November Home Education Diaries 2023

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Home Education Blog

Every month I write a home education diary of what we’ve done that month. I started this way back in 2018 to document what my then 4 and 7 year olds were doing. Now at 9 and 12 years old I’m still going! This monthly blog series is also great for other home educators to see, and learn about autonomous home education from our point of view. We very rarely do anything considered ‘formal learning’. But the kids (and I!) definitely learn a lot each month anyway. Some things they have a better grasp of than their schooled peers, but others their peers will be better at. And that’s ok, because they can always learn whatever then need when they need to know it.

Home Education Scotland

We home educate in Scotland, which is slightly different to other parts of the UK. For example, if you are known to the local council area (not everyone is!) then you need to provide an annual provision of education. Not a report. This provision just states what materials you use and have available for your children to use, but not reporting on progress etc.

It’s also different for taking children out of school. In Scotland you need to send a request to the local council to remove your child from the school. This can take up to 6 weeks, when your child still needs to got to school. In England and Wales you can send a letter to the school itself and remove them immediately from the school. It’s important to know these subtle differences. Also ensure that when you are chatting on social media you know which country someone is from before giving any advice!

Aside these small difference education here is the same as elsewhere in the uk. We educate our children in whichever way we want. Whether there is structure or none, formal or informal learning. No curriculums need to be used or any curriculum around the world can be used. It’s completely up to you! This freedom makes life so much easier for children and they can learn in their own way.

What Have The Kids Learnt This Month?

History

The kids favourite podcast, Greeking Out, started its new season this month. So the kids were excited to have more Greek myths to listen to. Actually it also has myths from other areas of the world, including Mayan’s and Vikings. It’s an excellent podcast to learn ancient history from, the kids have grasped so much of Greek and Norse mythology through this podcast alone.

We also visited Dumbarton Castle this month with home ed friends. The main highlight was rolling down the hill and crashing into each other. However, aside all the rolling down the hill we did learn a little about the history of the castle.

We’ve also visited the wooden sculpture trail up to the National Wallace Monument. Which has some history that the kids already mostly know, several items described are in the nearby Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling. So they remember seeing them there too, including the propellers from the Barnwell Brothers plane (first powered flight in Scotland) and whale bones that were washed up in Stirling.

The kids also love to watch the Horrible Histories television programme. It’s amazing what they can learn from just watching tv!

Science

Again, podcasts are a major part of their current interest in science. With Wow in The World, Flip and Mozi’s Guide to being an Earthling, Mysteries of Science and Tumble being favourites. Again, they learn a lot about different mysteries, animals, new scientific discoveries and more!

We also receive the Wildlife Watch magazine, Aquila and Whizz Pop Bang magazines monthly. These also have lots of interesting science information and activities in them.

English

The littlest is doing well with reading and managing to read some shorter easy chapter books now. He’s currently reading through one of the Princess in Black books. Which is great progress from saying he can’t read. He’s still a slow reader though, so he still prefers someone to read to him, but he’s definitely getting there!

The eldest is always reading and is now on the last book of the Wings of Fire series. It’s 12 books long, so it’s taken a few months! He’s been reading at least one book of he series per week. With a few others books in-between when he’s been waiting for the next one from the library.

The eldest has been working on writing a book still and occasionally will choose to write things down. But most writing is on the computer.

Maths

The kids have continued working on their Prodigy programmes. It’s a free game-like maths app, where you, a wizard, defeat monsters. However, you need to answer maths questions to cast the spells and defeat monsters.

Aside this the kids have been playing board and card games, which have math skills. Plus baking in the kitchen for the eldest!

Geography

Although the kids and I haven’t been anywhere exciting this month. We do tend to spend time looking at countries on the maps and globes around the house. They both have a good idea of where the main countries are now.

We’ve also discussed various weather processes and erosion whilst outdoors.

Art and Music

At the beginning of the month the kids had their last session of their art class. We don’t do it every month as it’s fairly expensive, but 3 sets of 4 sessions each year’ ish. They had fun with printing leaves and seeing their finished bamboo structures.

The eldest has had fun with drawing his own cartoon superheroes and villains too. Plus a visit to the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens Christmas at the Botanics. Which is always fun to see and critique the artists designs!

1000 Hours Outside

The weather has been freezing cold here recently! However, that means it’s been great for being outdoors. So we’ve made the most of the weather and had a great time enjoying the outdoors almost everyday throughout November. We’ve been on plenty of walks in the woods, hills and moors of Scotland.

Although we did have one particularly wet walk up Ben Ledi, that we gave up not far from the summit. Everyone was too cold and wet and the wind was threatening to blow the 9 year old over! We’ll do it again on a nicer day.

The kids are almost finished there 1000 hours outdoors. Although one child is closer to finishing than the other. So we’re trying to make the most of the good weather when it’s here to spend longer outside.

Kids Clubs and Groups

The kids have had all their usual clubs and groups this month. The youngest is working toward two different Christmas shows/pantos for drama groups and a concert for NYCOS. Plus his usual gymnastics, dancing and Cubs. Both children also do chess club and their dodgeball group restarted at the end of the month too. The eldest also goes to Scouts too.

November Home Education Diaries 2023

Home Education Blog

Home Education Scotland