Back in the Classroom – Helping with Homework

2014-04-26 | puppy1952

All the holidays play havoc with normal routine but we had no interruptions these past four days and so I can report that we have had a pretty good week. At this time of the year Grade Ones really start taking off. The settling in process is over and they become big Grade One Girls ready to take on any challenge.

Parents often ask how to help their girls at home. The secret is not to make an issue of homework. Do a little every day. Follow the routine set out on the homework sheet sent home each week and go at your child’s pace.
We have recently issued each child with a set of alphabet cards. At school we work with them in many ways – naming the graphemes, repeating the phonemes and building three letter words. At home you can help your child at her level.

Start by getting her to get to set the tiles out in alphabetical order. She can then rap the alphabet as she has been taught in class. Then randomly ask her to name the graphemes. She may be able to rap in order but when asked to point to m or o or q she may still be hesitant. Ask her to point to graphemes as you name them for her. See if she also knows the phoneme (sound) of each of the letters too. When you are sure she can do that ask her give the name and sound of the letter as you point to them.

The next step is to help her to ‘hear’ initial, final and medial sounds in three letter words. Say a word like mat – ask her what she hears at the beginning. You could also give her three words – mat man and rat and ask which one has a different beginning sound. Start with sounds that are continuous – s, m, n, r, f, l, v, z . Once she can do those easily go onto other letters. When she is able to do initial sounds go on to listening for final sounds before trying to get her to listen for medial sounds. Most of the girls can already do this but if your child can’t this is the way in which to help her.

The third step is decoding and encoding. Decoding means sounding out the word to work out what it says. Encoding means putting the sounds together to spell the word. Use the alphabet tiles to build three letter words and see if your child can sound them out before asking her to build a word that you give her. Have fun with these tiles. Make a word e.g. cat change one letter to make a new word. e.g. cat to rat. Keep changing one letter and have her sound out the word each time to get what it is. If she’s good at this let her choose which letter to change to make a new word.

Daily reading of the ‘box’ book sent home – a new one is issued twice weekly – is essential. Also use the little printed booklets – Two Little Birds and Bake a Cake – some children will soon be receiving Paws and Claws. All the reading words are in these books and there are stories to read too.

The Counting Booklet has everything in it to help your child build number concepts. Practising the exercises really helps your child to stay on top of her Mathematical game.

We have been discussing our families in class and have made a booklet all about the people in our houses. We drew our siblings and our parents and wrote sentences about what we like doing together.

Some of the things they wrote – I like to bake with Mom, I like to shop with Mom. I like to drive to ‘accidents’ with Dad. (Her dad has a break-down truck) I like to fight with my brother! I like to ride bikes with my sister. I like to watch TV with Dad. I like to swim with Dad. I like work in the garden with Dad. I like to talk to Mom.

After the break we will be making our Family Trees. I am sure you are all having fun gathering the bits and pieces necessary for this. May you all have a fabulous break with your kids. See you soon!

Struisbaai-Five Fab Friends and Two Old Toppies Easter Sunday

2014-04-20 | puppy1952

Were the boys too old for an Easter Egg Hunt?! Never! The ancient Bunny got up to hide the eggs and then set about making breakfast. I roused the boys (it was after 8) and they were soon having fun finding their treats – just a token – there are more to be had when they get home. There was great hilarity and teasing when Jay was the last to find his bunny!
I was lucky that the Bunny did not forget me either!

After another wonderful ‘Early’ breakfast we packed a picnic lunch and set off for a Brandfontein. The weather was slightly overcast but still windless. We handed out binoculars to the lads and tried to engage them in a bit of bird watching. Unfortunately the birds were away for the long weekend and those who remained were not that photogenic. The proteas were beautiful and we saw flamingos on the salt pans.

There were a few fishermen at the beach and it is an area known for perlemoen poaching. The latter is done quite blatantly and few arrests are ever made. I did not feel happy leaving the car full of binoculars, phones and iPads so I volunteered to stay behind while Grandpa and the boys went adventuring. Anyway that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. I had a wonderful couple of hours alone with my book:-) I did wander down the beach to get a bit of fresh air and was a tad worried when they were away so long but just as I was about to call a search party they reappeared full of the fun they’d had on the dunes and very hungry. The left over fish, rolls, chips and Easter eggs were gone in minutes!

Struisbaai – Five Fab Friends and Two Old Toppies – Day 3

2014-04-19 | puppy1952

So this morning we decided to Google where the closest licensing authority would be and were relieved to find that it was right here in Struisbaai as they have a Post Office Agent just up the street! This saved us a trip to Bredasdorp and by 8 am the lads were off to sea.

