LESSON 8 - NUMBER 7

Chapter 7

The morning air was cool and there was a gentle breeze blowing from the ocean up to our cave. Mum was sitting an the edge of the cave and looking out over the sea. In her hand she held the shell and I watched as she gently placed it on her ear. She sat still for a very long time, then she smiled and looked at me, and called me to sit on her lap. The shell had told her an important story and she shared it with me.

Many many years ago God was angry with the people on the earth. They had been bad and he wanted to punish them. But one man called Noah had been good so God decided to help him. He told Noah to build a big boat called an Ark and to fill it with pairs of all the animals on the earth.

Once this was done it began to rain, and it rained until the whole earth was covered in water. Noah and his family floated for a long time until a dove came back with a twig from the top an Olive tree. Noah now knew that the water was drying up and the ark would soon rest on land.

God then spoke to Noah and his family and told them that he would never flood the earth again.

A beautiful rainbow appeared as god promise.

Mum looked at me, gave me a kiss, and told me that everytime I see a rainbow it should remind me of gods love for us.

Working with the number 7

Put 7 pearls into your counting shell and place in front of your child. I do this before the story starts as I set out the table.

On practice paper, draw the arches of the rainbow with block crayons. Once your child has mastered this, then draw a rainbow in your main lesson book, while he copies your work.
Teach your child the Roman numeral VII and the number 7 and show him where to write these on the page.

Here is an example of my work and Thomas' [6 yrs 3mnths] copy work

Across the sky and down from heaven,
That’s the way to make a seven!

NUMBER 7

Here is a bridge of wondrous light

Full of colours shining bright

Red and orange, yellow and green

The fairest colours ever seen

Blue, Indigo, and violet rose

Down from heaven to earth it goes.

Rainbow Song

Red and orange and yellow and green,

Purple and indigo and blue.

I can sing a rainbow,Sing a rainbow,

You can sing one too!

Listen with your eyes,

Listen with your eyes,

And sing everything you see.

You can sing a rainbow,

Sing a rainbow,

Sing a long with Red and orange and yellow and green,

Purple and Indigo and blue.

You can sing a rainbow,

Sing a rainbow,

Now you've sung one too!

LESSON 7 - NUMBER 6

CHAPTER 6

I woke up to the sound of the bees buzzing, the flower was open and the bees flying out of the smaller cave and visiting all the flowers. Mum said we might visit the bee hive today, but first we had to wait for careful counter to come back from this visit to the queen bee. He had gone to ask permission for us to watch the bees working and dancing in the hive.

After a short time, Careful Counter came back and said he had been given permission to witness the secret of the number six.

We quickly finished our breakfast and headed to the cave, as we entered the cave I could smell honey, its sweetness filled the air. Deep in the cave I could hear a loud buzzing nervously I looked at Careful Counter, and he took my hand and lead the way.

We reached the hive and Careful Counter gently blew on the bees. They moved aside showing me their beautiful honeycomb. The honey comb was made up of many 6 sided cells all filled with golden honey. He cut a small piece and explained that bees make lots of honey, but we should only take a little at a time so that they have enough to feed the babies.

The bees slowly moved back over the combs and it was time to leave the bees to build more perfectly shaped cells.

Working with the number 6

Put 6 pearls into your counting shell and place in front of your child. I do this before the story starts as I set out the table.

On practice paper, teach your child how to draw a hexagon. Thomas struggled a bit so we drew dots first and then did join-the-dots. Once he has mastered it then draw the honey comb in your main lesson book, while he copies your work.
Teach your child the Roman numeral VI and the number 6 and show him where to write these on the page.

Down, around then in you go,
That’s the way to make six, you know!

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NUMBER 6

Buzz said the bee,

High in the tree.

Follow me home,

And see what I have for thee.

Cut two triangles and make a star with them.

We also did some rubbings for fun.

LESSON 5 - NUMBER 5

CHAPTER 5

The next day we decided to go fishing. We gathered our baskets and fishing tackle and headed down to the beach. Dad walked in front of me on the beach and I looked at his footprints in the sand.

