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Archive for the ‘Learning’ Category

What did we do today then?

Another section of painting by number, no 33 was painted in her picture.

She decorated a plate which was a present she got for her birthday, which she enjoyed doing. In doing it, she learnt how to draw a basic flower, which she was VERY pleased with. Her copying skills have really erupted this week.

She copied the word Mummy out beautifully, and Asha. I will try and get a photograph of her work up this week sometime.

She sat and played in the lounge at making food, and copying letters using peices of wood. As the bits of the letters.

We read a Elmer the elephant book this morning which she loved.

We watched the closing ceremony of the olympic games and talked about Greece, and why the Greek flag was flown on the last day of the games.

greek flaf

We looked at the other flags flying – Peoples republic of China,

olympic rings

olympic flag and

union jack and said the significance of them. -

Asha wanted to know why the welsh dragon wasnt there… Umm anyone care explain!

Asha danced to the music, loved the big wheels the dancers the riding on and said she prefares gymnastics to the trapeze artists.. I was rather pleased about this!

She danced like the rather beautiful chinese dancers, and enjoyed herself.

So for a day which I felt awfull in, Asha seems to have rather an educationally sound day. Just a pity mummy felt like a bag of wet potatoes all day!

Popularity: 24% [?]

The GCSE system is supposed to educate people. And sometimes it does: facts and skills and methods and systems can all be picked up in the course of preparation for the exams. There are still plenty of good teachers and bright students. But if a desire for education gets in the way of the procedure – the “assessment objectives” that Francis Gilbert identified last week in his article about A-levels – then education loses. Like the all-important procedures that define call-centre operations, the means becomes the end. The purpose of a GCSE is the GCSE itself, and anything truly learned is a happy accident.

Which is good news for call centre managers, as a generation of youngsters learns that sticking blindly, rigidly to a syllabus or a procedure is the way to success and contentment. WB Yeats said that education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire. From many students today, proudly clutching their A* grades in English literature, the only response will be: “Yeats? Nah, we haven’t done him.”
(Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/22/schools.gcses)

“Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire”. yeats

Popularity: 27% [?]

Steve woke me in a panic, as he had forgotten we needed to catch the post office van this morning. We made it although I dont know how focused I was on the very short drive there.

Anyway, we then headed off to Bangor, and by the time I left the post office van car park, I was awake and ready for the August rain drive.  Its a beautifull drive through some of the most beautifull scenery in north wales (if you go via snowdonia) or its a stop start nightmare, if you follow the main roads around. Guess what i did.. Yep, I was in the stop start .. Untill brain cell kicked in, and off onto the back roads we went,,, Yes. It may be wet, windy, dull and horrid out. But even then Wales can look fantastic.

50 mins later, and the rain had eased off enough for us to get Asha’s play mate for the day, and we headed home and to Parc Glasfryn. Asha and L had a lovely afternoon on the soft play area. Then the two of them played in Asha’s play room – which she had spent time tidying for the occasion

I even managed a bath whilst the two of them were playing. My first uniterrupted bath for I really dont know how long!

Four o’clock and its back out into the madness, to return L to his parents, and the tourists, then to Tescos – well for S anyway, A and I sat in the car.

Home at last we explored another incredibably fast tea.. I really didnt realise how much freedom gluten and wheat gives you.. Chicken nuggets, peas and bread for tea!

I am seriously narked now, as I realise we spent about 40 mins a day extra careing for Asha than most parents do,.. as we have to home make EVERY meal normally!

Vicki xx

Popularity: 22% [?]

Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of “Pelops”, the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty.

Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it. The ancient stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.

The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.

“Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.”
Olympic Charter, Fundamental principles, paragraph 2

Olympic games five rings

The Olympic Truce

The tradition of the “Truce” or “Ekecheiria” was established in ancient Greece in the 9th century BC by the signature of a treaty between three kings. During the Truce period, the athletes, artists and their families, as well as ordinary pilgrims, could travel in total safety to participate in or attend the Olympic Games and return afterwards to their respective countries. As the opening of the Games approached, the sacred truce was proclaimed and announced by citizens of Elis who travelled throughout Greece to pass on the message.

truce logo

The Olympic Truce is symbolised by the dove of peace with the traditional Olympic flame in the background. In a world that is plagued by wars and animosity, the peace-dove symbol represents one of the IOC’s ideals to build a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal. The Olympic flame has brought warm friendship to all the people of the world through sharing and global togetherness. In the symbol, the flame is made up of colourful effervescent elements – reminiscent of festivities experienced in the celebration of the human spirit. These elements represent people of all races coming together for the observance of the Truce.

