Outings information

Ruth wrote:

I found it impossible to speak to someone about the Back to Backs trip so I have arranged an alternative trip for Wednesday 8th October. It is a visit to the Pen Room in the centre of town for 11 o'clock. The visit is free although donations are readily accepted. It will be for about an hour. It involves the discussing of different writing tools over the centuries and an opportunity for the children to have a go. Apparently it is a very interesting session. Because it is only an hour long it would be possible for those who could, to also pop in to the Museum.

The address is:

Pen Room
Unit 3
The Argent Centre,
60 Frederick St
Hockley.
B1 3HS

I have also organised a trip to the Needle Museum in Reddich . This an organised group run session involving roll play. Everyone needs to be there for 9.45 for a 10 o'clock start.
It will be about 2 hours in length and then we can eat in a room provided. We have the option of having the water wheel on which will help the children to imagine themselves back in the work shop even more but this is an extra £20 on top of the £30 for the session. I said yes assuming that each family would be willing to pay £10 each (that is if at least 5 families participate). If the group thinks this is too much then I can cancell the waterwheel but I think that would be a shame.
I don't have the address to hand. We need to have confirmation of who is interested so we know costs. It's a pay on the day arrangement.

I also arranged at the same place for the 6th of May an archeology morning as there is an abbey on the same site. This again will cost the group £30 and again is 9.45 for a 10 o'clock start.

I hope everyone is happy with what I have arranged so far.

I am also thinking of a trip to a Fire Station and I want to see if we can get to visit the old ambulances-if I can find out where they are based.

Meanwhile there is THIS EXHIBITION on at the Art Gallery. I realise this is hardly 'local history' but it does look interesting. I would need to check out how little child friendly it is. But if you're interested let me know. If conversely you think it's a bad idea-let me know too.

New Term timetable

Sept 24th Craft Karen/Val/Julie with Ruth on snack
Oct 1st Science Sally/Nicky with Julie on snack
Oct 8th OUTING
Oct 15th Challenge
Oct 22nd Craft Sally on snack

Oct 29th HALF TERM

Nov 5th Science Shariska on snack
Nov 12th OUTING
Nov 19th challenge Val on snack
Nov 26th craft Shariska on snack
Dec 3rd rehearsal Julie on snack
Dec 10th END OF TERM SHOW
Nov

Next three weeks...

Update for the next three weeks of homeschool group.

• 2nd July Craft -Julie
• 9th July Challenge
• 16th July trip to Selly Manor

Selly Manor- everyone to meet there. £3 per school aged child, smalls and adults go free.

The Manor is on Maple Road just off Bournville Green.

Sarehole Mill

Trip to Sarehole Mill booked for next Wednesday. Meet at Colebank Road car park at around 10:30am. There are double gates and security are expecting us.

This site has been recommended and as you can see it has resources for other sites around Birmingham.

The Sarehole Mill site resources are HERE There are worksheets and games. You can use whatever you think is appropriate for your family.

They are used to homeschoolers-apparently getting quite a few visits.
Stick it inyour diary. See you there.

Schedule

From the Mum's meeting this is the agreed Schedule. If you have any concerns please add them in the comments box.

12th March: Books week: Enid Blyton with murder and forensic games.

19th March: Everyone bring something Eastery to do.

EASTER HOLS

9th April: Science week and Da Rulz writing day.

16th April Craft

23 Rt April Challenge Ruth snack

30th April Local History Catherine snack

7th May Science and Karen's Birthday! Val

14th May Craft Sally

21st May Challenge and Sign Song performance Nicki

HALF TERM

4th June Local History Karen

11th June Science Julie P

18th June Craft Shariska

25th June: Challenge (but 2 people away) Michelle

2nd July Local History Julie

9th July Science

16th July End of Term Event

Words for the Teamwork song.

