing new Lego creations. We talked briefly about the THINK challenges and the books but no one's interest was grabbed (yet). Watched an episode of Blackadder over lunch- humour and satire, film and media....

St Ignatius of Antioch

2008-10-17T14:27:00.003+11:00

We've read about St Ignatius.

I had a morning rant about getting things done in time for Mass - chores, pack stuff, exercise, computer.

Listening to music and reading in the car.

9.15 a.m. Mass, where Fr. talked a bit more about St Ignatius.

Read ninemsn for headlines - talked about Prime Minister Rudd's monetary plans to help deal with the financial crisis; read about Madonna's divorce.

Ice skating and social with other homeschoolers at Penrith.

Design and draw cards for thank you notes.

Music lessons. Part time work for Alexander.

Hang out with visiting friend.

Youth group.

St Gerard Majella

2008-10-16T13:02:00.002+11:00

Computer

Chores for house inspection ~ team work!

Music practice

Kumon Maths - Anthony division and multiplication of decimals; Thomas quadratic equations; Alexander Discrete maths and loci

Latin - Learning Latin Through Mythology; Teach Yourself Latin; Latin Grammar

Bike ride.

Morning fitness

THINK Physics challenge together - Use the materials below to build a car. No scissors! Then, see if you can make it roll down a ramp.
4 sheets of paper
2 pencils
2 textas
sticky tape

Work education at Kumon

Reading - Runescape novel; Greece and Rome At War; Blandings Castle

Help with dinner as mum will be out! Ice cream cake for today's feast - Dad's name day..

Listen to music

Hang out together

St Teresa of Avila

2008-10-15T23:56:00.003+11:00

Had a meeting to talk about our day, time management, chores.

Computers.

Piano and guitar.

T work at Mc Donalds; A do univeristy work - Discrete Mathematics

Kumon Maths - Anthony algebraic problem solving; A loci ; T quadratic equations

Read religion texts and discuss

Read and write emails.

Anthony searched for and printed a map and flag of Spain

Silent reading - history of Greek and Roman wars and weaponry; Runescape novel

Active game with visiting friends

Morning tea, Lunch and discussions with visitors

Lego design and construction

Video games

Watch Biggles movie

Prayers; planning for tomorrow

Manic Monday and Ruby Tuesday

2008-10-14T22:58:00.002+11:00

Monday Oct 13

Start of term 4 - already!

Kumon Maths

Junk mail delivery and help at Kumon centre ( work education)

Fitness walk

Library skills - Rouse Hill library

Writing skills - work on novels

Social - parish office; at laser skirmish party; with youth group leaders at meeting.Silent reading - Jules Verne

Computer skills

Tuesday Oct 14

Discuss St Teresa of Avila - print map and flag of Portugal; what does it mean to be a Doctor of the Church? ( Society and Environment; English - oral language, word usage)

French class with other homeschoolers - vocab, grammar, dialogue; set up French blog; Frere Jacques ( Language; Group Skills, Computer )

Active team games with other homeschoolers ( Phys Ed; Social).

Music practice ( Arts)

Silent reading ( English)

Fold junk mail for delivery ( Work education)

Help with dinner ( Food and Technology; Life skills - Personal Development)

Computers

Attend/serve at Mass and social after.

Watch Alias and predict endings ( English)

Look at the THINK blog and this week's Physics/Thinking Skills challenge ( Science)

Woo hoo!

2008-10-10T17:14:00.003+11:00

Yay! My blog has been unblocked!

Homeschool log for Thursday October 8 ~

Kumon Maths

Work on novel writing. Discuss ideas and stories, plot, characters, writing styles, genre.

Music practice

Fitness

Computer games and usage

Model making and make and design scenery for LOTR games

Chores and life skills

Silent reading - Jules Verne, King Solomon's Mines, James Thurber, wargaming stuff.

Work education - at Kumon

Help with dinner prep

Discuss ethics and morals, making choices, after watching another episode of Alias.

Log for Friday October 9 ~

Attend Mass.

Exercise

Computer games and usage

Piano practice

Reading and discussion

Rouse Hill shops and library with friends

Lunch out and discuss budgets and nutrition

Read about the stock market crash and discuss recessions, depressions, the Great Depression, saving, financial markets

Active games with friend

Trampolining

Work ed- volunteer work - work for parish, folding and stapling booklets/newsletters

St Francis of Assisi

2008-10-04T07:05:00.003+10:00

The Long Weekend for Labour Day.

Plans?

Many things but here are some, some of those of note educationally ~

Nature walk/fitness walk Cumberland Forest, with interstate visitor
Students understand and
appreciate the physical,
biological and technological
world and have the knowledge
and skills to make decisions in
relation to it.
Students value and
implement practices that
promote personal growth and
well being.

Part time work at McDonalds for Thomas, junk mail delivery for all, serve at Mass
Students recognise
that everyone has the right
to feel valued and be safe,
and, in this regard,
understand their rights and
obligations and behave
responsibly.
Students are selfmotivated
and confident in
their approach to learning and
are able to work individually
and collaboratively

Reading, movies, discussion

Students engage
with the artistic, cultural and
intellectual work of others.

