We are learning using the excellent literature curriculum Before Five in a Row. This week we have been rowing The Little Rabbit: We did a row of the Little Rabbit last year, but the girls have been asking to do a rerow of it. The reason for this sudden fascination in all things rabbit is that…
Tag: home schooling
Picasso Artist Study
Pablo Picasso is an interesting artist study to do because he is so unusual. Add that to the fact that he was alive within the last half century and you have a perfect recipe for success. At least, that is what I thought when we began this artist study. It took us a year and…
Beatrix Potter Literature Study {Edwardians}
The older children and I studied Beatrix Potter together many years ago, but I never got round to writing about it. This term we have spent many months working on our Beatrix Potter Literature Study. The vast majority of our work was reading all the excellent books out there on Peter Rabbit and his very…
War Poetry Tea Time {World War I}
Hosting a War Poetry Tea Time was an excellent way to teach the girls more about the heavy subject of the First World War. We had a lovely relaxed time. Abigail baked some Ration Scones, and I made some fruit jam to go with it. We made a lovely tea pot full of hot tea,…
Edwardians: First Radio Broadcast
On Christmas Eve of 1906, Reginald Fessenden broadcast the first radio program from Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, Massachusetts. The Westinghouse engineers invented the vacuum tube detector (an amplifier) which led to the use of a synchronous rotary-spark transmitter (an early radio transmitter) for this first radio broadcast. The broadcast was heard by ships at sea, and…
Precious Moments
Well, if last week we were all on fire, this week there has barely been a spark! I was beginning to fall apart at the seams due to a lack of a space to call my own (ie a bedroom) and a general lack of organisation in our little home school. I am atrocious at…
Astronomy: Unit One – The Solar System
For our study into the solar system, we used the Apologia Text Book and accompanying Notebook. I also have access to Everyday Astronomy from School House Teachers, as well as lots of bits and pieces I used with my older ones that I have collected over the years. Goals for Studying the Solar System Learn…
Interest-Led Learning for Teenagers: An Interview with Thomas
Describe how your school has changed over the past few years? It has become harder as we have approached IGCSEs. We have to set our own goals and fulfill them. It was waaay more hands on when we were younger, now it is less so. I like a balance of hands on and book study.…
Sew Simple Sewing School: Lesson One {Threading, Knotting, Straight Stitch}
The first lesson goal was simple: teach my girls to thread a needle, double knot the thread and to stitch in a straight line. As I was working with a five-year old who had done very little sewing in the past I opted to use Binca material (traditionally used for cross stitch). I wanted to…
Around London in 8 Destinations: Planning Session Two
As part of their summer challenge, the three older children would need to plan, prepare an itinerary for and execute a whole day in London by themselves. They would be required to visit 8 Victorian land sites, taking their photo outside each one. Their smaller challenges to be completed during the four weeks of summer…
How to Create an ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ Scrap Book
To make a personalised, large Around the World in 80 Days scrap book gather up the following: Butcher's Paper: This is one of the staples of our home school, which we use for decoration, for creating news paper, art and scrap books: Scrap booking Paper: I obtained a lot of very useful vintage paper free…
Using our Paper Mache Map to Learn about the Anglo Saxons
To see instruction on how to build a paper mache map click here. Once the paper mache map had been painted and left to dry, the children were ready to begin pictorially displaying some of the learning they had done about the Anglo Saxons. Offa's Dyke Offa's Dyke, named after one of the strongest rulers…
Reader Question: How do you budget for your school, especially your home library?
Blair asked, 'My question is- how do you budget for your school, particularly your home library and projects? That seems to be my hardest spending to manage. I am looking for some budget savvy tips! There are just so many wonderful things to try' This is a great question, and if anyone has an answer…
The Teen Years: Finding a Balance Between Exam Led Learning and Delight Led Learning
At what age does the future of one's children suddenly seem to matter more? At what age does home school becomes something a little more serious, and a little less fun? And when this does happen, how do you stop yourself panicking at the enormity of it all? It hit me sometime last year and…