FabSwingers.com forum: Homeschool staff room

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Hey fellow teaching non-professionals!

Thought we could use a wee safe space for helping each other out, or just venting about any 'challenging' classes

I'm determined to make this as fun but educational as possible this time round, while maintaining everyone's sanity. Any tips you learned from last time or new ideas you want to share?

We're re-hiring Joe Wicks as PE teacher, and also introducing a new pupil led Tik Tok dance class.

Art hub for kids on YouTube is fantastic for tutorials. Either to do together, or if you need peace for some Zoom calls etc.

We've decided to do class projects too with a wee, fun quiz on a Friday. Think it'll be looking at a decade each week - politics, fashion, music etc. But open to suggestions if anyone can think of other ideas.

Aside from that our school uses Sumdog for Maths online and ActiveLearn for reading, which are handy if you can get access. I don't know if the school has to pay for a subscription or if individuals can just sign up.

Best of luck to everyone, we got this...hopefully!

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By *ntrigued32Couple
over a year ago

Nottingham

My good friend Joe Wicks!

Looking forward to his morning sessions

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By *rMrsBrightsideCouple
over a year ago

Newcastle

You have given this far more thought than me so far but I will be checking back for more tips while I also try to work.

Never imagined I would be using Fab as a source for my children's education

Today's lesson will be teaching my children how to make a decent G&T for me as I think I'm going to need it

We got through it last time, we can do it again!

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By *ntrigued32Couple
over a year ago

Nottingham

"You have given this far more thought than me so far but I will be checking back for more tips while I also try to work.

Never imagined I would be using Fab as a source for my children's education

Today's lesson will be teaching my children how to make a decent G&T for me as I think I'm going to need it

We got through it last time, we can do it again! "

I like your thinking

I think I will add the ‘how to pour a pint’ lesson plan!

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By *olarbear73Man
over a year ago

Glasgow

What time is “woodworking”?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"You have given this far more thought than me so far but I will be checking back for more tips while I also try to work.

Never imagined I would be using Fab as a source for my children's education

Today's lesson will be teaching my children how to make a decent G&T for me as I think I'm going to need it

We got through it last time, we can do it again!

I like your thinking

I think I will add the ‘how to pour a pint’ lesson plan!

D. "

Pfft we had them mastered by nursery

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"What time is “woodworking”?

The 'boys' need some human anatomy lessons first .... followed by map reading .... and several cross country clit hunt runs....

Then the wood gets worked.

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

Lana who is 'we' .... ?

Are you a teacher ?

Thanks Chucks.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Lana who is 'we' .... ?

Are you a teacher ?

Thanks Chucks. "

The kids and I.

Only while the schools are closed, just winging it.

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By *ntrigued32Couple
over a year ago

Nottingham

"You have given this far more thought than me so far but I will be checking back for more tips while I also try to work.

Never imagined I would be using Fab as a source for my children's education

Today's lesson will be teaching my children how to make a decent G&T for me as I think I'm going to need it

We got through it last time, we can do it again!

I like your thinking

I think I will add the ‘how to pour a pint’ lesson plan!

Pfft we had them mastered by nursery

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"Lana who is 'we' .... ?

Are you a teacher ?

Thanks Chucks.

The kids and I.

Only while the schools are closed, just winging it."

Ahhhhhhhhhh gottit..... I thought that but then I thought I don't know what I think so i'll ask someone what I think and now I know , I think....... thanks

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Lana who is 'we' .... ?

Are you a teacher ?

Thanks Chucks.

The kids and I.

Only while the schools are closed, just winging it.

Ahhhhhhhhhh gottit..... I thought that but then I thought I don't know what I think so i'll ask someone what I think and now I know , I think....... thanks

Omg did I just do a teach? Woo hoo

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By *ornyhappyCouple
over a year ago

perth

Joe Wicks does my head in!

I'm trying not to think about the home learning nightmare until I have to. Will just take it one day at a time.

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By *acDreamyMan
over a year ago

Wirral

The BBC site is good too. More Bitesize than the usual BBC searches you may look to!

