20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection

Taken from (in) Courage

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?

I would have to say that I cannot think of one magnificent joyous moment that happened this year to make me say that it was the single best thing, but having James seizure free throughout the year has to be the best thing of course, and I am so grateful that his meds are controlling his seizures.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?

 Home Educating has been the most challenging of all.

It has always, I have to say, been easy.  As my eldest two (13 and 11) have got older it has been more challenging.  I know of lots of families who have older and younger children who manage to home educate, so I do not want to appear to put anyone off every trying or doing this.  But my own circumstances changed in a way that I felt, sorry, we all felt, that school maybe the better option for them.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Again, like the first question, no one event stands out, joy of course for James being seizure free as in Q1, and joy all year around at having my family around me, and seeing my children flourish, despite some hardships and setbacks.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle?

That would be not feeling confident enough to HE anymore.

5. Pick three words to describe 2011.
Emotional, Challenging  and  Revitalising.

6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).

As above

7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).
As above

8. What were the best books you read this year?
The Bible, The Happiness Project and fictional, The Cupcake Cafe.

9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?

My husband and children.

10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?

Not HEing my oldest two.

11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?

I am not sure I have, still working on that one. Maybe not expecting everyone and everything to be perfect.

12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?

My faith in God being restored. After first discovering that James had Epilepsy, I was angry with him, I had done all I could for my child, why him,  why my lovely little boy?  I know some have it a lot worse, I so know that, but at the time I was in shock and had to take it out on someone - and it was God.  It has taken a while, but now I realise how much I need Him in my life.

13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
? Got fatter

14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?

My relationship has grown with my children, accepting their want or need for school when I am against it has bonded us in a way I never thought would happen (despite the fact that they do appear a bit alien to me at times with lots of "school" type behaviour and talk). Also with James, accepting he has different needs and his way is a lot different from my other two when they were younger. 

My husband-  I have such great pride and respect for him in the job he does, and not just what he is doing but how well he is progressing.

An old friend -  we didn't speak for years, having been close once, and that friendship has been rekindled this year, and I feel confident in what I do because of this person, because she is such an inspiration. I don't see her that much, so thankful for on line communication.

15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

I enjoy keeping home and  being a wife and mum.  Since leaving the comfort of the Home Ed World, I am not so much surrounded by stay at home mums, so I feel a bit out there with this.   But it is the best thing I have ever done and am still doing.  I have so much respect for mothers staying at home, home educating or not, it seems to be very much under rated in this day and age.  I love it!

16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?

Again, home edding.

17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?

Farmville, although I have to say, when I have felt stressed, this Virtual Farm of mine has made me feel relaxed, so not necessarily a time waster.  So I would probably I would say fretting over what people think/say/feel about me, and my decisions,  family and so called friends, that is the biggest time waster of all. Some people will just never like me or get on with me or even begin to understand me, so whats the point, worse though when it is your own family (not immediate of course).

18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?

Dumping the dish cloth and spending time with my kids.  I now class housework in my "me" time and call it therapeutic.

19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?

Things do not always go as planned, people are not always what they seem and that not everyone will always listen to your side of the story.  On a more positive note, LOVE CONQUERS ALL!

20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.


I have used this following verse to see me through many things this year.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
 ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Happy New Year

Louise Jane x

Keeping the festive Spirit

I am always tempted at this time of the year to take all the decorations down and stick the tree out for the recycling collection, as having had our decs up since the first Sunday in Advent, I am sick of the sight of them.

This year, despite the fact that Mike went back to work on Boxing \Day, I am keeping the decs and the tree up as the eldest two are still on their Christmas Holidays from school, and it is lovely having them home.

So the tree remains up, there is still loads of chocolate in the Christmas Cupboard (if we had not had stomach bugs there probably wouldn't be) no turkey left though, but very bored with that now.

Anyway, moving on to how we spent our Christmas.

Christmas Eve

My favourite day of Christmas.  We visited Mikes family in the morning, which was really nice, went into town to do some last minute Christmas Shopping.  I wanted to feel Christmassy so thought that being shoved, tutted at and barged out the way in the shops would add to the Christmas Spirit.  None of that though, as it was quite quiet.

In the afternoon we had a Christmas Buffet, got stuff ready for Santa, whilst tracking him on the web, and went to bed at a reasonable time, for once.

Christmas Day

Started at 5am. After that it was spent mainly in our living room, playing with the kids toys, with them of course, reading, eating chocolate, listening to new CD's, eating Pringles, watching TV, eating Just Brazils (tesco's own as the real ones were £5.99 for about 10) listening to Carols and of course Slade and Wizzard, eating Cranberry Cheese, having baths with new smellies, eating turkey and pickles,  sledging in the snow, roasting chestnuts over an open fire ...  oh, got a bit carried away there.

So a good time all round, no visitors, no visiting, and it was bliss.

Boxing day, as I said, Mike was working, a split shift an all.  He had Tuesday off, Holiday Tuesday as they call it, so we had our "Boxing Day" then.  Planned on going for a long walk somewhere, but couldn't be arsed, so stayed in and made a start on our selection boxes.

