A Little Fun for the Holidays

Here’s  a little project that is so much fun and you won’t have to go out to get any special materials~  We’ve made all sorts of little decorations just from some bits from our recyclables.

Angel

For this project you will need:
- wine cork
- small wooden bead or styrofoam ball
  measuring 2.5 cm
- gold, black, red and flesh color paint
- gold glittery yarn
- gold ribbon netting (20 cm piece)
- small gold ribbon for bow
- silver wire for halo
- hot glue gun or thick craft glue

Instructions:

Parents or supervisors should assist the kids when using the hot glue gun!

1. Paint the cork gold and the wood bead or styrofoam ball flesh and let the pieces dry. Glue them together when dry.
2. Fold each end of the netting to the middle and overlap these ends. Take a piece of wire and wrap around this middle section, thus creating a simple bow shape. Lay aside.
3. Create also a bow out of the thin ribbon and lay aside for a moment.
4. Cut a few pieces of the gold glitter yarn and gather the pieces together. Tie the bundle off at the middle and glue this to the top of the head (ball). Pull the hairs in different directions so that the entire head is covered with hair.
5. Cut a piece of the wire and form a loop at one end. Bend this loop in a 90° angle. Glue the long end to the backside of the head underneath the hair.
6. Dot 2 eyes and a mouth on the angel’s face.
7. Glue the netting bow to the back side of the angel as wings.
8. Glue the small bow to the front side of the angel.

Happy Thanksgiving

The preparations for Thanksgiving have begun.  Adding to our life here in the UK are my American traditions which I hope will always remind Meghan that she is American too. 

We’ve made the trip to the market to get: the potatoes, green beans, peas, carrots, celery, mushrooms, sweetcorn, butternut squash, pumpkins, and some sweet potatoes. 

Our Menu:

Roast Turkey & cream gravy; mashed potatoes; Sweetcorn & Peas medley; almond & greenbean casserole; peanutbutter & celery; sweet potatoes w/ marshmellow topping; my autumn bake with butternut squash &mushrooms; cranberry sauce, corn bread and pumkin pie for dessert.

Lessons:

Become an historian investigator and learn what happened on the First Thanksgiving  HERE

Your investigation begins HERE!  Click here to preview the Teacher's Guide.

Videos:

The First Thanksgiving by The History Channel

This is America Charlie Brown, The Mayflower Voyagers Part 1

This is America Charlie Brown, The Mayflower Voyagers Part 2

Activities:

Make leaves and write what all you’re thankful for on each one

Turkey to colour with practicing to write turkey

Cornucopia for colouring ~ talk about what veggies go in one

A Wampanoag boy carrying Harvest veggies Printable for colouring

Thanksgiving Word Search

On a personal note:  I am very thankful for all my family and friends near and around the world.

Learning about the 5th of November~ the Gun Powder Plot

"Remember, Remember the 5th of November
The Gun powder, Treason and Plot
I know of no reason why the gun powder treason should ever be forgot."

About 2 and a half years ago, we went to the Houses of Parliament and got a private tour.  Anyone can do this by the way, just ask your MP.  It was one of the most incredible experiences, and I got to enjoy it with my lifelong friends from the States. 

Here we are in the oldest part of Parliament.  This would be the original house of Parliament that Guy Fawkes was planning to blow up.

 

The only section you can take pictures is in the original building above.  One of the most interesting aspects of the tour was in a glass box filled with original documents. 

In one of the glass cases were two confession letters written by Guy Fawkes.  One before and one after he was tortured.  Needless to say his handwriting looked a little shaky. 

When Meghan is a little older, I will arrange another tour.  I can not recommend this enough.  The inside of Parliament is amazing and steeped in so much history.

---

Guy Fawkes

Only briefly covering this part of history in the States, I was fascinated in learning about the history of the macabre celebrations. 

Since Meghan has just turned 7, here are the plans I am using to teach her the history of the Gunpowder Plot

KS1 planning lessons

I also recommend the following videos:

The Plot

Arnhem Wharf Primary School presents 'The Story of Guy Fawkes, 1605'

Ok I can’t have any history lessons without a video from “Horrible Histories” ~  I can’t recommend the series “Horrible Histories” enough.  It should be mandatory viewing for all history lessons.  Shame the humour is sometimes wasted on the kiddies!

Here is also a great little test for your child  click HERE

Guy Fawkes’ Crafts

Activity Village

Happy Birthday, Pumpkin

Today my daughter is 7 years old!

Happy Birthday Sweetie.

Today we have planned:

A birthday party brunch followed by a trip to the Colchester zoo

What is the Magic Classroom

You’re only limited my your imagination.  That goes for your child as well as the home educator.  This picture in my opinion is a wonderful representation of a child’s imagination.  The Magic Classroom is a classroom without walls figuratively as well as literally.

Learning can be anywhere where the child is able to focus and can be as exciting as needed.  I plan on many field trips and hands on learning which stimulates all parts of the brain.  At the moment I am planning trips around Colchester, Essex as well as London.

Welcome to the Magic Classroom

 

Greetings to the beginning of a journey of an alternative to traditional schooling. 

My name is April and this site will be a chronicle and a resource to Home Education in the Uk and specifically Essex.  I am the mother to a beautiful 7 year old girl.  After much discussion with my husband, we have decided to educate our daughter at home.  This was not an easy decision but we feel this is the right decision for us.  We are not against traditional schooling, but would like to acknowledge that there are alternatives. 

The aim of this site and soon to be organisation is to give information and support for those that are educating their children at home.

Please subscribe to get personal opinions, information, laws, and resources to help make your home educating experience happy and successful for your child.  If you have any information, please feel free to contact me at classroomfairy@gmail.com.