Pizza, Highfields, Ant Motorways Art and Adventuring

We went to an organised pizza making activity at Pizza  Express, for FREE, on Tuesday, here they are.

YUM... thank you very much Pizza Express, and Lizzie who organised it.

Next we popped along to the fantastic Highfields Adventure Playground.  This exciting place has had a lot of hard work from some very commited individuals who have fought off closure, and the Health and Safety army to create a wonderful exciting adventurous place to play.  For more information about the adventure playground movement click here.  Evan was delighted that the water pump was on, and set to work, with a team of others creating a river, this led down to make a moat around the roundabout.  The scenes that followed were extremely muddy and full of smiles and laughter.  Meanwhile Autumn and Safia created a little garden of "night flowering plants".  We got this message from Jill, who is a core figure in our Home Ed meet at Higfields after this day.

"Well that’s it – Highfields is out for the summer. There were 90 children and 42 adults and the strawberries and scones were devoured in a flash! 

What a year it's been ... but yesterday ended on a high note and it is a very different place to what it was just over twelve months ago. Times were bleak in the winter of 2013. We had fought our own battles to keep the group running after the previous organiser left, but then to top it off the council included the playground in its round of cuts and wanted to withdraw funding. At that point they had already made detrimental changes. Some weeks there might only be four or five of us there. The outlook was grim. But this was one of the best user led turn arounds I’ve ever seen. At the fore was the 'Friends of Adventures' but the protest was strong from everyone, not least our group. Funding bids were made, hundreds of emails sent, weekly multi-agency meetings and a steering group set up. The council had to rethink. Today, although it is stlll owned by the council, it is managed by a community charity and new staff have been employed. The children have reclaimed it and their writing is back on the wall (literally). 

It is now even more a true adventure playground than it ever was. The next target is the replacement of the huge rope swing that the council took down. When that arrives it will be symbolic. 

Yesterday was symbolic too, because Highfields is about the children and home educated children have played there for 15yrs. So to see 90 of them up to their necks in sand and water (again literally!) and fun was good to see. "

After dance class the next we popped along to Longshaw, as the end of our work on our house meant we could escape.  There just so happened to be a home ed meet there at the same time.  We gatecrashed, and Evan made a new friend in Nat.  They go to Forest School together, and they have played alongside each other before, but this time they actually connected, and Nat asked Evan to be his friend. :)  Along with the other older ones in the group, they found a brilliant set of hide out spaces among the bracken.  They used sticks to identify to each other where they were when the bracken was too high to see.  There were a variety of different spots, a fireplace, which the boys had created a path to with clues of charcoal, a little place to be on a rock, a look out and a big dip.  they were very content in their adventures and want to visit here again with the others.   Meanwhile, Autumn created some rock pictures on the clay bank by the river.  After this, we visited the ant motorway, and Evan led a commentary of it.

Wild about Play here we come.

We have a ridiculous number of amazing resources on our doorstep here in Sheffield.  We are so lucky.  We have decided to make use of one we have been aware of for a while now in the form of an outdoor Kindergarten with a Home Education session.  Wild About Play is run by a fantastic group of enthusiastic professionals who are totally passionate about giving children the opportunity to explore nature and natural materials in an autonomous and exciting way.

We went to an open morning a few months ago, but due to it being really busy Evan wasn't eager to return; so we had been doing things with local group FoCAL  at Woodland Camp, and Forest Kindergarten, both of which starred the inimitable Emma Condor.  Circumstances have coincided now that we have decided to indulge our passion for the woods by attending Forest School, with the added bonus of Emma now working here!!!!  Today was the first day, and I had the pleasure of staying as Evan felt he needed me there.  I was really glad that I could stay as I got to see the amazing resource come to life.

How many ways can you cross a river?

The Home Ed group spent part of the morning developing a waterway to the river, this a small portion of what they created after much problem solving and creative thinking. 

I was most impressed with the lack of rules - only simple rules to keep people from seriously harming themselves.  It gave all the children the real sense of freedom that really we all desire in our lives.  Exploring the idea of conformism this week has been a theme for me due to a number of circumstances, and finishing the week off in this magical atmosphere really foots the bill for me.

Thank you to everyone at Wild About Play for creating such an amazing and inspirational environment which gives children the space they need and crave.  You are wonderful. 