[Paint your child’s feet and make foot stamps – 5 toes. Encourage them to count the toes]

Once at the rocks dad started to fish and mum and I hunted in the blue rock pools. We saw the most beautiful fish and seaweeds. But the most beautiful thing was the starfish. It was bright yellow star fish. We watched for ages as it climbed all over the green seaweed we counted the starfish’s five legs and then drew star fish all over the sand. We drew so many that the beach looked like the sky filled with stars.

Dad caught 5 fish – 2 big ones for him, 2 smaller ones for mum and a medium sized one for me. We headed back to the cave to cook our supper.

Working with the number 5

Put 5 pearls into your counting shell and place in front of your child. I do this before the story starts as I set out the table.

Trace your hand and number the fingers make sure that you position your fingers in such a way that there is a big gap between the thumb and the fingers – the V for the roman numeral V. Explain how we have two hands and each has five fingers. This shows how 5 is half of 10. Show your child the V between the thumb and the first finger.

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Short neck, belly fat,
Mr. Five wears a hat.

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Pratice drawing five pointed stars and then draw a star fish with the Roman numeral V and the number 5 on the page

NUMBER 5

Starfish, starfish, wiggle your legs.

Starfish, starfish, How many do you have?

One - Two - Three - Four - Five

When you wiggle I can see you're ALIVE!

Form Drawing

Wet on wet painting yellow star fish in the blue sea – seaweed is everywhere!

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LESSON 4 - NUMBER 4

CHAPTER 4

The first thing that I saw when I woke up was the mermaids shell against mum’s ear and she was listening to it. After a while mum put the shell down and called me over to her lap. And she began to speak.“Today the shell has told me a great story that the white horses whispered to her.”

She pointed out of the cave to the sea and said “ Can you see those white spots on the ocean, well those are the white horses, they are little waves that appear when the wind blows, they are helpful fellas, So let me tell you the story,”

And mum began again. “The white horses noticed a boat with 2 sailors floating in the middle of the ocean. The boat seemed to be lost so they rushed out to help when they heard the two men talking. The wise old man told the younger man to wait until dark when very special stars would be in the sky. He said a set of 4 stars, called the Southern Cross had been used for many years by travellers to find their way home. So the sailors waited and the white horses waited with them.

Well, that night the stars began to appear and there is was, the 4 stars of the Southern Cross. The older sailor looked at them, pointed north and said this was the way home. The white horses were so amazed, he was right!

So they boat set sail again and safely arrived at the beach just as the sun was rising on a new day.

Working with the number 4

Put 4 pearls into your counting shell and place in front of your child. I do this before the story starts as I set out the table.

Draw the Southern Cross and the night skies

Teach them the Roman numeral IIII and the number 4. Show your child where to write these on their page. I prefer to write the roman numeral as IIII then the number 5 is easily understood as V then, but you decide, what ever works better for you.

Down and across and down once more,
That’s the way to make a four!

NUMBER 4

Four stars, lighting up the night,

Fours stars, shinning so bright.

The stars of the South

Guiding us home

They are always right!

Great opportunity to do a night of star gazing, contact the planetarium for a scheduled viewing or [even better] make some hot milk and honey and sit outside with your child on your lap and look at the stars.

Introduction of a compass or compass work.

Draw a square and rectangle and discuss the differences. Then give your child some coloured paper, scissors and glue with instructions to cut and paste square on 1 page and rectangles on another. Nice project to do in free time with younger family members joining in the cutting fun. [I really don’t worry about the younger child’s shapes, it is more important that she has fun]

LESSON 3 - NUMBER 3

CHAPTER 3

The next morning Mum, Dad and I woke up as the sun peeked into the cave. The cave was beautiful; the walls were covered in old paintings of animals and their hunters. At the back of the cave water dripped down off the moss. Dad put a pot under the moss to catch the water.

We took a basket and headed down to the beach. Mum Dad and I played on the beach and in the waves until the sun was high in the sky. Mum then collected mussels for our meal. Dad took the basket from mum and we headed back to our cave.

