October Meeting

Meeting at Ruth's- present, Ruth, Karen, Michelle.

Looked at what we had used from last meeting. Michelle is looking into a Charlotte Mason approach using resources from AMBULSIDE ONLINE.

She has bought the origanal series written by Charolotte Mason as well as "For The Children's Sake" by Susan S Macaulay.

We discussed measures we have tried to take to maximise time management.

Karen has had to plan a lot of work for the children ahead of time so she can ensure they continued their education while she has been receivin chemo. She has also noted that the children have responded to her changed health by using their time to read with her and to her and that she has seen a marked improvement in her son's reading as a result.



She told a lovely story of how she had taken the children to the library and bought a bag load of sencond hand books including an old Dorling Kindersley one that looked at human life on earth. She had sat with them the next day looking at this book-not as any formal lesson, and they had read about the Leakey discovery of 'Lucy'.

Then when taking her son and his friend out one night she heard him in the back of the car explaining all about what he had learned from this book; about Lucy and what she was like and later to his dad about hunting harpoons and so on.

This helped us all realise that 'formal' may be a good way to learn, but our children also learn in the relaxed family time setting just as well-if not better.



Michelle explained that she has a 'Brain Book' in which she records what she has done and needs to do in order to keep on top of tasks and fit them around her daughter's timetable.



Talked more about what Charlotte Mason's gentle art of learning might offer all of us including in areas of habit forming and discipline-routine and as the three of us are Christian- a Christ centred approach to our children's development as persons.



Ruth has recently had someone come to help her with the children and is adjusting to having another person join in with her in this process.

Ruth and Michelle had discussed research that shows that children do not respond well to formal education before the ages of 6-8. Ruth had been using a classical curriculum, but is now looking to relax things a little while she considers Mason's views and thinks about possibly taking a new approach.



The next meeting is set for Sat Nov 10th 8pm

Mum's Meeting

The meeting took place on Saturday 1st Sept at around 8pm.

Sophisticated nibbles and a fine line in elderflower water were available. A very nice Moses Basket was provided for the youngest guest, but when she felt like a snack, the food was placed there instead.

This was the first meeting for mums who home school. At another point it was suggested that dads as the Principles of the home schools would also be invited.

Running on ‘home schooling time’ it was initially discussed how the meetings were going to run.
A structure was decided upon:

We would begin with an introduction of selves including our names, why we home school, who we home school, and how our time since last meeting has been. This would give an opportunity for new members of the groups to be introduced and welcomed.

Spending the first half the meeting discussing a chosen theme.

Interim period of sharing resources, events that one knows about, activities that are doing with the children, coming up with themes for future meetings.

Second half of meeting, writing questions / things for discussion on a piece of paper and pulling out of pot to discuss.

Questions to be put on web site for others to contribute.

Initial discussion;

Talking about sign language:
Children had been learning the language over the last term or had been exposed via groups such as cubs and scouts.
A TV programme ‘Something Special’ was pointed out as a good programme available on BBC 1, and CBBEEBIES,
Web Site www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies

It was suggested that a placement or offer of voluntary work serving in the community for deaf people could be looked into.
Longwill School in Northfield is a special school for D/deaf children who might welcome classroom help.

Subject decided for next month: time management

Resources mentioned:
Games: Boggle
Chronology

We mentioned that families often have a games night or family time around the fire.
Draughts
Scrabble
Cluedo
jigsaws

Family fun night; made up games and party games

Next meeting: 13th Oct 8pm.

?Starting sign language group after Christmas. Proposed time on a Wednesday after homeschooling group. So bring picnic!