Year 3 NSW 2009 sample program

This home education program was approved by the NSW BOS in 2009.

2009 HOME EDUCATION PROGRAM
Annie Year 3/4

We describe our style of Education as Eclectic, drawing from the following Styles.

Charlotte Mason philosophy:
Reading together as a family several times a week: We are currently reading: My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin, A children's book about the Titanic, A children's book about Native American Indians and a devotional for teenaged girls.
Last year we read the following books: Wind in the Willows, War Brides- a series of biographies written by English women who married Australian men serving in WW2, New Gold Mountain (diary of a Chinese Boy living on the Australian Goldfields), Milly Molly Mandy, Little Women and a devotional for young ladies from the puritan period.
Journaling: When we are traveling the girls always keep a journal filled with plenty of drawings, descriptions and thoughts. While at home and about the girls usually carry a small notepad to write their thoughts down.

Unit Studies:
This year we are doing a Unit Study on Astronomy and later in the year plan to study the Australian political system.

Natural Learning:
The girls have the freedom to pursue their own interests; they have plenty of free time during the week. This year they have made specific choices to drop some activities and start others, such as Meagan choosing to learn the piano (her choice) at 14 and Annie hearing about Gymnastic lessons and asking to begin.
During our travels within Australia we encourage the girls to explore areas of interest.
Every experience is a new opportunity to learn.

WEEKLY PLAN
Every Monday morning we sit down together and fill in our diaries, each girl is responsible to document their weekly schedule and social outings. They are aware of the work that needs to be done to ensure it will be complete by the end of the year.

English

• Annie enjoys reading and we regularly go to the library for new books to read.
• Grammar once a week 4. Pearson Education.
• Foundation Handwriting 4. Paul Nightingale
• Wednesday 12-1pm Drama class. End of year production was Dragon in the Mix with Annie playing a Princess.
• As a family we are reading ‘My Brilliant Career' by Miles Franklin, a great opportunity to look at Australian Literature.
• Annie is computer literate and enjoys using many varied applications on the Computer.
• Annie keeps a diary which shows daily activities, this gives her time for reflection, problem solving and analysis as well as open communication with her parents and fosters frequent conversations.
• Attending regular theatre productions; in the past year we have seen several Shakespeare plays, Wind in the Willows, Little Women and Phantom of the Opera.

Maths

• Mathletics www.mathletics.com
• Year 4 Text book.

Science

• Currently looking at International Year of Astronomy; we own 2 telescopes and are members of ASNSW (Astronomical Society of NSW). In May we are planning to attend their ‘Star Party' near Mudgee where Fred Watson (Astronomer in charge of Anglo Australian Observatory) will be speaking.
• Subscribe to National Geographic.
• We own the collection of ‘Horrible Science' books and I will read at least one to Annie this year.
• We are members of the Australian Museum and attend regularly; Annie goes fortnightly with another home schooling family and is enjoying exploring all the different aspects of the Museum.
• Annie is computer literate and able to research any subject or idea she has via the internet.
• We attend several CSIRO or Science workshops each year that are organized through SHEN (Sydney Home Education Network)

Human Society and Its Environment

• In 2008 our family took 5 weeks to travel to Townsville and back by car with camper trailer. While traveling we visited many National Parks, The Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island . On Fraser Island we stayed 4 nights at an Aboriginal campsite and heard stories of dreamtime.
• Over Easter we went to the Snowy Mountains and walked up Kosciuszko.
• These activities have provided our children with the opportunity to explore Australia 's vastness and diversity.
• In 2009 we plan to travel to the Flinders Rangers and Kangaroo Island ( South Australia ) via Broken Hill and the Great Ocean Road ( Victoria ).
• Annie keeps a journal of our travels.
• Our family has been hosting foreign home-stay students in 2009 providing opportunities for our children to experience other cultures.
• Annie is computer literate and uses the internet to explore a wide variety of age appropriate material.
• We intend to do a unit study on Politics in Australia towards the end of 2009.

Creative Arts

• Annie submitted a Watercolour painting and a photograph for the 2009 Royal Easter Show and both were selected for display.
• Annie decorated Gingerbread Men for the Royal Easter Show in 2009.
• Regularly attends Exhibits at the NSW Art Gallery , attended the opening night of the Moran Portraiture prize at the State Library.
• Weekly gymnastics classes.
• Began learning the Piano in 2009.
• Plan to explore and attend exhibits at Museum of Contemporary Art .
• Plan to learn knitting with some home educated girlfriends and knit some blanket squares for wrapped with love. 

  Physical Development, Health and Physical Education

• Weekly gymnastics classes.
• Weekly tennis lessons.
• Netball (Inner West Netball Assoc) in winter,
• Regular swimming in summer.
• Enjoys bushwalking with the family (made it to the top of Kosciuszko at Easter).
• Annie enjoys cooking, and regularly helps with meal preparation and planning.
• We are a Christian Family, heavily involved in our local Church, we attempt to apply Christian principals in all areas of family life and encourage our children to discover for themselves what their beliefs are and to make wise life choices.

Author: Unknown