Weekend art class

Weekend art class, in my kitchen while I'm busy cooking for three family including ours. ( 6 adult, 2 teenager, 7 kids!)

Miss calculation

I had miss calculate the public school and Easter break. And as the reason why I need to have our homeschool break same as public school, we then had to go back to our homeschool routine next week. I thought I'm gonna feel miserable as I'm already put away everything from where we study, but as when I realise y mistake I just wake up from late afternoon nap, I feel motivated! Hemmm...

As hubby also not at home this weekend, I take this opportunity to had plenty rest and printing everything needed for the whole of next week. As hubby will had a day off on Monday, he will had laptop to himself and we also need to catch up with shopping of halal meat in New castle. I'm also looking forward to actually do another a week of homeschool as I am in the middle of enjoying the learning that we had.

MS and PS is on the way into learning basic knowledge of one by one country in Asia. Before we learn about Continent, mapping, globe, why geography important, landforms and lots about geography and now as we go deeper in each continent and by country as well. We now start with Asia. We had cover Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and will do Vietnam and China before we had school break. All this be cover from basic country geography, history and culture. At least kids will get some knowledge when others talk about it or they meet someone from each particular country. They at least can imagine what the country looks like, where the country are, the basic weather there, economy and culture. This to ensure better understanding towards others as well.

All the information I got from ed helper which also then cover History subject as well for each particular country. We then got map and flag from enchanted learning. S also start to cover topic as map, why geography important, basic continent and ocean, Malaysia as our home country, also about world community and places such as what is town, village, city and etc. US curriculum on this given deep knowledge that for particular child level.

AS homeschool getting a bit slow down as he had catch a lots for his level. I just started to do multiplication with him now and also problem solving which had put interest on him as it's new topic. As he learn things quickly, he become bored with the same thing all the time. He also started to do Maths with two digit add two digit as one digit will be bored for him. I will also start subtraction with two digit after homeschool break with him. his reading of course is something no need to be worries. Staff in the library had impress how he know so much for his age and they help him to get more comic book of sponge bob. He also know which book need to choose to ensure he can finish them. Science also we had cover topic such as growing plant, alive or not, basic five sense and material such as metal, wood, glass and plastic. Alhamdulillah he get in with all this as easy as A,B,C. We had finish first level of iqra foundation workbook before. I'm now going to get the second one and hopefully can start doing it with him after homeschool break. His English writing, comprehension, grammar and vocabulary had improve a lots from his writing story and communication. He also learn how to used dictionary. He can now be independent when ever he's doing comprehension.

S had doing lots of revision on addition, subtraction and also started doing lots of multiplication as well. She was so happy with it as she think it's easy. She also start doing revision on problem solving for her level. I will hopefully will start cover division with her later on before summer. I wanted her to grasp a lots with addition, subtraction and multiplication first. Then others will be easy. Although she master in addition and subtraction, still lots of exercise will sharpen her mind and brain in answering it. S also start to cover five sense from ed helper more deeper for her level. We start with ear, eyes, skin, tongue and nose. All this cover deeply for her level together with it's anatomy, just like what I learn when i was in school. Although they so lucky as I had to draw the anatomy before ourselves. But, I can just printed the picture and get her to label it from enchanted learning. We will then in summer, doing revision with fun lapbooking and mapping our learning.

S and MS also had go through islamic studies together in better way now. before I will sit with them and read to them and they will then go through the workbook. Now, i get them to take turn to read and discuss together to promote team learning and communication in learning and discussing. They now can work together nicely with slightly argument. they had cover half of Iqra foundation book. S also on second book of ad duha. She should be finish her level in two months time and will go to MS level by summer.

MS had been doing geography about asian country together with PS. They had team together and just know how to work together nicely. They also happy to work in the team on some topic like that and always looking forward to it. Alhamdulillah. He also cover lots of his science which he actually understand for the whole primary school UK curriculum. He cover all sort of topic with CGP science workbook such as material, gas, liquid, electricity and I'm also get him to cover five sense for his particular level from ed helper together with picture anatomy for the topic. We will then go through what we learn now on summer time practically. MS as S also had cover some topic on Seerah. S had cover one by one basic story of Prophet from Taraweeh book I bought for her. MS also now on topic of Story of the Prophet also from iqra foundation. He also moving every time with his ad duha. Now will start memorizing words in arabic with meaning in English that he need to memorize.

