Friday, March 2, 2012
Friday, September 24, 2010
End of Term 3 epidemic
On the second last week of term, a mystery virus hit 50-60% of the infants population at FJT. When the assembly and playground looked half full it was because many were away sick. Abigail reported her class of 26 had 13, then 11, then 9 kids in attendance.
After discussing this with other parents it seems these epidemics sweep schools from time to time. St Pats last year had typically 3/30 kids in one class, Kinta this term had 10/30 in attendance. Stay home until well/not infectious!
After discussing this with other parents it seems these epidemics sweep schools from time to time. St Pats last year had typically 3/30 kids in one class, Kinta this term had 10/30 in attendance. Stay home until well/not infectious!
The Tooth The Whole Tooth and nothing but the tooth
The infants musical involved all kids from K-2. Every Thursday there would be dancing lessons at school, where they would learn the steps to their class dance for this musical. Only halfway through the term were kids/parents told this would be part of a musical. Parents were all incredulous that kids this young and not particularly skilled at musicals could pull it off. All credit to the kids and their teachers. It was a wonderful performance in St Scholastica's school hall, with 2 rehearsals there beforehand.
What excitement. Abigail was a fairy, wearing her performance tutu and tiara from last year's ballet concert. Kindy boys were Sleepy Boys in their PJs. Lovely dancing, smartly choreographed so each line of kids gota turn at being at the front of the stage. Many photographers. Serendipitously we were late and sat at the back row where we could stand and get a good view of the stage. Abigail was so excited at performing, she didn't wind down until 10pm! Performance from 7:15pm - 8pm. Luckily there had been a nap after school for both sisters.
What excitement. Abigail was a fairy, wearing her performance tutu and tiara from last year's ballet concert. Kindy boys were Sleepy Boys in their PJs. Lovely dancing, smartly choreographed so each line of kids gota turn at being at the front of the stage. Many photographers. Serendipitously we were late and sat at the back row where we could stand and get a good view of the stage. Abigail was so excited at performing, she didn't wind down until 10pm! Performance from 7:15pm - 8pm. Luckily there had been a nap after school for both sisters.
Map reading
One day we had to use the street directory to get to Heather's party and home again. Abigail had already been very interested in the world atlas at home, and now she was shown where the park was, the beach and our walking path from picnic area to the car.
Then Abigail kept studying the directory on her lap as the car started moving. She asked Chris to show her where we were going, and managed to follow the car's progress from yellow to brown to black roads, all the way from Abbotsford to Lilyfield. Her parents tried to tell her a few times our updated progress, but sometimes she was already pointing to the spot on the map.
Then Abigail kept studying the directory on her lap as the car started moving. She asked Chris to show her where we were going, and managed to follow the car's progress from yellow to brown to black roads, all the way from Abbotsford to Lilyfield. Her parents tried to tell her a few times our updated progress, but sometimes she was already pointing to the spot on the map.
Big Sisterly Acts
One night after lights out, Abigail came out of the bedroom to her parents in the kitchen. "Pascale's wheezing", she said. And indeed her sister was. Despite their conflicts Abigail still has a sense of caring responsibility.
Then after many pleads from their mother to turn off the computer and come to dinner, Abigail would comply leaving Pascale still playing ABC Playground games or such. Abigail would ask Pascale in an exasperated voice to turn off and come, then she would press the "off" button on the CPU when Pascale ignored her. She has seen Priscilla turn off the room lights to persuade the kids to leave their activity, but her parents explained that computers don't like being turned off without leaving the program/game first. Abigail is trying to act responsibly.
Then after many pleads from their mother to turn off the computer and come to dinner, Abigail would comply leaving Pascale still playing ABC Playground games or such. Abigail would ask Pascale in an exasperated voice to turn off and come, then she would press the "off" button on the CPU when Pascale ignored her. She has seen Priscilla turn off the room lights to persuade the kids to leave their activity, but her parents explained that computers don't like being turned off without leaving the program/game first. Abigail is trying to act responsibly.
