We are doing a 3 week trial of a KONOS online co-op group as we are considering it for the fall. We'll be starting Japan a week from Monday, but we were doing some planning today - and, we kind of went ahead and started on a few things. Alexandra has made lots of dolls from Making Friends, so we made these Japanese dolls today. 
We are planning on making a kimono for Alexandra to wear. I am VERY new to sewing as I've only made one dress (for my niece about 8 years ago with LOTS of help from my mother-in-law) and a tote bag (a few weeks ago with a friend). So, I decided to start by using some scrap material and making a kimono for Alexandra's doll. The material we'll use for Alexandra's kimono is above (grand total of $9 at Walmart!).
And, above is her doll in her kimono - it looks more like a robe because of the material. We're planning on making her a nicer kimono from Alexandra's scraps. And, I figured out a few things I can do to make the "real" kimono nicer. But, I was pretty proud of the job we did!
I'm very excited about the online co-op. You are able to view a video each week that guides you as to what you will do the following week. It also lets you know what materials you need for the week, and for coming weeks. And, you get to join a yahoo group to talk with other moms who are doing the same unit as you are. I'm loving our group! I've already gotten some wonderful ideas. And, I like that this will keep me more on tract and I'll get to get ideas and share ideas with other moms. If we do it next year, we'll be doing studies from Volume 2 with an emphasis on early American History, which was my plan for next year anyway. I'm very excited and we both can't wait to really get started with Japan!
I was looking at Konos myself recently, but I already have the next two years curriculum purchased already. We will be studying Japan next year using the Ancient Far East Kit from Hands and Hearts. It is excellent! I highly recomend it. Re: the kimono- when I was growing up we had a kimono in our dress up box that my dad brought back from Okanowa. It didn't have regular sleeves. More like slits your arm passed through and then there was a fold of cloth that draped down over your arms (like if you held them out straight it looked as if there were a towel draped over them). Not sure exactly how this was put together, but that was what gave it a blousy look rather than looking like a bathrobe. HTH, Melissa
ReplyDeleteWow...that's a really cool concept your group has going.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on the sewing. I can't wait to see your big one! I used to sew a lot, but don't do it much anymore. Madison and I bought the stuff to make an apron for her grandmother, but haven't done it yet! Maybe we will this summer.
Hey! We did the online co-op from January-May and we LOVED it. My kids said that the Japan unit was their favorite, too. I spent some time in Japan as a teenager (exchange program), so it brought back a lot of memories for me as well.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will enjoy it as much as we did!
~Bev~
WOW! I love these projects.
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