We are all getting bored with the usual
daily routine of school and ready for something different. I want to
keep school fun and interesting and not let it turn into a miserable
chore. I would like her build up her confidence regarding school
work. I know what she can do but she is afraid to be wrong. I'd
like her to see what she can accomplish on her own without any “hand
holding”. So after a little brainstorming this week we tried out
an independent work project. Lili was given some ideas of projects
she could do that would involve a few school subjects, that she could
do mostly on her own and that were also fun and involved some
playing. She decided on a project to plan a party. She first wrote
out her guest list (printing and spelling) and then created
invitations (art). To plan for the party she used a grocery store
advertisement (made by me) to create the menu for her party and
figure the cost for all of the food she would need. She then counted
out that amount of real money to “buy” her groceries. This was
all done with play food and the guests were myself, Gabi and a few
dolls. So we were able to really have the party. Lili then set up
her party and we played for awhile. She enjoyed this project and
worked on writing/spelling and math/money both of which are not
normally her favorites. They were also used in a real life way which
seems to make things stick. I need to get creative and think of more
project ideas.
In addition to this project we did do
some formal work such as cursive practice but that is still her
favorite so no trouble there. We also read lots of books and also
played a money game that I saw in one of our Family Fun magazines.
This was another fun way to practice counting money. One person
choses several coins and counts up the total amount of money. They
tell the other player how much money they have and how many coins
they have. That player has to try and figure out what coins the
first player is holding. We used paper and pencil to help figure it
out. One of Lili's Christmas gifts was a chemistry set. We have
starting doing some of the activities. We have tested the ph of
different liquids such as salt water, baking soda in water, citric
acid in water, apple juice, lemonade, milk, etc... Afterwards we
kept the cups with salt water, baking soda in water and citric acid
in water and let them sit out. The water has been evaporating and
leaving behind fun creations. Lili has liked this part the best and
show everyone who comes over. She really liked the way the salt left
behind salt “crystals” and the baking soda is now a disc shaped
solid piece of baking soda.
Sorry no pictures, I need to get on the
ball with that. Next week we will keep the camera close by.
"The idea of learning acceptable
social skills in school is as absurd to me as the idea of learning
nutrition from a grocery store." ~ Lisa Russell