This left me with an entire morning to myself. It was a perfect day – warm and windless so I decided to go to Agulhas. Everybody was out enjoying the sunshine. The weather was perfect for jogging, cycling, walking the dogs and strolling on the beach. The Coastline is different to Struisbaai – no white beach but instead rugged rocks and a pebbled shore.
I stopped along the way to soak up some rays and take some photographs. The scene was tranquil and gave one a real feel of contentment.

In the shadow of the Lighthouse is Potpourri, a favourite haunt of mine. I seldom visit this area without popping in to browse around this gift/novelty/coffee shop. The owners have also just started a B&B opposite and I imagine it would be a great place to stay. It is called Potpourri Stay.
I spent a bit of money then sat down to have a health breakfast and their excellent coffee.

After chilling there for a while I returned to the house and then took a very long walk along the longest beach in South Africa. What I love about this place is that the beach even during peak season is never really crowded. It is an idyllic place to be. I started at the harbour and then took the board walk to the beach. It was low tide and I walked calf deep in the water which was pleasantly warm. There was quite a bit of activity – families playing, dogs being walked, surfing, swimming and some power boating and jet-skiing.

When I returned to the house I cleaned up a little then relaxed with my book until the chaps returned at around 3ish.
Their day was a great success and they all caught fish some of which they had to throw back as they were protected species. I was cross with my husband as he had set the camera to video and didn’t take a single photograph. For some reason my blog is refusing to accept this video format but if you go to my Facebook Page you can see a video of Devon catching his fish.
The boys were in good spirits on their return even though Jordan had been quite sea-sick! After all the boat cleaning and fish scaling they showered and Earl cooked his famous fried fish which went down a treat.

Struisbaai – Five Fab Friends and Two old Toppies day 2

2014-04-18 | puppy1952

Would you believe that after reminding everyone to get their fishing licenses, Grandpa completely forgot to update his own grandsons’. You see Jay has not participated in a competition this year and we were under the impression that his license was still valid. Josh fished quite recently but his was also out of date! Oh dear! So this morning there was a bit of wind from the north west so Grandpa decided not to go to sea. We couldn’t get the licenses today as it is Good Friday and the Post Office is closed so early tomorrow we will go to Bredasdorp and rectify the situation.
The boys therefore got to sleep in and were only called for a late “Early” breakfast at around 9ish. I don’t know how many of them realised that their scrambled eggs were laced with lamb’s kidneys. They ate every scrap and I was kept busy keeping the extra toast coming.

After Jay mowed the lawn and much discussion of how the day should proceed the lads disappeared saying that they were going to the dunes. They were gone for the rest of the day. We didn’t see them till 5 p.m. The report back was – we had an awesome time on the dunes. We made tunnels and crept through them and it was amazing. Then we went to the harbour and saw the rad seal before coming back to the house.
Earl and I spent a quiet day at the house. Earl did some chores and I worked on school stuff. Then we went to look for the boys but couldn’t find them. Struisbaai at Easter time is hugely busy and the weather is stunning so there were lots of people about. We saw the seal and I took some photographs. One idiot thought it was clever to pat him – he is lucky he didn’t have his hand bitten off. I wish people would realise that in spite of some creatures being easily adapted to humans they are wild and have to be treated with due respect. If this man had been bitten, the seal would have been in danger of being put down – so unfair when the human was intruding on his territory.

On weekends Struisbaai has a small market on the public open space opposite the shopping centre. Here you will find braai wood, fresh fruit and vegetables, bottled preserves and even art. There is always a small caravan that advertises Rooste Koek and I have often wondered exactly what this is. Today while Earl went into OK Grocer I went to ask the tannie who was updating her chalk board. She did more than explain – she gave me two rooste koeks free of charge and said, Come and buy some more tomorrow. Wow. Well when Earl came out of the shop we asked for 5 more that we could serve to our 5 boys with their steaks. What they are is similar to Pitta Bread. Well we were given 6 more for R40 – not bad! We did indeed serve them to our boys tonight.

Struisbaai – Five Fab Friends and Two Old Toppies Day 1

2014-04-18 | puppy1952

Grandpa and Granny are spending Easter in Struisbaai with Five Teenaged Boys! Our two grandsons have invited three friends to join them at our holiday house for a weekend of sun, fun and fishing.

