Baby wearing

I've carried both my children and still do in slings or the ergo.

Cookies with friends

We had a joint family home education day...decorating.
I'd bought some letter cutters from Cake Stuff...great web site.
Nicola let me in on the idea of using pre-rolled dough.

These photos are only our ones.


Note to self make more colour as the recipe didn't do enough for all of them

Puzzles

Dd is just loving this puzzle. At first she did not get it but then found the wrapper it came in and saw all the other ideas.
She's made heaps of different types.

How do japanese multiply??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-P5RGdjICo

a youtube...intresting

Maths and Rote learning

This is from Wiki

Rote learning

Main article: Rote learning

Rote learning is a technique which avoids understanding the inner complexities and inferences of the subject that is being learned and instead focuses on memorizing the material so that it can be recalled by the learner exactly the way it was read or heard. The major practice involved in rote learning techniques is learning by repetition, based on the idea that one will be able to quickly recall the meaning of the material the more it is repeated. Rote learning is used in diverse areas, from mathematics to music to religion. Although it has been criticized by some schools of thought, rote learning is a necessity in many situations.

Do we have to learn our times tables by rote?

What is you're idea of that? Because of my schooling. This means fear, shame, panic...all from my school time. But as David has been saying we do not have to do that...we can have fun with it. I still have to get past my issues to find fun ways.

So far DD has been working out her 2x tables looking at trucks and stepping stones. She has the concept the rest is in progress.

The water cycle

I found the amazing science songs!!! Ages a go the link is here somewhere.

We have them on the car.

We watched "wet all over" magic school bus. 321 contact. Cut sponges into clouds...the kids had water fights with them...buying the sponges was a trip down the road telling the shop keeper what they were up too.
Dd wanted the pink sponge because she wanted "pink sky in the morning shepards warning"...then got worried that pink clouds might not give rain.

We painted the jolly phonics sounds on the concrete with water....had to do it quickly as it evaporated.

We talked about water flowing down hill. Dd was sure rivers were level...self correcting with bear grylls reference again...haha...he always follows creaks down to the sea.

I'd like to watch the Home doc and a world after people which talks about water and soil build up...and time

How is dirt made?

This question popped up one night just before bed.
We talked about plants dying and composting. Bugs. Mold. Chickens and their poo. Scraps. Old trees. Huhu bugs...Bear Grylls. Rocks. Sea - waves. Shells.erosion. 321 contact. Magic school bus.