PS had cover a lots on geography same as others. She also did cover some History from UK curriculum although I'm not really put pressure on it as it's not really important. I'm looking forward to order 1001 invention and start learning with kids about invention by muslim around the world. She still with mindsprinting worksheet on her maths. She don't do homeschool all this week for the first time since we been homeschool together as she was sick. She didn't do much on science and now I'm looking forward to get lots of material for her. English is good with ed helper. Plenty of story writing, comprehension, grammar, spelling and vocabulary. She also continue her study a lots on seerah on topic Khalifah Ar Rashidun. Also she working hard on her ad duha now concentrate on all sort of mad for tajweed. Also she trying to finish her iqra foundation book which cover fikh. During summer, we looking forward to work on Design and Technology, I.T and lots of experiments. She also getting her hand on arts now and bought herself complete art set with her own money. Overall she happy with lots of learning done together with MS. I'm looking forward for her to do lots of hands on work including cooking and organise the whole house also gardening.

Overall, our homeschool had come as big satisfaction to me. The progress been made in these short time is incredible and I'm looking forward to continue and progress in the next future. For me, our homeschool had lighten up brightly day by day and I can't wait to see more progress by next year.

We also happy although now we keep our self to our self more. I think as that reason as well, we had achieve what we had in short time. Getting off from Saturday school had bring big achievement in our homeschool and progress our learning. As one day had taken lots of our time in a way. I'm looking forward like I said, in the next couple of months. With Allah will, Insya allah may we be given a strength to continue our homeschool and be bless with lots of learning and knowledge.

Homeschool break

We will have two weeks homeschool break. As it's also public school break, we looking forward to see what's around us to join. Today, i will pack up all our homeschool stuff from family room back into the study room. Sorry, no picture as it's all mess at the moment. I'm actually looking forward to clean this room from all the books, worksheet, folders and printer. This is the room where we sit together watching t.v. or even sometimes have our dinner in this room. Also where we chill out and play games and etc. Also where hubby sitting down and browsing his laptop. Also where me and hubby sometimes sleep.

As the study room getting warmer now, hopefully after our homeschool break, we can continue our homeschool in the study room, where it's more organise there with table, bookshelf and desktop computer for kids. Also lots of educational poster and resource.

This two weeks holiday, I will try as mush as I can to reorganise and record all the learning we had doe in picture especially in this blog. So, I'm looking forward to describe in detail on each subject for each child. Since we were officially homeschool about 14 months now, this last three months is the most regime and constant homeschool we had. We also had learn a lots and kids had improve lots and learn lots of new things. I feel satisfied and I bet kids feel the same and I'm sure they will miss homeschool during their coming holiday.

Although I will not teach kids, and will put all education out of my side in the next couple of days, I than will start to go through one by one of each of their workbooks, folders and worksheets. Lots of things need to be done for me, and I'm happy to sit and organise without having to teach and shout and scream and tell off at the same time. For me, this is all important to keep us on track and fill in our motivation, reflect on ponder on how important homeschool is for us. We will always appreciate when things gone. So, this two week, homeschool will be taken away from kids. And I know when we get back to it, kids motivation will be higher then mine. They will be full and high in spirit and will appreciate how homeschool can make them, teach them and change them to a better person.

I'm looking forward to this break, but also looking forward to go back to our homeschool with full spirit and high motivation which we really need to keep on track. I don't want to go down on homeschool burnout and before it tackle us, we better back off. So, hopefully this blog will be fill during this school holiday as that's what this blog for, to record our homeschool progress.

Our homeschool journey

It is kind of chaos at the moment. It's a bit better today, after four days we back from our weekend break. The walk and having lots of fun for kids did make them tired and sick. PS had been ill since MOnday. She had up set tummy and for the first time, I think she been so quiet and had plenty rest which she really need. Her body really need a break since she always been active and can't stop caring about things around her.

I had been feeling horrible with my PMS as well. Today, I feel better than couple of days ago. Feel much release when my body fell recovering. But, I had PMS constantly almost every month before my monthly period which sometimes can be very annoying and disturbing my day to day routine.