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"Lana who is 'we' .... ?

Are you a teacher ?

Thanks Chucks.

The kids and I.

Only while the schools are closed, just winging it.

Ahhhhhhhhhh gottit..... I thought that but then I thought I don't know what I think so i'll ask someone what I think and now I know , I think....... thanks

Omg did I just do a teach? Woo hoo

You did do a teach! You did ! You are a teacher you are......

So that means you lied when you said you isn't.....

I'll let you off tho cos you didn't know you were ......

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By *rMrsBrightsideCouple
over a year ago

Newcastle

"You have given this far more thought than me so far but I will be checking back for more tips while I also try to work.

Never imagined I would be using Fab as a source for my children's education

Today's lesson will be teaching my children how to make a decent G&T for me as I think I'm going to need it

We got through it last time, we can do it again!

I like your thinking

I think I will add the ‘how to pour a pint’ lesson plan!

Pfft we had them mastered by nursery

See, I'm a failure already! You show off!

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By *ranny-CrumpetWoman
over a year ago

The Town by The Cross

"Joe Wicks does my head in!

I'm trying not to think about the home learning nightmare until I have to. Will just take it one day at a time.

He does mine in too but then so do most of the 'celebrity' Fitness Fanatics / Chefs / 'personalities'....

I think it's the public that annoy me when they elevate them. Give me real folk on you tube any day.

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"You have given this far more thought than me so far but I will be checking back for more tips while I also try to work.

Never imagined I would be using Fab as a source for my children's education

Today's lesson will be teaching my children how to make a decent G&T for me as I think I'm going to need it

We got through it last time, we can do it again!

I like your thinking

I think I will add the ‘how to pour a pint’ lesson plan!

Pfft we had them mastered by nursery

See, I'm a failure already! You show off!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I can teach the kids how to blow up electronics and release the magic blue smoke

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Joe Wicks doesn't go down well in my house so I've dug out the old Wii Fit. When I need 20 minutes to myself I tell the children they can have "screen time".

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By *uke olovingmanMan
over a year ago

Gravesend

"I can teach the kids how to blow up electronics and release the magic blue smoke

"
ooo the magic smoke

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

This is a great idea

What time is step aerobics?

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By *a LunaWoman
over a year ago

South Wales

Hello, here we go again!

I tended to concentrate on reading, writing, maths, spelling and whatever stuff the School put up for each of them to do last time. I used resources I found on Pinterest for my youngest who has ASD that I used to help me adapt his learning to him. He has a very short attention span so I tended to knock it on the head when he’d had enough.

I’m probably going to follow that this time around too.

We also use Sumdog here and we use HWB which has a maths and spelling thingy on there. The school use a BBC bite size vid for whatever work it is they give, usually.

I followed an informal routine of schoolwork in the morning, lunch, a walk and then the afternoon was their time to play or whatever. It worked for us then and I’m hoping it works this time round.

Our Home Learning will kickstart tomorrow. Supposed to be until 18 Jan but I am anticipating it will be extended.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Today we have photography workshop - including walk to local ponds and then editing......followed by DIY and then some cooking... incorporating all core subjects into these without a single whinge form the children!!!

They are so bored with the work set from school which seems to be repetitive we decided to do our own thing for the week!

Good luck to all fellow homeschoolers

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Happy to help if anyone needs it

Have a vast amount of resources or suggestions from SEN to mainstream

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Hey hey. Joining the crew.

I will pop later to read thread and add anything worthy.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

its intriguing how different schools do it. Good luck everybody

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

We have programmes which have been subscribed by school like Active Reading (Bugs club for younger ones), numbots and education City. White Rose has great maths resources but you have to pay. Also we have Twinkl subscription which is worth it for sure.

I'm trying to think of introducing more life skill lessons, practical things. Any ideas?

I introduced my elder two to some meditation to reduce our levels of stress.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

Actual teacher here - available for Science (especially biology) related support. Biology advice available up to undergraduate student level. I've also been doing widespread online teaching since March, so very familiar with it all.