Get practicing



Links in a chain

Tracks for a train

They're always better together



Hot coco in a mug

A kiss and a hug

They're always better together



When Nothing seems to fit

And you just want to quit



Teamwork do it together

Teamwork friends forever



We're all for one and one for all

We'll help each other stand tall

With teamwork.



Stars in the sky

Hot weather in July

They're always better together



A hat on a head

Butter on bread

They're always better together



If things don't work out on your own

You know you're not alone



Teamwork do it together

Teamwork friends forever

We're all for one and one for all

We'll help each other stand tall - with teamwork (repeat)

Fed up of homeschooling...?

THIS might help keep you going. (Well it helps me focus on the fact the grass can be a dirty shade of grey over there too).

You might also be interested to read the prelim' report from an EO meeting in the Midlands on the 4th MARCH 2008. I haven't read it yet.

Finally; I found this wonderful essay written by the redounbtable Dorothy L Sayers on the LOST TOOLS OF EDUCATION. I read this years ago and then lost it-so I was glad to find it. You may find it useful or at any rate inspiring.

Updates and Reminders.

Next WED homeschool group is Books week. We are looking at Enid Blyton. There will be some activities based around solving mysteries and crimes. The children will get the chance to do some finger printing-bring baby-wipes!

There is a Mum's meeting at Ruth's house on Saturday 8th March at 8pm.

Iona's curriculum

For anyone who might wonder what to do with a 14yr old HERE is Iona's curriculum for this term.

Mum's meeting

Mother's meeting last night went well. Among things discussed were ways of keeping toddlers entertained and part of the activities when working with the older children; progess and development in children including the developmental blips around the age of 7.

Nicki and Sally have joined forces for their boys to learn together and they have been looking into explorers. As part of this they had considered the use of latitude and it was suggested they could look at the fascinating story of LONGITUDE. The book of the same title may be available at libriaries.

Strategies for helping children with visual and visial/perseption problems were discussed with ideas for soft ware that may help mentioned as well as ensuring children continue to be supported in finding their own strategies to overcome hurldes.

Updates and reminders

• There is a mum's meeting at Ruth's house on Sat 9th Feb 8pm
• There is a homeschool group next week - running through half term and I will have Sign back at my house afterwards.
• No Sign Language 20th Feb (I'm at the Children's Hospt with Avila)

Wed. A.A. Milne

Ruth asks that you bring favourite teddy's or cuddly toys for the session tomorrow.

Sign Language is cancelled due to the chicken pox here.
It's half term next week, but as I can't do Sign the week after because of Avila's hospt appt. I will do a session on Wed if that is convenient to folk. Let me know.

combox

I've adjusted the settings so anon comments can go in.

Drama ?

Just wondering if anyone is interested in drama sessions at homeschool group.
Throw thoughts and ideas in the combox...

term timetable

Shariska has sent me the term timetable-which might need revising.

6th Feb: Book week- we are looking A A Milne so bring your 'Winnie the Pooh', 'Now We Are Six' and 'For the Very Young'. SALLY is on refreshements
Sign Language at my house afterwards.

13th Feb Games week. BUT THIS IS ALSO HALF TERM so I am not sure if we have the hall. Ruth refreshments
I am still happy to do Sign Language if people want that.

20th Feb Science week: NO ONE on refreshements
NO Sign Language

27th Feb Craft week. Julie on refreshments-
Sign Language at my house

5th Mar Book week; theme TBA. Sally on refreshments
Sign Language at my house.

12th Mar Games week. Ruth on refreshements
Sign Language at my house.

19th Mar ???
Sign Language at my house.

EASTER

Wednesday Team Works

There will be no homeschool group on Wednesday morning on 30th Jan because the decoraters are supposed to be going back to finish the hall.
There will be Sign Language at my house from 1pm as usual.
I'll get all the dates for groups, activities and meetings and post them soon.

New Year, New Term, New Start

I have said I will re-start this blog and try and be a good girl and actually keep the thing up to date.
I might change the way it looks and add some stuff in the side bars to make it more user friendly and I'll put all the dates and events up.
So, here we go