Category Archives: numeracy

A Winters Walk

On Friday me and the girls went out for a walk in the afternoon. Not far, but with BB we don’t go fast ;-) It was lovely sunny and cold early winter/late autumn day.

We splashed through puddles, looked for berries (the Blackberries weren’t nice confirmed SB :-) ), squelched around in a ditch, played pooh sticks, swung on branches, stroked horses, watched diggers and got home to a nice cup of tea/hot choc.

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Had lots of discussions as well about things, Why railways often run on embankments, why it’s cold, even though the sun is out all day, why more clothes keep us warmer, why the digger was digging holes, how things like water and electricity get to houses, other stuff I’ve forgotten. Lovely bit of fresh air, and modicum of exercise, really need to make the effort to get out more.

Other than that, this morning there was more maths (almost the end of Singapore Maths 2A – she can do it easily, but likes to finish things) Has said she prefers the My Pals Are Here ones, with the Aliens, so we’ll have to see, we’ve only got up to 2B in stock. Keep meaning to mix it up with the ‘Exeter Maths’ MEP stuff, but tend to forget. Did find the other day that they are starting to put some of it up online – the Year 3 practice books (as in you can do it online) which saves printing stuff out, and having yet more paper around the place. Some handwriting, reading of library books and some tidying of the girls room.

Much playing as well with BB’s Bob the Builder Duplo/Lego which she loves, even though she isn’t so much into BTB on tV.

Once Helen was home, we’d had dinner, we retired to the sitting room, to roast Chestnuts on the fire and watch Earth: Power of the Planets

Thursday was mostly a recover from BB’s party day – the parents were knackered anyway., with much tidying up to be done, a few bits of maths etc. SB’s Rainbows friend R came round after school and except for one standoff over where to play what they had fun. Playing something upstairs, some Fimo-ing, watched an awful My Little Ponies video, I cooked something she didn’t want to eat much of again :-( H was staying over at this training thing so I got the girls into bed as promptly as I could after they’d gone home so i could collpse in a heap and watch TV moslty – even went to bed at sensible time.

monday just gets busier

during the day, SB did maths and piano practice, and the girls had their room re jigged. SB in particlar made lots of icosohedrons with the polyhedrons . I think I might have to print off the various platonic solids so that I can remember their names, and SB learn for the first time!! BB made houses and tunnels and tents – not bad![chris might expand on day, but doubt it!]

When I got back, we did some more polyhedrons. BB and i read apple tree farm, and she did lots of counting. Then – drum roll please – SB and I FINISHED SOTW!!! well, the first book anyway. The roman empire has declined and fallen! SHe wanted to do some more latin, have no idea where the minimus book is, so found the usborne first latin [or whatever its called too lazy to check!] and said hello, how are you. Chris liked being the domine – ahem!!!

SB went to ballet, returned briefly and then went on to swimming – how chaotically busy. its the new class, and there were only 4 in it today, right down at the deep end, so lots of attention each. Chris said she was excellent. BB and I played with the jigsaws and counting games, and then some more traintracking whilst I made a thai thing for tea – which i cooled down for the girls with some left over leek and potato soup from yesterday- worked well. oh, I must say at this point, SB says Marcus makes better leek and potato soup as Chris’s was to leeky!!!

BB off to bed after a numberjack hit, and SB and I then wrapped up her presents for BB, and finished her card. [OK, I have just finished it, as SB got ‘worn out with cross stitching‘ , but the design was all hers, and she did do it valiantly.] So she decided to make chocolate [dairy free] truffles to put in the party bags for wed. SO we had fun doing that, and agreed we made a very good team!

SB is reading to me the next magic tree house now at bedtime – lunchtime with lions, and I read another chapter of 21 balloons, which we both giggled over. [and yes, a maggie , hamilton and the ferocious beast]

SO now wondering whether to do a BB blogpost or read new book!!!

walking and cycling

My car being at work due to the shenanigans of last weeks travelling meant we all went into town today, but to the other side and had a lovely walk/cycle around the park. SB cycled, BB triked [sometimes pushed] and walked and we did all the usual looking at things that goes on. was chuffed that SB had remembered loads about clouds and weather, reminded her of the names. BB in particular had a real ball with leaf kicking. Ended at the cafe – where else? and they coloured and drew funghi and SB read the display.

and off we go

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Home, mostly playing. SB did do some violin practice though. Whilst we did this, BB was very carefully ascending and descending a note at a time on the toy keyboard, singing doe a deer at the same time. i was impressed. BB and I read books – she loves counting at the mo, and she and SB played a complicated game with the alphabet cards, and SB and I played a lot of card games, including rapid adding up. Rather HE-ly, we now have 2 and 3 times tables up in the toilet, which she chants loudly when she goes. 2′s are fine, and the early 3′s any way. When BB in bed, she then went through a DK gymnastics book, doing warm up and various positions. She has finished the magic tree house ghost town book already! so I have put various mapping, atlas and explorer and such like books in her choice box at her request.

