Sponge Painting

At art this week we had heaps of fun we did sponge painting. My husband came up with the idea of cutting out shapes for the children to use.

I purchased kitchen sponges from ALDI and Safeway and we used cookie cutters as templates for most of the shapes.  At first we tried drawing them onto the sponges but this did not work as the antibacterial liquid in the sponge clogged up the texta and stopped it from working.  In the end Paul held the cookie cutter in place on top of the sponge and cut around it.

We used poster paint from The Reject Shop and Crayola Washable poster paints to make our pictures.

I did not give much thought to protecting clothing.  My friend came up with the idea of using bin bags.  She cut the bottom open and we put them on the children.  Arms through the handles and I used a piece of tape to make it smaller by taking the handles and taping them together behind Sir N.
He really enjoyed making his picture.

Sir N sponge painting

Sir N completed picture.

Overall he really enjoyed the day.  One thing I did learn through this experience is that you need to wet the sponge shapes before you start painting.  If you don't they just 'suck up' the paint and you end up using a lot of paint and you don't see much texture on the page.

If you want to see how others have done this craft you can have a look at Confessions of a Homeschooler Australia Craft Sponge Art Activity and Make and Takes wet water sponge activity
Have fun sponge painting

Educating the WholeHearted Child

I am so excited I just have to share this with you all, this book has been completely revised and updated and is now back in print. To celebrate the third edition three copies are being given away by Clay and Sally Clarkson via a draw on Sallys Blog.  Sally has said on her Facebook that international entries are accepted as long as you are willing to share in the postage costs if you win the book

It's the type of book you never get tired of. In fact mine is on loan so much I have been waiting for this edition to purchase so that I can have one for me :)

• Author: Clay Clarkson (with Sally Clarkson)
• Book: Paperback, 8.5x11, 384pp
• Publisher: Apologia/WholeHeart
• Release: June 2011 (Third Edition)
• Language: English

Chapters

PREFACE:
A WholeHearted Journey for Home
INTRODUCTION:
Christian Homeschooling — Taking a Step of Faith toward Home
SECTION 1: HOME
Chapter 1: The Christian Home — Learning to Be at Home with Christ
Chapter 2: The Christian Homeschool — Learning at Home to Be with Christ
Chapter 3: Home Nurture — Shepherding Your Child’s Spirit to Long for God
Chapter 4: Home Discipleship — Shaping Your Child’s Heart to Live for God
Chapter 5: Home Education — Strengthening Your Child’s Mind to Learn for God
SECTION 2: LEARNING
Chapter 6: The WholeHearted Learning Model — Living and Learning Together at Home
Chapter 7: The WholeHearted Learning Home — Creating a Home You Can Learn Within
Chapter 8: The WholeHearted Learning Child — Understanding Your Child
Chapter 9: The WholeHearted Learning Youth — Beyond the WholeHearted Child
SECTION 3: METHODS
Chapter 10: Discipleship Studies Methods — The Study of the Bible
Chapter 11: Disciplined Studies Methods — The Study of the Basics
Chapter 12: Discussion Studies Methods — The Study of Ideas
Chapter 13: Discovery Studies Methods — The Study of Learning
Chapter 14: Discretionary Studies Methods — The Study of Living
SECTION 4: LIVING
Chapter 15: Family — Keeping the Vision Alive
Chapter 16: Structure — Keeping the Homeschooling Together
Chapter 17: Order — Keeping the Home Together
Chapter 18: Support — Keeping the Spirit Strong
POSTSCRIPT:
The Challenge — Keeping Faith in the Family
RESOURCES
A: Books for the WholeHearted Family
B: Books for WholeHearted Learning
C: Forms for WholeHearted Learning

To enter the free giveaway you can visit Sally's Blog and enter at I Take Joy: Educating the WholeHearted Child
To purchase this book at it's original first publication price you can go to Whole Heart Ministries: Educating the WholeHearted Child
You can also view a sample chapter from this book: Educating the WholeHearted Child Chapter One

Blessings

Please note this giveaway is NOT from me.

Night Zoo Delight

Thought I would share a photo story with you about what we did last night at Werribee Open Range Zoo. We arrived at the zoo at around 6 pm and spent a wonderful two and a half hours exploring and enjoying the dark!  It was fantastic. 
We went to the Wild Nights event which is on from the 2 - 16 July 2011.

And the cost ?
All children under the age of 16 have free entry to all three zoo's (Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo) during the holidays, public holidays and on weekends.

Photo Story of our Journey through the

Wild Nights Zoo after Dark event

The ad you can see from the motor way

I loved this gecko light which wonders around on the floor at the entrance.

These zebra statues are out the front of the bistro
If you walk among them you can find some baby zoo animal statues!
Loved the tails.

Meercats outside the Bistro

King is the African drummer. 
He let us touch his drum and told us he made his own drum.
The goats leather top is replaced every 3 months.

Fire Dancing

Next stop: The Nocturnal House

Nocturnal House

Wonderful reflective painted animal life

Can you see the frog ?

It was so interesting seeing this spider lit up at night!

Next Stop: Monkeys & Marshmallows 

Ready to enter the world of the Zoo at night.

This way to the monkeys =)

The monkeys were cuddled together in the cage.
This is a night behind the scenes for free.

This lady was an absolute treasure. She helped Sir N bake his marshmallows.
Then she gave him a special torch and helped him find things in the trees outside.
We saw two ringtailed possums.

Next Stop: Serval presentation 

Paul and Nanki at the Serval Presentation.

Hippos, Night Cruises, Obstical Course

and an Archiological Dig

Where else can you sit in a hippo mouth safely ?

The Kubu Queen boat at the hippo display

Obstacle Course

Look Mom FOUR brushes and all this sand =)

We had so much fun that Sir N wants to go again. So rug up and get batteries for your torch and make your way over to Werribee Open Range Zoo and experience a Night at the Zoo.  There are only two zoo's in Australia who open their doors to the public at night and this is one of them.