Chaos & Curriculum - Our Home Edventure

Renewal is finally ready for postage with all new “evidence” - I hate that term but heyho.

Something I don’t think many people realise is the emotional side of parenting a child with additional needs.

When you’re fighting for support, assessments, understanding and the right help so that you’re able to help them, you spend so much of your time having to talk about the hardest parts. You have to explain the struggles, the things they can’t do independently, the challenges they face and the support they need.

And sometimes that feels heartbreaking because our children are so much more than their difficulties.

There are so many amazing things about them. Their personalities, their humour, their kindness, their little quirks, the things that make them completely unique. There is so much joy alongside the challenges.

But when you’re advocating for them, it often feels like the world only wants to hear about the parts that are hard.

So, after I’ve just sat and written about the bad bits, I’m reminding myself that behind every form and every piece of evidence is a wonderful child who isn’t just what the paperwork says, she is so much more.

She is the reason I found a love of home education, she is the reason I found that learning can happen everywhere, she is the reason I try to slow down more and appreciate how beautiful life can be when you stop to look at it, she is the reason I believe school isn’t suitable for everyone despite what we were always conditioned to believe. She is the reason I’ll keep meeting her where she is at, and not where the world expects her to be 💖

“No learning happening here…” 🌴🐢🇬🇷

Just a week in Greece… absolutely no education whatsoever. 😉

Except we’ve learned about…

🐢 Loggerhead turtles and why Zakynthos is one of the world’s most important nesting sites.
🌊 The difference between the sea and a swimming pool (and how to stay safe in both).
🏊 Swimming, confidence, stamina and water safety.
💶 Using Euros, counting money and working out change.
🗺️ Geography – islands, maps, the Mediterranean Sea and where Greece is in the world.
☀️ Weather, climate and why it’s so much hotter than home.
✈️ Airports, planes, passports and how international travel works.
🍽️ Trying new foods.
🛍️ Budgeting holiday spending and making choices.
⏰ Time differences and daily routines in another country.
🦀 Marine life, beaches, shells and respecting protected wildlife.
🤝 Confidence, independence, problem-solving and real-life social skills.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1M7expKuEX/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Guildford Home Ed Social Group Guildford Home Ed Social Group

Our last planned day out for HE before the holidays begin and Holly & Samuel are returning to school in September.

Weald & Downland Museum

It was hot!! 🥵 🔥

But a good day regardless and will definitely go back on a cooler day.

Winkworth Arboretum & Oakhurst Cottage Tour

🌳 🏡

Highly recommend the tour round Oakhurst Cottage, our guide was absolutely lovely, the children were engaged in all the information, asking questions, and they really enjoyed it.
No photos of the actual cottage - too busy paying attention.

National Trust Oakhurst CottageWinkworth Arboretum

Today started off quietly.

Holly:
• Geography - working on tectonic plates, volcanoes and earthquakes. Led to a discussion about my trip to Iceland and geothermal energy and how in her toca poca world she has hot springs on there.
• IXL - English and Maths - studying the functional skills test prep.

Paige:
• IXL - maths timestables
• Reading - getting stuck into her book, over halfway through now

Sam:
• IXL - maths and English - studying the functional skills test prep.
• Reading - usbourne dinosaur lift the flap fact book.

Then we headed out to take Holly to her KS3 science class where she had a lesson on environmental science - cleaning dirty water.

Then we got the amazing news our old skating coaches are starting a home ed skate session near our house!! Can’t wait!

And theeeeeeeen we went to the weekly social park meet at the “big park” as Callie calls it, where she requested a photo of her with her new rabbit teddy.

Overall, a good day had by all 💖

Girl Guides Residential Camp

Attending a two-night Girl Guides camp, demonstrating confidence and resilience by taking part after only joining the group three weeks ago.
Developed independence by managing personal belongings, following routines away from home, and participating in a range of outdoor and team activities.
Strengthened communication and social skills by making new friendships, working collaboratively, listening to leaders, and contributing to group tasks.
Built self-confidence through trying new experiences, problem-solving, and stepping outside her comfort zone.
Encouraged responsibility, commitment, and personal growth while learning practical outdoor and life skills in a safe, supportive environment.

This covers:

* PSHE
* Outdoor education
* Teamwork
* Communication
* Independence
* Resilience
* Confidence
* Life skills
* Commitment to learning
* Listening and following instructions
* Social development

Preparing Dinner

Today he independently prepared his own dinner by cooking a pizza in the oven and making a fresh bowl of fruit.

Learning outcomes:

* Developing practical life skills through meal preparation.
* Learning safe use of kitchen equipment, including correct oven safety and handling food safely.
* Following instructions and timings to cook food correctly.
* Understanding basic food hygiene, including hand washing and keeping preparation areas clean.
* Making balanced food choices by including fresh fruit alongside the meal.
* Building independence, confidence and responsibility through completing a task from start to finish.
* Developing planning, organisation and time management skills.
* Practising fine motor skills through food preparation and serving.