Author: annebieleski

I am an ex primary teacher... ex because of regulations saying that you have be fully registered within 5 years of graduating and I only ever worked part-time due to art school, a science job... life. (Now temporarily not an ex teacher as I have re-done my qualifications but still haven't gone back to a classroom). I was never going to be a conventional teacher, I wanted to be like my Mum who was a most awesome teacher and had the freedom to teach how she wanted. I am intellectually interested in education. I have spent 20 something years working in early childhood... part time of course! I had nearly 6 years learning alongside Helena at Playcentre. My daughter has refused to go to school so I am fortunate enough to spend time watching her do her stuff and trying some experiments on her. I think learning is easy and happens all the time for every one which is what I want to show on this blog. And it turns out Homeschooling is just fun.

in the pursuit of science 2…

Equipment: Books Internet Method: We are doing the KCC challenges and one is find a new bug. So we’ve been keeping our eyes open for interesting bugs and we found this one.. Next step: what is it? We look up in Explanatorium of Nature (awesome book) which we have out of the library and identity its parts….

in the pursuit of science 1…

Equipment Car Chalk Blocks Ramp Method Make a ramp one block high and roll a car down it, seeing how far it goes and mark the position with a chalk. Repeat but this time make the ramp two blocks high. Theory: “my theory is that maybe with one less block the car wouldn’t go so…

the great loquat war

This is hours of work….. First there was the walk with a stool, as you do, up the road to raid the low hanging branches of a loquat tree (as identified by a child) that hangs over the footpath. This required conversations about baskets, relitive size of baskets – big scale negotiations, which soft toys…

measurement

Why do studies on measurement? Just give them the Guinness Book of Records, which really is no more than a teaching tool … We harvested a cauliflower, that actually looked like a shop one, from the garden. Child rushes off to find the picture that she knew was there of the biggest one 27.48kgs.. weighs…

learning from one’s peers

Helena had to, and wanted to, write a birthday card for her cousin. She had plans about the layout and getting to draw hearts but her friend was here…. fortunately for everybody her enthusiasm and joy about the task was enough to entice her friend (who is not a big drawer or writer) to the…

Favorite video…better than David Attenborough

This is Helena’s favourite DVD. She is having another age rather than get more chapters of famous 5. I never watched it, you get given it by plunket? when you have a baby, but once Helena found it… I’ve possibly watched it more than our David Attenborough. Helena gets excited every time she sees it…

Long term projects…

I hate them… Well not all of them, and it’s more the deciding which are the ones to follow through with. We are doing the KCC 30 challenges. KCC is the Kids Conservation Club and the challenges are due to it being the 30th anniversary of Forest and Bird. The challenge in question is the…

Noticing stuff…

Helena had an asthma episode (she has been hospitalised several times) last weekend and had to have redipred but no hospital. A few days later this…. This is written on a clipboard from her medical kit which has also been dragged out from the depths of the dress up box.. it has the patient’s name,…

to computer or not to computer

Pros: The kids are talking to each other about how to do the ‘game’ Turn taking and much negotiation Fine motor skills Laughter I don’t have to ‘do’ anything No cleaning up Cons: Now it’s all they want to do, I’m having to exercise control over myself as they continue to ask to play again……