March and April have had to be much quieter months. As I got larger and closer to due date I ended up needing to use crutches and I felt rather fed up missing out a bit on the latest flowers (etc) to bloom – no nature walks for us.
The following are some of the things we have got up to over the past month. I break them down into rough “subject areas”, although we approach learning in a more holistic fashion.
Art & Craft and Early Years

A spot of clay work
Nin and Stinkers did a spot of clay work, amongst their usual activities of drawing, colouring and painting (typically watercolours).
Art, History and Sociology
We watched “Secret Knowledge: The Private Life of a Dolls’ House“, exploring the history of dolls houses, but also Lauren Child’s passion for them. Lauren Child is a favourite in our house and the programme also discussed how she draws inspiration from the miniature and how she puts together some of her illustrations and artworks (predominantly mixed media and, we learnt, often three dimensional and then photographed to be used in books).
Astronomy, Science
We watched The Total Solar Eclipse on LiveStream and discussed what causes a solar and lunar eclipse.
History, PSHE, Sociology and Politics
Sunday March 8th was International Women’s Day and following up on this we explored and discussed the experiences of women and girls across the world. We also watched “Suffragettes Forever! The Story of Women and Power” a three part series on BBC IPlayer exploring the following (amongst other things):
- the Levellers
- law/punishment
- Woolenstencraft
- Hannah Moore
- Women’s Society lobbying against the Slave Trade (boycotting sugar)
- Peterloo
- Great Reform Act
- Sheffield Female Political Society.
- Josephine Butler – campaigning regarding the treatment of prostitutes and the Contagious Diseases Act
- Bicycles
- The Primrose League
- Women’s Liberal Federation
- The matchgirls – horrific treatment – striked and allowed to form a trade union – one of the actions that led to the Labour Party
- The Women’s Social and Political Union – NUWSS – the Suffragettes.
Further to this we also discussed issues surrounding poverty and how some people in some places may be refused medical care due to lack of money.
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We’ve also been watching a series called “Back in Time for Dinner” following a family eating meals listed on the National Food Survey from the 1950s (and rationing) through to the 1990s, which led to interesting discussions about food, but also family dynamics and relationships.
Biology, History, Science and Zoology
Crufts was on at the beginning of March and we enjoyed watching the highlights from the various classes and discussing dogs in general (including learning something about working dogs and how breeds have developed over the many years that dogs have been associated with humans). We also learnt how dogs ‘see’ with their noses by watching: “How Do Dogs See With Their Noses” on TED Ed.
Early Years Education and Science
A bit of fun exploring colour with the little Stinkers. Nin already understands what happens when various colours of mixed, but it was an exciting activity for a 2 year old!
Biology, Geography, History, Mythology, Natural Sciences, Science, Religious Education and Zoology
Nin has been learning about native species of snakes using a number of sources, including: “BBC Nature: Adders“; exploring their habitat, diet, classification, etc.
To expand on this we began looking at the symbolism of snakes, starting with their use as the symbol of the British Medical Association, the “staff of Asclepius”. We also looked at the Hippocratic Oath (and who Hippocrates was) and the Oath of Maimonides as an alternative to it.
We then expanding upon this to explore some of the stories surrounding the various deities in the family tree of Asclepius (Apollo, Artemis, Panacea, Hygieia, etc), plus a general overview of the Greek deities. We also learnt about the gorgons.
Biology, Conservation, Gardening, Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences, Zoology
Nin has been planning bee and wildlife friendly areas to the garden. Some of the sites she has used are:
And more!
Maths
Nin continues using Conquer Maths, working through their programme of lessons, specifically on the following:
March
- Equivalent Fractions
- Simplifying Fractions
- Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions
- Improper Fractions to Mixed Numbers
- Fractions to Decimals I&II
- Decimals to Fractions
- Fractions and Decimals to Percentages
- Percentages to Fractions
- Percentages to Decimals
- Comparing Numbers as Decimals
April
- Angles – Types and Labelling
- Measuring Angles
- Shapes
- Rotational Symmetry
- Parts of a circle
- Types of Triangles
- Angle Sum of a Triangle
Of course there is also plenty of incidental maths to be had in day-to-day activities.
Foreign Language
Nin continues to use Duo Lingo to practice French and German.
Music
With a bit of a break over the Easter holidays, Nin has continued with guitar, recorder group and choir.
Misc
Sea Cadets twice a week, including her swimming with a buoyancy aid test (needed for her to be allowed to go on boating activities).
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There was probably more. I’m chalking it up as an achievement I made a note of as much as is written above! I have left out the gardening, because that’s for another post – there have been some home education specific gardening-based activities and also some other deliveries, which I’ll catch up with later.