Batteries!

The home ed crew came to my house today to learn a bit out electricity!

I found some good stuff on these websites... 

www.topmarks.co.uk

www.switchedonkids.org.uk

... and also some stuff from the energy company E-On but I can't find the link!

First of all, did a bit of reading about electricity and discussed where it actually comes from and what it is!  We talked about energy in general and about 'fossil fuels'...  Miriam rolled her eyes at me a couple of times as I got my time line in a mess but all in all the children seemed to enjoy the question and answer session! 

We then made our own batteries!

Sylvie and Abigail worked together to make a lemon battery that powered a small watch and the boys worked together to make a penny, foil and paper battery!  Sadly, we didn't have enough pennies so the battery didn't work, but that's the point of an experiment, right?  Some times you mess it up and you have to do it again!

The pennies came out of the vinegar and salt solution lovely and sparkly!!!  It's made me want to clean up all of my copper - just like magic. 

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_4491841_make-battery-out-coins-foil.html gives you all of the instructions you need!!!!!  

We did a few worksheets, as you can see in the pics then we had some lunch and a play in the garden!

The children seemed to enjoy the session.  There wasn't too much talking from me - just a brief introduction which included questions and answers then straight to it!  They settled well to do the worksheets too which were quite easy, yet made them think!

All good! 

Abigail squeezing the juice out of a lemon that had been used to power a small watch!  I didn't have my camera ready for the actual experiment! We used zinc and copper to make the battery!  All good... check out the links above for more info. 

Piles of pennies cleaned in vinegar then dipped in salt water and layered with wet paper and tin foil ...  this battery didn't work.  We think it's cause we didn't have enough pennies! 

Doing a few work sheets about what uses power and what doesn't. 

Sylvie enjoying her work sheet.  Yes, enjoying!  She didn't complain once!

Miriam building the penny battery again - it still didn't work 

Spotting the dangers in the house of electrical horrors!!!!!  Next time, Penshaw Monument! 

Classical Architecture what what

Miriam's turn to show us some classical architecture...  Doric, Ionic and Corinthians...  Yes Miriam, I remember...

Everyone had a really good day, especially when it came to making the temple at the end of the session!
Miriam has suggested we go for a trip to Penshaw Monument sometime soon to check out the neo classical architecture on offer.  Now all we need is for it to stop snowing!

Maps!

March 2013

 We went to Hayley's house to learn about maps!!! Some photos from our day...


 

Goodbye? Not yet

I thought about ditching this blog and starting a Wordpress one ONLY about home ed but it's such a faff that I've changed my mind! I'm not thick, (usually) but I haven't got a clue how to create posts and stuff using the Wordpress site. It's doing my head in. So, we're staying here and focussing on home ed instead of blogging about 'everything'...

Although I may change my mind.  It never looks the same when going from draft to published view... the photos are all over and so is the text.  It's really annoying me!

Something to do....

Days like this leave me feeling really low and lethargic. We have no plans! Well, we kind of do but nothing that appeals to me. The girls are fighting and barking at each other and I'm frustrated and distracted by the internet. It's amazing how much drama there is the world of carrier makers! I'm not sure why I haven't taken them out for a walk or done some crafty stuff with them. I just don't really want to because everything seems to be a fight at the minute. Trying to dress them to go out is horrendous! Annabelle protests at EVERYTHING - she 'hates' her coat and 'hates' her shoes which is incredibly frustrating. She's three so I don't expect anything else but still - it's a bit of a chew!!! I need to plan but in order to plan I need time, soooooo.... Lou will be the joining the family for two to three hours a week as of Friday. She's a student at a French University studying English and she's here for her year abroad. She's lovely. She's going to speak to the children in French and do crafty stuff with them. When it's sunny she's going to take them to the part. This means I have a couple of hours so plan, to print and to buy supplies for the week ahead. I'm so looking forward to it. Sadly she's only here until June so when she goes home I'll have to find someone else!!! I'm so glad that she's coming but it's tinged with sadness as usual because my mum would have done it willingly!!!! I try not to 'go there' with thoughts of what it would be like if she was still here - dangerous emotional territory. It's much easier to live in the present instead of in a fantasy land.

Broom House Farm

We went to Broom House Farm on Friday for the first time in about a year. I walked to the door with mixed emotions. The last time we were there I had a shoutty argument type thing with the owner because she was being really rude and neither I nor the women I was with were very impressed! I regretted the incident because the children really love BHF and when it's sunny it's an easy place to be. You can sit outside with a good coffee while the children play. There's a large field with a sand pit and a wooden castle and they just seem to love it! Soooo we went back and it was fine. The sun was shining, the children had a great time and in four hours I only spent £6 which is good going for me! I dont' think I'll go there again just with my girls, I'll have to meet someone there but still it's nice to know that it's back on the cards! ... Miles and Sylvie exchanged valentines cards and gifts which was really sweet!

Not been here for a while....

SORRY THAT THIS IS A BIT MESSY. IT LOOKS FINE IN THE PREVIEW SCREEN!!! Since last posting, lots has happened yet everything's still the same! We're still plodding on through the daily ups and downs of home ed life. Sylvie's teeth have started dropping out.... We've played at being Vikings.... We've been learning about maps... And about Classical and Neo Classical Architecture... ... other than that, we've just been 'getting on with things'... taking it easy.