Weekly Round Up

Well, a week ago my poor baby was in hospital - an abscess turned nasty resulting in eight of his teeth being removed under general anesthetic (two were removed as only part of them were left due to him hitting his mouth on a table two years ago)

Poor baby - he was incredibly brave. 

The rest of the week we have all been looking after him, then on Wednesday he celebrated his 4th Birthday, 

We didn't go out for the day as originally planned because he still wasn't feeling up to it, but we did go to my parents house for a fab birthday tea and he insisted on playing musical statues

Opening presents in the morning

 Dalek Cake - made by Mike

Playing with his new castle

 Blowing out the candles - exterminate!

 Enjoying the cream from the trifle from his party tea

 Waiting to blow out the candles on his second cake of the day

 Musical Statues

The rest of the week was mainly spent indoors and also James had to go to the docs again as he had a temperature. Checked him over and he had a sore throat, bit chesty and his ear hasn't quite cleared up yet - poor mite.

Mike was off this weekend, got lots of housework done while he looked after James, you wouldn't believe the state the house was in after not really doing anything for a week. 

Had a nice lunch at my parents house today, but am slightly anxious as I have found the poisonous plant Hemlock in my own garden and also in my parents too - another thing for me to get uptight about :-(

So - Home Ed - has pretty much stopped since last weekend, all exhausted from the worry and upset of James's op.  We normally have our summer holiday break during the months of June and July, so give a few days, we are now officially on a break.

Am planning on Becky and Danny doing maths and English online games once a day every day (well not weekends) during the break.

I have managed to get my HE report ready for our visit next month, we have a new inspector, sorry, they are now called advisers, so will see what this one is like.

Hope you all have a wonderful, stress free, healthy, non -hemlock, happy week.
Lou x

Home Education Report 1st August 2010 to 31st May 2011

Both children are both studying Maths and English with the intention of taking iG.C.S.E.s in the near future. This is the only structured approach we use, and both children are happy with this.
The rest of their education is formed by using their home and the world around them as their learning environment..
We go to a lot of effort to expose the children to new ideas, subjects and experiences, allowing them to follow up anything that interests them.
As our approach to B and D’s educations is opportunity based, child centred and flexible, it is not possible to submit a timetable, or to specify in advance all the activities we will be undertaking.
Both are given plenty of time to explore their own interests. We listen constantly to what the say and request and try to provide learning opportunities within their interests. We believe that they are naturally inclined to learn and that they can be trusted to do so.
They are free to explore their own interests and we make sure that they have practice at essential elements of learning.
We work hard to provide an educational environment that keeps their interest and also allows them to be free to be independent learners.
Where a topic becomes popular, we use it to access a variety of subject and opportunities so that a broad education value is achieved. Discussion plays a great part in our approach. They have full access to books, cd-roms, music, television, radio and Internet (monitored) and we will always discuss anything that they take an interest in.
We have a good supply of books, pens and paper, toys, craft supplies, laptop and space to work.. We have broadband internet access and the children all have the opportunity to help us find the answers to questions they ask as well as playing internet hosted games on education and fun sites.


Please see attached a sample of their weekly diary, a list of subject topics we have covered and a list of educational tips.

English and MathsBoth using workbooks - B Key Stage 3 and D Key Stage 2
　
Science
Atoms and Space.
Wind power.
UFOs
DNA
Weather.
Astronomy
Gardening
Cooking
Making Fires
Birdwatching
Farming
Water
Human Body
Earthquakes
Rocks and Minerals
Chocolate Geology
Bushcraft　　
Geography　　
A lot of our geographical work is taken up within history studies, however notable topics this year have included:-

Country Study
France
Japan
Australia
Egypt
Ireland


Map Work
Mapping Continents
Counties in England
　
History
Egytptians (Daniel)
Romans
Exeter Civil War
Victorians
Joan of Arc (B)
Tudors (B)
Middle Ages (D)WWII, The Battle of Britain.
Sir Francis Drake
The Bronze Age
William The Conqueror
Family Tree

 PE 

 Regular bike rides, walks, rugby (D) drama and dance sessions (B) and lots of play in the park..Both children enjoy regular bike rides, walks, swimming and playing in the park. B attends Drama and Dance, D plays Rugby for a local team and both children attend  Athletics Club.


