Education, Home and School.

Last week I was talking about holiday planning and how my family wanted to go to Butlins rather than a Haven holiday camp next year. After educating ourselves, we have decided that due to the lack of destinations of Butlins camps (I’m sure there used to be more) and the increased cost, we are going to stick with Haven. Huge sigh of relief from me! Now we just have to decide where to go, we are thinking maybe Cornwall this time.

This week the focus has been mainly education. It was the girl’s first full week back after the holiday and they have been getting on great. Star has had a few nerves, but she was relieved once she was back in the SEN group. Her main disappointment was being moved down a set in science, one of her favourite subjects that she tries really hard in. I have told her not to worry, just work hard and she’ll get moved back up.

Poor Boo is in so many of the lower sets. She does struggle with learning, but she is determined and works really hard. I have told her that with her attitude to learning she will soon pick it up and move on up in the groups. I will even help her to improve her education at home if she wishes. However, despite her excellent attitude at school, her home learning leaves much to be desired.

Home School

The Little Man has surprised me this week as he has done so much learning with so little complaint. Usually, it’s a struggle to get him off the laptop. Once he’s off it’s an even bigger struggle to keep him interested in learning. Last term I used ‘props’ such as an electrical circuit making kit and a set of magnets and accessories. This meant he could learn while he was ‘playing.’ But getting him to knuckle down with his maths or English was a nightmare. He fidgets constantly, and claims that everything is ‘soooo booooring.’

This week, however, it’s been a pleasure teaching him. We have tackled times tables, telling the time, spelling, comprehension, reading and nutrition. He’s even been cooking, helping me to make nutritious meals and drinks. At the moment, I’m still working out his ability in most subjects. But once I know what he is capable of I will then stretch him. I just hope his attitude to learning continues.

We have applied for places at two other school’s now, a little further afield. I am worried that the further we go the harder it will be for me to pick him up if his Dad can’t make it. I’ve only had to do it a handful of times in the past and my eldest son has had to walk with me because I lack the confidence to go out alone. (I lack confidence in the ability of my wheelchair but that’s a whole other story.) If his school is even further away then I don’t know how I will manage. 

My word of the week this week is education, the girls at school and the Little Man at home.