Book Week dress up parade
As one of the many dress up opportunities at FJT, the children were asked to be a character from one of the many books on the short list for a Book council award. Parents rushed into book shops trying to see what these books were like, planning their kids' outfits. Abigail wanted to be Fearless the bulldog (Fearless by Colin Thomson), not wavering even when her mother suggested other easier things eg. Isabella's Garder (girl in flower dress - "boring") or Mr Chicken goes to Paris (strange look "I'm not going to be a chicken!").
Finally, Priscilla go her act together and bought some taupe coloured towels from Kmart and Por Por figured out how to drape Abigail to look like she had fur. Her long hair could be tied up as the floppy ears sticking out of the towelled hat/head. Unfortunately preparations were not very thorough and it was only on the night before that we discovered the face paints were nearly dried up. Just enough black for a few strokes.
Abigail made her own dog tag with name, proudly using block letters to spell Fearless.
On the day, Abigail wore her costume and paraded from the school along Darling St past woolies and across the road past most of the cafes (bursting with parents) before getting on a charter bus to a picnic at Federal/Jubilee park Glebe. There the children drew bridges (Book week theme) and had a BBQ lunch. Then off on the bus back to Balmain. Many kids dressed as fearless or a bear or a robber or Isabella. Some had hired costumes, quite a few with face paint.
Priscilla and Pascale and Gung Gung managed to find the kids as they were getting ready to board the return journey bus, but Abigail didn't want to go with mum. She wanted to remain with the school group until dismissal in the playground. So Priscilla drove the car behind the charter bus all the way back to FJT, picking up Abigail at the regular time. There weren't many students left.
Finally, Priscilla go her act together and bought some taupe coloured towels from Kmart and Por Por figured out how to drape Abigail to look like she had fur. Her long hair could be tied up as the floppy ears sticking out of the towelled hat/head. Unfortunately preparations were not very thorough and it was only on the night before that we discovered the face paints were nearly dried up. Just enough black for a few strokes.
Abigail made her own dog tag with name, proudly using block letters to spell Fearless.
On the day, Abigail wore her costume and paraded from the school along Darling St past woolies and across the road past most of the cafes (bursting with parents) before getting on a charter bus to a picnic at Federal/Jubilee park Glebe. There the children drew bridges (Book week theme) and had a BBQ lunch. Then off on the bus back to Balmain. Many kids dressed as fearless or a bear or a robber or Isabella. Some had hired costumes, quite a few with face paint.
Priscilla and Pascale and Gung Gung managed to find the kids as they were getting ready to board the return journey bus, but Abigail didn't want to go with mum. She wanted to remain with the school group until dismissal in the playground. So Priscilla drove the car behind the charter bus all the way back to FJT, picking up Abigail at the regular time. There weren't many students left.
Religious Knowledge
FJT has educated the kindy children in basic concepts of God and prayers. Abigail memorised the class prayers from each of terms 1 and 2 in a few weeks, teaching her parents and sister.
Sometimes after RE lesson Abigail would come home saying "God: is there anything that He can't do? NO!" probably echoing the catechism. The kids capacity for learning is ever amazing.
Sometimes after RE lesson Abigail would come home saying "God: is there anything that He can't do? NO!" probably echoing the catechism. The kids capacity for learning is ever amazing.
Belly Button
We were looking at belly buttons, explaining that this is the connection to mummy while the child is in the tummy. Abigail asked if all people had this? yes. What about the first person on earth?
Self conciousness
Sometime during this year, Abigail became self concious about getting changed in public places such as the swimming pool deck. She was taught this partly by Por Por but was getting modest already. Por Por taught her to hold a towel around herself as she got changed, and Abigail would do this even in the change rooms. Of course she has been having her privacy in the toilet for a long time before this, but now she locks the shower cubicle door to prevent Priscilla from helping her with her shampooing.
Once at Heather's party when all the little (pre-school) children stripped off for their skinny dipping, Abigail remained in her singlet and underpants.
Has become more selective and stylish in her choice of non-school clothes (few opportunities are embraced for fancy/pretty stuff, even just to do craft).
She doesn't like to stand out/have different things from others in her class/school eg. knitted scarf, school apron colour, rain poncho in school colour instead of yellow or Dora. Of course the hair ties and long socks are like other kids'.
Once at Heather's party when all the little (pre-school) children stripped off for their skinny dipping, Abigail remained in her singlet and underpants.
