Support thread for new home educators

[ToffeeWhirl]

There seem to be a lot of us around at the moment, so I thought it might help us all to have a place where we can swap ideas, chivvy each other along on the bad days and cheer for each other on the good days.

I have two boys, the oldest is 12 and is just starting out in home education. My youngest is 6 and is still at school. Fortunately for me, he has just told me he's missing school and looking forward to going back .

We have had a good summer, with lots of dog walking, excursions, get-togethers with friends and family and minimal rules on television watching and computers. I have had a lovely time ordering books for our home ed library (failed to reign myself in on this ) and planning what we are going to study .

The plan at the moment is for DS1 to do a bit of Science, Maths and English every morning. He has a tutor for English once a week and we are going to get him a Maths tutor too. We will spend the rest of the time doing projects, reading together, practising handwriting, art, etc etc. Fridays are going to be 'free' days for informal learning, such as excursions.

I have been in touch with the local HE groups and we are planning to meet up with other HE families.

I'm spending some time today organising everything - plans, timetables, files, folders, lapbooks, etc. We have a visit from the LEA next Thursday, which gives me a good deadline to work towards.

I would love to hear how the rest of you newbies are getting on. And words of wisdom from the more experienced home educators are very welcome too!

[TyrannosaurusBex]

Never said anything negative about teacher to head, tried to sort things out with her, although I did say to Y3 teacher that DD 1 had lost a lot of ground over previous year: funnily enough any hostility has been from her side towards me, I tried to build bridges when DD 1 was in her class. I think she has me down as an over-involved mother, as due to DD1's unhappiness at school I chair the PTA and became a TA there - my way of bridging the gap between home and school. Hey, she may be right!

There are 20 in the class and there was no TA in that lesson. If it was DD1 I would wonder if it was embellished, but not DD2 - she even clarified earlier when I thought the teacher had been harder on her than was the case. Have decided to speak to teacher first tomorrow, but will also mention it to head when we meet about something else. It's a bit of a tangled web at school, being involved in several capacities. (As well as proving mean teacher right!)

I really hope your DD feels better about reading at school this week. I know what you mean about choosing your battles!

[mam29]

Tbex ahh schools a political battle/mine feild.

I could be wrong hopefully that teachers more mature and proffesional that that.

Im not a teacher so never been in staffroom but always get impression they probably in course of conversation discuss parents and probably label us -im neurotic nutter maybe after last term!

good luck with the word hopefully its something blown out of proportion.I suggest praise sandwich approach something along lines of so glad dd2 got you this year nice to see freindly familier face , dd exited about new year but was bit confused and upset by something that happened other day and wondered if dd was being oversensitive as you know how kids are.If shes at fault im guessing she will appear on edge at being pulled up on it.

then if really cant solve it quiet word with head but early days maybe worth talking to year 3teacher too if you know her.

Plus im sure you know this as ta yourself but gifted and talented comes uder senco umbrella so whos the senco co-ordinater?

Im on school pta too so have regular contact with teachers and head but rarly my dds class teacher , r1 teacher same allusive bunch getting one afternoon off for paperwork and lots sickness.

I havent done guided reading or help with trips as dont have the time.

This term im doing breastfeeding support at clinic, primary pta and preschool commitee.

Im trying to be positive about this week.
was weird just doing half week last week.
meeting year 2teacher after school tommorow as shes doing meet and greet although have worked with her during pta discos and film club.

roll on bedtime love kids but the 6am start and full on all day worn out.

just had tea . about to do more tidying.
run as baby decided to get hold of some batter mix that toddler had made to make pancakes whilst eldest did maths with carol.

Hes covered so need to run bath for all 3 dirt magnets.

eldests now finishing last in section of maths with carol.
the she wants to do another bbc science game.
we rereading school book
I need to finish of few more chapters of alfie the werewolf at bedtime get all 3 asleep before ironing 2lots of uniform, making packed lunches and hopefully bath for me, teh watch tv and write up my proposal.

[Helenagrace]

Maybe it's a personality clash? DS had one with his teacher last year. Tbh so did I. She decided on day 2 that he was naughty and not bright. The SENCO (who'd been his teacher the year before) told her that her teaching was at fault and he was bored. His teacher tried to get him off the G&T programmes for maths & English but she was overruled by the HT. She didn't even want me to help in her class. The SENCO snapped up my offer of help in her class again and I worked all year with the lower ability Y1 maths group. His new teacher asked me at the end of last year if I'd help in her class. What a difference a year makes!