Dad made a fire and cooked the mussels to the pot of collected water. We sat at the edge of the cave looking down to the beach eating our fresh meal.

I yawned [exhale], mum and dad smiled and cuddled me to sleep, what a lovely day, the THREE of us together. [Exhale]

Working with the number 3

Put 3 pearls into your counting shell and place in front of your child. I do this before the story starts as I set out the table.

I feel that the number three is sacred so I keep the lesson simple and focus on the triangle/trinity and the uniqueness of your child’s relationship with you and your partner.

Form drawing 3 stripes

If you child helps with supper then ask him to cut the veg into three pieces

Draw a picture of the family unit. Mom-Child-Dad. Teach your child the Roman numeral III and the number 3. Show your child where to write these on their page.

Around a tree and around a tree,
That’s the way to make a three!

NUMBER 3

Mommy, Daddy and me,

Together this makes THREE

Give your child some coloured paper, scissors and glue with instructions to cut and paste triangles. [this can be done with younger family members in playtime at the kitchen table – I managed to get some dishes washed while they did this]

LESSON 2 - NUMBER 2

CHAPTER 2

The sun was now low in the sky and it would be evening soon. We reached the rocks at mouth of the lagoon and stopped to look around, on the one side was the ocean and on the other the rocky mountain. We continued, climbing over the rocks and following the sea-shore until we were far from the lagoon and reached a small beach.

Dad pointed high above the beach to TWO caves, and we started to climb. The first cave had a lovely sweet smell, it smelt like yummy honey. I wanted to look inside but Mum promised we would return to explore it on another day.

We climbed a little higher and reached the second cave. The entrance was very wide and the whole cave was filled with the orange glow from the sunset. One side was filled with soft red sand, perfect for sleeping. We set out our blankets and opened our baskets.

Wet on wet painting
The yellow sun rays shine onto the red sand in the cave and magically the cave had a beautiful orange glow.

We each ate an apple and an orange while watching the moon rise over the ocean. The sun had set and it was time to sleep. Mum and Dad kissed me good night and cuddled me to sleep.

[Exhale...]

Working with the number 2

Put 2 pearls into your counting shell and place in front of your child. I do this before the story starts as I set out the table.

Choose one of the below for your child to draw – The two sides [ocean and mountain], two caves, two fruit [apple and orange], sun and moon, day and night.

To emphasise you could give your child two crayons to draw with. Teach your child the Roman numeral II and the number 2 and let him write it on the page.

Around and back on a railroad track!
Choo, choo, choo! We make a two!

NUMBER 2

Sun and Moon, why do you never meet?

Sun and Moon,

I see the one while the other is asleep.

Walk around the home looking for pairs, [knitting needles, cup and saucer, knife and fork] and identify body parts that come in pairs.

Then look for 2 similar items, [two flowers, two trees, two plates, two balls of wools]

Lastly look for opposites [day and night, etc]

No need to explain the differences, your child will figure it out for them-self when they are ready for this knowledge. [I enjoy the delight children have once they have figured something out on their own]

LESSON 1 - NUMBER 1

CHAPTER 1

As a young child, my family journeyed to a place far from home, it was the beautiful valley where the silvery blue lagoon was surrounded by the ancient lichen covered forest and the lagoon entered the ocean though a small gap in the mountains. Mum called this valley Knysna but the ancient people had called it THE PLACE OF GREAT GIFTS.

We stayed there for many day, we would awake with the golden sun and wonder along the edge of the blue water and admire the big trees in the green forest. It was a special time, but I knew that something more important was about to happen.

Wet-on-wet painting
Yellow sun meets blue lagoon and magically the forest appears

On the night of the full moon, the wind carried the earth’s whispers urging us to begin the adventure. The moon had magically changed the sea and the tides shifted. The stars twinkled and I could hear the thundering of the waves on the rocks at the mouth of the lagoon. I awoke at dawn with mummy saying, “Come quick Carle’.... [Insert your name here].... there is so much wonder in the world”

We dressed, collected our baskets, packed a little food and blankets, we would be gone for many days...

