Clanfield Observatory Trip

Last night we wrapped up warm and went up to Clanfield Observatory (the largest amateur observatory in the country) to learn all about astronomy. The staff there were great, really knowledgeable and friendly and Hannah learnt a lot.

Waiting to start

Inside the first dome to find out about the huge mirror telescope ,

 outside at the sundial,

 inside the second dome with the lense telescope which is over 100 years old.

After visiting the telescopes we went back to the education centre where we were shown a presentation of the night sky. The children asked lots of questions and took part in some astronomy based activities .

We also got to see a a piece of 4.5 billion year old meteorite!!

It was a great trip and one we would definitely like to do again!

A Wintery Walk

On Sunday we went out to Droxford for a walk through the Meon Valley. The snowdrops are just starting to come out in the churchyard there.

 The streams are all flooding which made for a muddy walk with lots of splashing !

Progress

Hannah has been moving on with her grade 5 workbooks this week. She is enjoying the language arts and science very much, but is finding the math a little too advanced. I think we may need to look again at a math plan, but for the time being i'm helping her along with some downloaded fractions and division sheets.

 Language Arts,

Science,

 backed up with a very simple experiment.

Fractions,

We have found that the very best way to learn math is practise with something fun, so Hannah baked cookies!

 They were really good!

There was more science today as we have been to the home education group for a session on geology.

One of the dads there is a geologist and he taught the children all about the different rocks, where they come from and what they are made from. The children also got a chance to break up some rocks to see the formation of the flint inside.

Hannah took her crystal collection along and was able to find out what a lot of the different crystals were. She said afterwards that it was a really interesting session.

Home School Roller Skating Session

Yesterday Hannah and I went skating with the home school group. Hannah had a great time with her friends, and I got to skate for the first time in over 30 years!! It was much scarier than I remember!

My feet in hired skates!!

Hannah and her friend from Journey Unique

It was fun, I think we'll go again - I might even have to get myself some skates :-)

Learning To Wet Felt

At home ed group today Hannah learnt to wet felt! The session was great, run by one of the (super artistically talented) mums at group, and Hannah really enjoyed herself.

 Each child had a square of plastic which they covered with three layers of wool to make the base of the picture,

then they could use any of the beautiful colours of merino wool tops to make their pictures. Hannah chose to make a heart for daddy.

 Once the picture was ready to felt Hannah put some drops of dish soap over the picture, added a little warm water and put the whole thing into a plastic food bag. Then she rubbed and rolled the soapy wool around inside the bag until it felted together.

Once it had felted she took the picture out of the bag, rinsed all the soap out and left in to dry.

It turned out really well!

 We are going to practise some more at home and see what other designs we can make.

Farm Visit With Daddy

Today was Dean's day off, and Hannah really wanted to go back to the farm again. She loves it at Staunton .

Pony nibbles!

According to country folklore it's lucky to ring the bell of the first snowdrop you see in the New Year and make a wish.

Three horses??