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!
Friday, September 24, 2010
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.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Hair trimmed
For the first time in over a year, Abigail's hair was trimmed. While Gung Gung took photos (to the amusement of the hairdresser) Abigail sat very still, mesmerised by the cartoon on the salon's portable DVD player.
Her brownish ends of hair were snipped off, and Priscilla instructed to add moisturiser to her hair as it was dry and brittle. The hairdresser James then did up Abigail's hair to show how it might be, to not hurt Abigail.
Reading groups: parent helper
Today Priscilla became a parent helper in KC. She was asked to help a group of children to identify a sight word from some written on cards, and then to write a sentence on the small A3 whiteboards using that word. Two other mothers helped with worksheets and reading from poster, 2 teachers aides were there as well as Miss Clarke.
Happily Abigail was in the first group (Lions) that Priscilla helped (probably 3 of the "best" readers). The others were Connor McMaster and Xavier. Xavier was very flamboyant and confident, getting ideas and writing quickly tho' spelling is not always correct but he fit all 3 sentences onto his whiteboard. (I have a woolly coat. Come to my woolly coat shop. Something something are scary.) He wants to draw as soon as he has finished his sentences.
Connor is slow, silent and almost only observing not really concentrating on writing but wanting to draw. His ideas come gradually. Abigail likes a lot of space on her page, and is at the bottom of the board when 2 of the 3 words have been presented. She is between the boys in speed of forming her ideas. She is involved with writing and doesn't want to draw.
Then the reading groups were rotated and now Priscilla had 6 of almost the "worst" readers. They managed to recognise the sight words but had trouble thinking of a sentence that contained that word. Once Priscilla suggested a sentence they started writing but all had problems making the letter shapes even when told what to spell. Luckily there were alphabets laminated onto the table tops that they could copy off, once they found which one it was! Gradually the children gained confidence to change Priscilla's sentence with words they wanted to use. (My cat is fat/black/skinny). Marcus didn't even want to write, altho the word was "car" which he smiled at (Big car/cat/fairy).
Then Miss Clarke rang her hand bell to signal the end of the writing. The children were told to stand behind their chairs ready for morning tea, and to thank the parents for helping. Priscilla hugged Abigail before departing and handing in her visitors' badge to Connie in the office. 45 minutes had elapsed.
Happily Abigail was in the first group (Lions) that Priscilla helped (probably 3 of the "best" readers). The others were Connor McMaster and Xavier. Xavier was very flamboyant and confident, getting ideas and writing quickly tho' spelling is not always correct but he fit all 3 sentences onto his whiteboard. (I have a woolly coat. Come to my woolly coat shop. Something something are scary.) He wants to draw as soon as he has finished his sentences.
Connor is slow, silent and almost only observing not really concentrating on writing but wanting to draw. His ideas come gradually. Abigail likes a lot of space on her page, and is at the bottom of the board when 2 of the 3 words have been presented. She is between the boys in speed of forming her ideas. She is involved with writing and doesn't want to draw.
Then the reading groups were rotated and now Priscilla had 6 of almost the "worst" readers. They managed to recognise the sight words but had trouble thinking of a sentence that contained that word. Once Priscilla suggested a sentence they started writing but all had problems making the letter shapes even when told what to spell. Luckily there were alphabets laminated onto the table tops that they could copy off, once they found which one it was! Gradually the children gained confidence to change Priscilla's sentence with words they wanted to use. (My cat is fat/black/skinny). Marcus didn't even want to write, altho the word was "car" which he smiled at (Big car/cat/fairy).
Then Miss Clarke rang her hand bell to signal the end of the writing. The children were told to stand behind their chairs ready for morning tea, and to thank the parents for helping. Priscilla hugged Abigail before departing and handing in her visitors' badge to Connie in the office. 45 minutes had elapsed.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Shapes
The kindergarten class has been learning about shapes. Abigail mentioned that a sphere is in "3D", and other shapes are too: cone, cylinder, cube. Priscilla tried to explain what "D" stands for, using examples of a line, rectangle, box. Every now and then Abigail will talk about 3D and spheres eg. "what is a star? a far away sun. Stars and suns are spheres."
Volcanoes
Lately Abigail has been asking interesting questions about earthquakes and volcanoes. She even had 2 nightmares about earthquakes and asked if Australia gets them. Priscilla had borrowed a library book on this subject showed Abigail the diagrams and photos. Abigail was interested in the tectonic plates, PP described them as being like jigsaw pieces for the world sphere. Then Chris suggested watching YouTube videos of volcanoes, firstly Mount St Helens which was quite spectacular. Both she and Pascale were eerily fascinated by the story of a photographer who was outrun by the as cloud but they found his camera and footage.