Making a river

Another trip to Chatsworth, and another bit on our river project.  Many playgrounds these days are well resourced enough to have these amazing things... but we particularly enjoy this archimedes screw and accompanying water feature in a sand pit which provides endless opportunities for collaborative play.  This was the second river project they worked on during their visit, but the biggest hit.  They planned it so meticulously, and thoughtfully so as to create the river despite which way the balance was going, and it most importantly led the water back into the river from where it was sourced via the Archimedes screw.  Their efforts over their visits have led Evan and his friends to recognise key elements necessary in successful channel building - including not letting the water come down before you have created your channel so that it doesn't pool ineffectively at different junctures.  

This was about 15 minutes before we had to leave

Evan was beginning turning the Archimedes Screw to get the flow going just before we left.

It is going...

Here we begin to see the channels - which have been tried out.

Water joining t the two tributuries.

The channel flow has stopped.  They had tried the channel out, but it had filled back with sand as they had nothing to stop the sand falling in again.  So Tom re-dug out this section on the fly as Evan turned the screw.

Keep going Tom!

Here you can see a section where it pooled.

Here is the last bit of the circut, below here led to the river - both our batteries ran out so no more photos I'm afraid!

During this magnificent play Su and I were discussing how well the kids were playing and I have to say it makes such a difference that they have free reign over the equipment, and are not being pressured (either by peers, or adults) to share.  There are valuable reasons why we share, but we would never expect a scientist to share his equipment in a lab because a whole heap of other people had arrived and wanted to give it  go.  Equally, I would not be expected to share the use of all my craft equipment by others, especially when in the middle of an important project.  I would find it impertinent if someone demanded that I do so... not unlike the feeling I felt when Su told me that amidst the crowds of Chatsworth House today with the magical Narnia land, when an adult took the plastic crown off of Amy's head and put it on his own, without a word.  Unsurprisingly screaming ensued, and not a word of remorse.

I feel sure that the endless opportunities to play at their own speed and with what they enjoy has an enormous role to play in the learning and development that goes on.  I am so pleased that Home Education affords them these opportunities every day.

Autumn begins

Well, I thought it was going to be a normal day of hanging out in the morning and then friends round for the afternoon, but things became so much more.  We started off by Evan making the beginnings of an Octonauts calendar (before I even got out of bed actually), he is eager to work on it more, but we decided to go climbing before our friends came round, so we headed off, and after a few chores on the way we got there.  We were lucky enough to be joined by a couple of other home ed families, just by chance, and they had a good time.  I bumped into a friend from my NCT days with her children, and her son, about 8 years old struck up a lovely friendship with Autumn.  Autumn, got pretty hot, and stripped off pretty quickly down to her "Monday" pants.  Evan stopped climbing and decided to draw a picture of Autumn on the cheese.  This picture was taken by Evan so that he could use it to draw from .  I helped him to look at the shapes her body was making and after he struggled a bit, and got quite upset I helped him sketch the key triangle shapes.  I love that this project was entirely self-directed, and simply facilitated by the fact that I often bring drawing and painting materials out with us everywhere, and he simply went into my bag (probably searching for biscuits or chocolate) only to discover paper and pencils instead!

I simply adore this photo that Evan took, showing Autumn's spirit, strength and joy altogether.  Someone commented on how she looked powerful, and I had to agree.  I am so incredibly proud of Autumn, and the power and strength she has, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.  I enjoy her company so immensely, and I love that she shares these wonderful things with those around her.

Evan was particularly proud that he was using some of the more difficult holds in this photo, and asked for this photo to be taken.

On returning home our friends came over and as we had planned to do some work on our new Seasonal table we worked on it together by doing some flat wet felting of some Autumnal leaves.  The process is particularly child friendly as it involves some really fun things as well as not needing any sort of perfection.  At the end of the day Evan said his favourite thing of the day was throwing the leaves on the table (which was the last process in the felt making).  I've not taken photos of the whole thing, but here is the process:

1)  Tease out bits of desired wool

2)  Lay down on a square of bubble wrap slightly overlapping, Vertically down, ensuring no wool is too thick or clumped together.  Do this about double the size of your desired piece of felt.

3) Repeat the process with the same colour of wool but this time with the wool fibres horizontally positioned.

4)  Place on small bits of wool teased out in the formation of the pattern or picture you desire.

5)  Spray the wool with a water spray with a small amount of liquid soap, or dissolved solid soap in it.

6) Slightly wiggle the wool fibres with the tips of your fingers saying "tickle tickle" or "wiggle, wiggle" or "little little" or anything similar which encourages a small massaging motion to begin to bring the fibres together.

7)  When it is starting to shrink slightly cover it with another square of bubble wrap.

8)  Roll up the bubble wrap and secure in place with a few elastic bands along its length.