Has become more selective and stylish in her choice of non-school clothes (few opportunities are embraced for fancy/pretty stuff, even just to do craft).
She doesn't like to stand out/have different things from others in her class/school eg. knitted scarf, school apron colour, rain poncho in school colour instead of yellow or Dora. Of course the hair ties and long socks are like other kids'.
Fairy Books and other chapter books
Somehow during a shopping trip with Edith (Yee Ma), Abigail came across the Fairy series of chapter books. She was given one, and read eagerly (her first long chapter book). She liked to see the different fairy names, and found that Abigail was the Rain fairy.
After this Abigail was confident to start reading thicker chapter books. Owen's set of Roald Dahl books came in handy: The BFG, The Magic Finger, and The Enormous Crocodile were read by Abigail in the morning as soon as she woke up. Other books she enjoyed were Wombat and Fox series by Terry Denton, and Monster and Frog by ??
Priscilla reported the reading progress to Miss Clarke, kindy teacher, who decided that she would stop sending the reading lexile books home and let Abigail read her own choices as above. She would have completed the entire 30 levels by either the end of kindy or start of year 1, not lasting until the end of year 2 as they were intended.
Abigail also enjoys reading factual books, on space, volcanos, the world map.
After this Abigail was confident to start reading thicker chapter books. Owen's set of Roald Dahl books came in handy: The BFG, The Magic Finger, and The Enormous Crocodile were read by Abigail in the morning as soon as she woke up. Other books she enjoyed were Wombat and Fox series by Terry Denton, and Monster and Frog by ??
Priscilla reported the reading progress to Miss Clarke, kindy teacher, who decided that she would stop sending the reading lexile books home and let Abigail read her own choices as above. She would have completed the entire 30 levels by either the end of kindy or start of year 1, not lasting until the end of year 2 as they were intended.
Abigail also enjoys reading factual books, on space, volcanos, the world map.
Skating
Inspired by a book about a girl who learns figure skating, Abigail and Pascale wanted to try ice skating themselves. During the school holidays we went to Macquarie Centre ice rink with Maddie and her mum Anna (and little sister Cleo). Abigail was initially very unbalanced, maybe just not used to the heavy rigid boots? She clung on to her adult (Chris or Anthony) and let them drag her around the rink.
Gradually Abigail gained confidence to take penguin steps herself, and to hang on to the side of the rink while skating unassisted. She even made it to the centre of the rink a few times. Maddie was quite well balanced, having tried ice skating before. The 2 girls played happily for the duration of our ice skating session. Rewarded by lunch in the overlooking food court afterwards.
Gradually Abigail gained confidence to take penguin steps herself, and to hang on to the side of the rink while skating unassisted. She even made it to the centre of the rink a few times. Maddie was quite well balanced, having tried ice skating before. The 2 girls played happily for the duration of our ice skating session. Rewarded by lunch in the overlooking food court afterwards.
Art classes
During Terms 2 and 3, Abigail was enrolled in a course at Pine St Children's Art Centre called "Discovery of Clay". It was a wonderful course run by Di (Dianne) Turner, a gentle motherly artist with creative ideas about using clay. At this time Abigail was interested in play dough and this allowed her to make things that she could decorate and keep.
She made many wonderful things: figures, pots, plaques: hand built or with moulds. Once she made a mug one week but painted another child's mug the next week. There was some dissent over whose mug was whose but each child took the mug with their painting work on it.
By the end of Term 3 Abigail was looking for a break from clay class. Probably as she got progressively more tired after school as the term went on, by the end she would fall asleep on the short 15 minute drive from Balmain to Chippendale.
Holiday art classes too were enjoyable, after the inevitable initial wobbly by Abigail as she found herself in a new environment. The teachers were all very down to earth and the studios shabby but comfy, not uppity like ArtSpark or ArtEst where Abigail went on past holidays.
She made many wonderful things: figures, pots, plaques: hand built or with moulds. Once she made a mug one week but painted another child's mug the next week. There was some dissent over whose mug was whose but each child took the mug with their painting work on it.
By the end of Term 3 Abigail was looking for a break from clay class. Probably as she got progressively more tired after school as the term went on, by the end she would fall asleep on the short 15 minute drive from Balmain to Chippendale.