I was so relieved when she went on mat leave. The replacement teacher was fabulous.

Thus year couldn't be more different! DS is getting different work in many lessons and we've already been told not to bother with the reading scheme books he's being given as they only want him to do the comprehension in the group reading session. He's the only one off the reading scheme. She's also asked if we want extra maths and we showed her what he's doing (his sister's Y4 mental maths book) and she said to carry on with that. It feels like a real partnership. He leaves at the end of Y2 anyway so I think I'll HE him then and use this year to concentrate on DD's needs.

[TyrannosaurusBex]

Bloody Hell, Helena, your ds's last teacher sounds way worse than my Dd's! Great that this year is so different... Think the personality clash is between teacher and me, tbh. Shouldn't make a difference in an ideal world, but since when was school an ideal world?

Mam, you've got more on the go than I have, and I feel like I'm spinning plates!

[ToffeeWhirl]

Tyrannosaurus - yes, the sleepover is a huge step forward for DS1. You probably have seen me on threads about him over the years, as we have had all sorts of ups and downs and desperate times. He has suffered debilitating anxiety (including school phobia) and OCD since he was nine. After one term at secondary, he had a sort of collapse and couldn't even leave the house or meet up with a friend, even at home - so for him to spend so long with a bunch of boys, some of whom he didn't even know, is nothing less than astonishing. Needless to say, he was tearful and beside himself with tiredness this evening, but it has been a big confidence boost for him.

That teacher you are talking about sounds just awful and you don't sound petty about it at all. It sounds as if she was really unfair on your DD, especially making her miss playtime to make up work. I hope discussing it with the Head makes a difference. If not, I don't blame you for considering taking DD2 out of school as well. Having watched my son suffer through years with awful teachers (and, equally, blossom under the good ones), I just don't think it's worth the trauma.

mam - yes, I hope the sleepover will help DS1 continue to take steps forward with socialising. He told me they all went to the playground after breakfast this morning. A few months ago, he had gone to the same playground with a couple of the same boys and he was so frightened he said that his legs were shaking . This time, he didn't think twice about it.

Hope all goes well with Yr 2 'meet and greet' tomorrow. I agree with you about the staffroom conversations. I'm sure they have had me down as a neurotic mum too.

You have a lot of commitments! I don't know how you do all that, look after your DC and home educate as well .

Helen - that teacher sounds appalling. Thank goodness she went. I'm glad it is going so well this year (as you say, a partnership between school and parents).

Well, I have managed to get a very tired DS1 to have an early night and now I'm enjoying my new favourite hobby, which is Googling resources for his home education. I have prepared his box of work for tomorrow. We are going to start on the Tudors after lunch and I've decided to begin by reading from 'Terrible Tudors', so that he gets the full horror of life in Tudor times (sewers in the streets, no proper medicine, etc). Am then going to show him a book from the library featuring photographs of Tudor objects - a loo, a 'hornbook', a bed and so on. Once he's hooked , we'll move onto the Battle of Bosworth, which means we can watch reconstructions (will incorporate that useful YouTube clip you mention, Helen), look at life as a Tudor soldier (have a book from the library called 'Tudor War') and discuss the importance of the outcome of the battle. I thought I'd touch on the Princes in the Tower too, as that is like a murder mystery and I think DS will feel for the young boys and their plight. Might get him to write it up as a newspaper article, as that will encompass English too.

I think we should have fun with the Tudor history before looking at the more serious stuff such as evidence and sources. That is home ed's advantage over school - we have the time to spend on the fun stuff, not just on ticking curriculum boxes.

DS1 has an English lesson with his tutor first thing tomorrow, so I will at least get a bit of time to sit down and read (my equivalent of your DD's trampolining, Helen).

Have our regular meeting with DS's CAMHS psychiatrist tomorrow. Last time I saw her, she was recommending special schools and mainstream schools with special units for him. I don't think she's going to be too happy that we have de-registered him, but I hope that, when she sees how much he's improved already, she will understand why we have done it.

[MoreCatsThanKids]

Hi - am mostly lurking as I dont have anything to report but just wanted to say good luck with CAMHS tomorrow toffee and I wish I was doing Tudors tomorrow with you - my favourite subject! Always found Princes in Tower facinating too - the whole Richard the third 'debate' .
Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow - I will get round to a proper intro for those who dont 'know' me one of these days - always on here late and too tired to type anything that makes sense -

[Colleger]

I have decided that home ed in our house will be learning through reading, talking and documentaries. Apart from music practice, if DS wants to do something more hands on then he can but, for my sanity, I think this will be the best way to go....

