Thursday, March 25, 2010

Snorkling

Yesterday Kirk finally had the opportunity to use his snorkle set. He was thrilled to be able to see all the fish which were mostly diamond fish and diamond-scaled mullet.
Click on the pics for enlargement. Landscapes are hard to do  in Blogger.

Friday, March 19, 2010

The snake is back - By Kirk

The snake is here and it is hiding behind the head of the big mask. He is about a metre and a half and he's a tree snake. He's got yellow on the bottom and green on the back. He was going to eat a frog. Not much because there are only 2 frogs left. I think he's going to eat all our frogs and I don't think we will be able to eat any more frogs. Frogs can't beat snakes. Snakes have a special tongue. We smell with our nose. Snakes smell with their tongue.

But what if I COOK HIM FOR SNAKE STEW?!

Note:  This photo was taken this time last year and I am sure this is the same snake. Sorry the camera is out on loan so I can't show you how big and beautiful he is now.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Nintendon't

The Fly, a light remote-controlled hovercraft, WAS Kirk's latest toy. Predictably it is already broken so Sean made for him a Nintendon't. It is a postcard with a Nintendo display drawn on it. It is called a Nintendon't because it don't really work! Kirk finds this hilarious and he and Sean spend lots of time using it like a remote controller for a paper aeroplane or he can use it solo by imagining the games. The Nintendon't requires no batteries and costs nothing yet can provide this imaginative child hours of entertainment.Who needs electronica when one has a whole brain to play with?

Another week full of friends! We picniced at the dam, played soccer and cricket and did a lot of swimming.
This week Kirk completed a preppy math book. I don't push texts but they are helpful. e.g.While he learns matching and categorising by sorting the washing (which he can do by himself), the book decontextualises that skill and helps him understand these skills as concepts. He is pretty chuffed with himself and I am pleased he finds it easy. The preppy English however will take a lot more effort.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Numeracy

Today I discovered Kirk can do basic subtraction. It is a simple thing but a significant one because he's figured it out for himself.  Let's hope he remembers he can do this tomorrow.

Cooking is also teaching him informal fractions. This week he made these...things....they were like a  dry scone with jam.We ate them...some of them....Kurgen thought the leftovers were very tasty.

Friday, March 05, 2010

Cabin fever

It's STILL raining and everyone is trying to get out! This week, we had another crafting session with Kelly & kids until the flooding creeks drove them home. Rachel dropped in with Jorja and she did a bit of craft and then they got on the sillies and played their crazy games. Cate called in for a chat and dragged her boys off the bus when it stopped at our place so they wouldn't try to cross Niagra Falls. Around tea time she chucked them in the troopy and went to play in the torrent (I so envy her car ... er .. truck)

What have we achieved academically this week? Well he's learned "R" REALLY well....just ask him ;-)  We've just been continuing with the sea theme and abc/123/reading etc...