Lots of rugby, visit to the coast and Ice creams with clotted cream and a flake!

Over the last week:-

Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs

On Saturday, a very very cold Saturday, we went to Sandy Park (excluding B who opted to stay at home in the warm, by the fire, eating popcorn and chocolate - sensible girl) to watch the Chiefs play Leicester Tigers.   Before he game though, some of the lads from our Rugby Club, D included, got to train with some of the players.

This also included a tour of the Chiefs building, the changing rooms - no naked Chiefs included in this :-(  the gym, a pool and also along the corridor  they had a gallery of all the past Chiefs teams.  There was a photo of the team the year my father played for them, but unfortunately he wasn't around when the photo was being taken.  However, to my delight, there was one of my Pampy (my dads dad) who played for the team in 1967

He is in the middle of the top row.

Onto the game, we lost - boo, but it was a good afternoon, despite us all getting frostbite!    We did get lots of autographs, and a photo of D with Manu Tuilagi, who gave me a very good photography tip - he said "your hand is on the flash"! 

Bit embarrassing, but the photo came out OK, bit dark though.

Sunday

Up early on another frosty morning to travel to Bude for a rugby match.  We won 79-0, and Danny scored a great try.

Monday

M's day off which consisted of us food shopping, shoe shopping in Exeter, then D had Devon training in the evening.

Tuesday

My sister and her partner were down from Sheffield, with their dog, Jesse, and another little, very very little, dog called Ziggy. 

We braved the cold and headed for the coast, short walk on the beach, then hot chocolates and lattes, onto The Grand Pier, then short walk again and finished off with a visit to the chip shop.

On the way home we stopped off at another seaside town, to get the famous Gays Creamery Ice Cream

Wednesday

I took J into our local Home Education Group where I organised egg decorating, then rolling into the eggs were smashed into smithereens and then we finished off with an Easter Egg Hunt.

Maundy Thursday

Started to Spring Clean, starting with the cupboards, and while I was doing this, J decided he wanted to paint eggs, so that took up most of the morning. The afternoon saw me mainly sorting out laundry and before I knew it, it was late afternoon.  Sent D off to fitness training for an hour, then cooked a nice hot meal for his return. 

Looking forward to Easter Weekend.  M has to work until 2pm on Good Friday, but after that he is off for 5 days.

Weather looks good too x

Home Educating my three children went quite well last week, and it seems we are finally getting into a routine after all the illnesses that have plagued us this last six weeks.

We had our scheduled visit with our new LEA adviser on Monday morning, and it went really well.  Mainly chatted about the older two, what they are studying and when they are intending to take their exams. Also discussed work experience for B, and as she mainly wants to be a nurse, it will be quite difficult to get her a placement because of patient confidentiality.  She has also toyed with the idea of becoming a cook, so we thought it maybe a good idea at this point to get some work experience in this area.

She agreed it was a good idea that they both study for three GCSE's at the moment, as being Home Edded they can get into college with this, as long as the are reasonably good grades. They will however still be studying two extra subjects each, D Chemistry and ICT and B Spanish, and possibly RE.  Maths, English and Science will take precedence over these subjects though.

So back to studying this week, trying to get a good run in before the Easter Holy Week.

I am still getting my head round Mathematical problems.  Last week I got a bit stuck on Modes Medians and Means, but I did eventually get my head around it.  Both the older two did well in sticking to their schedule, even the copy writing, but I will make sure in future I will only  attempt any serious math stuff when it is M's day off (he was very knowledgeable about the Modes Medians and Means stuff ).

J is showing an interest in reading,so we borrowed lots of early reading books from the library, and I will make him a word tree this week, so we can stick on all the words he has learnt. Also he really loves to count things, and I found a tattered old numbers book in a charity shop for him, than funnily enough, B and D used to learn from.

We also went on a great nature walk, with a spotter sheet from the Nature Detective Website

I also made a start on the spring cleaning this week, as it seems that when the  sun is shining, like most people, I tend to have more of a spring in my step, and am more enthusiastic about house work.  We still have to make a start on the painting, but rugby and M working every other weekend seems to stop us from making a start.

D has also recently been picked for the North Devon Squad, and has been to training sessions which are extra to his normal rugby training with his club, but it is all good fun and he has not got his Devon Development Training Shirt, which he will wear in a festival next month.  We are extremely proud.

Also we have been trying to fund raising for our tour, which include a cake stall in our town.  B has spent most of Friday baking, making a lemon drizzle cake, coffee and walnut, lemon cup cakes and lemon shortbread cream fingers.   J made Easter nest rice krispie cakes, after he ate a lot of the mini eggs, we had just enough for the "nests".  D did help out too - he grated the lemons!

More rugby news, M and D's team won their semi-final against Exeter Chiefs 41-12  and we are all looking forward to the final in April!

Also my brother was down at the weekend which was nice (despite the fact that he is 37 years old and  still feels the need to belch in my ear) had a nice birthday present from him and his wife, and the children enjoyed catching up with him again.

