MATHS
*Do odd and even Montessori activities – done.
*Do some Montessori Shape and solid activities.
*Do some basic geometry – done, eduss, geomags.
*Do some measuring and ruler work. – some discussion
These were my goals for Fran’s maths at the beginning of the year, after i’d gone through the “Yr 2” goals. They seemed to be all that was left from the list that she hadn’t already covered. We’ve really done quite a bit of maths work this year, i’m trying really had to build it into the day more and I’m pleased with how its going. We’ve done “odd and even” today and it clearly makes sense to her so that is good, the Exeter maths at Yr 2 level is not massively stretching but it is “interesting maths” i think so we both seem happy to stick going through it. As much as anything its really worth it for the reading confidence it gives her.
Something i’m noticing is that she is suddenly much more interested in manipulatives so i’m thinking of really getting back to some Montessori stuff. I think its an ideal oportunity to work with the big three together – Maddy loves that type of approach and Ammi is a smart cookie and will probably benefit a fair bit. I think i need to consider moving away from my linear approach somewhat.
The odd and even counter work went down really well and seemed to lead very naturally into some fractions and dividing – both come up fairly soon in the maths books she uses so those are my next goals. Something that she still seems remarkably oblivious to, althoguh she CAN do it, is the relationships between some numbers – like 14-4 is 10. I think some proper work with this using Base 10 would REALLY make sense.
Tables wise, this all seems to be making lots of sense – 2’s, 10’s, 5’s and 3’s are all more-or-less there so i think more “Tables Door” will be in order.
SO…
*Building numbers using Base 10.
*Simple division using 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, quarters, halves, thirds and making double, twice, half regularly used.
* Consolidate tables and work on 11’s 4’s.
*Lots more geomag work (occured to me to use these for flat tessellations too.)
*Ruler work and proper intro to cm/m.
*Montessori Geometric Shape and Solid Work
I don’t think any of those are massively taxing and i do think we could achieve them by July. Something i really like Exeter Maths for is that its helping me to use mathematical words as part of the time we spend rather than inadvertantly dumbing down. TBH, i quite like having some sort of a maths scheme and its becoming increasingly clear how paltry CGP and Letts type stuff is in terms of actually stretching anyone.
READING
Its come on so much that its hard to know what, if anything, really needs working on. If i was being picky i’d say that i think it would be worth finding a fun way of practising th- words as then, that, there etc seem to be a bit hit and miss but really its only practise now.
Several of the consonant di-graphs still give a fair bit of trouble so i really could give her a hand with those. Part of the problem there is that those sounds are a bit of a problem for her to actually pronounce so actually it would be of real benefit to work on them.
I think the real benefit is just going to be in masses of practise – we are 2 books of finishing the first Flying Boot box and ideally i’d like her to be through the second one by the beginning of July. We’ve got some Appletree Farm and some factual Jolly Phonics; i might even consider getting a few more of those. The shelves are stacked with simple readers and she really isn’t far off now. Its only confidence that she needs and i think whisking through books in a “yep, you can do it and that is the key to something new tomorrow” is of more benefit than slogging now.
So my goals for the next couple of months are:
*Alphabetical order
*Digraph practise – pronunciation and recognition.
*Tricky words as a recognition game of some sort – can probably do that with Maddy.
*First Language lessons with both.
* Getty Dubay is great, she likes it, i like it – keep doing it.
*Spelling lists book – slight slog but clearly useful.
Other stuff.
I’m starting to think a simple task timetable a la Portico would help me. I really want to move our reading into the day time and make more of it. The CM list is good and it deserves more exploration – in particular the History and Bible stuff. A rough guess on the way my days are shaping up now is that i have
Monday – time to do box work with Fran
Tuesday – time to do boxwork and set her up with another activity.
Wednesday – afternoon to work with Fran and Maddy (got student next term).
Thursday – all day, good messy, project type day.
Friday – alternately all day or half a day.
So…
Monday – something self led on a stamps maybe, geomags, cd-roms,
Tuesday – it would be good to help her explore that weeks historical character and that weeks Bible with perhaps a “Book of Centuries” page and some narration.
Wednesday – work together with Fran and Maddy (and Ammi if applicable) on some Montessori activities, then explore a topic in the afternoon like Egypt.
Thursday – crafts on a theme, some art techniques exploration, stories.
Friday – I’d really like to start doing some needlework and some “geography” by looking at different continents.
Gulp. That’ll do for a bit – i sort of want to go through maths and letter work ideas for Maddy too but i’m worn out!