At the beach I saw that the tide had pulled back through the heads into the ocean and left the widest beach I had ever seen, slowly and tentatively I put my first foot onto the beach and so began my journey into a world of wonder...

We looked to the mountains that were once the land of the ancient Khoi people. This is where we would live, eating from the ocean and sleeping in the caves. We walked towards it; with each step we saw treasures. I wanted to fill my baskets but mommy reminded me that we were looking for ONE special shell, ONE that was as old as the sea and carried the whispers of the mermaids.

A seagull called out and landed on a shell. I looked at it, on the outside the shell was rough from the tumbling of the waves, but on the inside it was perfect.

Mum looked it at, picked it up and smiled,

YES, This was the ONE.

Inhale - pick it up and hold it to your ear a listen to the whispers of the mermaids, then let your child also listen.

I carefully wrapped the shell and added it to our basket and continued on our journey.

Working with the number 1

Put 1 pearl into your counting shell and place in front of your child, showing him what 1 looks like. I do this before the story starts as I set out the table.

Choose one of the below for your child to draw

One Shell

One Lagoon

One sun

To emphasis this oneness you could give them one crayon to draw with.
Teach them the roman numeral I and the number 1 and let them write them at the bottom of their page .

Number 1 is like a stick
A straight line down, thats very quick!

NUMBER 1

Shining on the earth,

Was a little sun.

Calling us out,

To come have fun.

Observe the body and names the ones. 1 head, 1 nose etc

Encourage your child to use their senses 1 smell, 1 touch, 1 taste, 1 noise etc. This can be done with a snack in a nice and informal way.

BLOCK 1 - VERSES

Sea shell, sea shell,

Sing a song for me;

Sing about the ocean,

Tell me about the sea.

Sea shell, sea shell,

When I hold you near,

I can hear the ocean

Whispering in my ear.

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I used this poem to teach Thomas how to write his numbers - It was our favourite! He enjoyed the imagery for the formation of numbers.

Around we go! To make a zero!

Number 1 is like a stick

A straight line down, thats very quick!

Around and back on a railroad track!

Choo, choo, choo! We make a two!

Around a tree and around a tree,

That’s the way to make a three!

Down and across and down once more,

That’s the way to make a four!

Short neck, belly fat,

Mr. Five wears a hat.

Down, around then in you go,

That’s the way to make six, you know!

Across the sky and down from heaven,

That’s the way to make a seven!

Make an snake, but do not wait,

Go back up and make an eight!

First a ball and then a line,

Thats the way to make a nine.

Make a 1

and then an "o"

10 are all your fingers

you know!

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We enjoy using poetry during circle time. Some of these verses were written by me [in purple] and are relevant to the drawing of the day. Please feel free to improve on them and make the poems your own, I have just written mine down so that you can have a point of reference.
The other poems have been handed down in the Waldorf community and are lovely

NUMBER 1
Shining on the earth
Was a little sun
Calling us out
To come have fun.

NUMBER 2
Sun and Moon,
why do you never meet?
Sun and Moon,
I see the one while the other is asleep.

NUMBER 3
Mommy daddy and me,
together this makes three.

NUMBER 4
Four stars, lighting up the night,
Fours stars, shinning so bright.
The stars of the South
Guiding us home
They are always right!

NUMBER 5
Starfish, starfish, wiggle your legs
Starfish, starfish, How many do you have
One - Two - Three - Four - Five
When you wiggle I can see you're ALIVE!

NUMBER 6
Buzz said the bee,
High in the tree,
Follow me home
And see what I have for thee.

The Swarm of Bees
One little honeybee by my window flew;
Soon came another - then there were two.
Two happy honeybees in the apple tree;
One more bee came buzzing up - then there were three.
Three busy honeybees starting to explore
Another bee came to help - then there were four.
Four laden honeybees flying to the hive;
They were joined by one more bee - then there were five.
Five tired honeybees with the others mix;
Now there's a swarm of them - a hundred times six.
Elsa Gorham Baker

NUMBER 7
Here is a bridge of wondrous light
Full of colours shining bright
Red and yellow, orange and green
The fairest colours ever seen
Blue and violet, magic rose
Down from heaven to earth it goes.