Presents - well the kids had loads, a mixture of bargains from Charity shops, mail order, tescos, and Lakeland (cooking stuff for Becky)

Mike and I didn't spend a lot on each other, plus we decided that we would only buy for the children in the family this year, which meant of course, that we didn't get any presents back.  Thanks to an unexpected gift of money on Christmas Eve, we were able to get ourselves something  which was a nice treat.

Looking forward the new year now, not sure why, I am dreading it really, but onwards and upwards as they say.

Lou x

Christmas Eve Eve

I am ready,  I think, for Christmas.

And I have to say I have not done too badly, considering I have had the Plague and also that my youngest child has been ill, and has had to have eXtra eXtra attention from me, whilst suffering with the Plague, and my husband being ill too.

So this week, despite us all still being under the weather  we have managed to get our food shopping done (how much - wipes brow) wrapped all presents, (apart from two that need batteries) just managed to get Christmas cards in the post for the last day (have forgotten loads so will receive less next year) and have managed to fit in a few Christmas Crafts with James.

We  made our Nativity Tree

Painted some  pine cones

Mike helped him make an Fairy for the top of the little tree (with very goggly eyes I have to say)


Lots of Christmas  cooking going on,  Becky spent yesterday afternoon making cookies with the "help" of James, and she is now making her fabulous lemon cupcakes.  This morning Mike cooked the meat, first thing was the pork, then the beef, and the star of the day The Turkey, is currently defrosting waiting to be cooked tomorrow. This evening I will be making mince pies, and Danny and James will  be icing the Christmas Cake.

Its rather grotty outside at the moment, howling wind and rain, so really glad to have done most of the shopping. Just remembered in time to get the "Santa Stop Here" sign from Poundland and Christmas Sacks.  I think I am ready, just need to get batteries for a couple of toys and maybe a couple more presents for Mike then I am finished, I think, save a few foody items.  (panic panic the supermarkets are shut for one whole day).

Visited my parents this morning and had a nice little Christmas Buffet  as for the first time ever we will not see them at Christmas as they are going to Brighton to spend it with my brother, sister and their partners, so Becky sent them off with some of her lovely Christmas Cookies with orange flavoured icing.

Tomorrow we will be visiting Mikes parents and siblings, then home in time for the Crib Service at the local parish church.

Not long now before I, I mean  James, can start tracking Santa at Norad

Merry Christmas Eve Eve
Louise

Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve

I am ready,  I think, for Christmas.

And I have to say I have not done too badly, considering I have had the Plague and also that my youngest child has been ill, and has had to have eXtra eXtra attention from me, whilst suffering with the Plague, and my husband being ill too.

So this week, despite us all still being under the weather  we have managed to get our food shopping done (how much - wipes brow) wrapped all presents, (apart from two that need batteries) just managed to get Christmas cards in the post for the last day (have forgotten loads so will receive less next year) and have managed to fit in a few Christmas Crafts with James.

Today we made our Nativity Tree


Mike helped him make an Fairy for the top of the little tree


Painted some  pine cones



Tomorrow we will try and get round to making a centre piece.

We are alsol ready for a baking session tomorrow, I managed to buy a Christmas cake mix in the supermarket today, it was reduced from £10 to £3, and by the time I got to the checkout it had gone down to £2. Becky will be baking mince pies and biscuits, Danny peanut butter cups  and I expect James will help us all.

Mike finishes for Christmas tomorrow lunchtime, then all being well, we will see if we can go into Exeter late night shopping, not to actually do any shopping, but just to look at the lights, soak up the atmosphere, if there is one, and look at the ice skating rink and hope and pray that James wants Mike to take him on it and not me.

Lou x

Not quite as planned

Didn't quite get round to blogging every day during December, and we haven't got around to doing the Christmassy things we had planned, due to the weather, but mainly because of illnesses.

Anyway, since my last post:-

Mike was working for most of the weekend, but as we had a spare morning on the Sunday due to a cancelled Rugby match, we headed to the coast for a walk and a play in the park.

On Mikes day off during the week we thought we had better finish our Christmas shopping.  First stop the best Charity Shop in Exeter, in Heavitree.   Mike and I always buy most of our presents for each other from Charity shops, its lots of fun, cheap and best of all goes to a good cause.  Also we get the children bits and pieces to fill up their Santa sacks.

Wednesday I intended to take James into the HE Group, got into Exeter, felt ill and cold, so came back home with Mike when he finished his shift.  Spent the rest of the afternoon on the sofa under the duvet.

Mike had booked a long weekend off so on Friday  we decided to go and collect pine cones from the local Uni grounds

Then into the Cafe for a latte and a special hot chocolate for James, with some nice chocolate croissants, courtesy of my mum.

Saturday was spent with Becky and Danny doing their Christmas shopping in our local High Street, and we made a quick visit in the evening to catch the end of the Christmas Fayre in the Square then popped into my parents new flat on the way back home for a cup of tea.

Sunday - another match cancelled due to a water logged pitch, so a whole Sunday free. We were planning on going to the Christingle Service in the afternoon, but James was not feeling well, so we just stayed at home, wrapping presents and writing cards. 

