tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6766816497438431402024-03-14T20:04:26.853+10:00Expedition HomeschoolJoin us on our Homeschooling Expedition! Share our journey as we explore and learn both in the classroom at home and on our adventures and excursions. Get a sense of what it's like dealing with Aspergers and a bunch of other diagnosed disorders and syndromes every day while on our journey as well. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-33873189534439507222018-03-19T16:41:00.001+10:002018-03-19T16:41:25.341+10:00It's been a while .... <h2 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So it's been about 18 months since I last wrote a piece for my blog. It's a been a tough time and at the moment life seems to be at it's hardest. Homeschooling is going well, still a challenge but still better than school life so that's a win. But I have to say, the rest of my day to day is getting harder. Partly because I am on my own without family support and the friends I do have all have their own stuff going on so can't really be a physical help for my day to day issues. So I have only myself and my son to rely on to get things done and we both have our health issues. Add to that financial strain, mental exhaustion, car trouble, pets with complete health issues etc, Dr's and hospital visits, a million other things and well I often just want to curl up in a ball. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However the biggest problem I have faced (and am currently going through again) is the online world of Facebook and nasty people. I hate that many are wolves in sheep's clothing, who like to be nasty behind your back, spread lies and deliberately try to hurt you. I had a breakdown last year over it and was faced with more of it recently. I don't get why people do it, I don't understand the need to spy on people and I don't understand why friends of mine would turn a blind eye and be friends with these nasty people. So I've had a month offline. No facebook, no blogs, no pinterest, no Google+, nothing. It's good for the soul. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is just a little brain dump from me, to process my feelings and to keep moving forward. I have some positives to keep me going though. I have a son almost as tall as me now, Grade 8 !!, who despite teen hormones makes my life worthwhile. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hoping everyone is loving life and coping ok xoxo </span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-90670073320559015392016-10-23T23:29:00.000+10:002016-10-23T23:29:02.305+10:00Tween Halloween Reading List <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Now that I have a Tween on my hands, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I thought I would update our reading lists, first one being Halloween. </i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are a few yearly favourites but a few new ones this year.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>For Reference/Non Fiction reading, we love and I recommend</u>:</span></div>
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<li><b><span style="font-size: large;">Witches and Wizards by Paul Dowswell.</span></b></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHBla4SDf4YO5nuOaYRJYIJaK9hjRSmvvh6eaaHiYftyz1vYgwAzgaSaAeVaiuX81mrFyh6A1HgpFaaI-EwBq0gLy64FBRom6LNHGdO28ldF4yukU9_x65p2WIwSVYb4sCpwXeOduJsUe/s1600/witches-wizards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHBla4SDf4YO5nuOaYRJYIJaK9hjRSmvvh6eaaHiYftyz1vYgwAzgaSaAeVaiuX81mrFyh6A1HgpFaaI-EwBq0gLy64FBRom6LNHGdO28ldF4yukU9_x65p2WIwSVYb4sCpwXeOduJsUe/s400/witches-wizards.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<li><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Horrible Histories: Witches, by Terry Deary </span></b></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqBI2zRHSheSr7LylOXAOilveD3izzUN6aUgcEnmOZEbVGmNOR9rSY6uQmgtkHXb66WRhc3Y_35MmWSydQWpIHN0Ov4lJAu6HQ8n2NsWltJa-oU0robG4FcUvZ-6uz6-SwiCNnP7Dxpjv/s1600/152242-ml-1096180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqBI2zRHSheSr7LylOXAOilveD3izzUN6aUgcEnmOZEbVGmNOR9rSY6uQmgtkHXb66WRhc3Y_35MmWSydQWpIHN0Ov4lJAu6HQ8n2NsWltJa-oU0robG4FcUvZ-6uz6-SwiCNnP7Dxpjv/s400/152242-ml-1096180.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Wizards Handbook by Dr Robert Curran</span></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>For Fiction and Fun Reading we have used these this year:</u></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Late For Halloween by Camilla Fegan</b></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGdX8CGvk-Jw4PYeStG0H5St-seE5wbCp5B__Q4kfnfxhpXgb7sUQZklM12AfnYPcor9q9wPYQb9F3IAzFqPNqYBXxzVf2BEhXxSnB_wwBVkAu26NZ_Z-tS2vVb-dshkpU5jg_-qtFh0L/s1600/14523285_1823824164503075_9164624343151911902_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGdX8CGvk-Jw4PYeStG0H5St-seE5wbCp5B__Q4kfnfxhpXgb7sUQZklM12AfnYPcor9q9wPYQb9F3IAzFqPNqYBXxzVf2BEhXxSnB_wwBVkAu26NZ_Z-tS2vVb-dshkpU5jg_-qtFh0L/s400/14523285_1823824164503075_9164624343151911902_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury</b></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ_3wL1upLUjpz_xAvl5O8bV9UL7Oz3J9yzCs5NcDqXTZIXcoKXQnZlWxM1udlHsbdliCBKf3yyevYzWFgVpjiIS1dAteCR31eLMr9uM0jc2I3WmjvujF1db5qHX7sFVHV50YvgSDKAY4/s1600/51X5AKX5ZNL._SX338_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ_3wL1upLUjpz_xAvl5O8bV9UL7Oz3J9yzCs5NcDqXTZIXcoKXQnZlWxM1udlHsbdliCBKf3yyevYzWFgVpjiIS1dAteCR31eLMr9uM0jc2I3WmjvujF1db5qHX7sFVHV50YvgSDKAY4/s400/51X5AKX5ZNL._SX338_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The 'You Choose...' series titles: </b></span></li>
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Night of the Creepy Carnival </span></b><br />
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The Haunting of Spook House </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Mayhem at Magic School</span></b><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> </span><i>(these are all 'Choose you own adventure' style books) </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkR-Q53w_uK_kLB20qoELLAiIITcv37mi0gL069CmvTlDwHoVTXiKVqagWskCRUyjFDCJlWDXJTs-glJ1yeSKCFPEddQ8DZljE7-BqEk3Qk0Lw-SfbPxDlvsScLLOT1VXVN8Ht5gNRgGB/s1600/you+choose+books+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkR-Q53w_uK_kLB20qoELLAiIITcv37mi0gL069CmvTlDwHoVTXiKVqagWskCRUyjFDCJlWDXJTs-glJ1yeSKCFPEddQ8DZljE7-BqEk3Qk0Lw-SfbPxDlvsScLLOT1VXVN8Ht5gNRgGB/s640/you+choose+books+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: large;">Favourites we re read include:</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Familiars Series </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA1MonA89ovUJSYX2VvXSm6kjRQczsKnEYd7F0koiFmBZGVZSqVeQFQ7fxmdyd9y8xdTHULs5f7rdqirnKi8yl5aekbCXstAJFoTqIKs8knEA0MZ0GGdD8fFf4HUyEMgTAHveu10NE7i7/s1600/image196591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA1MonA89ovUJSYX2VvXSm6kjRQczsKnEYd7F0koiFmBZGVZSqVeQFQ7fxmdyd9y8xdTHULs5f7rdqirnKi8yl5aekbCXstAJFoTqIKs8knEA0MZ0GGdD8fFf4HUyEMgTAHveu10NE7i7/s640/image196591.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Harry Potter Series</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsMbDybIdcf7Bv1-mnQmWiSwanpzSPhMvcyvl20g9aP-oe4CZCyRkfRLfWtFFzZBIBsj_Mjfkz3mZV0U-4XCBD7P-OR0cfXCtzUsNhPFsN0LTEgZyIhO1ZPCJhr9VM0J4VjYug_SOk29U/s1600/hps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsMbDybIdcf7Bv1-mnQmWiSwanpzSPhMvcyvl20g9aP-oe4CZCyRkfRLfWtFFzZBIBsj_Mjfkz3mZV0U-4XCBD7P-OR0cfXCtzUsNhPFsN0LTEgZyIhO1ZPCJhr9VM0J4VjYug_SOk29U/s640/hps.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>So that's our little update. It's often tricky finding books on Halloween that aren't picture books aimed at the younger kids and aren't too scary (and are aimed at older teens and adults) so hope this might have given you a few ideas if you are after something for that in between age range. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>For previous blog posts on Halloween Reading Lists, just click on this link: </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://expeditionhomeschool.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/10-halloween-books-to-read.html" target="_blank">10 Halloween Books to Read</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Happy Halloween and a Blessed Samhain to you all!</b></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-46995841219958268202016-07-29T23:41:00.003+10:002016-07-29T23:46:23.082+10:00Another Step Towards the Mum-Redundancy<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="99hoe" data-offset-key="1f6mu-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="1f6mu-0-0"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My excited boy has finally settled to sleep. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He got invited for a play day tomorrow. Which isn't a first, we've been to many over the years but it's been a 'Mum and son' catch up with another 'Mum and child'. I expected this one would be the same and was happy about that as the Mum and son inviting us are lovely. But my dear son, who at now 11yrs old has gained a tad more maturity and independence of late, asked if I was dropping him off so he could have a play day without me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At first I thought he was asking for reassurance and checking I'd be there. Till he clarified and I realised he wanted me to drop him off and go. I have to admit, I instantly felt a little redundant right then and there.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><b>"It's ok Mum, I want to try going on my own. You don't have to come. </b></i></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eba3s-0-0"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b>I don't need you to come with me" </b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's a first for us. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eba3s-0-0"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many would think it was about time and a LONG time coming for an 11 year old. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eba3s-0-0"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But not for an 11 year old who has an ASD diagnosis. Not for a child with severe anxiety and many other medical conditions that he relies on me for. Actually this milestone crept up on me to be honest and took me by surprise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After my son's revelation that I was not needed at his play day, I messaged my friend and told her that I think our plans of a 'coffee and chat' may be cut short as my young Mr is expecting me to drop and run. To be frank, I thought it would appear rude of me to drop off my boy and leave, as I'd never done it before. However my lovely friend embraced the idea and told me to go and have some time to myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">MMMmmmmm time to myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I haven't had that in ages, you almost forget what it's like LOL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I plan on shopping, looking at what I like and not needing to rush to get to the toy or gaming section. In reality I will probably end up in my son's favourite shops out of habit. Something another lovely friend of mine discovered recently. I think us special needs mums and homeschooling mums are a lot alike in that regard as we always have the kids with us and often forget ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So back to topic .... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">tomorrow is 'Independence Day' in Mum/Son land LOL. </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another step towards my Mum-Redundancy </span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am expecting one very excited and also slightly anxious boy in the morning. </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am so very happy to be at this point and honestly for a while didn't think we'd ever get here. </span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He's definitely morphed into a tween lately and is growing up fast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Have a great day tomorrow my boy! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am going to try too LOL. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-64842985072676104322016-05-30T20:58:00.001+10:002016-05-30T21:02:02.248+10:00Something has to give .... <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last year I used to have time to blog. It was my escape from things here at home and some quiet time to sit and reflect on our days. I was never a daily blogger but I liked to at least check in weekly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year however has been very different. And I have felt a tad guilty over my lack of online presence and my lack of blog posts. I am starting to realise though that I can't do everything and that something had to give in my life to allow me some breathing space and sadly that turned out to be my blog time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's hard enough being a Mum. Doing everyday Mum stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Then I double the workload with a special needs child and all that that entails (sleepless nights (night after night after night!), on duty 24/7 for everything, hospital appointments, Dr appointments, therapy appointments, funding paperwork, funding bills and accounting, research, referrals, phone calls, chemist visits and the list goes on). Then I add the element of homeschooling and special needs homeschooling at that - so I am teacher and teacher aide all rolled into one. Our work is slow going and my presence is needed all the time, we have very little independent working. This year I also added the role of single parent to my list. Having my own disabilities has meant that being the sole parent is very physically difficult. All the things I struggle to do now need to be done without help and its exhausting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am stretched to exhaustion point and finding time to sit and blog just hasn't happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I now realise that despite my best intentions, and the fact that blogging is like therapy for me, it's best for me to rest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So while I am not giving up my blog, I am 'giving it a rest' for a while and not putting so much pressure on myself to come up with something brilliant to say each week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Looking forward to some me time sometime soon and hopefully I will have something enlightening to post for you all! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-28484817683027393302016-04-23T19:37:00.005+10:002016-04-23T19:55:02.951+10:00ANZAC Day Reading for Tweens <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPTqXEm-_vvDfGl8hjuBZIgSE4o76I5Y-2EN5lDJwLQs0SLMpaEDmAyEO_FKrAW8-_h0FVkegT6vgxhGDLTcZnA6KScgUaj5A89FwfM7PViZBtbPr6H5us5OKmGoXoVnPgh3COHbZLPF0/s1600/ANZAC+tween+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPTqXEm-_vvDfGl8hjuBZIgSE4o76I5Y-2EN5lDJwLQs0SLMpaEDmAyEO_FKrAW8-_h0FVkegT6vgxhGDLTcZnA6KScgUaj5A89FwfM7PViZBtbPr6H5us5OKmGoXoVnPgh3COHbZLPF0/s640/ANZAC+tween+books.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Having an 11 year old this year, we have definitely stepped up from informative picture books which up until now have been the books we've read when covering the topic of War and ANZAC Day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are now in the novel zone although not quite ready to tackle the big novels which tend to be more graphic and for a more mature Teen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I wanted to share the books we are reading at the moment, that you might find are the right 'fit' for your homeschooled Tween.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>1. Simpson's Donkey</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b>(by Peter Stanley)</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWEc3bFIGMuVpQdmI8WOd65-BM4nx4uOnwkIeE267gfGNq4Nj5u1HuXIis2xJgdHBTSY8-9zCmj7Ua3dj-5L64anFYWEsqRk1D0kI1iCSSjVdiOXraH2msDPYOhE6AsmDQtfNjBTkRk9L/s1600/Simpsons+Donkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWEc3bFIGMuVpQdmI8WOd65-BM4nx4uOnwkIeE267gfGNq4Nj5u1HuXIis2xJgdHBTSY8-9zCmj7Ua3dj-5L64anFYWEsqRk1D0kI1iCSSjVdiOXraH2msDPYOhE6AsmDQtfNjBTkRk9L/s640/Simpsons+Donkey.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>2. My Story Series</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>- The Trenches (by Jim Eldridge)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>- D Day (by Bryan Perrett)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>- U Boat Hunter (by Bryan Perrett)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>- Flying Ace (by Jim Eldridge)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>- Battle of Britain (by Chris Priestley) </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>- Hero at Dunkirk (by Vince Cross)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>- Desert Danger (by Jim Eldridge)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>- War Spy (by Jim Eldridge)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>3. Gallipoli - The Landing</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>(by Hugh Dolan, Mal Gardiner)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>* Graphic Novel aka comic book style *</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UTb5Zzf-84IMqx4H5chxwWyHLDVTfLpVTapx2GQW2alHfF8IOQt6rG6ZVO9bFzzqUZ1vCQXc7Te-gp9D8Pdud-plmBtIsySSVwjTng66m-jZRQ1cyDB9bkOFi7t3ju6EHdZKNfabeCIM/s1600/GALLIPOLI+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UTb5Zzf-84IMqx4H5chxwWyHLDVTfLpVTapx2GQW2alHfF8IOQt6rG6ZVO9bFzzqUZ1vCQXc7Te-gp9D8Pdud-plmBtIsySSVwjTng66m-jZRQ1cyDB9bkOFi7t3ju6EHdZKNfabeCIM/s640/GALLIPOLI+book.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>4. Reg Saunders - An Indigenous War Hero</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>(</i></b></span><i style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;">by Hugh Dolan, Adrian Threlfall)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>* Graphic Novel aka comic book style *</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeks20iAOjNxfYf-_-tIcVJt6I8ZanUenluqKJ1_Wfes3RvjkXDys-nGzow_W3gDy5eCeMD61VDh44pgkAn_WgVq0Vunva6oqegRwAs_nNbBCxcVnGrAWxChm3FDA10hyphenhyphen263lpsUjTBQQ/s1600/REG+SAUNDERS+book+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeks20iAOjNxfYf-_-tIcVJt6I8ZanUenluqKJ1_Wfes3RvjkXDys-nGzow_W3gDy5eCeMD61VDh44pgkAn_WgVq0Vunva6oqegRwAs_nNbBCxcVnGrAWxChm3FDA10hyphenhyphen263lpsUjTBQQ/s640/REG+SAUNDERS+book+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>5. An Anzac Tale</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>(by Ruth Starke, Greg Holfeld)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>* Graphic Novel aka comic book style in a large hardback size *</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>6. War Horse</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>(by Michael Morpurgo)</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">* Please note: </span> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><i><u>ALL</u> books containing content about war can be difficult for many children to read so when it comes to learning about war, the ANZAC's, death and violence, then it's best done with an adult. </i></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-49484811692355352382016-04-02T11:49:00.000+10:002016-04-02T11:49:55.261+10:00You can kiss my Aspergers!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To all the parents currently receiving negativity and fielding complaints over their Autism Awareness posts this month, I'd like to tell you that you are awesome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To all the people being ignorant, rude, judgemental and just a royal pain in the butt ..... well I have one thing to say to you ..... you can kiss my rather fat ASS! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">or ASSpergers in this case as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The parent who has a child with ASD, and in many cases they themselves also have ASD, is being courteous this month. They are trying to educate you on what ASD is. They are trying to say, in a very politically correct way, that you need to pull your head out of your backside and learn what ASD is and that you WILL deal with ASD in your lifetime, whether you realise it or not, so you should do the right thing and get educated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear parent of ASD kids,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I want to tell you this. I want to tell you, that if your family and friends don't already know what ASD is, then they are ignorant and slack. If they haven't come to you to ask about ASD, to learn what it means for your child and your family, and how they can help as your friends and your family, then why the hell not! If you had a child with allergies or with diabetes then your family and friends would have asked what your child can and can't eat and made an attempt to include you if you went to their home for a meal. Would they not? So shouldn't they have asked how they can accommodate your ASD child by now? YES THEY SHOULD! If they haven't, and you are having to spread awareness and educate them every Autism Awareness Month ..... then not only are they inconsiderate and ignorant, but I wonder why they are still a part of your inner circle. These people all have access to a library, to the internet and Dr Google, they can all pick up a phone and book a Dr appointment to ask their GP what ASD is. So if they don't want to 'offend' you by asking they can still educate themselves. On my journey I have learnt that not only are we born with ASD, but people can be born ignorant and no amount of effort on our part can change that. So if you are faced with too much ignorant, save yourself the headache and walk away. The Karma train will stop by and pick them up at some point and you can smile and wave farewell.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Warmest Regards,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">ASD Warrior Mum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This month you have a choice. As ASD Parents you can spread awareness and educate day after day, but remember to stay sane in the process and remember you have the choice to cut loose the ignorant people from your life. For everyone else, you have the choice to open your minds and BE educated and pro-actively ask questions or you have the choice to shove your head back up your rear end.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-65375586738282480312016-03-22T21:00:00.003+10:002016-03-22T21:01:57.722+10:00The History of Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3Hsahz0qNi2yXyQ0To4dYb2EEzJdHEB5v9n2b_ZWagoyVKXBaaXlPWIcym734E4_DFAlfGL660P_6P1voGZZPNiVw8VXo0vzh_-sH8tbdOBkwlmr3gpbmQGI9EJd_bElMO24qhL9ICvj/s1600/Scan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3Hsahz0qNi2yXyQ0To4dYb2EEzJdHEB5v9n2b_ZWagoyVKXBaaXlPWIcym734E4_DFAlfGL660P_6P1voGZZPNiVw8VXo0vzh_-sH8tbdOBkwlmr3gpbmQGI9EJd_bElMO24qhL9ICvj/s320/Scan.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">For many the "Easter" holidays are about chocolate, bunnies, religion and spring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"> Most have no idea of the origins of the name Easter, the symbols (eggs, bunnies, chicks etc) or the pre-Christianity traditions. For us, researching the origins of holidays has become a bit of a tradition in itself. My son's quest for knowledge has taught us so much. Easter's Pagan origin is recognised by most religions although not widely broadcast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For us, we have come to learn of this season as the celebration of the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/easter1.htm" target="_blank">Spring Equinox / Ostara</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For anyone wanting to learn more, I found a great site combining all the explanations of many others, and while long, is a great read. </span><a href="http://www.goddessgift.com/pandora%27s_box/easter-history.html" style="color: #d1b177; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Easter History and Traditions</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> is very informative, not judgemental towards any faith and covers more than most sites which tend to be either pro pagan or pro religion (neither of which is helpful as you don't want bias when looking for information). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Symbols of Ostara and the Spring Equinox are eggs, rabbits, chicks, flowers and seeds. These symbols became the modern "Easter Bunny" and Easter Eggs (see above link at Easter History and Traditions). Many do not realise that these things symbolising fertility, new life and springtime are of pagan origin. So many don't realise why at Easter time, it was traditional to eat eggs (real ones) in cooking. Eggs were always on the menu for us at this time of year. Boiled eggs with runny, bright yellow/gold yolks, with toast (cut into strips for dipping into the yolk and called Soldiers when we were children) were always a favourite and are still my favourite thing to have Easter morning. Other mornings were scrambled eggs and omelettes. But the tradition of boiled eggs is my childhood memory that I've passed on and we look forward to choosing which cute egg cups to use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">It was also traditional to eat the last of the cured meats that they had stored for use over the winter. This time of year was also seen as a time to cut out some of the heavier foods eaten over winter and was a pre Christian version of the Lenten</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"> period. So lighter meals were eaten at this time, with lots of spring vegetables, eggs, lighter meats like chicken and fish, plenty of seeds etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Celebrating Easter when you are not a Christian means you just don't recognise the aspects relating to Christianity. However all the fun parts of the season are actually of pagan origin so you still get to take part and recognise all the good things. Without the non Christians throughout many cultures in history, you wouldn't have Easter eggs, or the Easter Bunny. You wouldn't call it Easter either. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So to all my friends, wishing you a Happy Easter season, whether you are Pagan, Christian or of other religions. Happy Ostara, Happy Spring Equinox, and to my son a Happy Birthday! He was born on Easter Sunday 11 years ago and this year his birthday falls on Easter Sunday again. It will be a busy few days in this house with lots of gifts, chocolate, bunnies, eggs and traditions. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-35482687266096454012016-02-28T21:16:00.004+10:002016-02-28T21:16:52.843+10:00Stop Teaching Your Kids That The Most Important Thing in a Relationship is Love<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear Parents,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PLEASE stop teaching your children that LOVE is the most important thing in a relationship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because it isn't</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and I will tell you why.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My son is getting to an age where he is a little more aware of relationships between people. He will soon approach his teen years. As a parent you move from reading articles about issues facing young children and instead notice more and more articles and discussions about teen subjects. Young romances, attitudes, independence, learners permits, part time jobs and the nasty stuff like under age drinking and drugs. As a parent you want to be able to tackle these subjects with your child and you want to give them good advice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lately I have read too many times where we are told that the most important thing in a relationship is love. If you have love then you can work through any obstacle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not only is this a dangerous thing to be teaching our children, it is also very wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sure love is a key thing to have but to grow up thinking its the be all and end all of a relationship is one huge reason so many end up stuck in abusive relationships. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a relationship you need TRUST,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> you need to feel SAFE,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> you need INDEPENDENCE,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> you need to be RESPECTED</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> You need these things first and if you don't have them,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> then no amount of love will help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I want my son to know that any partner he has should feel all these things and he should feel that way too. Too many of us end up in relationships where we are not safe, yet we love the partner and think we can fix them or can't leave because we love them. Too many of us are controlled and have no independence within a relationship (either socially or financially). Too many of us have a partner we cannot trust (due to issues like addiction, affairs, secrecy and violence). To many of us are not respected and end up with little or no self esteem, often a big contributing factor to staying in an abusive relationship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Love doesn't make you safe, independent,respected or trusted. Those things however can make a loving relationship work. I want young people to grow up realising they shouldn't let love alone be the guide to who they date. Love should be part of the package for sure BUT it should be part of the <u>whole</u> package. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We all love a good fairy tale movie, we all show them to our children, they are all about love and happy endings. Then as adults we see the continual rise of dysfunctional relationships and abusive relationships, as well as a rise in depressions, addictions and suicides. We aren't being taught what we need from a relationship and what we need to put into one. We are told not to put up with abuse but we are not taught how to avoid it, or how to get out of it. We are told love will conquer all - but not told that love can be the trap that keeps you in a bad situation. We are not taught that respect, trust, safety and independence are vital. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I think as parents we need to put this on the list of life lessons we teach our children. We need to make it a priority along with the puberty talks, the safe sex talks, the drug/drinking awareness talks etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also want to point out that this is not just something you talk to young girls about. Yes they need to be educated to make them safe as they grow up and end up in relationships. <u>But so do your sons</u>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> They too need these talks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> They too can end up in dangerous relationships, both as victims or as the perpetrators. Something no mother wants to think about or admit but if you don't start the education during their upbringing then you are contributing to the ever growing problem. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Teach your children to always have a bank account in their own name with a regularly deposited amount of money to ensure some personal independent financial security.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Teach your children to respect themselves first and foremost but also to respect their partners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Teach your children to know the early signs of abuse, don't shield them completely from the bad stuff that can happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Teach your children not to be controlled, not to accept bullying behaviour, not to fall for the "if you love me you would" type tactics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Teach your children not to be ashamed to talk to you about a bad relationship. Stop the cycle of shame surrounding separations, stop telling your children to 'just try harder to work it out'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Teach your children to have a back up plan for any relationship. We teach them about emergency kits for storms, floods, fires etc but we forget to teach them about personal emergencies and what the steps are if you need to leave. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What I want to achieve by writing this is not to take the love out of relationships or to make relationship advice clinical. I want to help the next generation, our children, have a better shot at happy loving relationships than many of their parents have had. And that starts with us, their parents, stepping up and teaching them there is more to a relationship than Love, and that Love is not the most important thing. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-26856429285146227882016-02-17T00:29:00.004+10:002016-02-17T00:29:34.952+10:00Living Anxiety as a Homeschool Mum <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anxiety, for anyone, is hard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Full stop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But dealing with Anxiety when you have your child around you 24/7, especially when they too suffer with Anxiety, is a tricky thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We've been homeschooling for years now. This is our 5th year. I'd like to think we have a routine, a pattern, a learning style sorted and a flow. And we do to some degree. But we also still have (and I dare say will always have) Anxiety to deal with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recently life changed for my son and I. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His father moved away interstate for work and he is adjusting to not seeing him for months at a time. It's not going well, but I am trying to do what I can for my boy. It doesn't help that </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am adjusting to being on my own now and coming to terms with my own disabilities, limitations and ways to cope. It doesn't help that I am a mess while trying to be there for my child.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anxiety is ever present throughout the whole process. Anxiety makes the process a million times harder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can't begin to describe how the littlest things become huge, all consuming, mammoth tasks that you spend all day sorting out. The first day was spent just doing daily chores, trying to work out the best order for things to be done in and making sure I didn't forget anything. I think I wrote 20 lists just to curb the anxiety that made me sick to my stomach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After an injury in the backyard that weekend, and my son therefore helping me, he unfortunately left the downstairs freezer open and all the food spoiled. I felt myself crumble. While others might experience anger or frustration before getting on with the task of cleaning up and it all being sorted in a matter of an hour, it's very different for me. I had a panic attack. Actually I had 4 major ones. I struggled to breathe, had pains through my chest and yes you feel like you are having a heart attack. I needed to sit and cry and sob for over an hour before I could even start to plan what to do. I wrote more lists. I felt like an utter failure as a mother, as a carer, as a person. I saw my son crumble thinking it was all his fault and he'd caused my meltdown. That as a mother is hard to cope with. I then had another panic attack over realising the garbage bin being almost full and it was still two days till the garbage collection. By the time I had collected myself (again) and was able to think, then cleaned out the freezer, dumped all the food, cleaned up the water, then decided the one section that hadn't thawed needed defrosting, and defrosted it, it was 5 hours later and after 11pm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then I could breathe a little easier. I still woke 6 times that night worried the freezer wasn't closed and was broken or that I hadn't mopped up enough and water had damaged something.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The whole next day was filled with anxiety and panic over replacing the lost food. I struggled with meal planning that day despite having basics. You just cannot connect the dots and function like a regular adult. Things had changed. I don't like change. My usually articulate and switched on brain was broken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Due to my own health issues, I can no longer just go and do groceries as I used to, and have my son's father here to carry it all up the stairs and do the heavy lifting and the bending etc. So to re stock the freezer I had no choice but to enter the world of online groceries. And welcome to the world of huge anxiety and more panic attacks. The realisation that you have to rely on someone else to help you (and ask for help in the first place!) is a huge slap in the face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most people don't think much of ordering groceries online. Just pick a store online, add what you want to the online cart, select a delivery time and pay. Done.<br />OMG if only it were that easy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I spent 3 hours on one website and 2 on another. I hated both. My OCD and Aspie issues screaming at me all while struggling to breathe and focus. I eventually get my 'carts' full and then comes the decision of picking a delivery time. What happens if I need to go out unexpectedly? My child could get sick, or the dogs or me! An hour later I had picked times. Yep, it took an hour to click the button to confirm the times. One store to deliver in the morning, one in the afternoon. There was a 2 hour gap window if I needed to go out. Realistically that should have been enough to calm and placate me yes? No. Just no.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I have sat here all day, waiting for each, crossing off lists, feeling sick the whole time and being a wound up ball of electricity. All over grocery deliveries because it was a first time thing. Every car driving past, every noise, sets me off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am still anxious because I need to go and buy a child latch to make sure the freezer door stays securely closed. I doubt I will sleep well till I have one *as she sits up typing this because I can't switch off my brain and sleep* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And that's a whole other thing to be anxious over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don't think others realise how 'all consuming' anxiety can be. How the easiest of things for them, the most mundane things, can cause such panic to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So how do you homeschool amongst all of that? Well you often don't. On those days there isn't much point trying to get major things done. This week we have spent reading and watching educational (on topic) documentaries as bookwork has been just too hard. My son still learnt a lot, but our days look very different to others if I honestly painted that picture for them. I used to worry that the anxiety we both had meant that we wouldn't get enough done and wouldn't 'keep up' but I quickly realised that the anxiety we'd both be dealing with if my son was back in mainstream school would be far worse and have a much greater impact on his education, his health and our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not all days are like this. Some are great and we can do a lot. Some are calm and we are both up to exploring and being open to new people, new experiences, new foods etc. But some are not. Some are home days. Days we need to withdraw and just cope with life. Those days are hard. Those days are not easy to explain to others without sounding like a whinger or a weakling or a failure of a person. Those days we can sound needy and like common sense took a well earned distant extended vacation. We can come across as selfish crappy friends. However it is what it is and that's us, take us or leave us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnZseeJ_TggvDJ0C5EqxSH90P513FBzH7_FUWj2RQ-AsSjJDKdO_X0vYwEC6aOsR1q24P1A5dYsradOlttVaTTZle6NVjrCT0reHi__0a7pnOUII8TPV0c65D5sWqmtid0egaRTF9e_Ip/s1600/NBuQoYuv.