Happy Australia Day!!!

Well today is Australia Day.

As Australians, we celebrate this day every year on the 26th of January. Australia day is a public holiday in every state and territory of Australia and commemorates the establishment of the first settlement at Port Jackson in 1788 – which is now part of Sydney in N.S.W. 

Australia day, is a day when all Australians celebrate what being Australian means to them. It is a day to focus on our country, our culture our food, family and friendships. Every Australian celebrates this occasion in their own unique way. On Australia day right around the country you will find a mixture of huge get-togethers and Australia Day events, as well as many backyard gatherings with a more intimate feel , celebrating with just family and friends.

January 26th is all about connections and community.

So were ever you are, may you enjoy your day as much as we will enjoy ours – here at home. The day is young still, but we intend to share it with family and hopefully a few friends along with our BBQ, some ‘Aussie Rock’ and a lot of laughter.

Happy Australia Day to you!

Note: Extra Info!

Want to join in an event close to home? then check this out for whats on in your area – Australia Day Events

Interested in learning more about the history of Australia Day? then why not check this outCelebrating Australia: A History of Australia Day

Looking for something for your children to enjoy related to Australia day? Then check these out – Australia Day Activity Sheets for Kids and more Activities plus these drawings to colour in!

Need something educational?TRUE BLUE? ON BEING AUSTRALIAN Teaching and learning activities

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Weekly Update – 22/1/12

In my life this week…

I have continued to Visit the Doctor. Finally they have things under control, even though they are still not sure why I have the issues I have or what is causing them. The idea is now to see how the medication works for me and what happens when they ween me off it in around another three weeks time. Hopefully it will have fixed the issues….

In our homeschool this week…

The girls have worked hard on their English and Maths. Nik has worked well with the letter ‘W’ again this week. She has also put a lot of effort into learning to read, write and spell her spelling words. She was very pleased to be able to read the words out to Tata at our last family meeting.

Phinee has been working hard on her times tables. It seems that repetitive writing of the times tables is helping her to remember them easier. Which is great news. She has also been doing great with her spelling words. We did have to talk through the old - ‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’ rule, but otherwise she got almost full marks for all the other words we gave her (45 in total) for the week.

The girls did dome chalk dust drawings for Art. They had to make their own chalk dust and then use it to create a universe. They also started learning about Picasso. They found his art works quick dramatically different, depending on what time frame they were created as well as downright strange at times. Our work on Picasso will continue over the next few weeks.

Both girls enjoyed being able to share their work with Tata this week during our Family meeting. They showed off their art work and literacy and numeracy work amongst other things to Tata who was ‘most impressed’.

We also enjoyed no Electricity day. It did not turn out quite as Planned as We had commitments that took us out of home, so we did use Electricity when outside the home. However once we returned we successfully did not use any electricity. – We are now looking forward to our next No Electricity Day, and intend to stay home for all of it, to really make a difference and impact on our learning.

Places we have been and people we have seen…Phinee attended another SMC Youth Group excursion. This time she went to Tolosa Park in Glenorchy to learn how to draw with a cartoonist and also to the Glenorchy pool for the afternoon.She thoroughly enjoyed this.

We also visited our friends in Austins Ferry again this week, which was a lot of fun, otherwise we just spent time at home with each other and the animals.

My favorite thing this week was…

Our Family meeting. It was very productive, informative but most of all engaging and fun!

Things I’m working on…

The next edition of Glimpse – a FREE Online homeschooling newsletter – which is due out in February.

I’m reading…

Unfortunately i have not had time this week to read anything, maybe better luck next week. However as a family we are reading ‘The Golden Goblet’ as part of our ‘World History’

My Favourite Photo(s) this week is… (again too hard to choose just one!)

A great website worth mentioning is…

Art Attack – The website – also a TV Show. Great value for quick, easy ideas!

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Learn to read – FREE 1 year Membership – save $99

I just signed up for this so know that it works...1 yr FREE membership – usual value $99 value – FREE with code: learntoread. A great way to get kids interested in reading or help those who are struggling. And as it is FREE for a 12 month membership, what have you got to loose? Just remember to put the code in first…

Animated books for children, story songs, sing-along songs, educational games, puzzles, poetry and activities that help teach kids to read. There are books in English and Spanish books for ESL children, learning English as a second language and books for kids with special needs.

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Choices

The choices we make as a family are those that benefit us as a family. They rise up from the discussions we have as a family,  to form the basis of our lifestyle and the way we wish to live. They are ours alone, just as the consequences are…

We acknowledge this and are not only prepared to live with the choices we make, but also the consequences of these choices. We do not expect anyone to fund these choices, clean up when things don’t turn out as we planned, or join in celebration when our expectations are exceeded. For these are our choices, they involve us as a family and are for us to celebrate, cry over and pay for..

The choices that we make provide us with opportunities that we feel are important to us. They give us control over our own destiny and lives.

After all the definition of choice is An act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.

So as you travel through your journey in life, may you find strength in your own choices, support from your family and hopefully some of your like minded friends. For power is given to those who not only make their own informed choices, but allow others to do the same.

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