Abigail spent nearly an hour watching the various quality videos, fascinated by lava flows, billowing smoke, spitting lava fireworks of Mt St Helens, Etna and Kilauea. Then she agreed with Chris' suggestion to do a project on Volcanoes, to put the whole thing into a poster format. She started by drawing/interpreting a photo of the remnant cone of some volcano in Brazil using glitter glue for the lava spits.
Abigail spent nearly an hour watching the various quality videos, fascinated by lava flows, billowing smoke, spitting lava fireworks of Mt St Helens, Etna and Kilauea. Then she agreed with Chris' suggestion to do a project on Volcanoes, to put the whole thing into a poster format. She started by drawing/interpreting a photo of the remnant cone of some volcano in Brazil using glitter glue for the lava spits.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Clique
Abigail mentioned that Noah from KC wanted to be part of the girls' group as they played in the playground at FJT, but Mia Otter said that he couldn't. Priscilla asked if Mia was the boss of the group? "Mia is the queen, I am the boss" said Abigail.
She also said that she tells people in the playground "no hat no play", and she and Mia used to play at being police, telling people off for doing the wrong things.
Mia and Paige, whenever they see each other, hug and sing "Mamma mia!". Abigail does not like this, and steers clear of those two whenever it happens.
She also said that she tells people in the playground "no hat no play", and she and Mia used to play at being police, telling people off for doing the wrong things.
Mia and Paige, whenever they see each other, hug and sing "Mamma mia!". Abigail does not like this, and steers clear of those two whenever it happens.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Baking
After coming home from school today, Abigail and Pascale agreed to the suggestion of doing ome cooking ie. baking cookies / cakes with Priscilla. We made one batch of anzac biscuits, then as we had had a late snack Priscilla asked if they wanted to do more cooking or have dinner (it was 5pm dinner time) while the biscuits were baking. The girls shouted "More cooking!" and typically couldn't agree on what to cook. Abigail chose the banana muffin option, Pascale chose the lemon poppy seed muffin option.
Stupidly/Bravely the mother let each child work on their own muffin mix, simultaneously. For a while there was butter chopping and flour measuring and milk measuring and mixing happening all at once. During a time when her mother had to do some mixing for her, instead of her usual comment "I'm bored" Abigail remarked that she was very interested in what was happening.
Pascale finished mixing her muffins and was asked to put the anzac biscuits onto the cooling rack. She asked to sample one and also distributed biscuits to the people still mixing (Abi and Priscilla). Then she quickly sampled another 2 - filled her tummy as it was nearing 6pm.
After the muffins came out of the oven with their puffy tops, Abigail commented that they were "adorable - what does that mean?"
Stupidly/Bravely the mother let each child work on their own muffin mix, simultaneously. For a while there was butter chopping and flour measuring and milk measuring and mixing happening all at once. During a time when her mother had to do some mixing for her, instead of her usual comment "I'm bored" Abigail remarked that she was very interested in what was happening.
Pascale finished mixing her muffins and was asked to put the anzac biscuits onto the cooling rack. She asked to sample one and also distributed biscuits to the people still mixing (Abi and Priscilla). Then she quickly sampled another 2 - filled her tummy as it was nearing 6pm.
After the muffins came out of the oven with their puffy tops, Abigail commented that they were "adorable - what does that mean?"
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Class dynamics
Term 2 sees the smaller tables combined to make large tables of children working together. Abigail is on the same table as Mia Otter, Paige and the infamous Andrew.
Sport is now on Tuesdays (athletics), but for 3 weeks KC also have a rugby league clinic run with the Tigers club on Fridays. There is dancing on Thursdays. Sports uniform is to be worn on all these days, resulting in extra sports polo shirt and shorts to be bought. FJT school is tardy in giving parents notice of these occurences, with playground chat/rumour preceding any official notification. This week Abigail has had to wear sports uniform 4 days in a row after the Anzac public holiday on monday. Crazy.
Sports: Abigail learnt to throw the discuss in week 1, but was sad to learn she missed out on learning about high jump on the day she went to the doctor for an allergic eye condition. She liked dancing today, but didn't say what sort of dancing they did.
Sport is now on Tuesdays (athletics), but for 3 weeks KC also have a rugby league clinic run with the Tigers club on Fridays. There is dancing on Thursdays. Sports uniform is to be worn on all these days, resulting in extra sports polo shirt and shorts to be bought. FJT school is tardy in giving parents notice of these occurences, with playground chat/rumour preceding any official notification. This week Abigail has had to wear sports uniform 4 days in a row after the Anzac public holiday on monday. Crazy.