I will also be staring a Home Ed Journal which will be linked to this one, which I really must remember to update.

Home Ed Group maybe tomorrow, with a possible trip out with other HE families on Friday!

Home Education Report

Home Education Report 2013
　
Rebecca and Daniel are both studying Maths and English and Science with the intention of taking iG.C.S.E.s in the near future.
Rebecca is also studying Spanish and Daniel Chemistry.
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 James' education is opportunity based, child centred and flexible, it is not possible to submit a timetable, or to specify in advance all the activities he will be undertaking.
All three children 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 practise 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, 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.

　
　
　
　
Rebecca

Study timetable
Monday Maths 2-3 hours Am
Tuesday ½ Hour each of English, Maths and Science
Wednesday English 2-3 hours Am
Thursday ½ Hour each of English, Maths and Science
Friday Biology 2-3 hours Am
Each afternoon she does the following:
Keyboard practise
Cooking
Art
Social Groups.
She also walks regularly and uses Wii Fit.

Resources Rebecca uses:-
Maths:-
CGB Key Stage 3 Mathematics Numeracy Strategy
GCSE Mathematics Edexcel Modular - Revision Guide
Online Maths Quizzes - http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/

English:-
CGB Key Stage 3 English Literacy Strategy
GCSE English The Revision Guide
Weekly spelling test using Key Stage 3 Spelling List - http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/dick/tta/spelling/ks3list.htmRebecca also does two A4 pages of Copy Writing each week.
Online Grammar Quizzes - http://www.funenglishgames.com/grammargames.html Rebecca reads daily and she also reads one classic fiction book a month.

In April Rebecca will be starting a study course with Oxford learning, with the intention of taking her iGCSE in June 2014
Science/Biology:-
CGP Key Stage 3 Biology Topic-based Practice Questions
CGP Key Stage 3 Science Life Processes and Living Things
Spanish:-
BBC Bitesize GCSE Spanish -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/spanish/
Daniel

Study Timetable

Monday Maths 2-3 hours Am
Tuesday ½ Hour each of English, Maths and Science
Wednesday English 2-3 hours Am
Thursday ½ Hour each of English, Maths and Science
Friday General Science 2-3 hours Am

In the afternoon Daniel does the following:-
Guitar Practise
Art
Science Experiments
Social Groups

Resources Daniel uses:-
Maths:-
CGB Key Stage 3 Mathematics Numeracy Strategy
Online Maths Quizzes - http://www.kidsmathgamesonline.com/
English:-
CGB Key Stage 3 English Literacy Strategy
Weekly spelling test using Key Stage 3 Spelling List - http://www.phon.ucl.ac.uk/home/dick/tta/spelling/ks3list.htmOnline Grammar Quizzes - http://www.funenglishgames.com/grammargames.htmlDaniel also does two A4 pages of Copy Writing each week.
Daniel reads daily and he also reads one classic fiction book a month. He is currently reading

Science:-
KS3 Science Workbook - National Tests Practice Papers
Science/Biology:-
CGP Key Stage 3 Science Life Processes and Living Things
CGP Key Stage 3 Chemistry Topic-based Practice Questions
CGP Key Stage 3 Science National Strategy
Science Experiments using Chemistry Set and experiments from http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/experiments.html

Daniel also plays rugby for Crediton U13's and has recently been selected for the North Devon Squad. In the summer he attends athletics sessions, entering competitions for Discus and Shot Putt.

　
James

Our approach for James's education is child led. At the moment he is learning through play and everyday life. He has shown an interest in learning the alphabet and numbers and will occasionally do the odd page in a workbook for his age.
James attends football sessions in Crediton, which is run by Exeter City Football Club, and he also attends Rugby Tots in Exeter. In the summer he attends athletics club.　
　　 We regularly go on trips, some with other Home Educated families. This will normally be on a Tuesday, once a month, or occasionally on a Friday. When this happens Rebecca and Daniel do their studies for this day on a Saturday morning.

Trips we have recently been on-
Stonehenge
Caerphilly Castle
The Dr Who Experience
Cardiff Bay
Cwmcarn Forest
Exmoor Zoo
Weston-Super-Mare Sealife Centre
The White Horse
Salisbury Cathedral
Barnstaple Museum
Torquay Museum
Teignmouth Museum
Topsham Museum
Crealy

Time to open the Advent Calendar

Hurray, its December.

Its frosty outside, no hint of rain... yet, and I have almost finished my Christmas shopping, and wait for it  - wrapped them all too.

Well, every year I try and find time to sit in a Christmassy atmosphere, (Christmas music playing, scented candles of a cinnamon variety,mince pies in the oven, etc) to

From Bonfire Night to Christmas begins

I do have an excuse for not posting regularly, have been having major problems with our one and only laptop, well, net book.  It seems to be OK at the moment, not sure if it is a virus,  or whether it is just plain old knackered.

Either way, it is working at the minute, so will blog on.

