March 2018

A little late this month (where does the time go!), what we got up to in March.

So after no decent snow for about 7 years, we got a huge second lot! Whilst fun and beautiful at first I soon tired of the constant welly puddles and picking up of dripping coats... Owen was worried it might not come again for another 7 years so has put a large bag of snow in my freezer, he will of course never forget doing this - therefore the bag is doomed to remain there indefinitely!

As part of British Science Week, we visited The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth for a special "Just Add H20" home ed. event. This was another fantastic day; we explored with submersible vehicles and learnt about the physics of moving around underwater, we were lucky to test out a new virtual reality headset (the first of it's kind) and explored a three-dimensional world full of weird and wonderful creatures in the deep. There was a fun show and talk about the impact that humans have on the ocean (especially with plastics) and what we can do to help. We were also able to watch divers hand feeding the fish and learnt about the sign language they use to communicate. The educational experience and benefits of visits like these, done in quiet term time and in small groups is amazing. Before home ed we had only visited in school holidays and after struggling to park, queuing for ages and then barely getting close to the tanks through the crowds - this is such a difference!

There are some really good, and free, downloadable science resources here:
British Science Week Activity Packs

You may have already seen these amazing videos, they both really highlight so much that is wrong with our own education system - but just in case you haven't, do watch them they are brilliant:

Prince Ea: Before you go to school - watch this...

Finland: The best education system in the world

We visited Kents Cavern, prehistoric caves and home of ancient humans in Torquay (one of the most important Stone Age sites in Europe), as part of a home ed. group trip. Our knowledgeable guide led us through the caves, telling us how the rocks were formed, about stalagmites and stalactites, the caves history and inhabitants and showing us bones and teeth of ancient Ice Age people and animals. There was also a fun stone age activity trail outside and the opportunity to touch some objects from their display cases. Their website has some great free educational resources that you can download too.

Did you know the Devonian limestone that makes up Kents Cavern is over 385 million years old? In 1927 a group of excavators unearthed a jaw fragment and three teeth, it was radio-carbon dated at 41,000-44,000 years old making it the oldest human fossil found in North-West Europe.

A group we go to had organised a visit from the Devon Bird of Prey Centre, the ladies displaying these beautiful birds were fantastic and taught Owen (and I) lots.

Once again here in Devon there has been so much rain (big sigh, I'm sick of it now!), a few of our planned Dartmoor trips have been rescheduled but we have still been very busy. At home we have been trying to de-clutter, which is difficult as children never want to get rid of anything! All our accumulated little chalk stubs created a fun diversion, crushed up and turned into paints with a little water - it kept Owen (and even his 17 year old brother) amused for ages.

Much excitement was generated from the arrival through the door of Letterbox Lab, science kits for kids that provide activities, experiments (with everything you need inside) and creative projects. I thought we would give it a try. This one explored rainbows, light and colour. Owen loved making his own Rainbow Glasses and Rainbow Spinners. We extended the theme by watching some science videos on rainbows. The box was a big hit and we both enjoyed it a lot - he is already asking when the next one will come!

As for regular indoor activities: All of us are Lego obsessed (the cat too!), here's my 3 boys, covering the floor - again...

Everyone, including kitty, loves Lego

Owen loves his iPad (even though it is such an old one that it can't update anymore). Minecraft is still his favourite, the things he creates are phenomenal! Look at his Eye of Sauron from Lord of the Rings! There is so much of educational value to minecraft: Reading, writing, typing skills, problem solving, design, creativity, patience, resource management, following instructions - the list goes on and on...

After trying (and wasting money on) lots of maths programs and apps (and Owen not liking any of them), we have discovered a fun (and free, hurrah!) app called Prodigy Maths, he really enjoys playing it - result! I've found something that is actually teaching him whilst he battles monsters (I'm very careful not to use words like 'teaching' or 'educational' around him though, it might put him off!).

Being new to home ed. (and still needing to 'de-school' myself) I have been guilty of impulse buying/joining/downloading WAAAY too much stuff, I think its all part of my own adjustment process and worrying that we need to follow certain curriculum learning goals (which we probably don't!). I'm thinking of writing a separate post based on all the resources we have tried, and more importantly, if they were a waste of money or a sound investment (please comment if you think it's a good idea). It may help me (and maybe help inform others) keep track of all the sites I have joined and how useful they are (or are not), I'm feeling overwhelmed by the number of online bookmarks I have saved - de-cluttering is definitely needed.

Another thing I'm guilty of as a newbie is booking us up for too many things. Events pop up constantly on the Facebook feed from home ed. groups I've joined, I'll think "that sounds great!" and sign us down. In an attempt to try everything (and there is a ton of homeschooling related things going on) and find what suits Owen best we have been very busy / tired out. The ultimate goal is to whittle it all down to a few regular weekly favourites and a couple of special events a month - for example, every day minus weekends is filled on my April calendar for the next 2 weeks, crazy...

Well that was a taste of March (we did squeeze in some forest adventures and a music lesson too), aside from leftover Easter chocolate binging, April's calendar includes; a myths & legends walk on Dartmoor, a farm visit, a tour of the Bone Cave in Buckfastleigh, the first session of a science club, workshops at RHS Rosemoor's educational centre - and my eldest son turns 20 (OMG, how old?!). 

Note to bad weather: It would be very much appreciated, if some dry and sunny Spring days started now, thanks.

Yum... babyccino, so sophisticated!

Take the path less travelled - be happy... xx