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnZseeJ_TggvDJ0C5EqxSH90P513FBzH7_FUWj2RQ-AsSjJDKdO_X0vYwEC6aOsR1q24P1A5dYsradOlttVaTTZle6NVjrCT0reHi__0a7pnOUII8TPV0c65D5sWqmtid0egaRTF9e_Ip/s320/NBuQoYuv.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anxiety is something that evolves and creeps up on you even when you think you have it managed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite all this, one thing I know is that being a mum with Anxiety to a child with Anxiety means showing your child that even though it is hard, we can get through it. If he sees me struggle, but sees me get up and fight on each day, then he can gather strength and resilience through that. I can help my son to see that it's ok to face the anxiety head on, cry, get angry and get through it. I can help my son to see he is not alone and that a lot of people go through this. I can help eliminate negativity and empower him. If I tried to hide all my anxiety issues from him then I'd be doing him an injustice in the long run. Homeschooling my son while having my Anxiety (and multitude of other health issues) means teaching him more than facts and figures. It's not exactly conventional, but it's a big lesson on self empowerment, resilience, compassion, understanding and a strong respect for humanities personal struggles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All that plus teaching him it's ok to take time to chill out with mum on the couch under a blanket while watching a DVD in air conditioning. Because that's important too LOL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wrote this today for all the mums out there who go through this, who very much feel they fail at parenthood and life, who need a hug and a magic fairy to step in and help out. I wrote this in case another homeschooling mum is feeling like today is all just too much and is feeling like she is the only one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are not alone my friends.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wiLUMiQsRq2m8SohdTf_u0M8PVsmwUCu0ac_4IBQC4WijmkBptYZkSR_IXW69j84DvEeo9bZLaiZDdd0ofo_UX-yQvdItWH7iQ5Ba1hMz9UPMS27zrBIoxd3ro8v8svX5uNlYTI26y9-/s1600/hug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wiLUMiQsRq2m8SohdTf_u0M8PVsmwUCu0ac_4IBQC4WijmkBptYZkSR_IXW69j84DvEeo9bZLaiZDdd0ofo_UX-yQvdItWH7iQ5Ba1hMz9UPMS27zrBIoxd3ro8v8svX5uNlYTI26y9-/s320/hug.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-10628096221981615412016-02-08T12:41:00.005+10:002016-02-08T13:21:31.235+10:00Activity Day Cart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3kejzXPH2QqwjWo6kT12HQFihBTC90_wZeKXPUIQWXpTnd4WiXWlb6gjAA3HMzNbMCujLjB4iWHLmaMIAIDKSdLQQ_C2zwEy9e4ZgdIRe9gf6KWJGuRW9dvbEZebu7yDsIAynXs8ScPs/s1600/Activity+Day+Cart+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3kejzXPH2QqwjWo6kT12HQFihBTC90_wZeKXPUIQWXpTnd4WiXWlb6gjAA3HMzNbMCujLjB4iWHLmaMIAIDKSdLQQ_C2zwEy9e4ZgdIRe9gf6KWJGuRW9dvbEZebu7yDsIAynXs8ScPs/s400/Activity+Day+Cart+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One day a week this term (and maybe all year) we have all our tutoring and respite sessions. I seemed to spend all day running back and forth to the classroom to drop off one set of supplies and picking up a new set for the next session. At the end of the day there was stuff all over and cleaning up a classroom isn't what you look forward to at the end of a busy day and week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I went bargain hunting online looking for a cart/trolley. Not as easy as I first thought as I needed it to be a certain size and you'd be surprised just how many were millimetres too small. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I found success with a cart that actually folds up when you are finished with it, which will be perfect when I don't need it (like over school holidays etc).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhnAgHy0i8fLDSGnZmbAxI6XJIjX4h84GyjsXMTla7zSGr0Y1NnK_C-2Vs2BTUHNLNSEyZKEX8v5Bx2PloGN_5xkyxOmVDGpx1bJP_CJBv2aJpRYi24speCgUfLBv6dted1XtmNygazRo/s1600/activity+cart+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhnAgHy0i8fLDSGnZmbAxI6XJIjX4h84GyjsXMTla7zSGr0Y1NnK_C-2Vs2BTUHNLNSEyZKEX8v5Bx2PloGN_5xkyxOmVDGpx1bJP_CJBv2aJpRYi24speCgUfLBv6dted1XtmNygazRo/s640/activity+cart+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On our Activity Day we have:<br />Art with our Art Teacher</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Science & Technology with our respite worker (who lucky for us is a Scientist!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in between we work on our English/Reading.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7QcjfygeXVROYXgrqwTCbBciQz9GkdmHL4SOmtex3XM-LyJWXAwp8GwMT7QkEQ2DiTCBwhjPHFv5o7jX4HPJ7jvuqW2HBgdtUawpxk2Kc_aXYcfoIVk50lDx5CVjlIazGfJON3wnmGCU/s1600/Activity+Cart+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7QcjfygeXVROYXgrqwTCbBciQz9GkdmHL4SOmtex3XM-LyJWXAwp8GwMT7QkEQ2DiTCBwhjPHFv5o7jX4HPJ7jvuqW2HBgdtUawpxk2Kc_aXYcfoIVk50lDx5CVjlIazGfJON3wnmGCU/s640/Activity+Cart+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sessions will work on the same theme per term.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Term 1 is Technology</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Art = Perspective Technical Drawing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Music = Continuing learning two instruments</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Science/Technology = Coding and Programming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">English = Coding Books 'How to Code 1-4', 'Coding for Beginners Using Scratch'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Term 2 is the first of our Harry Potter Themes : Herbology</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Art = Focus on Plants - Drawing/Nature Journal</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Music = Learning Harry Potter theme song</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Science = Plant based learning and experiments</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">English = Book 'Herbology', 'Plants', 'Book of Nature'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Term 3 is Harry Potter Theme : Magical Beasts</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Term 4 is Harry Potter Theme : Potions</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Having the cart means my son can get all the resources he needs for each session without needing my help. It means I can get my stuff done too! Which is the whole point of respite after all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>** <u>Note:</u> My child has special needs and this is the reason we access respite - both for his benefit and my own **</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you are looking for where to purchase these storage items: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wooden art caddy is from Aldi but any kitchen condiment caddy will do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cart/Trolley is an Ebay purchase.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">White storage boxes/tubs for books are from IKEA. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-11233175508076692112016-01-18T16:35:00.001+10:002016-01-18T16:37:13.021+10:00Reading Rewards<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the Holidays I had some shopping rewards points that weren't being used. I could just let them sit there and accrue to one day be able to redeem for an appliance of some sort that I'd hardly use and take up room in a cupboard - or I could redeem them now for some extra reading material for my son. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfadKHjv8_rMuIg8K1-TWnADiEhyvXU1gl083-HEb_ImXYmOk1VLNLdraF1Iek6rvZUFF_naMeEX0MQhz5k1-RczTHJLvsNZiCVmtqYrLiotzsWdSgXC6TPc6eE6QyOU6yy8hqvuv8a7hX/s1600/Reading+Rewards+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfadKHjv8_rMuIg8K1-TWnADiEhyvXU1gl083-HEb_ImXYmOk1VLNLdraF1Iek6rvZUFF_naMeEX0MQhz5k1-RczTHJLvsNZiCVmtqYrLiotzsWdSgXC6TPc6eE6QyOU6yy8hqvuv8a7hX/s400/Reading+Rewards+Collage.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was able to redeem for some beautiful travel books and an atlas as well as a magazine subscription to a kids gaming magazine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The travel books he liked and received a month ago and we will use them in our studies, but the most rewarding (pardon the pun LOL) has been the magazine subscription. Today the mailman delivered this months issue and my son has sat for the last two hours reading it from cover to cover. While the contents is not exactly educational, the fact he is reading is a great thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have a child who was never a good reader and that had a big domino effect in the area of spelling and writing. He hated them because it was all too hard. In the last year, he has gained a love of reading and become really good at it. It has in turn meant he is able to spell more words (and attempt to spell words!) and has less anxiety over writing. The more I get him to read, the better his overall English skills become. So I try to fit reading into as many aspects of our day to day routine, often by stealth. I find the key is to find things that are essential to the days activities OR to peak interest, or both if you can manage it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So my 10 year old, who loves gaming, cartoons, comics, lego, superheros and all things geek, is very excited about getting his <a href="http://www.kzone.com.au/" target="_blank">K-Zone magazine</a> today :) When I told him he will get one each month this year he was very impressed. I think there was even a happy dance or two LOL. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One added bonus to this monthly reading reward, is that there is a jokes page. My son loves jokes and puns. He has Aspergers so can often find them tricky and sometimes misses the meaning, so practicing with jokes is good. Luckily for me, the jokes in this magazine are easy to understand and actually very funny for a set of kids jokes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So from now on, when I collect my 'rewards points' from buying our weekly groceries, I am going to save them up and redeem them for more reading materials. Given that we are on a very tight, very limited budget and dealing with a child who has aversions to library materials (his ASD/OCD issues mean he hates the germ factor he associated with library books), this is a good way to add to our library without spending more money. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-63121059847058249672016-01-17T16:41:00.000+10:002016-01-17T16:41:00.340+10:00Building Excitement with a Yearly Education Box<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>At the start of each new school year </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>(well for the last few years for us),</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I have given my son a gift.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>He gets an Education Box.</b></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Basically I fill a box with all the new books (and often resources)</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> we will be using for the year and let him </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><u>discover</u></b> them, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>get <b><u>excited</u></b> by them </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>and <b><u>want to learn</u></b> with them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It helps in a number of ways, more than just getting my son excited and wanting to learn. My son has Aspergers and various other learning disorders so there are a number of things we need to do to make a year go smoothly. The box helps with that.</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By letting my son see the years worth of books and resources for the year, it eases his anxiety and helps him know what is planned, what will be used, what it all looks like, what is expected (volume of work) and gives him time to get his head around it all.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By giving it to him all at once, I am able to see what he is interested in the most. It means I can start off with that area and use the time to build excitement and interest in the other areas of study and know if I need to approach areas differently (and have the time to make those adjustments).</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By having it all in front of him, my son gets to feel in control and gets to pick what he wants to read and study first. Children with ASD especially love having control (mainly because so much of their lives and even their bodies and actions can be out of their control). Control often equals calm and co-operation, well it does in my house. A calm and cooperative child is then open to learning and engaging.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When he sees it all at the start of the year, if he asks for something to go with it (either extending on an idea or subject area or thinking of a resource that I haven't considered) then I have time to find it/buy it/make it/research it to fit it into our study plan.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So again this year, in preparation for 'Back to School', I packed his new books into a box ready for him to discover.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><u>What have I got packed in this year's box? </u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Reading Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Resource Books (a LOT of resource books LOL) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Workbook Units</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Posters</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maps</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other years I have filled it with Science Kits and Models, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Stationary, Art Supplies, DVD's, flash cards and games as well. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb2szDkjGYRlKc6kL8NVleiHF2c2w_yjWMba5xlZGg7HMVcqKL_XDmNsSrgy8cFeXxu-B4GFaoOZYNdW_IeXpcnL4SFv48Lg9vUy7ZyOVfhR7KAnVUdyjvcgIcIunF830a68FrzX7tkuC/s1600/2016EducationBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb2szDkjGYRlKc6kL8NVleiHF2c2w_yjWMba5xlZGg7HMVcqKL_XDmNsSrgy8cFeXxu-B4GFaoOZYNdW_IeXpcnL4SFv48Lg9vUy7ZyOVfhR7KAnVUdyjvcgIcIunF830a68FrzX7tkuC/s640/2016EducationBox.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>He loves it. He always does. He has been sitting with the box for the last hour sorting through it and looking forward to the year. I have already heard (numerous times) "Can I read this one now?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Check out for my post about <a href="http://www.expeditionhomeschool.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/our-2016-homeschool-plan-and-resource.html" target="_blank">our curriculum choices for 2016 (Grade 6)</a> to read more about the contents of our box.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is a photo collage of the contents in case you want to Google some resources to add to your collection: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And due to the size of the collection I have for the next subject theme, I only put a few books in, enough to prompt my boy into searching out the rest of the books. However these are the most of the collection: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV89JsTa9B6YXxAL8cStsY9y9tCyzC630hCmobYq7bKkt4WkdoaKkSuSEYVV74ft_PgohQENDC82psFoqiscQfzGFDN0rnttf3J941VfIX_mjASy3Ls22GTeZTH9N8YUcq0KDGL0KJnhC/s1600/American+Studies+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV89JsTa9B6YXxAL8cStsY9y9tCyzC630hCmobYq7bKkt4WkdoaKkSuSEYVV74ft_PgohQENDC82psFoqiscQfzGFDN0rnttf3J941VfIX_mjASy3Ls22GTeZTH9N8YUcq0KDGL0KJnhC/s640/American+Studies+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let me know if you use an Education Box type system at your Homeschool. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'd love to hear what you put in yours and how it works for you. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-84899099005995493112016-01-09T18:56:00.002+10:002016-01-18T20:02:26.783+10:00Our 2016 Homeschool Plan and Resource List<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWc2gcgfLVHCIo4XHCdsbfuu_hoZ7eUOM034Px05JkdnlVck2-5nXXDzn4eVPw2ydyvKWve7KP88vN2_7Ol0Pk_q8ZFN9416iBHvdjTqbtc_9PvnxXCiFjLIlnrMkBON7Tenjj-mRgAKs/s1600/2016EdPlanCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWc2gcgfLVHCIo4XHCdsbfuu_hoZ7eUOM034Px05JkdnlVck2-5nXXDzn4eVPw2ydyvKWve7KP88vN2_7Ol0Pk_q8ZFN9416iBHvdjTqbtc_9PvnxXCiFjLIlnrMkBON7Tenjj-mRgAKs/s400/2016EdPlanCollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>2016 for us brings Grade 6.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The final year of Primary School! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Yikes! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>That went fast.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our plan for the year is very eclectic. We are hoping to have more independent work completed and have some scope for more interest led work. I have to modify and adjust work to cater for my son's learning disorders and fatigue from his physical health issues means things take longer to complete. So we need a variety of delivery methods and I need to limit the amount of book work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So far in 2016 we have theatre trips planned, a homeschool camp, weekly tuition sessions and looking forward to some homeschool excursions in the cooler months when we aren't as restricted by health issues.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><u>Our subject list for Grade 6:</u></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Mathematics:</u></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are using </span><a href="http://www.oup.com.au/titles/unclassified/9780195519112" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Maths Plus 6</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> from Oxford Uni Press. We love this brand. The layout is good, it's colourful, it has explanations, it has answers at the back, it has definitions, it has 4 diagnostic tests throughout the book plus extension work. </span><a href="http://lib.oup.com.au/primary/sample_pages/mpnswsb6/index.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Sample pages can be found here</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>English:</u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rather than using workbooks and specific curriculum for Grammar, Text Types, Reading Comprehension etc, we will be learning these as part of our Literature Unit Studies. </span></div>
