Drum, Midmar and games

Had an interesting couple of days. Our study of slavery has just begun but has grown offshoots into women’s rights and human rights in general. Watched ‘The Color Purple’ and have had much discussion about it. It’s a 15 cert. but the children already know of the issues raised in it and we discuss everything in depth (films with the ‘f’ word get an 18 cert. – should school playgrounds be certified like this??? Violence, swearing, abuse, sexual references… goodness they might be found unsuitable for children .

Been doing quite a few Waldorf style games with maths – everyone enjoys them and the basics seem to become more instinctive somehow. Amazing what throwing a beanbag around and shouting can do!

Had a day out today. Started off in Aberdeen. The bookshops benefitted from our patronage as usual – what amazing kids fiction abounds today. Davie bought me a new digital radio and CD player for the kitchen (much needed, long story involving cat pee – would not enhance the diary) and we went for a nice lunch. Then we headed to Drum Castle – love the really old part of it, still in it’s medieval state, and the fact you can go right up on the roof. There was a wedding taking place there today (in the castle, not on the roof) – gloriously dressed people everywhere. Drove home by the scenic route stopping to see the stone circle in Midmar Churchyard. Many Christian Churches have been built on more ancient sacred sites like this but it is very unusual for the original stones to be left intact, they were usually smashed up and used in the construction of the new Church. Davie saw a grave with his name on it beside the circle… creepy.

Games obtained in last week: Dingbats – very good for expanding ways of looking at language; pick up sticks for manual dexterity and precision; a Harry Potter collection which includes wizards chess; Sorcerors Cave (like Mystic Wood) and the Chinese game of GO, not played yet but apparantly very strategic (ancient Chinese and Japanese warriors studied it).

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