A Life in the day of...: ROAAAR!!! Doyouthinkhesaurus?

http://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/

ROAAAR!!! Doyouthinkhesaurus?

J has shown interest in Dinosaurs for some time now, we've looked at books about Dino's, looked at them on the net, been given toy dinosaurs for presents etc Its a fascinating subject.

Lee and I had been thinking of visiting the Natural history museum but its a long way to travel for little ones and London can be a bit of a nightmare for getting around, so I looked up on the net for museums with Dinosaurs and came up with Manchester. Fortunately for us my best friend Jen lives in Chorlton not far from the city centre so we arranged to stay over with her. The girls were as excited about staying with their Auntie Jen and Uncle Tim as they were about seeing Stan the TRex!!

We went over mid week over the peak on the snake pass which is always a pleasure through the gorgeous countryside. Arriving lunch time we had a bite to eat then went to the local park.
After a yummy Thai curry tea made by the most excellent cook Tim we chilled and chatted till late.

We set off early the next morning on the local bus to the museum to spend the whole day there. We had a fantastic time Jen took the day off work and came with us on our expedition into the Jurassic. The museum was really well set out with species together just like the natural history museum, Jasmine was interested in the ape/man section which spurred us on in a Darwin/evolution conversation.

S loved the huge polar bear and massive sperm whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling.

We saved the best till last which was Stan the TRex, a cast made from original TRex bones and positioned to look like it was setting off at a run which was quite impressive and a little scary when we came round into the main hall to view it. We walked up to it with slight trepidation until we were looking right up into the jaws!! Wow amazing one claw on its foot was bigger than my hand, we really got a good idea of the size of these giant lizards.

We spent quite a while in the prehistoric room before going up into the gallery to have lunch. In the picnic area some tables were set out with model dinosaurs and colouring pens and paper on so after eating the girls had a long play while Jen and I had a lovely cuppa and catch up.

There were a lot more exhibits that we didn't get too that will save for another time like the Egyptian room and vikings. Our best bit was of course Stan so we went back to see him one last time before heading home, I think we'll be going back a few times this year.

http://www.museum.manchester.ac.uk/

Learning is...

Saw this on a home ed forum, excellent!...

Subject	Traditional Learning	Natural Learning
Child viewed as...	an empty vessel waiting to be filled, or to be trained like an animal	a sprouting seed on its way to becoming a tree
Adult viewed as...	a fount of knowledge, or an authority figure on which the child must depend	a model to imitate, a resource and helper
Learning is...	a result of teaching, or being shown or told	a process of satisfying the desire to know and be able to do, discovery
Learning occurs...	in a logical, orderly way, in graded increments	in subtle and complex recognition of patterns, unplanned and unordered
Everyday life and learning...	are separate in time and space	are integrated and interdependent
Ideal amount of learning...	is 13 years plus 4 or more optional years	begins at birth and lasts a lifetime
Focus of learning is...	on the learner's weaknesses, to bring them up to the level of strong areas (which tend to weaken through disuse)	on the learner's strong points, while weak areas tend to gradually improve as a matter of course
Curriculum is...	Pre-determined by the teacher or the school system, is limited in scope and expensive	determined by student and available experiences, broad or narrow depending on the interest and energy of the moment
Subjects to learn...	are separate and distinct from one another	are integrated and fluid
Textbooks & workbooks...	are the primary source of information, and generally no other questions are entertained	are seldom used, except as references (or for props in playing 'school'...)
The schedule is...	inflexible, by the clock	based on individual and family needs, subject to serendipity, as in the "learning moment"
Success is defined...	as conforming to society's expectations, or as completing 11,970 hours of sitting at a desk	as being able to transition into the adult world as a self-assured productive citizen
Failure to succeed is...	noted, punished, and can become a life sentence	accepted as part of life, and an opportunity to try again
Learning disabilities are...	special 'advantages' that provide entitlements, or flaws to be corrected or glossed over	recognized as different learning styles that require uncommon approaches to common skills
Authority is vested in...	the teacher, the institution, the society, or anyone who is bigger or stronger (through control and manipulation)	the individual, to be delegated to others as appropriate, through respect, consensus, and representation
Reading...	must be mastered at age 6 or 7, otherwise learning cannot progress	begins anytime between 3 and 13, and late readers have advantages such as the chance to experience the world more directly
Math is...	a series of facts and formulas to be learned for use in abstract problem solving	a way of relating patterns and relationships to the problems of everyday life so as to find useful and appropriate solutions

The arts are...	an exercise in conformity	a means of communication for the expression of feelings for which we may lack words
Science...	is a special field of study for the affluent and advantaged	is all around us and only requires time for observation, thought and inquiry
Social studies & history...	Is presented as an exercise in memorizing inconsequential facts and dates, or is used as a means of conveying 'politically correct' world views and politics	begins with the child's own history and relates everything together as a means of understanding where we are now, and why; helps children respect others by respecting themselves
Grammar and spelling...	provides unreliable and frustrating rules to memorize	provides interesting patterns and families of words that really do help and make sense
Writing...	a means of abusing children by changing from printing to italics to cursive without respecting their own individuality	a means of communication which is perfected through real use, rather than through tedious exercises
Health...	another opportunity for political propaganda, since the real agenda is to keep the doctors well supplied with patients	An opportunity to discuss cause and effect, to encourage the development of healthy habits, and to free us from dependence on doctors
Occupational education...	How to fill out job applications, unionize and strike for higher wages, and become dependent on the government as much as possible	Opportunities for experiencing the gratification of earning your own money, developing a work ethic, and becoming self-sufficient
Play is...	irrelevant and frivolous	necessary to learning; a natural way to practice relevant skills

Socialization is...

relating to others the same age only, learning to conform

respecting others' differences, being self confident, responsible

Let there be light...

Its 11.30pm and we've just got back from the amazing Sharrow Lantern festival. What a great event, its basically a parade of people who've made lanterns in all manner of shapes and sizes. We joined in the making of lanterns last week at the local hall and found out how to make them, incredibly easy and wonderfully messy... you just need some willow, masking tape, PVA and tissue paper. The girls had a good time making although me and Lee ended up finishing them off! they've been great decoration to our front room over the week and then today in glorious sunshine in the garden they set to work with glue, glitter, feathers etc to add finishing touches while Lee and I got the bike trailer and provisions ready.

At 7pm we set off for Mount Pleasant park with J and S in the trailer soooo cozy with cushions and fluffy blanket and B in the pram supposedly going to sleep!

Arriving at the park to the sound of drums and hit with the visual feast of a multitude of lanterns from a giant elephant/dragon creature to loads of little tea light lanterns.

The kids soon vacated their chariot and ran round with one of their friends from home school community who we stumbled upon! As the sun started to go down then the fun really began as the drummers set up near us and started to pound out the rhythm that made me want to get a whistle! We then set off at an easy walking pace following the drummers amongst Jellyfish, bluebells, ladybirds, whales, toadstools, robots, A genie and lamp... check out the pics.


we walked a good distance through the main streets and arrived at a park where there were fire jugglers which completely hypnotised the kids! We got a good look at the big lanterns and now know a bit more on how to make them so we can be even more adventurous next year!

As the revelling crowd started to disperse we set off home, Lee and I enjoying a chat and leisurely walk through the back streets with our 3 beautiful children fast asleep in their chariots! lifted all 3 easily to bed when we arrived home leaving us two still on a high from a wonderful evening.