Socialisation
Both children have an active social life and play regularly with both Home Educated and Schooled friends. We attend two HE Groups as well as the occasional History, Natural History and Photography Group, when the topics interest. We also go on regular HE Group organised trips.
Both Children attend Athletics Club, and B attends Drama and Dance and D attends training sessions for the local Rugby team.
As a family we go to our local Church where the children attend Childrens Liturgy, we also attend Church Outings with other families and are involved in various activities.

R.E

Regular study of own religion
Hinduism - Rangoli craftChinese Festivals
Buddhism

Art　
Origami - Paper Boxes
Stain Glass Mosaics
Water Colours
Sketching
Charcoal Drawings
Marble Painting
Artist study of Van Gogh
We attend a pottery Group once a month, and we have clay which the children use.

Trips
Two visits to Organic Arts - West Town Farm - Winter Woods and Clay.
Occombe Farm
Dart Raffe FarmEducational Trips
Local History - Exeter - Visited Exeter Cathedral, Stepcote Hill, Roman Walls and The House that Moved.
Rockpooling - visit to the Seashore Centre, Goodrington.
Cockington Manor
Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
Topsham Museum
Barnstaple Museum
Killerton House
Bradley Manor Woods.
Exeter Cathedral Workshop
Crealy Pumpkin Festival
Bicton Park
Bill Douglas Centre
Sculpture Walk at Exeter University
L.E.E.P
Quay History Trail
Exwick History Trail
Living History Workshop
Victoria Park, Paignton
　
　

Weekly Diary from November 2010

English and Maths

Using workbooks for both of these subjects .
History

Local History - Exeter - Visited Exeter Cathedral, (Workshop on Cathedral History) Stepcote Hill, Roman Walls and The House that Moved.
Geography

Bus riding through local areas of Devon, mapping out the route on our local Devon Map when we got home - travelling through - :-Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey and Chudleigh, with great views of Dartmoor.
Science
Rockpooling - visit to the Seashore Centre, Goodrington. Looking at the underwater habitats in the Bay range from eel grass beds to limestone rock gullies,cuttlefish, jewel anemones , honeycombe worms,seahorses and the Devonshire cup corals .
Nature Painting with natural dyes.
R.E
Daily Bible Study. Hinduism - Rangoli craft.
Art and Craft
Making gargoyles from clay, Rangoli craft, painting with natural dyes (including cow dung).
Trips
Exeter Cathedral Workshop,
Goodrington Seashore Centre.
Walk at Bradley Manor Woods - Photography Group
In addition to the above we attended the local HE group where D is part of a Science Group and B a Spanish Group.

Home Education Report 1st August 2010 to 31st May 2011

Both children are both studying Maths and English with the intention of taking iG.C.S.E.s in the near future. This is the only structured approach we use, and both children are happy with this.
The rest of their education is formed by using their home and the world around them as their learning environment..
We go to a lot of effort to expose the children to new ideas, subjects and experiences, allowing them to follow up anything that interests them.
As our approach to Rebecca and Daniel’s educations is opportunity based, child centred and flexible, it is not possible to submit a timetable, or to specify in advance all the activities we will be undertaking.
Both are given plenty of time to explore their own interests. We listen constantly to what the say and request and try to provide learning opportunities within their interests. We believe that they are naturally inclined to learn and that they can be trusted to do so.
They are free to explore their own interests and we make sure that they have practice at essential elements of learning.
We work hard to provide an educational environment that keeps their interest and also allows them to be free to be independent learners.
Where a topic becomes popular, we use it to access a variety of subject and opportunities so that a broad education value is achieved. Discussion plays a great part in our approach. They have full access to books, cd-roms, music, television, radio and Internet (monitored) and we will always discuss anything that they take an interest in.
We have a good supply of books, pens and paper, toys, craft supplies, laptop and space to work.. We have broadband internet access and the children all have the opportunity to help us find the answers to questions they ask as well as playing internet hosted games on education and fun sites.


