Minerva and Arachne

By Jemimah

Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and creativity and she was very competitive. Once she was in a competition to win a city, and it was to see who could make something most useful. She made the thing that the gods said was most useful. It was olives. The other god made horses, but they were deemed not as important. So she won the city of Athens because her name in Greek is Athene.

There was another contest too. Minerva was well known for the fact that she was a brilliant weaver. There was also another woman, who was a mortal, named Arachne. She was also a brilliant weaver, and challenged Minerva to have a competition. Minerva changed herself into an old lady and visited Arachne. She gave her some friendly advice and said, “Do not challenge this god. She is powerful and she will beat you. Maybe, if you apologise she will have pity and forgive you." But Arachne got furious and shouted, “Let her come to me. I will have a match against her.” Then Minerva said in her disguise, “She comes,” and dropped her disguise. The girl was shocked but she stood firm. She would not back out.

They started the match and Minerva was sure that she would win. She knew that she was a talented weaver. Arachne, too, knew that she was a good weaver, but was not quite so sure. Minerva wove a tapestry showing how foolish she thought humans were and Arachne made one showing how foolish she though gods were, and she illustrated a few of the faults of the gods. Minerva did likewise, and Minerva was said to be the winner. Arachne was so sad that she died. Minerva took pity on her and said, “Have life.”

Then she turned into a spider. That is why spiders always weave.

Matthew Flinders

A narration by 9 year old Jemimah as part of her Final AO4 examinations. I think she's done really well, despite a few factual errors.

Matthew Flinders

Matthew Flinders’ father was a doctor, and like most fathers he wanted his son to take on the family job of medical work. But Matthew and his brother had different ideas. They both wanted to be seafarers. But their home was so far away that it would be impossible for them to get a proper seafaring education. But Matthew Flinders and his brother didn’t care. They were going to be sailors no matter what their father wanted.

One day his father took him down to a beach. Matthew was entranced. Now he was sure that he wanted to be a sailor. His Uncle John was a seafarer, but he started late, and certainly didn’t have enough time in his life to become a Captain and make him his Cabin Boy, but he could recommend a man who did have enough power to make him Cabin Boy, and he pointed him in the direction of Captain Pasley.

Captain Pasley invited Flinders to come on a short trip on the Bellerophon. Matthew Flinders had always wanted to sail around the world. He had heard about Captain Bligh and how with incredible fortune he had been able to go right around the world. He had also heard about how he had amazingly managed to survive a mutiny when his sailors wanted to go back to Tahiti because they liked the weather so they captured him and put him in a little boat that was about the size of a row boat, gave him five days worth of bread and water and cast him out. Now you would have though that was the end of Captain Bligh. Not true. Captain Bligh managed to reach Timor safely in 45 days. Captain Bligh was renowned for his crazy personality. He was known for whipping a man for not eating or not eating the lime that stopped him getting scurvy, and yet a couple of minutes later he would be talking to his orange trees. Yes, talking. At one point he put the sailors on rations so that the breadfruit trees got enough water.

Matthew Flinders therefore was fascinated by this man and was amazed when he was offered the chance to sail with him. Of course he said,” Yes,” and he was a brilliant help to Captain Bligh. He sailed for Tahiti and was amused to see that Captain Bligh was delighted with the fact that the orange trees he had planted a small while before on his previous voyage were growing brilliantly. Especially one, which he pronounced delightedly, was thriving! Captain Bligh had been elected to pick up some breadfruit trees and take them to the slaves in the sugarcane plantations because the slaves didn’t have enough food. Matthew Flinders survived the rations in order to keep alive the breadfruit trees and came home to Captain Pasley.

He had not known that while he was away, a war had begun with France. So he and Captain Pasley went out on the dangerous seas to fight. In that journey, Captain Pasley got shot in the leg and was in a serious condition for a while, but he survived. Matthew Flinders went home, amazingly with no injuries, and met a pretty girl called Anne. He fell in love with her, but he was offered the chance to go to Australia with Captain Hunter, and since this was his dream, he could not refuse.

While he was on the ship, he made friends with the ship doctor, George Bass. Mr Bass brought on board with him a tiny boat, only seven feet long called the Tom Thumb. He was planning to use it for exploring, but had been denied the privilege by the Captain, who from kindness more than anything said, “You will surely be dashed to pieces in such a small boat.” But he, with the help of Matthew Flinders convinced him to let them both go in the boat and sail around Tasmania. In doing so they proved that Tasmania was not joined to the mainland. Another thing happened on this voyage – a sad thing. Bass got shot in the arm by a bullet and his arm got infected. It got infected to badly that he was dying. He was on the operating table about to have his arm amputated in a wild effort to save him when he died.

Matthew Flinders was very sad about his friend and he missed him greatly. When he returned home he married Anne, and was dismayed to find out he was leaving again for Australia two days after his marriage. He was very sad, but they comforted themselves by saying that they would meet each other soon – in one year. He wrote many letters to her, and made up a pet name – Beloved Friend.

One of the things that nobody knew at that time was whether Australia were one country or two, and Flinders wanted to prove that it was one. So he went to Joseph Banks and asked him if he would be interested, but he convinced him by using his weakness…more plants. Everyone knew that he loved to discover more plants. Matthew Flinders too advantage of this and explained that if Australia were two continents, there might be different plants on each. He immediately agreed, giving him the permission to have his own ship and he arranged a passe-port to be made so that he might be able to go through the different ports and the war ports without being arrested. Matthew Flinders set off and sailed back to Australia. He proved that it was one country, but he got ship wrecked on his way and with his strong will and some men, in a tiny boat, he managed to sail all the way to Sydney. They gave him a boat and he sailed back to rescue them, but while he was gone they had been making a boat because they said to themselves that if he doesn’t make it we will have wasted all this time. So as a backup they made their own boat. They still used his boat though. Then they went around the other bit of Australia and proved that it was one island.

Matthew Flinders was eager to get home to Anne, so he started the long voyage back home. He knew fine well that the bottom of the boat was rotting and the steel cap on the bottom would not help the leaks, so he stopped off in Mauritius, which belonged to France. Despite his passe-port, the Frenchmen put him in gaol because they thought he was a spy coming to steal their plans for war. He was left in gaol for many years. Finally Joseph Banks convinced them to let him go, although for a long time they had been ignoring him. While he was in prison Matthew Flinders got sick. He was an extremely unhealthy man waiting for someone to care. He had gall stones and sometimes it was so bad he sweated with pain.

He finally arrived home and was glad to be home. His wife was sent a letter saying he was home and she came immediately. While she was travelling, she met a man that had worked with her husband. He warned her that he was not the same as he used to be, and it was a good thing that he did. He was frail and sickly. He was only 36, but he looked 50 and he felt 70!

He started to have his life story written since he knew he was dying. The doctors could do nothing to help him but give him medicine to ease his pain. His wife had a baby. She too was called Anne after her mother. But Matthew was so sick he could not enjoy her much.

Anne did not cry when she heard he was going to die – she had cried enough earlier when he had left her many years in ships and fought battles. He was unconscious and dying when the finished book was placed underneath his hand. He would never know that his book had been finished. He died aged only 40.

Matthew Flinders is also well known for discovering a problem with the compass. He discovered that when metal things were close to a compass they made it change directions. He therefore invented a sort of box with a bar across the back and a round lid on the side. It would block off the magnet and in a way become a magnet itself, therefore stopping the compass giving the wrong directions, therefore making it possible to adjust the compass to correctly point north.

Australian literature exam narration

Jemimah's best narration from today's exams. Are you sick of these yet? I hope not.

Today, read her retelling of part of this Australian Children's Classic and tell me you don't want to know what happens next!!