[ Source : http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/missions/truce/truce_uk.asp  ]

Popularity: 7% [?]

I have a right to live rather than exist.

I have a right to personhood rather than being an object of possession.

I have a right to equality with every other human being regardless of age.

I have a right to be respected with regard to my own worth.

I have a right to be uniquely myself with my own identity.

I have a right to speak my thoughts and feelings, and to be heard.

I have a right to ask “why” and to receive answers.

I have a right to receive discipline without hollering, discounts and putdowns.

I have a right to be encouraged to grow to maturity at my own pace.

I have a right to be free from physical harm at the hands of resentful people.

I have a right to be loved for being me.

I have a right, with valid guidance, to think for myself, and make decisions.

I have a right to be responsible for myself.

I have a right to feel joy, happiness, sorrow, bereavement and pain.

I have a right to be a winner.

I have a right to care and be cared for, to nurture and be nurtured, to give and to receive.

I have a right to form my own convictions, beliefs and standards.

I have a right to know and experience personal freedom.

I have a right to my own body, mind and soul, and to use them in a sharing experience.

I have a right to recognize and accept the rights of others regarding their Bill of Rights.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Just been sorting out two sets of scrabble I have been given in the last two months, to create one complete set.

After a while searching for what the letters aught to be in it, I found the wikki site, and thought I would copy the information into here, for anyone else with far too many boards but not sure what letters are needed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrabble_letter_distributions

English-language editions of Scrabble contain 100 letter tiles, in the following distribution:

• 2 blank tiles (scoring 0 points)
• 1 point: E ×12, A ×9, I ×9, O ×8, N ×6, R ×6, T ×6, L ×4, S ×4, U ×4
• 2 points: D ×4, G ×3
• 3 points: B ×2, C ×2, M ×2, P ×2
• 4 points: F ×2, H ×2, V ×2, W ×2, Y ×2
• 5 points: K ×1
• 8 points: J ×1, X ×1
• 10 points: Q ×1, Z ×1

This distribution of letters has not changed since Alfred Mosher Butts invented the game in 1938.

And welsh?

Welsh-language Scrabble sets use these 103 tiles:

• 2 blank tiles (scoring 0 points)
• 1 point: A ×10, E ×8, N ×8, I ×7, R ×7, Y ×7, D ×6, O ×6, W ×5, DD ×4
• 2 points: F ×3, G ×3, L ×3, U ×3
• 3 points: S ×3, B ×2, M ×2, T ×2
• 4 points: C ×2, FF ×2, H ×2, TH ×2
• 5 points: CH ×1, LL ×1, P ×1
• 8 points: J ×1
• 10 points: NG ×1, RH ×1

Since there are specific tiles for several of the common digraphs (such as DD), it is not permissible to use the individual letters to spell these out.

Omissions: the digraph PH exists in Welsh, but is used almost exclusively in mutated words, which the rules disallow; K, Q, X and Z do not exist in Welsh. Arguably J does not exist in Welsh either, but it is included as it is sometimes used for borrowed words.

Popularity: 15% [?]

I got to have a lie in this morning, whilst Asha and Daddy played and watched some TV downstairs.

When I got up Asha did some colouring in and then she did some word traceing from the sheets i downloaded from colourmountain. We have joined for 12 months, just for the ease. I guess 12 months subscription will be enough.

After a while Asha had decided she wanted some alfresco play with her colours and things, so we cleared her some space and she got on with it. Yes she put water in the glitter and just played with things.

After her glitter play, she watched a film, whilst we tidied up, she then did some computing, and typed in

mummy and daddy like asha

asha likes mummy and daddy

We all love each other.

Good enough computer skills for me:d

We then ate tea and we had a go of a board game granny recently got her, but without the rules it was a bit chaotic. Hopefully next time will be better. We have agreed after the bath to play her ducks game, and then story and bed. – another early night, wont be a bad thing!

Popularity: 18% [?]

I have uploaded two new PDF files tonight. One is information about some of the butterflies used in the RSPB summer project. The other is a short peice on the lighthouse “Roman Rock” in Simonstown, which Steve’s Grandad used to be the keeper for.

I hope you enjoy them both, as much as I have enjoyed creating them!

Vicki xx

Popularity: 20% [?]

Home education, de-schooling, education otherwise… There are loads of different terms used to describe those of us who educate outside the “school system” and then there is flexi schooling.