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<li><a href="http://store.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=70_76_90" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Literature Units</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> produced by Erica at COAH (</span><a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Confessions of a Homeschooler</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">). We use them in a notebooking format (</span><a href="http://expeditionhomeschool.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/my-ring-binder-unit-set-up.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">see my Folder Set up here</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">) rather than actual lapbooks and will use these units as starting points for interest led learning and incorporating more writing tasks. The books used with these Literature Units is the </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/21881.Classic_Starts_Series" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Classic Starts series</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> of abridged novels. We do a few of these each year.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Harry Potter/Magic Theme Unit Study</span></u>:</b> Incorporating "Hogwarts" subjects like <b>'The Study of Magical Creatures'</b> (books covering Magical Beasts, Monsters, Goblins, Mythical Creatures, Myths and Legends etc), <b>Herbology</b> (study of Plants) and <b>Potions</b>.We will be using parts of unit studies/lapbooks from <a href="http://buildyourlibrary.com/new-unit-study-harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban/" target="_blank">Build You Library</a> as well as many reference books to create our own interest led work. We will obviously also be reading the Harry Potter books. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As well as reading the books for the Literature Units, we have set reading time each morning for at least an hour where my son has freedom to choose what he likes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">'My Spelling Workbook'</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> by RIC Publications. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">McGraw Hill Macmillan English Grade 6</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">History & Geography:</span></u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are taking a themed approach to the year studying <b>American History and Geography</b>. Both will be studied alongside each other using the following:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.adventuretales.com/historyprogram1.html" target="_blank">Adventure Tales of America</a> (Illustrated Text books, Student Workbooks and Teacher Guides) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.libertyskids.com/" target="_blank">Liberty's Kids</a> DVD Series and Online Content.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A large library of resource books I have collected (too many to list but have photographed below LOL).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://store.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_73_75&products_id=189" target="_blank">Road Trip USA</a> Geography Curriculum by Confessions of a Homeschooler which is a weekly state by state geography study of the USA. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">DVD's including America's Civil War documentary series, American National Treasures (Geography series), Trail of Tears, The Wild West (BBC series), Thomas Jefferson. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Private Science session with a Science teacher each week focusing on Robotics, Coding, Programming and Grade 6 Australian Curriculum Science topics.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://activities.macmillanmh.com/science/ca/grade6/" target="_blank">California Science Grade 6 Curriculum Text</a>, Student Workbook & Activity Lab Book.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://store.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=70_76_93" target="_blank">Scientists and Inventors Unit Studies</a> by Confessions of a Homeschooler. Using books from the <a href="http://www.mikevenezia.com/inventors/" target="_blank">Mike Venezia series "Getting to Know the Worlds Famous Scientists and Inventors'</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Using the above Scientists units, we will be doing a project/study between Edison and Tesla. The Tesla book we will be using is '<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-Wizard-Nikola-Tesla-World/dp/0763658553" target="_blank">Electrical Wizard: How Nicola Tesla Lit up the World</a>'. Two books on Edison are the 'Getting to know the World's Greatest Inventors and Scientists: Thomas Edison' and a Graphic Biographies series Thomas Edison. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Private Science sessions with a Science teacher each week focusing on Robotics (including working with Edison Robots), Coding, Programming and Grade 6 Australian Curriculum Science topics (as listed above)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Code-Level-1-Coding/dp/1784932361" target="_blank">'How to Code'</a> series of 4 books (and Teacher Guide) by Max Wainewright.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781409599357?redirected=true&selectCurrency=AUD&w=AF45AU96G78V53A8Z94U&gclid=Cj0KEQiA496zBRDoi5OY3p2xmaUBEiQArLNnK8IepOuNJabsVSNJdxGdW7WO9wGqxdKZNZIOP5MYlhEaAsLX8P8HAQ" target="_blank">Coding for Beginners Using Scratch</a> by Usborne Books. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Private Art sessions weekly with an Art Teacher from <a href="http://artlis.com.au/" target="_blank">Artlis Studios</a>, focusing on Drawing Skills, Perspective and Painting.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://store.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=70_76_78" target="_blank">Artists Unit Studies</a> from Confessions of a Homeschooler. Using books from the <a href="http://www.mikevenezia.com/artists/" target="_blank">Mike Venezia series 'Getting to Know the Worlds Famous Artists'</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Interest led artworks and study</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Private Music Tuition weekly with The Music Bus, focusing on playing the Drums and Keyboard, song writing, programming and reading/writing music.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://store.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=70_76_77" target="_blank">Composers Unit Studies</a> from Confessions of a Homeschooler. Using books from the <a href="http://www.mikevenezia.com/composers/" target="_blank">Mike Venezia series 'Getting to Know the Worlds Famous Composers'</a>.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sport - Horse Riding, Hydrotherapy & Occupational Therapy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Health - We are using the </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.organicschools.com.au/" target="_blank">Australian Organic Schools</a></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;"><a href="http://www.organicschools.com.au/" target="_blank"> website</a> for their units on Organic gardening. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 20.79px;">Physical Education Theory - Personal development and Puberty. </span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pagan & Cultural Studies including creating an information book/catalog from researching the history of the culture, of traditional/modern holidays, of nature and the elements of the earth. Reading about lost civilisations and discovering the meaning of ancient symbols. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So that's the "plan" for 2016 - for our last year of Primary School. I have to get used to saying that! I would love to hear your plans and if you have any questions about resources etc, feel free to post in the comments. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wishing everyone a wonderful school year! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-57765585227349926552015-12-01T23:22:00.001+10:002015-12-02T21:54:19.221+10:005 Holiday Season Books for the Tween Homeschooler<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNX_RkB6iF_Dj6Cxb02Fx1G4TocUkRFNMCxILh4A2Nv1lWrLncnkTpDgiY0S8KRNS9azleCFgyUKxYXShDjcLtDqZB6MqYfu93WPvCM_2T8Uawyd0Ac6hrnJaAIJcZnehM2Hbvot39DnD/s1600/5+Holiday+Books+Tweens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNX_RkB6iF_Dj6Cxb02Fx1G4TocUkRFNMCxILh4A2Nv1lWrLncnkTpDgiY0S8KRNS9azleCFgyUKxYXShDjcLtDqZB6MqYfu93WPvCM_2T8Uawyd0Ac6hrnJaAIJcZnehM2Hbvot39DnD/s400/5+Holiday+Books+Tweens.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We have a LOT of books for the Holiday season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most are aimed at younger readers. Which has been fine till this year when my 10 year old found his love of reading and has well and truly moved on from the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> 'Holiday Picture Book' stage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So as a tween (I'm told that at 10 you become a tween LOL), what do you give them to read over the holiday season to get them in the festive spirit?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well I found 5 good ones and I wanted to share.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">1. That Aussie Christmas Book,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> by Andrew Daddo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">http://www.andrewdaddo.com/books/that-aussie-christmas-book/</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Honestly this one is hilarious. I mean the first page mentions poo - in a very grose, very tween boy humourous way. So it has to be a winner right? It is illustrated by Terry Denton so those familiar with the 13 Storey Treehouse books will love this one. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwU1e0yFyU4Um-GndP-Ob7D-BgYj3dzzSzepdLWHo6uG-TGg_26kyhgpWiv9axI0XNLDyfvJkl7yQZw3bSj6y0GifQv9jfEIGatH3Oeq0BG_DzamV2AORTxQzvHZ4ijwqqRqsrCgSW-ty/s1600/that-aussie-christmas-book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwU1e0yFyU4Um-GndP-Ob7D-BgYj3dzzSzepdLWHo6uG-TGg_26kyhgpWiv9axI0XNLDyfvJkl7yQZw3bSj6y0GifQv9jfEIGatH3Oeq0BG_DzamV2AORTxQzvHZ4ijwqqRqsrCgSW-ty/s400/that-aussie-christmas-book.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"Horrible Christmas" books,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Terry Deary and Martin Brown </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">http://horrible-histories.co.uk/9781407136264/horrible-christmas</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We have the first one in the picture and we love it. It really is a wealth of knowledge and funny at the same time. For a child who is eager to find the origins behind traditions of the season, then this is perfect.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZRxEPZXxDbUfwev8rEG9-tyt1OzULRyTV0m8lF__rNum0Fyg6SIPKM0EESZxhSy9hUwlQAZlYdC9uGTFvLdyFyb6UZ6Ah3KAxRhXbB7YkrfXB8f94Z-Kat3bj6DQ8RWmGU9xWgNr1_XV/s1600/horrible+xmas+collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZRxEPZXxDbUfwev8rEG9-tyt1OzULRyTV0m8lF__rNum0Fyg6SIPKM0EESZxhSy9hUwlQAZlYdC9uGTFvLdyFyb6UZ6Ah3KAxRhXbB7YkrfXB8f94Z-Kat3bj6DQ8RWmGU9xWgNr1_XV/s640/horrible+xmas+collection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">3. The Angel Tree,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Daphne Benedis-Grab</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20894027-the-angel-tree</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My son has started this one and he is liking it. The book summary is listed as:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: left;">"A heartwarming Christmas mystery and friendship story!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: left;">Every Christmas in the small town of Pine River, a tree appears in the town square--the Angel Tree. Some people tie wishes to the tree, while others make those wishes come true. Nobody's ever known where the tree comes from, but the mystery has always been part of the tradition's charm.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: left;">This year, however, four kids who have been helped--Lucy, Joe, Max, and Cami--are determined to solve the mystery and find out the true identity of the town's guardian angel, so that Pine River can finally thank the person who brought the Angel Tree to their town.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.8px; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: left;">This is a heartwarming Christmas mystery, full of friendship, discovery, and loads of holiday cheer!"</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQOkV7P5lqSl7_n5Q3lkU4JPSFDeajXAKt8JczW8qtngyl7PNbZTCQ_9IJhifM6RpozAhtMGm_HUy6fTZpWWN3q3eVc1q18kNT1FLCczqV915WlNg3KXEYYFo29O-vuEMovNpxrqpnVmR/s1600/20894027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQOkV7P5lqSl7_n5Q3lkU4JPSFDeajXAKt8JczW8qtngyl7PNbZTCQ_9IJhifM6RpozAhtMGm_HUy6fTZpWWN3q3eVc1q18kNT1FLCczqV915WlNg3KXEYYFo29O-vuEMovNpxrqpnVmR/s400/20894027.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">4. The Truth About Santa,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Gregory Mone</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">http://www.booktopia.com.au/the-truth-about-santa-gregory-mone/prod9781408810248.html</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've heard great things about this book. For the kids who are growing out of 'Santa' and want to believe a little longer then it's a good read and I think those who have already grown out of Santa can have a bit of fun with this one. So it's on my wish list.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw6bhYRVZBoMyYeGS2JUGtUkvkMPyKsaVA4cm-xoOAkcaxPY9XqGcV0I34iapKFrvhXioGo7ZIjoTBEfaRzT5UN6aYKuEw7wAHS5v-FO1N8O0y_5N3arZoUZTABbTbZcf2JEy_ckHfc8e/s1600/the-truth-about-santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw6bhYRVZBoMyYeGS2JUGtUkvkMPyKsaVA4cm-xoOAkcaxPY9XqGcV0I34iapKFrvhXioGo7ZIjoTBEfaRzT5UN6aYKuEw7wAHS5v-FO1N8O0y_5N3arZoUZTABbTbZcf2JEy_ckHfc8e/s400/the-truth-about-santa.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">by Charles Dickens</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A classic and a must have for any bookshelf. I think by the tween age range they are capable of reading this (although some may disagree). There are picture book versions, abridged versions (check out the Classic Starts series of books for an abridged copy), graphic novels (comic style books) and full novel versions. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L_cHSHWQOwryQrSScmeMrBB1oFRLpMl11968CAdhyY9Oznv44xsvChqhX6AHz0JBMC6ZBXyASR-NMXBatuGrdCoTq7er85OoHQpROQTjtadJHwZnvK0q3_J7SAAZUZoWDQl8OoHy1Dkl/s1600/christmas+carol+books+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L_cHSHWQOwryQrSScmeMrBB1oFRLpMl11968CAdhyY9Oznv44xsvChqhX6AHz0JBMC6ZBXyASR-NMXBatuGrdCoTq7er85OoHQpROQTjtadJHwZnvK0q3_J7SAAZUZoWDQl8OoHy1Dkl/s400/christmas+carol+books+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Obviously there are plenty more books on the market for the Holidays but these were a few that we have and that are on our wishlist. I would love to know your favourite books for the holidays for your tween so please leave me a comment below! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Season's Greetings and a Blessed Yuletide to you all. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-10951796107495586142015-11-30T23:56:00.002+10:002015-12-01T00:15:12.830+10:00The Magic Age For Us Was 10.<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7axffz-RDvsGlwGWhaleWS3V1ijPyeWjgvXnBkIjrnSPLNM3eZs23J0rCSl2Jx3cSufUfKCA7nGbKyxF_sRLZUUKyEPT2FmvdIwAcQxVHTZjA3lVOoC8DokRx-qXLAgAuubPlrl1hS5E/s1600/Magic+reading+age.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7axffz-RDvsGlwGWhaleWS3V1ijPyeWjgvXnBkIjrnSPLNM3eZs23J0rCSl2Jx3cSufUfKCA7nGbKyxF_sRLZUUKyEPT2FmvdIwAcQxVHTZjA3lVOoC8DokRx-qXLAgAuubPlrl1hS5E/s320/Magic+reading+age.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When you have a child who struggles to read, who has learning disorders, who is behind all his peers .... well you do what everyone tells you to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You try every 'learn to read' method there is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You push reading at every opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You encourage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You praise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You live and breathe phonics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and you don't get very far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>You end up with a child who HATES reading and to be very honest, you end up hating it yourself.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At 7 years old, when we first started homeschooling and I realised how far behind my son was and how bad his reading skills were, I was adamant that my son would learn with my help. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At 8 years old we were not much further along in our progress.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At 9 I think he was worse as he'd developed such a hate for reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I honestly thought we would never get there. I remember a few mothers (the minority) had said just to relax and leave it. That at around age 10, particularly for boys, something clicks and they will start to read on their own. I remember reading their comments and thinking no, I can't wait, what if he gets to high school age and still can't read because I waited. I remember thinking I knew best as my son had learning disorders and surely if that was dealt with then reading would flow. It didn't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I should have waited.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">I ignored the best piece of advice given to me.</span></i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The one I am going to give now to all those mothers out there who are pushing and rushing to get their kids to read. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Just wait.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wait till they are ready. It does happen! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Age 10 this year for my boy. He matured. He mellowed a little and something clicked. He actually had an interest in a series and wanted to learn to read it. And wow did he pick it up fast and get into reading in a big way! In the first 5 months he read 10 chapter books. That for us was HUGE. Then he had been given a series of 60 books and decided to read them (or I was giving them away). Between Mid-July and early November he read ALL 60 BOOKS! All chapter books with 10 chapters each. I am still blown away. In just this past week he has read 6 large novels. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It happened! When he was ready.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I look back and think OMG the stress I put on myself and on my poor boy for all those years when we could have been having fun with our school work. So what if I needed to read every question to him. I was sitting right next to him anyway. No teacher is sitting there to see. No peers are there to notice. Why was I so pressured into keeping up with others. I regret not listening to those mothers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the last month, I have seen other mothers of children aged 10-12 who have all of a sudden started reading. It was so exciting to read of their interest and success. I realised that just because some of our children take longer to start reading, doesn't mean they will forever be behind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So to the mothers of children who are young, who hate reading, who struggle with reading and who you think will never get there ..... chill out. Stop pushing the reading issue, stop making life all about reading and putting pressure on yourself or your child. Just step back, let go of the control and make alternative plans (and supports) with your child's learning path until they reach the point where it all just clicks one day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most of you won't, you will do what I did, and then look back and think aaahhhhh yeah! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I look forward to reading your blog posts when it happens LOL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I wonder how many of you find that 10 is the magic age for your child too.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-58789080229097065512015-10-31T15:13:00.001+10:002016-10-08T21:04:02.200+10:00Jack-O-Lantern Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our very 1st attempt at carving a Jack-O-Lantern into a pumpkin went well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Apart from stabbing myself - but the child went unharmed, so we will call that a success! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Step 1.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Being 'Newbies' to this activity, we prepared with drawing ideas for faces and then sketched the face onto the pumpkin with a pencil.