Sports: Abigail learnt to throw the discuss in week 1, but was sad to learn she missed out on learning about high jump on the day she went to the doctor for an allergic eye condition. She liked dancing today, but didn't say what sort of dancing they did.
Rough and tumble play
On Tuesday night Priscilla attended an information evening held at the excellent childcare centre Blackfriars. The topic was children's friendships, emotions etc. An interesting observation was that exclusions to friendships are typical of this age group (3-5y) and that any criteria can be used eg. gender, clothing.. One of the mothers commented that her child grouped older rougher boys as "The Boys" and included younger gentler boys in her clique as "The Girls". Exclusions, inclusions are all questioned by the carers to make the kids think about whether it is fair to use these.
Also the carers mentioned that rough and tumble (R&T) play is essential at this stage of life. We have been concerned over the change in Abigail's behaviour towards a rougher robust play since starting kindergarten. Her initial weeks of bruised shins has not abated, but they are smaller and less frequent. She is learning the dynamics of how to participate in R&T play, how to keep from being hurt? Blackfriars commented that as long as all participants are smiling the adults job is to moderate and ensure no dangerous situations are created eg. types of holds, intensity of patting/tagging, removing any nearby obstructions ...
Abigail sometimes says things like: "we are running from X now (in our play)", "we are friends with Y now", "it is Z's turn to chase us". This is part of the R&T game. That explains the popularity of "What's the time Mr Wolf?" as we see children playing this every morning before the school assembly time.
Also the carers mentioned that rough and tumble (R&T) play is essential at this stage of life. We have been concerned over the change in Abigail's behaviour towards a rougher robust play since starting kindergarten. Her initial weeks of bruised shins has not abated, but they are smaller and less frequent. She is learning the dynamics of how to participate in R&T play, how to keep from being hurt? Blackfriars commented that as long as all participants are smiling the adults job is to moderate and ensure no dangerous situations are created eg. types of holds, intensity of patting/tagging, removing any nearby obstructions ...
Abigail sometimes says things like: "we are running from X now (in our play)", "we are friends with Y now", "it is Z's turn to chase us". This is part of the R&T game. That explains the popularity of "What's the time Mr Wolf?" as we see children playing this every morning before the school assembly time.
Cutouts of love hearts
One of Abigail's favourite discoveries is cutting shapes out of folded piece of paper to make a snowflake. She sometimes just has one shape she cuts repeatedly, or experiments with different cuts on the one piece of paper. The paper is sometimes a circle, sometimes a rectangle. She has bee fascinated by some of Avril Burn's hand made cards where shapes are stuck over each other in a 3d effect.
Yesterday her class craft project came home: A4 paper with 4 snowflakes around a central one in crucifix formation. 2 of the circles had love hearts cut out of it, the central one had a butterfly cutout with paper love heart (cut-out) on top and a crunched up piece of red cellophane stuck onto that.
Abigail told Priscilla that some of the girls in her class were impressed by the loveheart cut outs and asked Abigail to make one for them. I think that she was happy to do so. However Abigail mentioned that one girl changed her mind once the snowflake was completed for her.
Yesterday her class craft project came home: A4 paper with 4 snowflakes around a central one in crucifix formation. 2 of the circles had love hearts cut out of it, the central one had a butterfly cutout with paper love heart (cut-out) on top and a crunched up piece of red cellophane stuck onto that.
Abigail told Priscilla that some of the girls in her class were impressed by the loveheart cut outs and asked Abigail to make one for them. I think that she was happy to do so. However Abigail mentioned that one girl changed her mind once the snowflake was completed for her.
Swimming in the big pool
Since the start of Term 2, Abigail has been having her swim lesson in the olympic sized pool. It is a real step up for her, a challenge. The water is much colder and she cannot touch the bottom. The children rest on stands placed by the instructors, but the distance between them is further than the width of the old lesson pool. Abigail doesn't have an instructor following her each time she does a torpedo etc, instead she must make the distance between stands on her own. As she has just started to swim this way, she doesn't have the stamina to make it all the way. Today Priscilla observed that Abigail swims close to the lane ropes and uses them for reassurance/resting during her swimming. Not that she stops, rather it's a small rest and check for her direction of travel esp during back torpedoes. She is also learning to breathe while doing freestyle, hands resting on the instructor's shoulders. Takes about 2 seconds for each breath.