Where we live none of the shools do “flexi schooling”. But then our LEA has no information on its web site about home education either!

so what is home education? Well I have no interest in formal, 9-3 sat at a desk all day education. that isnt education for me, although there are some home edders who do that. for me home education is providing opertunity to learn, facilitating learning experiences and helping the child to develop there own cognitaive  and social skills.

Sounds good.. but in reality?  Well at the moment it is loads of play with outside toys, reading books, looking at insects and the world around us and enjoying life to the full.

And after camp, that has mainly involved sitting infront of the tv, as Asha has had something with milk in it,  and listening to the borrowers. She has listened to it as a book, a few weeks ago, listened to it as a tape this morning, and this afternoon she is watching it with daddy on T.V.

Tomorrow / later today, we may well make them a home :d

That is what I call home education.

Popularity: 25% [?]

For a while now, Asha has been battling with some of her smaller friends.

She loves them, but isnt happy with some of their behaviour (nor is mummy)

Asha now knows which behaviour she likes being around, and which she dosnt.

The result? She says if she wants to play or not.  And when she dosnt.. thats o.k.

Popularity: 23% [?]

After a week, nearly of incessent pain on mummys front. Very little sleep for Daddy, and Asha waking up most nights either crying due to cramp, or nightmares, we called it a day today.

Camp has been wonderfull, but we are all suffering too much. Mummy can hardly walk again. Asha now has a snotty nose. and daddy is rather bad tempered. The kids and other parents have been great. The hosts have been truly angels, in what they have done for us. And I am greatfull for all the help and support. But I am suffereing.

So what did we do today?

got up. Steve and Asha had breakfast, I cant face it at the moment. I had cake later!
Slowly packed up, sorting out the washing, and things on the way. Asha fell asleep on Daddy for a while. She also couldnt stand up on the trampoline, her poor legs are that tired.

We sat and talked a lot, as none of us have a rush in us!. Steve played with the kids, and I pottered a bit. Eventually we got everything in the car, and went and dropped off some clothes someone had left by mistake, on the way home. We also opted for tea at petes eats, as we realised we had nothing in, and I couldnt face a shop!

Exhausted we got home. Asha had first bath, then spent two hours fighting sleep.. The silly girl.

Night all!

Popularity: 35% [?]

Source BBC NEWS – 20th july 08

The DfT said from 2009, new biometric ID cards would be introduced for people who work airside in the country’s airports, “allowing an individual to be linked more securely to their own true identity, helping protect against crime, illegal immigration and terrorism”.

source BBC news- 20th july 08

Prison chiefs have dismissed renewed claims that a biometric identity system at a Scottish jail failed so badly it let inmates have a free run.

The issue was raised in a House of Lords exchange on biometric ID cards.

[Source: BBC News- 20th July 08 ]

The government has already spent £32m preparing for its ID card scheme even before it becomes law.

That means spending rose from £25,000 to £63,000 a day in the last six months of 2005, the Home Office said.

And now for the scarey stuff!

According to no2id,

To begin with you need to get them to come to you.

The government’s solution to that problem is to make

people report themselves when they get a passport.

As part of the creeping move to state identity control in Britain, ID interrogation centres are being set up all around the UK . To begin with there will be 69, on top of the existing Passport Offices. A company called Mapeley, which owns the offices of HM Revenue and Customs

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2263208.stm The Inland Revenue has confirmed that it sold its estate of more than 600 buildings to a company based in a tax haven, and admits it wrongly announced the properties were sold to a UK firm. ………..All are part of Bermuda-based Mapeley Holdings Limited, a company ultimately owned by George Soros and US group Fortress Investment)

(HMRC), was given the job of setting them up. Planning applications were mostly in by the end of 2006. Operations started tentatively in 2007, and by the beginning of 2008 over 50 centres were open.

from 2007 onwards when people as young as 16 apply for their first adult passport, they will* have to attend their nearest interrogation centre. There they will be subject to background checks, questioning to test their story against official records, photographs, and, before long, fingerprinting. Registration on the national ID database(s) – the ‘National Identity Register’ or NIR – will follow.

[Source: http://www.no2id.net/ Accessed July 2008]

Now consider this factor.

GP – medical records on database…

Social services records on data base

HMRC records on database.

Banking records on database.

Shopping records on database – tescos, clubcards

Some shops ask for postcodes when purchasing goods – pc world for vat recipts, Brantamo, for shoes. for example.

