Been continuing our WW2 research with the Diary of Anne Frank and a film of her life. I’ve tried to create balance by telling the children about the rumours that Anne may have not have written parts of the diary (certainly her father, who had it published after the war, seems rather a perfect character) and having general discussions about disinformation and propaganda (also regarding the UFO stuff). We were all in tears by the end of the film however, and have decided that our next project has got to be a happy one! Will carry on taking it in turns to read her diary – it is interesting to note how similar young girls’ interests still are despite the differences in the times we live. I think it helps make history interesting to have a personal slant on it.
On a lighter note, bought 4 pumpkins today for Halloween lantern carving. We are going to do one each this year. Asda are selling ‘smartprice’ ones at 44p each – very handy.
Postlady brought some goodies this morning: fantastic colouring pens – Berol ones like they use in schools as they last well, Addendum which weve played already (great when kids insist on playing a longer game than instructions state due to the fun being had!) and some percentage cubes. They also sell a set of cubes comparing fractions with decimals but I have been thrifty and written the equivalent fractions and decimals on the other sides of these cubes with permanent marker 
Tactile learning seems to work so much better than plain paper and pencils.Had some fun doing Su Doku in the afternoon – more enjoyable than I had anticipated and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly the children picked it up. So sites to look at today: a sudoku one, another I heard about on the radio where you can measure your ecological footprint – we came in at 1.6 – and also Catriona’s Vegan Travel site is in the process of being revamped and well worth a peruse!
After feeling sudoku was a waste of time and wondering why anyone would want to do it, we all really like it now! This is a good introduction with a very simple 4×4 puzzle to learn the basic rules and then fairly easy 9×9 puzzles with hints and tips.
Buy UK or Buy US
The Artists Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self - an intensely powerful and synchronistic way of clearing blocks, old psychological patterns and dysfunctions of the past. Get doing your morning pages, they're amazing!
fabulous guide to foraging in Britain.
amazing Russian books these: spirituality; growing; living naturally; raising children with love and respect; quite magical. Release any preconceived ideas of how life should be (or books) and create your space of love!
A very well researched novel which, alongside Picoult's usual 'heading to a trial' plot, explores many facets of and perspectives on Asperger's Syndrome. The potential and common effects of AS on siblings is especially well documented here. As gripping and informative a book as 
a great storehouse of food growing knowledge from Dirty Nails :)
"Girls just wanna have... wanna have fun...", and we still are :)