You've got this, fellow Fabbers

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Keeping an eye on this thread. Nice one OP, thank you.

We didn't get off to the best start today but we'll get there. I have to believe that or I may just cry.

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By *orthern StarsCouple
over a year ago

Durham

Trying to help a frustrated child is the hardest part,whilst not showing the child your own frustration and upset is a challenge. Good to have a release like the fab forum to vent on (even if people don't like your comments). It's much better than venting out loud at home and upsetting your nearest and dearest.

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By *atEvolutionCouple
over a year ago

atlantisEVOLUTION. Stoke.

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2020/bbc-launches-biggest-education-offer-ever

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Keeping an eye on this thread. Nice one OP, thank you.

We didn't get off to the best start today but we'll get there. I have to believe that or I may just cry. "

Aw no

. Our headteacher has really stressed the health and wellbeing of kids and parents comes before anything else, so just do what you can and cut yourself some slack if it doesn't go to plan.

I'm on board the ideas above of hiding lessons in more fun activities. As far as I'm concerned playing games like Scrabble/Trivial Pursuit count.

I'm thankful to be doing Primary stuff and not teenagers (you guys have my thoughts and prayers!!) so, for us, it works best if I can make the whole scene ridiculous eg tie on over a onesie and one on the dog

, make a fuss of hanging up housecoat and slippers before starting, calling me Miss Mum...I'll be looking for as many daft ideas as possible to keep the novelty from wearing off if there's a chances this is the way it is for a while!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I wonder if the mods would relax the rules about sharing website addresses for any useful home schooling resources? I know it's Fab but these are extraordinary times.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

Just watching the One Show and one of the brothers van Tulleken has mentioned a website called Storicise which includes teaching resources which use the pandemic as a theme. Might be useful for some?

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

"Just watching the One Show and one of the brothers van Tulleken has mentioned a website called Storicise which includes teaching resources which use the pandemic as a theme. Might be useful for some?"

That sounds good, thanks

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By *oxyVikingCouple
over a year ago

East Anglia

Great thread, so many great ideas and advice! Was pulling my hair out this morning trying to think of fun/educational things to do.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"Great thread, so many great ideas and advice! Was pulling my hair out this morning trying to think of fun/educational things to do.

Think outside the box (home) too. I don't know the ages you have at home, but things like:

Maths - weighing and measuring food/baking, timing the cooking etc

Science - going to the park and discuss things like duck's waterproof feathers, how squirrels collect food for the winter, why trees lose their leaves in winter, talk about how water changes from liquid to solid when the temp goes to a certain point.

History - depends on the local area, but fairly obvious that you can walk around and visit sites from the outside, perhaps read information boards etc.

Geography - have them use the internet/books at home to plan an adventure, make posters of case studies about countries, go and look at the rivers and lakes nearby and talk about how they formed etc.

Languages - lots of online resources, you can watch foreign language cartoons/films on Netflix. Follow recipes in the target language. See if they can find a pen friend from that language group (probably email friend nowadays!)

PE - lots of options for outdoor exercise or indoor things like Mr Wicks

I think if you have the time (which is the issue for many), then you can be creative.

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By *issitCouple
over a year ago

Banbury

"You have given this far more thought than me so far but I will be checking back for more tips while I also try to work.

Never imagined I would be using Fab as a source for my children's education

Today's lesson will be teaching my children how to make a decent G&T for me as I think I'm going to need it

We got through it last time, we can do it again! "

Brilliant! I hadn’t thought of cocktail classes for the kids!

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By *oxyVikingCouple
over a year ago

East Anglia

"Great thread, so many great ideas and advice! Was pulling my hair out this morning trying to think of fun/educational things to do.

Think outside the box (home) too. I don't know the ages you have at home, but things like:

Maths - weighing and measuring food/baking, timing the cooking etc

History - depends on the local area, but fairly obvious that you can walk around and visit sites from the outside, perhaps read information boards etc.

Geography - have them use the internet/books at home to plan an adventure, make posters of case studies about countries, go and look at the rivers and lakes nearby and talk about how they formed etc.

