MS 2006

Taking us to feb 2008 – ie SB 7 [2 years]
I think full formal education starts too soon. this first period is about learning learning skills, and getting the information – so reading is something we will build on! making the world an exciting and interesting place to live in and imparting the knowledge without being overly concerned to the most part on how long it is retained! Some skills are built on – namely literacy, language, numeracy and practical things such as art, music and sports. Others will come and go.The key thing is to view the tapestry, not count the stitches. The basic warp and weft will be forming.

In this, we are likely to be child led rather than completely autonomous. I see it panning out that there are activities we try and accomplish on a regular basis, be this daily, weekly, fortnightly or what seems reasonable . The actual minutiae will not be programmed, and will be child interest led. Although I have rough idea of what we may get through as such in the next 2 years, it isn’t ‘must do or else’, and often I skip bits : more a guide to where i see us being. SB has a wide ranging thirst at the moment, and so it seems unreasonable to fix her attention on something she truly deems boring when there are many other things to catch her spark.
Play activities are equally vital if not more so at this stage – as when else in the future are you given the chance to have free play without some pangs of guilt? Lets get rid of the guilt, so that is something that is part of the balance. many of the toys can be seen to have all sorts of possible educational benefits, as I think there is very little ‘play’ that doesn’t have some learning potential – from rehearsing life scenarios, honing imagination, fine motor control, etc etc.

the Nitty Gritty

literacy: and that is that we will be leading up to increased stuff in the next 2 years, hopefully running through the explode the codes – possibly 2 rather than 3 a year! Find as many early readers that fire the imagination without being too awful, and ebay the rest! Encouraging a love of reading from the books – sepearte perhaps the architecture of reading into the explode the code, so the books aren’t so tedious from the language lessons! Continue to read aloud a wide and varied story matter that pleases SB and is chosen by her. On the language arts front perhaps try the first language lessons from susan wise bauer

maths: singapore maths 1a, 1b and starting 2a . Using our miquon if we start to get on with it better [or ebay it] and the ‘exeter’ maths for different perspectives. Also incorporating lots of time just fiddling with manipulatives, and bring maths into the every day. may purchase some cuisinaire books and the pattern blocks to play with.

History: we have commenced the first story of the world as a reader, and perhaps aim for midway into the second 2 story of the worlds, just seeing how it goes. alongside this we have lots of great usborne books and good piccies in DK eyewitness [the text is too rich at the moment] Also readers set in different time periods, and myths and legends seem to go down well. As I’ve said, we will not be testing recall. In fact, I have decided we probably won’t do timelines etc as yet unless SB develops the idea from elsewhere, and leave them till later on. The story of the world does basic chronology, but we won’t be bound by this on a daily basis, rather following the spark of interest. The Muddlepuddle curriculum will sit nicely in both this and the literacy categories, and we aim to be semi following it.

writing: SB is not so keen on writing any large amounts at the moment, but does like to write small notes and cards to people. At the moment we are not planning any additional writing, but as she gets more confident and keen, we have the getty and dubay series to hone things.

critical thinking: I would like to do some critical thinking. May buy a sonlight book!

science: I would like to join the young scientists club, and use those and our usborne pocket series. crystal kits, dig it out kits, and general messing about – lovely! our gears and hopefully a brainbox kit will sit nicely here too.

Geography: will be predominantly history and holiday based, but perhaps something such as geocaching may take SB’s interest?

We should give languages a good crack – german as we have resources and ? Spanish as some of those too. We have the latin is easy [or whatever!] but have not done this in any organised way, and wont unless SB very keen until a bit older.

music :- piano has been requested, and we will do violin as some fun. lots of singing, and listen to a wide range of music methinks.

PE: well, she has requested swimming and ballet, we have Katy’s yoga DVD, and I’m sure cycling and walking will occur. She loved gym in Leeds, so if our busy timetable allows it…

IT: well!! whatever really, would like to get hold of a zoombinis cd, but think it might yet be a bit difficult. we have the internet, a variety of cd’s and webland to be getting on with.

Arts and crafts: obviously a huge component of our days! we are a bit low on feathers and glittery bits…

Domestic Science!!: slight rofl at title, but a fair bit of baking and cooking, gardening, some tidying and laying the table. May start some sewing and later on she would like to learn to knit [from Nana!]

Socialising: regular attendance at not quite local groups, local clubs [ie rainbows], national camps and making sure we have a steady stream of houseguests. Thanks Heather for the tip of selected holiday clubs. Pestering anyone vaguely local!

What after 7 – well, i have to say I might consider sonlight core 2! I like the look of so many books that it becomes as near as dammit to buy the core and ebay the biblical stuff. Not entirely sure whether we would follow the timetable though, but if we had it, could always give it a whirl. Not commiting myself to that far in the future though.

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