dh brought science – comparing mentos in differnet fizzy drinks – they had such a fun time

it has been a fab group and we have had such a lovely time altogether that it is so sad when things end, but streams and pebbles, and things change! will miss regularly seeing zoe, merry and families but hope their kids have a fab time at school.

we did also find out that we had been matched through en famille and were really excited as the family looked a really excellent match.

unfortunately the family is worried about home ed, so we found out on the thursday it wasn’t going to go ahead tho en famille are looking for another match. What a rollercoaster! It must be hard to think that home ed might work if you haven’t ever experienced it, or come into it so late. I am hoping that another family will see it as another opportunity to experience something different and widen horizons, and we’re not averse to using brought over maths books, or a list of science or history topics, for example. we’ll see. This has some of the wide range of books we use with SB, but obviously we have all the resources down to when she was preK, and now some more added [will be due an update in Jan] and the photoblogs above show what a home ed day might look like, as i don’t tend to blog all the she did maths, she did english etc! fingers crossed!

thurs was again mostly bookish, tho BB had a hospital appointment. then in the eve it was cubs and guides for the girls

tomorrow they are both going to a glass workshop which sounds fab.

SB did a bit of book work so that she would achieve her weekly ticksheet target and get a book

We played games

we did some gardening – potting up in the greenhouse and weeding some veg beds

and we made putt putt engines, and will hopefully turn into a boat . we stopped at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFkyr_yhIOE

Both girls did their music practices as well, tho BB hurt her hand so couldn;t do her cello. We messed about outside

Both have done well and will be raiding the book box. less music prac from BB as she really bashed her wrist, and SB only just picking up from her wrist injury – sigh! BB also pretty maths resistant this week, so need to make more of an effort at maths, reading eggs and explode the code next week. SB is in the middle of writing a huge story for galore park english currently.

here is how a bookish home ed day may work…

ANyway, monday the local home ed group had a synagogue trip. The lady there talked about the jewish religion, the clothes, the kosher food, the sabbath. It was interesting - apparently the lady seemed worried at first but was then OK [this is a direct quote from SB] They saw the everlasting light and learnt about the scrolls all written by hand [i have jut asked and surprisingly the kids are telling me!!] They had lunch in a cafe in town, which they enjoyed and then came home. Monday was ballet night and SB missed gym as wrist still sore.

tuesday neither of them remember doing anything I think this was a bookish day – edited to add – apprently they did do something they went to my inlaws as DH had some jobs to do for them, they only watched a little bit of telly apparently . Also both had swimming in the eve Weds is already blogged for most of the day. When the deependers had gone home, BB and I did some draw a dinosaur from her usborne book

SB did some home ed book stuff and then some lute prac – linked to before playing her only tune . both of them went to Judo, tho i think it hurt SB’s wrist a bit.

Thurs was the home ed sports day. Both girls really enjoy this, SB certainly came home v grassy! They did rugby races and met and laughed with their friends. I managed to come home from work earlier than expected, and found DH had taken my key of my car keys, so had to wait for them to return. Played a few boad games, did some music theory with SB to make sure she understood the grade 5 intervals. In the eve I took BB to cubs, and really loved watching her happily skip in Cubs really suits her and it is wonderful . I think it suits her better than brownies ever did SB. She is going on the cubs camp in the summer, and we have a form to sign to allow her to shoot an air rifle – eek!!! SB went to have a ‘cook out’ at guides. Guides now suits her OK, as she has a group of friends there she is happy with, although they do try and persuade her to go to school, she isn’t saying yes.

Friday was conservation, starting half an hour earlier than normal. Again with the local home ed group. This time they SB dug holes and planted trees and made a ‘dead hedge’ out of sticks, BB collected stick stones and mud for the next group coming in. they had bangers and mash cooked over the camp fire and v much enjoyed their time there. [tho getting this info from them is blood out of a stone!] fri eve SB has ballet again. During the week we watched some of the wildlife in the hebrides programmes, and hoped to catch a glimpse of our friends on Rum, but we didn’t.

DH thought we should use our skills to potentially create opium but instead we baked bread and put poppy seeds on the rolls and discussed opium, what it does and how it is used and abused [PSHE?] . Our bread roll baking does seem to be going well. We clearly had to let it prove, knock back and shape and then cook, but here are the finished loaves, v well received

Following that, K took everyone in the conservatory to make bonsai trees from pipe cleaners, wire, felt and sequins. This was to discuss Macartneys mission to China, develop the need for trade to be 2 way idea, and discuss kowtowing. ANyway, it is thought his emabssy may have brought back bonsai . SB spent ages making her bonsai. We also looked at a book of bonsai and discussed the techniques. I think we will dig up some seedlings and have a go – meant to do that in history as well but ran out of time!

After the obligatory pasta lunch, we then discussed the life and art of Turner, and used watercolours to try and get some of his blurry shots. There is a gap here as k-the-younger only finished after i took the pick. K and I did one each too, as nice and relaxing. I agree with waldorf that using good materials enhances the learning. Poster paint wouldn’t have had the same impact here as watercolour. I have to say, we def aren’t Steiner educators tho, just like many learning philosophies there are interesting and relevant bits to pick up.

Our final history was to discuss steam, making workable steam engines, the beginning of the end for the cottage industry and the rise of mechanisation, and from their industrialisation. I would have discussed luddites, but TBH, the pop pop boats were far too much fun K had bought some some while ago at Greenbelt, so we didn’t self assemble, but that is on our list of things to do

A great day, thankyou

SB did show her ticksheet to friends tho

my parents came up to visit, having holidayed in turkey. Dad did some garden tidying up for us, mum some music practice with the girls. We had some good chatting in the evening, and they found out about en famille – slightly less shocking that home ed it seems . Lovely seeing my parents, we just don’t do it quite enough really. And I got a present – some pomegranite and pistacio turkish delight – yum [i only like proper turkish delight]

Saturday we went out to kentwell open day. I had a storming migraine of massive proportions [which ended up lasting 5 days - grr!] and so mostly sat in my chair trying out the appearance of human However, looking forward to Kentwell in the summer – do come and visit! As we left it suddenly tipped it down in mega flood proportions and then hailed – fabulous. It immediately reminded me of duke of edinburgh award

The day after was our en famille home visit. Ever since SB has had friends going off doing en famille exchanges, i have always been pleased she has shown no interest whatsoever. However, last year she declared she was ready to go, to the point that she got the forms and filled them out. SO we did too. I have to saythat i will miss her massively if we get matched, am not sure the whole 6 months away is bearable, and worth it for me, even if she would speak fluent french on return. However, for her, she is absolutely sure this is something that she would love to try. S here goes, we have applied, been to meetings, and now had our home visit. Hopefully that went ok too. not sure what they are looking for! SB made fab choc pudding again tho, that may be a swaying factor in her benefit

i did some gardening, sweetcorn second lot sown now as well. Next thing to do will be potting out and on the toms etc.

E and SB spent ages with Em playing the recorder [must sort the music out!] . BB also allowed EM to do some recorder with her – woot woot [and has picked up the recorder since] I clearly was hiding whilst taking pics so as not to disturb

A fair bit of game playing went on, both boardgames and bouncing about outside. Currently the 2 families kids are working well together, so that makes life much nicer as all get to play/interact and feel wanted.

We also baked some shortbread cookies- everyone was happy with that too.

great day, thankyou BB enjoyed judo at the end of it, but SB couldn’t because of her hurt wrist.