PE - lots of options for outdoor exercise or indoor things like Mr Wicks

I think if you have the time (which is the issue for many), then you can be creative."

Absolutely, they are great suggestions, thank you! We did puddle jumping for PE today, got messy but so much fun! X

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By *emorefridaCouple
over a year ago

La la land

Pinterest is really good for science experiments that can be done with store cupboard things.

Found baking is good, with teaching measurements and fractions etc

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

From Scholastic UK (the book company):

Do you have any Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler books on your bookshelves?

We have now made all 10 of our home learning packs on these popular stories absolutely FREE – an incredible selection of fun activities to do with your children alongside the books! Wow!

I can't include the link but I'm sure if you Google Scholastic, you'll find it.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"We have programmes which have been subscribed by school like Active Reading (Bugs club for younger ones), numbots and education City. White Rose has great maths resources but you have to pay. Also we have Twinkl subscription which is worth it for sure.

I'm trying to think of introducing more life skill lessons, practical things. Any ideas?

I introduced my elder two to some meditation to reduce our levels of stress. "

Love the life skills also.

We did forest school. Bug hunt. Perhaps with poorer weather good to do streams and clouds. With big snowfall coming in.

Mini science experiments of ice melting. This one activity can allow you to cover a multitude of areas. English writing a poem about the weather,

Forest how could we shelter. Build your own dens in the house.

History times when we experienced similar and the actions. Used great plague and doctors masks. Eldest 9 and their school did this during first lockdown.

Also built a birdhouse. Imagination and fun kept us going as continual online activities they really didn't enjoy. Nor I.

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By *uriouscouple83Couple
over a year ago

Worcester

Fantastic thread with some great ideas. I wish I had seen it this morning when I was panicking over what to do with my two today.

During lockdown v1.0 Mr took the furlough option and stayed at home and dealt with childcare and homeschooling. He trained as a teacher so coped fairly well even though he is more used to teaching 16+

This time around I am the teacher and haven’t got a clue. Before he left for work mr handed me a lever arch file of worksheets and activities he had been compiling since March. The natty dividers separated the sheets by subject and the neon post-it notes highlighted the approximate point on the curriculum to start from.

I waited until his car had disappeared from view before I put the folder back on the shelf and began the most important thing any child needs if they are going to be spending time at home, barista lessons. By lunchtime we had mastered flat whites and macchiato’s so we did maths, time and quantities were important to get the apple cake to turn out just right.

After lunch we took a stroll through the deep dark woods in search of the gruffalo, jumped up and down in muddy puddles and collected sticks, leaves and other interesting things for our lockdown v3.0 collage.

I think tonight mr and I are going to do some role play, I am going to be a ditsy underperforming teacher and he is going to be the disapproving Ofsted inspector.

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

"Fantastic thread with some great ideas. I wish I had seen it this morning when I was panicking over what to do with my two today.

I think tonight mr and I are going to do some role play, I am going to be a ditsy underperforming teacher and he is going to be the disapproving Ofsted inspector. "

Mrs Curious, if naughty Mr Ofsted inspector fails your homeschool, you can appeal and I'll step in to review the provision in question

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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

I'm really appreciating all of these ideas, I'll be referring back often

Especially the Ofsted one, I've emailed to ask them to allocate me an inspector ASAP, no reply yet

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By *inky_couple2020Couple
over a year ago

North West

BBC TV EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENT

Starting on Monday 11 January, each week day on CBBC will see a three-hour block of primary school programming from 9am, including BBC Live Lessons and BBC Bitesize Daily, as well as other educational programming such as Our School and Celebrity Supply Teacher and much loved titles such as Horrible Histories, Art Ninja and Operation Ouch.

BBC Two will cater for secondary students with programming to support the GCSE curriculum, with a least two hours of content each weekday.

(Copied off t'internet)

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I’m firmly in the “hate Joe Wicks” camp because he cosied up to that rag early on in the first lockdown! Once you associate with the scum that’s it for me I’m afraid, all respect lost

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