Since then James had been really poorly, with temperatures as high as 103 degrees.  He has an infection in both ears and is on antibiotics. At the moment he is still asleep, and the older two are getting themselves ready for school, as I will not leave James alone as high temperature increase his chance of a seizure, thankfully, so far, he hasn't had one.  Hoping and praying that it will stay that way.

Now onto school - my children are doing extremely well it seems, and I am waiting for their report to come through for the end of the year.   They are getting high marks in most subjects and have settled in well.  Danny went to the Christmas Disco last night and had a great time, Becky didn't fancy it, so she stayed at home and revised for her French test today. (In between helping me with James)

As for all things Christmassy this week, well a lot of that didn't happen, including the HE Christmas Party for James, and his Christmas Craft session at the library, and I definitely think Christmas Crealy is out for him tomorrow as well.  Mike is working this weekend,  so am not really sure what we will be doing, mainly because of James, so will wait and see.  

Hoping that the weather will settle down here too, very rough here today.
Have a good day
Lou x

Christmas Tree Festival

Something Christmassy

From now until Christmas Eve I will be trying in vane planning to make/cook/do something Christmassy every day.

But I started yesterday :-)

B and D were on a school break because of strikes, so we did some Christmas Baking.  D and I made mince pies (using mince with a hint of dark chocolate), made shortbread Christmas Trees with J and helped B with her Fondant Fancies.

Today, they are back to school, so  I have been helping J make Christmas Cards. He made five, then got bored! Will  be ordering my Christmas Cards today from Epilepsy Action .

Later we will head down to the Christmas Tree Festival, and have hot chocolates with cream on our return.

So today, Day 1, I have defo been Christmassy.
Seasons Greetings
Louise

Happy 13th Birthday to my beautiful daughter xxxxx

School, more pets, rugby and homework - lots of it!

Well, my new blog starts a new phase in our lives - our eldest two children going to school.

There were lots of reasons behind this, and I do think that now is the right time.  I had always thought in the back of my mind that they may go to High School, and it was intended that we would think about it when B was due to start High School (yes yes I know its called secondary school but old habits die hard) but before this time J was diagnosed with Epilepsy, our world, at the time, seemed to be turned upside down, and I foolishly made a rash decision to send them to primary school (at the time J was having regular seizures and we hardly left the house, so I thought it would be better for the older two to be at school) but it didn't quite work out, we were not prepared, they were not ready, and now I find out its once of the crappiest primary schools in the County!

So, with a bad taste of school in our mouths, by the time B would have been due to start High School, we decided no way!

Having now calmed down a bit, and our lives have settled (slightly) we have been considering it again.
So, they are in school, and, they are enjoying it.  I am well aware that the novelty will soon wear off, but will deal with that problem when it arises.

Yesterday it was "Mentor" day - you do not have form teacher, you have Mentors.  So the children had a day off and we all went to see their Mentors. Both are doing really well, and they have stuck them in the top, lower group, (there are three groups, top middle low and each of these has a higher/lower (said in a Bruce Forsyth voice) group, so they are in the lower of the high group - and they are doing fine.  Fingers up to anyone who has ever said that home ed kids are way behind at High School level. 

They get quite a bit of homework, but most of it isn't hard, just time consuming, so both Hubbie and I help them out with this.

At the moment my parents are still living with us, so it is a bit hectic, and also we now have two extra cats, two fish and a budgie to add to the noise.

Rugby season is now well on its way, first game home was a 75-7 score to us, and it was Hubbies first game as coach.

J - well he doesn't seem to miss them as much as I thought, he is having lots of fun with me, but he has also been under the weather recently, and has been quite happy to stay in his PJ's all day long, playing with his toys and watching Cbeebies.  When I feel more confident with leaving them at school, and I feel I do not need to drop everything and run and get them, we will venture out more.
Lou x

Dr Who, Basketball and Learning

Last week was our first week back at Homeschool.  Trying to keep James occupied while the older two get on with their work takes a lot of planning.  So we decided that the best thing to do is try and get him involved too.

When his brother and sister sat down to do their English and Maths, so did James.  He was really quite chuffed that he was doing it to and proudly told me "Mummy I'm learning".  Mike sat with him and looked through his Peppa Pig workbook, looking at words for English and sequencing for Maths.

He also did the vinegar and bi-carb experiment

As well as dressing up as Dr Who

Playing Rugby

and basketball

Lou x

Bot back to school - first week

Our first week back went quite well, despite us all falling ill with some kind of bug.

Monday - usually it will be the HE Group with the older two in the Science Group, but that doesn't start until next week, so we did Science at home. 

Danny did several experiments with bi-carb and Becky looked at Earth Science and then we all sat and watched How its Made, very interesting watching them make Fish Fingers, even James watched that.

Tuesday - English and Maths - working from their Skills for Life Folder.

Wednesday - Languages - but again, the Spanish session does not start until next week, so Becky brushed up on what she had learnt last term.  Then we had our "Not Back To School" Picnic in the park. Very successful, despite the weather, 15 families in all I think, quite a few new faces as well.

