Week Six

 

I've been sitting here reflecting on this week; it felt like a particularly difficult week. There were two BIG emotional days, a lot of resistance. Looking at my diary though there were some educational positives.

Bee wrote (!) down some the things that are bothering him at the moment. He made a pros/cons list for our upcoming trip as he is anxious about some aspects of it. 

Podcasts we listened to this week were about Constellations, Elephants and one about the attempt to begin a New Australia in South America. 

Bee confessed he felt unsure about punctuation, so we did some revision focusing on full stops, comma's and apostrophes. 

Bee wrote his own math equation which led to us discussing different strategies, why certain strategies are important and provide the basis for further learning. I asked if he remembered BIMDAS - he said he had heard of but doesn't recall it.

We ended the week with a podcast on genetics - a topic that is close to home at the moment.

More Planning and Preparations

 

It's getting closer. I'm a little nervous as Bee seems to have it in his head that it's going to be more of the same. School evokes memories of sitting in a classroom and being told repeatedly to just keep reading the instruction's until he "gets it". School feels like being saddled to a lap top all day. School unfortunately made learning feel like a chore.

I have made a plan for Maths and English and then to be flexible with the other learning area's. I've drawn up my term plan in Excel outlining our lessons for the term - Maths, English, ATO Work Ready modules and allied health appointments. Bee has a paediatric appointment before school starts so we are hoping to finally get some medication to help with his ADHD. Bee will read the same page over and over as he often forgets what he has read by the time he gets to the bottom of the page. Large amounts of text cause anxiety. I'm hoping that with the right treatment Bee can see more success.

I intend to record each day's activities in a physical diary. Bee will often relay large amounts of information to me when we are driving to and from appointments. He shares insights and information on current interests, whether it be current affairs, history, politics or popular culture. 

Quite often Bee will spontaneously start an art project when he's had enough of Maths or English, hence why the term plan is focused on the core subjects. Leaving room for interest led learning will hopefully lead to a more positive experience of what education can be.