It may well be the summer holidays for those of a schooly inclination, for us us it's always about the learning. Well, apart from when we're not. So forgetting for a moment the days where everyone is so happily engrossed in something I can practically ignore the children and read or sew or crochet or whatever and call it autonomous learning, remember that life is learning and we can squeeze educational benefit from our everyday tasks and challenges.
For instance the topic of this weeks learning shall be wholly relating to our annual trip to the fabulous Camp Bestival. We can tick off all our learning boxes and they (kids) won't have a clue!
I give you the following examples.
Q1, How will family Phillips manage to transport 4 adults, 4 children (varying sizes and ages), 1 baby to Camp Bestival, with 2 cars and 1 roof box, stopping on route to pick up 2 more children?
Q2, How many pairs of pants can each person take to cover 4 festival days and 6 more camping in Cornwall, taking into consideration the above information?
Q3, How long will it take family Phillips to reach its Lulworth Castle destination? Factor in baby feeding, changing, crying, wee stops, coffee stops, traffic jams and Somerset detour.
Q4, How much fuel will that be? (second thoughts don't answer that *gulp*)
Q5, Can you program the Sat Nav so that it does not always want to take us round the M25 or through a field? Please, anybody?
Q6, Can you estimate how many portions of cheesy chips Mia will eat whilst being surrounded by fabulous food options?
Q7, Research the likelihood of precipitation, providing detailed water cycle and jet stream mapping. (okay so they might not do this but they can use multiple apps and get the info on an hourly basis)
Q8, How many different ways can you fold a 5m Bell tent? And then fit it back into its bag with all the poles?
Q9, You have £9.56 left in your bank account after feeding everyone at the festival for 4 days, how will you feed everyone for the next week in Cornwall?
Q10, It's Monday can you rustle up costumes appropriate to the theme "silly Olympics" in 3 days without buying more supplies?
And the list could (will) go on and on until we are wedged into the cars and heading down the road. We will have faced all manner of problems, including how we sit through another of Oliver's James Bond theme CD mixes. But it will have been worth it and who could argue with the educational validity of those questions?!!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, 23 July 2012
Thursday, 19 July 2012
So, yes, we too saw the torch.
Did it fill our minds with thoughts of athletic prowess? Community spirit? What it takes for a young person to fulfil their dream?
Sadly no.
We waited an hour, saw a huge convoy of advertising trucks, police outriders and a cheer bus with, as the teen described, the smiliest Morrisey lookalike trying to whoop the crowd into torch frenzy. It was drizzling, that didn't happen.
Our torch bearer ran. Ran like the wind past us all. Past the young school children with their hand made torches. Past gaggles of mums, toddlers in pushchairs waving damp flags happily. Older school kids let off so that they might witness the spectacle for themselves. Office workers, old folk and of course us.
We ate our sandwiches while waiting. Chatting about what we might see. We'd been expecting huge crowds, but at the top of the high street we found a spot.
We learned valuable lessons of hold that spot and jump up and down if you're feeling chilly. We talked properly about people who'd been picked to participate in the relay and what it might mean to them.
Davy had his camera and went into covert picture taking mode, making the most of the different people out on the streets. Surely adding something to his portfolio, see, time well spent. He wasn't convinced.
And we brought a baby along for the ride too. Multi generational experiences. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's nearly time. Look here are the police.
And a sponsor truck. Cause it's important, the money, you know.
And more police. Come on, come on.
And oooo yes, here it is, oh, it's gone.
Our only shot. No idea who the super fast young man was. And here is the problem. We all saw the soft drink sponsor, the phone Sponsor, the support crews, security teams and police officers. We saw the singing and dancing bus asking if we're ready. And we were, properly ready to witness something that could bring this strange community together along the desolate high street of a struggling town. But we don't know why the man had the honour of running for his community, county, country. Educationally we were able to talk about flags, patriotism, sponsorship deals, why we needed security and all sorts of other questions. But the young minds in my educational care were bemused and disappointed. I couldn't answer all of their questions. I had no idea of this persons great deed. He could have been a hero to them, he may have already given much to his community or overcome great hurdles in his life.