Frank Dalby Davison’s Children of the Dark People has been described as “a European fantasy with pseudo-Aboriginal content”. Do you agree? Retell a part of the story that demonstrates this.

The whole idea of the caves, a magical spirit who has a tinkling dress and a whole load of beautiful caves is just impossible. Plus, if you ever read the book, there are many more spirits than just spirits who wear beautiful tinkling dresses. This is just a fairy story. I’ll tell it to you:

Nimmitybelle and Jackadgery had been captured by the witchdoctor, and the witchdoctor had put them at the back of the cave that he was hiding in. Every time he turned around, he glared at them angrily, as if they had done something wrong and he was paying them back.

They were just about to give themselves up as lost when they heard a little whisper, and when they turned, there was a little girl about the age of Nimmitybelle beckoning them. They were not tied up, so they quietly crept towards her. She motioned to them not to speak and then she showed them a little hole in the rock that they had not noticed before. They found themselves creeping through a narrow tunnel, just big enough for an average sized man. When they came out of the tunnel they were dazzled by a great light. When they got used to the light, they noticed that it was not the sort of light they would expect. It wasn’t light-bulb-light or sun-light or moon-light. When their eyes got more accustomed to it, they found that it was beautiful, shimmering, crystal light. There were thousands and hundreds of beautiful crystals. Nimmitybelle was the first to notice that the girl was wearing a beautiful dress, strung with crystals, just like beads. “Oh,” said Nimmitybelle, “it is beautiful!” The girl said, “I would give you one, but it belongs to the cave, for the crystals live here. I am merely borrowing them.” Then she said, “My name is the Spirit of the Caves.” Nimmitybelle and Jackadgery were still whispering for fear of the witchdoctor hearing. “No need to whisper,” she said. “Many people have come into that cave, and I have sung my little song, and they have not heard me. There is no need for him to hear me now.” Just then they heard a frightful yell of anger and shock from the witchdoctor, who really was just next door. Nimmitybelle jumped back in terror, and Jackadgery jumped in front of her. “Don’t worry,” said the Spirit of the Caves, “he has just found out you have disappeared. He is probably wondering how on earth you could have got out that cave entrance without him spotting you. Aha! He’ll never find our little cave!”

Then the Spirit of the Caves had, what, she thought, was a wonderful idea. “Let’s go take a look,” she said. Nimmitybelle thought this was the terriblest idea she could think of. She thought that they would merely be giving themselves away. The Spirit of the Caves obviously saw how she felt and said, “Don’t worry, if he hasn’t found the cave now, he could be standing right in front of it and won’t even see it. I rolled a stone in front of it.” Then Nimmitybelle and Jackadgery decided it would be okay. The Spirit of the Caves went first; Jackadgery second; and lastly, Nimmitybelle. In single file they crept down the tunnel once more.

This time, Nimmitybelle was nowhere near as frightened as she was before. The Spirit of the Caves rolled that stone back a tiny crack, and they all peeked through it. Nimmitybelle and Jackadgery were quite frightened when they saw the witchdoctor. What was he doing? He was merely jumping up and down, waving his arms as if he were trying to fly, yelling as if he had sat on an arrow, and stamping his feet as if he were trying to put out a fire. That’s what! To top it off, he was running around the room as if a load of bees were following him! Nimmitybelle was quite sure that any minute now he would discover them. Then she and the Spirit of the Caves and Jackadgery would all be doomed.

Finally the Spirit of the Caves had had enough fun. She suddenly became very serious, and said, “Come with me. You must be very hungry.” And indeed now that she had mentioned it, Nimmitybelle and Jackadgery realised just how hungry they really were. They crept back through the tunnel for the third time, and the Spirit of the Caves said, “Here, I will take you to my room. You may tell me your adventures and eat at the same time.” So she took them into her room, of which Nimmitybelle afterwards always said that if you take the most beautiful thing you could ever imagine and then you triple it, it would be ten times more beautiful. And that’s how beautiful her cave was. So they told the Spirit of the Caves their journey, and as they finished their food they also finished their story.

Then Jackadgery said, “I should like to go now to get a head start on the witchdoctor, for he is in a fine temper, and I am sure that if I came across him again he wouldn’t be too sorry to have a little fight with me.” Then the Spirit of the Caves rightly pointed out, “Shouldn’t you like to make some arrows first?” Jackadgery agreed, and while he made his spears, Nimmitybelle asked the Spirit of the Caves if she could have a look at her crystal skirts. The Spirit agreed, and even let her wear one while she waited.

Jackadgery finally finished his spears and before he went he asked, “May I paint a picture on your walls?” The Spirit of the Caves said, “Are you good?” Jackadgery did not need to answer. Before he could say, “By golly, yes,” Nimmitybelle sprang to her feet and said, “Jackadgery is the finest boy at painting on walls that I know of!” “Very well then,” said the Spirit of the Caves, “It is settled. You can paint a picture of your adventures until now.” While the Spirit of the Caves showed Nimmitybelle her other caves, Jackadgery painted the walls. When the Spirit finished her tour, she came back and saw Jackadgery with a satisfied look on his face and dusting his hands. “You are a fine painter, my boy,” she said, “quite fine.”

Nimmitybelle and Jackadgery thanked her very much for taking care of them, and said that they must be on their way, but Nimmitybelle said, “If we cannot find our way home, may we come back to you - at least for the night?” “Of course,” said the Spirit of the Caves. So Nimmitybelle picked up her dillybag and put her possum in it and Jackadgery picked up his newly made spears and boomerang.

With a final farewell and a wave of the hands, they left.

A literature narration

Jemimah's exam narration from Thomas Bullfinch's The Age of Fable:

Jupiter, or Jove, the father of the gods, was married to Juno, the queen of the gods. Juno was often jealous of rival affection towards her husband. Tell of two examples of her severity toward her rivals.

There was the time when Jupiter was dating a human, not a god. She was called Io. It was especially bad because he was already married. He had sent a large cloud over the sky so that no-one would see him, since he knew he was being naughty. Juno, noticing the cloud immediately suspected, and with her magic, wafted it away, leaving the two lovers exposed. But Juno had already seen what was happening.

Jupiter, thinking he would have time, turned the girl into a cow! But Juno had caught a glimpse of her and she decided to pretend she did not notice. He thought it was all going very well until she came up to him and said, “Why that is a lovely cow you have there. You must have caught it. May I have it?” Jupiter now had a problem. If he said no, his wife would either get angry or he would arouse suspicion. But if he said yes, his wife would surely do something to the maiden inside the cow. He had no choice but to give it to his wife, so he did so.

Immediately, Juno took the cow and took her to the god with a thousand eyes and told him to keep his eyes on the cow. If anything suspicious were to happen, he was to call Juno and let her know immediately. He did so, and Jupiter had no chance of getting his maiden back or of changing her back into a girl. He was very alarmed at this and so he called on the god of music, Pan, and told him his situation. Pan immediately got to work, trying to put the god to sleep. This worked, however the god only slept with two of his eyes at a time. He kept on working and decided he would tell him the story of the gods in his music. Finally, Pan looked up and saw all his eyes closed. He wasted no time. As quickly as he could he got up and freed the cow. The cow ran to her father and wrote in the sand her name, Io. Her father was greatly grieved at finding his daughter was now a cow. He said, “I would rather have you gone forever than to have you like this.”

One day she was so sad because her father was sad that Io ran away. She ran over the largest things and the smallest things you can imagine. She climbed Mount Everest. She swam the seven seas and she walked many deserts. Finally, Jupiter found her and turned her back into a human.

The second occasion Juno was jealous was when Jupiter dated another girl called Callisto. This is the story.

Jupiter obviously didn’t learn quickly. Before you could recollect exactly what happened, he was dating another girl. This time Juno changed her into a bear! Jupiter and Callisto were very sad because you could see the hair growing on her arms, and her face slowly turning into a bear’s.

