Celebrating Poetry and Writing!

Some of my students have enjoyed writing poetry,  creating Storybirds, and writing stories this month, and so I wanted to celebrate, and share some of their work. I hope you enjoy their artistic creations.  


Simon Eenkooren Grade 9:  Death

When my mind does think of death,

While some may tremble and flee,

I do not sharply intake my breath,

Nor do I crash upon my knees.

I smile at Him who gives me strength,

And to Him I gently say,

“In Your time, my Lord, my Saviour,

But come quickly for Your creation.”

T'is but a time before the Call,

When Jesus cometh for us all.

Ballad - The Wisdom of the Sages

When the world is looked at from the wisest of eyes,

There seems to be nothing but evil and demise.

The rich are fat but unsatisfied; full but barren,

And men strive for greatness, only to find the Fouler’s lies.

Nought does death care for piles of clothes,

Or knowledge, or wealth,

For death can only take the body,

Down with its shadowy stealth.

Tabitha Eenkooren Grade 9

Death

Good or bad,

Fearsome and sad

To those with no hope

In the One who has the eternal note

My love for death is sweet

For in heaven Jesus is the One I will meet.

I do not fear death—no

For my Saviour above loves me so.

Life’s Seasons

Based on Ecclesiastes 3

By Tabitha Eenkooren

Life has many seasons,

Some happy and some sad.

We don’t know of all God’s infinite reasons,

But can be comforted times will not always be bad.

Be thankful there is a time for everything.

This gives us much comfort and hope.

There is always promise of a new song to sing,

Bring forth your faith with a shout! Cherish every note.


Matthew Davies Grade 9:  The Soldier

Knee deep.
Steady sounds of fire, soulful screams, and dying gasps,
Some fall, some rise, but I cower and weep.
My soul too fragile, my heart too weak,
Bearing the scar of man's deceit.
With regret I cry, for thinking true men go to war.
Coward is me who cringes under lonesome lore.


Charge forward with rifle in hand.
Stop. Stare.
Glaring eyes at men who together stand.
As one for War and War for One!

Serena Ippel Grade 1

FOREST; A list poem by Serena, including Wordle

Squirrels scurry

Raccoons scamper

Bunnies hop

Blue birds sing

Robins twitter

Trees shake

Ferns rustle

Daffodils blossom

Blue jays fly.

MESTAURANT RENU

A Runny Babbit poem by Serena & Mommy

Sicken Chalad

Chewered Skicken

Brye Read

Leat Moaf

Sash Squoup

Somato Toup

Burkey Troth

Pocolate Chudding

Canilla Vake

Shilkmakes

Mueberry Bluffin

Tungry Hummy

Tunch Lime!

Check out Serena's blog to see her  Storybirds

Matthew Stokes Grade 1 :Peace

Peace is .....

Peace is when you've ended a war.

When it's really quiet,

When you're by yourself,

When you're kind to people.

That's peace.

  

Bekah Stokes Grade 3:  The Happy Birthday Poem

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

I know some special presents

Are coming to you!

Luke Fulton Grade 5:  Dust Mite, Who and Wherefore Art You?

I know where mustard comes from.  I know where cotton comes from.  But I don’t know where dust mites come from. And I had never really met one until recently.

My mom is always cleaning! She is really concerned, because I have an allergy to dust mites.  Only dust mites.

Where do dust mites comes from?  They seem to multiply faster than the bunnies at Ladner, Leisure Centre.  Do the dust mites live in dust?  There are probably ten million of these guys living in your mattress, but not mine.  I’m sure there are a lot less in mine now.

That’s because my mom bought me a cover for my mattress and my pillow.     My mom cleaned the walls with vinegar. She doesn’t want me to be taking more medication than I need to.  Sometimes I clean out my orifices, ( the holes in my head)  with salt water.

                        

Well, we are not supposed to be able to see these little critters, unless it’s under an electronic microscope magnified 2000- times BUT the other night I heard a little tiny voice that said “I’m over here”.

 I knew it wasn’t my brother because I don’t have a brother.  I knew it wasn’t my stuffed animals, because it wasn’t any of their voices.  So who was it?

 Surprised, I said,  “Go away!” because I had a feeling that it was a lone dust mite. These guys are my enemies.  I can’t see them, and before I had the mattress cover they would attack when I was asleep.  Had one escaped the cleaning?