I know that not everyone's experience has been like this. We know of a lady in a neighbouring town given the honour because of her services to teaching and running music services. She walked, waved, smiled, hugged and posed her way through her walk. Students and families she had touched for 20+ years came out to support her and share in the moment. As for us, well perhaps the poor chap was playing catch up! All we know is the games favourite drink.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sadly no.
We waited an hour, saw a huge convoy of advertising trucks, police outriders and a cheer bus with, as the teen described, the smiliest Morrisey lookalike trying to whoop the crowd into torch frenzy. It was drizzling, that didn't happen.
Our torch bearer ran. Ran like the wind past us all. Past the young school children with their hand made torches. Past gaggles of mums, toddlers in pushchairs waving damp flags happily. Older school kids let off so that they might witness the spectacle for themselves. Office workers, old folk and of course us.
We ate our sandwiches while waiting. Chatting about what we might see. We'd been expecting huge crowds, but at the top of the high street we found a spot.
We learned valuable lessons of hold that spot and jump up and down if you're feeling chilly. We talked properly about people who'd been picked to participate in the relay and what it might mean to them.
Davy had his camera and went into covert picture taking mode, making the most of the different people out on the streets. Surely adding something to his portfolio, see, time well spent. He wasn't convinced.
And we brought a baby along for the ride too. Multi generational experiences. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's nearly time. Look here are the police.
And a sponsor truck. Cause it's important, the money, you know.
And more police. Come on, come on.
And oooo yes, here it is, oh, it's gone.
Our only shot. No idea who the super fast young man was. And here is the problem. We all saw the soft drink sponsor, the phone Sponsor, the support crews, security teams and police officers. We saw the singing and dancing bus asking if we're ready. And we were, properly ready to witness something that could bring this strange community together along the desolate high street of a struggling town. But we don't know why the man had the honour of running for his community, county, country. Educationally we were able to talk about flags, patriotism, sponsorship deals, why we needed security and all sorts of other questions. But the young minds in my educational care were bemused and disappointed. I couldn't answer all of their questions. I had no idea of this persons great deed. He could have been a hero to them, he may have already given much to his community or overcome great hurdles in his life.
I know that not everyone's experience has been like this. We know of a lady in a neighbouring town given the honour because of her services to teaching and running music services. She walked, waved, smiled, hugged and posed her way through her walk. Students and families she had touched for 20+ years came out to support her and share in the moment. As for us, well perhaps the poor chap was playing catch up! All we know is the games favourite drink.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, 16 July 2012
I blame the rain.
Well we all are aren't we?
The lack of informative blog updates.
The general malaise.
The slugs eating half my salad veg (and the rest the next day)
The depressing light that makes me feel like its still March.
The way none of us is up for a jaunt further than the local library or a mates house.
Or maybe it's not. Perhaps I jinxed myself so badly with my last post that not only have I been unable to write, I've been unable to motivate those around me into action either. Blogging totally gone!
As a record for home educating it's not so full of the day to days. However, I know this is okay! Truly it is.
Because I've got a secret. I go to other places. I post photos on instagram and follow interesting people on twitter. Our life spilling further into the crazy Internet world where it can mingle with others doing the same. Where, I can sneak a peak at other peoples lives, different and yet alike. Struggling, thinking, laughing and sharing all the different things I'm/we're interested in. You can find us all around, those enjoying this "alternative" lifestyle. Not just blogging away the minutiae of our days in the hope our records are enough to keep us from the grip of the local LA. But posting how damn lovely or bloody awful our day has been. Or look at this picture of sun, rain, dog, little Johnny (insert anything) isnt it/he/she great.
I'm a bad blog reader, twitter follower and instagram watcher really. Not commenting often enough when something touches me. Not always responding with a few immediate words. Not liking every photo that's made me smile with a knowing nod or laugh out loud. But I'm there. I'm here too, just not as often as i have been. And maybe there's someone like me out there too, dipping in and out quietly and occasionally sharing a snippet of their day, their life. Perhaps this space helps them like others help me.