Our theme was The Rugby World Cup, looking at the different countries taking part.  So we had Wellie Throwing - Scotland Highland Games, Football, Argentina (I know this is English born,  but that's all I could find for this country). Rugby - England of course, good to have Mike using his coaching skills and getting them to play tag rugby. France - Art - Monet - using pastels, Japan - Japanese Fans, Russia - Russian Dolls, Ireland - Irish tea cakes, which ended up being scones with jam.

Thursday - managed to do a bit of Geography and History. We had originally planned to go to another picnic, this time on a beach,  but I was a bit cagey about the weather.  As the journey for us was leaving here at 9, and getting there at 11.45, (in that is a mile walk, hour and a half train changing once, a bus ride and a half mile walk at the end)  I really wanted to be sure that it wouldn't be cancelled because of bad weather.  So as the weather here was pretty naff, we decided to leave it.  Which ended up being for the best as around mid afternoon Becky developed a temperature and James was feeling unwell and slept all afternoon.

So, I digress a little, for History Becky read   while she was lying on the sofa, and Danny studied Glaciers from our Earth Geography book.  He did start an experiment, which I noticed yesterday was still in the freezer!

Friday - They were feeling a bit better but then I felt ill, so another day running on 25%. Both continued with  Countries form the World Cup Project.  Becky still studying New York, making a fact file, and also drawing a picture of the State Bird, which is a Blue Bird.  Like myself, she struggles a bit artistically, but she searched online for instructions on how to draw a blue bird and I think she did rather well.

Danny was still looking at all things Russian, and decided to look at the work of Russian Artists one being  Valentin Serov who was considered to be the greatest portraitist of his time.  This gave Danny the opportunity to brush up on his portrait skills, which he hadn't tried before.  He wasn't pleased with the results, but I thought it was a good start.

The groups are starting back next week, which takes up a Monday and a Wednesday. Trips on the agenda, usually on a Friday.
Rugby training has started back but not the matches yet, so have a few free Sundays to ourselves before that starts up again. Becky maybe joining a local choir, which will start the week after. We have finished athletics now for the summer, as we give it a miss during the winter, but Drama for Becky may take its place. She is still undecided on what activities she would like to do. So busy times ahead.

Which brings me on to share a post I read recently, on a one of my regular blog haunts:-

Thriving In The Midst of It All

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Carrie

Life can be downright busy, no matter how simple we want it to be. No matter how simple we try to make it, the more people one has in a household, the more pets one has, the more community and obligations one has, the busier it can become.


And you can still love every minute of it and thrive in it.


My life, as many of you who personally know me, can get rather busy.  Sometimes it is my life that needs to be de-cluttered, not my things!  I fully admit to having a hard time saying no to things at church, or to friends who need something, or to my neighbors.  But the older I get, the more I realize how much I love community, how much I enjoy gathering those I love together and connecting those who I think really ought to meet each other for this reason or that.  And, the older I get, I get better at setting limits and seeing how things balance out.


It all can’t be perfect.  One cannot homeschool well, have the house be spotless, cook every single thing perfectly, have all the errands done, have a social life, have the children do things, and all the other things on the list. It just can’t happen, and I think we could all end up having nervous breakdowns trying to do it all…


So, I try to remind myself about seasons, in both the literal and more symbolic sense.  In a very literal way, I tend to have a busier autumn, a calmer winter, and a bit of a step up in activity from winter to spring.  I try to keep summer pretty calm in keeping with the sultry heat!  This year my oldest daughter will have rhythmic gymnastics through the Winter, and we won’t be stopping, so it may not be as calm as in previous years…I shall see what that will bring!


And some seasons do last for years.  The season of small children lasts for years, but really is a short time.  We always joke (and are half serious as well) in Waldorf Education that the “pink bubble” of kindergarten only lasts for those early years and then off we go!  The seasons of not sleeping through the night, nursing, and all those things only last a bit. 
The way we connect to our family, the way we guide our children – well, those things last throughout a lifetime and leave a legacy.


Every family has choices – choices about activities, about how they speak to one another, how they show care and nurturing for each other – no matter how busy things are.  We can take the larger picture of life and see that seasons really can balance each other out, whether it is busy and calm seasons of the year or the small dependent child and the older more independent adolescent.  


Every child brings surprises in personality, temperament, gifts. 
There are moves.
There are changes in career.
We grow and change ourselves.  Thank goodness for that!


Keeping that big picture in mind as we dance to find the mid-point,
Carrie

Hope you all have a good week.
Lou x

HE Routine Begins

Our routine for this term is as follows:-

Monday - Science and HE Group
Tuesday  - English and Maths
Wednesday - Language and HE Group
Thursday - History / Geography
Friday - Project Day

The above will be started in the morning, and the afternoons will be bike rides, walks, swimming.

Trips will be as and when, probably on a Tuesday (after English and Maths of course), or the occasional Friday with Dart Valley Group Trips.

Starting promptly on the 1st September -

Becky started with Geography this week:-

Mapwork - looking at Legends, Longitude, Latitude and general mapwork.