Students use language
to understand, develop and
communicate ideas and
information and interact
with others.

Read about St Francis and Our Lady of the Rosary and Labour Day

Students recognise when
and what information is
needed, locate and obtain it
from a range of sources and
evaluate, use and share it with others.

Students understand their
cultural, geographic and
historical contexts

Piano and guitar practice

Students participate in
creative activity of their own.

Computer, internet, email, blogs

Students select, use
and adapt technologies.

Cooking.

Students select, use
and adapt technologies.

The outcomes above are from the Curriculum Framework K-12

Homeschool Friday

2008-10-03T16:42:00.003+10:00

A busy morning - getting ready for lunch visitors and for an overnight guest. We wrote chore lists and split them up.

Kids did Wii Fit.

Went to the parish office to drop off stuff, and also said some prayers in the church.

Shopping at Rouse Hill Town centre.

Visitors for lunch - four other homeschooling families.

Picked up overnight guest from the train station - lots of talking, Wii and PS games, Singstar, outside play, bike riding with all our visitors.

More games and clean up.

We are going to Mass tonight with the Transitus of St Francis. Alexander will help with power point; Thomas and Anthony will serve. Social after...

ETA ~ helped clean uo after cuppa at parish office, watched Get Smart. Must be some educational value there, right?

Silent reading before bed.

Feast of the Guardian Angels

2008-10-02T22:38:00.002+10:00

I woke early, to organise the many things of my day. I hope I role model to the kids how to push oneself, how to do many things, time and self management, working together....

Kids did morning chores, played computer games, checked email and we talked about the framework of the day.

While Alexander and I were out on parish business, Anthony made patty cakes for today's feast. Thomas whipped rose coloured cream and made the cakes into angel wing cakes. Jonathon did some typing for me and some uni and artwork and business stuff ( graphic design).

They did some Kumon maths and some Latin ~ Learning Latin Through Greek Mythology.

Helped with proof reading of the parish newsletter, offering suggestions re colours and formats. Discussed parish and Kellyville history.

Trampolining. Daily fitness.

Piano and guitar practice.

Work ed at Kumon.

Silent reading.

Cooked dinner while I was out a meeting and watched the Marx Bros

St Therese of Lisieux

2008-10-01T22:29:00.002+10:00

A day of frayed or short tempers...some of the time..not sure why..

Went to Mass for today's feast.

Thomas worked at McDonalds; Alexander spoke at a Kumon workshop; Jonathon scanned pics and worked on colours to help me with the church newsletter

Worked on Kumon Mathematics.

Read INFORM, re WYD and wrote a summary - blogged and printed a copy. Oral reading of summaries.

Silent reading - more Thurber, some John Christopher.

Piano and guitar.

Listen to music CDs.

Write characters and scenarios for rpgs.

Co-operative video games.

Trampolining.

Chores and life skills.

Work ed - help with parish newsletter; delivery of junk mail.

Organise budget and money and chip in to buy dinner.

Discussion re vocabulary and language usage and different meanings - double entendre

Watch ALIAS and compare to to othr TV series and to books of similar genre.

Talk to visitors.

Help plan and look for pics and set up October's bulletin board.

Feast of St Jerome

2008-09-30T23:03:00.003+10:00

We read about St Jerome, and read a bit from the Dhouay-Rheims Bible. Talked about languages - Latin, Aramaic, Ancient Greek.

Skipping with skipping rope for fitness.

Looked at news online ~ Wall Street "crash", environmental report, contaminated milk in China and recall of Cadbury chocolate.

Then we looked at the pictures of Paris on Greg's blog.

Tidy bedrooms and tidy up chores, computer and video games, other homeschoolers over.

Active outside play, team games, social, conversation, Wii games, Singstar with other homeschool friends.

Jonathon uni and music; Alexander looked at a speech he is giving tomorrow at Kumon.

Work ed - Kumon; folding junk mail for delivery, clean up after visitors.

Play piano and guitar.

Silent reading .

Email and internet use ~ writing skills, writing for a purpose and audience.

Serve at St Anthony Mass.

Family discussion on parents, on family culture, on aging.

Watch ALIAS and try to predict endings.

Hmm, a different sort of homeschool-while-on-school-holidays day.

Offically, it is school holidays

2008-09-29T09:56:00.006+10:00

But our life, liturgy and learning continue...

Plans ~
Feast of the Archangels. Discuss and look at artwork. Perhaps Mass in the evening.

Making a Devil's Food cake for today's feast.

Kumon Mathematics.

Blog posts on the RAAF Open Day. Print for files

Uni for Jonathon and Alexander

Wii Fit.

Computer Games.

Check emails for mum's links this week - James Thurber and Rose Seidler House.

Work education at the Kumon centre.

Music practice.

ETA ~ There was also a lot of silent reading. Anthony read The Wizard of Earthsea, for example.

And we watched another episode of Alias, discussing plots within plots, denouement, episodic TV and books and movies..