9)  Do a variety of rolling, squeezing, rubbing and whacking with your bubble wrap roll (BWR).

10)  After a good 5-10 minutes of fun activity with your BWR, remove the bands and unroll.

11)  Check the felt has 'come together' and beginning to feel solid. (if it hasn't reroll and repeat  #9 for a few minutes)

12)  Once done, plunge into cold water and rinse soap off.

13) Squeeze a bit of the water off, and now for the best bit....

14)  Screw the felt up in a ball and chuck it (hard) onto the table.

15)  REPEAT #14 as many times as you feel like... if holes begin to appear, massage that and surrounding wool with a bit of wet soap.

16) Rinse, dry then enjoy - you can cut it up, sew on it, sew it onto stuff, whatever you like.

_____

After a few weeks of tricky situations when spending time with friends in either our or their homes I have decided that Evan and his friend need to be with us or outside during their play.  This led to a very great need to let off steam, so after the felting and a bit of rambunctious play upstairs under our supervision we decided to go to Graves park for a run about and explore in the woods.  I love that this fantastic place is on our doorstep.  The new excitement was the hay bale which had mysteriously been deposited in the stream.  The best bit today was the clay at the root of a fallen tree which is very clay-y. Thankfully welly boots were the order of the day, and such play was totally brilliant and so much fun. The stream just next to it meant that the clagged up boots could be cleaned before returning home.  Not before a clay ball or two could be made, a clay screen on the Gup (AKA the roots of the tree), and lots of trampling in the clay and splashing in the stream.  We searched for some lovely Autumnal leaves to add to our newly installed Season table at home.

Walking up the hill after our lovely time out - I love these moments of freedom the kids enjoy, and the chats I overhear them having about their surroundings and often exchanging ideas about nature.

We finished the day off by doing a little Autumn painting, Evan's was demonstrating a very windy day when all the leaves flew off. Evan put some more acorns on the table and his newly felted leaf. I have included a beautiful piece of embroidery that my friend made for me a couple of years ago, which is very treasured and totally typifies what this season table is about.  I have also included a screenprinted piece of fabric that I made during my teaching degree, which I have always loved.  I look forward to us adding more to this over the years.  

To complete this very crafty day, Pat came home from work and assisted Evan making a painted wooden door for a new game idea he has. What a day!!!!

Grandad came to visit

We have just had a great two days with the addition of my dad to our little home ed team.  We did usual things with our days,  so lots of fun was had,  if a little ramped up on the moan status.

On Thursday we went to mini works, on the kids request,  but having been there  three times already this week,  we're not in the most enthusiastic of spirits.  This was followed with a trip to get autumn some new shoes,  where she chose a pair of comfy closed toe shoes,  and a pair of hi-tops,  which are now her Zumba shoes!  I want a pair,  they look so good.  We popped into pets at home and discovered that tanks were on sale the following day,  and our plan to get fish would start then.

Then a magical visit to Honey pie tearooms for a spot of lunch. It was totally delicious,  and great feel.  Everyone loved it,  despite the arguments about a toy squirrel  (nutkin). Beth my dad and I wrote reviews for trip advisor to give thanks.

We went to Weston Park museum in the afternoon.  The highlight was the craft room,  where we made some additions to their rainforest scene,  and were given bags full of craft supplies.  Here they are exploring colour using a fab idea, frames on a white surface with melted bottle tops - We are soooo going to collect and melt our own for some fun craft activities.

The evening followed with bath,  and then chatting with my dad. It was so great to spend time together.  We battled with computer apps for the tail end of the evening,  password became a comical word.

The next day we had a slow get ready, whilst inventing lifting machines out of k'nex I made some biscuits and prepped our picnic lunch,  as we went to forest friday.  

Lucy and Lesley were there with their little broods.  I brought the stick book and chose a fun activity of weaving flora and fauna into a stick loom.  Then me and Lesley made and wove stick looms whilst the kids ran about or hung out in lucy's voluminous parachute hammock. Ha ha!  We took a statutory stroll to the stream to finish our time there.  There were no late comers and as we had young ones in need of naps we were done by about 1. Whilst at the stream much fun was had,  and autumn followed Annie's idea of washing clothes in the stream,  thankfully I had brought spare clothing.

We spent the afternoon in the Botanical gardens,  which was great.  Autumn climbed up ridiculously high in the yew tree,  but her second go led to a very skilful and speedy descent.  Evan enjoyed the clues and riddles,  which we have planned on fully documenting.

Thank you so much to my dad for taking advantage of his unexpected gap in his schedule and joining us.  We loved having him.