eye on the ball

I can often focus on what's not working which is what the last post was about. Now I'll swing the other way and celebrate the learning that has gone on in the last week. We are doing less structured stuff which may be why my mind is free to spiral off into its doubts! Another stage of deschooling I imagine.

Waterloo Park in Norwich. We sketched, we drew patterns, we caught insects, the girls played in the sand. We explored the effect of the sun on the different colours, materials, textures around us simply sensing with bare feet and hands. We caught tadpoles and brought a handful home who have had stories written about them, have been heavily researched in the library and on the web to make sure their environment is appropriate for continued growth.

Our biggest (I must find a pseudonym for these gorgeous kids!) prefers not to be taught. She likes to find out on her own. She starts and stops hundreds of thought trains in a day and once she's got her teeth into one she's off; reams of studying, picturing, describing. She has had success with a maths book but no other workbook so far.

Our middle is pretty much up for anything. She loves craft, cuddling and animals (not necessarily in that order!) She is happy to engage with most things we present to her, so much so that I want to hold back and let her find her own direction with things. There are four other family members who would present her with stuff all day, delighting in her amiability, but then she craves quiet time to assimilate and remember who she is.

We've written out a time line 1900 to present day looking at the different birth years of close friends/family.

We've read, written, counted, sang, danced, stretched, weeded, planted, watered, cried, laughed, been thankful, been sad, fought, hugged, hidden. We've cooked, eaten, watched, listened, created, travelled, played, imagined, dreamed, typed, phoned, swung, batted, discovered, asked, rested.

Its nice to see that written down!