Her instructor Jonathan is a young man late teens-early 20s, pimply, and gentle. Unfortunately he has been gripped by the curse of fashion and has a brushover hairdo whereby the fringe comes over like a combover. How can one maintain one's style during swim class? This man makes a quick adjustment to his hair each time he emerges from under the water, rather like a toupee adjustment, to give his hair the required touseled (?) look. Quite funny to watch.
Her instructor Jonathan is a young man late teens-early 20s, pimply, and gentle. Unfortunately he has been gripped by the curse of fashion and has a brushover hairdo whereby the fringe comes over like a combover. How can one maintain one's style during swim class? This man makes a quick adjustment to his hair each time he emerges from under the water, rather like a toupee adjustment, to give his hair the required touseled (?) look. Quite funny to watch.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Piano lesson
We have had our digital piano since Christmas, but no real playing has ever happened except for some carols and scales by Priscilla. The auto-play function has filled our house with delicious music, countering the improvised sounds from the children. Yesterday Priscilla started to teach Abigail from "Teaching Little Fingers to Play" (1932). Oldie but still good. We leafed through the book and Abigail was interested in the inclusion of a carol that she knew "Good King Wenceslas". Also the duets and playing 2 notes in one hand.
Abigail learnt eagerly, using her first 3 fingers on both hands. She discovered the Cs and the names of the white notes. We talked about beats and different shapes of notes for different numbers of beats. She was a bit confused over the fingering numbers and the counting of the beats. Abigail was keen to keep going with the lessons in the book but Priscilla decided that the first 2 lessons in a day was enough.
Today in the morning Abigail played on the toy keyboard the notes and tunes she had learnt yesterday - all with the correct locations and fingering. Later she tried to teach Por Por the tunes and opened the music book and piano for practising. (Of course Pascale copied while playing her own stuff.)
Abigail learnt eagerly, using her first 3 fingers on both hands. She discovered the Cs and the names of the white notes. We talked about beats and different shapes of notes for different numbers of beats. She was a bit confused over the fingering numbers and the counting of the beats. Abigail was keen to keep going with the lessons in the book but Priscilla decided that the first 2 lessons in a day was enough.
Today in the morning Abigail played on the toy keyboard the notes and tunes she had learnt yesterday - all with the correct locations and fingering. Later she tried to teach Por Por the tunes and opened the music book and piano for practising. (Of course Pascale copied while playing her own stuff.)
G&T class
Abigail has been going to the gifted and talented group run by a teacher at FJT for a few weeks at the end of term 1. She was placed with a mixed aged group containing up to year 6 children, learning about the 6 thinking hats of de Bono (playing with the coloured hats). The teacher reported that everytime she appeared at the classroom door Abigail would start to cry. Abigail later told her parents that she didn't want to miss out on the crafts/play that her fellow kinder friends were doing each time Miss J approached. Also she thought the class with Miss J was hard and she wished another child would be chosen to play with Miss J instead of herself.
Miss Johnson revised her approach to Abigail in Term 2 and instead put her with a group containing only K-2 children. After the first lesson of term 2 Abigail appeared much happier, reporting that she had played a nice game with Miss J involving animals and moving fences around for the farmer. Later when Chris spoke with Miss J she admitted that she had put Abigail in at the deep end at first, but had reassessed her given her observations from Term 1.
Today as Abigail was being picked up late from the school playground, another late child remarked to his mother that "That girl is the only one from kindergarten in the Creative Thinkers' Club" (Miss Johnson's classes). Priscilla was surprised that no others have been marked yet, but the teachers did say that it would happen towards the end of the year. Glad that we had Abigail tested early on.
Re: fences game, Abigail reported that she was working with another girl and they didn't solve the problem at first. After Miss J told them the answer, they re-did the exercise (probably to prove that it worked).
Miss Johnson revised her approach to Abigail in Term 2 and instead put her with a group containing only K-2 children. After the first lesson of term 2 Abigail appeared much happier, reporting that she had played a nice game with Miss J involving animals and moving fences around for the farmer. Later when Chris spoke with Miss J she admitted that she had put Abigail in at the deep end at first, but had reassessed her given her observations from Term 1.
Today as Abigail was being picked up late from the school playground, another late child remarked to his mother that "That girl is the only one from kindergarten in the Creative Thinkers' Club" (Miss Johnson's classes). Priscilla was surprised that no others have been marked yet, but the teachers did say that it would happen towards the end of the year. Glad that we had Abigail tested early on.
Re: fences game, Abigail reported that she was working with another girl and they didn't solve the problem at first. After Miss J told them the answer, they re-did the exercise (probably to prove that it worked).