And of course I really know we've not been sitting on our bums doing nothing at all. I've got the photos to prove it if I want. But today it's good to just write*, to let myself off the hook.
This is my education too!
*obviously the next post will be a mammoth photo montage of all the most excellent educational stuff, you know, just in case.
- Posted using BlogPress and supreme effort to get my brain in gear
The lack of informative blog updates.
The general malaise.
The slugs eating half my salad veg (and the rest the next day)
The depressing light that makes me feel like its still March.
The way none of us is up for a jaunt further than the local library or a mates house.
Or maybe it's not. Perhaps I jinxed myself so badly with my last post that not only have I been unable to write, I've been unable to motivate those around me into action either. Blogging totally gone!
As a record for home educating it's not so full of the day to days. However, I know this is okay! Truly it is.
Because I've got a secret. I go to other places. I post photos on instagram and follow interesting people on twitter. Our life spilling further into the crazy Internet world where it can mingle with others doing the same. Where, I can sneak a peak at other peoples lives, different and yet alike. Struggling, thinking, laughing and sharing all the different things I'm/we're interested in. You can find us all around, those enjoying this "alternative" lifestyle. Not just blogging away the minutiae of our days in the hope our records are enough to keep us from the grip of the local LA. But posting how damn lovely or bloody awful our day has been. Or look at this picture of sun, rain, dog, little Johnny (insert anything) isnt it/he/she great.
I'm a bad blog reader, twitter follower and instagram watcher really. Not commenting often enough when something touches me. Not always responding with a few immediate words. Not liking every photo that's made me smile with a knowing nod or laugh out loud. But I'm there. I'm here too, just not as often as i have been. And maybe there's someone like me out there too, dipping in and out quietly and occasionally sharing a snippet of their day, their life. Perhaps this space helps them like others help me.
And of course I really know we've not been sitting on our bums doing nothing at all. I've got the photos to prove it if I want. But today it's good to just write*, to let myself off the hook.
This is my education too!
*obviously the next post will be a mammoth photo montage of all the most excellent educational stuff, you know, just in case.
- Posted using BlogPress and supreme effort to get my brain in gear
Monday, 18 June 2012
Blogging comes and blogging goes
And life goes on!
Because mostly the blogging has gone. I've no idea where! The thoughts are still in my head, whirring and wondering and worrying. Ideas solidifying and then slipping out before I've pinned them down into the magic that is the Internet.
So for those looking in it seems we've been giving home education a stuff ignoring. Nothing on the blog, nothing going on. You may be right!
Bugger.
Certainly the shelves are dusty and the workbooks would be creaky and stiff should you try to open them. We don't bother now, they're deathly dull. But never fear this morning prompted by a need to send thank you letters and a wish to watch a DVD writing and times table practice has been achieved.
Hurrah and phew you cry.
Still quite dull though, so we are going to send a video thank you aswell. Ticks another box and we've done media/computery stuff too. Quite the Monday morning.
After all the excitement we shall definitely need a break. I'm thinking walking, planting, sewing and cooking. Much more fun!!!
And a Monday montage to go with it
all.
Because mostly the blogging has gone. I've no idea where! The thoughts are still in my head, whirring and wondering and worrying. Ideas solidifying and then slipping out before I've pinned them down into the magic that is the Internet.
So for those looking in it seems we've been giving home education a stuff ignoring. Nothing on the blog, nothing going on. You may be right!
Bugger.
Certainly the shelves are dusty and the workbooks would be creaky and stiff should you try to open them. We don't bother now, they're deathly dull. But never fear this morning prompted by a need to send thank you letters and a wish to watch a DVD writing and times table practice has been achieved.
Hurrah and phew you cry.
Still quite dull though, so we are going to send a video thank you aswell. Ticks another box and we've done media/computery stuff too. Quite the Monday morning.
After all the excitement we shall definitely need a break. I'm thinking walking, planting, sewing and cooking. Much more fun!!!
And a Monday montage to go with it
all.
Monday, 21 May 2012
Sometimes all it takes is a nice walk.