Holiday art classes too were enjoyable, after the inevitable initial wobbly by Abigail as she found herself in a new environment. The teachers were all very down to earth and the studios shabby but comfy, not uppity like ArtSpark or ArtEst where Abigail went on past holidays.
Sibling
Somehow we got to talking about babies, and when asked how she felt about them Abigail quickly said "no thanks! they are too noisy." Probably because she regularly complains about Pascale's early morning waking (6am or earlier) habits: turning on the lights to read or calling out "wake up Abi it's morning!"
Year 5 Buddy
At the beginning of the school year each kindy child was matched up with a Year 5 child as their Buddy. During the first few masses and functions the older children were examples of behaviour for the younger ones.
Abigail's buddy Neve (rhymes with Steve - Abigail kept on forgetting her name for 1.5 terms) was very nice to her, and on the last day of Term 2 Abigail drew a card for Neve "happy holidays" it read. Unfortunately we weren't going to see her for 2 weeks by which time the card had been forgotten at the bottom of Abigail's school bag. It's the thought that counts I guess.
Abigail's buddy Neve (rhymes with Steve - Abigail kept on forgetting her name for 1.5 terms) was very nice to her, and on the last day of Term 2 Abigail drew a card for Neve "happy holidays" it read. Unfortunately we weren't going to see her for 2 weeks by which time the card had been forgotten at the bottom of Abigail's school bag. It's the thought that counts I guess.
Gruffalo excursion
As a treat on the final day of Term 2, FJT school organised for the kindy children to attend a performance of The Gruffalo at the Seymour Centre. They had charter STA buses for everyone, and no parents were invited. Afterwards they had a picnic lunch with their year 5 buddies in Gladstone Park. Abigail enjoyed the Gruffalo performance as well as the excursion.
Ballet Exam
Abigail prepared and went for the Test 2 ballet exam, and passed with good comments (pass/fail) in the distinction columns mainly. She was nervous but came out 15 minutes later quite pleased with her work and the examiner's remarks.
When her report was distributed , she also received an invitation to attend the Performance classes where children concentrate on stagecraft, performance pieces and enter eisteddfodds. Maybe next year we will try this.
Abigail proudly wore her Test 2 medal on her clothing all weekend.
When her report was distributed , she also received an invitation to attend the Performance classes where children concentrate on stagecraft, performance pieces and enter eisteddfodds. Maybe next year we will try this.
Abigail proudly wore her Test 2 medal on her clothing all weekend.
Kites
Kites are a fascination with Abigail and/or her craft teachers. She has made them from plain paper and paper bags, and decorated with streamers, pastel drawings etc. She tries to fly them in the park after school or in the back yard.
Writing
Abigail is interested in experimenting with different types of writing: running, and block/outlines. In September she discovered join the dot writing, mirror writing. She started to learn Chinese characters with first Priscilla then Por Por every Saturday (sort of).
Update
Yes, 3 months have whizzed by since the last post. So much has happened, Abigail has become a more confident and capable person both academically and socially. Brief entries follow to describe this period.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Parent Teacher Interview
20 minutes with Miss Clarke reassured the parents about Abigail's progress and what more can be done to push her academically. She is reluctant to do extension work if it is noticed by her peers. Miss C said that gifted children usually start to want to be different / do different things in Term 3.
Abigail may be put into year 1 reading group soon, probably with the 2 others Xavier and Connor. Her maths book is neat and filled with information about longer/shorter as well as mathematical functions.
Computer based puzzles used at home for extension: tried some tonight. Abigail went for the Find-a-word first, then re-ordering sentences. Tried the counting by 5s game but reverted to the class intranet games that she was familiar with. After over an hour on the computer she was not reluctant to put the computer on standby and come to dinner.
Abigail may be put into year 1 reading group soon, probably with the 2 others Xavier and Connor. Her maths book is neat and filled with information about longer/shorter as well as mathematical functions.
Computer based puzzles used at home for extension: tried some tonight. Abigail went for the Find-a-word first, then re-ordering sentences. Tried the counting by 5s game but reverted to the class intranet games that she was familiar with. After over an hour on the computer she was not reluctant to put the computer on standby and come to dinner.