Anyway, tomorrow will be the last day before we take two weeks off for our homeschool. The last break we had from homeschool is during christmas holiday and we all really need it. I will also take this opportunity to rearrange and reorganise, sit, ponder and reflect of what we had done. Take my head off from teaching and education. Let kids wandering and do what they want. They do deserve that I reckon after all the hard work they been through.

I'm very satisfied to take this holiday off. I feel satisfied with kids performance and the change that I had seen without them realizing it. It had been up and down, struggle and hard work. It's not as easy as it says or as we all think, of course. Having grown up kids, the job had become difficult than ever. The work can pile up, the responsibility can be higher and higher although we all work together and try hard to help each other, but kids still kids. And as a mum, of course I feel like I want to do the best for my kids.

Things sometimes not turn oput as we want or not as quickly as we want. Patient I reckon is the most and foremost in bringing up children expecially when they reach 11, 12 and above. Our life can just turn 180 degree suddenly. Kids can change in one night, although they were on their best time a day before.

Observation is the most important part if we had kids which are in transition from child to teenager. The challenge can turn out to be small as it can be or big as you can never imagine. The down side will be there most of the time. As a mum, I feel I'm on the biggest part of challenge in bringing up kids. I'd constantly trying so hard to remember what I feel, what I think and how my mum react towards me. Also imagine and trying to remember my aunt whinge towards her teenage daughter or son, also trying to think how parents in olden days react towards their teenage kids. Also what precaution I should take. It's really like playing games. You can't take you eyes out from it. Otherwise you been taken over. You always had to be one step in front. And with all the technology around you and faster information that anybody can stumble, really make me feell that i had to move faster and faster so I wont be behind.

I feel so lucky, as I was here in isolated area, which I keep my kids to ourselves most of the time. They do go out and join others such library club and etc, but manage to look after themselves well and I bet, my kids communication with others is not much a concern. Probably because we had guest and visitor now and again and always communicate and talk to each other without any doubt.

Although I'm quiet strict and our homeschool can be call regime homeschool, but my kids all the time allow to put their opinion all the time in anything. As for that, all my kids didn't have any fear towards me, although I can be scream as loud as a thunder, but do respect me and realise the reason when I be angry and harsh to them. We also do take about our feeling and emotion now and again.

As for next week, I will spend some time to organise kids work, take picture and put review on what we had learn and achieve and write it in here for the record.

Review

Since September last year, our homeschool had been going through so many up and down in term of routine and structure. We had moved house, and it's ramadan, eidul fitri and then it's eidul adha, non stop guest one after another and we try so hard to squeeze our homeschool when ever we can.

Once we get on routine, we had regime homeschool where we did five subject everyday, work hard to cover what ever need to and try to improve our learning as much as we can especially for PS and MS where they are going into transition from kids to teenager. What happen when they start going in to this transition time, some branch of their brain will start be chopped off and only will keep the one that they are using now. It's very crucial time for me, as school before, from my observation had damage a critical thinking and memorization part, big time! Plus the standard of curriculum which annoy me as soon as I'm homeschool had made me bring back some subject especially Maths backward for PS and MS.

It's ashamed as Maths basic skill really need to be brush up to make other subject easier and develop critical thinking and sharp thinker. But, unfortunately this isn't the case in school. After one and half year been homeschool, This school term which from September seems to strengthen our routine and know where we are and our target. Although with all sort of uncertainty event, we manage to get through and although PS and MS still behind in Maths, but the improvement and plenty of exercise for basic Maths, will Insya Allah make maths lesson in the future easy.

For this years term, we had lots of Science in theory. I didn't touch any experiment as what I'm gonna do, is during May, June, July and August, we going to do most of the subject using computer, hands on experiment and practical learning from what we had learn in theory. I can't wait for that and children can't wait for that as well. So, at the moment, I try to catch up some topic that I want them to cover, so we can then enjoy our practical learning and the sunshine. Also, during summer, all the experiment seems good and practical to do than in winter. We also plan an educational visit and can't wait to see what event around spring and summer time. I do feel that we all deserve a fun and exciting learning after this but of course feel glad that we had been working hard on regime homeschool that we all appreciate the out come.