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Eye checkup
Last year Abigail had the 4 year old's eye test given by the government: she had normal vision. After we discovered that she could read independently Abigail has been reading intensely. A few times she said that things looked a bit blurry - warning bells indeed!
Today Abigail's vision was examined by an optometrist. She has slight astigmatism and slight short-sightedness (1 or 2 increments) -0.25. But the optometrist also said that up until age 7 Abigail's vision can change and maybe even become far-sighted. It was important for the environmental factors to be right to encourage her eyes to rest between sessions of reading, and to focus on long distance after say 20 minutes of close up work. Will we be able to get Abigail to do this when she is doing classwork? Follow up exam in 18 months' time.
Pascale enjoyed looking at all the optometrist equipment and sitting on the special chair. She played with the model of the eye and various lenses for a little bit.
Today Abigail's vision was examined by an optometrist. She has slight astigmatism and slight short-sightedness (1 or 2 increments) -0.25. But the optometrist also said that up until age 7 Abigail's vision can change and maybe even become far-sighted. It was important for the environmental factors to be right to encourage her eyes to rest between sessions of reading, and to focus on long distance after say 20 minutes of close up work. Will we be able to get Abigail to do this when she is doing classwork? Follow up exam in 18 months' time.
Pascale enjoyed looking at all the optometrist equipment and sitting on the special chair. She played with the model of the eye and various lenses for a little bit.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Word puzzles
Last week Priscilla found an old board game in Por Por's storeroom: Upwords. She introduced this to Abigail as a crossword game and since then Abigail has been making mini cross words using the magnetic letters on the fridge. Today she spied the SMH crosswords and puzzles page that Priscilla had been working on, and was very interested in understanding each game and helping to spell some words on the magic word puzzle. Sudoku was beyond Priscilla's ability to do/explain but attempte the anagram and crosswords.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Nap
After an exciting extended weekend at Por Por's house during the school holidays, and a 2 hour movie in a cinema, Abigail returned home via the parental car. She was in the car for about 10 minutes when she started snoring (note: need to get adenoids checked by ENT again, some apnoea even in seated position): she slept right through the stop at Blackfriars Childcare to pick up Pascale and continued for another half an hour after the car arrived in front of the house where Pascale turned on the radio really loudly and also cried in protest at her mother leaving her in the car with her father and sister. Abigail remained asleep as Pascale and the luggage were brought into the house. Finally Abigail awoke and being still tired was carried inside by her father.
Abigail was surprised to see Pascale in the house. She wondered aloud: how did Pascale get home by herself? Abigail expressed disbelief when told that she had slept through the childcare pickup episode.
Abigail was surprised to see Pascale in the house. She wondered aloud: how did Pascale get home by herself? Abigail expressed disbelief when told that she had slept through the childcare pickup episode.
Movie at a cinema
Today was the first time that Abigail went to the movies. Her aunt Yee Ma took her and Owen to see "Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang ". She was excited by the movie as her heart beat very quickly during some parts. The screen size and volume of the soundtrack struck her as amazing. She enjoyed the magic in the movie, telling about when Nanny struck the ground with her walking stick to produce sparkles. The dancing pigs (animatronics) were amusing. Owen (13 years old) fell asleep in this 'G' rated movie.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Holiday Art Workshop
Abigail enjoyed her first whole day (10-4) art class despite the unexpected absence of Amelie Aitkin her best friend from preschool last year. She did sewing (hand running stitch along the edge, pressed pedal of sewing machine while teacher guided fabric, stitched and stuffed a small owl) as well as drawing on the outside of the sketch book. Unfortunately the actual book was stitched in upside down by one of the adults. There was also a shoebox painted to be Mrs Owl's roost.
The next day, Amelie was there and Abigail happily helped her friend to get settled in to the place. By the end of the day the children had made: a "fossil" based on their own sketch and formed in clay mould which was then filled with plaster; a painting on unstretched canvas with a dinosaur outline; a paper painting of something abstract. The children were running around with exhaustion by 4pm.
Abigail's Dream
One recent morning, Abigail woke up and came out to the breakfast table where Pascale and Priscilla were already eating. She had an enthusiastic look on her face as she declared that she just had an amazing dream:
She was in a show / getting ready for a show (at FJT I think) with 6 boys (no one she could name). She was to wear pink, they were to wear blue. Suddenly the school building caught fire, flames shot up from the infants campus building, and spread to the primary campus across Jane St. The flames were huge. But the kindergarten children were still inside their classroom, and the teachers were somehow unable to bring them out to the playground. Abigail went inside and led the whole kinder year and teachers to safety.