Danny started with History - Normans - made a Mind Map, looked at the Bayeux Tapestry and tried to replicate it - using paper, teabags, coffee and the oven to make it look authentic.


Friday 2nd September

Project Day - This term will be based on Countries taking part in the Rugby World Cup:-

Becky - USA - focusing on New York as she would also like to study the 9/11 incident.

Working from the following she did  mapwork, state flag, searched up about the state bird, state tree, state flower and the state song,  looked at New York local newspapers online and made a New York Cheese Cake :-

NEW YORKFacts-At-A-Glance
As you work on this unit, gather information, you may wish to create a state timeline so that you can see important events in the states’ history presented in a chronological formatWebsites for Timelines here - http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timelines/

The First Inhabitants:http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1099.html.

State History:

Find a description of how the state applied for and achieved statehood.
New York’s admission to the union

What were the main reasons that this state applied for statehood? Identify the possible political, social, and economic reasons why a territory applied for statehood.

Historical Monuments and Natural Wonders:

Research how historical signposts and markers are used. Find several examples in your own area. Historical monuments are sometimes marked with signposts or even become the centerpiece of a state or national park.

Now that you know what a historical place is, research some of the historical places and monuments in this state. You may wish to check the National Park System website at http://www.nationalparks.org/index.html for help in this area. The URL http:// www.nps.gov may also prove useful as soon at the National Park Service reopens their sites.

States are not only filled with historical monuments and sites, but with natural wonders. For example, Arizona has the Petrified Forest, Kentucky has Mammoth Cave, and Florida has the Everglades. Look at a map, an encyclopedia or atlas, or various travel books and brochures to find the natural wonders of the state you are researching. Choose one or more of the following activities to complete:

* Choose one natural place and write a descriptive essay explaining what they like about that particular place. Create a picture to accompany the essay.
* Create a mobile with pictures showing the highlights from their chosen natural place.
* Collect postcards of natural wonders from the state or make your own picture postcards.


Danny chose Russia, working from the following he made a fact file leaflet, wrote the Alphabet in Russian, Mapwork, flag, and made a Recipe from a Russian Cooking Site - Butter Cake:-
RUSSIAWhere in the World: Greenland
Facts-At-A-Glance
Historical Timeline:


Use any or all of the following sub-topics to gather information on the country. This can even be used as your "Country Facts" sheet mentioned in "Infodesk" section above.

1. Country Name:
2. Population:
3. Total Area:
4. Location by Longitude/Latitude or by Hemispher or by continent:
5. Climate:
6. Topography:
7. Capital City:
8. Major Industry:
9. Manufactured Goods:
10. Agricultural Crops:
11. Livestock:
12. Fishing:
13. Mining:
14. National Anthem:
15. Tourist Attractions:
16. Historical Facts:
17. Largest Cities
§ By area
§ By population
18. National Preserves:
19. National Seashores:
20. National Monuments:
21. National Wonders
§ Waterfalls
§ Deserts
§ Rivers
§ Volcanoes
22. Average January Temperature:
23. Average July Temperature:
24. Endangered Species:
25. National Parks:
26. National Historical Parks:
27. National Memorials:
28. National Historical Sites:
29. Famous People:
20. Amazing Facts:
21 Type of Government:
22. Government Leader:
23. Annual Events:
24. Name and address of country's tourist information center:
25. Unusual Wildlife:
26. Language spoken:
27. National Sport:

When you have completed gathering the above information, you could do use the facts to:
§ Create a "Country A to Z Fact Book" with a person, place, or fact for each letter of the alphabet.
§ Create a "Country Book of Facts" by cutting paper into the shape of the state and writing one interesting fact along with an illustration on each page. Bind the pages together in a cover of the same shape as the pages.
§ Use the facts to help with other activities in this unit.

Brainstorming

List what you know before you begin the unit and what you would like to learn during the unit and then when the unit is over what you learned throughout the unit.
http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timelines/Look at websites -

　

Country Maps:
http://www.russianfoods.com/forum/message0007E/default.asp
Butter Cake
1/2 c flour. 5 ea eggs. 1 c sugar. 250 g butter. peel of 1 lemon. Whip butter and sugar in a mixer, add eggs, whip until sugar is dissolved and add flour gradually. Grate lemon peel and add to the dough. Put the dough in a well greased mold and bake in a preheated oven for 35 minutes on 200 C.

Map:

http://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxindex.htm
http://www.libraryspot.com/maps/outline.htm

History Links:
http://www.friends-partners.org/oldfriends/mes/russia/history.html
http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/russian/history.html
http://www.departments.bucknell.edu/russian/chrono.html
http://www.geographia.com/russia/rushis01.htm
http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dml0www/variagi.html
http://www.pbs.org/weta/faceofrussia/


General Questions:

What is Russia's basic unit of money?

Why is there a severe housing shortage in Russian cities?

Describe the problems many people have living in Moscow.

What is the country's official language and what is their alphabet called?

What are some popular Russian dishes (foods/recipes)?

Define sovkhozy and holkhozy.

What happened to the Soviet Union in 1991? How did this effect Russia?