When I opened my eyes….something filled my whole vision !   This gigantic bug stared at me with beady eyes!  I stared back.  He stuck his tongue out at me.  I stuck mine back at him. Was it a monster, a space alien, a scary nightmare??? Was he a she?  I was seeing a dust mite with my naked eyes.  Was this possible?

We had a good talk.  I asked his name.  He said his name was Michaelangelo.  He told me he liked living with us. I don’t really like the idea of a bug, but here is the good news. They eat saliva, skin flakes,  and sweat so they are really amazing, cleaning agents.

Finally I said, “I really don’t want bugs in my room but you seem like a nice chap….I’m going to let you stay because you are a great maid.  And thanks for doing such a good job eating my saliva, devouring my skin flakes, and drinking my sweat.  You can stay.” 
 

  Now I know a dust mite personally, and since it’s just one – I’m not sneezing.  We are good  friends, and we are living happily ever after.

 

Ali Carr-Chellman: Gaming to re-engage boys in learning | Video on TED.com

Reason to Homeschool: Listen to this if you have a son who likes video games, and finds it hard to sit still:) My son would agree with her whole heartedly. Ali Carr-Chellman: Gaming to re-engage boys in learning | Video on TED.com

Lapbooking Homeschool Adventures

Lapbooking is a favourite with many of my younger and middle grade homeschooling students.  Not only does it foster a love of independent learning, it allows younger students to be creative, learn how to cut and paste, do some active research and take pride in their artistic creations.  I prefer to use the lapbooking materials that I purchase as a base, and add some of my own questions to get students thinking more and interacting with their subject.  However, for younger students it is a welcome relief for parents to have their students engaged in something that requires multi-sensory learning, with less work for mums to think up the project requirements. 

Most of my parents use cardstock as a base for making lapbooks, and some use file folders that can be easily mailed in an A4 envelope for portfolios. These are generally large enough to be put into your lap, hence the name lap-book.   Mini-books are smaller versions of lapbooks, that can be incorporated into the larger version of lapbooks. 

If you are just starting out lapbooking then Lapbook Lessons will help you learn some creative ideas, and engage with other homeschoolers.  Homeschooling on a Shoestring will help you if you are on a budget.  Free Lapbooks requires Adobe Acrobat PDF for downloading, and make sure you read their copyright rules first:)

I think the lapbooking company that is most popular with my parents is CurrClick .  Developed by two homeschooling mums they offer easy, affordable lapbooking curriculum, on a variety of subjects.  History Through the Ages also offers some neat timelines, and lapbook activities.

To make a larger lapbook with more space for layout, watch this video on a double lapbook.

Ideas for Valentines Day:  Here is a video on making a Valentines Lapbook incorporating biblical elements and mini-books. 

You might have a student who would rather work online.  If so have them design their lapbook, or visual poster using EduGlogster. 

If you have a neat lapbooking link or would like to share your child's lapbook on my blog please feel free to send me your ideas.  I love sharing!

God Bless and Have Fun lapbooking!

Pippa

Research Skills Workshop

At our learning camp recently I presented a Powerpoint lesson on Research skills, and going beyond Google with wisdom, grace and safety.  Please feel free to read this Powerpoint and if you have any extra information pertaining to safety on the web, or good searching skills on the net I would love to collaborate with you.

Research Skills Powerpoint PDF

Inviting Communication and Participation

I have been thinking over the last while about what works in a brick and mortar school and how our school is different, in regards to student and parent participation.  Working in an online distributed learning environment is not always as conducive to interaction, bouncing off ideas, sharing, collaborating, experimenting and learning innovation.  How do we do encourage parent participation in the education of students that enhances respect, and a desire to contribute? What do teachers want in the way of professional development?  I would love to find out from you, what you would like to see happening in our school in the way of technology education, and how we as co-educators can help your students move into the 21 century?

I invite your thoughts and comments on my blog, so that we can move forward towards being good listeners;  towards a vibrant learned community, which is engaged in innovative thinking beyond textbooks and dry academia.   This of course involves technology that has value in your lives, and not technology for technology's sake.  I value relationship with you, and I pray that you will find the time to let me know how technology is impacting you and what you would like to learn as students and as a larger community?  I hope in my library, surfing time to find technology that reflects our school and our way of learning.


Blessings to you
Pippa

The Best Sites For Learning About The Protests In Egypt

If you are wanting some up to date information for your students on Egypt (with current state of revolt) go no further than: The Best Sites For Learning About The Protests In Egypt by Larry Ferlazzo

Storybird and writing!