Tuesday, 23 October 2012

TT - Deaf/Blindness Unit Study

It's been a great week of discovery this last week.  Sir N and I have been on a journey to discover Braille and the lives of two amazing people born in the 1800's.

We read:
Video watched:
On YouTube we watched:
On the www:
Notebook Pages:

Craft Activity
  • We took a piece of paper and wrote out the words we wanted in Braille.
  • I made a template of the six dots used in the Braille system.
  • Sir N used the book to tell me where the dots needed to be for each letter using the place value of 1-6 for each dot to tell me.
  • We then turned the page over on the window and used a sharp needle to puncture the braille for us to feel.
We completed our studies with a trip to Melbourne Museum to see their Living in a Sensory World display.
Top
  1. A Braille Doll to help children learn the system
  2. Reading about the display and feeling braille
  3. This lady developed a machine to print braille on both sides of the page making books that used less paper and fitted into libraries easier.
Middle
  1. The entrance
  2. In 1920 the metal plate to the right was what was used for maths.  The wooden square with the eight sided star denoted different numerals.  Pins were fitted into the star shape and depending on it's position it denoted a different value.
Bottom
  1. Looking at items used by the blind.
  2. This is a braille keyring used to learn braille.  It is the next step from the doll.  From here the wooden case with metal braille letters is used to learn to 'read' braille.
  3. Braille type writter.
Sir N has been trying to form his own sign language this week when communicating with me.  It's been fun to watch and has inspired me to find somewhere the two of us can learn Auslan (Australia Sign Language)from.
I was visiting Betsy from the Notebooking Nook who shared this video of her daughter using ASL.  It was a blessing to watch and an inspiration.

Blessings
Chareen  

Linking with
 Favourite Resources over at Learning All the Time
Collage Friday over at Homegrown Learners.

Saturday, 20 October 2012

HSMJ - The Intouchables

In my life this week…
 I had the most wonderful day today.  I joined five other homeschool mom's on an annual pilgrimage to Koorong Christian Bookshop.  We had a great day of fun, food, fellowship and book shopping.  I am looking forward to our trip next year.
Musem vist to: Living in a Sensory World.
In our homeschool this week…
  • We spent the day exploring Healsville Sanctuary.
  • Spent the afternoon at Melbourne Museum exploring Living in a Sensory World.
  • Read Louis Braille.
  • Read Helen Keller.  Explored online resources on her life.
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…
I am inspired by…
  • The lives of Helen Keller and Louis Braille.  What amazing people.  I am even more inspired by the determination of Annie Sullavin who was so instrumental in Helen Keller's life.
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…
  • Three weeks till we leave on a trip to North Queensland to see the Solar Eclipse.
  • This week we went to Healsville Sanctuary to explore the zoo and had the privilege of spending the night in the Coranderrk.  Beautiful.  WE are going there next week with a friend to enjoy three days of the zoo and surrounds.
  • Today we are going to Melbourne Museum to see Living in a Sensory World.

My favorite thing this week was…
  • Taking Sir N to the museum and him not wanting to come home and wanting to keep on exploring the museum.
What’s working/not working for us…
  • I am really enjoying using our Museum Victoria membership for short trips.  It is so great to seeing Sir N return home enthused about our day rather than exhausted and frustrated with a looooong day out.  I am pleased I made this decision.

Questions/thoughts I have…
  • What do you use to teach a second language to non reading students ??  I learned my second language as a five year old and it was so easy.  I really wish Rosetta had a pre-reading level available.
Things I’m working on…
On My Bedside Table ...
In Bloggy world I’m reading…
I’m cooking…
  •  Nothing new this week.
On Pinterest I found...

I’m grateful for…
  •  Living in a country where I am free to worship.  Free to homeschool. Free to blog.  Free to come and go as I please.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

This movie looks really interesting and I am looking forward to going to see it with Paul Monday week.

Blessings

This post is linking to: 
Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers - Weekly Wrap Up 
Hammock Tracks - Its A Wrap 
Homegrown Learners - Collage Friday 
Ben and Me - Friday Fun Stuff

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Schoolhouse Review Crew applications OPEN

Schoolhouse Review Crew Applications 2013
The Schoolhouse Review Crew is composed of approximately 200 homeschool families that love to blog about homeschool products! Applications for next years cruise are now live. 
So what does it take to be a Schoolhouse Crew Review team member?
  1. Do you have an active blog? 
  2. Do you have at least 22 public followers? 
  3.  Do you homeschool? 
  4. Do you like homeschool curriculum? 
  5.  Do you want to use new curriculum with your own children and share about your experiences on your blog? 
 If you answered YES, then Schoolhouse Review Crew might be for you!

To find out more and apply to be on the crew for 2013 pop on over to Schoolhouse Review.

Blessings
Chareen