typing

Yesterday I was with 2 lovely home edding mums, one of whom mentioned a fun typing tutorial with funny regional accents. I haven't found it yet, but this would be perfect for F as he doesn't really write.
I looked at a few and today F did the first two typing lessons of  freetypinggame.net. He couldn't really relax his hands into the typing posture, and he got very frustrated and tense when he made a mistake. I did the whole "baby Gareth learning to walk" act that I do, this time baby Gareth made a mistake - fell over - and shouted "That's It! I'm never going to try again!" etc.
Then F had a go on the linked typing games.

I cannot get my TTmath5 to work on this computer so we'll go back to the book. I've emailed TT.
I actually prefer the book, and I will only order the book for math6 next year.

Science 1st lesson & experiment

 We did our first Apologia Science lesson today! Wahoo! There was a couple of pages to read about the history of science, then, TA-DAA! our first experiment!

The computer told us what to do.

pour in the golden syrup

Doing the experiment. Note the safety goggles (snorkel and swimming goggles). I think you knew it would be the density experiment. You did, didn't you?

results!

The writeup

F willingly annotating his own sketch, yay!

Music: The note pyramid, showing time values of notes from semibreve to semiquaver. Y'all! It's been a good morning!

After a well-earned pasty & cake each from Sayers, F did maths 30 geometry and R did maths unit 7. Tidying and Done!

I was very encouraged by F's articulation of the science experiment - he spoke, i typed. no problemo.

times tables required.

F is on chapter 28 1/2 of his maths, and we have to take a break from it to learn times tables (or multiplication facts if you are of US origin!) So we have been on a few times table games websites, but i found almost all the games, which are cute & fun, have time limits. So this causes panic. This is no good. Something like this is good though.
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/timestable/square.html
and we are doing a bit of reciting and such too.
I have never learnt my times tables, so that will probably happen now.

they both did their 2nd unit of music on Monday, they got the hang. They are using "Elephant George beats drum fast" and "FACE" for treble clef and "Georgina Bear Deserves Food Always" and "All Cats Enjoy Grieg" for bass clef. We are doing a little consumable workbook called Theory Is Fun. And it is, kind of fun, so far.

My hope is to complete the book, and then actually do the exam. I have no idea if we will do grade two. But I would like the kids to experience an exam, without the whole "Your entire future hangs in the balance!" Hysteria.

bit of maths & music

Today F remembered 6x6=36 and 8x6=48, so we are getting there!
F practiced placing the notes egbdf on a stave. (treble clef)
F did unit 25 and 26 of maths tt5.
R is away on 'Work Experience Residential' i.e. staying with & hopefully caring for grandma after her surgery!

5th sept 2012 the PSCC.

Maths:                  F TT5, units 19 & 20.                              R TT7, units 1&2.
Times tables:                     6x Needs practice                                   7 x All Correct
                  made a poster of Larger Roman Numerals. made a number square. I need a physical set of numbers to practice times tables. (made of lego?) R wants help with 8x table.

English:        F read aloud Chap 1 of The Midnight Fox.   R private reading Ch8 of Chil Of New Forest.
P.E. cycled to Asda Hunts Cross

Practical skills prep: I made a folio & system for R with a challenge, leading to certificates, ££ and a prize award at completion.
There is a long list of the practical skills I use in an average day. She practices each skill 60 times OR 30 days-in-a-row for a certificate.
The practical skills involved in the PSCC (Practical skills certificate challenge!) are:
1. wake up early using an alarm
2. read a chapter of the bible
3. pray for people
4. empty & fill the DW (dishwasher) before breakfast
5. empty & fill the WM (washing machine) and TD (tumble dryer) in the morning
6. make G or dad a packed lunch
7. wake the children
8. prepare breakfast for the family
9. shower & dress in clean clothes (washing hair every other day)
10. tidy my bedroom
11. decide what is for tea tonight and look up the recipe
12. prepare lunch
13.  go shopping & carry it home
14. cook the tea
15. phone, or write a card to someone I care about
16. notice what foods have run out, and make a list
17. clear the table before tea
18. make sure the sitting room is clean & tidy for when dad gets home (aim for 5pm)
19. empty & fill DW (evening)
20. empty & fill WM & TD (evening)
21. clear the table after tea
22. check my calendar - what am I doing tomorrow? How can I prepare?
23. get clothes ready for tomorrow
24. clean my teeth & remove all makeup

throw in bringing up 4 kids, homeschooling 2, all my church duties, BSF, meeting friends & you have my life!