Though the girl was a bear, she forgot she was a bear. She was afraid of the woods, and afraid of her own kind. Often she would creep into the outskirts of town, just to be near her father and son. Once, her son was preparing to shoot a deer, when he caught a glimpse of her. He was afraid, though she made no signs of harming him. Seeing what was going to happen, she fell down on what used to be her hands and knees, but her son was terrified, thinking the bear was going to kill him. So he quickly grabbed an arrow and fitted it in place. But Jupiter, seeing what was going to happen, didn’t want it to happen. He didn’t want either of them to win – or die. So he quickly took hold of both of them and stuck them in the sky amongst the stars.

Juno, seeing the two of them given a place of honour, was so angry she probably screamed (but we don’t know that). She rushed over to some of the other gods and complained. She explained that she had sent Callisto into the woods because she was being dishonoured. The god of the sea didn’t fix this, though he did make sure that they didn’t fall down into the sea. And, if you were to look out at the sky and there weren’t any clouds, and if it were dark enough to see the stars, even in the day time, though some of the stars will not be there, or may have changed places like the bear and the boy, you will never quite see them disappear below the horizon.

Poplicola - an exam narration

We're doing exams this week in the lead up to Easter and the holidays. I love exam week, but I am really looking forward to these holidays, to be honest. It has been a long and difficult term.

Our first subject, this morning, was Citizenship, where we have been studying Plutarch's Life of Poplicola. This is Jemimah's first term of this challenging book, and here is her uncorrected narration. I am really pleased with it...even though some of the facts are a little dodgy...it was Marcus, Poplicola's brother, who was honoured with the outward opening front door!!

Solon describes “the virtue and gallant disposition of the Romans”, of which Poplicola could be taken as a prime example. What are some synonyms for ‘gallant’? How do ‘gallant’ and ‘magnanimous’ fit the picture Plutarch has given us of Poplicola?

Poplicola wasn’t selfish. He shared. When his brother took away his consulship for a short time he actually helped him instead of trying to get it back.

When he was making alliances with different people, to be sure that he was going to do it, he sent some of the people’s children to be slaves to the other country. Among them he sent his daughter, which I think means that, “If my people have to do it, I have to”. When his daughter came back, he sent her straight back again.

The people showed him how much they liked him because normal people’s doors opened inward, so that passers-by would not get hit in the face! But Poplicola’s house had opening out doors.

Gallant means brave. Whenever Poplicola had to fight in an army he would not pass the job onto someone else. He went willingly, even though he could have died. He was willing to give up his life because other men had to do so too.

Magnanimous means not being sad when you give small things to someone else; willing to share; and glad to help. Poplicola was very much these characters. He was glad to help in any way. Most rich men and nobles were scornful of the idea of being with poor people. But not Poplicola. He was happy to share his home with others, and his home was always open to the poor and needy. He would always listen to the peoples’ needs, and patiently try to fix their problems. In one of the stories, Poplicola was told by a servant that he was being sabotaged and was going to be murdered. Poplicola instead of sending him out to get more information, kept him safe by not letting him out of his house (or castle) until he had sorted things out.

Poplicola was very fancy and rich, but as soon as someone needed help he would generously give them of his wealth.

Poplicola didn’t get jealous. On one occasions, he was at war when his brother was selected to take his place. Poplicola helped him but he could have been very angry if he chose to. Another time, Poplicola was at war and his men were building a temple. They had finished it before he got back, and Horatio was chosen to open it and to be coin holder. Then Marcus, Poplicola’s brother, shouted at him from the door, “O Horatio, your son lies dead in the camp.” Then Horatio said, “Mourn for him if you will. I am no mourner!” And he carried out the ceremony. But no-one knows exactly whether he saw through the trick or decided that he would not be sad in the ceremony.

Poplicola’s character was brave, kind, peaceful, and enduring. If he had been a Christian, he would have gone down in history for his bravery and kindness. He was very honourable. No wonder everyone would want to be him.

AO3 Term 1 exams

And here's this term's exam.

Just curious - do any of you make use of these exams? Should I keep posting them?

How many of them actually use the Our Curriculum tab at the top of my blog? Is there anything you'd like me to add to this page to make it more useful perhaps?

Please help me make this work for you!

Bible

1. Paul’s epistle to the church in Rome shows how Christ’s death makes us right with God and how he will help us live a good life. Can you explain some of the things Paul says in this letter?
2. You have studied Psalm 23 in depth this term. Tell me some of the ways you see Jesus in this Psalm. You may choose to do this line by line.
3. Tell about the end of Moses’ life.

Memory

1. Recite Ephesians 6: 10-18 about the Armour of God to Daddy.
2. Westminster Catechism questions. How many can you get right?
3. Récites Éphésiens 6:10-11 Les armes de Dieu,en français à Maman.
4. Recite your poem, The Tyger by William Blake.

Writing

1. Write the alphabet in joined running lower case letters in your very best writing.
Her writing is coming along well. See attached.
2. Please write your full name using your very best joined writing. Ensure your letters sit on the line, and watch slope and spacing.

Reading

1. Read for 5 minutes from Storm Boy (900L);Read for 5 minutes from Ballet Shoes (930L); Read for 5 minutes from A Wizard of Earthsea (1150L)

World History

1. Can you tell me something about the Renaissance and some of the artists who lived in that time?
2. Tell the story of Mary of Scotland – a most unhappy queen.
3. When the Polos entered Balashan they entered the western edge of a territory that lies east of India and runs eastward to the border of china. He found many strange animals and wild beasts. Tell me about this part of Marco Polo’s voyage. Can you show me the area on our new map?
4. Illustrate one of the following:

a. William Tyndale – translator of the English Bible
b. John Calvin – theologian of the reformation.

Church History

1. More than anything, Martin Luther wanted peace with God. His search led him to the Bible where he learned about salvation through faith. Tell me about this.

Natural History and General Science

1. Tell me all you know about one of the following:

a. James Watt and the invention of the steam engine
b. The invention of the electric engine and electric locomotive
c. The invention of spinning machines: the jenny, the water frame, and the mule.

2. Make me some popcorn and explain to me how it is made.
3. You have learned about a number of marvellous Australian animals this term. Draw a picture of one and tell me what you know of it.

Literature and Tales

1. “A man, sir,” said Helicanus, “who has not spoken to any one these three months, nor taken any sustenance, but just to prolong his grief; it would be tedious to repeat the whole ground of his distemper, but the main springs from the loss of a beloved daughter and a wife.” Lysimachus begged to see this afflicted prince, and when he beheld Pericles, he saw he had been once a goodly person, and he said to him, “Sir king, all hail, the gods preserve you, hail, royal sir!” But in vain Lysimachus spoke to him; Pericles made no answer, nor did he appear to perceive any stranger approached. And then Lysimachus bethought him of the peerless maid Marina, that haply with her sweet tongue she might win some answer from the silent prince: and with the consent of Helicanus he sent for Marina…

What happened next in this play? Here are some proper nouns you can use: Pericles, Cleon and Dionysia, Leonine, Lychorida, Mitylene, Lysimachus, Helicanus, Marina.

2. Tell the story of how Perseus came to the Aethiops and freed the fair maiden Andromeda from the sea-monster.
3. What has been your favourite part of Christiana’s Story so far? Tell me about it.
4. Explain how the Princess Irene was able to rescue Curdie from his prison under the mountain. 5. Tell the story of the Master of the Harvest who always grumbled about his crops and his poor sick wife who remained faithful.

Australian literature/history

1. Explain how Meg came to meet up with Alan Courtney in the paddocks where the bush grows thickly. Where were Aldith and Andrew?
2. Describe what happened when the Governor decided that for the privilege of mining Queen Victoria’s land and keeping the gold they kept, the miners should pay a licence fee of thirty shillings a month.