Then the fire engines came. Somehow the firefighters couldn't put out the flames, and needed Abigail to help with the hoses to get it done.
Afterwards the whole of kindergarten came to Abigail's house in Lilyfield (a bit crowded but okay). Everyone slept in the living room except for Abigail and the six boys who slept in her bedroom. 2 boys and her were in her bed, the other boys were on the sofa. All very innocent intentions on her behalf.
She was in a show / getting ready for a show (at FJT I think) with 6 boys (no one she could name). She was to wear pink, they were to wear blue. Suddenly the school building caught fire, flames shot up from the infants campus building, and spread to the primary campus across Jane St. The flames were huge. But the kindergarten children were still inside their classroom, and the teachers were somehow unable to bring them out to the playground. Abigail went inside and led the whole kinder year and teachers to safety.
Then the fire engines came. Somehow the firefighters couldn't put out the flames, and needed Abigail to help with the hoses to get it done.
Afterwards the whole of kindergarten came to Abigail's house in Lilyfield (a bit crowded but okay). Everyone slept in the living room except for Abigail and the six boys who slept in her bedroom. 2 boys and her were in her bed, the other boys were on the sofa. All very innocent intentions on her behalf.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Friends and Easter Eggs
For the last day of Term 1 Abigail wrapped some Easter eggs for her special friends at FJT school. She chose: Mia Otter, Paige, Ella, Mia Azzi (has invited Abigail to her birthday party during the holidays), Ben Southwell (KP), Connor McMaster, and the infamous Sabrina. When asked if she was sure she wanted to give to S, Abigail replied that Sabrina was now her friend, since she didn't have many friends. Has Abigail forgiven her for the rough rude behaviour? Accepted S for what she is? Keen to make a friend and have no-one NOT be her friend?
Connor McMaster is a favourite, sometimes in conversation she will say "Connor McMaster does this", "Friday is Connor McMaster's dinner day (going out)", "I'll make an award for Connor, his favourite colour is red". He wore a tree stuck to a hat for crazy hat day, and huge paper clovers stapled to his shirt for St Patrick's day.
Anyway to give out the eggs Priscilla brought them to the playground pickup, and Abigail gave them to her friends (PP wasn't sure who was whose mum, as we're supposed to be discreet about gifts/invitations to avoid hurting feelings). Connor and Ben had been ushered into the aftercare classroom when Abi got to their eggs, so we hovered outside the door waiting for them to emerge as Mrs Partington (KP) suggested. However Connie Fiorini the school secretary / receptionist took pity on us waiting there and went into the classroom, loudly asking for the boys to come to the door. Abigail gave them the eggs in front of everyone. Was Abigail's smile one of embarrassment or pleasure?
Sabrina received her egg with no reaction. Just took it from Pascale the egg assistant then went on her way.
Connor McMaster is a favourite, sometimes in conversation she will say "Connor McMaster does this", "Friday is Connor McMaster's dinner day (going out)", "I'll make an award for Connor, his favourite colour is red". He wore a tree stuck to a hat for crazy hat day, and huge paper clovers stapled to his shirt for St Patrick's day.
Anyway to give out the eggs Priscilla brought them to the playground pickup, and Abigail gave them to her friends (PP wasn't sure who was whose mum, as we're supposed to be discreet about gifts/invitations to avoid hurting feelings). Connor and Ben had been ushered into the aftercare classroom when Abi got to their eggs, so we hovered outside the door waiting for them to emerge as Mrs Partington (KP) suggested. However Connie Fiorini the school secretary / receptionist took pity on us waiting there and went into the classroom, loudly asking for the boys to come to the door. Abigail gave them the eggs in front of everyone. Was Abigail's smile one of embarrassment or pleasure?
Sabrina received her egg with no reaction. Just took it from Pascale the egg assistant then went on her way.
Flying fox
Abigail was initially hesistant about getting on this contraption at Dean Reserve Enfield. The previous time she was sitting with her father. However once she tried it with an adult spotting her she gained in confidence. Soon Abigail was standing up on the flying fox as it zipped along the cable. Unfortunately close to the end of the day she was hit in the left cheek by the weight as one of her uncles dismounted - the platform was crowded with people. Just a reddening which had ice put onto it straightaway, and was checked out by Dr Mark for cheekbone and eye socket damage.
