Yesterday, I decided I had had enough and they were going back to school (ignoring the slight problem that it's the holidays). I even emailed dear husband to request this. However.....
over dinner last night I had really good conversations with the children about this. My beautiful, intelligent, articulate (almost) 13 year old put forward a very strong case for why we should continue on this journey. I was blown away by her reflectiveness and ability to present her reasons. Clearly then, some learning is taking place. I just didn't realise that it's ALL of us who are learning!
Merry Christmas!
angela x
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Thursday, 15 December 2011
The Family Meeting
Family meeting
Q. what do you think is going well about home education?
No homework
Q. Do you want to continue at home?
We think so.....
Q. What do you think Mum finds the hardest about having you all at home?
We don't know.....
I'll tell you: the lack if interest in LEARNING is a major bug bear, considering we are HOME EDUCATING. The lack on interest in anything other than TELEVISION is quite concerning. The lack of interest in personal RESPONSIBILITY for being PART of the process is particularly frustrating.
Conclusion to meeting: A new time-table to be planned for the Spring half-term with everyone's input. Application of learning in the home environment. A bigger effort from all to participate. Otherwise its BACK TO SCHOOL.
Family meeting over.
Q. what do you think is going well about home education?
No homework
Q. Do you want to continue at home?
We think so.....
Q. What do you think Mum finds the hardest about having you all at home?
We don't know.....
I'll tell you: the lack if interest in LEARNING is a major bug bear, considering we are HOME EDUCATING. The lack on interest in anything other than TELEVISION is quite concerning. The lack of interest in personal RESPONSIBILITY for being PART of the process is particularly frustrating.
Conclusion to meeting: A new time-table to be planned for the Spring half-term with everyone's input. Application of learning in the home environment. A bigger effort from all to participate. Otherwise its BACK TO SCHOOL.
Family meeting over.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Staying in and facing the storm....
So, Lily got offered a place at an Independent School (with posh people and not 'chavs' is her description) but after much reflection we have decided to stay at home all together. Now I know that should make me jump up and down with glee (at least for saving £1600 a month!!!!) but school is sometimes so convenient.....
Right now it is 12 days until Christmas; normally by now I am super organised, the presents are wrapped, cards posted and I sit in slightly smug satisfaction that I have Christmas sorted. NOT this year; with three children at home nothing I really plan to achieve happens as I plan it..... so with 12 days to go I am feeling slightly worried. I have however found a fantastic cure. Red wine. A bottle normally does the trick.
So we are staying on our journey together and hopefully there will be calm after the storm.......
Anyway, really should share some home-learning with you all: a couple of weeks ago Lily did her baking project: she had to plan, advertise and manage her 'Lily's Little Bakery' idea and then produce and sell her wares at her dads work. This is her busy:
And this is the finished product (which she bagged and tagged with ribbon)
Total profit of > £20. A very pleased young lady.
Angela x
Right now it is 12 days until Christmas; normally by now I am super organised, the presents are wrapped, cards posted and I sit in slightly smug satisfaction that I have Christmas sorted. NOT this year; with three children at home nothing I really plan to achieve happens as I plan it..... so with 12 days to go I am feeling slightly worried. I have however found a fantastic cure. Red wine. A bottle normally does the trick.
So we are staying on our journey together and hopefully there will be calm after the storm.......
Anyway, really should share some home-learning with you all: a couple of weeks ago Lily did her baking project: she had to plan, advertise and manage her 'Lily's Little Bakery' idea and then produce and sell her wares at her dads work. This is her busy:
And this is the finished product (which she bagged and tagged with ribbon)
Angela x
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Ups and Downs....
I have not blogged here for a while; the last few weeks have been quite tough with more lows than highs in our home-ed journey.
I have, in truth, found myself to be feeling quite suffocated of late. 24 hours a day with three children is full on and more difficult than I had hoped; I guess I should have known really, but still - you can only live in hope!!
We always try to talk openly as a family and I have expressed how I feel and we are trying things a bit differently, with more time out and about, everyone supporting me more in my work, and trying not too 'worry' about the small things too much. We are feeling a bit better and the last week has felt much more positive and I feel more energised to continue with our journey.
I read some other home-ed parent blogs which helped me too; I realised that I was trying to hard to compartmentalise our day, and that actually home education is much more 'organic' than that. The washing is part of the learning, cooking and chores are part of learning, arguing is part of learning! Trying to separate and consistently 'plan' a curriculum feels like too much of a school day and was being resented by all. Sophie is really keen now to manage her own learning and is beginning to really shine, whilst Noah just really wants to play and play. He is 8; 8 year olds boys should be playing and not sat 'learning' for hours on end!
Lily on the other hand is on a whole different route at present and has sat an entrance exam for a local independent school. Although this does not sit with our home-edding philosophy I can see that this may suit her, so we are just seeing what happens really. Lily has also been an managing a great project this week which she will blog on soon - watch this space!
Angela x
I have, in truth, found myself to be feeling quite suffocated of late. 24 hours a day with three children is full on and more difficult than I had hoped; I guess I should have known really, but still - you can only live in hope!!
We always try to talk openly as a family and I have expressed how I feel and we are trying things a bit differently, with more time out and about, everyone supporting me more in my work, and trying not too 'worry' about the small things too much. We are feeling a bit better and the last week has felt much more positive and I feel more energised to continue with our journey.
I read some other home-ed parent blogs which helped me too; I realised that I was trying to hard to compartmentalise our day, and that actually home education is much more 'organic' than that. The washing is part of the learning, cooking and chores are part of learning, arguing is part of learning! Trying to separate and consistently 'plan' a curriculum feels like too much of a school day and was being resented by all. Sophie is really keen now to manage her own learning and is beginning to really shine, whilst Noah just really wants to play and play. He is 8; 8 year olds boys should be playing and not sat 'learning' for hours on end!
Lily on the other hand is on a whole different route at present and has sat an entrance exam for a local independent school. Although this does not sit with our home-edding philosophy I can see that this may suit her, so we are just seeing what happens really. Lily has also been an managing a great project this week which she will blog on soon - watch this space!
Angela x
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