Mathematics

1. Complete review sheet 155 (Book 3b)

French
1. Listen to the French story and draw a cartoon strip to illustrate the tale:

Dans la salle à manger il y a une table et cinq chaises. Une, deux, trios, quatre, cinq. Sur la table il y a une nappe blanche. Sur la nappe blanche il y a des assiettes, des tasses, des fourchettes et des cuillières. Il y a cinq assiettes, cinq tasses, cinq fourchettes et cinq cuillères. Il est absolument défendu aux enfants de jouer dans la sale à manger!

Un jour Ninette entre dans la salle à manger. Elle voit la table avec sa nappe blanche. Elle dit: “Oh! Voilà une jolie petite maison! Oh je veux jouer à la maman.” Elle entre dans la petite maison. “Quelle jolie petite maison!” dit-elle. “Je suis la maman, et la poupée est ma petite fille. Oh, j’adore jouer à la maman.
“J’adore ma petite maison,” dit Ninette. “La table forme la toit, et la nappe forme les murs. Mais la nappe n’est pas assez longue. Les passants peuvent me voir!” Elle tire la nappe. Hélas!! Elle fait tombe les assiettes, les tasses, les fourchettes et les ciullières! Voila, une assiette et deux tasses cassées!
A ce moment Monsieur Coq entre dans la salle à manger. “Oh Ninette, Ninette,” dit-il, “que tu es vilaine! Voila une assiette casée…voila deux tasses cassées…Oh, tu es villaine, Ninette!” “Je te demande pardon, Papa, “ dit la pauvre petite Ninette. A ce moment Madame Poule entre dans la salle à manger. Elle voit une assiette et deux tasses cassèes. “Oh, Ninette, Ninette, “ dit-elle, “que tu es vilaine!”

2. Dessines: Trois assiettes, deux tasses et une fourchette. Ecrives les nomes à droite des images, s’il te plaît.

3. Complete these word matching games on the computer :

a. colours,
b. animals,
c. office tools.

Picture Study (Michelangelo)

1. What is the name of the artist we studied this term? What can you tell me about his life?
2. Describe your favourite picture/sculpture from this term's picture study and explain why you like it.
3. Can you draw one of his others?

Composer Study (Early Music)

1. In a break from our regular composer study we have been looking at early music. What can you tell me about music in Mediaeval times?
2. Tell me what you know about Hildegard von Bingen?

Music

1. Sing all the songs from this term in front of Daddy.
2. Play three songs on the recorder, including one that uses your new notes.

Handwork

1. Show Daddy your cross stitch and explain how you did it.
2. Do you know the names of the stitches you used?

AO2 Term 3 Exams

Sorry I am so late posting this exam from last year. Better late than never, though, I guess...

Bible

1. “Because you did not trust in me enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

To whom did the LORD speak these words and why?

2. Can you tell me what happened when Jesus and his mother went to a wedding in Cana?
3. Tell how Satan tempted Jesus in the desert.

Memory

1. Recite John 14: 1-8 to Daddy.
2. Westminster Catechism questions. How many can you get right?
3. Récites Matthieu 19:14 en français à Maman.

Writing

1. Write the alphabet in upper and lower case letters in your very best writing.
2., Please write, using your very best writing: “The five boxing wizards jumped quickly!” Watch punctuation, slope and spacing.

Reading

1. Read for 5 minutes from Farmer Boy (820L)
2. Read for 5 minutes from The Mouse and the Motorcycle (860L)

World History

1. Can you tell me something about the three inventions that ended the Middle Ages?
2. Tell the story of Edward and Richard, the two little princes in the tower.
3. What happened at the end of Joan of Arc’s life?
4. Illustrate one of the following:

a. Elizabeth of Hungary, Servant of the Poor;
b. John Wyclif, The Morning Star of the Reformation; or
c. John Huss, Forerunner of the Reformation.

5. On Christopher Columbus’ forth and final voyage he was given four old and worm-eaten ships for his voyage to find a passage through the unknown continent he had found. Why was this so and what happened as a consequence?

Natural History and General Science

1. What was your favourite part of Pagoo? Tell me about it, paying particular attention to any other sea creatures he encountered.
2. What are some of the most amazing changes that Seabird encounters during his long live on the waves?
3. What can you tell me about magpies?

Literature and Tales

1. “Aegeon had no money to pay the fine, and the duke, before he pronounced the sentence of death upon him, desired him to relate the history of his life, and to tell for what cause he had ventured to come to the city of Ephesus, which it was death for any Syracusan merchant to enter."

What happened next?. Here are some proper nouns you can use: Aegon, Antipholus, Dromio, Adriana, Ephesus, Syracuse.

2. These three pictures illustrate a scene from Robin Hood. Can you tell me what happened in this episode in the life of Robin and his Merry Men?
3. Before Pilgrim and Hopeful could reach the Celestial City there was one last trial they had to face. What was it?
4. Tell the story of one of the following:

a. The two girls Kate and Undine in “Motes in the Sunbeam”;
b. Little Siegfried and the “Red Snow” on Mont Blanc; or
c. The Sea Creatures in “Wherunto?”

Australian literature/geography

1. Tell me about Narahdarn the bat who wanted honey.
2. Describe what happened when the puddin’ thieves made an appearance carrying a bran bag in their hands. Who was the rightful owner of the bag?

Mathematics

1. Complete review sheet 95 (Book 3b)
2. Recite your eight and seven times tables.

French

1. In the song Jean Petit qui danse several parts of his body dance. Name them in French and English..
2. Translate the following passage into English:

Monsieur Coq est très riche. Il a une jolie maison. Dans cette maison il y a une salle à manger. Le trois petites poulettes mangent dans la salle à manger. Ninette mange une pomme. Linette mange un orange et deux fraises, et Minette mange trois framboises.

Dans cette maison il y a aussi un salon. Les poulets dansent dans le salon. Les trois petites poulets aiment beaucoup danser!

3. Qu'est-ce que les trois poules manger?

Picture Study (Salvador Dali)

1. What is the name of the artist we studied this term? Where did he live?
2. Describe your favourite picture from this term's picture study and explain why you like it.
3. Can you draw one of his others?

Composer Study (Handel)

1. What is the name of the composer we have been studying this term? What can you tell me about his life?
2. Tell me what you know about his Music for the Royal Fireworks.

Music

1. Sing all the songs from this term in front of Daddy.
2. Play three songs on the recorder, including one that uses your new notes.

Handwork

1. Show Daddy your felt purse.
2. Do you know the names of the stitches you used?

A summary of Romans

We're doing exams again this week. I hope you enjoy reading some of Jemimah's answers!

I think she did particularly well with this one on Paul's letter to the Romans. Paul compresses such vast thoughts so succinctly that Romans can be difficult enough for adults let alone an 8 year old, and yet the truths contained in his letter are valuable for children and well as grown-ups.

Have a look at how she did:

Paul’s epistle to the church in Rome shows how Christ’s death makes us right with God and how he will help us live a good life. Can you explain some of the things Paul says in this letter?

Pauls says in his Letter to the Romans that you cannot be saved by your works, but by your thoughts and by the way you honour God. You can only be saved by believing that Christ died for you while you were still sinners to save you from death. God loved you so much that he sent Jesus to die because we could not save ourselves and now he will help us to do better so that we can go to heaven.

In the olden times, if you broke the Law you would not be allowed to go to heaven, but God knew how sinful we were, and he knew that we could not do it so he sent Jesus so that we could go to heaven without having to be perfect.