Grandpa who is now retired (at last!) left early on Friday morning with all the luggage which included bicycles and fishing tackle while the rest of us had to endure a day of school. There was great excitement when we finally go into the Caravel just after half past three. Maundy Thursday is not the best time to travel I know but with Grandpa getting supper ready it would be worth the long drive. I thought I’d make it all the way in daylight but the sun was gone by 6:30 so the last leg was done in the dark. The worst of the traffic was through Somerset West and then Elgin/Grabouw. After that it was free flowing

The boys tuned the seats around to face each other and there was lovely fun vibe in the car. I think they forgot that I could hear every word of the conversation and now find myself quite informed about internet gaming with Russian opponents! And here I believed that my innocent grandsons never gamed online!

Towards the end a game of I spy, teenage style, took place as they thought up the most obscure words for the others to guess, then mocked each other about the bizarre way in which their minds worked.

Grandpa was waiting patiently and indeed had a superb braai ready for us. After the boys tucked away a good amount of food they could not resist going down to the harbour to see the rays and seal. They returned a little later with lots of photographs but the seal and rays had gone to bed.

Back in the classroom – Another busy week

2014-04-17 | puppy1952

Well it was the second week back at school for the second term. It has been a pretty ‘normal’ week although of course only a four-day one as Easter is now upon us. But I made the most of it and felt really great that I had managed to get to teach properly in small groups more than is usually possible with all the amazing things that happen at my school. I love teaching here but being of the old school I sometimes panic that I am not getting enough of the basics into my little geniuses.
Teaching small girls is the best thing I have ever done in my whole career. What happens to my kids is extremely important to me. My whole purpose in life is to see that they learn to their best of their ability, that they reach their full potential and that they are happy at school.
For the outsider looking in Grade One might seem to be the easiest grade. But in fact this is not so. We all take writing for granted. We do it automatically. We don’t give a second thought as to how to form a letter or how to spell a word. For a First Grader this is a major chore. There are 26 letters in the alphabet and each letter has a special way of being formed. Omigosh which way does the b go and what about the d. They look almost the same but have to be formed so differently. My teacher nags me about pencil grip, sitting on the line, beginning in the correct place. So much to remember so much energy required. cat has to be written just so and tac just doesn’t cut it. Now this crazy teacher is having me pack out letters to form three letter words and when I get dog perfectly correct she tells me its the wrong way round. god she tells me is God not dog. Oops!
Then there’s counting well as a Grade one I can count perfectly by rote to 100 but now my teacher is telling me to point to 12 and 20 on a number chart. Oh crikes which is which. What is the difference between thirteen and thirty. It takes a lot to work this out you know. But she gives me little tricks to work it out – I just have to remember what they are! No, Grade One is not easy and teaching it requires special understanding too.
At our school other teachers get to teach our little ones too. They all confess that the younger grades are the most challenging and I find myself reluctant to let them out of my sight for fear that any other teacher just won’t understand them the way I do. Silly, I know because they always love having a change and learn so well from other teachers too!
This week we have made so much progress with our Reading writing and Mathematics. We have started building three letter words with our alphabet tiles too.
The weather has been amazing too – lovely, still, sunny days. But we are preparing for a change to winter clothes after the Easter Weekend which always heralds Winter!

Back in the Classroom – The Second Term Begins

2014-04-11 | puppy1952

Our whistle stop trip to KZN became a beautiful memory as I hit the ground running straight into the new term. Returning to a classful of eager faces is always rewarding and after listening to all the holiday stories and catching up with all the lost teeth, and outings to Ratanga Junction, the circus and the beach we settled down into our ‘normal’ routine.

The first term is the hardest in Grade One as everything is so very new. Each term becomes easier although the pace of learning increases. The rewards of teaching fresh, new learners is great. I get to watch them grasp new Mathematical concepts with awe and wonder. I experience a special kind of thrill when I see them catch on to how a word can be decoded by using those funny phonemes the teacher has been drilling into them. Even in the first week of term their progress is impressive.

Isn’t it amazing how easy it is to get little ones to do just what you want them to do? Sometimes I wonder what goes through their heads. Is my teacher crazy asking me to do these funny finger exercises? Oh well, that’s what she wants we’ll go ahead and do it! It seems to make her happy. What do you mean sound out this word? Isn’t it a sound already? Hey – this is magic – I can read!

I was feeling very pleased with myself when one of my bright sparks read beautifully to me the other day. “Who taught you to read like that?” I asked. Without a missing a beat she replied “I taught myself!”

