Being the learning mum that I am, have been thinking about the best way to incorporate some learning for T during the school holidays.
Mathletics on the laptop has been a big hit - and I have just moved T up to the Grade 2 level which he is enjoying. Did do a probablity set of questions with him - these were well beyond him interestingly and even I had to really think about it. The answers to the questions could be one of a) impossible, b) very unlikely, c) unlikely, d) about even, e) likely, f) very likely, g) certain. The questions were for example, What is the likelihood of your friend having a live pet Tyrannasaurus Rex? What is the likelihood of rolling a 5 on a fair die? What is the likelihood of getting a head or a tail with a toin coss? Hmm got me thinking about how on earth you teach this!
Downloaded the Reading Eggs Spelling app that was launched tonight. I think I like it. Quite different activities - but think they could be helpful. Will test drive further with T and see how we go.
T has been at cricket camp 8.30am - 3pm for three days, so piano has been of an evening. T has protested a lot to do piano but once we get into it (say 20 minutes in) all is good and he is progressing well. Discovered tonight I had taught him completely the wrong chords in the left hand of Hungarian Folk Song last night. Poor T - now he has to completely re learn it all!
W is enjoying short doses of Reading Eggs. He is still mastering the click and drag action of the mouse. He has a very short fuse and is easily frustrated. I know he is only three but he is certainly a different child for educating. I think he will be teaching me more about myself than I will ever be teaching him.
E is into his puzzles at the moment - and as with the other two the most fun bit is deliberately getting them wrong and seeing my fake outrage. He really is a comedian and loves to smile and laugh. He wakes up happy all the time. He is just a happy brute - happily pushing his brothers around, launching himself at his Dad (and me when he gets his chance), daredevil trying to keep up with the elder 2, but all very happy and smiley and bounces back after any mishaps. Once again he is the one teaching me a lot about joyful living.
Back to T - have been introduced to Andy Griffith's books for boys - may purchase a couple to see if T is interested in reading them to himself or with me? I have STRUGGLED to find any well written books that are of interest to boys. Zac Power, Beast Quest etc are DREADFULLY written and frankly, boring. We started on Secret Seven and Famous Five - but they are still beyond T to read on his own yet. We have Roald Dahl but once again probably just too wordy for T at the moment.
The great think about the beach house we are visiting for the holidays is the huge back yard and sleepy town. T can ride his bike around the town safely, and all the boys can explore the yard for ages. Also soccer, cricket, frisbee etc. There is a fire pit for marshmallow making after dinner as well. And only about 20 steps to the actual beach. Camping lifestyle without the communal toilets. Perfect.
"The Beach House"
Labels: Maths, Reading, Spelling, Suzuki piano, Tantrums