God is the boss of you and you must do what he commands you to do or you will be dishonouring God and displeasing him. There are three people who are bosses of your life: you, Satan and God. If you obey Satan nothing will go right and you will go to hell. If you obey yourself you will also go to hell. But if you obey Jesus everything will be good and you will be saved through Jesus Christ. But we always do the wrong thing as well. And this is why Jesus had to die on the cross as well, because we would go to hell because we cannot be good no matter how hard we try and no matter what you do.

The Puddin' Owners are Curious

Describe what happened when the puddin’ thieves made an appearance carrying a bran bag in their hands. Who was the rightful owner of the bag?

The possum and the wombat were carrying a white flag and were calling for peace. They were holding a bran bag, and when they saw Bill and Sam Sawnoff and Bunyip Bluegum they hurried over and said, “We make peace for all of the bad things we have done to you and your puddin’. To say sorry, we have brought you a little present, but of course you will have to look in the bag.”

“No!” said Bill, “You are going to hurt us or do something bad.”

“No, we’re making peace,” they said, and they held out the bag.

They were all with such curiosity that they just had to look in the bag. Finally Sam Sawnoff, Bunyip Bluegum and Bill could resist no longer. They said, “We’ll have a look, but if there isn’t anything there and you’re trying to play a trick on us, you’ll be sorry, you will.”

“No, we don’t want to play a trick on you. We’re making peace.” They held the bag open still longer. Then they said, “If you really don’t trust us then we can just all look in at the same time.” “Now that’s a good idea,” cried Sam Sawnoff, who really just wanted to look inside the bag. Everyone agreed to this – except Bill, who always disagreed. But all the same they all looked in. Of course Bill did not want to miss out so he stuck his head in too. Straight after everyone’s head was in, the puddin’ thieves brought the bag right over their heads, wrapped them up in rope and snatched the puddin’.

“Better luck next time, they called.

“Oh, I’m going to give that possum a beatin’ on the snout” said Bill, from inside the bag. “So am I,” said Sam, who hated having his flippers trodden on. Everyone agreed, and they all hated having the bag on their heads, especially Bunyip Bluegum because he was trying to think of a way to escape. Everybody agreed that they should not have trusted the puddin’ thieves.

After having walked about three miles in this bag not knowing where they were going and treading on each other’s toes they came upon Benjimen Brandysnap. They begged him to untie the rope and he said, “Hmmm, what have we got here?” They all cried out, “We are puddin’ owners and our puddin’ has been snatched. Luckily, Ben Brandysnap had some eggs in his basket. They were shared around and were eaten very heartily.

Bill said in a dull voice, It is all very well having eggs, but what if your whole diet for your whole life has been on puddin’? Steak and Kidney puddin’,” put in Bill, who didn’t like to forget things. “Don’t fret everybody,” said Bunyip Bluegum, “We’re going to get those puddin’ thieves and give ‘em a beatin’ on the snouts,” said Sam, who really did mean that he wanted to beat them.

Ben Brandysnap was the owner of the bag in his vegetable patch. The puddin’ thieves had snuck in when he was busy tending to his vegetables and had stolen his bag.

(With apology to Norman Lindsay and his wonderful children's book, The Magic Pudding.)

Water from the rock

An examination narration of Numbers 20:1-13 by Jemimah aged 7 ¾!

Moses brings forth Water out of the Rock about 1500 by a follower of Filippino Lippi in The National Gallery in London.

“Because you did not trust in me enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

To whom did the LORD speak these words and why?

The LORD spoke these words to Moses and Aaron.

The Israelites were complaining because they were thirsty. They said, “We were better off when we were with Pharaoh and the Egyptians. It least we had food and drink there and ate what we pleased, and we could walk around and do pretty much everything we pleased. But here, we are walking day and night non-stop. We are sick of doing this. We want water.

Then hearing this Moses prayed to God saying, “What should I do? Tell me LORD” And God said to him, “Say to the Israelites, “Must I talk to this rock?” Then talk to the rock and tell it to flow water.”

So Moses almost did what the LORD said, but he did not talk to the rock. He struck the rock with his staff.

Then the LORD was very angry with Moses. He said, “You will not bring these people to the promised land because you disobeyed me.”

Then the Lord God brought Moses up to the mountain. He also brought Aaron because Aaron had defied the LORD too. He said,” You will only see the promised land but you will not bring your people there. Then Moses saw the beauty and splendour that God meant. Then Aaron saw and then they both fell down dead. Aaron’s son was next in line to be priest, and there was 40 days of mourning for Moses and Aaron for the people loved them muchly.

The Curtal Friar of the Fountain

This picture illustrates a scene from Robin Hood. Can you tell me what happened in this episode in the life of Robin and his Merry Men?

It was spring. Robin Hood though it was time to go and see the old friar, and he told his Merry Men that he wanted to. One of his men said, “I’ll take you there, for I know the way well.”

Robin changed into his Lincoln green clothes. He chose three of his men to come with him, and they all set off to go to the friar.

They had not gone far before they were exhausted and they took a little rest. “Are we almost there, good fellow?” asked Robin Hood.

“Yes, we are almost there. See yonder stream? That is where the old friar lives, right across it.”

“My,” said Robin, “I would not have changed if I knew we had to cross the river, but never mind. It is no use turning back to change now – we are almost there. Let’s keep on going.”

So Robin Hood and the other men set off again down the edge of the stream. At one place Robin Hood said, “Stop,” to all of his men. “You wait here will I go to find the Friar. If I blow three times on my horn, it means come immediately.”

“It’s not fair,” said one of his gang. “We always sit here and miss out on all the fun while you are always enjoying it.”

“Ah,” said Robin Hood, “what a fool you are! Don’t you realise that you are better off where you are than where you want to be? Anyway, you wait here. I’m going to find the friar.”

Robin Hood had not gone far before he took a rest. He lay down on his tummy and listened. He heard something. It sounded like two men talking but their voices were exactly alike.

“I must look into this,” said Robin Hood, “for I have never heard anything like this in my whole life!”

Robin didn’t have to go far before he saw the man who was doing it, but there was only one.

“I was sure I heard two men,” thought Robin. “I heard them talking and toasting each other.”

Robin Hood saw an old man. He looked exactly like a friar but of course Robin Hood didn’t guess that it was his friar.

At first the friar did not know that Robin Hood was there. After a while Robin noticed that there was only one man and the friar was just toasting himself!

“I,” said the friar, “I toast thee for thy kindness to me,” and he picked up the goblet with his right hand and gave it to his left hand and drank heartily .

“I,” he said, “and I toast thee, good friar for being so merry with me.”

“Ah! It was nothing,’ said the friar, passing the goblet back to his right hand.

“Pray, merry fellow, do sing me a song! I have become very lonely these days. Sing me a song.”

“I am no good at singing,” said the friar once again, “but I will do my best, seeing that you have toasted me so nicely.” Then the old friar started up a song.

Finally Robin Hood could hold himself no longer and he burst out laughing and then joined in the song! It was a very funny sight for Robin Hood. The friar did not seem to notice that Robin Hood was there, nor to hear him when he joined in the song. He did not notice either when Robin chuckled at the end of the song. But at the very end the friar leaped up and said, “Who goes there?”

“It is only me,” said Robin Hood, with a big grin on his face, stepping forth from his hiding place.

“I am not sure that I am correct, but from the looks of thee and thine clothes, thou art a thief.”

No!” said Robin, “do not be so suspicious. I’m but a jolly fellow.”

“I’m not too sure,” said the friar.

Robin said once again, “Dear fellow, do please take me over this rough earth and this dirty stream, for my clothes will not bear the water.”

So the friar stopped what he was doing and thought and thought. Finally he said, “I am still a little suspicious, but I will do it.”

“That’s a merry fellow!” said Robin Hood, who was quite pleased that he did not have to damage his clothes after all.

(I stopped her here!!)