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv69V8KmBHXNhODskguXUu9QHRIJk7sx3CzCzpsezoPQ4AKgKlQlkne892PAhN7vWCO0B78vgCk_-S6u6qnsC-3UhEPk2S-l0ybMxwe9lBL9goRbFJ4Sif75-ZYcUT_woKWh6xvpg1xK3l/s1600/pumpkin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv69V8KmBHXNhODskguXUu9QHRIJk7sx3CzCzpsezoPQ4AKgKlQlkne892PAhN7vWCO0B78vgCk_-S6u6qnsC-3UhEPk2S-l0ybMxwe9lBL9goRbFJ4Sif75-ZYcUT_woKWh6xvpg1xK3l/s640/pumpkin1.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Step 2.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cut the top off. This isn't easy to actually get the starting point to line with the end LOL. We were a little wonky but it all worked in the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Step 3.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Scoop the Goop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is really grose. Well it is when you have sensory issues! We were prepared with a goop bag & bucket and a goop scooper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The words that came out of my son's mouth when the top was lifted off was</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"oooooooo brains!!!!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Step 4.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carving the face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sounds really easy. A little tricky trying to follow the pre drawn pencil markings but for a first try it worked well. Considering I have arthritic hands I think I did ok - till I stabbed myself. I'm ok though, child is ok so its a WIN!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once we had the initial shapes cut out, we decided to add teeth. This involved slicing up the pieces we'd previously cut out and then pushing the sharp end of a toothpick into it. Obviously the toothpicks were too long so just cut them up. The size that worked best for us was about 1/3 of a toothpick. Then just push the 'blunt' end of the pick into the flesh of the pumpkin. This gave us creepy teeth. We then decided to add eyeballs. Same process as the teeth (cut a shape and attach with a toothpick).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Step 5.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add the candle to the inside, making sure it's sitting in a flat spot. Light the candle and take a photo because it looks great! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So that's it! Our very first Jack-O-Lantern!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think he looks pretty good if I do say so myself and can only type this with 9 healthy fingers LOL. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>HAPPY HALLOWEEN !</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><b>* BLESSED SAMHAIN *</b></i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-31149379474705591642015-10-27T14:54:00.000+10:002015-10-27T15:19:59.625+10:00Halloween Link Up Party! <div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWi_XNp8e9cNG_1-yKT09lKmbBKTBlXGrb9jn9zOvmOw69uj8AcyrGsPGXRJD6WUBhWwP7FvzCMuOE4Mldq6GcFQVxfFn9NLaub1_2lh7C1JfFbbeblYCv7C_hHK7GRqrgdZBvwDnMcyD/s1600/halloweenbloghop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWi_XNp8e9cNG_1-yKT09lKmbBKTBlXGrb9jn9zOvmOw69uj8AcyrGsPGXRJD6WUBhWwP7FvzCMuOE4Mldq6GcFQVxfFn9NLaub1_2lh7C1JfFbbeblYCv7C_hHK7GRqrgdZBvwDnMcyD/s400/halloweenbloghop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Let's have a Halloween Party! </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Link up your Halloween Themed Blog Posts here to share.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Get great ideas, make 'new' connections and have a festive Halloween! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is my first time hosting a Blog Hop so apologise in advance if there are teething problems. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We love Halloween and I have recently put together a few blog posts on the topic so thought it was a good idea to start this off and put them all in one place. You will find the links in the Linky section below. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-70308812365582268652015-10-27T11:19:00.002+10:002015-10-27T11:19:20.957+10:005 Fun Halloween Activities<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Atq_rgFKPjDaNHsgTi5yx3VfnwYDqGg8Ad5w06z08n9DzLFfuUM4eQTECmHVDMjUKxpv53PYGfMz3WWWe-UdKihDQ2EoICG2qZhugYLD9DS4UCUWfx8Oo9qEJHM6WAWyzbhgsgvpkuEZ/s1600/halloweenactivitesforkids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Atq_rgFKPjDaNHsgTi5yx3VfnwYDqGg8Ad5w06z08n9DzLFfuUM4eQTECmHVDMjUKxpv53PYGfMz3WWWe-UdKihDQ2EoICG2qZhugYLD9DS4UCUWfx8Oo9qEJHM6WAWyzbhgsgvpkuEZ/s400/halloweenactivitesforkids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Make a Halloween Wreath. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Honestly you can do so many different types! We found a pre-made Styrofoam base that was covered with black feathers at the local craft store. At just $6 it was not worth the hassle of starting from scratch LOL. So we bought a felt Jack-O-Lantern face and some orange ribbons and added them to the feather wreath. Jack-O-Lanterns traditionally were used to ward off evil spirits (to allow the good spirits to come and visit us) so having one on a wreath at the front door is a good thing. The black feathers remind me of crow feathers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Turn little mini pumpkins into baby Jack-O-Lanterns without any carving.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Simply grab a black marker pen, some strong glue and a few googly eyes to add to your mini pumpkins. We ended up with a baby Vampire and a very minion looking Cyclops. No gooey pumpkin mess and at the end of Halloween simply separate the googly eyes from the pumpkin to re use on next years pumpkins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3. Make an Ancestor Tree.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a lovely way to celebrate the day without it needing to be 'commercial'. Historically All Hallows Eve was the night when the veil between the living world and the next was at it's thinnest and our ancestors spirits could come and visit us. It was a night to honour your loved ones who had passed from this life. Tokens (ornaments) were hung from trees to represent them and call them home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />In our house we have used a Jewellery Tree (we are light on sticks in our garden LOL) and it's a perfect size, being about 30cm tall. We then make little paper discs and wrote the names or nicknames of our passed loved ones. Then we hung them on the tree with little ornament hooks. You can use lockets,ribbons or crystals (or anything else you come up with). It's a simple way for children to pay their respects to their ancestors and remember them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If your children are worried about bad spirits coming to your home by making this tree, simply place a Jack-O-Lantern (see above) at the base of the 'tree' as traditionally they were used to scare away the bad spirits, allowing only the friendly to visit.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4zioRmceZdQTLIpAJ0TSF6NIhDqL7hgW_uq-UP04b_nv8NKi-9eloPd4xhyphenhyphenFbDZb70O39oIEEQsyFCfmV6iqE0DC6qtG8LdxMzNgYYBpr-gbjV50pO4Z3P5nJgzMAS8lOqhO6R4bhVzG/s1600/ancestor+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4zioRmceZdQTLIpAJ0TSF6NIhDqL7hgW_uq-UP04b_nv8NKi-9eloPd4xhyphenhyphenFbDZb70O39oIEEQsyFCfmV6iqE0DC6qtG8LdxMzNgYYBpr-gbjV50pO4Z3P5nJgzMAS8lOqhO6R4bhVzG/s640/ancestor+tree.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">4. Make Halloween Treats to Eat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have some fun in the kitchen. Using a basic cookie recipe and some Halloween cookie cutters you will have Halloween Cookies that you may also decide to decorate with icing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can melt some chocolate and using a Halloween Silicone mould (we used one designed for ice but it worked great) you have some great little chocolate treats. If you have a Skeleton mould then white chocolate looks more realistic. Then there is the good old cupcake. Easy enough and any recipe will do. You can decorate with some white fondant as a background then add either store bought icing decorations or get creative with a gel icing tube. All are easy and don't require too much effort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5. Carve a Jack-O-Lantern.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ok I have to admit - I have never done this before. I also have arthritic hands. The combination has me daunted from the outset. However we will be giving it a go. We live in Australia and I fear carving too early - in our hot climate at this time of year will mean a rather smelly, yukky outcome. So I am waiting till the day to make ours, so I am cheating in this post and adding photos of someone elses efforts! I will let you all know how we went though, it could be a good laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is an excellent "How to" guide that I will be using, on WikiHow. <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Carve-a-Pumpkin" target="_blank">Click here to view the link.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Or watch this You Tube clip which is very cool: </span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RUVNHh2hkGU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RUVNHh2hkGU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hope you all have a festive Halloween! </i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-74320643069977397012015-10-23T12:51:00.002+10:002015-10-23T12:51:29.548+10:00Using Melbourne Cup Day as a Learning Opportunity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj167k6ehwNI0qy8R1YSZEJwG71gPR1DnmAKnDn2hthO0rvgGssfMivdK3c0-kCzM3Py62KzaGGjMAdu25raew5tH6EXephUWllf8aUfQ1CwZChdJ2bDgfrdfqXpzL4c6XfPH6OyY3dNAMc/s1600/Melbourne+Cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj167k6ehwNI0qy8R1YSZEJwG71gPR1DnmAKnDn2hthO0rvgGssfMivdK3c0-kCzM3Py62KzaGGjMAdu25raew5tH6EXephUWllf8aUfQ1CwZChdJ2bDgfrdfqXpzL4c6XfPH6OyY3dNAMc/s400/Melbourne+Cup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Regardless of your views on Australia's </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Melbourne Cup Day</u></span>,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <b><i><span style="font-size: large;">'The Race that Stops the Nation'</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">can prove to be a great learning opportunity.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcWvrU6S6SEWlJAYAP4yXFGTCz6u13jkqqByC_8_7pqoReo4wT5LSTPBt4ndGJtWfcu2oE5yTBKpRCLnQGy3Tw8mPm-nA8Szha4-DpUf1E1Oj2bgU5KomsJWRBZFT6hu8YFpsvyXX3E93/s1600/horse-race-1023x348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcWvrU6S6SEWlJAYAP4yXFGTCz6u13jkqqByC_8_7pqoReo4wT5LSTPBt4ndGJtWfcu2oE5yTBKpRCLnQGy3Tw8mPm-nA8Szha4-DpUf1E1Oj2bgU5KomsJWRBZFT6hu8YFpsvyXX3E93/s400/horse-race-1023x348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>How?</u></i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are a list of topics that can be covered (whether they be positive or negative, there are many avenues for discussion): </span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Horses </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Horse Racing</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Occupations (Jockey, Trainer, Vet etc)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Money and Gambling</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The History of the Race and by extension Australian History</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'Legend' stories like Phar Lap (you can even read about this on <a href="http://www.skwirk.com/p-c_s-14_u-114_t-308_c-1042/the-death-of-phar-lap/nsw/the-death-of-phar-lap/australia-between-the-wars-1930s/an-event-in-the-1930s" target="_blank">Skwirk, click here to follow the link</a>)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The change in our country and our attitudes over the years</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Animal Rights, animal cruelty </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Science behind everything from track preparation to the anatomy of a horse</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Mathematics involved (Race times and speeds, Odds and Probability, etc) *check out this link to <a href="http://passyworldofmathematics.com/mathematics-of-the-melbourne-cup/" target="_blank">Passy's World of Mathematics</a> for a great unit on Melbourne Cup Mathematics!*</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Geography of where the Horses come from in the World </span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Qk0EmpohRnbBAiltZ357D3eZAFfCX_Uo9Rg7CEZWpDLhTVzqir8IEpgVNL4uZ0DQ0DGplhjhCOVlN95uUpH8IeFcXKwQknURW5BKUfsV4_2qScYmXJSTHC3Z37x1XzXARGdOuiYy8rPY/s1600/330px-Points_of_a_horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Qk0EmpohRnbBAiltZ357D3eZAFfCX_Uo9Rg7CEZWpDLhTVzqir8IEpgVNL4uZ0DQ0DGplhjhCOVlN95uUpH8IeFcXKwQknURW5BKUfsV4_2qScYmXJSTHC3Z37x1XzXARGdOuiYy8rPY/s400/330px-Points_of_a_horse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIf06aQbWU52BtZfVfMNhC4XiB4XhrC_UQihsEQgOGMgGeckH7OQMBSKUw81CCQyZDeXopl1oj9MEayyN22zUMTqYcLITf493flhyphenhyphenkg6wUw7RjJxALq8Av_omLNNabTOmZ9n8QvXX1ie2/s1600/hoofs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIf06aQbWU52BtZfVfMNhC4XiB4XhrC_UQihsEQgOGMgGeckH7OQMBSKUw81CCQyZDeXopl1oj9MEayyN22zUMTqYcLITf493flhyphenhyphenkg6wUw7RjJxALq8Av_omLNNabTOmZ9n8QvXX1ie2/s400/hoofs2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Do we really need to be talking to our kids about this?</u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well yes, I think we do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If our children are not taught about the past, how can they make informed choices about the future? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My son loves riding horses. He has been riding for 3 years now. He loves the horses and cares about them. He wanted to know all about the Horses that race, what racing entailed, etc. It was a great opportunity to explain a huge range of topics (both good and not so pleasant). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As he has gotten older and has developed an interest in History, this year we are taking a Historical look at 'The Race'. We have books to read and we are going back over our Australian History timelines to remember what Australia was like as a country and a colony back when it all started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Two books that we are reading are:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>The Phar Lap Mystery</u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4YBvtg-Efpqwt50D-kJZRifJcE7TB6yvgxka7tWSiiq7P0l0UAIWb56B-Tu5b-IbCY3RCNvX_x-w60w1UqAKOUAP7wzCubNbspgynxBUX9EiTFBQy777_oaPc2dTpYkx_QTWa-Sd6MgM/s1600/the-phar-lap-mystery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4YBvtg-Efpqwt50D-kJZRifJcE7TB6yvgxka7tWSiiq7P0l0UAIWb56B-Tu5b-IbCY3RCNvX_x-w60w1UqAKOUAP7wzCubNbspgynxBUX9EiTFBQy777_oaPc2dTpYkx_QTWa-Sd6MgM/s400/the-phar-lap-mystery.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Archer's Melbourne Cup</b></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11K-URizIN17Q4VS8gvRN72SRHuOfY6EAXomi_JyMR8CRgZ9DKIRivoNddmSz8ZFAe5P3yieECKl3FCMMQedwb7seZ9fM_xdy_7kaEbz-dQQCP-hF4HIy2cTMwjfUD6N2_K2q92Q5PN8L/s1600/51clwYJVdaL._AC_UL160_SR104%252C160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11K-URizIN17Q4VS8gvRN72SRHuOfY6EAXomi_JyMR8CRgZ9DKIRivoNddmSz8ZFAe5P3yieECKl3FCMMQedwb7seZ9fM_xdy_7kaEbz-dQQCP-hF4HIy2cTMwjfUD6N2_K2q92Q5PN8L/s400/51clwYJVdaL._AC_UL160_SR104%252C160_.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have books like the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Allen Book of Riding</b></u></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">to read as well which explains all about Horses, how to Ride a Horse etc. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylMZ5oODsScJ3PixR7xfvvns9OH9qEslzedT0rGTMogGEZ4ZmK0H6RQSB6UIHQvfjJdQnWI3EO8WynQGMiUMMzk9VxXQriKV8BV89jQSsbkUkh3rQuW0r0oTsIRSjHY8SPNuJ_Voddznf/s1600/11219316_1691689574383202_2105621137594075862_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylMZ5oODsScJ3PixR7xfvvns9OH9qEslzedT0rGTMogGEZ4ZmK0H6RQSB6UIHQvfjJdQnWI3EO8WynQGMiUMMzk9VxXQriKV8BV89jQSsbkUkh3rQuW0r0oTsIRSjHY8SPNuJ_Voddznf/s400/11219316_1691689574383202_2105621137594075862_n.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Along with the books above, we have the following DVD to watch:<br /><u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Phar Lap - Hero to a Nation</b></span></u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkUYbxiBXQjNoed-dZUsSDMx_rYHMuM6z4teZ5ggRUsDztmdlbsr7KCnga50CRZjvpaAJoJMnYx5CsTOuy5xYOYqqsYKzdO3ReMcz3iVsr946xoAtE7u9qVSKNPiNqy8_cEzWGJgLHS0o/s1600/mSm0ylNNqalAFrpdmwOLC_Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKkUYbxiBXQjNoed-dZUsSDMx_rYHMuM6z4teZ5ggRUsDztmdlbsr7KCnga50CRZjvpaAJoJMnYx5CsTOuy5xYOYqqsYKzdO3ReMcz3iVsr946xoAtE7u9qVSKNPiNqy8_cEzWGJgLHS0o/s400/mSm0ylNNqalAFrpdmwOLC_Q.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You could use it as a stepping stone for Literature Unit Studies for books like Black Beauty. You will find a great Literature Unit over at</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2012/04/black-beauty-unit-study.html" target="_blank">Confessions of a Homeschooler, see this link</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dRpYWj0wNf5B_3u8c_eZ9t8duxCKkeKSttdj1u4Qly3Oxgo1P7tpkAvcHfZAPYLSmbFrbkiWIJkIrBfoI7n4cPfIpn7Fc43D1SlEcicgI1fG8PEIGbrXiM9jltX6gXPKmwwMo0Q5gDtv/s1600/cover9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dRpYWj0wNf5B_3u8c_eZ9t8duxCKkeKSttdj1u4Qly3Oxgo1P7tpkAvcHfZAPYLSmbFrbkiWIJkIrBfoI7n4cPfIpn7Fc43D1SlEcicgI1fG8PEIGbrXiM9jltX6gXPKmwwMo0Q5gDtv/s320/cover9.jpg" width="247" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5-wpnwQ8HzrbUqNpcvbmRlMSfTC_Ml7eX1oh0MZ8Y2MSnoCla48c3FZ1WC5s7HkUuH5U7mgzXyEgsq7I-wI4Fn8m1obEgfFl35Z45fLnw1w1IcWM3H1XLqLQfo5FcKt-fr0vuYwz-OIt/s1600/large_9781402711442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5-wpnwQ8HzrbUqNpcvbmRlMSfTC_Ml7eX1oh0MZ8Y2MSnoCla48c3FZ1WC5s7HkUuH5U7mgzXyEgsq7I-wI4Fn8m1obEgfFl35Z45fLnw1w1IcWM3H1XLqLQfo5FcKt-fr0vuYwz-OIt/s320/large_9781402711442.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whether you love the Melbourne Cup or hate it, it is a race that takes place in our country for millions to watch. Why not take advantage of that to engage your child in discussion about all the topics I mentioned above and many others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you love it you could incorporate arts and craft activities as well. Make a 'Fascinator', learn to draw horses, make hobby horses, bake horse shoe shaped biscuits, there is plenty to engage your child. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you disagree with the day and Horse Racing, then why not delve into Animal care and protection? You could take the children and volunteer at a Horse Rescue centre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Day is what you make of it, and it really is a good opportunity to teach your child.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-13124672889404177392015-10-22T13:51:00.003+10:002015-10-22T15:35:42.493+10:0010 Halloween Books to Read<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AZ1sXdVCaD-rEWg8MoZW3-eLbxAZO9pmiicB8zkHrM6NwamzWtzj6hgtdgg-Qdc_HwpLCQlLLmxShEQEgnDuP-fVNGcMvpS73_ixHyRRBh8paIff-aqAaOZrb7hgD-sqrsiMB_aYQRxW/s1600/halloween+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AZ1sXdVCaD-rEWg8MoZW3-eLbxAZO9pmiicB8zkHrM6NwamzWtzj6hgtdgg-Qdc_HwpLCQlLLmxShEQEgnDuP-fVNGcMvpS73_ixHyRRBh8paIff-aqAaOZrb7hgD-sqrsiMB_aYQRxW/s400/halloween+books.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Halloween books can be hard to find. Well they are where I live!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are not as many flooding the market like there are with Christmas books. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> However we have found some that we like and they always get put in the weekly reading basket this time of year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are ten books (ok more than 10), in no particular order, that you might like for reading this time of year: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">#1 - The Cemetary Dance</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A phonics reader but a good story.