Our regime homeschool also had boost MS confident in learning, although he still need someone looking at his back all the time. S had improve her knowledge quiet a lots with little of down side. Of course between all, MS the one that had so many down side because of his lack of confident and slow thinking. Alhamdulillah it had improve a lots with patient, hardship and perseverance. It had been tears from him, shouting and scream from me but alhamdulillah, I had to hold my self with lots of patient and we both got through it at last. And the important things is that he realise why he had to go through it and why I had to put him through the situation and he learn the benefit of it and declare himself master in multiplication although he will still had things wrong because of lack of concentration he got in learning.

PS also had settle a lots in homeschool than before. Of course there be lots of up and down with me in term of becoming teenager and a mum which still learning how to deal with one. She had learn lots of things she need to , most of them thanks to ed helper which had all the information needed for homeschool and independent learning . She had also had start doing some topic of Geography and History with MS. I only need to print it out and ed helper do the job and they work it out together to read and answer the questions. Also, they did some topic in islamic studies together. MS also did some topic of islamic studies with S. I'm looking forward to get PS deal with some project late spring and summer.

AS had improve himself and had a full and high motivation in reading, alhamdulillah. He had also join library club and had so many books every week to read at home. He love reading and enjoy and eager to improve it all the time. He see the benefit of reading and not just read, but will also tell the story of what he been reading to everybody in the house. He's the only one who was in regime homeschool before but had been leave alone for quiet sometimes now and again. He seems like lost motivation sometimes, but whenever he sit, he will then done everything correctly as it never been new to him. On that reason, I leave him on his own sometimes especially he had finish couple of his workbook this year and it's only March.

Overall, I'm satisfied with kids learning especially we manage to cover Geography and History about Malaysia. PS and MS also start doing lots of work in geography using US curriculum which satisfied me especially ed helper and enchanted learning. They learn about Continent and Ocean,
Maps, Longitude and all sort of important part in geography which I used to learn in primary school but not here in UK curriculum. For me, the result is, lack of knowledge in term of 'where in the world'. I think all this important in term of general knowledge that they need to know and they don't have sort of 'shock' and think that they the only human in the world. I found out because of lack of this knowledge here in UK, people had become very reserve with foreigners. Having knowledge about other country not just in term of Geography but culture and history is very important to teach that we not the only race, language and culture in the world that are the best. All this can basically be learn from ed helper (only for subscriber). It's basic knowledge only but enough to give a picture about other countries, history and culture.

Science, we had cover quiet a lots as well without we realising it. Most of the topic about keeping healthy, five sense, electricity and we also cover a lots of solar system from ed helper and enchanted learning. This two website give a lots of explanation with picture as well. Five sense for S cover deeply one by one. We done about ears and eyes from ed helper science comprehension. The good thing is the learning from ed helper come from comprehension and it design for several age and give clear and simple explanation with question to answer to see the understanding of the child. Kids learn a lots from that, alhamdulillah with out me having me had to find info from here and there and explain it to them one at the time as they on different level. I just love ed helper and enchanted learning.

English also good with ed helper. Which they had a lots of worksheet and also teach kids how to learn to write from basic and also how to answer comprehension and vocabulary and spelling. It's just awesome website with more to kids do independent learning. Now and again I'm always there with them if they stuck. They also come with a challenge and critical thinking which MS find it hard at first but interesting now. I love as the worksheet been design for child to develop their critical thinking and build sharp mind.

Islamic studies also we had go further by using the book kids should be used in Al Hadiyah school where they no longer be there. Kids had learn a lots except I haven't finish doing islamic studies with PS and MS in term of deeply knowledge in Fikh. It's stuck at the same topic at the moment. All other islamic studies especially Seerah had been deeply cover slowly with workbook. Hubby also had involve in talking about deen after our daily taa'lim (reading hadis from fazail amal). Quran reading slowly moving as I don't move children to the next line until they get a grips on what they been reading. It's same method as Maths which they need to strengthen the basic which will make it easy later. I learn it hard way and they had to learn it the way I learn even though we used different method of learning. During summer we plan to do a presentation of what we learn in Seerah, also do some lapbooking for other topic such as tawheed and fikh and also mind map. Also I'm looking forward to straighten kids memorization in prayer supplication and also revise on practical things such as wudu' and prayer. Having big kids who already look after their prayer didn't means, our responsibility done. Big kids need more attention and full detail in practising prayer and wuduk then small kids. Job is harder then before.