Charlotte Mason and Exams

Some people seem to almost deify Charlotte Mason. In much the same way as I study my Bible, these CM devotees study her writings, pouring over her every word, and attempting to make every line relevant and applicable to their lives in 2009.

Now I think Charlotte Mason was a brilliant educator, and I espouse her philosophy of education along with her teaching methods in our homeschool, but I do not slavishly follow her every word, thought and command. Some of her beliefs are merely a reflection of the time in which she lived - her comments about evolution, for example: as a deeply Christian woman in her words and actions, I do not believe that she would hold those same beliefs in 2009 herself. In other areas I just don't agree - I do not always follow Miss Mason's methods of discipline, as a case in point. Often I do, but not always.

Total disagreement between Miss Mason's writings and my own opinion is rare. Sometimes I will object to something on first reading only to discover that on reflection or after further study that I agree after all. If I don't, it is no big deal.

That said, it surprises me that when people who do claim to follow Charlotte Mason's educational methods go on to say that they don't believe in examinations or even say that they believe that a Charlotte Mason education is a test-free one. Even a cursory reading of her volumes shows that to be untrue:

The terminal examinations are of great importance. They are not merely and chiefly tests of knowledge but records which are likely to be permanent.

Charlotte Mason Towards a Philosophy of Education p 272

What Miss Mason did object to was "learning that we may know, not that we may grow" and therefore the parrot-like saying of lessons, the cramming of ill-digested facts for examinations and all the ways of taking in knowledge that the mind does not assimilate. (summarised from Charlotte Mason Home Education p172)

She would not have been surprised by this comment of Winston Churchill's:

I had scarcely passed my twelfth birthday when I entered the inhospitable regions of examinations, through which for the next seven years I was destined to journey. These examinations were a great trial to me. The subjects which were dearest to the examiners were almost invariably those I fancied least. I would have liked to have been examined in history, poetry and writing essays. The examiners, on the other hand, were partial to Latin and mathematics. And their will prevailed. Moreover, the questions which they asked on both these subjects were almost invariably those to which I was unable to suggest a satisfactory answer. I should have liked to be asked to say what I knew. They always tried to ask what I did not know. When I would have willingly displayed my knowledge, they sought to expose my ignorance. This sort of treatment had only one result: I did not do well in examinations.

Winston Churchill My Early Life 1923 p 156

Students in Miss Mason's schools had examinations that lasted a week, and the children covered from 20 to 60 sheets of paper with their answers. Surely she would not have 'wasted' this amount of time had she not found the outcomes of the experience worthwhile!

Of children in Jemimah's age group (Form Ib - 7-8 year olds) she say this:

The children narrate their...answers to the examination questions. They appear to enjoy doing this; indeed, the examinations which come at the end of each term are a pleasure; the only difficulty is that small children want to go on 'telling.' Their words are taken down literally. One is struck by the correctness and copiousness of the language used; but young children delight in words, and often surprise their elders by their free and correct use of 'dictionary words.' One notices the verve with which the children tell the tale, the orderly sequence of events, the correctness and fullness of detail, the accuracy of names. These things are natural to children until they are schooled out of them.

Charlotte Mason School Education p 276

Certainly this experience has been true for us. We love examination week. I am constantly amazed at the quality of the answers my 7 year old brings forth on books she studied almost 3 months prior. Obviously she is better at retelling some books than others - in fact it is often at exam time that I discover whether a certain book choice was in fact a Living Book or not. It is next to impossible to accurately retell a book if it is not 'Living', with Miss Mason's definition of the word. As in the quotation above, my only complaint is the length of some of the narrations...I have to type them, and I am not a touch-typist!! A narration of an A4 page or more of type is not unusual!!

If you've not yet found the time or inclination to attempt examinations in your Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool I would encourage you to do so. You may be pleasantly surprised.

For examples of Charlotte Mason styled examination questions that we have used with our Australianised version of the Ambleside Online curriculum, see here. If you look down the page you'll find exams for terms 1-3 of AO1 and terms 1 and 2 of AO2. If you click on Examinations under Categories in the right sidebar you'll find examples of Jemimah's answers to many questions as well.

We finished Term 3 of AO2 on Friday, and the exams for this term will be up in the next day or so.

Just as soon as I stop think about exams and start writing it instead!!

Using the NAPLAN tests at home

I subscribe to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development's email newsletter for parents of Victorian school children, Parent Update. I am always interested to hear what is going on in our local State schools, and generally find at least one article of interest. The October 16th edition was no exception and contained information on Victoria's performance in the NAPLAN tests.

Standing for National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy, the NAPLAN tests were (as the name implies) implemented Australia-wide last year for school children in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9. They test students in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy. NAPLAN test results allow schools and systems to compare their students’ achievements against national standards and with student achievement in other states and territories. It also allows the monitoring over time. The National Summary Report: Achievement in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy 2009 is available online on the NAPLAN website. On the website you'll also find pdf downloads of the the Literacy and Numeracy tests for 2008 and 2009.

Now this gave me an idea.

Many of you, I know, use homeschooling curricula that regularly test your children's progress in major subject areas. Those of you who like me choose the Charlotte Mason method of educating and testing will be less sure where their children fit in relation to their State educated peers. Now this is not an issue per se. One of the main advantages of homeschooling to me is the opportunity it provides for me to tailor Jemimah's education to her academic needs, interests and, in particular, temperament, rather than having to accommodate the varying standards displayed by a class of 20 Grade 1 school students of varying abilities. Still, I was curious.

I administered the Year 3 numeracy test last Friday. You may recall that 7yo Jemimah is in Year 1, but is currently midway through MEP maths Year 3. I hoped that the standards would be similar. They were. Despite never having sat a test of any type before, Jemimah scored 29/35, or 82.85%. Her results placed her within the range of Level 5 or 6 (it is difficult to gauge precisely without the assessment tool), considerably above the majority of Victorian Year 3 students. I was very excited; her Daddy was very relieved. This was a concrete way for me to demonstrate her abilities.

This result gave me the confidence to administer the Year 3 reading test today. Well, my clever Grade 1er achieved 100%. Wow!! Imagine what Daddy is going to say about this one!!

Now before you dismiss this post as that of a proud and boasting mummy (which I'll admit I am, rather), please note that I won't be asking Jemimah to complete the Language Conventions or Writing tests any time soon. Don't forget, we're Charlotte Masoners. These things absolutely mustn't be attempted before year 4. That gives me a few years, doesn't it? Jemimah's spelling is appalling, dreadful, horrifying, dire, dismaying, terrible, ghastly and grim. I won't be showing you these results for quite some time.

Miss Mason assures me that good spelling comes with exposure to living books. I will be patient.

If you, like me are vaguely interested in where your child rates, hope over to the NAPLAN website and have a look around. You, like me, may be pleasantly surprised.

AO2 Term 2 Exams

Bible

1. In your own words, tell as much as you can remember about Moses and Israel in the Wilderness
2. Scripture catechism questions on Moses – can you remember them all?
3. Tell me all about John the Baptist.
4. Can you remember your Scripture catechism questions about John?

Memory

1. Recite Psalm 19 to Daddy.
2. Westminster Catechism questions. How many can you get right?
3. Can you recite The Man from Snowy River?
4. Récites Genèse 1:1 et Psaume 19:1 en français à Maman.

Writing

1. Write the alphabet in lower case letters in your very best writing.
2., Please write, using your very best writing: “Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs.” Watch punctuation, slope and spacing.

Reading

1. Read for 5 minutes from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (700L)
2. Read for 5 minutes from A Wrinkle in Time (740L)

World History

1. What can you tell me about Bibles made of Stone and Glass?
2. Tell the story of Edward III of Winsor and the Siege of Calais.
3. How did Richard, the little duke escape from the King of France, and what happened next?
4. Illustrate one of the following:

a. Peter Waldo and the Waldensians;
b. Francis of Assisi; or
c. Bernard of Clairvaux.