No credit to the teacher. No credit to the parents. Because children ‘catch’ reading and no matter how good a teacher you are that child will not learn to read until he is ready to ‘catch’ it. That’s why they believe they teach themselves. So parents, expose your child to the written word. Read to her and read with her. Let her catch this amazing thing called Literacy!

Eye exercises

Concentrating of on focussing those eyes

Een twee drie vier vyf, Vingertjies staan styf

Pointer, Middle, Ring, Baby

Watch the thumb to train the eye

Look at our sentences

May we read ours please?

Come on this is so easy

Now we can even write them by ourselves

It’s a lot of fun

We are working hard at this

Autumn Break – Wattle Crane Cottage

2014-04-05 | puppy1952

On Thursday morning my darling granddaughter was on cue with steaming cups of coffee for grandpa and me She is an ace coffee maker and I am threatening to take her home with me as her counterpart cousins don’t score highly on the coffee making front. This was the day we were to depart for the mountains – not far away but a four by four vehicle is highly recommended to get there. Our destination – Wattle Crane Cottage owned by the Raw Family who are cattle farmers and let out their rustic cottage next to the highest farm dam in South Africa. The scenery on the way is spectacular.

Allan would join us later as he had first to attend a business meeting in Kokstad. We set off for town to replenish our provisions and then it was an hour’s drive to Wattle Crane Cottage. The weather was sunny but in the mountains it is always chilly.
After checking in at Sailor’s Gift we negotiated rough roads to a nearby neighbour whou had offered to lend Earl a boat with a motor. The old man is finding oars a bit strenuous these days!

Shannon was an excellent gate opener and before long we arrived, unpacked and Gramps was out on the dam. He returned with a lovely rainbow which had Simon all excited and demanding to be taken out. Although Grampy was cold and tired he could not resist the pleas of his youngest grandchild and off they went. Si is just learning to cast a fly rod but is getting the hang of it. He was well rewarded with a catch which he released.

Allan arrived before dark but was upset as he’d damaged his sump on the rough road – really they are not the best for ordinary sedan cars. We were lucky enough to get Nicoline’s bakkie for the trip.
It was too cold to stand in the chill to braai so we grilled our chicken wings, pork rashers and chops in the oven and did our sweet potatoes in the micro. All accompanied by a lovely salad – scrumptious.
On Friday morning, Grandpa for the first time in history did not get up early to take the boy fishing. Instead, Allan obliged but not as early as his dad-in-law expected! No problem they were still successful – Alan with 3 and Simon with 4.

They returned for breakfast cooked by the Master Chef and then Lauren took Allan back to Kokstad for a meeting.
Earl and I and the grandchildren took a long walk, saw cows and birds but no Oribi which had been our mission. Gramps was feeling a bit tired so we stopped to rest and admire the view.

This is where Lauren found us as she led the flat bed truck which was coming to collect Allan’s ailing car. We all piled in and the watched the process of getting car onto truck – very exciting for one particular small boy!
While this procedure was underway the cows decided to take advantage of the open gate and trespassed into greener pastures. My rural grandchildren rose to the occasion and chased them back to where they belonged.
After bidding the car goodbye we went in for a much needed cup of hot coffee and biscuit. The kids persuaded us to have a game of 30 seconds which had us in fits of laughter then Gramps decided it was time for a nap.

Simon went onto the jetty to practise his casting. After 20 minutes we heard yells – I’ve caught a fish Shan ran out with the net and I woke Grandpa and grabbed the camera. He had a beautiful rainbow caught all by himself – and right in front of the cottage to boot.

After lunch we played another game of 30 seconds then Grandpa went out on the boat and I went for a long walk. I saw some interesting birds.

African Pipit

Egyptian Goose

Dabchick

Reed Cormorant

Male Amur Falcon

Non-breeding Yellow Bishop

Female stonechat

Black-winged Lapwing

Before supper we were prevailed upon to play another game of 30 seconds which had us once again in fits of laughter as we tried to get our partners to guess the right word.

Earl braaied before it got dark and the chill set in. He captured a lovely sunset.

This morning it was very misty and cold. The guys did not go fishing although the sun did come out later. Look at the mist hovering above the surface of the water.

After a leisurely Early breakfast we packed up and hit the road back down to civilization. Shannon spotted a pair of reed buck on the hill.

The Cosmos is still in full bloom and makes the roadsides look so pretty. I could not end this post without showing it to you with Mount Fifty in the background.