Please see attached a sample of their weekly diary, a list of subject topics we have covered and a list of educational tips.

English and MathsBoth using workbooks - Rebecca Key Stage 3 and Danny Key Stage 2
　
Science
Atoms and Space.
Wind power.
UFOs
DNA
Weather.
Astronomy
Gardening
Cooking
Making Fires
Birdwatching
Farming
Water
Human Body
Earthquakes
Rocks and Minerals
Chocolate Geology
Bushcraft　　
Geography　　
A lot of our geographical work is taken up within history studies, however notable topics this year have included:-

Country Study
France
Japan
Australia
Egypt
Ireland


Map Work
Mapping Continents
Counties in England
　
History
Egytptians (Daniel)
Romans
Exeter Civil War
Victorians
Joan of Arc (Rebecca)
Tudors (Rebecca)
Middle Ages (Danny)WWII, The Battle of Britain.
Sir Francis Drake
The Bronze Age
William The Conqueror
Family Tree

 PE 

 Regular bike rides, walks, rugby (Danny) drama and dance sessions (Becky) and lots of play in the park..Both children enjoy regular bike rides, walks, swimming and playing in the park. Rebecca attends Drama and Dance, Daniel plays Rugby for a local team and both children attend Exeter Harriers Athletics Club.


Socialisation
Both children have an active social life and play regularly with both Home Educated and Schooled friends. We attend two HE Groups as well as the occasional History, Natural History and Photography Group, when the topics interest. We also go on regular HE Group organised trips.
Both Children attend Exeter Harriers, and Rebecca attends Drama and Dance and Daniel attends training sessions for the local Rugby team.
As a family we go to our local Church where the children attend Childrens Liturgy, we also attend Church Outings with other families and are involved in various activities.

R.E

Regular study of own religion
Hinduism - Rangoli craftChinese Festivals
Buddhism

Art　
Origami - Paper Boxes
Stain Glass Mosaics
Water Colours
Sketching
Charcoal Drawings
Marble Painting
Artist study of Van Gogh
We attend a pottery Group once a month, and we have clay which the children use.

Trips
Two visits to Organic Arts - West Town Farm - Winter Woods and Clay.
Occombe Farm
Dart Raffe FarmEducational Trips
Local History - Exeter - Visited Exeter Cathedral, Stepcote Hill, Roman Walls and The House that Moved.
Rockpooling - visit to the Seashore Centre, Goodrington.
Cockington Manor
Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
Topsham Museum
Barnstaple Museum
Killerton House
Bradley Manor Woods.
Exeter Cathedral Workshop
Crealy Pumpkin Festival
Bicton Park
Bill Douglas Centre
Sculpture Walk at Exeter University
L.E.E.P
Quay History Trail
Exwick History Trail
Living History Workshop
Victoria Park, Paignton
　
　

Weekly Diary from November 2010

English and Maths

Using workbooks for both of these subjects .
History

Local History - Exeter - Visited Exeter Cathedral, (Workshop on Cathedral History) Stepcote Hill, Roman Walls and The House that Moved.
Geography

Bus riding through local areas of Devon, mapping out the route on our local Devon Map when we got home - travelling through - :-Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey and Chudleigh, with great views of Dartmoor.
Science
Rockpooling - visit to the Seashore Centre, Goodrington. Looking at the underwater habitats in the Bay range from eel grass beds to limestone rock gullies,cuttlefish, jewel anemones , honeycombe worms,seahorses and the Devonshire cup corals .
Nature Painting with natural dyes.
R.E
Daily Bible Study. Hinduism - Rangoli craft.
Art and Craft
Making gargoyles from clay, Rangoli craft, painting with natural dyes (including cow dung).
Trips
Exeter Cathedral Workshop,
Goodrington Seashore Centre.
Walk at Bradley Manor Woods - Photography Group
In addition to the above we attended the local HE group where Daniel is part of a Science Group and Rebecca a Spanish Group.

