July 2023 Home Education Blog Diary

Summer holidays in Scotland started at the end of June. However, we don’t home educate in a school type of way, learning happens all the time, every day. So there isn’t a ‘break’ in their learning, just more time outdoors and more fun with friends around in the holidays!

So, although some people assume that the summer is time off for the kids, it’s not really when you learn autonomously! Every day is a learning day!

Table of Contents

History

The month started off with a good bit of history at Historic Scotland’s Linlithgow Palace. We attended the jousting there, which is always amazing. It’s not historically accurate, but gives you an idea of what jousting would have been like. Alongside this are all the re-enactors with different tents set up. You can learn about medieval weaponry, clothing, weaving, food, medicines and so much more.

We also spent time on Islay where we visited the seat of the lord of the Isles at Finlaggan. The VR headset really helped the kids see what it was like when it was in use. Plus there is a lot of information about the politics and decision making that took place here. Also on Islay was the Museum of Islay Life, which features many interesting artefacts from the islands past. However, the children were most interested in the history of the American warship that was attacked by U-boats just off the coast of Islay. We didn’t make it to the memorial on the Oa.

Later in the month we visited Newcastle castle, a great keep and gate that are still standing, with the railway dividing the 2. The kids enjoyed exploring the castle and trying on some hats in the gate house!

Whilst in Cornwall visiting friends we spent some time visiting an ancient village that has been uncovered from Romano-Iron age time. It was interesting to learn more about life back then. We also visited a model railway centre in Cornwall, which had plenty of vintage toys and trains!

Of course, we also listened to lots of podcasts (a LOT as we had several road trips!). The history podcasts include – Who, When, Wow and Greeking Out.

Science – Home Education Blog UK

Science always begins with various podcasts too, including Tumble, Wow in the World, Earth Rangers, Flip and Mozi’s Guide to How to be an Earthling and Mysteries of Science. There are so many science podcasts out there, so it’s worth trying a few to find out which your kids most love.

We also chat about science topics in day to day conversations. Or even just spotting wildlife and identifying it later. You can see below the By-The-Wind-Sailor that we found washed up on a beach on Islay. We had no idea what they were, but looked them up when we had internet reception again, a very interesting discovery! It’s a small Hydrozoa that prefers to live in warmer climates. Apparently their only method of movement is being blown by the wind in little groups. So you often find them washed up in their hundreds.

I always include Lego in the science section as it’s technically a STEM activity with all the engineering. My eldest is particularly good at building anything with Lego. Although his favourite thing to build are trains!

This is also why he loves model railways, great to watch them whizzing round. And more fun when you can recognise the type of trains that are used.

As mentioned before, wildlife is always interesting to us. I have a degree in Ecology, and although the kids aren’t as interested in wildlife as me, they do like to notice interesting things around us. The Gunnera plants at Trebah gardens were a favourite to visit, and good at keeping out the rain! We also spotted Cinnabar moths on Ragwort plants and tiny little hermit crabs in the sea. All very easy to see on walks and cycles, so great for showing the kids.

On Islay, we also visited the Nature centre beside the hostel we were staying at in Port Charlotte. It had lots of great information on local wildlife. The kids favourite part was the marine area, with lots of crabs, lobsters and even dried remains of things to pick up and inspect. The kids loved it!

Geography

We’ve travelled up and down the UK this month, from our home to Islay, Gigha, Newcastle and Cornwall. So the kids should have improved their UK geography. They will at least know where Cornwall is and the islands around Islay!

From the ferry back from Islay, we could see Islay itself, Jura, Gigha, the mainland Scotland, Arran and Northern Ireland. It’s quite a useful place to remind children that originally the sea was more important for travel than land. So many places within a few hours boat!

Maths

The youngest has been particularly interested in Prodigy maths (free app) this month, so he has completed a few more levels. The eldest has done a little Prodigy too, but not as much as he’s been busy reading various books.

This is typical home education for us, tailored to the child’s current interests and needs. They don’t both do the same things!

English

The eldest reads many books every month and this month has worked his way through all the How To Train a Dragon series (second time reading them), various graphic comic style books such as Looshkin and Terry Pratchett novels. I dislike buying the graphic novels as he reads them within an hour! So we’ve been using the library a lot more this month. As there’s also the summer reading challenge we have visited the library quite a few times!

The youngest has been reading some short stories himself and also practicing reading using Reading Eggs. I’ve also been reading the How to Train a Dragon series to him, along with various other books including Starfell series and The House With Chicken Legs.

Both children have chosen to write their own creative stories this month too. It’s great to see them actually writing!

Clubs and Groups

As it’s now July, most groups are off for the summer. Although the ‘after school’ groups are not on, we still have been meeting up with other home educators, more time with friends and visiting family.

The youngest has also chosen to do a week long dance and theatre summer school run by his dance classes. He got to meet a different person who had been in theatre shows each day and learn lots of fun dances and drama. The last week of July was the start of his local drama groups ‘Show In A Week’, so we have the shows to look forward to at the end of this week too.

Creative Pursuits

Creative pursuits range from building different Lego designs, the eldest, to writing stories, both children and even visiting the Baltic art gallery in Newcastle. it’s surprising the number of creative things that the kids do without even drawing!

1000 Hours Outside – Home Education Blog

We spent a lot of time outside this month, in both rain and sunshine. Sometimes staying dry and other times getting wet, including going on a slip n slide in Cornwall, cycling, walking and even the kids getting completely covered in mud! Check out the pictures below! We’re over halfway through the 1000 hours now.

There was also plenty of time swimming in the sea, pier jumping and kayaking too. We’ve just bought our own kayaks for when we’re on the West coast, so we will certainly be exploring a lot more by sea when we travel over there.