It has been a good week this week. We have worked our way through one English Language IGCSE paper, learnt about the Japanese, Australian Aborigines, Cervantes Don Quixote (which C is desperate to get her hands on), and Francis Bacon.
We have had a focus week on the Aborigines and have returned to our former school days and done loads and loads of hands on projects. It felt extremely good to be back doing that which we enjoy so much.
We also managed maths each day, spelling, another chapter of Religious Studies IGCSE, got a decent amount done on the penultimate chapter of are Bible study ‘Who is God?’
The little ones have spent hours drawing, colouring, chalking, painting and using our didgeridoo as some kind of primitive communication device (see below). C has spent each afternoon on her novel, which she is writing for NaNoWriMo. B has come up with some spots on her back, legs and face. We’re thinking it might be chicken pox, but we’ll see.
This week has taught me something I seem to need to be retaught every year, and that is time based timetables do not work brilliantly for us. They do increase productivity but they also encourage a ‘tick the box to say I’ve done the subject’ type of approach. This week I have been doing a list type time-table, which still requires crossing off but tends to be more product focused rather than process. Gasp! Yes, I know, that is NOT a very PC thing to say is it? And yet it works exceptionally well for us. In this way our week has produced some fabulous school work including a heap of hands on projects, as well as an abundance of good quality writing. I can look back and actually see how productive the day has been.
Last Sunday we had T’s Physics’ tutor and his family round for dinner, so I have another table to show you. Apologies, but I just love a beautifully laid table. It gives me tingles!
The biggest news this week is that we finally got round to decorating T’s bedroom. His room and our room are the only rooms which have not been touched since we moved here. T was not sleeping too well a while ago for multiple reasons. Between us we came up with a plan of attack. One of our plans was to create a lovely relaxing room where absolutely no school work was done:
We painted it cream and then we went with a blue theme to go with his hand sewn patchwork quilt. He is a very happy boy, and loves his new room:
T continues to teach himself the guitar and is encouraged hugely by the youth group at church. L has decided to learn piano with the goal of maybe all three of them forming a band with T on guitar, C singing and L on piano. Funnily enough, she seems to be taking to it quite well, and has taught herself many tunes already:
This has been one of those weeks where we look back on our days together with a happy sigh. Over the next week we will be attempting to create two different spaces for C and L in their bedroom and continuing with our lovely hands on and busy homeschool.
Thank you family for the wonderful bedroom that was created for me 😊
You are very welcome! Now just make sure you keep it tidy 🙂
Never apologize for showing off the table setting. I love them too. T’s room looks fantastic. I am glad you all had such a fine week.
Blessings, Dawn
Thank you Dawn x
All those fresh faces never fail to make me smile!
I love T’s newly done room, your table looks lovely, and I am in awe of how much schoolwork you got done 🙂 Nice job all round, Claire! Well done you.
Yes, we don’t usually get so much done. This week so far has been a travesty! But thank you for being impressed 😉
I love the picture of your little aborigines in their skirts and paints!! The weeks that we end up feeling best about in our house are the ones that are more hands-on as well. 🙂
Thank you Rebecca!
It’s probably just the difference between “English” and “American,” but what are “time based timetables?”
😁
No, I think it might just be a ‘Claire-ism’! What I mean is that if we are clock watching we tend to do things just to tick them off, which may look impressive but the reality is less learning occurs. A list helps us to concentrate one thing at a time without the time constraints! I hope that clears it up a bit 🙂
The not-so-littles-anymore are adorable, your table is gorgeous, T’s room looks fantastic! You have been busy! Please tell C that Gracie has Don Quixote and will gladly send it to her. It is on her reading list, but she isn’t looking forward to it at all. Maybe C can offer some encouragement.
Have a lovely weekend. :))
Thank you for the offer of the book. I think I will wait until she has plowed through the huge list she is reading until I let her at that as well. She’s currently doing Spurgeon’s sermons (!!) as well as Paradise lost. But thank you for the offer 🙂
Gracie will be disappointed. HA!
I just love that room! Gorgeous. It looks like such a fun week! I’ve long been fascinated with all things Australian, so seeing your photos made me so happy. I hope B’s spots aren’t chicken pox. 🙁
Thanks Kris! I’m still not sure. If they were it was a very mild case. Who knows?!
I love to see your table settings. We almost never set a formal table anymore, so it’s wonderful to see yours. And T’s bedroom looks very peaceful. I need a nice calm room like that 🙂 I’ll be praying that B’s spots are not chickenpox.
Thank you 🙂
You make the most gorgeous tablescapes! My guys still like to dress up and do hands-on stuff, too. At least my youngest two do. I hope that if the spots are chickenpox that it goes quickly. All of my kids (except Quentin) had chickenpox about 12 years ago and it was good for them to get it young.
Thank you Phyllis. If it was chicken pox (and we are still not sure) then it was a very mild case (probably thanks to all the prayers of my blogging friends)
Ugh, I remember chicken pox. My kids were all vaccinated for it (which I have mixed feelings on), but I do remember having chicken pox and being miserable.
I love a good tablescape too, but I’m horrible at the little details that make it so pretty.
I didn’t even know there was a vaccination. I don’t think anyone vaccinates over here. Interesting….
I love this peek into your homeschool! It warms my heart to see your children playing music together! And yes, that is a LOVELY table! Feel free to link up with us at the Parent Teacher Meet-Up as well! 🙂 http://branson365.blogspot.com/2015/11/our-homeschool-week-in-review.html
Thank you Branson 🙂
What a fab week! I love the idea of focusing on Aborigines and their culture. Your kids look so cute in their costumes and face-paint. Adorable! And yes…We like our hands-on activities too!
Thank you so much Gemma Elizabeth (I love your name!)
I love seeing your tables, Claire! They inspire me. What a productive week y’all had. I’ve always had the exact same problem with time-based schedules. You’re littles are getting so big. I hope if it’s chicken pox it goes quickly and is a light case. Thanks for the post!
Thank you Tara, that’s a lovely thing to say 🙂
Darling little Aborigines!! Beautiful table setting 🙂 Your week is inspiring me to get moving — just have to get healthy first.
Oh, I so hope you are becoming healthier. Each time I see a comment from you I smile because I think maybe you are improving a little. Much lovexx
Looks like a lovely week. I adore all of your pictures. The kids look like they are having so much fun learning. Your table setting is gorgeous!
Thank you 🙂