A DAY AT THE ZOO

As I had a bit of a rant last time on here it has made us all the more determined to home educate Arran and enjoy it. He is getting so much from the home environment and learning not just from us but friends and relatives as well.


As it was the last day before half term we took Arran to the zoo. We decided to make it an educational visit. He had to plan out how to get there by bus. Look up the times and see how much it would be to get in. Unfortunately Ian could not make it but big sis stepped in and we had a lovely day. It was cold but Sunny and the animals all seemed to be out and about and co-operating with us when we wanted to take their photos.

We also got Arran to choose six animals that he most wanted to see. He had to look at the zoo map and take us to them. He then took a picture and we read the facts about them together. After half term we will learn about them and where they come from so we incorporate some Geography.

These are some of the pictures that we took. Thanks Hollie for taking some as well.

Kamodo Dragon. One of Arran's favourites and on his list to learn about. They have really grown since the last time we saw them

King Vulture. Love his expression. Another animal on his list.

Scops owl

Wolf sunning his tummy.

Leopard Tortoise. They have a race track round their enclosure. If you can imagine tortoises racing!

Leaf Cutter Ants. On his list. Fascinating!

Griffin Vulture. I have seen these in Israel soaring over the valleys

Obviously an elephant.

Crowned Crane

Cheetah and cubs enjoying the sun

Aardvarks in their burrow

King of the beasts. He was enjoying this spot until the females pushed him off.

Wallaby

Giant rabbit. Hollie and Arran now want one.

Giant African land snail. We used to have some of these. We had them for years . Arran's was called Sam for some reason?

Frustrated for our son

I am so frustrated for Arran at the moment. We have been home educating  for three years now and with all things considered it is going well and we now have a happy teenager compared to when he was at school.

Every month we have been meeting a local home education group at a play centre although some of them are getting a little tall for it so generally mill round and chat. It is cheap and cheerful though.

Arran finds socialisation very difficult. He always remains on the outside of conversations. He does join in but on his own terms. The kids there are used to him now after three years and he enjoys going most of the time . This is his time to spend with kids his age and they go out of their way to make him welcome. It is really important for him.

The group is split into two uneven pieces. There are the young children which make up the majority and play in a separate area. and then our group who sit together. There are four families and eight kids. most of which are Arran's age which is great. Over the last year things have started to change. One family do not come that much as the mum studies which I can understand. It is nice when they attend. I am sorry for Arran though as he knows the oldest child from when they went to the same primary school and nursery together. He still has the others? I was less surprised when another went back to school as her other children already went and she found it difficult.Arran did though particularly like her son. But I was shocked when the last family have decided to return to school. She has three boys all of which are important for Arran to interact with. They are going to try school. I know it sounds selfish but what to do now as Arran has no where to go. OK,  there is a bowling group but it does mean that he is back to the beginning again where he has to build up trust with new people. This is a big deal with a child on the Autistic spectrum.

When I told him he was really upset.

We thought long and hard about home education and with drew him from school for good reasons. I have really enjoyed chatting to the group and I am sorry that circumstances have changed for them. I don't blame them but we want to make this long term. I am just sorry for our son. I feel quite low about it. I think I will have to look further a field to find another group. Looking on the computer it seems so much more organised in other countries such as America who seem to have vast multi age camps for home education.

Catch up England! Rant over.

Forms have arrived for his assessment for Aspergers. Just waiting for his old special needs tutor to return hers then we can send them off. It is then just a case of waiting. If he is diagnosed which is likely I think that I will try and find a social group linked to Aspergers. I think it would be good for him to mix with children similar to himself.

I am sure we will sort something out.

More bits of art- Bobbins and Bowls

I have been doing really well on Etsy. I am busy painting for my first commissions. I have just put these few bits on.

Fungi Bobbins- Field mushroom and Fly Agaric. The contrast of edible and poisonous

I have also put on a quirky frog bowl with frogs round the sides and one climbing out from the bowl itself.