Leisure cards ownership = on database.

Library cards = on database.

Every book you purchase from a high street store, with credit cards, can be checked back.

If who you are becomes a problem, then so does your ID.

Popularity: 17% [?]

And today its rocket making..

Plastic bottle, cork, one bycle inner tube, and a small valve. Wow the effects were fantastic.

the kids loved them, the older kids. thought they were brilliant, and all the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

At night, we had a communal food, which we got to late, as we had to nip home to feed the cat. We did however stay up far too late, and have a great evening.

Popularity: 28% [?]

With a mug of coffee in one hand, and someone to enterain the little one.

Oh How I wish it would always be this easy.. It isnt even too windy, and rain, isnt happening.. yet.

After a late night and loads of playing, Asha even slept quite well, though her bed keeps going down, and she got cramp in the night..

The children just play play played today, and what a day they had.. Its great to watch

Imaginary Play or drinking the goodies

.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Yah its our first ever home edd camp.

Its on Anglesey, and I am sure its going to be LOADS of fun..

Job done, car packed.. Ouch oww its off to camp we go…

Popularity: 14% [?]

Woke mummy up at around 3 am, she ended up in my bed.

We kind of slept.. At 7 am, mummy got in her own bed, and I opted for getting daddy up.

Daddy and I played, and then I went to see the baby next door but one, and was given a beautifull dress.

After a while, Mummy called me home for lunch, and then shortly after a friend came to play. T and I played really well and had a fantastic time!.

When he went home I watched a percy the park keeper video with my mummy, and we read some more, before bed.

We had a scrummy tea, with tiffin and carrot cake for pudding, no wonder i wasnt hungry at bedtime!

Popularity: 12% [?]

Today, we were sitting sewing sewing cards in bed this morning. It was lovely.
This afternoon we sat in a cafe, and did reading and sticker book together, which was really good. Words such as Mountain, Lake and Flag rolled off her lips! And to cap it all off, we then got one of the waitresses to do some welsh with us, and Asha thanked her in welsh..

After our fantastic time in the cafe, Asha was praised further in Tescos, for being a great sociable little girl. who is obviously trying to speak welsh.
This evening we sat and watched Kipper together that was lovely.
To night, we sat and did some welsh, and that was fun.
Bedtime. Asha was a devil.. but I think she has fallen asleep reading.. Now thats is great!

Vicki xx

Popularity: 20% [?]

Asha has been catching frogs and generally pond dipping today.

She was mesmerised by the tiny frogs and really did want to catch one, but wasnt too keen on falling in the pond.

We also looked at trains, dolls and gardens. A quick sneak around a victorian kitchen… Can you guess where we met Granny?

We also got a copy of astrid Lindgren – Pippi Longstocking… now illustrated by Laruen childs.. Asha has loved it soo far,

Popularity: 24% [?]

After a few year of consideration I have finally decided to start acting as a “stall holder” as they are a great publisher and I love there illustrations and subjects.

I hope you enjoy them as much as Asha and I do!
Go on, have a look.

Vicki xx

Popularity: 30% [?]

Cheshire Show.

I went to my first cheshire show today. I missed it the year I was born, and mummy and daddy were busy the following two years.
It was in tabley which is near knutsford, so we had to leave the house at 8am. So rarely these days, daddy had to wake me up!

After what seemed like minutes in the car, I fell asleep. We arrived there. Mummy then got me dressed, and we had a sandwich.
Mummy had parked in the disabled area, and we slowly trundled over the the kiosk. Where we bought our tickets. We then met granny
by the cheshire hounds. The dogs were noisy. Granny then paid for me to have a go on the bouncy slide, but a boy tripped me up and I fell
down the steps. Shaken we went for a walk around. After some time, we found some fun things to look at, sheep, goats and apache. They were cute
I also saw big horses, cows and baby calfs. Mummy took me into the poultry tent, and we looked at the flat bills of the ducks, the small hooks
of the pigeons, and there wonderfull chests which puffed out. Mummy also told me when she was little she held a baby chick at the cheshire show.
I was watching them with my mummy. We looked at an array of egg yolks, the range in colour yellow was fascinating.

I spent some time playing on the fair ground, I went on the carosel, and train. I also climed into an Airport fire engine, it was a lot bigger than
the one which toppled over in portmadog recently. After making mummy a bouquet with granny, we had pork butties whilst listening to the school band.

I am sure i have missed a lot out of this.

Asha

Popularity: 30% [?]