Also of course we looking forward to learn more about gardening and bring it in to practise with our big huge garden, Insya Allah. I will take sometimes to capture picture of kids works and how much we had done. Also all the workbook they had finish, as I can put it away in the box and clear up study room ready for more learning book and stuff from summer car boot.

Mom Award

I've been given this award by independent learner. Jazaka Allah Huhairan for the award. Although I'm not really sure that I deserve this, certainly being a mom is not an easy job and I believe it the most challenging and hard work as we will be asking about our responsibility when we stand in front of Allah Azza wajalla.

As there are a question need to answer coming together with the award, here it goes:

Admit one thing you feel awful about being a mom:

Well, I thought that I had one but when I think back again, do I have one? I don't think I will feel awful being a mum. Although I do shout and scream to my kids, I don't feel bad or awful about it. I believe that as a mum I had to be in control and allow to be in anger if they make something bad. I'm almost didn't feel bad if I had to shout and scream or let my anger out BUT at the same time, I believe I try my best to control my anger and let it out only for particular reason and I had a strong reaso to do it. I don't think I should had let my anger out if my kids are doing the right thing. But, at the end, kids are kids, hey! So, for me I don't consider my shout and scream sometimes is bad as kids need to know who in control.

I been told 9 years ago, that my kids may not love me when they big as I'm too in control and 'strict'. But, at the time being, they had show me how being in control over them is something they need. To tell them off is part of the mom jo I believe, so, shouldn't feel awful about!

List 7 things you love about your kids:

1. I love the challenge they had for me in bringing them up.

2. I love to watch and observe them grow up.

3. I love observe the theory I try to put in practice, try and error and try again different way.

4. I love their unconditional love for me.

5. I love when they had surprise for me to show their aprrieciation and their thank you word for me as cook their favourate food or buy something for them.

6. I love when they understand that I need my own space.

7. I love to see how they try hard to understand and practice deen in their life.

Jazaka Allah Huhairan again for the award!!

Quick

Today we had the quickest homeschool, I think. So do kids think. Why? We had start school early as they wake up early and think to watch some cartoon. Kids don't really had time for t.v. on weekdays and we always busy weekend.

I ask them, are they wanted to watch now and ended up finish homeschool late, or start now and later got time to play in the garden as well as watch t.v. later. Of course they choose to study early. Amazingly, by 2pm we finish everything. Everything mean, Maths, English, Other subject ( science , geog, history or creativity) , islamic studies and quran reading. Plus we stop for praying and eating as well. Plus they been out side for one hour at 11am.

So, we all love today. I do hope that it will continue tomorrow and for the rest of the coming spring and summer. I know that the weather had change the feeling. Everybody just feel wake up and ready to start off. Including hormone changing kid, PS.

Fill in the schedule themselves except AS, also help to motivate them and organise themselves. It make a different as they know that they had a worry if they not fill in all five boxes, which also mean they didn't finish their school for the day yet. It help them to keep an eye for themselves which had a good outcome, alhamdulillah. I wish I can have some picture to share, but haven't got much time yet.

I'm now learning how to do gardening as I'm very bad at it! Couple of seed been sow now and looking good! Can't wait to see when it can be harvest but..opppppsss...had to e patient doing the garden here in UK. I'm learning and always learning, Insya Allah.

Got loads of things to do as try to organise our homeschool to welcome spring and summer. Start to think to change schedule, so we will start to do more outside activity. What I will do, is go back to all the lesson, revise and learn a hands on from it. Can't wait for lots and lots of experiment!

Busy but not so?

I'm not sure if I'm busy or not and feel like I don't have time to write but wanted to write! For some reason I feel busy but what did I do? Emm..apart from homeschool and all other routine, I was kind of busy with internet but chatting with friends and family whose 'long time no see!'. Time seems flies too quick.