[ToffeeWhirl]

Thanks for the good luck wishes, MoreCats. I'm not surprised the Tudors are your favourite subject - I have really enjoyed researching their history over the holidays. Did you know a carpark in Leicester is being dug up because experts think it might be where Richard III's body is buried? That's another aspect that might grab DS1's attention.

Colleger - that sounds like a good plan, especially if anything else is making life difficult and stressful for you both.

Have just grabbed some toast after the school run and now have to persuade DS1 to get dressed so we can walk round to his tutor's house for his English lesson. He's starting on 'Romeo and Juliet' today.

[mam29]

Toffee whirl-good luck with cahms and the new tutor.

I havent done much on tudors since secondry as went king henry v11 school every school house as one of the wives her killed.
Like I said when you google teaching tudors so much comes up.

Now im really exposing my inner geek here but when me and my best freind were 13 we loved history and join this www.yac-uk.org/ we got to do a dig was great fun.

Ahh im shattered and not even 10am yet

dropped eldest off on time despite leaving house late, house looks like small bombs hit it.

dd2 in preschool uniform and ready she doesnt start until 12.35.

so im off up high street to libary as need reading challenge signed off as was shut when went last week and run coffee morning at breastfeeding group before dropping dd2 off preschool rushing home trying to clean do wahing and back at school to pick both girls up at 3.15 back home for quick tea then back out for rainbows as 1st one back for eldest.

I sound busy but breastfeeding groups one morning a month
pta and preschool committee be 1meeting per month and extra if events on. I try to bake for monthly cake sale but im rubbish at it.
No events until december I hope.

So i do about 4-5hours a month helping various things
rest of my frazzled existance is housework balancing 3, homeork, clubs and numerous school/nursery runs.

Hope everyone has good day looks like rain with me sadly.

must say its lovley thread to see how schools work in comparision with home ed and fact some of you doing a mix really useful info.

[ToffeeWhirl]

First bad day here. Was bound to happen sooner or later. DS1 absolutely refused to go to the tutor's house and said he was too anxious to go. He was very rude and absolutely infuriating, but, doubtless is still recovering from his sleepover. However, that does not mean he doesn't have responsibilities to other people, as I pointed out. I had to phone the tutor to cancel (he was very kind about it), then ended up walking out of the house to avoid DS1 who was shouting and swearing at me because he claimed this was all my fault . He trailed after me at a distance and we eventually talked it through in a nearby park. Trying to get through to him that he can't just decide not to do something was hard work though. He blames everyone else but himself and doesn't think anyone else suffers as he suffers.

Anyway, we have hugged and made up and are now taking a break from each other before lessons start. I suggested he write to his tutor to apologise (this means a quick lesson on informal letter writing ), which he's agreed to do. We'll then continue as we would have done, but a bit late.

I also had DS2 wailing at me this morning because I have booked him into an afterschool dance and drama club with his best friend and he doesn't want to go. I can't do anything right today!

Thanks for the good wishes, mam. I can't wait to get onto Henry VIII and his poor wives. It's such an incredible story.

I used to get my boys to do the reading challenge. It was great fun getting all the little presents and then receiving the certificate at the end. DS1 loved it until he was about 10, then began to think it was 'uncool'. DS2 won't have anything to do with it, unfortunately. I think he's influenced by his big brother.

Rainy here too. Where has all that lovely sunshine gone?

[treedelivery]

Hello!!

I'm new to the thread and HE

I have a dd nearly 8 and one in preschool too.

Here are our plans:

Our plan is to do some structured teaching but only as and when it works for the house - be that dd, me or dh. SO for example, I had lots of ideas for this week regarding teaching, however dd has infact gone to her nannas and had an extended weekend. So that's cool, she was up at 7 feeding chickens and looking after the dogs which is pretty cool and not to be interfered with.

For the structure 7 science, we plan to use Galore Park science book with a Schofield and Simms workbook to bulk it up and provide a plenary/extension/check for learning. We have already done about 75% of the magnets section, and we were able to bring in IT and numeracy by making charts of our experiement. Also a tiny bit of literacy as I had her write up her experiement. It was very cute . She enjoyed the learning, as she always does with anything science based.
I've got some iron filings so it will be interesting to see how she explains and describes the visable forcefield of a magnet a week after the actual study. If she uses some of the technical language and remembers about force fields and poles I'll be chuffed. The we can move on to compasses


Maths will also be Galore Park, although I need to buy the book but have no ££ . In reality a few weeks doing some timestables and mental maths wouldn't go amiss, but not sure either of us can face it! I might borrow the magnet experiement findings to begin to look at percentages. Hmmm.