Natural History and General Science

1. What have you learned about Pagurus, and how he grows to ‘become’ a hermit crab?
2. What has Seabird learned about whales?
3. What has been your favourite nature study topic and why?
4. Draw a picture of this animal / plant and label it in French.
5. Show your nature study book to Daddy and explain it to him.
6. Show your Astronomy notebook to Daddy and tell him some interesting things about the moon.

Literature and Tales

1. Tell the story of “All’s Well that Ends Well” or “Cymbeline”.
2. Tell the story of how Toad escaped from prison and got home to his friends again.
3. Which was your favourite character and why?
4. What happened to Pilgrim and Faithful at Vanity Fair?
5. Tell the story of one of the following:

a. The Dragonfly Grub in “Not Lost, but Gone Before”;
b. The Weather-cock and the Sundial in “Active and Passive”or
c. The Sea and the Vapours in “The Circle of Blessing.”

Australian literature/geography

1. Which of the people Del and Bushbo met in their travels was your favourite? Tell about what happened when they met.
2. Can you show me on a map where he lives?
3. Tell me about Wurrunna the Daen and some of the adventures he had on his travels to strange places.

Mathematics

1. Complete review sheet 40
2. Complete French maths sheet – Problèmes pour chercher.
4. Count as high as you can in French in tens.
5. Recite your eight times table.

French

1. Have a look at this picture of animals in the country and describe in French.
3. Sing the song, A quelle heure part le train and explain what it’s about.

Picture Study (Sidney Nolan)

1. What is the name of the artist we studied this term? Where did he live?
2. Describe your favourite picture from this term's picture study and explain why you like it.
3. Can you draw one of his others?

Composer Study (Vivaldi)

1. What is the name of the composer we have been studying this term? What can you tell me about his life?
2. Tell me a bit about the orphanage he worked at.

Music

1. Sing all the songs from this term in front of Daddy.
2. Play three songs on the recorder, including one that uses your new notes.

Handwork

1. Show Daddy your knitted purse.
2. Do you know the names of the stitches you used?

The Life of Vivaldi by Jemimah

Vivaldi Caricature P.L.Ghezzi, Rome 1723

What is the name of the composer we have been studying this term? What can you tell me about his life?

Antonio Vivaldi.

He was once a priest and he was named The Red Priest because he had red hair. It was a normal thing for at least one of a poor man’s children to become a priest.

But one day Vivaldi became very sick and he could not work properly. Sometimes he had to leave in the middle of a service. People started to say to themselves, “What’s wrong with our new priest?” Finally they banned him from being a priest and said, “You are too sick to be a priest any longer for us.” He probably had asthma. Everyone said it was because he was born on the day of an earthquake.

Instead of being a priest, Vivaldi chose to be a composer and also he chose to teach children how to play his music. He worked in an orphanage in Venice where everything was covered in water. You had to have boats to get around. Wouldn’t that be funny! The orphanage was only for girls. In the girls’ orchestra they only played…everything! Vivaldi played the violin. You could not see the girls playing but they were there, coz otherwise how could the music be there? They were behind a curtain. The orphanage was called La Pieta. It looked more like a prison than a school. The girls were from all ages. They left when they were married. If they didn’t get married sometimes they never left.

Vivaldi wrote The Four Seasons and Gloria.

The Seige of Calais

The Siege of Calais, Versailles 1838 François-Edouard Picot

Tell the story of Edward III of Windsor and the Siege of Calais.

Edward III was very happy but he was not quite content with what he had. He wanted Calais. Calais was a town in France. Many people lived there so Edward guessed that he should not try and fight because they would be too strong and would fight him back and win. So he decided he would stop their food from being able to come so that they would starve to death and any that were left would give up and go to him and say that they were his. So he blocked off their food by making a camp around them. This way they could not get food and the people who imported food could not get in and give the people their food.

And so one by one people found that there was no food in their house. They said, “Only eat one meal in a day, then we will have more food.” But that didn’t work very well, and eventually they had no food at all and were forced to go to the King of England for help and to beg for mercy.
Some men were chosen to go and the way they did it was they announced in the market that there was an announcement and the Governor came out and said, “My dear friends, we have been forced to give up six men to give to the king. He has said we must.” Everyone started to cry. Then out of all the tears and worried people and sorrowful men there came two men. “I will go. It seems a pity to have to give up a whole town for just six men,” they said. Then came more and more, until finally there were six men ready to give themselves up for the rest of the town. So they chose to go.

Then the signal was sent that six men had been arranged. One of the knights came and took them and the Governor said, “Whatever he does with them, please try as hard as you can to stop the King from killing them.” The knight promised he would do his best in his power and then he set off with the men, ready to give themselves up. The King was pleased, but as soon as he had his power over them he said, “Executioner! Put them to death!” Everyone pleaded that he would not kill them but he ignored them as if they were mice. Finally the knight who had promised begged and begged but the king ignored him too. Eventually his wife the Queen fell down on her knees. She had never asked anything of him before but she felt it would be worth giving it a try. She said, “Please husband, save them. Save them all.” “My dear, I would do anything for you. Here, they are yours.” Then she gave them a good supper and sent them away to another country far away.

So Edward III became King of Calais.

Toad - a character analysis

Toad's Last Little Song by Michael Hague 1980

At last the hour for the banquet began to draw near, and Toad, who on leaving the others had retired to his bedroom, was still sitting there, melancholy and thoughtful. His brow resting on his paw, he pondered long and deeply. Gradually his countenance cleared, and he began to smile long, slow smiles. Then he took to giggling in a shy, self-conscious manner. At last he got up, locked the door, drew the curtains across the windows, collected all the chairs in the room and arranged them in a semicircle, and took up his position in front of them, swelling visibly. Then he bowed, coughed twice, and, letting himself go, with uplifted voice he sang, to the enraptured audience that his imagination so clearly saw.

TOAD'S LAST LITTLE SONG!

The Toad - came - home!
There was panic in the parlours and bowling in the halls,
There was crying in the cow-sheds and shrieking in the stalls,
When the Toad - came - home!

When the Toad - came - home!
There was smashing in of window and crashing in of door,
There was chivvying of weasels that fainted on the floor,
When the Toad - came - home!

Bang! go the drums!
The trumpeters are tooting and the soldiers are saluting,
And the cannon they are shooting and the motor-cars are hooting,
As the - Hero - comes!

Shout - Hoo-ray!
And let each one of the crowd try and shout it very loud,
In honour of an animal of whom you're justly proud,
For it's Toad's - great - day!

He sang this very loud, with great unction and expression; and when he had done, he sang it all over again.

Then he heaved a deep sigh; a long, long, long sigh.

Kenneth Grahame The Wind in the Willows 1908

Which was your favourite character and why?

My favourite character was Toad because he was so foolish. He got mad when anything that he didn’t want happened and he thought he was the best and he was a bad friend, pretty much. He lied about being sorry and said “I will do better,” when really he was worse than when he began.

The Bathers

Sidney Nolan's The Bathers 1943 National Gallery of Victoria.

Here's a narration from Jemimah's AO2 Term 2 examinations, which started today. (She's in Grade 1). She has been covering Australian artist, Sidney Nolan, for picture study, and was asked to describe her favourite picture. She chose 'Bathers' pictured above. She hasn't seen the picture since she studied it for two weeks several months ago. This is her answer:

Describe your favourite picture from this term's picture study and explain why you like it.

I like the swimming pool one.

I like it because there are lots of nice colours and the people in the background seem tiny when really they are big and the people that are close look too big.

