Just before the start of the October Half Term we were sent a bundle of Oaka Books Topic packs. I was allowed to select a handful of packs to try at home with L. Helping to make learning fun, easy and engaging they were just what we needed.
I have made no secret of the fact L struggles at school. He gets so upset and it’s starting to dawn on him the holidays will be ending soon, so that upset is coming to the forefront of his mind. He worries that he’s not good enough and he finds the work so hard, he’s even more worried about a new teacher and a new school year. It’s hard to watch and I don’t know how to help. So we turned to Tutorful.
Continue reading A Little Help from TutorfulYou may remember that recently I shared the news that Reading Eggs had launched their first ever awards to celebrate the efforts of all the young learners who have been working so hard this year, against all odds and with a huge amount of upheaval. We’ve also started trying the programme ourselves and excitingly have the chance for you to win some of their fabulous workbooks.
Continue reading Reading Eggs – Review & CompetitionI’m feeling really weird about all the back to school messaging right now. I’m pleased he’s going back, he needs it, I’ve tried my best but ultimately I’m not a teacher and in a very poor substitute for playtime with his friends. I’m also sad he’s going back, I really will miss him. I’m worried too, worried it’s too much, too soon, concerned that it might lead to further lockdowns and the impact that would have.
Now I need to stress that these are just the rather muddled thoughts of a stressed out, worried, tired and confused mum. This is not a well balanced, researched and thought out view on the current state of affairs. I know very little about politics. I haven’t researched anything. I’m just trying to get by and writing helps.
I’m literally trying to write this review and help my one son with his school work for the day. It isn’t going well. It has taken nearly 15 minutes for me to get to this point whilst busy trying to explain a contraction. I didn’t know what a contraction was until this morning, well at least I didn’t know the name for one, look at me using contractions!
The thing is I’m fed up getting up at 5am so I can write in peace, doing school work all day, Monday to Friday then heading off to my day job all weekend. I am super lucky that I only have to worry about one child’s education and luckier still that my employer has let me my normal 4 days of mid week hours into the weekend. I am lucky and I know that. It doesn’t change the fact that I am tired, so very tired.
Continue reading Making Home Learning Fun with Busy ThingsAfter the Christmas break L was excited to get back to school and I was excited to get back a bit of normality, but it wasn’t to be. Well they went back for a day didn’t they! Depending on where you are in the country you’ll have faced differing messages and rules about the return to school but for us, we got one day back in the classrooms and then a mad scramble to arrange childcare and homeschooling. At least I was going to be organised with the Phomemo D30 Label Maker.
Well that’s it, he’s back to school. Today is the end of his first week and we have had a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Tears, anxiety, worry, excitement, joy. I won’t say it’s been great to have him back in school, but it hasn’t been bad either. Just another change to get used to. Overall it’s been tough but manageable.
I don’t know about you but as soon as the word homework is mentioned my kid just switches off. t can be hard to get them on board with completing more work when they have got home from a day of doing work at school. Understandably so and quite honestly I’m not sure how I feel about what is expected of my Year 1 child to complete after school, so we are finding fun ways to get round it. Poio is one of those fun things.
Continue reading Stopping Homework Battles with PoioChild or adult the back to school season is stressful. There is a lot to get organised and a lot of change. You would have thought L starting reception last year and having gone through a year of school I would be ready for Year 1 but I am just not.
Continue reading Helping Back to School Stress with ZenfloreI hate to admit this but it wasn’t that long ago I discovered ACE. We were sent some to try over the summer and I was converted. Then L started school and I realised that the stains were going to be a constant irritation.
