UN: Is this the right place for the G4 Chat?
Diane Power: Yes, I am here. Hi UN!
UN: Okay. I lack creativity. We are finally on our way. we did a model of a human body from a kid’s kit, and have an entry for the four basic kingdoms. I am a single working mom. I would love some easy hands on ideas other the MLB entries. My g4 loves science and history and I seem to disappoint in this area.
Diane Power: can you explain MLB?
UN: Main lesson book entries. We have down packed per Kristie’s excellent guides. But my daughter wants to make more hand projects. I am not good at that.
Diane Power: Thanks for the clarification! G4 is about being local – knowing your place, your home. Have you explored your neighborhood? Drawn maps? Do you know who first lived there? How they lived? What they ate? What are the native species of your area? Plant & animal. Can you name and identify them? Who were the first immigrants to come to your place? What is their story?
UN: Oh we did that block? We need more man and animal block project ideas. We did the geography and local history and state history in the fall. I like the native and animal species idea. Several field places for that. Just did not think of it.
Diane Power: Man and animal – did you explore the head/trunk/limb comparison between man and animal? In my school, fourth grades traditionally chose an animal and created a report to share with the class.
UN: We are doing that next. But just drawings in the MLB. What else can we do for that part? Oh she loves reports. She writes books on science and history weekly. That is a good idea.
Diane Power: For additional drawings, you could weave in the native animals/birds/insects/fish. Is there a good balance between drawings & writing in the MLB? Has she learned the plural form of different animal groups? For example, a nest of vipers, a kindle of kittens, etc… That could be a fun project that could include drawings. She could illustrate a poem about an animal she likes.
UN: She does write in the MLB. I love the plural name idea. You are really suggesting things she would love. She is high functioning autism and very artistic and right brained. I think I have enough ideas now. Thank you. Are you actively teaching in a school now?
Diane Power: Thanks! I am not with a school right now. I worked for 10 years at a Waldorf school in my area.
UN: Great. Logging off now.
Diane Power: Thanks and have fun!
Diane Power: Hi K and welcome!
K: Thank you! Sorry bit of tech issue, but got it fixed!
Diane Power: Great! Do you have any questions or concerns I can help with?
K: I’m planning for Grade 4 and Kindergarten 2.
Diane Power: Welcome, C!
K: So I am interested in how I might overlap some of the Man and Animal in ways that speak well to both my soon to be ten and six year old girls. My six-year-old is never out of the room, so I like to include her where I can. never out.
Diane Power: I think it would be fun to use some animal fables that could be used for both girls.
K: That’s a great idea.
Diane Power: Modeling them with beeswax too!
K: Yes, that would be fun! Can I introduce the block crayons to my six-year-old because we could have fun lessons drawing animals… I have watched some of your crayon lessons.
Diane Power: Absolutely! Also, learning short funny animal poems together and songs!
K: Great!
Diane Power: Thanks! I hope the lessons were helpful.
K: They were very helpful. Thank you for doing them. Since I am also doing Norse Myths with my older, I was thinking of bringing Norse fairy tales to my younger. Do you recommend any resources for those?
Diane Power: Overall, I think it’s easiest to use the arts to include children of different ages. Norse fairy tales…..let me think…You could use Hans Christian Anderson’s stories since they are from that area…
K: Thank you for reminding me! 🙂
Diane Power: You’re welcome! 🙂
K: Another resource question for you. I just read The Kalevala, the Finnish epic, and was really impressed. Have you ever taught that in your class and if so, do you have any ideas to share?
Diane Power: Yes, I’m checking a resource…. I used the Lyre Association of North America’s newsletter from Michaelmas-Advent 2004. The article is titled “The New Harp: A Grade Four Play Enacting a Kalevala Rune.”
K: Oh – great thank you!
Diane Power: The author, Catherine Rand, speaks about using melody to bring the Kalevala which was possibly sung beginning around 500 BC. She also mentions that Longfellow’s Hiawatha had been inspired by the Kalevala. And she adapted the melody of Laurie Anderson’s song “Hiawatha” (1989) to sing selected parts of the Kalevala.
Diane Power: Welcome, KL!
K: Thanks, so much Diane. I will check that resource.
KL: Do you have suggestions to help with drawing? My son is wrapping up G4 and hates to draw
Diane Power: What medium are you using?
Diane Power: Welcome, AR!
KL: Crayon or colored pencil
Diane Power: You’re welcome, K! Do you know what he doesn’t like about it?
KL: I have to go… I will check back with you later. Sorry!
Diane Power: No worries, KL!
K: Diane, thanks for taking the time to do this! I appreciate your insights.
Diane Power: Thanks so much, K!
AR: We are new to Earthschooling, so I’m just here to see what others have done this year. In the fall, I’ll have a 4th, 1st, and 4-year-old. The younger two always want to be involved in what the eldest is doing, and its a hard balance sometimes.
Diane Power: I’m sure that’s challenging!
AR: It can be. I can sometimes get the younger two involved with a sensory box or play after circle time, but they generally will desert whatever activity to come and be with the biggest for main lesson.
Diane Power: Having time together to do artistic activities, listen to stories, and play outdoors. I think they could be there to listen and have their own work – drawing, knitting, painting, playing quietly
AR: Yes, I’m thinking of doing as many lessons outside as possible. Yes, that is fine, and often how things work. My main issue is with math; not wanting the younger two to be too awakened by it, I guess.
Diane Power: I understand…you may have to create a boundary and be firm about having alone time with each of them and to learn how to honor that
AR: Yes, that is a good point. I can integrate art, science, handwork, some stories, and just do some blocks separate and some together. It will mean a lot of planning this summer, and working with them on those boundaries this summer while my wife is available to help before she returns to school in the fall.
Diane Power: Sounds like a plan! Especially to work on boundary skills over the summer!
AR: Thanks for your ideas.
Diane Power: You’re welcome!
Leave a Reply