.. Here are some lesson book photos from our first Ancient Civilizations block. We spent about three weeks on India. I planned this block mostly using Charles Kovacs' Ancient Mythologies book for our stories with some extra guidance and inspiration from Christopherus. When Chloe read that there have been many poems written about Krishna and Radha she asked if we could find some. She wrote this verse into her lesson book, along with this pretty picture. We read the Mahabharata (Donna Simmon's very nice retelling in the Christopherus book) and Chloe wrote some of her favorite parts from the Bhagavad Gita. She also drew this picture of Arjuna and his bow. She really enjoyed this adventurous story! We finished the block with the story of Sidhartha. I feel like the message of compassion and kindness towards all beings really made an impression on Chloe. I know that these stories will always stay with her. ...

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Last week I had my first full week of work as a casual Steiner teacher and it was big for me! I wasn't looking for work, it just came my way, and I gingerly accepted the challenge, knowing in my heart I could do it, but unable to ignore the voice inside reminding me I hadn't been in a classroom for quite some time. So, I studied up recorder, times tables and decimal fractions, immersed myself in Ancient Persian mythology and dived on in! Here are some photos of the work we did! not my blackboard drawing, this one. I used Charles Kovaks' book, Ancient Mythologies as inspiration for the Persian mythology, telling stories about the creation of the earth by Ahura Mazdao, the domestication of animals and the first bonfire! We also explored the land of contrasts which is Persia (Iran) and drew a map. What fun. We tried a form drawing of a Persian star, with the help of a bowl and a ruler. It's always so wonderful seeing the differences coming out in the children's creative work. As soon as the week was over, I dived for the knitting needles, and quickly cast on a pixie hat for Mr P: Triskele Threads' new free Ravelry pattern Pixie Tadhg Reading: or should I say, re-reading, one of our all time favourites! "Dominic" by the most exquisite William Steig. Everyone needs to read this book!! I mean it! It is sublime story about a philosophical dog who sets out to discover the world. At once calming, and lyrical, whimsical and contemplative, healing and utterly charming, Dominic is a special read for all ages! I started to read it to my class last week, and it made lumps in my throat as always. Joining in Nicole for "Keep Calm Craft On" and Ginny's Yarn Along

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