I know that I mean to fill these out earlier than this, but I always seem to forget! We have been extremely busy at the end of the month and I just didn’t get round to it! Anyway, this is our home education diary for the month of July 2021 . Don’t worry about it being the summer holidays, we learn all year round regardless of the day or time! Home schooling in the UK is usually referred to as home education.
Table of Contents
Science
We haven’t been meeting with our friends for science group this month, mainly as everyone has been very busy! However, we have still been working on various science topics throughout the month.
The kids have enjoyed the ‘You Wouldn’t Want To’ book series, including You Wouldn’t Want to be in a Virus Pandemic and You Wouldn’t Want To Live Without Snot. They have funny cartoon’s to keep kids interested as well as lots of factual information.
This month the kids also met various animals, including seals at Cornwall’s seal sanctuary. Learning about why they were brought into the sanctuary and how they are supported until they return to the wild.
We also found a large green stick insect whilst at the seal sanctuary. At first we were a bit concerned as they are usually from warmer climates. However we were assured by a member of staff that they have acclimatised to the climate of areas of Cornwall! The kids were excited to see it anyway!
Also in Cornwall, we explored an ancient settlement and found Goblin’s Gold. An unusual moss that glows in certain light. It was our 7 year old who discovered it and it works almost like a holographic picture, where you can see it clearly in one direction and then move slightly to the side and it disappears! A rare and very cool find!
On the way back North we visited the Eden Project. The kids had seen the Eden Project on various documentaries and kids shows. So they were very excited to see it in person. We spent several hours there, exploring the different environments and learning about the flora.
We’ve also had various science podcasts on for the kids during car journeys. These are mainly Tumble and Wow In The World. We’re looking forward to more new episodes as we are currently listening to many repeats!
History
On the way back from Cornwall (visiting friends) we downloaded a new podcast called Greeking Out by National Geographic. It is a great way to learn more about the Ancient Greek myths and gods. It’s also interesting to find out how the Ancient Greek myths link to Roman and Mesopotamian legends and history too.
We also listened to History Storytime podcast each week in July, which is still a favourite of the kids too. Topics on History Storytime this month included the story of Lady Jane Grey and the vikings discovery of America.
The children have also both enjoyed reading various copies of the ‘You Wouldn’t Want To Be’ series. I generally read the books to them and we’ve gone through various topics from WW2 pilots and egyptian mummies to vikings and suffragettes. The books are great at being funny and gory in equal measure, so they are clear favourites of our two!
On our way back from Cornwall we also visited Hadrian’s Wall. It was a roasting hot day, so we didn’t walk far, but the children were impressed at how far the wall stretched over rough ground. Although it certainly didn’t seem like it would keep everyone North out! They were also surprised to see that it wasn’t actually at the border of Scotland today.
At the end of the month we visited the David Livingstone Birthplace, which we found incredibly interesting. The kids (and I!) learnt the David Livingstone was anti-slavery and di his best to find other trade options rather than trading people. He also was in favour of African countries gaining their independence. The only downside is of course he was a missionary who’s mission was to convert people from their ancient beliefs to Christianity.
The eldest and I visited The Pineapple NTS site whilst his brother was at gymnastics. Learning that they did grow pineapples in glass houses leaning against the buildings wall, heated by a furnace. Nowadays it’s just a pretty grand looking building let out as holiday apartments!
Geography
At the beginning of the month we travelled to Cornwall to visit some friends who moved down last year. This gave us the opportunity to look at our journey from Stirlingshire to Cornwall and how far it was. We also stopped at various points on the way down and back which added to our map reading.
In Cornwall we visited the Eden Project, somewhere the kids have seen on tv programmes several times. Their favourite part (aside the ice cream of course!) was visiting the rainforest biome where we could see all the different types of plants they had read about it. We found drip tips and touch sensitive plants, along with cocoa beans and tamarind pods.