I need to buy some textbooks. they come in at 150 – 200 each! added to our 2000 [well just under] mondeo bill and christmas, aaarrgh. So might just stick some of the Katie art books in anyway – or is SB too old now?

Soothing Saturday

we planned a chilled day today – or rather hope to plan! S and I had a nice morning snuggle in her bed with me making up stories for her, and just chatting about this and that. When she went downstairs I fell asleep until BB came up with a card she had made for me – ahh.

SB did a long violin practice [we're getting to the end of the book and the musical antics of last week also enthused her] and a MUCH shorter piano, as we’ve hit a piece where she needs to move her hands, and at the present it is a bit of a brick wall, so gently manouvering around it. She won’t move on till she can do it btw.

A mood enhancing high carb lunch to gee us parents up! Worked to, with strong coffee!! Then SB did loads of maths – again a book end in sight, read cover to cover jan’s Richard scarry books and then did some circle based painting.

BB had been doing jigsaws and also painting – well demanding I make circles for her to turn into things! i read a variety of books, and she pretended to read some too. Lots of counting involved, as she likes counting. She then went on to play with the playdough – after having a sulk that it wasn’t fimo – rofl! rule is we do fimo with SB and mess with playdough otherwise – I am so harsh.

BB was the one with particular post camp behaviour [and parents - me flickring and chris just being out of avery one's way!] SB was fine.

Watched some numberjacks and roar pre tea, and little house on the prairie post tea. SB discussed the story as one where an 80 year old dies, and her friend pretends to die so she gets to see her family. SB just didn’t understand why they wouldn’t visit. I explained travelling being so much more of a deal than jumping in a car!
With BB reluctantly going to bed, SB and I did some sewing as she wants to make her a sewn card. we cannabalised some shorts embroidery, and she cross stitched one onto a card very nicely. She is now reading the next magic tree house – Ghost Town at Sundown, so as well as the little house on the prairie, I need to find a few other books that vaguely tie in for her ‘choice’ box.

Hmmm, time for a cup of coffee methinks. oh, SB can remember roman numerals – she knew a VII was 7!

relatives and raptors

mum has retired to bed early as exhausted – so are we all. I a even more in awe of the home educators who are trotting about gaily. We have had 2 days of trotting about and I am exhausted!

Yesterday I took mum and the girls to visit Little Nanny. We had a lovely day, the girls reading books [SB a DK one and a book house one about big cats and grasslands respectively, and BB on apple tree farm] and playing games with the Nanny’s [rummy, patience and whos who] whilst I tried to make sure my mum didn’t do any helping [as post op] and little nanny was sorted out for food etc. And the girls didn’t spread chocolate everywhere… SB also did a piano practice after tea – entirely unsolicited! BB did both piano and violin – very cute.
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today, BB and SB made a card for Chris’s Uncle Robert who had a 70th birthday party today [one of the 2 birthday parties we didn't attend today] My parents were invited to both of them, and orignally i was going to Josies, but Mum was worn out after cambridge followed by little nanny and had a lie in [for her] and felt in need of TLC.

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TLC duly given whilst SB did maths and writing, and BB also did some maths – counting and making numberjack buddy blocks. Mum’s raised eyebrows over the term was neatly shown when SB continued to call them bloody box. SB read mum a book about why we eat, and discussed healthy eating whilst eating more of the trick or treat spoils – rofl.

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mum felt more chipper after lunch, and the girls needed a run. Dad also here, but has been doing our garden – it looks fantastic. He is so helpful. And no, he doesn’t have to do it, I tell him this repeatedly, but also that he is my hero for ignoring me – mixed messages! Anyway, he had had enough, so we all piled out to the Raptor centre [apart from Chris, who had had enough with windows, and puled off down to his uncle robert's birthday - his uncle robert is not v well]

We enjoyed looking at the rescued birds, alot of them were in Harry potter movies, so had their star portraits – SB wondered if Harry Potter was about owls then – bless. Nearly ready I think to start on Harry Potter. Then there was the flying display, which was fab. The main man doing it was very knowledgeable, obviously loved the birds, and talked both top them and us. I loved the owls best. The audience got to stroke the 2 owls – BB and SB very keen to do so. lots of discussion round them, and a trip to the shop, where they each got a flier for 40p – bargain!!