What is a czar?

Who was Ivan the Terrible.

What Russians have won the Nobel Peace Prize for literature? List one title of a famous work written by each.

Who was Tchaikovsky? List two of his works.

Name two famous Russian ballet companies.
Extension Activities:

Describe either Russia's four zones or its five land regions.

What is permafrost? How much of this country is covered by it?

Research the Russian alphabet and copy it neatly in your journal or on a separate piece of paper.

Plan a trip to Russia. Outline your journey in pencil on a map. Tell a few interesting facts about four of the places you visited.

Research Catherine the Great. Pretend first that you were a famous Russian composer and second that you were a poor serf. Describe what life would have been like under Catherine's rule for each of these two people.

Choose an event, movement, or important figure from Russia's past to research and study. Share this information in the form of a report, play, story, art activity, or project of your choice.


Land Form Maps

Making country maps of various kinds is an excellent way to learn about land forms, locations, and state resources. A "land form" map shows the shape and height of the land. It shows mountains, plateaus, hills, plains, rivers, etc.
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/howtomakeatimeline1.htm for timelines to use.Additional Areas of Research:http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rs.html


Create your own landform map of the country's geographical features.

1. Determine the country's features by looking up a state map in an atlas, an encyclopedia, or a geography book.
2. Make a landform key at the bottom of your blank map form. Include symbols for each of the different landform types in your country.
3. Color in the areas in your country to match the key. Your key should be color-coded. Make the highest land form the darkest color and the lowest land form the lightest color. You can use colored pencils, crayons, markers, etc.
4. Label the large rivers and mountain ranges with their names.

You could also make a relief map of the country. A relief map is a 3D version of a landform map. You could use paper mache or salt dough to make your own relief map.

1. On a map, draw a star to show the location of Russia's capital city. Write its name by the star.

2. Label the following on the same map:
Caspian Sea
Black Sea
Barents Sea
Lake Baikal
Ural Mountains
Ob River
Volga River
Lena River
Yenisey River
all bordering countries
Kara Sea
Arctic Sea
Bering Sea
Sea of Okhotsk

Country Resource Map:

Resources are things that people use every day. Resources are found and developed from the land itself, or made into other things we use.

1. What resource or manufactured good is your country best known for?
2. How does this resource or product affect the country's economy?
3. How does the country's resources/products affect how people live?
4. What products from neighboring countries are used by the country?

Make a product map:

1. Look in an atlas, encyclopedia, or geography book to find a map showing the location of products raised or produced in the country.
2. Create a product map showing where these products are grown or manufactured in the country. Use a symbol key to represent the products on your map.
3. Show important cities situated near these resources on your map.

Make a mineral map:

1. Look in an atlas, encyclopedia, or geography book to find a map showing the location of minerals in the country.
2. Create a minerals map showing what minerals are mined in the country, if any. Minerals are natural substances obtained by mining such as coal, ore, salt, or stone. Use a symbol key to represent the minerals.
3. Show important cities situated near these resources on your map.

National Anthem:

Listen to the tune and words of the country's anthem. How long has this anthem been in use? Who wrote it and under what circumstances?

Russia's National Anthem: http://www.thenationalanthems.com/country/russia.htm


Wildlife of the Country:

Learn about this country's wildlife and then find out the following information:

1. name of animal
2. habitat
3. colors and markings of this animal
4. food of choice for this animal
5. enemies this animal may have
6. protective behaviors
7. size
8. type of nest, burrow, etc.
9. size of its young, as well as incubation or gestation time
10. migration habits
11. type of teeth
12. feet type
13. adaptations to environment
14. songs, calls, or other sounds
15. other interesting behaviors
16. endangered or not

Draw a picture of each animal and write a paragraph about what you have learned. Add this to your unit portfolio.

Weather

Every country is affected by conditions of climate and geography. Countries experience floods, earthquakes, sinkholes, erosion, hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, firestorms, blizzards, drought, mudslides, volcanic activity, and electrical storms.

Make a list different weather types that affect the country you are researching. Look in newspapers, travel brochures and books, tourism sites, etc. to find this information out.

1. Make a table of the country's average monthly rainfall, then record the information on a bar graph.
2. Make a table of the country's average monthly temperature, then record the information on a line graph.
3. List various severe weather found in this country and any country-wide plans for dealing with it. For instance, Florida has hurricane evacuation routes in flood prone areas.


Recipes: http://www.recipesofrussia.com/

1. Who were the first inhabitants of the country?
2. Who were the first pioneers into the country?
3. What are the major historical eras of the country?
4. You may wish to research one or more famous people from the country.



Below are some activities to help you study RUSSIA. You may choose to do all, some, or none of the activities. You can also alter the activities to better suit your individual child's needs. Some of these activities overlap each other, choose the one you think that you and the children will enjoy most. The main point of this unit is to make learning about RUSSIA and enjoyable for all who are participating.

Historic Issues of the New York Times

Famous People:

Some of the people who have made great contributions to our country may have lived and/or worked in the state you are researching. You may wish to make a set of flash cards using tag board or index cards to complete this section.

