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Using RightStart Maths in Ireland
I believe that maths is not the rote memory of facts or simply applying algorithms without understanding the “why” behind them. Understanding math is just as important as getting the right answer, as this supports children in applying maths. RightStart Math facilitates teaching math with this perspective, and thus I chose this curriculum when we started home educating more than seven years…
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Visiting Peloponnese, Greece
Although this website is focused on learning about Ireland, as home educators living in Ireland one of the advantages that we have over those in America, is how much easier it is for us to access the wonderful breadth and depth of Europe’s wealth of attractions. My family headed off to Athens in September 2022 to see some of the…
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Irish Living Booklist – Poetry
We enjoy reading aloud a poem or two aloud together every day. I spent time looking for some Irish poetry books, and I wanted to share with you the ones that worked for my family...
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Life Skills: Cooking & more
In addition to academics, we want our children to be learning life skills. My children love cooking and baking. I have supported them in this since they were young and it is so helpful now that I can ask them to go and make something for dinner, or even a substantial, nutritious breakfast. Thankfully they are also good at cleaning…
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Mater Dei Irish History
Mater Dei Education is a new Irish curriculum provider. Mater Dei was “founded in 2020 to support homeschoolers in Ireland and elsewhere discover the rich classical tradition of teaching and learning from Ireland”. In 2021 Mater Dei released their Discover the Past Irish history curriculum. As they were new I could not see them before I purchased them. I only…
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Raising Butterflies
Growing caterpillars is a common suggestion in home education curricula. I wanted to share information for beginners like me, who would enjoy giving their children (and themselves) this enjoyable learning experience: watching the miracle of metamorphosis up close as you see the caterpillars grow, change into chrysalides and then emerge as beautiful butterflies! Caterpillars can be purchased from Insect Lore…
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Learning Weeks
Throughout the year there are various science type weeks that are wonderful for hands-on learning and inspiring us all. Usually, I will pick just one thing to go to from a learning week. For Heritage week, I will usually pick a few things as it includes such diversity, is in the school holidays, and runs over two weekends plus the…
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Valentine’s Day! ♥
Usually, the focus of my posts is on Ireland. However, my children and I really enjoyed this ♥ Valentine’s Day ♥ mini study from Brighter Day Press, we were able to get many of the listed enrichment books in our local library, which is unusual, and the snacks were all delicious, enjoyed by all and easily dairy- and gluten-free! Plus…
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Visiting Newgrange
We are visiting Newgrange and I wanted to share two quality resources if you are also planning a visit. Newgrange has created some excellent pdf education packs in black and white for printing, which include detailed information as well as worksheet activities, for Primary School History, Junior Certificate History and Leaving Certificate Art History which can be downloaded from their…
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Some lovely books for Christmas in Irish libraries…
A homeschooling father of four in Dublin put together a list of books he has enjoyed with his children for Christmas and Advent over his many years of homeschooling. The descriptions below are his, links to the library added by yours truly… The Jesse Tree Geraldine McCaughrean – A ‘story for every day of advent’ – older children, a keeper.…
