Hiya folks, hope you lovely people are all fab and gorgeous. We are having rather interesting weather here so far. It's been chucking it down one minute and then glorious sunshine the next. So am glad we haven't got much going out and about planned this week.
So far we have had a lovely lazy Monday in pjs all day. Now don't think we didn't do any schooling because we did, so there! Subjects on timetable (remember only two subjects per day) were Maths and English Literacy.
Maths was a couple of worksheets on area and perimeter; one was a straightforward one and one was a bit more of an exercise in using areas and perimeters in everyday life. It was called Martha's Garden and I found it on a website www.WorksheetWorks.com where there are loads of worksheets plus answers to download and they are free! Always a bonus. Callum had to work out the perimeter of the garden to decide how much fencing would be needed and then work out different areas to see where different plants would be grown. It was pretty basic, but it was interesting for Callum to see how the maths he is learning is used in day to day things. This is something that he enjoys as, like most things, he doesn't like learning it unless he can see a reason for doing so OR he really likes the subject. This is fine when it comes to using the computer or doing science, but the normal maths and english is something that he has to have a reason for.
Next was English Literacy. He has a list of books (I downloaded the recommended reading list for year 9 and went through them making a sub list of what I think Callum would enjoy plus a few that I felt were 'classics'. We have 4 on the list already; 2 that I own and 2 which we have obtained from the library. The idea of the literacy lesson is to review the book using a question and answer sheet and to have a general discussion. He's just started reading Slam by Nick Hornby and we had a little talk about the book, but as he has only read 3 chapters so far it wasn't a huge conversation and certainly not worth doing a sheet on yet. So what to do? Then I remembered that I had recorded a couple of the Shakespeare film adaptations that the BBC showed in their Shakespeare celebration and I decided that it might be an idea to watch one (or at least part of one). We had 4 to choose from: MacBeth, Twelfth Night, Othello and Merchant of Venice. Callum has already read MacBeth (in graphic form) and we had a MacBeth themed Halloween party last year, so he decided to watch that one. I didn't mind as that is probably my favourite Shakespeare.
I don't know about any of you, but as far as I'm concerned Shakespeare wrote plays, not books, so I think that the best way of studying them is to actually see them rather than read them. His language is often hard to read, but to watch it makes more sense and you can appreciate it more. We managed an hour of an hour and 50mins movie and Callum began to remember what he'd read and associate it with what he saw on screen, so that was good and when asked, he said he was enjoying it. It also meant we could talk about the story whilst we watched it. We'll aim to finish watching later on this week.
After lunch, as Callum had got into watching some telly, he chose to sit and watch The Blues Brothers for the 2nd time (his 2nd, my umpteenth) and we spent a lovely afternoon having a giggle.
Today was English Language and Trampolining. English Language had to be rejiggled as I, stupidly, hadn't looked at what was next in the book and it involved a lot of writing and I've vowed not to force him to do lots of writing as he says its hurts his shoulder to write. We have a hospital appointment in August to check to see if anything is physically wrong. So that page will be typed on the computer and we'll do that next time. After flipping through the workbook we decided on the page which was all about changing sentences from two to one using connecting words such as who, which, because, so, etc. He did really well and got them all correct. It's frustating as he knows the language and how to put it together, he just doesn't like writing it or doing the sheets, but he's getting there and his handwriting is getting neater and neater.
Trampolining went well. Routine and somersaults practised with him managed to nail 3 complete to feet somersaults, 2 of which were without using the mat. So well done Callum. He did get very frustrated with himself as he usually does because he could have nailed a lot more if he'd got his feet down instead of his knees. Must admit his coach, Kim, is getting just as frustrated and it is quite comical to see them both grrrring.
After trampolining we went off to Subway for lunch and then I had an optician's appointment. Callum decided that he didn't want to stay with me and for the first time ever he walked home, let himself in the house and waited for me at home. Well done mate! A small step each time amounts to something big in the end.
Tomorrow Terri should be visiting as usual and I'm hoping that the weather holds and she doesn't get wet.
Cya soon folks.
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