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there is also a craft shop on site – a bit deadly, but SB noticed they had a small haberdashery [we had been discussing haberdasheries, and their decline, so yes, she does know the word!] so I bought her some headed pins, she also noticed Mum looking over some leather purses, and asked me if we could get one for her for Xmas – so a little pantomime, of me telling SB to ask mum what she would look for in a good purse, and a good colour – ie mum picked one out more or less – and then we bought it! SB very proud to have chosen it – my credit card slightly more surprised! [I also bought an Xmas tree dec for me, and one for SB and BB's tree]

Home, and I made enchilladas for tea – yummy. Girls flew their flyers – nearly confiscated them at one point mind you! SOme numberjacks, game playing and BB to bed, SB watched various fireworks going off and then played more card games before her bedtime.

I am knackered, Mum already in bed. I’m waiting for Chris though, so he doesn’t come in to a dark house – hurry up sweetheart!

SAD

I am just not so good at this time of year. I get grumpy for no apparent reason, decided that I am crap at everything I do [well, even crapper than I normally rate myself] and just fid it hard to shift. Thinking about whether those lights actually work, whether i should get one – what a lot of money! and whether it is because I am actually just crap. This time of year is a big reflection time, so will be putting up something home-eddy at some point! [not a surprise announcement of schooling!]

This week may have gone more sadly/badly because of the death of my godfather, but I have been crap and morose at work as well as home, and it just isn’t on. Work is not a place that accepts [or should accept] anything less than as near perfection as manageable, so feeling that let things down there a bit too.

SO at home, chris and the girls done lots of shopping trips as far as I can see! we had that lovely day at Michelles, and SB also has had a lovely playdate with Rainbows R. oh, the girls had a midweek swim, which they both enjoyed too.

I was at home thurs, but not sure what we did at all, apart from Chris took the girls shopping. SB did some maths, something on the web, we watched some downloads?? Nope, no idea – should have blogged! oh, a lot of playing with the castle! Oh, and the lego. Bit of a little house on the prairie revival as well.

Today both girls have spent a fair bit of time on the computer – poisson rouge and starfall for BB with a bit of rainforest maths, and education city and rainforest maths for SB. SB and I read the fall of the romans in story of the world, and then some more about atilla the hun in raiders and invaders – and discussed why both books might have what might be ‘key facts’ different. The some looking at their internet links – which were poor. luckilly Sarah blogged, so we snitched some of her roman links instead. might look up the usborne ones- must be some quicklinks on their site.

Starfall Education city - maths

SB did some running and sports with Chris in the garden – new trainer/running shoes from la redoute which she isn’t sure whether she likes. BB and I have had lots of snuggles and silly play. SB took herself to the piano to do some practice – asked me to help when her new piece has made her move her hands – cue much panic! do I play the note they’ve written or the finger number? both dear, you have to move your fingers – aargh.

i had set up some pots of glue, assorted bits to stick on and some pringles tubes in the kitchen for them to fiddle with. SO they did that for a bit. SB got glue all over a new dress, despite me begging her to take it off and minor scene about that with me stumping off into garden – just as she spills it everywhere.

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SB and BB rather nicely playing together – BB is doing match and sort with lego with SB! Dinner ready. off I shoot.

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Back again. SB fancies watching robin hood, so we will do that. Chris has downloaded torchwood as we have run out of regenesis. Enjoying that too. they do like filming the girls bottom in tight jeans! That isn’t exactly the bit I watch for though!

Guilty Pleasures!

Chris’s parents have been here tday to look after the girls whilst i was at work and he was working on the window. s we have had the heatng n. t is still on! and it is lovely. must switch off tomorrow though.

Sb has bee very good, and has done her singapore maths, and her getty and dubay – finally started book C – woohoo. She has read lots to the – scored easy impressing marks! Nana French read one of the explorer books back – about polar expeditions.

When I got home we did some violin and piano practice too – SB was supremely confident about playing to them. Def proud Mummy moment – twinkle twinkle on the violin and haydn was a happy man on the piano.

Lots of game playing also – both girls keen to tell me all the games they had played. BB bamboozled nana with her playing who’s who, but i was actuall surprised at how well BB had the concept and what to ask for.

Watched some downloads, and a fab junior jackanory about the sorcerer f samarkhand – don’t know about the girls, but I was spell bound.