Rainbow Song
Red and yellow and pink and green,Purple and orange and blue.I can sing a rainbow,Sing a rainbow,You can sing one too!
Listen with your eyes,Listen with your eyes,And sing everything you see.You can sing a rainbow,Sing a rainbow,Sing a long with me.
Red and yellow and pink and green,Purple and orange and blue.You can sing a rainbow,Sing a rainbow,Now you've sung one too!

EDUCATIONAL TASKS FOR MATHS IN GRADE 1

Counting up to 144

Roman numerals

Unconscious teaching of the times table for 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 through verse

Conscious teaching of the times tables of 2, 3, 10 through rhythm

Introducing the 4 rules and using them with numbers up to 24.

Understanding numbers from the whole to parts [10= 7+3]

Odd and even nunmbers

Number riddles

Mental aritmetic

BLOCK 1 INTRODUCTION

~ THE PLACE OF GREAT GIFTS ~

Hi Homeschool Mom,

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Welcome to the journey though numbers, I am so pleased that you have joined us on this path. The first block is titled "The place of great gifts" and is set in the Knysna area, but you can easily adapt this to be an area that you have visited with your child.

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This is a 4 week block. We alternate between a 3 day and 4 day rhythm, so in a 2 week period we do 7 days work. But if your schedule is better suited to a 3 day rhythm then drop the additional day, and if you prefer a 4 day rhythm then add in another revision day.

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Here is a guide.

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Monday - Lesson 1 - number 1

Tuesday - Lesson 2 - number 2

Wednesday - Lesson 3 - number 3

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Monday - Lesson 4 - Number 4

Tuesday - Lesson 5 - Number 5

Wednesday - Lesson 6 - Revision

[Thursday - Additional revision]

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Monday - Lesson 7 - Number 6

Tuesday - Lesson 8 - Number 7

Wednesday - Lesson 9 - Number 8

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Monday - Lesson 10 - Number 9

Tuesday - Lesson 11 - Number 10

Wednesday - Lesson 12 - Revision

[Thursday - Additional revision]

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All blue writing is for mum to read and should not be read to the child.

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Please send me a mail if there is anything that you are struggling with and I will see if I can help you. My e-mail address is dehningc@gmail.com.
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SUPPILIES NEEDED FOR THIS BLOCK

A small basket to hold the items used in grade one maths,

A large shell for story telling,

A cloth to wrap the shell in, preferably silk - this to for protecting it and so the children learn that it is very special

A mainlesson book,

Stockmar crayons, for grade 1 the recomendation is 3 colours but I like colour so have more. :-)

Good quality paper for wet on wet painting [27cmx55cm] - by the best you can afford

Stockmar paints [1 red, 1 blue, 1 yellow],

Some counting beads [we use odd shaped genuine pearls that we bought from the local bead shop for under R50 for a long string]

And a cave dweller gnome

Several shells for counting in [black mussel shell is great!]

A blue ocean coloured playcloth for setting the table

Kristies 6th sense maths book is not essential but is a great additional resource. I use it and find it to be inspiring. I read her writings on each number before we start schooling and her words remain with me through the lesson. Very supportive. :-)

NEED HELP WITH YOU SUPPLIES?

I sell a pack containing 10 black mussel counting shells [I collect them from the beach], 20 pearls in a bag, hand crafted cave dweller gnome and a 10cmx 15cm silk bag for your story telling shell.

The stockmar paints and block crayons as well as the water colour paper can be purchased from Mercurius or a waldorf school.

The story shell is nicest if it is a shell that was found with your children. I use a beautiful Caurie shell [pictured above]that my hubby found on the beach during our last vacation. I'm a lucky girl! (o:

Most of these supplied will be reused in block 2 and block 3.