Weekly Reports #9 & #10

Literacy
We are moving through the third unit of Basic Code smoothly with minimal fuss. In the last two weeks we have covered [e] [w] [l] [k] [v] [x] [ee] and now we just have [z] to go before we move on to the third Penmanship Reader, which I have just compiled. I have also added reading one story from our (as yet small) selection of phonics-based readers to our daily literacy activities. So far, he has really enjoyed this. He really likes the idea that he can read real stories. We cuddle on my "reading chair" together, while we do it, which helps to make it a calm and happy time.

Literature
Our current Read Aloud book is Pollyanna by Eleanor H Porter. I wanted to read this to the kids because the Disney version of this is the one movie-length DVD that they have watched, and despite needing to hold hands during the scary or sad bits, they really enjoy it. The Disney movie is, like all Disney versions, different from the original and I wanted them to know the original story also. I hope the girls may read it again themselves, when they are older and more able to appreciate it. According to the book, Pollyanna is 14 and Jimmy is 10, so my kids are a lot younger than the book's protagonists, and I know a lot of it is going over their heads. However, they are enjoying listening and I am enjoying reading the story again. It has been interesting to see how Porter has juxtaposed Pollyanna's interactions with two invalids - one in bed through illness but able to move about, the other in bed through injury though only temporarily - with Pollyanna's own (still to come) confinement to a bed, where she is both unable to move and presumed to be permanently injured. Anyway, the kids must be liking it because they often ask for more than one chapter.

Outside Play
Due to a few days of very hot weather (high 30s), we are encouraging the kids to play on the southern side of our house, which is always shady. They are at present having a great deal of muddy fun outside the study window:

Inside Play
Has consisted mostly of playing with the Mega Blocks this week as Samuel received some new ones for his birthday and the others appreciate any new toy.

Table Time
Has been mostly colouring. Abigail, in particular, is improving in her colouring as she has grasped the idea that you colour within the lines of each picture, or at least attempt to do so as far as your fine motor skills will permit.

Bible Study
This week was the last Children's Program Bible Study at my BSF class. (Next week is our Sharing Day, which I am looking forward to enormously.) The kids have benefitted greatly from doing BSF this year, and I am looking forward to them studying through Matthew with me next year.

and...

Toilet Training
For Abigail, which started on Thursday. She is going well, driven on by an eager desire for M&M rewards for dry undies and wee in the potty. I'm hoping to have her trained adequately by the time Jeff takes the kids to Albany on 8 December.