I think the big concern a lot of people have is with worrying about the social side. My son tells me that in school they aren’t really allowed to talk apart from at break, and then they tend to run around playing something like tag, so they do not really talk to each other. As I mentioned on chill day the boys do talk to people over the internet whilst playing games but during home education they also interact with a lot of other people, of all ages, throughout the week in one form or another. This can be from soft play sessions, meets in the park, tutoring sessions, organised education sessions etc. Our next couple of days were spent with some boys that the youngest especially has grown particularly fond of.
Week 3 Day 3 Wednesday: Home Education Sports Day
Oh my goodness did it rain! I was super glad we didn’t have to go outside on the school run. In fact we worked in our pjs until rather late. The boys worked hard on Maths today – going through workbooks. I was super proud that The Sensory Seeker had taken in and remembered what he learnt about fractions with me. We then applied this knowledge to probability with the help of LEGO.
The boys then watered what they had planted and were delighted to see that things have already started growing. We then cuddled up on my bed and took it in turns at reading some more Harry Potter. In the afternoon the boys tried out a Home Education Sports Group (well when I finally got to the right place). We popped home for dinner (we actually cooked shepherd’s pie the night before and I just had to heat it in the oven) before setting off to Explore Learning. The Sensory Seeker had his session first whilst the 10 year old then we swapped over for the 10 year old to go to his 11+ session. I usually do this with dinner in the middle and leave the younger one home with his dad but he had a medical appointment. Whilst the youngest was in his session the 10 year old did some drawing in his new pad from the Mary and Witch’s Flower Event and ate chips. 
For The Sensory Seeker I bought him a new sticker/activity book based on the film we watched on Tuesday. It actually had great problems and questions in it too.
Week 3 Day 4 Thursday: Home Education with Friends
We started the day with more Maths. The boys probably do more of this subject than anything because it is what they enjoy and, to be honest, so do I – which makes it easier all round. I find the older one rather bright and I often have to Google or ask other people for help answering his questions but less so for Maths – and it is nice to feel that I can help him (honestly he teaches me so much about stuff!). Mainly I spent time with the 10 year old doing Logic puzzles and The Sensory Seeker carried on doing things in his Marvel book (as he did not have coloured pencils the day before). It was a beautiful day and we had arranged for them to meet up with their new friends.
Four of them (brothers) ended up coming back to our house for an hour to play computer games (and the 10 year old cooked them pizza for lunch). There was a short time (in which The Sensory Seeker lost his temper and hurt his brother – it is like having a toddler because I literally went to the toilet!!) and then they went for their session at Explore Learning. After the regular session there was another one about the 11+ for the youngest of my children. By the time we got back The Sensory Seeker was SO tired, and very tearful as he had been told that he wouldn’t be playing computer games if it got him upset. He ended up snuggled up to me in bed to fall asleep (I so needed a nap!).
So long as you have home educating friends then as you say I don’t see socializing being an issue and I do envy you the flexibility on how and when to teach and with what methods. Meeting up for fun in the park sounds like very natural socializing with some lovely fresh air to me.
It looks like the home educating is going so well….It sounds like you are enjoying it and it sounds so relaxed.
This past week for us was one where I am all for taking my girl out of school. We’re in the run up to the SATs next week. Ugh! #CountryKids
Best of luck with the SATs – glad mine wont be doing them.
I love that Lego is getting involved with maths, that is much more fun. I’m so glad that your journey into Home Ed is going well. Mich x #Countrykids
As you say I think they socialise in a different and probably more rounded way. Do they willingly do the workbooks at home? I can see my son thriving with a lot of outdoor home learning but getting him to put pen to paper would be such a big battle here #countrykids
Pen and paper is just one option. The older one is more eager to learn than the younger one in a sit down and get on with paper way. A lot of things we access via the computer though and he responds well to that. He also goes to Explore Learning which tutor Maths and English in a variety of ways – with rewards per session too.
Good to see how well the Home Ed is going. The boys really do seem to be enjoying it. Must be great to have that flexibility!