English is my nemesis. SHe doesn't like writing, reading for meaning and all that jazz. SHe isn't a good at spelling and isn't too worried about that fact, hand writing is wild and slow and tedious. However she has a reading age of 12-14 and is reading a famous five every 2 days. I have no idea what I'll do when she finishes the 21 there are!
SO literacy is up in the air. We made a large 'story mountain', got fully crafted out and did lots of cutting etc. I plan to use that to help explain how a story develops, if getting her to write her own is too big an ask right now.

I bought the Schofield and Simms english assessment, so that will tell me which of their books she is ready for. I reckon it will be level 2, as I am pretty sure she has no notion of what a verb or an adverb is. Maybe we'll just do those until we become inspired?!?

I've met the HE group too. Hopefully I'll be able to take her to a HE local sport group although it's tricky due to work. I think I am the only working HE-er in the whole world!

I'm sorry for your hard day Toffee. I hope all is ok.

[treedelivery]

Wow long post!

[ToffeeWhirl]

Hello, treedelivery. I recognise your name (maybe from the HE board?). I like the sound of your 'flexible structured learning' . It sounds as if you are doing loads of interesting stuff anyway. I'm sure her spelling will come on naturally if she is reading so well. Much better to soak it up by reading than by laboriously doing spelling anyway. Re: writing - I suppose you just have to keep providing opportunities for her to do little bits of writing for fun, eg shopping lists, diary, writing clues for a treasure hunt and so on. My DS2 (same age) does a lot of writing when he's setting up games for him and his friends. He writes clues and codes. He isn't really thinking about the writing - it's just a means to an end.

We are using a lot of Galore Park stuff too, though it's for my 12-year old, so not juniors. I like it for its solid structure, but I do have to add lots of other stuff to lighten it up a bit - I don't know if this is still the case for their junior books. For instance, I'm not even going to open the Galore Park History book until we've had some fun looking at Tudor life.

It's fantastic that your DD has such a good reading age. You can make lots of trips to the library and she'll be able to soak up knowledge from all the books she can read.

How do you fit in work and HE? I know people manage it, but I'm so grateful that I'm not working and can devote all my time to the HE at the moment. It must be a tremendous juggling act.

Thanks for your kind words about my difficult morning. It has got better. DS1 has written his apology to the tutor and we will deliver it by hand this afternoon. He has also done some Maths. He was a bit startled when I said he would have to work later today because we have lots to do and we started late thanks to this morning's palaver. He would happily watch telly all day if I let him.

Having a brief break for lunch now.

Going back to the Maths in a minute, then Science, then the Tudors. Then it's time for our regular trip to CAMHS where I will have to break it to them that we have deregistered...

[treedelivery]

Good luck with that

DD's consultant paed went pale when we told him she was coming out of school

I'm really glad your day has got better though and he did well writing his note. We are on the junior books and book 1 at that, so the science and maths one seems ok. Like you say, does need jazzing up and stretching over a long time

I have no idea how work and HE goes together. It probably doesn't, but it will simply have to. I work shifts which makes it all just a little bit harder too.

I remind myself that of the 5 hours at school, actual teaching and learning time - on academic subjects - is probably around an hour in 3 20 min blocks. So one-on-one teaching woth similar times ahould be ok, baring in mind she is only year 3.

So I guess I'll wing it and see

We are HE to secure her happiness and mental well being. I'd like to think she will surge ahead and do very well academically, but actually, all I want is for her to be giggly and happy and chilled. So that is aim number one. The rest I'll suss out. We are awaiting referral to CAMHS, she may well be at Oxbridge by the time they see her

I am having great fun fantasy box file shopping. I saw an absolute beauty but it was £38!!

[mam29]

Toffee whirl-so sorry you having bad day-it could just me overtiredness not so much physical but mental as was big deal for him to socialise and have a sleepover plus tutors a new thing most kids are anxious new situations no matter what their age.

Sometimes once thrown a wobbly i feel better let it all out although frustrating for those on receiving end.

That link was club me and freind joined we even got to do a dig close to us sadly dident find gold but was interesting to do.
History is my highest grade gcse and always been one of my favourite subjects.

