Outdoor learning with Zech - part of K2 homeschool

Science has always intrigued most boys. As a little girl, I was never into Science though I remember catching so many earthworms with my friends I could put them in an empty chalk box. I hate insects but even as a teacher in the past, I'd keep mealworms and caterpillars in the classroom just so that my pupils can learn first-hand about their life cycle.

As a mother of 2 boys now, sometimes I'm rather amazed at myself. I never like to be under the sun. However, I could spend the hottest part of the day at the Botanic Gardens with Zech searching for worms and snails. It was so hot these little creatures would much rather hide under the soil than come out looking for food.

I didn't give up. We went back to the same place on a Saturday and had the most fruitful time ever. We spotted a snail and some millipedes in a pile of leaf litter and later found an earthworm in our pile of leaf litter sample. All these in a matter of an hour!

The boys examining some sample of the leaf litter and discovering what it's made of. Love the outdoor learning!

 



 

 

We saw a monitor lizard rummaging for food. To Zech, this is no longer a novelty I guess. He has seen it several times. Isn't he fortunate? I have never had this kind of experience as a kid.



 

 

Recently, Zech was introduced to the topic of plants. We started with learning about flowers.

These are the Usborne Science books which came together with MFW.

Taking apart a rose, as recommended in the Science book, is the best way to learn about the petals, sepals, stamens and pistil!

Coincidentally, my mini rose plant started budding. We started observing its growth every day.

 

 

Aren't they pretty?

One of the activities recommended in the teacher manual - examining beans. It's just so wonderful to be learning together with your child. I've never seen how the inside of a bean is like. Zech had a good time peeling off the outer coat of the beans.

The boys had their first gardening experience.

Taking turns to scoop the soil into a pot.

All ready! Hopefully we will see it sprouting soon.

 

The world outside is so alive and yet in our busy life, this simple fact passes us by. We've been talking more about plants and flowers in our conversations recently. There are so many common flowers in Singapore and I find myself really lacking in this field of knowledge. Except for bougainvillea, frangipani and hibiscus, I recognise nothing else. But in our world of technology, we can easily find out more about the wonders of God's world. Science has never been more interesting for a SAHM.



K2 - 1st week of homeschool

We have completed the kindergarten curriculum for MFW last year. Now we are moving on to first grade! Seems fast but looking through the contents for MFW first grade, I noticed a lot of it can be used for K2. There are some challenging ones in the later part of the units, which I'll probably skip or do next year. Compared to last year, there's definitely a lot more writing this year.

We started the week slow and easy on revision and introducing new subjects such as Science and Art. Zech loves the Science textbooks and wanted me to read all to him. The exploring outdoors part is even more exciting for him and that's done on Fridays.

It's the last year of homeschool for Zech before he goes to Primary One next year. I want to treasure the time we spend together learning, having fun and overcoming challenges. It doesn't matter if the contents of the material are difficult or easy. It matters if my child has no character with a shallow spiritual foundation.

Really glad that this set of curriculum came with a devotional book.

A verse from Proverbs accompanies each unit. I like that as Proverbs really contains much wisdom which helps to inculcate good character traits.

Some highlights of the week...

Zech enjoying free play with the unifix cubes and pattern blocks.

 



There's a recommended Art book in this set of curriculum but I didn't buy. Decided to plan the lessons myself with a focus on drawing and painting. For a start this week, we learned about Van Gogh, my favourite artist. This beautiful board book came in a set of 4.

Even my little one is fascinated with the pictures. Using our new ipad, we watched a video showcasing Van Gogh's paintings.

Here's Zech listening intently to the sounds Mummy gave and identifying the word.

Blending was hard for Zech when he just turned 4. After a few months, he could do it. Initially, I thought this practice, where he had to first listen to the sounds separately before identifying the word, is difficult for him but I'm so glad he caught on after a while.

A game I made up for Zech to learn the concept of more/less than.

Pasted numbers from 1 to 12 on the floor. Mummy would ask questions such as 'What is 1 more/less than 9?'. The little brother looked on, waiting patiently for his turn, as Zech the frog hopped on to the number then jumped either forward (more) or backward (less) before announcing his answer to my question. This is an effective way to learn rather than doing drills with worksheets.