There is a swimming pool and it has people beside it. Some are lying down enjoying themselves and sunbaking, but some people are swimming. There are red, blue and white flags in the distance and close up. There is a man who looks like he is naked! (That's a bit naughty. Perhaps you shouldn't put that.) There is a man in the background who is climbing up steps and it looks like he is climbing up to a lighthouse. There is a man in the water and it looks like one of his arms has been chopped off.

Do you know what I noticed? The water is a bright blue but normally water is a whitey colour. The ladies who are sunbaking are under an umbrella. One of the towels is red and white and the other one is blue and white. That's all.

AO1 Term Two Exams

Here's term 2...

Exam Questions Year 1 Term 2

Bible

1. In your own words, tell as much as you can remember about Jacob.
2. What can you tell me about covenants – can you name two and tell me anything about them?
3. Can you tell me anything about the books that we studied that were written by Paul?

Memory

1. Recite Notre Père to Daddy.
2. Westminster Catechism questions. How many can you get right?
3. Can you recite the books of the New Testament in order?

Writing

1. Write the alphabet in lower case letters in your very best writing.
2., Please write, using your very best writing: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. Watch punctuation, slope and spacing.

Reading

1. Read for 5 minutes from Frog and Toad Together. (Level 2)
2. Read for 5 minutes from The Outside Dog. (Level 3)

U.S. History

1. What do you know remember about when George Washington was a boy??
2. Why is he called the father of America?

World History

1. Who was Antonio Canova and what did he do that was so remarkable?
2. What can you tell me about why King Arthur made a round table for his knights?
3. Tell of what you can remember of the story Picciola.
4. Illustrate one of the following:

a. Whittington and his Cat,
b. Washington and his Hatchet or
c. Grace Darling.

5. What is a martyr?
6. Tell me about Monica and Augustine, the Christian mother and son; Ambrose, Bishop of Milan or Athanasius against the world.

Geography

1. Using your map, please explain Paddle’s journey so far.
2. Which of the Great Lakes can you name?
3. What is the name of the country to the north and south?
3b Which country does Auntie Meriel live in?
4. Tell me the part of Paddle’s journey that you have liked best so far?
5. What is the capital of France?
6 Do you know any countries where they speak French?

Natural History and General Science

1. Why did Mr Dakin have to sell Old Blossom? Why was he sad to see her go?
2. What is your favourite story from Old Bob’s birds?
3. Tell as much as you can about one of the birds we have learned about.
4. What has been your favourite nature study topic?
4b. Draw a picture of this animal and label it in French and English.
5. Show your nature study book to Daddy and explain it to him.

Literature and Tales

1. Tell the story of “As You Like It” or “The Winter’s Tale”. You may use Little People to help you illustrate the story if you wish.
2. Tell the story, Oh Best Beloved, of how the first letter was written.
3. Please retell one of the fables you have heard this term and what you think it is trying to teach.
4. Can you draw a picture about one of the fairy tales we have read about this term?
5. Can you tell the story of the flowers and the wind in Training and Restraining?

Mathematics

1. Complete review sheet 40.
2. Complete French maths sheet.
3. Explain what the terms “plus que”, “moins que” and “autant que” mean and give a demonstration with counters.
4. Count as high as you can in French in units and tens.
5. Count backwards in English from 100 to 0 in fives.

French

1. Can you tell me the months of the year in French and English?
2. Do you know the seasons in French and English?
3. What about the days of the week?
4. Greet Daddy in French and ask him how he is feeling.

Picture Study

1. What is the name of the artist we studies this term? Where did he live?
2. Describe your favourite picture from this term's picture study.
3. Can you think of any others?

Composer study

1. What is the name of the composer we have been studying this term? What can you tell me about his life?
2. Tell me the real story of “The Heroic Symphony”.

Singing

1. Sing all the songs from this term in front of Daddy.

Handicrafts

1. Show your tapestry to Daddy and explain how you do it.

AO1 Term 1 Examination Questions

Our Northern Hemisphere friends are beginning to chuckle with misplaced glee as the warm weather arrives and along with it the promise of long summer holidays and days lazing in the sun.

Fortunately, she says enviously - and tongue in cheek - the pleasure of some of you will be tempered somewhat by the prospect of examinations looming, and with that comforting thought I offer you some long awaited exam questions for AO1.

Seriously, the prospect of writing Charlotte Masonesque Examinations for our kiddywinks brings some of us out in a cold sweat. These are the questions I used for Jemimah in AO1 Term 1. AO1 Term 2 will follow. I hope they're useful for some.

Enjoy the warm weather for me, will you!

AO1 Term 2
AO1 Term 3
AO2 Term 1

Exam Questions Year 1 Term 1

Bible

1. In your own words, tell about your favourite character that you read in your Bible reading this term.
2. In your own words, tell about your favourite event that you read in your Bible reading this term.

Memory

1. Recite as much of Notre Père as you are able to Daddy.
2. Recite 1 Corinthians 13 to Daddy.
3. Recite The Lord’s Prayer to Daddy.
4. Westminster Catechism questions. How many can you get right?

Writing

1. Write the alphabet in lower case letters in your very best writing.
2. Complete “Review” page 22 “New Wave Handwriting”.

Reading

1. Read for 5 minutes from Little Bear’s Friend.
2. Read 100 key words and count number read correctly.

U.S. History

1. What do you know about Benjamin Franklin?
2. Can you tell me about one of his inventions?

World History

1. What can you tell me about Boadicea?
2. What were Cornelia’s jewels?
2b. Why did she call them that?
3. Illustrate one of the following:

a. The Sword of Damocles,

b. Androclus and the Lion or

c. The Story of William Tell.

4. What is a martyr?
5. Can you tell me about St Alban, the first Christian martyr in Britain?
6. Tell me about Caligula and the shells on the beach.
7. Tell me about Polycarp, the witness in the arena; Blandina, the martyr of Lyons; or Constantine, defender of the church.

Geography

1. Using your map, please explain Paddle’s journey so far.
2. Which of the lakes can you name?
3. What is the name of the country to the north and south?
3b Which country does Auntie Meriel live in?
4. Tell me the part of Paddle’s journey that you have liked best so far?
5. What shape is France?
5b . Can you find it on the map and colour it pink?

Natural History and General Science

1. Do you remember the stories “Moses the Cat” or “Only One Woof”? Please retell one of these.
2. What is your favourite story from Old Bob’s birds?
2b. Tell as much as you can about one of the birds we have read about.
3. What has been your favourite nature study topic?
3b. Draw a picture of this animal and label it in French and English.
4. Show your nature study book to Daddy and explain it to him.

Literature and Tales

1. Tell the story of “A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream” or “The Tempest”. You may use Little People to help you illustrate the story if you wish.
2. In “Just So Stories” we have read some very silly stories about animals and how they came to be. Which story have you liked most? Why?
3. Aesop wrote a lot of short stories designed to teach a lesson. What are these stories called?
3b What is the lesson called?
4. Please narrate your favourite including the moral.
5. Can you draw a picture about one of the fairy tales we have read about this term?
6. Can you tell the story of the butterflies’ children; the unhappy bees or the Sedge Warblers and the Unknown Land?

Mathematics

1. Complete test page 154

French

1. Count as high as you can in French.
2. How many parts of the body can you name?
3. How many colours do you know?
4. Greet Daddy in French and ask him how he is feeling.

Picture Study

1. What is the name of the artist we studies this term? Where did he live?
2. Describe your favourite picture from this term's picture study.
3. Can you think of any others?

Composer study

1. What is the name of the composer we have been studying this term?
2. Tell Daddy the real story of “The Magic Flute”

Singing

1. Sing all the songs from this term in front of Daddy.

Handicrafts

1. Show your tapestry to Daddy and explain how you do it.