When we heard that Gary’s parents were coming to stay with us, we thought it might be good for them to see for themselves some of the work we have been doing. So we decided to do a mini presentation. Mini because I knew there was no way we would have the time or the inclination to put in the work required to carry off one of our normal presentations. As it turned out we had to almost force ourselves to do this one. Well, who wants to be working when you can be playing with your beloved grandparents?
I think they did very well under the circumstances, but I learnt a lesson and I doubt we’ll be doing anymore mini presentations. Grandad and Granny are just too lovely to be around to be learning lines and practicing. The children are very possessive over their time with their grandparents, probably due to the fact they rarely see them, so holiday times with them have no place for academics. Sigh. You live and learn.
Anyway, without further ado here is our mini presentation. L11 chose to do hers on Muhammad and the Islamic faith. We had done a full study on this subject, so she found it very easy to keyword it and turn it into a presentation:
And she used the model we had made during that study as a means to demonstrate her story:
She decided to be an Islamic scholar and chose her costume from our dressing up box:
Her presentation was quite long, but she did a sterling job, especially considering we had practiced a fraction of the amount we usually do for presentations:
Well done L12, you did a great job!
C11 had such a difficult time choosing her subject and the first one she chose I thought was too hard to condense to presentation timing, the next we tried (at my suggestion) was full of longer, complicated words, which she struggled to say fluently each time she practiced. I could see she was getting more and more concerned, so I suggested a topic, very similar to her first choice, just a little less complicated. I was very proud of how she handled it, given she really only had a day to practice. Her presentation was on Richard the Lionheart and was based on our leadership study. She decided herself to be a knight who fought in the crusades under the leadership of Richard. The purpose of her presentation was to recruit more knights to fight for the cause. Here she is dressed up:
Do you remember these?
C11 also decided to hand these out to her Grandad and Granny to encourage them to join her on her plight to save the Holy Lands!
I think under the circumstances she did a really good job. And the whole experience showed me how important it was to choose a subject matter that interests the student. C11 could not get to grips with the one I chose despite having a whole week, yet as soon as she had something she enjoyed she was able to carry it out in just one day. Another lesson learnt. Claire – you need to step back and allow the process to happen and YOU MUST STOP INTERFERING!!
Funnily enough I did just that for T12’s presentation and was blown away by what he managed to achieve. T12 decided to do his presentation on Alhazan, a medieval Islamic scientist whom we had just recently studied. I’m not sure who he was dressed as but he definitely had an eastern look about him:
T12 basically researched everything on his fairly newly acquired computer (September) and wrote out his key words into a powerpoint presentation:
He included the following video on his laptop for his audience to watch, about the camera obscura:
And then gave his Grandad and Granny a go at looking at our living room upside down on his:
He did a great job and without me having a hand in anything. He was 100% independent and I was a very proud mummy.
It’s funny, the mini presentation wasn’t up to our normal standard at all, due to the lack of practice (and incentive, if I’m honest) and yet it is probably the presentation I have learnt the most from.
I am realising my children are growing up and are ready to be much more independent and I am learning that there is far more joy that way. Oh, and it is also becoming clear that A5 is ready to be doing a little presentation herself. She was itching to be involved and even B2 asked to do a M’Men (Mr Men) presentation! Next time, everyone will be involved.
Love the presentation, such fun learning
Thank you Fiona!
Brilliant Claire! I can’t tell you how many people I know who are absolutely terrified of any form of public speaking. This (in my opinion) is affording your children the opportunity to get comfortable in front of an ‘audience’. It is an incredibly valuable skill. Even more so because they are attempting to convey an idea that is important to them. Really, really brilliant! Well done guys!
Thanks Liezel. It wasn’t our best, but you are right. Any opportunity to speak in front of people has to be good. Thanks for the encouragement!
What awesome presentations! I know what you mean about academics and relatives visiting. We have learned the same thing. I stick to education day trips. I would like to try is some time. Maybe if the kids were already before the grands got here.
Blessings, Dawn
In a way, it’s a balance. I wanted their grandparents to be involved like my mum is everyday. But it’s no fun for the children if they have to fit in practice around their grandparents visit. I’ll not do it again. Maybe we’ll send the videos to them?
What wonderful presentations!! What an experience you are giving your children. I know that I need to do more of this, but it doesn’t come very easily to my kids.
I don’t think it comes that easily to T because of his speech, but I guess because he’s done them since he was 6 he just accepts them as part and parcel of his schooling. The girls, like their father, love being up in front of people (he’s a worship leader) but T and I are very much more reserved!
Oh, and yes, she is very beautiful!
Thank you.
I’m jealous of your costume box, I adore that knight costume.
I’d love it if you did a video of their presentations, it’d be fun to see sometime.
We do video them all, but I wouldn’t have a clue how to go about putting it up on my blog. If you want to teach me…..
Mini presentations? Really?? Fabulous work, everyone! I agree with Ticia about the video presentations. That would be fantastic. I know my children would love to see them.
The costumes are such a benefit to the presentations. I also looked at their key words closely. This is such a wonderful way to prepare for public speaking.
It looks like T12 is well on his way to independent learning. I know that is exciting for you and Gary.
I am sure it was hard to work with grandparents around, but it looks like they managed quite well.
Bravo, children!
Enjoy your weekend, Claire. Today we are celebrating a 15th birthday, so we are taking the day off to prepare. Exciting!
Oooh, happy birthday to the birthday girl! I hope you had a wonderful time.
Thanks for your continued encouragement Donna, especially on the things we feel we didn’t do terribly well!
Lovely costumes, and sounds like all three presentations have been awesome! I totally understand how difficult it would be to get the children into preparation mode when grandparents around – Tiger would flatly refuse to do any school-related work during family time (that includes family visits). Your children have done fabulously!
My guys are really accommodating but I felt guilty even asking them to do it! It’s great Tiger can let you know in advance – saves much time and trouble!
I so love reading your wrap-ups. Your presentations are amazing. You are truly giving your children a wonderful educational experience.
Aww, thanks Kris. I love our presentations (even when they aren’t quite up to scratch!) because I always learn so much about the children. We’ve already started preparing for our next one!
I am impressed with the presentations. I think those show what your kids are learning.
Thanks Beth.
Wow- it looks like it was fabulous!
Thanks Mary.
I thought the presentations were excellent! I’d love to see videos of them on a regular basis. I really thought you were just putting the final touches to them while we were there. To have had so little real practice they were great. Showed how much they had taken in during lessons. Looking forward to seeing you soon. XXXXXXX
Thanks Heather! I’m glad you enjoyed them. I think the children would have just preferred to have been with you having a ‘holiday’!
It’s hard to let go sometimes, but very important to encourage independent work. The more the kids become independent learners now, the more they will enjoy learning in the future. Some kids really prefer independence, while others want to be told exactly what is expected of them. Both are a bit of a challenge sometimes.
I’m enjoying very much the process of watching them become more independent, it is what we have always desired for them.
If this is a quick practice, “not up to scratch” mini presentation, I think I would be bowled over reading about a full presentation! It sounds fascinating.
We’ve been known to strew straw all over the floor (Viking). This really was a small presentation!
I can’t beleive this is my first visit to your blog, I’ll definitely be picking your bloggy brain in the years to come. Quick pracice…wow.
Welcome Kyle! It’s great to have you. Feel free to pick my very scatty bloggy brain!