Tag Archive for 'Homeschooling'

March 2010 – Home Education Happenings for us and our HHEG group!

Hobart Home Education Group

Well I must say that even though at times we – as a family – struggled to get into the swing of things as the calender ticked over to 2010, here we are all ready into the third month of the year!  And what a year it is turning out to be!

Our local home educators group have been looking for a new hall to be able to use for group get togethers. The only problem is that these days, the cost of sustaining the use of such a hall can be incredibly high and with a group like ours, that can spell disaster as the high costs often over shadow any benefits we receive on a regular basis. But as luck should have it, we have found the most wonderful  hall to use for our group. We can use it as often or as irregular as we like. The cost is great, which means we will probably use it as often as we can! and the best part about it all is that we are also helping those who are helping us. As they are trying to raise money to replace their hall, so it seems to be a win win situation for everyone concerned!

It is all just so exciting! Ever since we managed to secure the use of the use of the hall, members of our group have been busily thinking of all the possibilities it now opens up for us and our childrens learning. Our yearly calender of events , which is pretty full on already, just seems to have doubled in size with the possibilities! Our home ed group will be meeting next Friday to discuss possible activities, events and learning for the children.

I shall keep you posted on what we get up too! Because I am sure it will be worth discussing!

Art and Craft Time!

Today the girls spent alot of time doing some Art and Craft. I must admit that this has to be one of their favourite subjects. They love to be creative and to let their imaginations run wild. So today they spent time painting Calico bags. We had done some painted T-Shirts a little earlier in the year at my work, which the children enjoyed, so I decided to buy them some of their own paints and also Calico bag a week or so ago, so they could paint them. While purchasing this I also bought some Calico material which we will cut into smaller squares and paint, sew on and create miniature art expressions to them be sewn into a larger wall hanging and art piece further into the year.

So, the girls started out with pencil and paper and designed the picture for their bags, before then recreating their designs on the actual calico. Once the designs where replicated they took to painting then with the special fabric paint we had. Luckily Babcia was staying with us and could oversee the children’s work as I was too sick to do anything really. I had not been feeling well for most of the weekend, but yesterday everything just seemed to get on top on me. So much so that I have tried to get in to see the Doctor, but Wednesday morning is the earliest I can get an appointment.

Anyway,  enough about me being sick and more about my girls art work. The girls have created wonderful designs. NIK’s is all full of swirls and colours, which sums her up brilliantly, full of life and colour herself. JAHG’s is a little more tailored to her likes and dislikes, more refined and semetrical. She created a butterfly design as the main feature. Once the paint has dried, we need to iron the designs and then the girls intend to do some beading. They will be adding choice beads to the bag to enhance the overall feel, look and design. I am sure when they are finished they will look amazing.

Our Tomatoes are finally Growing!

JAHG and her Tomato Plant

JAHG and her Tomato Plant

Well our tomato plant is finally starting to grow tomatoes! I can’t believe just how long it has taken for us to see some kind of fruit on this plant. The girls have lovingly kept watering the tomato plant and the other herbs, but they have not really done to well. Some of the herbs have turned for the worst and our lettuces actually became a joke … with us calling them ‘Dead lettuce’ as they just did not seem to grow or thrive!

We are very excited however to have some tomatoes starting to take shape on this plant! Let’s just hope they actually get bigger and change to the red colour we desire without to many issues!

Mad Scientist Day

Exploding Volcano

Exploding Volcano

Today we had a mad scientist day. We make a Volcano from paper and then used Bicarb to create the volcanic eruption. The experiment was a good success however the eruption was not as big as we first had hoped for. The children and I then discussed the experiment, outlining the reasons why the eruption may have occurred the way it did and why certain things (such as Citric Acid, Bicarb Soda and Vinegar) would react the way they did.

We also did a Milk Experiment called ‘Milk Planets’. The idea is to get a saucer of Milk and add drops of colouring into it, Then using an ear bud drop small of dish washing liquid into the milk. The colouring explodes and moves away from the dish washing liquid. This experiment shows the break down of the molecules in the milk when mixed with detergent. The children loved the swirling colours this created. We again discussed how the dish washing liquid separates the molecules and the science behind the experiment.

NIK and her Milk Planet

NIK and her Milk Planet

JAHG and her Milk Planet

JAHG and her Milk Planet

Great fun was had by all!

Learning happens at any time around here!

I find it amazing that regardless of what time it is around the house, the children will still get the urge to do ’school work!’ Tonight after being at work most of the day with me, the children decided that after dinner they wanted to get stuck into some formal book work and art work. I must say I am a sucker for letting the children allow their creative juices flow while they are in the mood.

This meant that NIK was busy working through some of her Alphabet workbook, while JAHG started creating a ’story’ by drawing pictures and writing captivating sentences to go with them. The girls worked for around 1 1/2 hours on their school work and ended up in bed later than anticipated. But it is great to see that they are interested in learning! – I can’t wait until School goes back and I only have to work 3 hours a day instead of these long 10 hour Days. The money is good, but I just want to capture the girls enthusiasm when they have it, and get them learning again in 2010!

Home Education Rocks!




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