FIVETRIBE

Lulu's Grade 2 class have been reading an amazing book . They have been actively working through the principles in this book and recently they presented the concept/analogy to the school during assembly. "The concept of bucket filling is an effective metaphor for encouraging kind and considerate behavior and for teaching the benefits of psoitive relationships.  Words hurt. That's the simple truth. And bullies abound no matter what the age. If we can teach young children the power of words and teach them to use those words carefully, we can stop bullying in its tracks." The kids in Grade 2 each have buckets on their desks. They are taught why we should fill each others buckets, why some kids are bucket 'dippers' ie bullies. How can they effectively deal with bucket dippers? ....and how to 'put a lid on your bucket' so that you do not allow others to dip! (very important!) The dynamic in the class has changed 180 degrees. Last year there was so ...

Last week the school had their annual prize-giving. I was NOT looking forward to it as in previous years it has been a long tedious drawn-out affair.  I was very pleasantly surprised this year – the evening was a superb combination of a slick production with a distinct family feel about it. I was exceptionally proud of both my girls who did extremely well. Lulu  and Mrs Butler Overall Academic Excellence; Conquesta Literacy and Numeracy – Gold. Honey and Mrs Venter Overall Academic Excellence, 2nd in her grade, Best Actress 2011, Special Art Award, Conquesta Numeracy and Literacy: Bronze; Math Olympiad and Humility Award Both girls were very happy with their achievements but I had to have *the talk* with them. You know the one hey? It went a little bit like this: ” I am so proud of you girls but I want you to always know that it is not important to me for you to BE THE BEST at everything but it is very important for you to ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST.” My dil...

I love that this is now a standard for nightime....that I can now say : Go jump into bed early and you can read for an hour.  Two down - just one to go!  :-)

Happy birthday to my Lulugirl. Every year with you is like a roller-coaster ride. Some days I am nauseous and some days I woo-hoo with joy! There is very little predicatability about you; from your sense of style to your sense of humour. It can change like your mood, in a heartbeat. The few consistencies are your senstivity, your ability to endear yourself to everyone and your love for the arts. Few things make you happier than immersing yourself in some sort of creative endeavour. Today I asked you what you are going to be when you grow up: I think I will be an artist.  Or a world famous pianist or recordist, if I keep playing recorder. (fyi - she doesnt play piano or recorder. Yet.) We look forward to many breathtaking rides on this journey of life with you Lulu. We love you endlessly and then some more.

My middlest one, Lulu, is in Grade 1. Part of their homework, a couple of times a week, is to come home and practise the new letter they learnt that day. Yesterday she came home and practised writing out her 'k' . Another part of the exercise is to look for pictures that begin with the 'k' sound. It is all about phonetics at this point, not spelling so we look for anything 'k' or 'c'. I left her to it as I was making lunch for everyone. When I popped my head in to check on what she was doing I found her pasting this picture in her book. Before you scroll down - tell me what you think her 'k' sound word is when she looked at this picture. I had to ask her. Committed. Her words to me: "They are committed to each other, hey Mommy?" I love this sensitive little soul who is such a romantic at the ripe old age of 6.