Our first 'half-term' ends....

We have survived our first half-term!  It has been a bit of a roller-coster, but in all we are really enjoying it.  In the words of the children.....

The best bits:

"Art!"
"Not having a time-table"
"Being able to have lots of fun"
"No uniform - and sleeping in!"
"Doing work when we want to"
"Choosing what we want to learn about"

The worst bits:

"Not seeing my friends as much"

We have tried different things and ways of doing 'work' and are slowly realising that home-edding is a very 'organic' process; that is, what works for a while might not continue to suit our needs, and that there is no 'right' way. 

We spend a lot of time chatting about what works and what doesn't and listen to each other about how we are feeling.  For me, perhaps the most important lesson we are learning is this:

One size doesn't fit all; rhythms are more important than routine; learning occurs all the time; relationships and friends nurtures us; life is a journey that ebbs and flows -  it does not always fit into a 9 - 3 day, or just at the weekend; things don't always go to plan and laughter and cuddles are the best cures for any mishap.

The Horlers x

Home School Learning Environments!

We have had quite a lot of fun creating different learning environments:

The garden class-room.....

 The Kitchen Class-room.....

The wood-felling lesson.....

The Masonry Lesson.......

The Agricultural Lesson.......

I don't think we could have had these experiences in a 'formal class-room'!

The Horlers

Finding our feet...

We have, in all honesty, been quite slack on the blogging front (as noted by some people).  Apologies!  Over the past 5 weeks we have been trying to 'find our feet' as we start this new phase in our lives.

The largest challenge - by far -  has been learning to be around each other for such large amounts of time.  There have been lots (lots!) of arguments and bickering between the children, and I have had some days where its all been a bit too much.... but slowly, slowly I am starting to see glimmers of light and love in my family.  The children playing alongside each other; an older sister helping a younger brother; sisters working on a science project together; the ability to manage for more than a day without Facebook or texting.  And those glimmers fill me with hope and joy, and a growing confidence that things will get better!

We have tried to be open and honest with each other, and have talked about what is working and what is not.  The children felt they needed some more 'structure', so I have done a plan for the month based on a topic they wanted to explore, plus we have been working on some National Curriculum workbooks.  We have been out and about too, and met some other families which is brilliant, as well as talking to existing friends who home-ed and being reassured by their 'expertise'!

The best things so far has been getting to know my children again and slowing things down.  We have all had time to take an interest in personal hobbies (I am a knitting Nora!); walk in the Sunshine; visit places of interest with no crowds; pick conkers; eat home-made cake with a hot cup of tea, and BREATHE.  No home-work; no 'have you made your packed lunch'; no ' turn the TV off'; no 'we haven't got time'; no 'I know your tired but it's time to get up'. 

We plan to upload some photos soon - but technology was not on my side today - plus the children all need to do a post each per month as part of their learning...... watch this space!

Thanks for reading
angela x