Building bridges - physics.

Today, we attempted some more physics, by building some bridges.

Now, I know we should have used A4 paper in the experiment, however, all I had to hand at the time was some thin A4 card - obviously, this did have an effect on the outcome of our experiments which I'll go into later.

The point of the task was to see which shaped structure would hold the greatest weight (in the form of a bottle of water) before failing.

Ethan firstly thought of various shapes, then set to making them. He was allowed to use some tape, but only to hold together the shape (it didn't in any way support or add strength to the structure).

He made a circular tube, a square tube, and a triangular tube, all of which were bridged over a 21cm gap.

The bottle could hold a maximum of 1 litre of water.

We had some initial success, and by this I mean the structure failed once a certain amount of water was added to the bottle, however we soon realised that thin card is far too strong for this experiment to be a true success.

With the square and triangular tube..we ran out of water before either structure was showing signs of failing. Therefore we abandoned the experiment, thinking it best to wait until tomorrow when we could get some normal paper. Ethan however agreed that it would be interesting to rig it all up again and continue with the two experiments side by side to see exactly how much stronger the thin card is, compared with just paper - whilst at the same time, finding out which structure is best suited as a bridge, and can hold the most weight.
So, somehow, we have managed to create a multiple experiment, which not only includes physics, but also maths.

It is exactly this element of Home Education which we love. The freedom to just let things take us where they naturally progress to, and enjoy the ride. :)



Loz

More cookery!

I have never been a very good cake maker, so this year I promised myself that I would hone this particular skill, and perfect it the best I could. Of course, in so doing it opens up a whole lot of opportunities for the kids to get involved.

I personally love to see kids in the kitchen cooking everything from full out dinners for the family, to a plate of fairy cakes for them to munch on whilst they read later in the evening.

Daniel especially has a great ambition to cook for a living. His knowledge about ingredients and flavours is improving all the time, and his enthusiasm is boundless. He has started watching Junior Masterchef, and I know he would love to have a go. Who knows...might be something for next year ?

The end result of both my own baking and the boys' is pleasing to both the eye, and to the tatebuds. Now all I have to do is get the hang of icing, and decorating, and my mums 60th should be a breeze :p

Loz

Learning whilst having fun..point proven.

The boys and I wobbled off to a new indoor play centre today to check it out. We knew it would be quiet, so thought it an ideal time to virtually have the run of the place to give it a good try out.

Great fun was had by all, and we even managed to find time to integrate some maths into the fun.

Laurence, counted how many cups we had, and then how many he would need for everyone. It's basic, but that's where it starts.

Of course, I was shocked to find that even here the most simple of spelling mistakes are made. How unprofessional.

I'm sorry for the poor quality by the way, but seriously...potatoe? Ribeania?... For goodness sake.

Anyway, disregarding the appalling use of the English language in their literature...Jo had a smashing time and thoroughly loved chasing coloured balls about the place, which was great, because he's been having a rotten couple of days with teething problems. I'm pleased this took his mind off it for a while.

Loz

Paranoia point proven

I'm not going to name names, and I am not even going to say where I have got this information from - mostly because for those with a modicum of intelligence finding out, or guessing won't be that hard, but I actually laughed out loud at something today, which proved the very point I made yesterday about how some Home Educators verge on the paranoid. 

A couple of days ago, someone made a post on a well known Home Education yahoo list. It consisted of a brief introduction, followed by several, quite specific questions pertaining to Home Education. 
Basically the person wanted to know specifics about the comparisons between home education and mainstream schooling, as far as children are concerned. The person requested 'hard statistics' which they could peruse, which supported the much talked about academic success of home educated children. The person wanted to know specifics about examinations, and future employability, viability of Home Education and other such things.  

This person was swiftly met with a barrage of suspicion and promptly labelled a researcher. It was suggested to other users - by the list owner - that all further communication with the person who had posed the question, should be halted, until further investigations had been carried out to ascertain if the person in question was indeed a researcher or not.

Now, looking at recent posts by the same person, it is blindingly obvious that what we actually have here is simply a well spoken and written person, able to come forward with exactly the questions they require answers to, in a no nonsense, no frills fashion. The fact that this person did this without fluffing up their introduction with countless details about their personal circumstances is in my opinion what the HE community needs more of. 

Just because someone posts a message onto a list, does not imply that they want to meet up with people and become best friends with the head honchos of the list. I thought that the whole point of a yahoo list being created is to impart and share information for those that want to know. Or do I have that completely wrong? 

As far as I can see, all the naysayers on the list have managed to achieve is to make themselves look completely unapproachable, paranoid, and generally unpleasant people. Not to mention hideously old fashioned and so set in their ways that they refuse to see beyond their own fears of integration and social responsibility.

