Fossils

Our science this week has focused on fossils and apart from reading about them, there was a chance to "make your own fossil" using modelling clay and plaster of Paris:

Preparing the clay.

Using a shell to make the imprint.

Clay Imprint.

Cardboard ring to contain any spillage.

Mixing the plaster of Paris.

Waiting for the cast to dry.

The finished "fossil" colourfully decorated and now in our seasons corner at the top of the stairs.

Our geography topic this forthcoming week is all about the weather.  Benedict is obsessed in trying to predict the weather, especially if it is likely to rain!  Living in the North we've had nothing but rain!!  So we'll be using some downloads from a primary geography site aswell as some cool resources found on pinterest.  Between the two, there should be enough information to keep him happy.



Jodrell Bank and Other Stories

Yesterday we made a visit to here:  http://www.jodrellbank.net/ I have to say it was very disappointing.  Not only was the admission expensive but there was very little to entertain a child of Pip's age.  The exhibits were split between two buildings which made it very difficult for Dave to be involved, so he spent his time in the cafe whilst I trundled around with the kids.  I really could have done with his input, for even though I worked with Benedict on our space lap book, planetary science was one of Dave's area of expertise at University.  It was frustrating for me, trying to read info for Benedict and keeping an eye on Little Miss PJ! 

The weather was also less than favourable as it poured down non stop throughout the visit, so the arboretum and children's playground was a non starter.  Benedict had a crashing hypo after having only walked a short distance, so an emergency trip to the cafe was in order to stabilise him, so more money spent, *sigh.*

There was however a nice moment in between all the chaos, when a teacher from a school party came up to me and commented on Benedict's thoughtfulness at holding the door open for him and the other children.  Not bad considering he was majorally hypo at the time!

Once home I did review the Jodrell Bank site and noticed that, there were plenty of interesting activities running during the summer solely for kids but I'm not sure I would want to pay the pricey admission fees.  I did manage to take some pictures of our visit so here they are:

Lovell Telescope

Letting off steam.

Feeling ghastly with a hypo!

 

Last week my time was spent proof reading Benedict's home ed report for this past year.  It consists of an overview of our educational approach, a day by day learning account including any sick days, photo collages of key events and a reading list of all the books read throughout the year - in short a twenty two thousand word document!  Dave says that my report is longer than his Masters dissertation! 

Front Cover.



An inside page.

Since I was busy elsewhere, Benedict and Dave were involved with a civil engineering construction at the bottom end of the garden.  Phase one is complete and consists of a raised timber decking underneath the lilac and damson trees.  Phase two consists of a lower platform on the left hand side, rope ladders, fencing and a roof structure swung between the trees.  Even though the structure is not yet complete, the kids have had fun playing in their new den area and have improvised a fenced area with the newly painted compost bin slats!

We have been TV free for this week too.  I wouldn't say that the kids were heavy TV watchers, but I've known for sometime that, TV viewing can have quite a detrimental impact on a child's development, especially someone as young as Pip.  Within forty eight hours I noticed she was not as antsy and in such a short space of time the kids have amused themselves in all sorts of ways.  The house energy has been calmer and we have had fun reading, crafting, jigsaw making and being involved with imaginative role play.  For my part I'd get rid of the big box in the corner, but I do have to concede that, Benedict does benefit from watching quality documentaries such as the BBC programme, Coast.  So TV watching for him will occur when Pip is not around.  So this is what happens when you are TV free:

Peace...

... and quiet!

 

Thanks to another blogging friend Sarah  I had the pleasure of listening to Andrew Pudewa  speak about how boys and girls learn and why they would benefit from being taught differently.  Thanks to him, I'll forgo Benedict sitting down to learn... I always did wonder why he fidgeted so and was nearly hanging off his chair.  Apparently boys do better standing up to learn or leaning over the desk, or sitting under the desk mission impossible style!  Anything but sitting still on a straight backed chair.  If you want to check out the podcast entitled, " Teaching Boys and Other Kids Who Would Rather Be Playing in Forts"  it can be found here:

http://circeinstitute.org/free-audio/ 

In short, another good week! 

  

Walk To Freedom

This Swedish family and others like them are raising awareness and challenging a system that, denies families the basic right to  home educate, they are doing this by walking the 200 km "Walk to Freedom."

Seven Days :: Snapshot Blessings

On Monday we should have been here Eureka but it was closed, so we tried here Jodrell Bank but the arboretum and kids play area was shut due to drainage work, so instead we made our way here Brockhole and a great time was had by all:

Lovely Views.