To make you appreciate the time you have, the things you can see and the conversations you have along the way.
Walking the dogs for an hour along a lane we've spotted interesting creatures, amazing birds, played musical grass, checked we like butter and talked science and nature all along the way.
And the sun came out!
No photos of the Buzzard or Red Kite, but what we think is a type of mite (and amazingly red), a butterfly with amazing camouflage in the cow parsley and us happy to be out in the sunshine.
Walking the dogs for an hour along a lane we've spotted interesting creatures, amazing birds, played musical grass, checked we like butter and talked science and nature all along the way.
And the sun came out!
No photos of the Buzzard or Red Kite, but what we think is a type of mite (and amazingly red), a butterfly with amazing camouflage in the cow parsley and us happy to be out in the sunshine.
Monday, 14 May 2012
Monday Morning
The house is quiet. One of us gone off to work, a couple of littles up and pottering. The two bigs asleep in bed teenagery hormones dictating their sleeping rythmns. And as I think about getting up and organised someone hops into my bed and starts playing with my iPad.
It all makes me think about how different our life is from how it used to be. And I feel very grateful that we have been able to make this decision and that it works for our family. I hear cars going off, a loud beep off an impatient parent waiting in a car. And look down at my little companion making cartoons and choosing the music to go with her pictures. I smile.
In many ways i think we must look like a crazy version of a Judith Kerr picture book to lots of people. We are a mummy and daddy! Even to our 20yr old daughter (I'm not sure how that happened). Daddy goes out to work and Mummy stays at home cooks, cleans and home educates the children.
Of course nothing is that simple. I rarely clean for starters. And we run our own company which means its most often Daddy that has to get up and get out of the house. There are days where he is the one working in bed having just read a story to someone with another doing something alongside him. They know that I also have work to do and sometimes we all sit together or we have a meeting at our home.
When the niggles of worry about examples of good behaviour and modelling and suchlike pop into my head (especially when still lying in bed!) I remember that we are encouraging our children to follow their dreams, passions and interests. That there are days when we all have to be up and out of the house early and ready for a long day, but there are others when you can relax. Where you can absolutely work in your PJ's, all day long if you want to. That nearly everyday can be different and when you want something you work hard to achieve it no matter how tough it feels at the time. Like playing your instrument and the same piece over and over to pass an exam or cracking telling the time so you can play out with friends.
That's a pretty good message to give and an excellent start to a Monday morning. So thats my message from bed kids, writing and French practice has been happening here. That's not lazy, right!!!
It all makes me think about how different our life is from how it used to be. And I feel very grateful that we have been able to make this decision and that it works for our family. I hear cars going off, a loud beep off an impatient parent waiting in a car. And look down at my little companion making cartoons and choosing the music to go with her pictures. I smile.
In many ways i think we must look like a crazy version of a Judith Kerr picture book to lots of people. We are a mummy and daddy! Even to our 20yr old daughter (I'm not sure how that happened). Daddy goes out to work and Mummy stays at home cooks, cleans and home educates the children.
Of course nothing is that simple. I rarely clean for starters. And we run our own company which means its most often Daddy that has to get up and get out of the house. There are days where he is the one working in bed having just read a story to someone with another doing something alongside him. They know that I also have work to do and sometimes we all sit together or we have a meeting at our home.
When the niggles of worry about examples of good behaviour and modelling and suchlike pop into my head (especially when still lying in bed!) I remember that we are encouraging our children to follow their dreams, passions and interests. That there are days when we all have to be up and out of the house early and ready for a long day, but there are others when you can relax. Where you can absolutely work in your PJ's, all day long if you want to. That nearly everyday can be different and when you want something you work hard to achieve it no matter how tough it feels at the time. Like playing your instrument and the same piece over and over to pass an exam or cracking telling the time so you can play out with friends.
That's a pretty good message to give and an excellent start to a Monday morning. So thats my message from bed kids, writing and French practice has been happening here. That's not lazy, right!!!
Friday, 4 May 2012
: : This Moment : :
A single moment, no words, captured from our week.
Joining up with soulemama.com
Joining up with soulemama.com
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