Continuing from my last post:-

We did have a bonfire, actually on the night of November the 5th.  Hubbie had to work until 8, so during the day D prepared the fire, B made tomato soup, and J and I made gold lanterns.  So Hubbie was pleasantly surprised when he got home, and we had a lovely evening. 

Since then:-

My beautiful daughter turned 14.

She wanted to spend her birthday shopping, so that is what she did.  We also had a lovely family meal in her favourite place - Pizza Hut - having her favourite eat as much as you like Mr Whippy Ice cream for dessert.

What else - cannot remember to be honest, (which is what usually happens when I do not blog every couple of days)   have arranged my visit from the LEA, that will be in a couple of weeks, looked at houses to rent, but none any good, and basically have been doing our normal rugby, group, Hubbie working normal type thing.

Now  we are of course planning for Christmas, putting any thoughts of moving on hold until the new year.  I have my Christmas ingredients ready for Stir Up Sunday this weekend, got the decs down from the loft, started Christmas craft with James and plan to do Christmassy things all this weekend to start the season off.

No - it is NOT too early.

Now, have to sign off so I can try and figure out how to change my blog template to something Christmassy.

xxxxx

"As a parent, there will be times when you are very challenged by your children - they won’t listen, they won’t do what you ask, they fight when you have asked them not to, they won’t stay in bed when you put them there, they melt down when you are out and other people are looking at you.... That is the nature of parenting. And you have two ways of viewing your child in situations like this: you can view your child as a problem - that’s what most people do - or you can fit specially ground pure crystal lenses and view this child as your teacher. The child who challenges you can teach you more than any other teacher you have ever had or will ever have, and without a student loan. So how does a ‘problem’ suddenly turn into a teacher? Your perspective." ~Pennie Brownlee.

Remember,Remember, the 5th of November

Gunfire treason and plot!

And all that.

But firstly,  Halloween - well the crafts didn't go quite as planned. It was a wet and blustery day, and D had his trials for Devon Rugby in the next town.  The plan was that we would all go, M and D would stay at the wet, soggy and very muddy pitch, and the rest of us would go to the Superstore to do the weekly shop.

J had other ideas, he wasn't feeling too good, and he had never been to this rugby ground before, and really didn't want to go off and leave his Dad and Brother at a strange place with "strange" kids (there were other lads from other teams there, I think he was only expecting our team).  He gets a bit funny sometimes if things are not  very familiar and the norm, bless him.  So we stayed.  I was happy as I like watching the rugby, although I was nervous for D.

He did well, and they will be picking the team after the next session.  Fingers crossed.

We got back late and didn't have time to do all the crafts and all the shopping, but we had a great time apple bobbing and trick or treating.

Weekend M was working, so not a lot going on, Rugby match on Sunday which was a bit of a disaster, not just because they lost their first match of the season, but because some players didn't turn up, the pitch was hilly and water logged, and D may have possibly broken his thumb, with an impending cup match this weekend! Not good.

Other injuries from the weekend:-

B fell on a wooden shoe rack (which was on its way out for the bonfire, but J wanted to play with his Star War Figures on it).  Somehow she slipped on her slippery socks on our slippery laminate flooring and fell onto the rack.  Took a fine bit of skin off and is very sore.

Later that day, M was carrying a wooden desk through our back door, (which for your interest, leads into our dumping ground  Dining Room).  Right inside the door there is a radiator, from which there is a radiator clothes horse type thingy (not sure of the correct name) with drying knickers hanging off of it.  I will get to the point.  Anyway, as he walked in, the thingy with the knickers, got caught on the desk and were hanging from it, so I walked forward from the kitchen, onto the wooden step from the kitchen into the dining room, with slippery boots on and went ass over tit bosom, and hurt my ankle.  Is was swollen like a balloon, and yes, I did scream like a girl.

So, half term over with, back to our routine today. 

B got on with her English studies this morning, D, reading and Biology and they both have spelling and maths tests to revise before Friday.  I did some art and craft with J, we did Bonfire Night paintings which involved a lot of glitter and gold paint, and also made lanterns, with glass jars, also with a lot of glitter and gold paint.

Also I have been trying to help J with his knowledge of days of the weeks, tomorrow, yesterday, months etc.  Mainly because I feel he is getting frustrated not knowing what is happening and when. Christmas could be tomorrow to him, which gets him all in a muddle.

So, apart from planning to make or purchase a Days of the Week learning Calendar, I thought I would make a point of telling him what day it was each morning. His response to this "What do you keep going on about Monday for, I just want to know who ate all the Coco Pops"!

So that was that.

Everything stopped around lunchtime when J  discovered a Phineas & Ferb Movie for free on BT Vision "On Demand".  So while they were all quiet, I got on with some housework, whilst listening to the 80's channel on Digital Radio.  Gotta to love Culture Club.

After the film we went to the library, picked up lots of Christmas Craft and Christmas Cooking books, then onto the park for J to perform scooter stunts.

This afternoon D and B prepared the fire, which we are having late this evening when M returns home from work.  Jackets, sausages, soup to keep us warm and marshmallows roasted on the fire.

Happy Guy Fawkes