Make photocopies of pictures of famous people from the state.
Glue the picture to one side of a 3” x 5” piece of tag board or an index card.
Be sure to include the individual’s name, the dates that they lived, and a list of the individual’s accomplishments on the side opposite of the picture.

Make up your own games using your homemade flashcards.
Famous Folks of New York

State Maps:

Land Form Maps

Making state maps of various kinds is an excellent way to learn about land forms, locations, and state resources. A “land form” map shows the shape and height of the land. It shows mountains, plateaus, hills, plains, rivers, etc.
State Map of New York

Create your own landform map of the state’s geographical features.

1. Determine the state’s features by looking up a state map in an atlas, an encyclopedia, or a geography book.
2. Make a landform key at the bottom of your blank map form. Include symbols for each of the different landform types in your state.
3. Color in the areas in your state to match the key. Your key should be color-coded. Make the highest land form the darkest color and the lowest land form the lightest color. You can use colored pencils, crayons, markers, etc.
4. Label the large rivers and mountain ranges with their names.

You could also make a relief map of the state. A relief map is a 3D version of a landform map. You could use paper mache or salt dough to make your own relief map.
Historical Maps of the US

State Resource Map:

Resources are things that people use every day. Resources are found and developed from the land itself, or made into other things we use.

1. What resource or manufactured good is your state best known for?
2. How does this resource or product affect the state’s economy?
3. How does the state’s resources/products affect how people live?
4. What products from neighboring states are used by the state?

Make a product map:

1. Look in an atlas, encyclopedia, or geography book to find a map showing the location of products raised or produced in the state.
2. Create a product map showing where these products are grown or manufactured in the state. Use a symbol key to represent the products on your map.
3. Show important cities situated near these resources on your map.

Make a mineral map:

1. Look in an atlas, encyclopedia, or geography book to find a map showing the location of minerals in the state.
2. Create a minerals map showing what minerals are mined in the state, if any. Minerals are natural substances obtained by mining such as coal, ore, salt, or stone. Use a symbol key to represent the minerals.
3. Show important cities situated near these resources on your map.

Names, Nicknames, Mottos, and Songs:

Each state’s name has its origin in some part of American history. Some states were named after explorers, and some after monarchs, kings, or presidents. Many states’ names have Indian or Spanish origins. Every state also has a nickname, a motto, and a state song.

Find out this state’s name, nickname, motto, and song and then find the origins of each. A great internet search engine that can help with this is www.google.com . An online encyclopedia and/or a printed encyclopedia or atlas can help with this research as well.
State Motto Information from Geobop

State Bird:

Each state has adopted one bird that represents their state. Find out what this state’s bird is and then find out the following information:

1. name of state bird
2. bird’s habitat
3. colors and markings of this bird
4. food of choice for this bird
5. enemies this bird may have
6. protective behaviors
7. size
8. type of nest
9. egg size and shape, as well as incubation time
10. migration habits
11. beak shape and function
12. feet type
13. adaptations to environment
14. songs and calls
15. other interesting behaviors
16. endangered or not
17. how it became the state bird

Draw a picture of the state bird and write a paragraph about what you have learned. Add this to your unit portfolio.
New York’s State Bird
State Symbols of New York

State Tree and State Flower

Every state has adopted a tree and a flower to represent it. Find out the tree and flower this state chose.

1. Sketch and color a picture of both the state tree and state flower.
2. Label the parts of each.
3. Find out if the tree or flower is on an endangered list, and if yes, what is being done to protect it.
4. If possible, visit a botanical garden to see a real, live example of the tree or flower. Or, look at seed and gardening catalogs to find examples of these.
New York State Symbols for kids

Endangered Species:

Is this state home to any endangered species? If yes, what are they? What is being done in this state to protect the endangered species? Where are these endangered species located?

You could make your own flashcards on the endangered species of this state by drawing or pasting a picture of the plant or animal on the front of an index card and on the reverse, writing some descriptive information.

Weather

Every state is affected by conditions of climate and geography. States experience floods, earthquakes, sinkholes, erosion, hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, firestorms, blizzards, drought, mudslides, volcanic activity, and electrical storms.

Make a list different weather types that affect the state you are researching. Look in newspapers, travel brochures and books, tourism sites, etc. to find this information out.

1. Make a table of the state’s average monthly rainfall, then record the information on a bar graph.
2. Make a table of the state’s average monthly temperature, then record the information on a line graph.
3. List various severe weather found in this state and any state-wide plans for dealing with it. For instance, Florida has hurricane evacuation routes in flood prone areas.
Recipes:
http://www.foody.org/eggs/recipes.html
http://www.tauny.org/
http://www.goodegg.com/recipe/nyceggsalad.html


Map:

http://www.50states.com/maps
http://geography.miningco.com/library/maps/blusde.htm
http://www.clickandlearn.com/documents2/BlankMaps.htm


History Links:
http://www.nyhistory.com/
http://www.nycsubway.org/
http://www.gothamcenter.org/
http://www.ellisisland.org/
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/eguides/amerihist/nyc.html
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire/

http://nysparks.state.ny.us/

The first inhabitants of the United States were Native Americans, also called Indians. Native Americans were the descendants of nomadic tribes who crossed the Bering Strait’s land bridge between Russia and what is now the state of Alaska thousands of years ago. When Columbus sailed, there were approximately 350 Native American tribes in North America.