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkPlYTIRzXITREGYdkF6_SWm4KOm-wjTbTZ7FjnnMuY5Dxk05jp3NJ4PUgN52AM4M7Qf2Zmknb-DWI4zpQCryW1V9Domyhlc6TYzS0WxP7xyVWsHZn8XIa8KEY8EmRe_pGtjoQDCWrr94/s1600/51RmhstKMvL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkPlYTIRzXITREGYdkF6_SWm4KOm-wjTbTZ7FjnnMuY5Dxk05jp3NJ4PUgN52AM4M7Qf2Zmknb-DWI4zpQCryW1V9Domyhlc6TYzS0WxP7xyVWsHZn8XIa8KEY8EmRe_pGtjoQDCWrr94/s320/51RmhstKMvL._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#2 - Bet on It & A Hero's Journey</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(Both books are from 'The Book of Life' story)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLu9GoW6gZSAkCH96OWSnBLDysrQshslH80Ill81LBCLm41aMAQwBYxXG-SgS91wBudfT8JHNikctOqNenqhYnbdIEt_gnTHeMJqh6O5MD7LlXl2QChpMBU8kRi4kN26MYdQtxgi8-R-g/s1600/book-of-life-a-heros-journey-9781471124662_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLu9GoW6gZSAkCH96OWSnBLDysrQshslH80Ill81LBCLm41aMAQwBYxXG-SgS91wBudfT8JHNikctOqNenqhYnbdIEt_gnTHeMJqh6O5MD7LlXl2QChpMBU8kRi4kN26MYdQtxgi8-R-g/s320/book-of-life-a-heros-journey-9781471124662_hr.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">#3 - Too Ghoul for School Series</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">School kids and scary things - winning combo. 10 Books in the series.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD0mTZHTCnHquqidlPhB5LW_W6O2nQjtGnwQu-plPpyitq6XBwCc5Ew1Wl5jPz3fy1YUEKlVckxZ2Mz4YkYPpRtJOi4DblVf6m8kic3qmV8df-GuO9DkQNdsFFofn2LubfvOZGWUcRLU9/s1600/a-fete-worse-than-death.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnD0mTZHTCnHquqidlPhB5LW_W6O2nQjtGnwQu-plPpyitq6XBwCc5Ew1Wl5jPz3fy1YUEKlVckxZ2Mz4YkYPpRtJOi4DblVf6m8kic3qmV8df-GuO9DkQNdsFFofn2LubfvOZGWUcRLU9/s400/a-fete-worse-than-death.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#4 - Witches and Wizards</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is not a story book, more a reference book with information pages on everything from Magic, Witches, Halloween etc and activity pages. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUdfwM7V7Atn3V8HNa0ocgBrDxstwamRSw9L9S9Ae-SrjIcZ38-8ivnpUJfAcY6yZLQvykFrT_zB5MujY1GlNadmtkyvpaV0_QY-dQ5ooYRqqbA2ygaZ4UIpDxZBx7sSnSY5qhOE6OSCu/s1600/witches-wizards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUdfwM7V7Atn3V8HNa0ocgBrDxstwamRSw9L9S9Ae-SrjIcZ38-8ivnpUJfAcY6yZLQvykFrT_zB5MujY1GlNadmtkyvpaV0_QY-dQ5ooYRqqbA2ygaZ4UIpDxZBx7sSnSY5qhOE6OSCu/s400/witches-wizards.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#5 - <a href="http://www.thefamiliars.com/" target="_blank">The Familiars Series</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These are good sized novels and are about Magic & Animals.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjmYDJAxx3W5p57iU4qk6f8YH9AkXa46l3OGJurptIgnIrzo69Ehy_C4F_kGEwZA1UBGFEO_dibmB5ZGtcGIo-enT06rsOo4WBFtaq4w6lEjZTB85X0P_uJrNZTHS1WhOASn4pLEimsfj/s1600/137092-ml-685986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjmYDJAxx3W5p57iU4qk6f8YH9AkXa46l3OGJurptIgnIrzo69Ehy_C4F_kGEwZA1UBGFEO_dibmB5ZGtcGIo-enT06rsOo4WBFtaq4w6lEjZTB85X0P_uJrNZTHS1WhOASn4pLEimsfj/s400/137092-ml-685986.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#6 - Frankenstein</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have the Classic Starts series version (pictured here) which is abridged. You can get picture book versions for younger children too.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDI-wNd1Lhyphenhyphen-cawUyvs8pxo6rwoU9X-My2_9_6cliJ9TsPHd244CGoq7L3R1WZYuW3QMvLpiZxW9xjiVI3WuKYM5KYaKOfc_7BWLtw3wZPaEf-H7ZRIJAirRonLfXmGCtjJ2Wcd2tYeaW/s1600/9781402726668_p0_v1_s192x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDI-wNd1Lhyphenhyphen-cawUyvs8pxo6rwoU9X-My2_9_6cliJ9TsPHd244CGoq7L3R1WZYuW3QMvLpiZxW9xjiVI3WuKYM5KYaKOfc_7BWLtw3wZPaEf-H7ZRIJAirRonLfXmGCtjJ2Wcd2tYeaW/s400/9781402726668_p0_v1_s192x300.jpg" width="291" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#7 The Buried Moon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A collection of magical stories including 'The Buried Moon', 'The Council with the Munchkins', 'Do You Believe in Fairies?', 'Shipwreck on Lilliput'. Not Halloween themed but the stories contain witches and fairies, etc.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpbx7fnBf-Xz6uifKS5CrmmpWz_zh2_-wCWGqWHP3efL6Br86u_iO3MsM7C43wi7K6D20S7lBCJeV-QmzeJRLTZbKljPH1crEPNUwe38tQlEqZ6kZeXyzCpQzw-gqkrbiuPCw_9mjWNeZ/s1600/cover225x225.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpbx7fnBf-Xz6uifKS5CrmmpWz_zh2_-wCWGqWHP3efL6Br86u_iO3MsM7C43wi7K6D20S7lBCJeV-QmzeJRLTZbKljPH1crEPNUwe38tQlEqZ6kZeXyzCpQzw-gqkrbiuPCw_9mjWNeZ/s400/cover225x225.jpeg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#8 - The Witches (by Roald Dahl)</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29W90CLnTwqJmI_2t02rC25E4INlS-9Z4bPGKVinQFH4Sq_ap_G1qHLnYqdf6XGXOmHzOUX8r4Stj6x1ymPdD44-_vBlWCh2HppBV9bZlcXKFScnieEYQQD7KH6_Eh2rGMQ31lA2b_zov/s1600/The-Witches-Roald-Dahl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29W90CLnTwqJmI_2t02rC25E4INlS-9Z4bPGKVinQFH4Sq_ap_G1qHLnYqdf6XGXOmHzOUX8r4Stj6x1ymPdD44-_vBlWCh2HppBV9bZlcXKFScnieEYQQD7KH6_Eh2rGMQ31lA2b_zov/s400/The-Witches-Roald-Dahl.jpg" width="260" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#9 - The Worst Witch Series</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Currently a 7 book series about a witch at boarding school.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw8tA4hmF7sRq3t4g_OwLjcWcO2yXeL6RIRLv__yhipK15VJiTXQALRa-Fqk31I7i8qnsR1bX-ckgUm4u_fU3GSM91Q7ADsHwn0oHd63K4tKg6Yr0MwdINQNU8PZsfVCsp-dx8G0ikgLg/s1600/The_Worst_Witch_Book_Series_Covers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSw8tA4hmF7sRq3t4g_OwLjcWcO2yXeL6RIRLv__yhipK15VJiTXQALRa-Fqk31I7i8qnsR1bX-ckgUm4u_fU3GSM91Q7ADsHwn0oHd63K4tKg6Yr0MwdINQNU8PZsfVCsp-dx8G0ikgLg/s640/The_Worst_Witch_Book_Series_Covers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">#10 - The Harry Potter Series</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These are a favourite in our house at any time of the year!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KNgH4JDcgFGvcZIkiuf8gbqq-yoXohe9vN5is9GNVdECnahicv5blvc-jWFx1J65blqyNDshmmfi4I-1OV88ReaLBjeQNDZCbThC1sFlTpXs28xyDKUCjf72LY4GQnsYSccof1X43m4D/s1600/hps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KNgH4JDcgFGvcZIkiuf8gbqq-yoXohe9vN5is9GNVdECnahicv5blvc-jWFx1J65blqyNDshmmfi4I-1OV88ReaLBjeQNDZCbThC1sFlTpXs28xyDKUCjf72LY4GQnsYSccof1X43m4D/s640/hps.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and the books that go with the Harry Potter series like: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Tales of Beedle the Baird </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9X6DN2_qGC6-BIUmEhNtWfbkHr9aEUIniNUhyphenhypheneGPF3twO6l2zeFFepj-vVV6OA1BMn-MEJ2EhAICRtMOQ5GES0-1NPYxVbHhDjdZELHNKK9CsJXa4CJRWxiizGVNpByvZWvk5xZvy1w2D/s1600/e3d1b57372057e115a8861e420bce0f4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9X6DN2_qGC6-BIUmEhNtWfbkHr9aEUIniNUhyphenhypheneGPF3twO6l2zeFFepj-vVV6OA1BMn-MEJ2EhAICRtMOQ5GES0-1NPYxVbHhDjdZELHNKK9CsJXa4CJRWxiizGVNpByvZWvk5xZvy1w2D/s320/e3d1b57372057e115a8861e420bce0f4.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are plenty of others if you use the help of Professor Google, but these are ones we like. A lot of children like the <span style="font-size: large;">Goosebumps</span> books and <span style="font-size: large;">Skulduggery</span> series but my son isn't into those. There are also a lot more in stores in countries like the USA than there are here in Australia! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hope these have given you a few ideas if you are looking for Halloween books.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-1999992289523240112015-10-16T15:36:00.001+10:002016-10-23T21:59:56.006+10:0015 Halloween Movie Favourites for Kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is a list of books and movies that we love this time of the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Technically there are more than 15 movies, but I'm hoping you won't mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are not a heap of movies that are specifically about Halloween, most that are available and that are loved and watched this time of year have elements that remind us of Halloween. They are either about Magic or Witches, Ghosts or Monsters, Frankenstein or Death and the list goes on. Many films that are simply classed as being scary make the list of Halloween Classic despite there being no Halloween content. So when making a list of Halloween favourites, it can actually prove to be a little tricky! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The ones I have chosen are a mix of Halloween event specific, some about Witches and Wizards, Ghosts, Monsters and Magic. My son is 10 and these are ones we have watched together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#1 - </span><a href="http://buddies.disney.com/spooky-buddies" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Spooky Buddies</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cute movie in the "Buddies" franchise that has a Halloween storyline.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2-VRslo5g-NneFukiYc6RsPdql30klJKfBGkPHzRc-PIhwLHbomqSgkRi7CCZl_79h6tFiwOfwYf2trPzOcEC47mORKtmOLm_F23j-Cyz0YqRfc14iN5KmpwGhRSxBJYtoTZve-d4c8m/s1600/SpookyBuddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2-VRslo5g-NneFukiYc6RsPdql30klJKfBGkPHzRc-PIhwLHbomqSgkRi7CCZl_79h6tFiwOfwYf2trPzOcEC47mORKtmOLm_F23j-Cyz0YqRfc14iN5KmpwGhRSxBJYtoTZve-d4c8m/s320/SpookyBuddies.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#2 - <a href="http://www.bookoflifemovie.com/" target="_blank">The Book of Life</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Book of Life is based around the cultural 'Day of the Dead' or 'Dia de Muertos' (Spanish) which is a festival that begins on October 31st and is a celebration of ancestors who have passed. Very similar to the Pagan 'Samhain' celebration which was the foundation modern day Halloween. I've included this movie as we love it and it's culturally a good 'Halloween' fit.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lLeVuCYJfLzWpIAtb_SWHDdb2pcmoqOj-s4NcgTNEsbPOR7NSIEzuYptYGOGSGxp9H8WCfXrFNoskt-4Mz1dEFY2ruQaH4-XJ9DKhOvC93XhJUSlByWM83u39jHd_mObdP_Fi1S9TGEZ/s1600/Book-of-life-dvd-cover-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lLeVuCYJfLzWpIAtb_SWHDdb2pcmoqOj-s4NcgTNEsbPOR7NSIEzuYptYGOGSGxp9H8WCfXrFNoskt-4Mz1dEFY2ruQaH4-XJ9DKhOvC93XhJUSlByWM83u39jHd_mObdP_Fi1S9TGEZ/s320/Book-of-life-dvd-cover-14.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#3 - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0837562/" target="_blank">Hotel Transylvania</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not Halloween themed, but certainly gets you a great dose of monsters, vampires and all things spooky. We are also looking forward to Hotel Transylvania Two coming out later this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">#4 - Anything 'Casper'! </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Casper the friendly ghost has many movies and cartoon series and all are great family viewing. We have a few cartoon series and a few movies and they always get screen time for Halloween. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">#5 - Dreamworks & Pixar "Halloween Specials"</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">like Shrek, Monsters & Toy Story given a Halloween makeover and new mini story. These usually don't go for very long but are fun to watch anyway. They are all Halloween themed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">#6 - <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107120/" target="_blank">Hocus Pocus</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A classic Witch movie that I've loved since childhood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#7 - <a href="http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/monsterhouse/" target="_blank">Monster House</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Great scary-ish kids movie based around Halloween and impending trick or treater danger. My son loves this one.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ-7zqf89qiDHZtggdTq7KwbyNcAkXnObUMuIjbM5ojAnONELMIrP1bEvvyzm9-6qoLckEWdy6PilAvdllndcKfyCg0-SH2drxQcWSewCX-huppGjc0RppoFB56zCVfafLp6zpAGDkWkP/s1600/p159533_p_v7_af.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ-7zqf89qiDHZtggdTq7KwbyNcAkXnObUMuIjbM5ojAnONELMIrP1bEvvyzm9-6qoLckEWdy6PilAvdllndcKfyCg0-SH2drxQcWSewCX-huppGjc0RppoFB56zCVfafLp6zpAGDkWkP/s320/p159533_p_v7_af.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">#8 - The Addams Family</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is the TV series, two movies (The Addams Family and Addams Family Values) and an animated series. This is good old fashioned stereotypical monster weird family entertainment. Not Halloween themed but great for getting in character! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNK4qQ6fmsLE5qKjpLlD6Mx-PerDXgcfWSbUgwYfaNJbIU4dr0WieIWopDLrJg4VXDam7i3nbPt18wGFl3YEWfAJrkXZi2bkLnE1yG8HuhT-LyGGNEVFiZCafe_II4Yn9YCFtC1fhf5Ld/s1600/addamsfamilycollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNK4qQ6fmsLE5qKjpLlD6Mx-PerDXgcfWSbUgwYfaNJbIU4dr0WieIWopDLrJg4VXDam7i3nbPt18wGFl3YEWfAJrkXZi2bkLnE1yG8HuhT-LyGGNEVFiZCafe_II4Yn9YCFtC1fhf5Ld/s640/addamsfamilycollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#9 - The Munsters</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can find the TV series DVD's, Munsters Movies and a newer version of the Munsters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not Halloween themed but with a Frankenstein type Dad, a Vampire or two, a scary witchy type mum and an odd one out blonde - it fit's my idea of Halloween entertainment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#10 - The House of Magic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This one is also not Halloween theme specific, but there is a cool creepy old house, lots of Magic and a cat and a creepy bunny - so it makes the list LOL</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#11 - The Smurfs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This one has pumpkins on the cover LOL. The kids love it though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#12 - Sabrina the Teenage Witch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Everyone loves Sabrina. We do love watching the Halloween episodes this time of year but there are also multiple animated series and a movie of Sabrina to watch too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#13 - The Nightmare before Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is both Halloween themed and Christmas themed. With Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween town .... says it all really! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHukiIs5UTGGJYXaREUUiFAtF-0n2zOLsru0VvCOBtC1xohf6DG4jwO2n-_25n2Q3Q4IESi8OKV_i-H_MxmGrL46hxLxwINQt5fOxe82n4LSqx5WWjyVxeQH19p69KHtiIodPAYzBeqBw/s1600/p15096_p_v7_aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHukiIs5UTGGJYXaREUUiFAtF-0n2zOLsru0VvCOBtC1xohf6DG4jwO2n-_25n2Q3Q4IESi8OKV_i-H_MxmGrL46hxLxwINQt5fOxe82n4LSqx5WWjyVxeQH19p69KHtiIodPAYzBeqBw/s320/p15096_p_v7_aa.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">#14 - Coraline </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not Halloween specific but definitely creepy and scary, and there is a black cat (that's Halloween-y right? LOL)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi721whf0asgG9kwNy4F__zRZBJoDq_hNKoY2wDLG0_3XUdBq-3vmyF9-bICIC-jH-9dJ-V5aLOJY0x9sHAooQhksj3LHchqCkj_g-oN9klFHuEZYf3nTbc-c9LJz-SSiuvAU7Qdi6PSvxA/s1600/5183meSwNKL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi721whf0asgG9kwNy4F__zRZBJoDq_hNKoY2wDLG0_3XUdBq-3vmyF9-bICIC-jH-9dJ-V5aLOJY0x9sHAooQhksj3LHchqCkj_g-oN9klFHuEZYf3nTbc-c9LJz-SSiuvAU7Qdi6PSvxA/s320/5183meSwNKL.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">#15 - The Harry Potter Series !!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Saved the best for last of course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What can I say - Wizards, Witches, Magic, Cauldrons, Owls .... this is Halloween themed without being Halloween themed! If we want to be technical there is a Halloween dinner scene in the first movie at least LOL.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4LXmq-ouP4TZTjXFa9ZBC-y5cqRhAr8KUOZ9mJy75Yayrm3vzNO_qFJhRn3rdBRVayl3jt5nIe7c3Jz_QVLG1K_S8nkWXSpAetfCmeAYl6FmtA26TtPEDxrtmSosjzLTaImIzpGLSjBA/s1600/harrycollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4LXmq-ouP4TZTjXFa9ZBC-y5cqRhAr8KUOZ9mJy75Yayrm3vzNO_qFJhRn3rdBRVayl3jt5nIe7c3Jz_QVLG1K_S8nkWXSpAetfCmeAYl6FmtA26TtPEDxrtmSosjzLTaImIzpGLSjBA/s640/harrycollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Obviously there are PLENTY more Halloween movies but these are ones we watch at our house. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am not a fan of really scary movies or horror movies and there are a lot I feel my son is too young to watch (and also lots for much younger children that we've outgrown), but this is what we like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope it gives you some ideas when you are looking for some screen time entertainment this Halloween.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-4065976276258334472015-09-30T23:33:00.002+10:002015-09-30T23:34:53.012+10:00Homeschool Mums Deserve Teacher Gifts Too<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK3B_dBy-CG5B1q-oJz2EomuTDJo-6aOAhmuzwgxYbclZmP1B7dsLaLiFpPaY-hZATtYMDuI6F6_ZS6PSyCyoP42hWjbNhUWTJG_ilWR2ExgVUd1a30_6d1d8bWFRzOLI4Fo1BHMEXL5G/s1600/TeacherGiftBlogcover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrK3B_dBy-CG5B1q-oJz2EomuTDJo-6aOAhmuzwgxYbclZmP1B7dsLaLiFpPaY-hZATtYMDuI6F6_ZS6PSyCyoP42hWjbNhUWTJG_ilWR2ExgVUd1a30_6d1d8bWFRzOLI4Fo1BHMEXL5G/s400/TeacherGiftBlogcover1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Children in mainstream school give a gift to their teacher at the end of the school year. Well that's how it works here in Australia anyway LOL. Whether it's something home made, store bought, inexpensive or not, teachers leave for the Holidays with lots of 'Thank You' gifts from their students and their parents. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And deservedly so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They do a great job! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I ask you this. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you, as a homeschooling parent,</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">acknowledge the job well done and the dedication</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><b>YOU</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">have provided to your family through the year? </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you get your children to make you a gift or buy you a gift as a Thank you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>If not, why not?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You deserve it too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHL6J2Is5xTVXexaFLbkLpXhkK2-7KJE2PiXFuaW03WnwiFOZhWlAkLwcqrh9H7nULh5bQmHdOM7UF7dYcTOeeV3Jla2CMXeVcOXmc3eznYMivbvuPp1qhfZajjKesTCp6Sdj68mr1iFww/s1600/giftbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHL6J2Is5xTVXexaFLbkLpXhkK2-7KJE2PiXFuaW03WnwiFOZhWlAkLwcqrh9H7nULh5bQmHdOM7UF7dYcTOeeV3Jla2CMXeVcOXmc3eznYMivbvuPp1qhfZajjKesTCp6Sdj68mr1iFww/s320/giftbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When my son attended school, we bought gifts for his teachers. There was a lot of them. Each year he had two class teachers, two-four teacher aides, a Head of Special Needs Coordinator and a Special Needs Classroom teacher. That's 6-8 teacher gifts. When you add up the cost of them all, it's not cheap. Yet the first year I started homeschooling, I got to the end of the year and thought wow I have done the job of all of those people. Yet when doing my end of year shopping I found my budget much healthier as I had no teachers to buy for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A week later my son asked me what I was going to get for my teacher present. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Firstly I was happy that my son recognised my value as his teacher. Secondly though I wondered if I should, wondered what others would say, wondered if I should spend the money on something self indulgent for myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not long after, I found something on sale at the shops that I had wanted for a long time. I had my usual 'no mantra' running through my head along the lines of not being able to justify the expense. Something as mothers most of us do all the time. Only this time I stopped myself mid-mantra. I DID have a reason to buy it, I could justify it. I did deserve to spend money on myself, after all I had been a teacher all year and put in the hard work, got amazing results from my child and all for no weekly wage. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15QY7giq7B2KXfrq3iL1_2KRKvJqMM84hBFXcS-WPb0hFQifud2FjT4k5HQUZEqqTLIVkoMJEJ4w-rg_if-pXuOryuX5N5nIJXZ79f6yd_5DafqLfspnhYK9VqoKaePqoejDyHh5OWuTG/s1600/royalalbertteasets1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15QY7giq7B2KXfrq3iL1_2KRKvJqMM84hBFXcS-WPb0hFQifud2FjT4k5HQUZEqqTLIVkoMJEJ4w-rg_if-pXuOryuX5N5nIJXZ79f6yd_5DafqLfspnhYK9VqoKaePqoejDyHh5OWuTG/s400/royalalbertteasets1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I told my friends about my Teacher Gift I got a wonderful response. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The best part was helping other mothers to recognise their value as home educators too. It wasn't about the cost of the gift, just that they deserved something, like any other teacher does. Whether that be a handmade card, a box of chocolates or a gift of something special.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I already have my gift for this year picked out. I don't feel guilty about it either because I deserve it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So my question to all you homeschooling parents out there is, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">what will you get yourselves this year as a reward for all your hard work? </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfVlNr3Apszy0vXfdRI2Sm-pBPqbLTSTi-xWqqq89eXSFWP7-7Oj3AAosW91dy2uAfalake7rLrdwyfh_SZUJ4a6Pe2H_W4yqwTiLdzSAHnCiafC3JnA2q8ngBIyDkFZoBH2tzkwUmkwT/s1600/teachergift2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSfVlNr3Apszy0vXfdRI2Sm-pBPqbLTSTi-xWqqq89eXSFWP7-7Oj3AAosW91dy2uAfalake7rLrdwyfh_SZUJ4a6Pe2H_W4yqwTiLdzSAHnCiafC3JnA2q8ngBIyDkFZoBH2tzkwUmkwT/s400/teachergift2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-52509155326823323932015-09-18T22:35:00.000+10:002015-09-18T22:35:00.919+10:00The Dilemma of a Pagan in the Southern Hemisphere<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX3XqIKaBwtRL_PHI__35CRqRypDKgXNktgedw11XFNEqJfLHvY5FM6aQWOUApP8uVsH1rCrGPOhyphenhyphenN7maLk9n27FU0i1vgFasn_1IAW1bHoLi6Zcf1KABrMHMMhiLjYE6vAdJPQ0mnYVC/s1600/Pagan+Southern+Hemisphere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX3XqIKaBwtRL_PHI__35CRqRypDKgXNktgedw11XFNEqJfLHvY5FM6aQWOUApP8uVsH1rCrGPOhyphenhyphenN7maLk9n27FU0i1vgFasn_1IAW1bHoLi6Zcf1KABrMHMMhiLjYE6vAdJPQ0mnYVC/s400/Pagan+Southern+Hemisphere.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When you have Pagan beliefs and live in the Southern Hemisphere, following the Pagan calendar can be a little confusing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before I explain why, lets start with the basics. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>What are the Pagan Sabbats?</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcgxcUNeb9414pLdxvL47ObjAQ7wwaejbZlY1XbU69BsqK814Y4A-9zfYv8O96U8MLZkBjo54vVZ-c7j5YnfaSs2yw7D1WFxXoWMuSrZBwlHjDZeMlrvhakCjaDF2g3bPXNUINbTGOnL6/s1600/banner-sabbats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcgxcUNeb9414pLdxvL47ObjAQ7wwaejbZlY1XbU69BsqK814Y4A-9zfYv8O96U8MLZkBjo54vVZ-c7j5YnfaSs2yw7D1WFxXoWMuSrZBwlHjDZeMlrvhakCjaDF2g3bPXNUINbTGOnL6/s640/banner-sabbats.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>They are:</u></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Yule / Winter Solstice</b></i> : This marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night. It also marks the re birth of the sun as the days begin to grow longer from this point. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>Imbolc / Festival of Light / Brighid's Day / Groundhog Day</i></b> : The fire festival of Imbolc brings the first thaw of winter. It is a time of rebirth, fertility and nurturing under the auspices of the Virgin Goddess. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Ostara / Easter / Spring Equinox</b></i>: The Spring Equinox is the traditional celebration of the new life that bursts forth with Spring. It has given us the modern celebration of Easter with it's fertility symbols of Rabbits, Eggs, Chickens and Flowers. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Beltane / May Day</b></i> : Beltane, the basis of May Day is the traditional celebration that marks the beginning of summer and the abundance associated with warmer months. The tradition of the May Pole dancing originated here.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Litha / Summer Solstice</b></i>: The Summer Solstice, known as Midsommers Day, marks the longest day of Summer, the point at which the life giving sun is at its strongest over the powers of darkness.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Lammas </b></i>: Lammas is also know as Lughnasadh. It is the First Harvest Festival and heralds the coming of Autumn. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Mabon / Autumn Equinox</i></b> : Occurs when the day and night are equal in length, the Autumn Equinox and falls between the first and third harvest. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>Samhain / All Hallows Eve / Halloween</b></i> : Literally means end of summer. It is believed that at this time the veil between worlds is at it's thinnest. It is a time to honor your ancestors (similar to the Day of the Dead celebrations in parts of the world). It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>What is the Pagan 'Wheel of the Year' or Calendar of Sabbats?</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXhaLIHUlWaecaTdV85RbiJaf1-TwIoiZl3QxTTbk7F65G78fSRiRPwqqF4RSj5AvZLUzGEXGFf-pJeQRDrTpL4hngl_OEJN-wnndAsduxaDoEt8OU1uhPUbqdiP_TVD_pZo4PUWICRbn/s1600/ed213fd348a4b141c2849ff7c65d78e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXhaLIHUlWaecaTdV85RbiJaf1-TwIoiZl3QxTTbk7F65G78fSRiRPwqqF4RSj5AvZLUzGEXGFf-pJeQRDrTpL4hngl_OEJN-wnndAsduxaDoEt8OU1uhPUbqdiP_TVD_pZo4PUWICRbn/s640/ed213fd348a4b141c2849ff7c65d78e6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Why is there a dilemma when you are living in the Southern Hemisphere? </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You see technically, the calendar should be the opposite here as it is in the traditional north so that it runs in sync with our seasons. So when it is spring time here in the Southern Hemisphere we should celebrate Ostara or Easter - but everyone else in our country celebrate Easter in Autumn at the same time as the Northern Hemisphere. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Confused yet? </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wicca-spirituality.com/wiccan-holidays-southern.html" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Here is the Controversy</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> ....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are two opinions when it comes to when those in the Southern Hemisphere should observe the Sabbats of the Pagan Wheel of the Year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Opinion/Option 1:</span></b> Regardless of where you live in the world, you should follow the dates of the Sabbats as they originated in the Northern Hemisphere. So Samhain/Halloween is 31st October regardless of the season in the hemisphere you live in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This means that your celebration meals would consist of foods not in season and your decorations and symbols don't reflect the landscape around you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Opinion/Option 2:</span></b> Is to follow the seasons of the year and celebrate the seasons as they happen in the hemisphere you live in. So when it's Yule (Winter Solstice) in the Northern Hemisphere, then you are celebrating Litha (Summer Solstice) instead in the Southern Hemisphere. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's seasonally correct but can prove equally problematic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It means going against the mainstream populations celebration timeline. While everyone is having Christmas and holidays you would not. This can prove difficult when family members are not Pagan and they wish to celebrate Christmas in December (like the majority of your country) and include you. Children want to celebrate Christmas at this time too as they 'see' it all around them. The shops are all covered in Christmas cheer and decorations, Santa is there to visit, etc. Following Option 2 means you give this up and instead have a Summer Solstice celebration in December and have your Yultide/Christmas in June. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Southern Hemisphere Wheel of the Year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Arguments between which is right and wrong will probably continue forever with both opinions having validity, but at the end of the day, it's a personal choice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Comparison Table (with 2013 dates) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>What do we do in our house? </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well for us, it's a little of both. Just to be different LOL. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My son knows what seasonally we 'should' be celebrating here in the Southern Hemisphere and we do something to honor that. For us it's usually a family dinner with the seasonal foods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> However when you have family and friends celebrating the mainstream calendar of events over the year, and you wish to celebrate with them, It makes sense to follow the traditional dates from the North. You will find our house, in our Summer in December, covered with Winter Yuletide cheer and resembling the explosion of a Christmas store. Snowmen decorate table tops rather than a vase of Sunflowers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe that makes us 'Opinion/Option 3' aka do what works for you! </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-1500360184228586102015-09-16T22:35:00.001+10:002015-10-13T16:42:30.706+10:00Intuitive Learning and The Indigo Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Wa9xnEw5o8RqOs9EdJ7H3rpkUB0gBOSwYgP3BzgPs4C-bT3TwluZrbPiOWWV-Fy1d5LKssIfr433wAqfdY0oCI691T6ZVP3lns-bJYX_2u-j5w6le4IpuoUZ3aCzIvW-02JDgi60h7tJ/s1600/Intuitive+Learning+Indigo+Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Wa9xnEw5o8RqOs9EdJ7H3rpkUB0gBOSwYgP3BzgPs4C-bT3TwluZrbPiOWWV-Fy1d5LKssIfr433wAqfdY0oCI691T6ZVP3lns-bJYX_2u-j5w6le4IpuoUZ3aCzIvW-02JDgi60h7tJ/s320/Intuitive+Learning+Indigo+Child.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As Homeschool parents we all get to that stage of trying to define what kind of learner our child is. Are they visual learners, or do they learn best with workbooks? Do you have a verbal learner or a kinesthetic learner? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We explore learning styles, learning methods, look at our children's strengths and weaknesses and our teaching strengths and weaknesses as well. We decide if we are classical homeschoolers, unschoolers, or fit somewhere in between. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However most of us, especially those of us with children with disabilities, learning disorders or on the Autism Spectrum, overlook another option / explanation / style which might just explain a LOT and open the door for learning. I think for many of us, we just assume that because our children are different, that we need to modify the styles that are already out there, or combine many. That our child's learning style is just a modification of the others out there. We stop looking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Have you ever heard of an <i><span style="color: #073763;">Indigo Child</span></i> ? </u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had heard the term but never bothered to look into it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well today I was prompted to look into what an Indigo Child is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was looking for ways to help my son and explain some things to him. I had been up through the night easing his worries and wiping his tears as yet again he had been upset while dreaming of what he describes as himself in the past in another body. You see my son has always been highly spiritual, always had a strong identity, an old soul who spoke like someone with lifetimes of experience, would talk about his past lives (often in great detail) and dream about them often, is highly imaginative, he talks about his spirit visitors, is very empathetic and sensitive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I often need to look outside the square when trying to help him. Now I totally get him and we are very in tune BUT I am his mother and I learned a long time ago that this special kid of mine was one who needed research to help explain things. I was quite surprised to find my research</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (children who talk of reincarnation) led me t</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">o Indigo Children</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">described my child so very well! And for once it was nice to research something other than medical/special needs topics. Through this research I have found myself rethinking our learning style, my teaching style, confirming why we do some of the things we do and recognising what kind of learner my son is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I read a lot of articles and blogs on the subject. Some were rather left of centre and parts of the articles I disregarded as many drifted into the realm of strange LOL, but there were parts I identified with completely. I read one blog post by </span><a href="https://piarichardson.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/indigo-children-and-aspergers/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Pia's Heart called "Indigo Children and Aspergers"</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> that had a paragraph which described my child so well (who has Aspergers), even down to his high light sensitivity! Pia writes,</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;">Indigos have above average intelligence, are emotionally sensitive, intuitive or even psychic, and generally feel different from those around them. They have an aversion to bright lights, and are highly sensitive to sounds, pain, and extreme temperatures. They know they belong here just as they are , and they expect you to know so as well. They are born knowing and feeling that they are special, and they want to be revered. Indigo children have a higher sense of self-worth and confidence. They do not work well with rigid authority and archaic systems; they believe everything should be given creative thought. Indigo children are very focused on matters of spirituality and things of metaphysical nature. They are considered system-busters, because they often have insightful and better methods than those in place for years now."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It made me look further into the topic and I then found the website:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teachingindigos.com/index.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Teaching Indigo Children</span></a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is based on a classroom approach but can be easily adapted for homeschooling. This site lists <a href="http://www.teachingindigos.com/profile.html" target="_blank">profile characteristics</a> as well as <a href="http://www.teachingindigos.com/indigomind.html" target="_blank">teaching methods in the "Mind" section</a>, it explains <a href="http://www.teachingindigos.com/indigobody.html" target="_blank">health, learning disorders and the physical side in the "Body" section</a> and then lists the some <a href="http://www.teachingindigos.com/indigospirit.html" target="_blank">amazing insights in the "Spirit" section</a> which really helps understand these children so very well. If you are keen to learn more then please check out this website, I highly recommend it and it is one that I have now bookmarked on my favourites list. There is a sources section and a <a href="http://www.teachingindigos.com/book.html" target="_blank">book review on "Empowering Your Indigo Child"</a> pictured below. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Characteristics of an Indigo Child:</u></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Listed below from<u> http://www.mindopenerz.com/are-you-an-indigo-11-traits-of-indigo-children/</u></span></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">May be strong willed independent thinkers who prefer to do their own thing rather than comply with authority figures/parents.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">Have a wisdom and level of caring beyond their youthful experience.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">Traditional Parenting and discipline strategies don’t appear effective with these children. If you try to force an issue, a power struggle is the typical outcome.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">Energetically</span><span style="line-height: 1.2;">, Indigos are vibrating at a much higher </span><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">frequency</span><span style="line-height: 1.2;"> so they can get scrambled by negative energy (human or machine)</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">Emotionally they can be reactive and may have problems with anxieties, depression or temper rages if not energetically balanced</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">Are creative right brain thinkers, may struggle to learn in a traditional left brain school system</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">Often Indigos are diagnosed with ADD and ADHD since they appear impulsive (their brain can process information faster) and they require movement to help keep them better focused</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.2;">Indigos are very intuitive, and may see, hear or know things that seem </span><span style="line-height: 19.2px;">unexplainable</span><span style="line-height: 1.2;">.</span></span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">Indigos have more problems with food and environmental sensitivities, since their system is more finely tuned</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">When their needs are not met, these children seem self centered and demanding, although this is not their true nature.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 1.2;">These children have incredible gifts and potential, but they may be shut down when not properly nurtured and accepted</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Some random information I found and thought was good to share is that the term 'Indigo' references a few things, one of which is that it is the colour of the Brow Chakra, which is said to be the centre for thought (well duh LOL), vision and psychic knowledge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If, after looking at the links I have listed, you feel you are an Indigo child or have an Indigo child, the following link will help explain the type you are depending on your generation / year of birth.