Saturday, August 27, 2011

MFW Experiences, Week of 8/22 - 8/26/2011

What a great first week we had with My Father's World curriculum.  We began Creation to the Greeks this week and continued 1st grade (we'd already started a few days of it in the summer - my little artist couldn't wait).  This week was incredible and we are really excited about it continuing into the weekend.

For the first art project in "God and the History of Art"; we had an unexpected project.  The children were told about the amazing story of Joni Eareckson Tada and how she became parylized in a swimming accident and has learned to paint holding the brush with her teeth.  Our topic was frustration in art and we also talked about several famous artists who experienced frustration, including Michelangelo and Monet.  (By the way - did you know that Monet was never truly satisfied with his work?  That surprised me as I have always enjoyed his work!)  After we learned about these things the children were instructed to draw a picture of a butterfly, duplicating the one in the book, but to do it holding the pencil in their teeth.  No hands allowed!  My little historian struggled for a minute and then completely surprised me by beginning to enjoy the project.  He actually went on to try his hand...I mean his teeth...on a ladybug!  My little artist also surprised me as she became incredibly frustrated.  Usually she is so proud of her work - but this was very difficult and she just couldn't make it work at first.  She ended up in tears.  We had a nice talk while she rested her head on my shoulder about everything I knew that Joni E. Tada had done, in spite of her paralysis.  She was fascinated to hear about the camps and programs that Mrs. Tada has spear-headed for other disabled people.  This really got her attention - and she decided to give it another try.  This time...she was able to complete the task - and presented her picture to me with a smile on her face!





Above are some photos of them drawing, while holding the pencil in their teeth.

All week we have been preparing for a very special event we will be doing over the weekend.  We are studying biblical feasts this week and will be preparing a special meal for sundown on Saturday (supposed to be Friday - but we are going to do this on Saturday into Sunday).  For Saturday night, we will be baking homemade challah (Sabbath bread), golden yoich (a homemade chicken soup), candlestick salad, baked fish, carrots, tea with lemon, wine (or juice) and strudel.  For Sunday lunch, we will prepare cholent, which is a pot roast dish.  We will be cleaning the house and preparing all the meals prior to sundown on Saturday night and getting ready for a time of rest and togetherness as a family.  Our focus is to spend time reflecting on what God has done for us.  We will be learning some traditional prayers and spending time together as a family.  This week, as a special centerpiece, my little historian cut the tin into the shape of the Star of David and glued thin pieces of cork underneath.  We pierced these and will place a wick into the holes.  These will float on water covered with oil and burn until the fire extinguishes itself.  We also spent time painting a cloth napkin we already had to make a special challah bread cover for our feast.  The kids really enjoyed doing this together.  My little artist painted they bible (& used Sharpies when I didn't have enough colors of fabric paint - she loves color) and my little historian painted the candlesticks.




These are some photos of them painting the challah bread cover and of the finished project.  This will be a cherished memory in our house for years to come.

They have really enjoyed the story in "Dinosaurs of Eden" and my little historian even said math "isn't too bad".  We also enjoyed learning the Greek root 'biblos' and many derivatives we have from that word.  We have really enjoyed our first week in My Father's World curriculum and we are excited and really looking forward to the rest of this year!

1 comment:

  1. Hi Ashley,

    You will be able to directly link this post to Kattie's HHinMFW at her blog: 2ladybugsandalizard.blogspot.com.

    Thanks,
    Kathi

    ReplyDelete