Jealousy
As her sister's birthday presents were given to her during the week by various relatives, Abigail wondered aloud why she did not receive any. She did not like the explanation that it was not her turn to get birthday presents. Didn't help that some relatives gave "Happy Day" presents which were near duplicates of the birthday gift. Surely we can teach the child that she isn't entitled to gifts each time they are given.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
More awards
Abi got 2 class awards today - one from the class & one from her teacher.
Her table, the "Orange" table, got this weeks award. The kids were: Abigail, Paige, Sophie, Andrew, Caleb and ?
Her table, the "Orange" table, got this weeks award. The kids were: Abigail, Paige, Sophie, Andrew, Caleb and ?
Abi mirror portrait
In art class Abi painted her own portrait in the mirror. Note that the nose detail is not as good as the rest, the background of this story is that her painting partner, Sabrina, took the mirror away before Abi could finish. So Abi painted the rest from memory.
Abigail Painting - mirror contrast study
Abigail did this in art class on thursday - it's a mirror picture - abigail is on the left and sabrina on the right.
What is quite interesting is the context behind this study - Abigail and Sabrina are not the best of friends - Sabrina is older and is the class bully. Apparantly Sabrina held up the mirror for Abi to draw half of her face then took it away. So this painting (and the next one) were done mostly from memory!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Awards
Seems to be the week for it: Abigail was very surprised and happy to receive A5 size certificates:
FJT: class award for group work in reading group
Swim: completion of her swim level (Goldfish) and promotion to Salmon
Ballet: excellent work in Test 2
Class dynamics
Abigail started off on the Apples table, with Sabrina from Phoenix pre-school, and her new best friend Mia Otter. Also there was Xavier, Andrew and Oliver. Now she has been rotated to the Oranges table with Paige, Andrew and Marcus among others. Seems happier altho Sabrina has sidled up to Mia Otter on the Apples table and says they are sisters (!) cos both have brown hair or something silly and Abi can't be their sister.
Abigail happily reported recently that she is making a new friend each day, in both KC and KP classes. Her girlfriends include Mia Azzi (sister in creative thinkers club), Elly Bourke (good swimmer), Paige, Mia Otter. Not sure about Sabrina tho. The older girl (by almost exactly a year) usually appears uncouth with strange blank stare to the distance. Reports of grabbing Abigail's pencils out of her hand, pulling elastic off Abi's hair (witnessed by PP and told off for it), eyeing Abi's new purse and asking if she could have it, singing chants about Chinese soup. Another friend from KP is Tommy, who went to Phoenix 3 day group. She recently broke her arm after being pushed off the monkey bars at school!!
Boys seem to be Abigail's friends too, or at least she is trying to be their friend. Ben (KP, Mary's son) is Mia Otter's "boyfriend" but Abigail plays with him too. Marcus from Phoenix days, Xavier, Hayden (tallest in the class), Andrew (doesn't like him now), Caleb (spits into her hand as they were holding hands in line), and Connor McMaster (her favourite boy, has drawn him an award card with 2 smiley faces). Connor's Friday is his Going (out) to Dinner Day, his parents made him a hat with a small tree standing on it for Crazy Hat Day, giant shamrocks stapled to his sports shirt for St Pat's Day, and he has reddish hair.
Am surprised by the increased boisterous play on Abi's part after associating with these boys, but Abigail has always tended to go crazy given half a chance and these are older than ones at Phoenix. Some bullies: Andrew and Noah in particular have been notified by supervising teachers after parental insistence (leg bruises). Is this school the right environment for Abigail? Doesn't seem as nurturing as pre-school but then could be worse like a public school eg. Forest Lodge...
Abigail happily reported recently that she is making a new friend each day, in both KC and KP classes. Her girlfriends include Mia Azzi (sister in creative thinkers club), Elly Bourke (good swimmer), Paige, Mia Otter. Not sure about Sabrina tho. The older girl (by almost exactly a year) usually appears uncouth with strange blank stare to the distance. Reports of grabbing Abigail's pencils out of her hand, pulling elastic off Abi's hair (witnessed by PP and told off for it), eyeing Abi's new purse and asking if she could have it, singing chants about Chinese soup. Another friend from KP is Tommy, who went to Phoenix 3 day group. She recently broke her arm after being pushed off the monkey bars at school!!
Boys seem to be Abigail's friends too, or at least she is trying to be their friend. Ben (KP, Mary's son) is Mia Otter's "boyfriend" but Abigail plays with him too. Marcus from Phoenix days, Xavier, Hayden (tallest in the class), Andrew (doesn't like him now), Caleb (spits into her hand as they were holding hands in line), and Connor McMaster (her favourite boy, has drawn him an award card with 2 smiley faces). Connor's Friday is his Going (out) to Dinner Day, his parents made him a hat with a small tree standing on it for Crazy Hat Day, giant shamrocks stapled to his sports shirt for St Pat's Day, and he has reddish hair.