Homeschool is OK. Aprt from AS who seems didn't do almost anything unless playing and jumping around. Only if he fele like it, he will squeeze a bit of his workbook. May be two or three pages. But, he become interested in the display booklet I put in the lounge. It's not display. It's just lots of booklet I put in the basket for guest who coming and going if they had time to spend to read about do'a, taharah in islam and etc. AS had been taking one particular book and start reading them! Like a pretty matured boy! Surprising.

Also S had become the same. I'm not really put presssure on my kids for fajr prayer before they ten. But, alhamdulillah, before they ten they develop interest themselves which I reckon because of fazail amal we been reading everyday. Knowing and listening about the reward of the amal certainly motivate everybody doesn't really matter adult or kids. S had been remind me evry night to wake her up for fajr prayer. It's surprise me in a way as I'm always thought that she will be the difficult one in term of deen. But, I'm totally wrong! She also start picking up the booklet in the lounge and will sit on prayer mat after we did magrib prayer, read ta'alim and quran reading and start reading the booklet every day. The booklet contain short surah together with transliteraion and she been reading the transliteration of the surah she didn't memorise yet. She had become more pious everyday with her own will! Masya Allah! I didn't say anything about her change but had a big smile in my heart and feel satisfied. Alhamdulillah, because for me it's important while they growing that they move to a positive things especially in practising deen. Not just learn and know in term of knowledge. Because to bring deen into practise is not easy, at least for me. And I'm always want my kids to progress in their amal with their own self. With their own feeling of responsibility towards their own deen.

Also I had do something new. I had a daily planner which need to be fill in every day, which I'm always forgot. So, I had give PS all five subject of planner and she need to fill them in herself. This is to teach her how to organise and know where she is everyday. Because they all need to do all five subject including reading quran everyday. She feel more organise and satisfied that way and it's also less work for me in term of organising and recording. Also I had print weekly calender which ahd five boxes in each day and get a folder each to S and MS. IN their folder contains punch pocket for each subject they need and I will fill the pocket everyday or every other day. They both will fill in their weekly calender and write down in particular subject , what they ahd learn. For example: Maths= Division. Englich=verbs, comprehension. Science= solar system.

This also to teach them to organise their own work and know where they are and what they need to finish or what else left to be finish. Let say, they done four subject and we had guest, they know that they need to do one more subject whenever, for that day. They need to make sure all five boxes been fill in, than they know their homeschool done for that day. I find it more organising like that and it teach children also in term of organising their work, know what to look forward and not leaving them hanging on the cloud.

Even though I didn't write down what they ahd learn, we had hard copy for it wirtten by themselves which make my workload less, alhamdulillah. So far, our homeschool had a progress towards days and week. We all looking forward to summer time and can't wait to get out hands on work we going to do and leave all the paperwork and worksheet all alone!

Back to homeschool

About ten days ago, mindsprinting website is down. I was frustrated when I first couldn't connect to the site. I was pretty much using the site and it has make my job easy. PS also feel sad because for her, mindsprinting gives structure and well organise and that's what she like and that's why I like it as well. Structure and organise. As we had so many subject and area to cover. Last week, Monday, I was facing the end of printer toner! What a week of homeschool. One problem after another.

Without mindsprinting, I still had couple of site I used and should be able to print worksheet from there. But, than this happen. I had to spent sometime trying to find where can I get the toner refill and and the same time learn what and how. The toner refill I used, hubby bought it couple of years back from ebay. He said, we just get it from the shop this time. So, I browse. Make a phone call and it didn't come out right, too expensive. Then I learn that it's a replacement of cartridge which I don't want. But, usually that's what happen. People change cartridge. Toner is dangerous and need to be refill with caution, but that's the cheapest way. Not too dangerous, but the seller will make it as too dangerous!

As a home edu, we do lots and lots of printing. Cartridge will cost about £50 and will long lasting for 3000 pages and for us probably three months. I used the refill that we had before and although our cartridge is good to be replace, but it still do the job, at least for worksheet printing. After a research, I find one from here. We can get any toner refill for any brand and series. Alhamdulillah, I got mine for £24, that's including special delivery. Paid through pay pal. I got five bottle and each bottle should long lasting me for three months. Which means £24 is for 15 months printing job. That's worth the money.

