Home Education Blog UK Diary - February 2023

That’s the shortest month of the year done, it always feels really quick, even though it’s just a few days short! It’s definitely been winter here, although we’ve had a lot drier weather than usual, which meant the kids have been playing outside with friends in the neighbourhood a lot more. This has obviously happened more than usual as their friends have been off school for various teacher strikes! Anyway, there’s been no strikes here in our home, who else is going to look after the kids?! Here’s this months home education blog (UK).

Table of Contents

February Home Education Blog UK

Science

Let’s start off with science again this month. As usual we listened to a variety of science podcasts, these are: Wow In The World, Tumble, Mysteries of Science, Earth Rangers and Flip and Mozi’s Guide To How To Be An Earthling. They always have a good mix of new scientific findings, animal facts and interesting science topics. It’s surprising how much children can learn simply from listening to podcasts in the car when we’re off to home ed meets and other activities! The children have learnt about everything from what has been found on Martian beaches, quantum physics, the science of ocean sounds to animal appendages.

We’ve also had some time watching the Planets documentary series on iPlayer by Brian Cox. Learning about the different planets throughout the solar system and some of the interesting moons too.

Early in the month we visited the National Museum of Scotland. It was the February half term so a bit busier than we usually like, but we managed to find some quiet sections. We normally head straight toward the grand gallery area. However, this time we chose to start at the beginning of Scotland’s history. Although its history it also includes a lot of science, particularly with the formation of the planet and geology. Later you walk through the industrial areas and find more about the types of engines, ships and pistons (engineering). We did get a chance to use some of the interactive machinery in the newer area, although quite a few things weren’t working! But it was nice to get back into a museum and enjoy some interesting STEM interactive activities.

At home the eldest has been making more Lego models. He also helped to make a few gadgets for a learning through Lego blog post, including a Lego lift and fidget spinners. He’s definitely an engineering orientated child!

Our final piece of science for the month was a visit to Conifox Adventure Play Park for Wizarding School. This involved making slime and various potions using dry ice, plus popping lids off containers due to the build up of Carbon Dioxide! A lot of chemistry with the kids!

History – Home Education Blog UK

History is still the favourite topic in this house. With the kids favourite podcast, Greeking Out, not releasing new episodes until April, we’ve been listening more to Who, When, Wow recently. They have a new style of podcast called ‘Who, When, Wow: Mystery Edition’. Instead of talking about people who have been forgotten by history books, it’s about solving historical mysteries like the Loch Ness Monster and the dancing plague. Personally I prefer the original style of the podcast, but the kids seem to enjoy it!

We had a trip to Bannockburn Centre during half term. The Bannockburn Centre is about the battle of Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce fought and won against a huge English army. However, since people were furloughed in 2020 the electronic parts of the centre that include the battle experience no longer work. So it really wasn’t as interesting as it was in the past. It’s a shame, the main selling point of Bannockburn is the experience part, however, it’s not worth it now. As it was half term there were also armour and clothing out for the kids to try on. So they had great fun staging mini battles and trying on helmets!

Our trip to Edinburgh consisted of a longer walk through the historic Grassmarket area of Edinburgh. Only because the tram wasn’t running all the way to Princes Street. However, it was a good chance to look at the different street signs along the old part of town. They tell you what each street was used for historically.

The National Museum of Scotland has a lot of information about the history of the planet earth as well as human history. We particularly enjoyed looking at the animals that used to live in Scotland.

We also had a trip with the local home education Historic Scotland group. Visiting Stirling Castle to play and explore some of the castle rooms.

Child dressed up in medieval knight outfit

Child dressed up in armoury at Bannockburn

English – Home Education Blog UK

The eldest is currently working his way through JK Rowling’s Order of The Phoenix, which is substantially longer than the previous books. He has also read the Adam Kay’s Brains book which he bought with his World Book Day token. Plus numerous other magazines, comics and the writing that is everywhere in our everyday lives!

The youngest is working at reading and practising using Reading Eggs over the last few weeks. He certainly seems to be understanding it more and picking up words quicker than a few months ago.

Writing has consisted of annotating drawings and also when typing into coding apps such as Minecraft Education coding.

Maths – Home Education Blog UK

Child using Minecraft education coding programme on an Ipad

Maths has included coding sessions on Minecraft Education every week. Which is great for the kids to really get to grips with coding and how to create different code to build and mine. An important part of modern maths!

We’ve also been continuing with Prodigy Maths app, both children improving on their maths abilities to cast spells. Plus there has been plenty of board games (most include maths in some form) played too.

Art

Art can take many forms, the youngest particularly enjoys musical theatre and has been going to local drama groups for a while. That is definitely his favourite form of art!

The kids have also been doing a little drawing on paper and making paper airplanes too.

Clubs and Groups – Home Education Blog UK

As usual the kids have both been at clubs and groups throughout the month. They finished the Lego animation course they were doing before half term. They both received a trophy in different weeks of dodgeball (player of the week). Plus they are working on their level 3 of NICAS at the local climbing wall. Littlest also took part in the Scottish fun kids climbing competition, he managed to climb 2 much harder routes than he’s managed before!

Littlest is also rehearsing for 2 different musical shows and his dance show (modern, tap and ballet dancing). Plus he does gymnastics, swimming lessons and Cub Scouts. He earns a few badges this month including his snowsports level 2.

Eldest also goes to Scouts and has been to the local observatory and various other places this month.

We’ve also been going to local home ed groups during the day as well. Plenty of socialisation going on here!

1000 Hours Outside

We have had a fairly busy month outside, building up quite a few more hours on their tally sheet. It’s been surprisingly dry at the end of the month, so they have been out on the street in their new Christmas rollerblades a lot.

We’ve also had a day skiing in the Cairngorms, local walks in the Trossachs, playing at the parks with friends and pancake day in the woods, eating and playing!