10 Weeks Into De-Schooling

We're now just over two months into de-schooling and Curlys coming round slowly. We've spent a lot of our time relaxing, just playing around the house, taking walks, watchin a lot of Nat Geo and discovering the internet!! Curlys attitude to writing is improving slowly and though he's only written a few short notes, at least he's done them because he wanted to. He's learning about volcanos, the industrial revolution, crocodiles, space, cooking and he's becoming a great little helper around the house.

Soup Chef

Cooking Cupcakes

A couple of Curlys cooking 'lessons'. Broccoli & Stilton soup and baking chocolate cakes.

Smiling At Last

Mill

These are a few photos I took on some of our walks along the local canal. I love talks we have and he the questions he asks. We mainly talk about the local history, how and why the canal was built and the plants and animals we see along the way. And the game of poo-sticks on the bridge is a must-do for him.

We went along to the local Home-Ed group monthly meet ups last week for first time. Apart from getting lost (only slightly!) on the way and not having as much time as I'd hoped, it went well. Curly made a new friend and burned off some energy in the soft play area. His younger brother was upset when he found out where we'd been and I'm worried that he's being affected awfully by being sent to school while we have 'fun'.  I'd prefer to take him out of school to, but I'm scared that I'm going to fail with Curly. 

The LEA visited in Oct and are intent on a January visit, even though it will have only been 3 months. They're expecting to see folders of work, even though I'm not legally obliged to provide them. The LEA officer did emphasise the point they can and will push for an Attendance order if I dont prove he's getting a 'suitable' education and isn't falling behind writting. Thats going to easy to do when he refuses to write, argh!!Something tells me I'm going to have a battle on my hands in the future to try and stop them forcing Curly to attend the same 'behaviour' school as his brother used to and ending up in the same awful situation he's in every day.

Week 3 - Mondays Eruption

Well we had a more productive day today and actually managed to make something so that was a bonus. Though we've had loads of discussions, the fact we haven't had anything to show from them has been worrying. Started the day with Curly making a fly-by with the hoover round his bedroom and the lounge (He's getting better or should I say the strip he hoovers is getting wider!)

Curly's question of the day - How hot is lava? Onto Wikipedia to find out, (its between 700/1200 degrees C btw) then he spotted a photo of a lava fountain on Hawiia so he asked to go on Google Earth. We had a chat about how Hawaii was formed and he saw how the chain of islands carry on below the sea. Then we flew past Zakynthos to see the hotel we stayed at in summer and finally Curly gave himself a tour of our home town.

This afternoon we made a baking soda volcano. Curly wasn't to enthusiastic to start with, having to "make" something, but he got there in the end. We left the eruption until Moggy got home from school and they both enjoyed the resulting mess. I think I'll be asked to make another very soon!

Curlys Explosive Creation

Also had a call from the Education Authority as Curly's SEN review is due. Agreed the date, but realised once I'd hung up I dont have to bother now he's being home schooled. Will have to remember to call back tomorrow to cancel my seat.