BB fell asleep, SB finished her magic tree house book, and we did some ‘proper sewing‘ [her phrase!] . Nice start to what is going to be a frantic week [in part because I've left my submission of evidence of learning to the last minute for work]. Chris has done a god job on the window today to. smiley faces all round.

cosmic supply and polyanna

today i was a bit low on patience. The girls were a bit low on tolerance. Various people comment [IRL] that this blog always sounds good – the spin i put on there. i guess thats because I want to remember with rose spectacles, I know the usual tensions were there, so I don’t necessarily need to go into them. for posterity, however, a fairly standard exchange

BB – wail cry, want to watch numberjacks. i haven’t watched for ages

me- lets read a book or play a game

SB – I want to play a game

me – after you’ve finished your maths

BB – no, its my game, I’m bouncing

SB – BB bouncing on me – wail wail

Me – BB stop bouncing on SB, SB do your maths up the table, on the sofa or in the dining room, not spreadeagled on the floor where BB wants to bounce

SB and BB – wail, its not fair

[BB scratches SB to make her move ]

SB force 10 wails, BB SCRATCHES ME

Me – SB, on the sofa NOW. I asked you to move, you have stayed on the floor to annoy her. BB off the bouncer and say sorry to S – NO? then to the stairs

[bounce bounce bounce , BB goes, comes back and says sorry, peace restored, until next time!]

Does that help?

Anyway, great wailing choruses apart, SB did maths, handwriting, much computer gaming. We read about the first landing on the moon. BB bounced, read books, played with dolls house, starfalled [she is v good on starfall].

We all just about did a jigsaw of America together – BB wanted to do it, less than impressed with SB helping, though we did manage to do it toether without too much stress in the end. We all bailed outside, where a bit more personal space enabled us all to be happier people.

the cosmic supply bit is that chris wheeled out our old broken washing machine, and 1 mins later there was a knock and an enquiry to take it away. Fantastic – someone can fix it or sell it for parts, and we don’t have to go to the tip.

i made a particularly yummy chilli bean soup/stew [it was halfway between - rofl] for tea. we all wolfed it down. We finished watching Adam Hart Davis looking at the cosmos: a beginners guide.

Aargh Blogging

Chris has loads of half written posts that need finishing!

I obviously worked a lot last week, but also tried to do as much as poss at home – playing games with SB after BB in bed a consistently good thing, and we have felted and hama-ed.

Errm, keeping going with violin, and she did some spontaneous piano practice tody – woohoo! musical instruments are gradually tuning in her brain too – she is much better at singing a tune, so hopefully wont be as tone deaf as Chris.
Maths and handwriting regularly done, we are nearing the end of first story of the world. DO I think she remembers it – not a lot, but hopefully setting the scene as it were! Quite a bit of crafting and arting. Read about pompeii -buried alive, and ring of fire from sonlight. and also the leap ahead volcano, and read through a volcano book. More playing with the ello and ds. Jump ahead and zoombinis on ‘puter, and watching various natural history progs. SB reading loads – fairy books, felicity ewishes, horrid henry and anything she can get her hands on.
girls and chris swimming at the weekend – we’re trying to get back into the habit of going on a sunday as BB loves it

Girls and chris went to see oliver twist yesterday – SB found it too scary, and had difficulty getting to sleep. we talked about our visit to gressenhall, and the rellies that were born there, but she was still unhappy – doesn’t want to learn about victorians! then playing with firends and shoe buying. SB eventually got some felicity wishes boots. they sparkle along the side!
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SB is rather frighteningly gaining a waist and indefinably ‘older’. PANIC!!

BB is also getting small girlish. She counts and pretends to read alot. SHe is great at switiching on her ‘puter, finding the kids downloads and choosing one to watch – scary! Her drawing and painting is very careful,, often with a story to it, that she chats or sings along with. BB excellent at singing. I think she may well have inherited my perfect pitch. She is also getting careful with hama beading. Her vocab is excellent – prob due to having SB as an older sister. Still well into her numberjacks addiction!

My Mum seems to be OK post surgery – phew. Unfortunately found today that my godfather has been admitted to my local tertiary hospital neuro unit and not at all well. intubated and ventilated for th last 5 days – so I would appreciate any positive thoughts.

hmmm, there have been loads of things I thought I should blog from both girls – can’t remember them for toffee!! Hopefully chris will [subtle nudge!!]

visitors

we were supposed to meet up for a day in the woods, but the weather looked grim, i had had a not brill nigh and still have migraine, so visitors came to ours. they were laden with games, so a HUGE game fest went on and we had a great time. didn’t take many photos as chatting and playing!

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prior to their arrival, SB was racing through her maths book, did some more decorating of Mum’s get well card. BB and I baked some cookies too. She has also read ring of fire, to go with our vaguely volcano vaguely roman feel to the week!