Some New Links!

While our kids are back to in person classes with their home ed program and colleges, we know other locations are doing remote or at home learning still. So O has asked me to add her current favorite site in the link to the right (https://www.theatreofscience.co.uk/) and we’ve also added one suggested here in the UK during our various lockdowns (https://www.thenational.academy/) and one sent to us by a reader (https://www.fun.com/guide-to-fun-experimental-science-projects.html) – my children are attempting to talk me into doing the bubblegum experiment linked at the bottom!

We hope wherever you are that your families are doing okay in these challenging times.

2016 School Year Begins!


SO, big surprise – we moved! In August we packed up and flew to Nottingham, England. We’re in the midst of unpacking and settling into our new home, but we’re also gearing up for our autumn school year. There are hundreds of home educating families here in our city, and we’ve attended some events already. But our littlest thought the scooters and uniforms of the little kids were so adorable that we let her have a “school” uniform, too. Part of our goal this autumn is to blog more while we’re doing our work, to keep friends and family updated back in the US while we settle into our new place.

New Math Schedule

We’re trying something new – I’m designating one day a week to focus on a kids’ math, and by doing so we’re able to review past concepts, teach a few new concepts, and assess how they’re retaining things. The kids still do a math worksheet a couple days a week and flashcards but it’s one day per week they get some concentrated math time with me. So far it’s going well! And it’s simpler for us to remember vs. who does math which days when it was 3x a week.

So C does his math pretty independently 3x a week and otherwise its:
Mo – Mon
Ben – Tue
Emy – Wed
J – Thur
Everyone – Friday

Painting Pet Rocks

This week is Kit’s annual work convention (thankfully in town) and the one week of the year he works not only a full day but a LONG day – early morning to past bedtime. We go into survival mode – easy food, fun projects, lots of movies, anything to keep the kids from asking every hour, “When is Daddy coming hooooooooome?” Sometimes we have to Skype for a minute or let them call him so they can be assured he still exists despite his long absence. 😀

Yes, we are so spoiled by his work situation and we are so grateful that this is the one time of year he’s gone like this.

Park Puddles & Princess in a Castle

Then we came home and Ben stuck the baby in a castle, which she found hysterically funny.

Look at me, getting all brave about taking the kids out of the house without Kit to help me wrangle! Plus we remembered sunhats (not necessary, as it turns out) and water bottles and scooters and snacks! It was fun to watch Olivia squeal in the swing as the drops spattered her, she’s never really had a chance to play in the rain. A warm May day is the perfect first opportunity.

We did eventually get some lessons done today but the park pretty much always wins priority.

Multiplication in Minutes

My sister told me about the above book, Memorize in Minutes – it’s got a story for each multiplication problem to help kids memorize them. She said it worked wonders for her daughter and I thought it was worth checking out. I ordered the eBook for students (it is only $5 and comes with the stories, too.) It’s a HIT! I thought it would be great for my almost 9 and 7 year olds, but my five year old is reading the stories aloud and giggling and telling me multiplication facts. Hooray!