Determine what tribes lived this the state originally. Gather as much information on this/these tribe(s) as possible. Explore both the history of the tribe and life for the tribe members. Some questions you may wish to consider in this area are:

§ Was the state named after an Native American tribe or some aspect of Indian history or culture?
§ As European settlers arrived in the state, what happened to the Native American population and why?
§ How did the Native American culture influence the state’s culture?
§ Describe life of the Native Americans in the state today.
§ What problems do Native Americans face in the state today?


To enhance this part of your study, you may wish to construct a shoe box diorama of an Indian village as it would have been long ago. Find out what their particular dwellings looked like (i.e., wigwam, adobe bricks, log cabin, etc.). What would the vegetation have looked like?

The First Pioneers:

Arriving in America was just the beginning for many immigrants. Many settlers began their treks in different ways, using different means of transportation, and coming and going in many different directions.

Who were the first pioneers to arrive in the state? When did they come? Why did they come? How did they get there?

Use encyclopedias, history books, internet search engines, etc. to answer the above questions and to find out about particular groups that immigrated to the state and when.

One question you might find interesting to answer is to find out whether you have any family or family roots (also known as genealogy) in this state. [For an interesting mini unit on Genealogy check out http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/howtomakeatimeline1.htm

Use any or all of the following sub-topics to gather information on the state. This can even be used as your “State Facts” sheet mentioned in “Infodesk” section above.

1. State Name:
2. State Nickname:
3. Population:
4. Rank in population:
5. Total Area:
6. Rank in size:
7. Location:
8. Climate:
9. Topography:
10. Capital City:
11. Industry:
12. Manufactured Goods:
13. Agricultural Crops:
14. Livestock:
15. Fishing:
16. Mining:
17. State Motto:
18. State Flower:
19. State Bird:
20. State Tree:
21. State Song:
22. Date State Entered Union:
23. Tourist Attractions:
24. Historical Facts:
25. Largest Cities
§ By area
§ By population
26. State Preserve:
27. State Seashore:
28. State Monuments:
29. State Parkway:
30. State Wonders
§ Waterfalls
§ Deserts
§ Rivers
§ Volcanoes
31. Average January Temperature:
32. Average July Temperature:
33. Endangered Species:
34. National Parks:
35. National Historical Parks:
36. National Memorials:
37. National Historical Sites:
38. Famous People:
39. Amazing Facts:
40. U.S. Representatives:
41. U.S. Senators:
42. Electoral Votes:
43. Governor:
44. Annual Events:
45. Name and address of state’s tourist information center:

When you have completed gathering the above information, you could do use the facts to:
§ Create a “State A to Z Fact Book” with a person, place, or fact for each letter of the alphabet.
§ Create a “State Book of Facts” by cutting paper into the shape of the state and writing one interesting fact along with an illustration on each page. Bind the pages together in a cover of the same shape as the pages.
§ Use the facts to help with other activities in this unit.

Brainstorming

List what you know before you begin the unit and what you would like to learn during the unit and then when the unit is over what you learned throughout the unit.

Thinking that the Summer is now over?!!

Well, its freezing here, AND I had to put the heating on for an hour on Saturday, so in my book, Autumn has begun.

So, what did I do all summer.

Well, I intended to go on a strict diet over the hols and bounce back in the new term looking not as fat as normal. 
Instead I kind of became hermitised (is that a word?) (no spell check said so) and put on weight.

What with the weather and the tourists and the school children being let out on their hols, I found it very difficult to muster up enough energy to go out.

But we did try on the odd occasion.

Like to go to Birmingham to watch my sister and her partner in an Athletics even at Alexander Stadium.
My sister won a silver medal and Becky won a Gold (not my Becky).  My parents were there, and so was my brother and his fiancee, so it was a good old family get together.

I am in lane 5.

Afterwards we went to Frankie and Benny's  first time for us, and had a really nice meal. (apparently we are supposed to be getting one in Exeter, but it is going to replace one of our libraries - tut).

This morning we went to The Waie Inn at Zeal Monochorum - managed to avoid the showers.

Danny is still suffering with horrendous blisters which he got from wearing new boots at Rugby Camp, but he really enjoyed it.  Looks like our Sundays are soon to be taken up with the new season, not to mention the World Cup being on in a couple of weeks.

 (Danny is on the bottom of this pile up - with the ball of course)

and of course someone else wanted to join in too

So almost back to "normal" ready to start back a week tomorrow.  Will be planning a Rugby World Cup Project, looking at all the Countries participating, will post about that once I have finished.

Meanwhile I am all tidied out at the moment, helping my parents with their impending move and also sorting our house out for a possible sale.

Tomorrow Mike is working, but I am having the morning off to watch all the finals for the World Championship Athletics (as if I will really get the morning off - maybe 10 minutes :-)

Blessings

Lou x