Hope afternoons good.


welcome tree delivery-nice to see a few structured home ed as most uk ones on blogs seem to prefer autonomy i think advantages of either method and could combine bit of both

I love look of galore park but it above my year 2 child so saving up for singapore maths and science instead. Maye in few years time.

good luck with home ed sounds like good plans.

Well baby bit underweather so slept this moring and toddler dident mash any small babies at group.

Then went to libary and got summer reading challenge signed off.
they got medals, swim voucher and certificate.
todder very pleased then had to dash preschool she was exited about idea of going but at nursery shes nightmare dropping off so was anticipating tears.

But she went rushing in , hung stuff on peg, chatted to staff saying wanted to paint, showed off her medal and said ye mummy see you later-wasent expecting that.

On way out saw all infants in playground couldent see my ddd probably just as well as once looked and saw her by herself in playground and felt so sad about it .

Did see head , he smiled said hello et hes baffled about thursday appointment as dident tell receptionists what its about maybe if he thinks in his head its worse than actually is he be reliveed and agree.

My mam was like that when told her i was smoking. she thourght I was pregnant-was 18 at time must add not 14.

so now baby having some quiet play whilst I do big whirwind tidy before I pick up both girlies, thank god its same site but does look like rain.

eldest be pleased when sees her medal and certificate.
cant do much tonight as she has rainbows but hoping she has new book and teacher read my note in homework book.

Im sat here think why do they have to grow so flipping fast.
Had interesting conversation with libary staff think they have me down as deranged hippy and mad woman with 3kids, back there by myself to print off stuff wed for thursdays meeting.

so need new printer would enrich my life as keep seeing free printables.

[treedelivery]

Hello mam29 - thank you for the welcome.

My dd has just left year 2 and is fairly ok with the junior Galore parks books, although they are certainly a dip in and out of type thing, have you looked at the 'so you really want to learn junior' ? They are aimed at key stage 2, I feel the science book 1 is pretty ok. If you look on the galore website it lets you see a few pages.

[ToffeeWhirl]

The psychiatrist was fine about us deregistering , though concerned about DS1 becoming socially isolated. I reassured her with our plans for trips out with friends and meetings with other home educators. She gave us some useful contacts, including someone who does 'farm therapy', which DS1 might be interested in.

Worked DS1 very hard this morning, spurred on by anger at his behaviour this morning. Then I made him help me tidy up the kitchen afterwards . Will include that under 'life skills' .

We did Maths, Biology (taught him the acronym, MRSGREN, so that he could remember the seven life processes) and then Tudor History. He loved hearing about the gory facts, so that seems to have been a good entry into Tudor times for him. Am going to continue reading 'Horrible Histories' to him later in the week.

Starting on the life processes of plants tomorrow. Thought I'd show him a time-lapse video of a plant moving (it can be difficult to understand why plants qualify as having 'movement' until you see that).

Need to plan what we're doing for English and Maths tomorrow, but just off to collect DS2 now. I wonder how the drama club went...

[morethanpotatoprints]

ToffeeWhirl
Wow what a fun packed day, ours wasn't or doesn't sound so productive.

We did spelling list for the week and sentences. Then violin lesson (teacher arrived).
I played (rubbish piano) to accompany singing practice, then saxophone lesson from dh.
Went to chemist during lunch but ran over waiting for prescription. So due to reading so many helpful threads on here did 10 mins of adding subtracting whilst waiting.
We started Italian but couldn't get docs to open so need to look at cd, had stand by though and did powerpoint on family relationships.
We were then supposed to do more Maths or English but left it there as so tired.
Then took dd to dance class (Ballet and National).
She is now listening to the virtues of Coleman Hawkins, Dexter Gordon and Charlie Parker, dh loves home ed, lol.
She still needs to do her diary, read to me and then I'll read to her before bed. See you all later.

[Colleger]

7am Breakfast
7:30am bassoon practice
8:00am maths (15 sums) Rosetta French (5mins)
Read books of his choosing inbetween breaks - its never forced or suggested!
9:00am bassoon
9:30am composing - his choice
Lost an hour so not sure what happened between 10-11am EEK!
11am computer - blowing people up. Sigh...
12noon lunch
12:30pm Latin tutor
1:30pm reading
2pm bassoon practice
2:40pm piano practice
3pm documentary
4pm bassoon practice
4:30pm reading
6-9pm blowing people up...