Map reading was also incorporated on our PGL holiday where the kids had a taster of orienteering. They seem to be good at remembering the points of a compass and can definitely work out roughly where to go on a map!
English
We had a couple of visits to the library this month. With stacks of books for each child! The youngest had a variety of mermaid and unicorn books and the eldest chose some more of the Treehouse series and Dogman. The Dogman books only last an hour at the most, so they are definitely not worthwhile buying, but he still enjoys reading them! I’m glad we have a local library to get books from to reduce our book spending budget!!
It’s a common thing to see the eldest reading books now. The littlest complained recently that his brother is too busy reading to play as much now! Although it does mean that they don’t fight as much when he’s distracted. Ha ha!
We’ve had a little letter writing this month from the youngest, writing to his friend who lives down South. Although he still complains about not getting the letters right and that his hand hurts. I’m still trying to decide whether it’s genuinely difficult for him or if he just wants someone else to do it instead…
The eldest tends to write when he’s annotating drawings, although he occasionally writes notes to his brother to annoy him too. I’m not sure that it’s helpful as siblings, but he does practice his writing I guess?!
Maths
Maths has mostly been verbal this month. From discussing mathematical concepts to measuring for baking.
Other examples of everyday maths this month includes telling the time and following Lego instructions.
Music and Arts – Home Schooling UK
The youngest is always singing wherever he goes. He particularly loves songs from theatre shows and musicals. So was delighted to take part in his local theatre company’s Aladdin show. It was a ‘Show in a Week’, which basically involved 3 hours of rehearsals every afternoon for a week and then 3 shows on the Friday and Saturday. He had an amazing time and was particularly excited to do a cartwheel on stage and be lifted up by Aladdin to show how strong Prince Ali was! Littlest is definitely comfortable on stage.
The eldest is not interested in shows and singing so much. However, he has enjoyed being able to draw in his notebook this month. We visited the Wallace Monument while littlest was at gymnastics class. The eldest spent the time drawing each of the different sculptures during our visit.
Exercise
The children have had plenty of exercise throughout July. At the beginning of the month we were on holiday near Oban. So we took a trip out to a lagoon near Coll to try out paddle boarding. It was great for us all to experience it!
We’ve visited various different beaches during the month, where the kids had great fun paddle boarding and even trying out surfing! They particularly loved surfing and we need to try it again soon!
We’ve had the bikes out a few times near home. The kids love a good bike ride, but it’s been a bit too hot earlier in the month! At least they managed a few bike rides!
At the end of July we went off on a PGL holiday near Perth. The centre was amazing and we all took part in the activities together. This included abseiling, climbing, orienteering, canoeing and trying out basketball and badminton. Definitely an amazing weekend packed with activities.
Other exercise has included playing outdoors with friends, walks together as a family, plus the youngest’s gymnastics class. He’s been going to gymnastics two mornings a week throughout July, which he loves. We don’t get to look in at what they are doing due to covid, but apparently he has been practising a cartwheel into round-off on the beam.
Unstructured Play – Home Schooling UK
A lot of the children’s play is unstructured. It’s great to watch them go off with their friends and play for hours together. Or sometimes they are tired and only play for an hour or so before they are ready to go home, ha ha! As it’s been warm we’ve also had the paddling pool out in the garden for them to play together.
Whilst in Cornwall we stayed with friends. It was great to see the kids playing together and making up random games that they enjoyed playing together without parental involvement.
Clubs and Groups
As mentioned previously the youngest has been taking part in a local show of Aladdin. He’s the child in the gold waistcoat and white leggings in the image below! We’re still listening to him singing all the songs for the show weeks later!
Littlest has also had his gymnastics class throughout July, with 2 classes a week. He loves going and learning different techniques.
All Of Our Monthly Diaries For 2021
- January 2021
- February 2021
- March 2021
- April 2021
- May 2021
- June 2021
- July 2021
- August 2021
- September 2021
- October 2021
- November 2021
- December 2021
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