The list owner did also mention that in all their years of running groups and lists etc, they had never once come across such a message, so full of questions. But more and more people in this country are considering Home Education for a variety of reasons. Therefore surely groups and lists ought to be preparing themselves for further straight to the point messages such as this one, from NEW COMERS, as opposed to those who have been hanging about on the shelves of the list gathering dust for countless years? 


Loz 

Suitable home for HE ??

I haven't been on for a while, because I've been busy. But as always things have been endlessly circling about in the caverns of my head.

Recently on another list someone asked the question 'what makes a good HE home'? I wasn't quite sure how to answer it. I personally don't think the quality of whatever education I provide for my child hinges that strongly on the accommodation I also provide for him.
I understand that during the course of the discussion, people were pointing out their preferences to either a large communal living space, or several rooms in which individuals could do their own thing. Some liked large gardens for outdoorsy things, others preferred amenities to be close by.
Some went into quite some depth about the whys and why nots pertaining to their answers.
I read through them, and came to another conclusion, which I am sure will no doubt ruffle some feathers. 
The way I see it, asking questions like that, planting such seeds of doubt into peoples minds, only serves to yet again, make HE families question their reasons and motives for Home Educating in the first place.
Now, I know what you are going to say...'that's not right, it was a simple question asking what people thought makes for a good environment to HE in blah blah'
The thing is, a large proportion of HE'rs are secretly paranoid - at least this is what I have discovered. They seem to feel the need to constantly defend their reasons and motives, and to almost defiantly stand by those beliefs, fearing a fall from grace should they actually change their minds about anything which may lead to their exclusion from the clique.
I have of course met some wonderful people, and find their views enlightening, helpful and honest. But sadly this does not extend to everyone I have met, who, quite catastrophically fall into the above mentioned category.

On the subject of homes..mine is adequate for it's purpose. I have a large family in a relatively small space. Downstairs is sufficient for various activities, but lack of space limits the number of people which can comfortably be in there at one time. We have a living kitchen - meaning that most of our actual living goes on in there. We cook, eat, learn, socialise, chat, gather, and play in there. It is the hub of our home. The garden is small, but more than enough for our younger family members. 
Sure, if given the chance, I would plump for a couple more bedrooms, an extra study downstairs and a much bigger kitchen. But I wouldn't be wishing that just to make HE easier.
If you are determined to Home Educate, then the last thing you should be worrying about is whether you have a suitable home to do it in (obviously if your home is nothing more than a damp cardboard box, then perhaps you have a point) because providing a suitable education for your child surely does not depend on how many bedrooms you have, or how large your living space is, or whether you have integral appliances in your kitchen...!

The TV debate

Recently, Channel 4 has put on some really interesting and educational programmes which Ethan and I have enjoyed watching, these include Rome Wasn't Built In A Day, http://www.channel4.com/programmes/rome-wasnt-built-in-a-day 
and The Elephant: Life After Death http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-elephant-life-after-death

There seems to be a feeling among some HE families and mainstream families too, that the use of a TV is unnecessary, and actually hinders the learning process in their children. To some extent I agree with this. I certainly do not allow my children to spend countless hours sat goggle-eyed in front of pointless moving pictures and excessive sound.
I do however, believe there are many benefits to having a TV - if only for occasional use. The documentaries which I find are varied and almost invaluable when used as visual support to any written work Ethan may be doing.
Recent topics have included The Romans (which includes visits to Roman villas, aqueducts and Roman baths), general biology and geography, including life processes, plant and animal cell function, and how the environment affects change to both animal and human life.
I have been able to find good supporting material, which allows Ethan to see what he has learned via textbooks, and practical experience, and it gives him a psychological break from books and talking about something (in his own words).

I can understand some of the reasons behind not wanting to have a TV in the house. It can and does teach violence, bad language, narrow viewpoints on some aspects of society, and promotes lethargy in general. And I don't think we have to search too hard to find adequate evidence supporting this. 
However, I am an advocate of active parenting. That is not to say that everything I do is done with the use of a Lycra jumpsuit and excessive bouncing about, or midnight dances round an elm tree dressed only in leaves and twigs. No. Instead I opt for the harder route. I do not ban a TV from my house. I see that as the easy option. Anyone can do that. Instead, I actively control what my children see and how much of it they see. 
There are 'no TV' times during the day, and at other times, it is only what I put on which is available to be watched.
Yes, it takes some planning, and vigilance (teenagers will always try to sneak a quick episode of Dr Who in when they think they can) but I believe it teaches them self control 
and responsible viewing...after all, when they eventually leave home for the big wide world I wont be there 24/7 will I?


Loz