Public Speaking
Given a week's notice, kinder parents were to prepare and coach their child into a 2 minute speech in front of an adjudicator, part of the public speaking semi-finals for the region. What??
After parental outrage, the teachers said the children didn't have to give a 2 min speech, just memorise 3 sentences and repeat standing in front of the class. Abigail delayed discussing the speech , managing only to nominate the topic she wanted to to. So Priscilla just wrote a list of possible sentences and left it for Abigail to see at breakfast time. She picked 3 sentences and re-wrote them, but didn't set about memorising. Today after school she mentioned that some children had made their speeches but she didn't as she couldn't remember hers. No desire to try tho.
After parental outrage, the teachers said the children didn't have to give a 2 min speech, just memorise 3 sentences and repeat standing in front of the class. Abigail delayed discussing the speech , managing only to nominate the topic she wanted to to. So Priscilla just wrote a list of possible sentences and left it for Abigail to see at breakfast time. She picked 3 sentences and re-wrote them, but didn't set about memorising. Today after school she mentioned that some children had made their speeches but she didn't as she couldn't remember hers. No desire to try tho.
Tonsils again
Abigail had a sore throat and one look at her tonsils revealed the right one to be swollen again. She stayed home on Monday, visiting the doctor who said it would subside and to only give Panadol for relief. On Tuesday it looked as if she was having another day at home, but after breakfast she was rolling all over the living room and picking a fight with sick Pascale. Parents asked her why she was doing this: "I don't want to be bored". Immediately got her dressed in uniform and off to school. She was happy to go. Got a late note but other kids didn't even look up from their work they were so engrossed. Miss Clarke just gave Abigail a book to read until the kids were ready to start their next activity. On pick up from the school Abigail confirmed that she was happy to be at school.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Love Monster
After returning from 2 nights sleepover at Por Por's place, Abigail immediately got to work at her craft table. She drew a love monster ("how do you spell monster?"), a pig like face with a giant smiley teeth and red tongue next to it! She signed it and dedicated it to her parents.
Then she drew a rosette and ribbon with "love monster" written on it. Might make a good t-shirt design!
Then she drew a rosette and ribbon with "love monster" written on it. Might make a good t-shirt design!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Self sufficiency
Lately Abigail has been resisting parental efforts to get her changed on time, eating on time, leaving house on time etc. Last night Priscilla accidentally stumbled upon a possible solution.
Pascale was ready to leave the bathroom after being washed, dressed and teeth brushed by Priscilla. Abigail was enjoying her bath with toys. Priscilla said that she and Pascale would wait for Abigail in the bedroom while reading books, Abigail can join us when she is ready.
Some time later Abigail appeared in the bedroom, smiling and in her pyjamas etc. Her teeth had been brushed. Priscilla discovered that she had hung the bath toys on the bath spout to dry and had let the water out of the tub.
A few nights back Abigail helped to take down the washing as we returned from an afternoon in Rozelle. She and Pascale had had a little play and shared a finger bun after school. Abigail stood on a milk crate and took down towels and clothes, throwing the pegs into the basket.
This morning Abigail started to dress herself as soon as she awoke. She had seen the school uniform that Priscilla had laid out on the sofa and this prompted her into action. Unfortunately she couldn't convince Pascale to change out of her bed clothes too.
Craft Area
For the past few months Abigail has had to share her craft area with an increasingly art-active Pascale. The two work areas are encroaching on each other so that sometimes it is full of craft stuff and no workspace can be seen. Then the girls have done art/craft on the puzzle table in the dining area.
Yesterday as we were tidying a great mess in the living room left by the children in their pre-breakfast play, Priscilla noticed some chairs and large cushions set up as tables in a rarely used corner of the room. She suggested that the table currently holding the keyboard be moved into that corner? Abigail immediately said yes. She helped to move stuff off it, and then carried one end of the table to manoeuvre it into place. Then Abigail put a large piece of cardboard onto the table and proceeded to make some craft. At last, a separate craft area for herself, free from Pascale "accidentally" drawing/cutting her work.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Magic Wave
Abigail and Pascale created a drawing together while playing on the deck. There were bits of coloured paper and felt stuck onto a piece of B1 paper and some crayon marks.