So 2.5 hours music practice, 1 hour Latin and 20mins academic work. The rest was him reading, PC, eating. In fairness, I have the flu and none of the home ed groups have started back but what a waste of a day!

[morethanpotatoprints]

Colleger.

Show off.
I think your bassoon practice time is fab, you are either detached house, have brilliant neighbours or are very brave.
I thought you were going to say you had done very little as your last post I saw just mentioned Latin tutor. I remember thinking you sounded so laid back and stress free, also wishing I could be the same. Sorry you are poorly chuck, get better soon.

[Helenagrace]

Today we did 45 minutes of 11+ maths (pie charts and graphs) then 45 minutes English (mostly spelling strategies). After a break we did some reading then an hour of WW2 history (lead up to war, timeline, reading some mass observation diaries and some Internet radio archive clips). Then we ended up with Geography on the weather. We found the last weeks midday readings from our nearest weather station. Tomorrow we are doing manual graphs with this and then excel work creating multi-variable graphs.

Tomorrow afternoon we start making DD's dress for her DT project!

We had a bit of grumping about geography but mostly today was good.

[ToffeeWhirl]

more - I am impressed that you fitted in 10 minutes of mental maths whilst waiting in the chemist. Mind you, I did get DS1 to add up the cost of our shopping in the local shop this afternoon, thinking it tied in neatly with his mental maths practise today. I wouldn't normally do that; the home ed is making me see educational opportunities everywhere.

Colleger - waste of a day? Blimey. If DS1 did half that I'd think he'd been taken over by aliens. I am reassured to see that your DS spends a significant amount of time on the PC which makes me feel less guilty about my own son. Very sorry you have flu, by the way. I hope you can rest. Don't do what I did and keep going regardless (ended up with pneumonia a few weeks ago).

Helen - that looks like a really good and varied day again . Are you enjoying it?

Am so impressed by those of you with musical children. DS1 tried Suzuki violin when he was five and it was an experience never to be repeated for either of us. DS1 does have a good voice and he sang to me this evening. I keep praising him for it and he's growing in confidence. I would love it if he wanted singing lessons one day, but he gets anxious at the thought and won't let me pursue it for him.

I have sorted out the Maths for tomorrow (just revision of stuff to get DS1 back in the mood) and we'll work through a Galore Park exercise for English. We are doing Art (history of) in the afternoon. I thought we'd read through the beginning of Usborne's 'Introduction to Art', then have a browse through the National Gallery website. Am hoping to persuade DS1 to visit the gallery one day, but that'll be a big challenge for him.

[Colleger]

A very good maths series for 9-14 year olds is Peter Robson, Maths for Practice and Revision books 1-5. It goes from the basics up to some GCSE topics in a very easy, no nonsense way to understand and to teach, although a child could potentially self teach.

We are currently working on books 1 and 3 at the same time but literally only doing between 10 and 15 sums from each. My son has always struggles with maths so I needed to go back to basics. My gifted son ate these books up when he was only five so it's a good all round book for the strugglers and the able.

My biggest issue is trying to teach Hist/geo/English etc. Give me science and maths and I'm fine but I wouldn't know where to start with the former and as such we've not done anything. I'm contemplating an English tutor.

[Colleger]

A very good maths series for 9-14 year olds is Peter Robson, Maths for Practice and Revision books 1-5. It goes from the basics up to some GCSE topics in a very easy, no nonsense way to understand and to teach, although a child could potentially self teach.

We are currently working on books 1 and 3 at the same time but literally only doing between 10 and 15 sums from each. My son has always struggles with maths so I needed to go back to basics. My gifted son ate these books up when he was only five so it's a good all round book for the strugglers and the able.

My biggest issue is trying to teach Hist/geo/English etc. Give me science and maths and I'm fine but I wouldn't know where to start with the former and as such we've not done anything. I'm contemplating an English tutor.

[ToffeeWhirl]

Thanks for that recommendation, Colleger. I have just added Book 1 and the answer book to my Amazon wishlist (am trying not to spend any more money on home ed at the moment, but weakened by buying a handwriting practise book last night, so really have to hold back from anything else for now).

An English tutor sounds like a good idea if it's not a subject you feel confident in teaching yourself. I will certainly need to do that for Maths.

Hopefully, today will be quite straightforward. I am most worried about teaching Art History, but decided this morning that we'd focus on Leonardo da Vinci after we'd looked at the National Gallery. That fits in nicely with the Tudor History topic and I have a lapbook printed out on him already.

Just off to share croissants for breakfast with DS1 , then we'll start by reading.