Tuesday 21 April 2015

R is for Repetition, Reading and Rag Rugs


Repetition - it sounds so boring - right?  But it is essential for certain learning to take place so the aim of the game is to make it fun, make it different - allow children to repeat and practise things without becoming bored by it.  That's why I like creating games, making a child competitive so they strive to beat their score, suggesting they'll never be able to do this even better this time!!

It's difficult to get the balance right - repetition so they can learn how to do something and master it and this brings it's own reward but without them becoming bored or turned off.  I think that's why we need to be flexible - if a child asks to do something again let them and if another child says they've had enough then don't flog a dead horse - but this does mean we need a flexible timetable - which is becoming harder and harder as more demands are made on teachers.

I can remember being at school and afternoons often being times when we could choose what we wanted to do (the perfect time for repetitive play/learning to take place) nowdays afternoons are spent teaching all of the rest of the curriculum because maths and literacy are taught in the morning so there is little time for children to practise any of their skills and feel confident in their learning.

Sorry this seems to be turning into a RANT!!!

READING - possibly the most important skill any child could learn.  And following on from the above - children need to repeatedly read to maximise their potential as you can see from this
amazing graphic.




























This comes from an outstanding teacher's blog post - please visit to see the full post

And just think how much we learn when we read - I know just by taking part in this challenge and reading 10 new blogs a day I am amassing loads of new information and I consider myself quite well educated!!!!

Rag Rugs - I have made a number of rugs (some were maybe mats because they were small) over the years - using french knitting, latch hooking, tapestry and weaving to accomplish them. However, I would love to make a rag rug!!  So far I have bought the hessian and a number of garments that will become shredded to make the rags - I just need to get myself a "rugger" and I will be away - 
                                        (Photo courtesy of http://www.makings.co.uk/)

I was hoping to get started before Christmas as it seemed a traditional "sit-by-the-fire" type of craft but I wasn't organised enough so hopefully this will be a craft I can look forward to as we come to the end of this year (which will help me feel better as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter).

I wanted to share some pics of what others have done and what maybe I could aspire to :)
                         craftyblvd.com/2014/04/30/how-to-make-rag-rug-using-recycled-t-shirts/

         http://patches.typepad.com/notes_from_the_patch/2012/06/tutorial-tuesday-shag-rag-rug.html
http://www.cartwheelscraftcentre.co.uk/workshops_and_courses/shaggy-rag-rugs/

I think I would like to do one in yellows and reds to go in my sitting room - what colours would you use if you made a rag rug?

Finally - freebie for R is this Rabbit Writing set that features different writing pages - which I am not securing in pdf so that you can size it precisely for what you need - as I know it can be really annoying if you can't make it how you would like for your class/student.  Please enjoy :)


13 comments:

  1. Reading - one of the greatest gifts my Grandmother ever gave me is teaching me to read before I went to school... not only did it start me on my love of books but I sailed through school always reading well above my age/grade. I can never ever thank her enough for this gift which keeps on giving.

    Mars
    Curling Stones for Lego People

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    1. I think you introduce an important point, Mars that teaching reading begins at home and not always by a parent. A love of books is so important to nurture and will last a lifetime :)

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  2. Thanks for including your link on my blog. I really like the old time graphic for Reading...Your rag rugs look amazing.
    Maui Jungalow

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    1. Lovely to see you again, Courtney although from your blog I can only imagine the amount of red dust a rag rug would trap!!!!

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  3. Our house was FULL of books when I was growing up - it always confused me to go to a friend's house and NOT see a whole lot of books. But where are the BOOKS?I'd always ask. (horrible nosy child, poking into closets, CLAIMS to be looking for BOOKS, if you can believe that!)
    I would like to make a shades of yellow/orange/red rag rug - maybe start in the center with a circle of white then gradually get darker towards the outside. Not that I will ever DO it probably, but it does look VERY cool - thanks for introducing me to the idea and thanks for the great blog!

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    1. Having seen the quilts you have made I would imagine you'd be able to make one of these standing on your head!!! I like the colour scheme you describe :)

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  4. Hi Pempi.. I just popped iver to thank you for stopping by my blog, but I think I'll sit a while.. Reading is huge in my house, only two of my five children are abid readers, which I am sad about my I am getting to Grand Babies early, at 17 and 16 months I read to them every day and they love it and will pick up books and bring them to me.. Win win!! As for repitition its not just children, I am currently learning oil painting, and I am doing two of the same painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring" because I am trying to cement the steps into my mind, when these two are done I'll do a third (its my favourite paintings of the oldies) i agree with your repition ideas.. And the rag rugs, wow! I want to learn that! I' lime one is blues and greens but then I'd also loke a broightly coloured one for my art studio, where all four walls are different colours!
    Thanks for stopping by I'm off to explore more of your blog!

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    1. What a great comment, Kim especially about how you are learning to improve your oil painting. I think a multi-coloured rag rug in your studio would go really well :)

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  5. Reading is a huge gift - an entry into other worlds. I was lucky to learn to read before I went to school and like one of your earlier commenters it stood by me all through life. My hubby isn't a reader, but he could spend hours poring over some some techy computer journal online. Really interesting facts there about the number of words kids will read on just 20 minutes a day.
    Great blog :)
    Fil @ Fil’s Place - Old songs and Memories

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    1. Yes you are quite right, Fil when you say reading takes you into other worlds - you can learn anything simply by being able to read about it - although I'm not sure about playing music?? I think the fact sheet really makes the point about how those that read for just 20 mins a day gain so much more!!

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  6. My granddaughter just turned 2 and EVERYTHING is about repetition. Read this book to me - 50 times. Sing Itsy Bitsy Spider - 100 times. Count to three - for half an hour. :)

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    1. Hi there, Li thanks for popping over :) So pleased you agree and yes they need and want to go over the same thing again - especially when they have an adult there to engage with :)

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  7. Mum always made sure we had plenty of books in the house and trips to the library were a weekly event. We could read and write before we started school. I can't imagine my life without books and I think it's the greatest gift my mum passed on to me.

    I love the rag rugs. We used to have one in the house when we were small but I've never seen one being made. I'll have to look at a video to see how easy/difficult it is and then maybe I'll have a go - it's just the look I'd like in the entrance hall.

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