<br /><a href="http://www.learning-mind.com/do-you-belong-to-one-of-the-five-indigo-generations/">http://www.learning-mind.com/do-you-belong-to-one-of-the-five-indigo-generations/</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My son belongs to the Omega Generation: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">"</span></i><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Omega generation:</span></i></span><i style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<i style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Children born from 1998 to 2008 belong to the so-called Omega indigo generation. Supposedly this is the last “pure” indigo generation. Children born in the Delta and Omega period, are also called Crystal Children because of a particularly bright, crystal color in their aura. </span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These children are particularly vulnerable to various dermatology problems, allergies and diseases (especially to those of upper respiratory tract due to high environmental pollution). </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also a large proportion of them is characterized as autistic or suffers from the Asperger syndrome. Autism in children is a way of self protection from attack and neurosis of the outside world."</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fact my son has a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome as well as ADHD and a multitude of learning disorders, all which are mentioned in articles for Indigo children, really makes you stop and think about the bigger picture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So after much thought (and reconnecting with my own spiritual side) I have come up with a new learning plan for us. I call it:<br /><span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;"><u><i>"Intuitive Learning"</i></u></span></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Allowing my child the freedom to do the work the way he feels works best for him. For example when he does Mathematics he often goes outside the square to work out a problem and doesn't follow the 'method'. He always gets things right and always makes a lot of sense but I've always insisted he 'follow the rules' and it frustrates him and we end up at a stand still. So long as his working makes sense and is right, I am letting go of some control.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Give positive 'Do' list rather than a 'Do not' list as they are sensitive and will dwell on negatives.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the start of work, give examples of required outcomes (visual) or detailed explanations (verbal or written) to alleviate anxiety.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Explain rather than tell.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As they are perceptive and intuitive, there is no trying to convince them or pull the wool over their eyes to get them to do something when they don't want to. So either re visit it later, re work it into a way they do want to learn it or take on board the child's views. They are stubborn and value respect and integrity. If you approach them with those things then 'instruction' should go more smoothly.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Allow them to deviate from the plan. Let them use their intuition and if that takes them in a different direction, then see where it goes. For example we have found that during his music lessons he likes to use part of the sessions to create and write music rather than learning to play the instruments. When he writes, he does not write with lyrics (or with them in mind) and instead creates a feeling in the music. So we will re structure his lessons to allow him some more freedom with this to express himself.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let them explore their dreams with dream diaries. Much like a Nature Journal but something for recording dreams, either with art or writing. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Use History lessons as tools to embrace their memories. As most 'Indigo' children experience and believe in reincarnation, allow them to embrace it and what better subject than History to facilitate that. Indigo children usually have a love of history, they feel their connect with certain times and places so also give them some scope in choosing what eras of history to study.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Follow a Right Brain Learning approach. See my previous blog post on <a href="http://expeditionhomeschool.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/right-brain-learning.html" target="_blank">Right Brain Learning here</a>. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Give the child some control over choices of topics or time schedules and encourage mutual respect. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love learning new things about my child and myself. While I have always been spiritual myself, I have always overlooked that in terms of learning and our homeschooling. Thinking about it now I am not sure why, but I did. Maybe it was because we are not religious and so did not choose curriculum that was religious, picking secular materials and common core / Australian Curriculum materials instead. However learning about Indigo Children today and knowing how effected my son is, I think it's worth pursuing and adapting our homeschooling plan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am looking forward to learning more about Indigo children and implementing a new <span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">'Intuitive Learning'</span> approach to our homeschooling. I will be sure to let you all know how we go in the coming months. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-676681649743843140.post-82473313487669059642015-09-13T21:15:00.000+10:002015-10-13T16:43:16.022+10:00Dealing with Disappointment and our JHS Journey. <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not only are "invisible" disorders / conditions difficult for others to see,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> believe, understand and accept, it's also hard for the person suffering (in this case my child) to keep dealing with the disappointment of missing out on a lot, on top of the pain they go through and all the effects of their conditions. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; line-height: 17.5636px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For years we adjusted to Aspergers and the hurdles ASD put in front of us. We learned how to manage, how to help, how to avoid, how to cope. We were able to push boundaries and assimilate into everyday situations. We are at the point now where I get those proud mother moments when others comment that they had no idea he has an ASD as he fits in with all the other kids well. All our years of therapy, all our supports and preparations each day help get us through and mean that day to day there is not much my son misses out on. By no means is my son free of ASD or 'cured' (I HATE that word by the way), it's a life long way of life and a life long condition based on a different way of being.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">I honestly thought that ASD was the hardest thing to overcome for him and for others to understand but I think his other conditions are harder especially as he is getting older.</span><span style="line-height: 17.5636px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">My son's multitude of other </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">diagnosed conditions include quite severe</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Joint Hyper Mobility Syndrome (JHS)</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">and a bleeding disorder still in the diagnosis process which like everything</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;"> else usually takes a few years. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">Now many children have hyper mobile joints. Many. They are simply 'double jointed' and more flexible than the average person. It can be fantastic for kids who want to be gymnasts and dancers. They do not develop any problems from their loose joints. In a way it's a little like the Autism Spectrum in that there is a scale of severity. </span><span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">This is simply called <b>Joint Hypermobility</b>, it is not the syndrome.</span><span style="line-height: 17.5636px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">If you wish to find out if you or your children have hypermobile joints, <a href="http://www.physio-pedia.com/Beighton_score" target="_blank">click here to view the Beighton Score test</a></span></span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">. If you score 4 or more out of 9 on this test then you have hypermobile joints. My son scores a 9. He is also missing some connectivity between certain muscles to allow him to do independent movements particularly with fingers. Many children on the Autism Spectrum have hypermobile joints. This can be evident by the characterised 'W' position sit that many ASD children do. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Joint Hypermobility Syndrome</span></b> </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">is where problems arise from the loose joints. Chronic pain and other symptoms including extreme fatigue are two main characteristics of the Syndrome JHS. Most with JHS will go on to be diagnosed with Arthritis and degenerative joint damage. Other things to note is that anaesthetics do not hold as well for JHS patients.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;"><a href="http://www.dynakids.org/Documents/hypermobility.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Click here to view a comprehensive document on Joint Hypermobility and the Syndrome JHS.</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">My son is double jointed and flexible just like those many, many children, but has the chronic problems as well, hence his diagnosis of </span><b style="line-height: 17.5636px;">JHS</b><span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">. Because the issue of hypermobility is fairly common, people cannot understand or see that the syndrome exists or how it differs from their child or their friend's child who has Joint Hypermobility.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">How does JHS impact on my son's body?</span></u></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;"> The arches of his feet and his foot structure 'collapse' and they don't perform their roles as they should and look like classic 'flat feet' and rolling in ankles. He wears orthotic shoe inserts to keep his foot structure in a more correct functioning position. Even with this, he struggles to run. He shuffles and has no spring in his step. His knees sustain high impact joint damage and he gets pain similar to an aging adult with arthritis. A fall where he lands on his knees can result in dislocation. The average person and even a 'double jointed' person can pick up a bowling ball and bowl a game with no problems. My son can dislocate his fingers picking up a bowling ball and when he goes to bowl can bend his arm backwards at the elbow causing pain. He gets shoulder pain and can dislocate using climbing walls and monkey bars. He gets back pain and even chest pain. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">The only visible clue you might have looking at my son, that anything is wrong, is his awkward clumsy walk or shuffle run, his lack of muscle tone appearing weak, poor posture and very soft pliable (baby like) skin. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">What you don't see is his fatigue. He gets very tired, very quickly and easily. One of his doctors described it as being like living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome every day, from the minute you wake up. You don't see the cramping of his muscles which occurs due to the constant over stretching of his muscles. You don't see that it can keep him awake at night further exacerbating his fatigue. You don't see the pain he suffers when walking for a long time, which for us can be 10 minutes at a shopping centre let alone an outing at a theme park for example. We have a wheelchair we take with us to help. A child over a certain age and size can't be carried, put in a shopping trolley or a pram. You don't see his relief at being able to sit rather than walk. You also don't see his embarrassment at having to use the wheelchair, particularly if we are around his friends. He will push himself to the limit and collapse at home to avoid looks or questions or pity. He also resists using the neoprene braces for his knees, elbows, ankles and wrists when out in public. He needs them when he is hurt but doesn't like others to see them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;">You don't see his disappointment when he knows he can't do what others can do or misses out on an outing. Regular 'kid' things my son either cannot do, shouldn't do or struggles to do: </span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Jumping</u> - this causes joint damage and pain. So no trampolining centres, inflatable worlds, backyard trampolines, skipping, etc.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Climbing</u> - this causes shoulder pain and dislocation risk. So no climbing walls, monkey bars, hand held flying foxes, no pulling himself out of a pool with the hand pull type ladders, no climbing trees or fences, pulling himself up onto a horse. Not only does he lack the strength to do these, he is in pain trying. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Riding a bike</u> - the pushing of the pedals is painful and exhausting. Riding a scooter isn't easy either. Pushing with one leg means one leg is getting constant impact with the ground and one leg is bending to allow the other to touch the ground means on a bad pain day that it's not an easy activity. He rides a V-wing type scooter that requires no pushing or touching the ground. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Swimming</u> - the constant kicking of the legs and shoulder/arm rotations (think freestyle, backstroke, butterfly stroke) causes pain and a lot of cramping. Cramping when in water can cause drowning. My son suffered cramping in the water from a 20 minute swimming lesson. He has learnt to swim and float and how to get to safety but he will never be a 'squad' training swimmer. We do hydrotherapy instead. Even trips to water parks can prove hard. As waterslides are found at the top of many flights of stairs. Climbing these steps all day is very painful. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Bowling</u> - we use a modified / disability bowling ball and he can only cope with one game. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Running</u> - this is very difficult. Most children's games and playing involves running. Whether it be a game of tag, kicking a ball in a football game or seeing who gets to the swings first, they all involve running. My son shuffles at best, is slow, always loses the race or game and is exhausted, puffing, frustrated and upset. Particularly as it happens time and time again and was the cause of bullying at one school. You don't tend to get called a loser if you aren't jumping on a trampoline with others, but come dead last in a running race and you get called a Loser every time and it's heartbreaking for a child. Add in an uneven surface like sand and the problems get a lot worse. So the beach is not a fun destination either anymore. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Fine Motor Skills</u> like Handwriting, using scissors, drawing etc.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Sitting</u> for long periods.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Standing</u> or <u>walking</u> for long periods.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636px;"><u>Throwing, Catching, Kicking</u> etc</span></li>
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<span style="color: #141823; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">If you take all these activities out of a child's scope of play, it's hard for them to maintain friendships. Other children do not see anything physically wrong with your child. They aren't confined to a wheelchair so there is no physical cue and reminder that their friend cannot run with them in a game. Children don't really understand when a another child says 'I can't run' or can't run fast or has sore legs. I don't place any blame for this on any child or any parent, it is no ones fault at all. It just is what it is. I am usually the bad guy and the nagging mother, reminding my son to slow down and stop trying to run so he doesn't end up in a lot of pain that night. But at the same time I see his desperate need and want to fit in with the other children playing so it's a difficult balance. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For us, everything is compounded by the fact that we deal with a bleeding condition on top of this. In summer the bleeding can be a daily thing. We need to stay indoors in air conditioning. Blood loss makes anyone fatigued so on top of his 'normal JHS fatigue levels' it can leave him couch bound wanting to sleep all the time. Summer is when all his friends have a lot of fun. Water parks, outdoor park play, riding bikes, etc. Holidays with lots of time to go out and have fun. We miss out on all of that and through no fault of anyone, friendships drift over those 6 months. Depression often kicks in as disappointment grows at missing all the fun. It can't be helped but it's something we aren't getting over like the issues we faced with ASD. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last week my son fell when riding a scooter. He did damage to his knees as well as a little graze on each. To any other child, they would be back to having fun by the next day. For us it means much more. We had to visit the Dr to check his knees as they both swelled and had an odd shape. To keep from further damage he has to wear his knee braces for a week. The grazes don't heal well or quickly and easily turn nasty due to his blood issues. Wearing the braces made the sores worse so we have infection issues to deal with as well. One thing impacts another which makes another thing worse. Nothing is easy and everything feels like a drama. Then my son fell again, a few days after the initial fall. Everything is worse and the cycle starts again. People can't fathom how a simple fall and graze of the knees can turn into such a circus and prevent us from doing things for weeks. It's hard to explain without sounding like a drama queen. What's harder each time something like this happens, is dealing with my son's tears when he then misses something he was looking forward to (like an outing this weekend). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1JMa3Tw_NdEYQaxCdVi5rMYzxUt50ePL5rDobTb8L4uEx7kpYGty7yRB9hM7Nc4QJSZJBfVnG9-xTGHTFVDVM9pJxJWIYpmSIrQElSA1ViQWmSGomBth40d2CKw7NcvCdoMprfPL-x63/s1600/Chronic-Pain-Cycle1-e1399048706499.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1JMa3Tw_NdEYQaxCdVi5rMYzxUt50ePL5rDobTb8L4uEx7kpYGty7yRB9hM7Nc4QJSZJBfVnG9-xTGHTFVDVM9pJxJWIYpmSIrQElSA1ViQWmSGomBth40d2CKw7NcvCdoMprfPL-x63/s400/Chronic-Pain-Cycle1-e1399048706499.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17.5636px;">Where we live, the weather is warming up and summer is practically here already. This signals the end of our social, active and busy part of the year. It's the start of my endless apologies season which sees me have to decline most invitations to fun play events that are usually all outdoor, physical and beyond my son's capabilities. I hate each time that I have to type our reason for not coming along. I honestly never thought we'd be 'those' people who disappear for months at a time, especially since we managed to get through the Autism issues relatively ok. But that's us. And that will continue to be us for years and years to come. I just hope that as my son gets older and more mature, and the friends he makes during winter get older and more mature, that friendships survive the absence periods better. For now though, dealing with disappointment and depression seems to be a very large part of this journey we are on and one I wish would vanish. </span></div>
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</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11473277833689226247noreply@blogger.com1