Continued working on more/less than concept the next day with a simple game using the 100 chart. Zech used the token to move to the number and either add 1 more or subtract 1 less by moving his token forward or backward.

The week ended with outdoor learning at the Botanic Gardens. The super highlight of the week!

Digging the soil with a twig to look for insects.            Ant nest spotted!

 

We picked up a flower, leaf and small rock from the ground, threw them into the air two by two to see how the wind would affect them. Zech found out that the small rock dropped onto the ground first as compared to the leaf and the flower. He concluded the small rock was the heaviest, which caused it to fall onto the ground faster than the leaf and flower. After that, I wasn't sure why but he became really ecstatic and kept on throwing the small rock into the air again and again. And since we are out, I let him play for a while.

We had our lunch in one of the pavilions and read two books about worms and snails. Then we talked about what reflection is, which was mentioned in the book, 'Wiggle and Waggle'. Zech requested to see his own reflection so we went down to the lake.

Finally it was time to go home. Here's a tired and sweaty but happy Zech.

During this first week of school, I discovered there were certain components that Zech does not really enjoy. I had a hard time with him just doing those stuff. I found out later my child does not like mundane work so I need to work on finding alternative ways to do mundane work creatively. That's a challenge to me and next week, hopefully, will be a better one than the first.

A short getway in a historic and charming little town

Malacca is a place we've been to several times over the years but we have never really done the touristy stuff. Now the kids are older, we thought it would be nice and educational to take them on a heritage trail, tracing the footsteps of the Portuguese, the Dutch and the Peranakans.

First, look at our hotel room! The Pines...

Newly opened in June 2015.

The kids had a dip in the pool too.

The view of the Malacca River from our room.

Zech's fav past time was looking out from the glass window. That happened to be my fav past time too in the night when the kids are asleep. The river cruise operates till midnight on weekends!

On our first day, we decided to check out the Portuguese Settlement. It's touristy but lovely place to be.

The kids love climbing onto the cannon! Had a hard time getting them to pose.

It was low tide. Here's Zech waiting for the tide to come in. Spotted many mudskippers.

Had dinner at stall number 10, which was recommended on a blog.

Portuguese baked fish. Yum!

See the drink? That's mango juice with a big plum below. Addictive!

When night falls, dinner was accompanied by mini fireworks, 孔明灯 and Christmas carolling with a Santa Claus going around to take pics with the diners. And of course not forgetting our kids who get to play with pop pop. Even Nathanael.

We took a stroll down the lane where the Portuguese is staying. Seems like it has become an attraction over the years. The Christmas décor reminded me so much of Australia. The houses were all prettily decorated with lights and Christmas ornaments. It has an evangelistic feel to it.

Early next morn, we climbed up St Paul's Hill. Easy climb with the kids. Exploring the ruins of St Paul's Church and climbing up the ladder were simple pleasures for the kids.

Here's Nathanael in his post-tantrum look, still refusing to look at the camera.

In the most touristy part of Malacca, The Dutch Square.

 

On a ride with the friendly trishaw man. Paid 20 ringgit for about 10 min ride.

More cannons nearby.

Learning about the Peranakans as we walk down the narrow alleyways at Jonker Street.

This was taken in a shophouse.

 Playing with an antique iron.

Guess what this is? A high chair for babies!

Many shophouses are now converted to quaint cafes or shops. Very surprised to see a number of unique and charming cafes sprouting up all over Jonker Street. Love love love them but can't go café hopping. :( Not with the kids. However, we went to one for lunch and that was awesome! Check out The Baboon house at http://www.malacca.ws/dining/the-baboon-house.htm#. Even the kids enjoyed dining there. Zech loves the burger (and he's not a burger lover) and just walking to the end of the café for the toilet was such a rare treat to the senses.

Another place worth visiting is the Maritime Museum.

On the replica of a Portuguese ship.

 

Here, the kids can touch and explore and no one stops them. :)

 

Just before we headed back to Singapore, we bought the Nadeje crepe at Mahkota Parade. Long queue but worth waiting. Had them as pre-dinner snacks last night and for my breakfast this morn.