Autumn Break – Last days at Sani Valley Lodge

2014-04-02 | puppy1952

When Earl went Reception, he chatted to the manager outside, told him he wanted to book a massage for the two of us and before Gareth could go in to organize it Sindile came out to say it was all sorted for 3 pm. She’d overheard the request and got right onto it. How’s that for service. We had a thunderstorm at 3 o’clock but it had passed by the time Earl’s massage was over so he was able to get his afternoon fishing in. The masseuse came to us and set up in our bedroom. It was bliss!
This is what the lake looks like in a thunderstorm.

While the chaps were fishing I saw Wendy on a walk and went to meet her. We walked back to our lodge together, sat on the deck and drank in the amazing view while sipping an excellent Sauvignon Blanc.
Below: It was easy to recognize Wendy by her beautiful white hair.

The light kept changing making photography interesting.

Spot the zebra on the hillside.

Two crowned crane flew in and settled down for a drink.

It was dark when Simon and Earl returned. E drove Wendy back to her friends who by now had wondered what had become of her.
Simon was a happy lad as he had caught the only fish of the day – a 2kg Rainbow Trout!
Hereunder – Simon on the boat

Eric in his element

Simon with his catch

Lauren, Allan and Shan were out visiting their friends Mitzi and Peter while the supper was roasting in the over. We sat down to eat and after a brilliant day it was early to bed! Thanks for a delicious dinner, Lauren!

This morning, Eric was already at the door when Earl was about to fetch him at his lodge. They spent another lovely couple of hours on the water and then returned so that we could pack, have breakfast and leave by check out time at 10. Mitzi and Jordan popped in to say goodbye and later Eric and Wendy before they took a trip up Sani Pass. They will be leaving for Clarens tomorrow.
Below are some last minute pictures we took of this beautiful and highly recommended venue. Remember the name – Sani Valley Lodge near Underberg in KwaZulu Natal

Image

Sani Valley Lodge Day 1 and 2

We were woken at some unearthly hour with steaming cups of coffee and instructions that there was lots to do so we’d better get up. Really – we’re on holiday! But wait today was the day we were to go to the most beautiful trout lodge in the country – Sani Valley at the foot of the Drakensberg.
So with the kids in the back, a shopping list for supplies and instructions to meet the parents at The Lemon Tree at 12:30 sharp we set off for Underberg at quarter to 10. The drive from Kokstad to said destination is utterly stunning and we were blessed with the most glorious weather. Let the photos do the talking!

Cape Town has a beauty of its own but when we don’t feel that we are truly in African until we cross the border of the Western Cape and the further north we go the more African it becomes.
Underberg has the true African feel about it. We stopped her to make our obligatory visit to NUD’s Sports Shop to stock up with fishing tackle. Simon also scored a new fishing rod and a soccer ball. Shan we’ll make it up to you soon!

Next we did the grocery shopping at the local Spar before meeting the parents at the appointed time. The Lemon Tree has a patio section under a tree where we sat to enjoy our lunch – Spinach and Feta pancake for me, Eggs Benedict for Allan, Smoked Trout for Earl, Mega Hamburger for Lauren and toasted sandwiches for the kids.

The last stretch to the lodge is quick but we took it slowly so as to get a coupe of bird photies. The parents went ahead and checked us in.

As soon as we arrived Earl had to get down to see his boat and throw in a line.

As fete would have it our friends from Australia landed up being booked at Sani on the same dates as ours! They arrived at 4 after a long drive from Hogsback. We arranged for them to have a braai with us and a fabulous time was had by all as the weather was perfect.

This morning I was in a deep doze when the sound of voices woke me. It was before 7 a.m. but Nicoline and Sean had made an early start from Kokstad and were ready to rouse Allan and Earl to go fishing!
While they were out on the lake with the Simon and Scott (in stages) Nicoline, Lauren and I took a walk. We found Eric and Wendy at the Boathouse having a luxuriously catered breakfast. The day was brilliant again. In fact my early rising enabled me to get a good sunrise shot.

What a view for breakfast

Looking toward the Boathouse

We continued our walk and I took photos of Sunset where they are staying. It has a view over a smaller dam that joins onto the larger one.

Here are some photos of the guys on the water.

Our lodge – Rainbow

Lauren and Nicoline greeted a friendly cow.

When the guys were back from fishing we enjoyed an Early Breakfast and then more fishing, chilling and chatting. The Bakers then took their leave at lunchtime and it now looks like we may get a thunderstorm. On the other hand it could clear and the sun might shine again soon. That’s all for now as I have managed to get online at reception – no wifi or MTN coms in the lodges!