Happy 4th Birthday J xxxxx

Happy 4th Birthday J xxxxx

My poor little baby has had an Op!

Well the weekend DID NOT go as planned.  J was unwell on Saturday morning, by the afternoon the left side of his face had swollen up and his mouth was sore. Rang the emergency dentist, who said that they would rather he went to A & E to be on the safe side because of him having |Epilepsy (not quite sure why, but there you go)

So they checked him out, gave him anti-biotics and told us if it swells up anymore to bring him back in.

Sunday morning - WORSE.

Back in we go,and at 6pm he had to go under General Anaesthetic (which almost killed me taking him in) and had 8 teeth out. 

We were home the next day, and he is recovering well. bless him.

We are all physically and mentally exhausted.

My poor little baby has had an Op!

Well the weekend DID NOT go as planned.  James was unwell on Saturday morning, by the afternoon the left side of his face had swollen up and his mouth was sore. Rang the emergency dentist, who said that they would rather he went to A & E to be on the safe side because of him having |Epilepsy (not quite sure why, but there you go)

So they checked him out, gave him anti-biotics and told us if it swells up anymore to bring him back in.

Sunday morning - WORSE.

Back in we go,and at 6pm he had to go under General Anaesthetic (which almost killed me taking him in) and had 8 teeth out. 

We were home the next day, and he is recovering well. bless him.

We are all physically and mentally exhausted.

Trip out with H.E friends at a local Nature Spot

Lots of fun at this group:-

Starting Fires - in a good way of course

 Making a shelter

 Eating bananas and chocolate cooked on the open fire

 Pond Dipping

Lou x

Trip out with H.E friends at a local Nature Spot

Lots of fun at this group:-

Starting Fires - in a good way of course

 Making a shelter

 Eating bananas and chocolate cooked on the open fire

 Pond Dipping

Lou x

Well the beginning of the week didn't start off too well.  Tried to get an appointment with the dentist for Danny as his filling for his front tooth came out and now he has a jagged tooth.  Waited for cancellation but earliest I could get was Wednesday.  This meant that we didn't get to the HE group in Torquay which was a bit disappointing.
My dads op on his knees was successful, so good news there, so we visited him in the afternoon.

Tuesday was a much better day, it was a trip I had booked during the winter - at Dart Raffe Farm.

Have a few photos, but have to direct you to Classroom Free for a brilliant post of the day:-

Today - Mike and the children went to the Cinema to see Pirates of the Caribbean 4 - met up with two other HE families.  All enjoyed the film.  My friend Lou came round to keep me and James company, which was nice.

Tomorrow I think we had better do some Maths and English,and also another friend is visiting.

Lou x

Well the beginning of the week didn't start off too well.  Tried to get an appointment with the dentist for D as his filling for his front tooth came out and now he has a jagged tooth.  Waited for cancellation but earliest I could get was Wednesday.  This meant that we didn't get to the HE group in Torquay which was a bit disappointing.
My dads op on his knees was successful, so good news there, so we visited him in the afternoon.

Tuesday was a much better day, it was a trip I had booked during the winter - at Dart Raffe Farm.

Have a few photos, but have to direct you to Classroom Free for a brilliant post of the day:-

Today - M and the children went to the Cinema to see Pirates of the Caribbean 4 - met up with two other HE families.  All enjoyed the film.  My friend Lou came round to keep me and J company, which was nice.

Tomorrow I think we had better do some Maths and English,and also another friend is visiting.

Lou x