Saturday, 17 March 2012

Expedition Earth: AFRICA - Nigeria


We learned:
  • Nigeria has the largest population in Africa
  • It has the largest butterfly diversity of any country.
  • Is home to a few endangered animal species.
  • Has the third largest river delta in the world.
  • Really enjoyed reading the folk tales from Nigeria.
  • The flag is green and white. The green means farming and the white means unity/peace.
  • The country is in Africa.
  • The children wear uniforms to school.
  • They speak English.
  • They pump oil and sell it to make fuel.
  • The capital is: Abuja.
One of the animals that we looked at this week is the Gorilla.  Werribee Open Range Zoo now has Gorilla's on site so I rang Paul yesterday morning and asked if we could come in and see the Gorilla's behind the scenes as a wrap up for our week in Nigeria.  He contacted those in charge who said YES.  So at 4 pm we were off to see Gorilla's up close and personal. All visitors have to wear masks. 

Just look at the size of his hand ! That's 2" weld mesh.
There are three Gorillas at WORZ.  They are fed by seperate keepers to prevent them arguing over the food.  Here is a 20 second clip of Paul feeding one. This one on one time is also used to check on the animals well being and keeps up with their daily training.





Paul feeding a Gorilla behind the scenes at WORZ


The Resources we Used

Books
Stories from Nigeria on the Internet
Some of our Notebook pages
Notebook Pages
**We do NOT use ALL pages but pick the ones we want.**

On the Internet
Animals
Cooking
Jollof Chicken & Rice

  • Suya (Nigerian Chicken Skewers)
  • Jollof Chicken and Rice really enjoyable meal will definitely make this again.
  • West African Benne Cakes over at Confessions of a Homeschooler My family really enjoyed these. We used greaseproof paper when baking which made it really easy to remove the biscuits. We baked them for 5-8 min any longer and they were over cooked.
West African Benne Cakes.
Blessings
 Chareen 
PS We pick and choose what to read from each site. We do NOT read every article in its entirety.  
Due to the every changing nature of the Internet please check that these sites are still safe before allowing your children on them.
This post does not contain affiliate links. 
Linking with 
Grateful for Grace: What We're Learning
 Collage Friday over at Home Grown Learners,   
Favourite Resources at Learning All the Time.
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Classics for FREE on Amazon

Please Note: Though free at time of posting, prices may change at any time. Please verify that the “Kindle Price” is $0.00. If you see a price for “Prime Members” or “read for free”, then the book is NOT free any longer.

A Christmas Carol and 13 Other Classic Stories (Illustrated)


Stephen Leacock


A Christmas Story: The Story of three Wise Men
William J. Locke

Blessings
Chareen

PS If you do not have a Kindle you can still read these books.  Download the Free Kindle Reading Apps for your iPhone, Windows, Mac, BlackBerry, iPad, Android or Windows 7.

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Friday, 16 March 2012

HSMJ 18 - Behind the scenes Gorilla Visit


The Home school Mother’s Journal began as a single post on a Friday morning over at The Homeschool Chick, and turned into a link-up for homeschool mothers across the blog-O-sphere to share a piece of their journey with one another each week. The link party is open from Friday to Monday so join me in The Homeschool Journal and lets encourage one another on our homeschool journey.

In my life this week…
 
In our home school this week…
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
I am inspired by…
  • Homeschool in Freedom: Throwing Out the Rules by Susan Lemons over at Home preschool and beyond. Excellent encouraging article that makes you think about your preconceived rules of homeschooling. do you need to follow them ??
    Here is a sneak peek: Many homeschoolers, especially new homeschoolers, live under a self-imposed set of “rules” based on their perceptions of what homeschooling should be. These unspoken “rules” are often based on our experiences with public schools. These “rules” often hurt us and our kids...... Make sure you head on over and take a read and be encouraged.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • On Monday we spent the afternoon at the Steamrail Open Day looking at vintage trains.
  • Tuesday saw us go on a midnight adventure in the sea.
  • Wednesday saw us sleep in and go to a friends house for a play date and some origami.
  • Thursday was my Dad's Birthday and we did a short trip to the library to collect many reserved titles.
  • Friday we went to WORZ to visit the three gorilla's behind the scenes to finish off our Expedition Earth Nigeria Unit (definitely a great perk for being married to a Zoo Keeper).
  • Counting down the months, weeks and days

My favorite thing this week was…
  • Listening to Sir N giggle as he watched an original version of The Three Little Pigs.

What’s working/not working for us…
  • LATE bed times .....
2012 in 2012
  • Read about this idea over at Behind the Scenes and was really intrigued.  I think I will give it a go.  Won't make 2012 I don't think but it will definitely help me de-clutter.
Opening
Balance		 What  This Week Balance
3 Thrown Away 0 2
0 Sold 0 0
170 Donated 0 0
3 Returned to their owner 5 8


Running Total out of the goal 2012

194

Questions/thoughts I have…
  • What are some fun interesting FREE things you have done with your children ?
Things I’m working on…
I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
I’m grateful for…
  •  Friends who encourage me with fun food and fellowship.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…
  • Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction. - Anne Frank 
We went to see the gorilla's behind the scenes at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Blessings






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Linking with
Grateful for Grace: What We're Learning
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