A Monkey Puzzle Tree.

Fun on the adventure playgound.

Follow the leader.

Enjoying the curly wurly slide.

We walked down to the lake and sat on the jetty.

We admired the flowers in the beautiful gardens...

... and walked past the terrace to meet Dad in the cafe.

On the way home I picked up a bargain in one of the local outdoor wear shops, a packable, lightweight yet breathable waterproof for me, for £19.00, it should have been £35.00.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Pip was at Debbies so Benedict continued with our desk work on Maths, Narration, Copy Work and Illustration, Independent Reading and on line Maths from the Carol Vorderman site.  He also attended his swimming lesson on Tuesday and Cubs on Wednesday.

On Thursday we had Pip's Fairy Party.  As you may know Pip's birthday is on the 23rd December and it can be pure overload celebrating a birthday and Christmas within days of each other.  We don't go overboard with gifts, but even so it can be daunting.  Pip has also been very aware of the concept of parties this year, so it seemed only fair to arrange a mid year celebration.  On mid summer eve she left out her fairy next to the castle in Benedict's room and woke to find a special gift:

This lovely book tells the story of Katie Morag always wondering when her birthday will be next as she celebrates a year of birthdays with her family and friends.  My Mum and Dad also made a special effort to be with us and their gift to Pip was some lovely fairy wings and a magic wand, so sweet and so thoughtful:



We had Fairy Cakes, of course!

Crispy Garlic Wedges with mixed salad, feta cheese and tuna mayo.

Like Father, Like Daughter.

All finished and ready to serve.

Tucking In.

Pip enjoying a cuddle with Nanna.

Sara and Grandad enjoying a chat.

I have nearly finished our end of year home report, thankfully it has been less stressful this year, since I have been working on it throughout the course of the year.  Benedict is making good progress in all areas but Maths still is the weaker subject.  He definitely benefits by using the maths manipulatives and the Montessori Stamp Game came in very useful this week:

 

 We've also had a break through in telling the time and quite rightly so, he is very chuffed with this new found skill.

It is good to see the two of them have moments of pure genius and this is what transpired when they were left to their own devices one afternoon earlier in the week:

Back View.



Front View.

Yes, Benedict is riding the motorbike he had when he was two and is providing a rickshaw service for Pip in the trailer tot!

  Sadly, this is the only use the trailer has had in over a year.  Combined health issues and disability makes it near on impossible for Dave or I to be involved with "normal everday things" that, so many folks take for granted.  Despite our limitations we do try to provide fun activities for the kids and if I'm ever in doubt of this, I only need look back over this blog as proof that we are doing OK.

On Friday via live stream on the internet, we watched the Olympic Torch Relay pass through our area.  The weather was absolutely appalling with gale force winds and torrential rain.  Despite that, the British spirit was not thwarted as everyone was determined to make the best of it.  We also visited our friends in Shap.  They had been blessed with good weather and had been involved in a midsummer camp, not far from here with other home edders.

Today we braved the winds and made a trip to the library and a toy shop for Benedict to spend some of his birthday money.  He bought a play mobile mini turret and knights.  For Pip I treated her to a tap - a - shape set, complete with cork board, mini hammer, wooden shapes and pins.  As I suspected it proved to be a hit.



A Building and Birthday-ing

Two posts are long overdue, one is the result of the banging and crashing that occured back in April, which then resulted in a special event a week ago:

Delivery Time.

Digging Trenches.

Building Walls.

Preparation work before laying the concrete floor.

First fit exterior brickwork complete.

Piecing together a very large 3-D puzzle.

Looking Good.

Knocking down the lounge wall!

Laying the side patio.

Conservatory guys on their last day.

Dave the brickie providing musical entertainment on a tea break.

Sharing a joke!  These guys were just lovely to have around.

Our friend Martin plastering the interior.

Waiting for the plaster to dry.

Dave enjoyed putting his mark on the project, a pale grey finish.

Finally finished.  Our neighbour did the joinery and floor and a couple of other guys did the electrics and heating (rad to follow).  Here we are celebrating a very special birthday boy on his ninth year round the sun.

The party was held two days before his actual birthday which was on Monday.  Would you believe it I took no photos that day, I was just too worn out from all the party prep! 

Now that the dining room is off the lounge, our front room is now solely a play room/ learning zone.  It makes the end of the day tidy up so much easier and most importantly is no longer a tripping hazard for Dave.  A win-win situation for sure!