UK home schoolers, what resources are available to help me develop some structure?
#asknostr
Discussion
Uk home schooler here to say hello. Not big on structure tho🤣😂
Hello! This is my perspective too although my other half sees it differently.
Yes, similar here. It's not an easy road. But I'm sure it's the better road.
So how are you tackling it?
'unschooling' as far as possible but with some 'fundamentals' coming in from work books etc. We were almost totally left alone but the local Authority is now more interested in getting their annual reports...so this means we have to be a little more mindful of bring able to show a suitable education😣
I didnt know this 😳. Is their any information online i can check?
About local Authority? Are you just starting out?
Yes, just starting out.
Great👊. We are towards the other end..ish. My advice would be to avoid LA as long as possible and when they do enquire send them the minimum information that you are happy with. Our LA is quite hands off anyway but others are more intrusive and even try to overstep the law. You can start reading lots of Facebook horror stories but this will do you no favours! Even well meaning guidance tends to be OTT in my experience. You are best finding your own path imo. A great book at the beginning for us was John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down.
Ha ha, just scrolled down your feed and seen a couple of good books😍
If you need some help for resources for maths, I can point you in the right direction. Particularly if its secondary school (GCSE A/Level) material that you need.
Just primary for now. But it would be great to prepare
So primary resources is not my speciality, but my kids are all in primary school and I can tell you what we've found useful. For 'structure', ie places that give a topic by topic breakdown of the typical things 7-11 year olds are learning in maths, I'd recommend:
piacademy (no need to subscribe - particularly the 11+ topic wise breakdown. very useful for structure - and challenging too)
oaknationalacademy. This should be great for structure too
https://www.thenational.academy/teachers/curriculum/maths-primary/units
I think its free for homeschoolers as well. But it should give you a good idea of what they'll be tackling at school in each year.
But for actually generating enthusiasm, I'd recommend the nrich website. For example: https://nrich.maths.org/problems/escape-castle
Or, for problem solving (vital skill!), maybe the primary maths challenge website. https://www.primarymathschallenge.org.uk/
Hope that helps!
All the best