Am surprised by the increased boisterous play on Abi's part after associating with these boys, but Abigail has always tended to go crazy given half a chance and these are older than ones at Phoenix. Some bullies: Andrew and Noah in particular have been notified by supervising teachers after parental insistence (leg bruises). Is this school the right environment for Abigail? Doesn't seem as nurturing as pre-school but then could be worse like a public school eg. Forest Lodge...
Line Leader
This week at Fr John Therry school, Abigail was the line leader for KC girls (rotational position for a week). She was excited by this, and even managed to get ready quickly so that she was in the playground before the bell (unusual for us at the moment).
She reported that Mrs P, the other kindergarten teacher, commented that she was a good line leader. Why? There was a gap in the line and she told the girls to move up and fill it. Then Abigail said that after she stopped being line leader she would still train the girls. ("But no-one trains the boys, they are all over the place.") Hmm, starting to show her leadership skills already. Imagine her approach to leading Pascale being applied to the KC girls...)
She reported that Mrs P, the other kindergarten teacher, commented that she was a good line leader. Why? There was a gap in the line and she told the girls to move up and fill it. Then Abigail said that after she stopped being line leader she would still train the girls. ("But no-one trains the boys, they are all over the place.") Hmm, starting to show her leadership skills already. Imagine her approach to leading Pascale being applied to the KC girls...)
Chinese Checkers
Last night as a family bonding exercise we played Chinese Checkers. Abi had played once before at Por Por's place while Pascale was a novice and Chris confused it with Checkers. Anyway after about 6 rounds Pascale went off to play by herself, and Abigail stayed until the end when the sisters were the last to finish. She caught onto the rules quickly but had to be shown how to jump in different directions (rather complicated variation on the basic rule). Was disappointed that she didn't win. (Chris won.)
Monday, March 15, 2010
Abi promoted to next swimming level
Abigail got promoted in her swim class to the next level - in her test,
Priscilla was amazed to see this young girl kick her legs like an
outboard motor and use her freestyle strokes correctly to swim really
really fast.
Asking grandma "who is that child?", she replied "That's your daughter!!"
Wow, what a change.
(Although it is more inconvenient since Abi has to have an alternative
class time of wednesday 4:30pm!! And in the BIG [cold ....] pool )
Priscilla was amazed to see this young girl kick her legs like an
outboard motor and use her freestyle strokes correctly to swim really
really fast.
Asking grandma "who is that child?", she replied "That's your daughter!!"
Wow, what a change.
(Although it is more inconvenient since Abi has to have an alternative
class time of wednesday 4:30pm!! And in the BIG [cold ....] pool )
Abi and the 6 thinking hats class
Today we met Abigail's extension class teacher - Abigail is a very
advanced reader (PM 17 ie: 7 year old level) so will be doing a reading
group with her other advanced peers (there are about 3 kids in her class
at a similar level, so they will get grouped)
Later, she had her 1st extension class at school - in a group of 7, she
got to play a thinking game based on de Bono's 6 thinking hats
(She didn't mention which hat(s) she wore :-)
Finally she finished with a computer activity to play - generating
animations!!!!
Wow, onya Fr John Therry primary school!!
advanced reader (PM 17 ie: 7 year old level) so will be doing a reading
group with her other advanced peers (there are about 3 kids in her class
at a similar level, so they will get grouped)
Later, she had her 1st extension class at school - in a group of 7, she
got to play a thinking game based on de Bono's 6 thinking hats
(She didn't mention which hat(s) she wore :-)
Finally she finished with a computer activity to play - generating
animations!!!!
Wow, onya Fr John Therry primary school!!
Friday, March 12, 2010
We're back!
We have been slack - not keeping a diary of Abigail's life...
Anyway, now abigail has just started school at the beginning of march.
She loves school (especially the uniform) and has a great time.
We have noticed that her behaviour has changed - she is more rude, rough and rambunctious! Her new school friends are very rough in the playgrounds and Abi can get very overexcited.
I'm going to try make a recap of what's happened in the past year. So stay tuned.
Anyway, now abigail has just started school at the beginning of march.
She loves school (especially the uniform) and has a great time.
We have noticed that her behaviour has changed - she is more rude, rough and rambunctious! Her new school friends are very rough in the playgrounds and Abi can get very overexcited.
I'm going to try make a recap of what's happened in the past year. So stay tuned.
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