She inspired me to try out some reading tests on Big. We did this Schonell test that Tim thought he remembered from his time at school, and she scored an age of 9.6 on it.
Then we went on to do the Burt test because she insisted and she got age 8 on that one. Overall, she’s pretty pleased with herself, can’t think why 😉
I don’t really have any major concerns about the basics of learning – she’s pretty much cracked reading although it goes in spurts rather, and I’m sure maths is being covered whether she knows it or not. What we are wondering about is the enrichment side of it all, and also, we’re beginning to wonder whether not having her age mates about her is meaning she isn’t developing the confidence in her own abilities that she might if she were able to compare herself with other six year olds. Not that I’m altogether sure whether that is good or bad, tbh, as she is insufferably arrogant about some things already, and it might be a bit much if she was like that about everything!
So we are thinking of getting Story of the world, at least the first two books worth, and aiming for a tick the boxes on number of activities offered each week. As we’ve got this throw up in the air and any number of ppl can catch, I feel that we need to be more structured in how we approach this whole educational lark atm, and I’m hoping to sit down with Ailsa to double check what is happening at school so that we don’t clash or more importantly, leave any big gaps.
Story of the world for history, which will also to some extent incorporate geography as well, a couple of science offerings a week from our many science experiment books, languages is still something we’re pondering although I’d really like to be offering something now, and it does occur to me that all this time we spend in the car is empty time atm. Music we’re expanding into with more offerings easily accessible through the media pc – I was slightly stunned when Small sat down with a leappad with me at the Beans and we did a quiz where he had to identify the instruments by sound, and the only one he didn’t know was the accordion. How does he know what a tuba sounds and looks like??? Probably Little Einsteins or something similar. Guess playhouse disney wasn’t all bad – but we don’t have it any more.
And I’ll continue arting and crafting (rather more of the latter than the former probably). I’m trying to lead by example – one of her problems is not wanting to do anything that doesn’t happen immediately, so when we started with some crochet on holiday she gave up when she realised how long it was going to take her to finish the pattern she’d chosen, even though she’d cracked treble crochet just like that (not a particularly easy stitch to my way of thinking). At which point I picked up the elephant I was just finishing (must get a piccie if I can find her!) and asked how long that had taken me – about two/three weeks I think. Gave her something to think about anyway.
Told you I’d be back to talk about educational musings 😉
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