Unfortunately, I had made a mistake at the time of purchasing. For some reason, pay pal used my old address as shipping address. I keep waiting, and only till last Monday, I realise the mistake after the toner never arrived. I had to call the estate agent and ask them to get the new tenant to contact me. Got a phone call yesterday, she never receive the package as she not at home but got a card for it. Went down to my old house yesterday, get the card, pick the toner from royal mail office and while we down there, we went to shop in Tesco Extra which had lots of variety things I need including A4 exercise book and it's usually cost 89p but yesterday it goes down to 64p. Alhamdulillah.

Did some homeschool shopping such as note book, colour , glue and etc. Manage to stop by at park near our old house and children been running around and we bought something to eat over there as well. Alhamdulillah, it has been a good day out for us. Something that we need, I need. To chilled out, far from homeschool and books and internet.

Last week, we been using lots of our workbook we had. Manage to go down to WH Smith and Waterstone to get book using book token. PS arrange to get the book token this time and they send us a whole packet which contains may be about 50 in there! So, we got two book each for them. Still had plenty more tokens. Did give some to others. Also I did spend some money on book! Again! can't help it every time I went there! So, we did relax our mind last week and go through workbook and spend time with 'UK curriculum' for a while there.

Today, we should be manage to get back to mindsprinting and other worksheet. A week break from mindsprinting and worksheet made me realise how much they had learn and take from mindsprinting and US curriculum we been using. I quiet please as we can see the result when we used UK curriculum books and also I can see lots of improvement. Sometimes, we can't see any improvement when we on the same things. But when we moved a bit out from the area we use to, than it's a test to see weather the method before work or not. I do know that it should work. But, of course it's a bit of a regime homeschool which can get kids frustrated and me struggling. But, they themselves find how much they had improve that way and build more confident than ever themselves without me pushing them.

I then know that now and again we will stop our regime curriculum and way of learning in the middle of our routine and lay back for couple of days to give confident and motivate children. I do notice as well, that only by making them realise themselves how valuable their effort and hard work before is one of the best way. of course I still had to put up with moan and whinge now and again. For example, PS whinge with mindsprinting, but when we off from it, she the one who miss it so much! MS, although struggle and 'hate' mindsprinting, but when he used his workbook, he realise how minsprinting worksheet regime had teach him and had made his life easier when it come to do other things. Go through hard work, I believe made us feel syukur and find other things easy then we expected. But, if we never been through hard work, then in later time, it will be difficult for us.

As me, I'm always remember, if I haven't gone through hard time before, I'm not going to be as strong as I am now! Alhamdulillah.

Habil and Qabil

I had taken out variety of muslim reading book for children while I was cleaning our library room which not finish yet till today! I was thinking that may be around end of March or early April, we can start using our library as our classroom back again as the weather should be getting warm than before.

One of the book was the story of Habil and Qabil. As a reader now, AS start to take the book and read. He can read with little hlep through out the book, alhamdulillah. At the end, there are a note, in small print saying ask the reader to refer the story about habil and qabil in the quran.

AS than straight away get the qurna and bring it down to me. I was bisy with hubby in front of laptop and at the sam time, tell him that I can't find it from the qurna and I ahd to used quran translation. Not qurna in Arabic. He than keep saying to me, he need to find a reference in the quran about Habil and Qabil as been told in the book he read.

I ask him to get me qurna translation in english and Malay. I can't find specific translation regard to the story until in the afternoon while I was getting on with my quran translation reading page by page for my own reason, I found it. Quickly I call him and read to him the verses and than he open his story book and try to understand from what I read. He than keep reading againa nd again the story about Habil and Qabil and feel satisfied that he can refer to the quran as he been ask at the end of the book.

Alhamdulillah, at the moment, this is what I love my kids to be. To be a learner all the time and to be independent learner and love learning without forcing by anybody. But, of course the method I used with AS cannot apply to the others. When they getting bigger, although they can all be independent learner, but to keep them motivated is different thing and not easy. That deserve post on it's own. At the moment, AS as usual, gain more and more day by day and at the same time, get a freedom that he want as a child. Running, jumoing, screaming, making mess with toys and his thing is normal to me. I don't expect him to sit with me all the time or holding the book and sit quoetly the whole day. I will be worried if that happen. I love to see my kids jumping, screaming and behave like a kid and I know that they develop with a normal phase and not miss or jump and left what they need to go though.