Abigail said that it was a picture called "The Magic Wave", and proceeded to write this across the top of the artwork. She then said that she wanted to write a story about the magic wave. (Agreed to do this after school).
Upon returning from school and after having a snack, Abigail proceeded to write her story. She used a blank piece of A4 paper with line guide paper clipped to the underside. Then she illustrated her story with colour pencil drawings of the wave and its mother, each with speech balloons. Finally there was a title page written on a separate sheet of paper, layout was in the middle rather that upper left justified or top centre location as she had done not so long ago.
A day or two later, Abigail took this project to school to show her teacher Miss Clarke. Unfortunately Miss C was away but her substitute Miss Dee read the story to the class and showed them the picture. Thus Abigail got her fix of being noticed.
Abigail said that it was a picture called "The Magic Wave", and proceeded to write this across the top of the artwork. She then said that she wanted to write a story about the magic wave. (Agreed to do this after school).
Upon returning from school and after having a snack, Abigail proceeded to write her story. She used a blank piece of A4 paper with line guide paper clipped to the underside. Then she illustrated her story with colour pencil drawings of the wave and its mother, each with speech balloons. Finally there was a title page written on a separate sheet of paper, layout was in the middle rather that upper left justified or top centre location as she had done not so long ago.
A day or two later, Abigail took this project to school to show her teacher Miss Clarke. Unfortunately Miss C was away but her substitute Miss Dee read the story to the class and showed them the picture. Thus Abigail got her fix of being noticed.
Tornados
During a reading session of the National Geographic first atlas between Abigail and Priscilla, there was a page on America and some facts. One of them was tornados in the mid-west, complete with picture. On a later day the book was one on famous paintings, one of which was "John Brown" or something, a big chested man with flowing beard and flashing eyes and a tornado in the background. This brought the first tornado encounter back to Abigail, she named it immediately.
The next night at bedtime, she confided in Priscilla that she was scared of tornadoes. "Are there tornadoes in Australia?" No. "Can tornadoes kill people?" Yes, if things get blown around and hit you.
Luckily Priscilla had borrowed a children's encyclopedia on various things including tornadoes and volcanoes. Abigail might read on this during her morning reading time immediately after she wakes up.
The next night at bedtime, she confided in Priscilla that she was scared of tornadoes. "Are there tornadoes in Australia?" No. "Can tornadoes kill people?" Yes, if things get blown around and hit you.
Luckily Priscilla had borrowed a children's encyclopedia on various things including tornadoes and volcanoes. Abigail might read on this during her morning reading time immediately after she wakes up.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Gifted
This term Abigail is going to the Creative Thinkers' Club on Fridays with K-2 children. One day she remarked that she was special. Why? She was the only kindergarten child in the creative thinkers club. Priscilla remarked that other children eg. Xavier may be asked to go there too.
Then on the weekend Edith remarked that Abigail told her she was going to do some Year 2 work - but that this was supposed to be a secret. Priscilla trying to bide her time until FJT informs us - if they do that is.
Then on the weekend Edith remarked that Abigail told her she was going to do some Year 2 work - but that this was supposed to be a secret. Priscilla trying to bide her time until FJT informs us - if they do that is.
Clay and sewing
Further adventures in clay, Abigail happily stayed after being dropped off at the ceramic studio. She took her unfinished clay tile and sat down to do painting, sitting opposite the same girls as previous weeks. They are sisters Ella and ?, Abigail waved to them in the car when we left.
At home Abigail decided to copy the plan to make a handbag from felt, taken from a craft book. She tried to use PVA glue but the edges were not sticking. Decided to sew instead. Made a good job of it, helped by some PVA working. After turning the handbag inside out Abigail started to sew some fancy heart shaped buttons on. Wanted a buttonhole - por por did this for her.
At home Abigail decided to copy the plan to make a handbag from felt, taken from a craft book. She tried to use PVA glue but the edges were not sticking. Decided to sew instead. Made a good job of it, helped by some PVA working. After turning the handbag inside out Abigail started to sew some fancy heart shaped buttons on. Wanted a buttonhole - por por did this for her.
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