Our Homeschool Diary #4. Boundless Learning Outside the Home.
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Field Trips!
We are nearing the 2nd Quarterly Portfolio Review which we have pre-set to be on February 26th. Hence, it has been pretty hectic for us these days. We need to catch up on subjects where we had delays in procuring books.
These past few weeks we also have the chance to augment our homeschool learning by going to different places which can pique the children's interests and let them learn new things. The weather is also nice to get outdoors - we do not get this kind of weather the whole year round. So outdoor excursions, here we go!
Emirates Park Zoo
Last December, on one of our long weekends, we had a chance to visit Emirates Park Zoo.
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One of the attractions at the zoo is the chance to pet and feed the animals. Living in a desert country like the UAE, my kids' interactions to animals, both domesticated and farm, are limited. This trip was a perfect chance to learn about various animals present at the zoo.
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The Dubai Miracle Garden
Last weekend, we had a chance to visit the Dubai Miracle Garden. It was an unplanned trip, but a very welcome change to our monotonous routine.
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The garden park had a lot of attractions designed with millions of colorful flowers! We were only a few meters from the gate and Kuya started firing questions already. "Are there bees here?" "Are bees different from wasps?" How do they take care of all these?" "Is that a real airplane?" "Are airplanes machines?"
The trip, apart from being educational, was also a nice bonding moment for the family.
Children's City, Dubai Creek Park
After almost half a day's walk at the Miracle Garden, we decided to swing by the Children's City at the Dubai Creek Park. This was one of the places our homeschool advisor suggested during our last portfolio review.
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Right now, Kuya is torn on being a scientist, astronaut or a teacher perhaps.
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Kuya has been talking about wanting to use a microscope for quite some time now. He wants to see how microbes look like. That is why on this trip last weekend, while it was unplanned, I decided we swing by this place where children can get their hands on many different things that will help them learn about the world we live in.
It's a shame we arrived late. Children's City opens from 2:00pm to 8:00pm on weekends and we reached there at around 6:00pm. Parking was a nightmare and we were able to enter the center almost 15 minutes before 7:00pm already. An hour and a quarter was not enough to explore the place. The kids wanted to actually come back this coming weekend!
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Abu Dhabi Science Festival
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Fortunately, the Abu Dhabi Science Festival is back as part of the UAE Innovation Month. They are at the Abu Dhabi Corniche from February 1 - 7, 2018 - something that I also did not know ahead of time. I just accidentally found out about it as I passed by the area last Saturday. As we already spent for our Children's City visit (which was actually not too much at AED 40- ~$10.80, for our whole family)it is great to find out that the Innovator UAE event is free of charge
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Another chance to peek under the microscope. This time the material was iron wherein he said he saw shiny things!
We had a long night as we left at closing time which was 10.00pm, even withstanding the cold breeze coming from the beach!
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Boundless Knowledge
We are happy to be getting the groove of homeschooling. I feel it is working well for all of us in the family. The boundless learning opportunities that come along with the flexibility of homeschool are so welcome, especially with my three knowledge-hungry kiddos.
Though we face pressure from time to time, it is tolerable and manageable. This, I feel, is a lot better than what a normal schooling may bring to us.
Our Previous Homeschool Diaries
Our Homeschool Diary # 1: We Need to Purchase Books! - (let me know if you got these)
Our Homeschool Diary #2: Freedom & Responsibility
Our Homeschool Diary #3. Portfolio Review. Trust Your Child.
All photos are owned by the author. Animated page dividers by @scrooger & @flauwy.
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beautiful place for children...:)
Yes @gilvelosoreyes 😊
lovely Mummy. Field trip is so much fun, It just goes to show, learning doesn't end at school, It could be anytime and anywhere.
Actually mam arllin, naisip ko lng, ang tagal kong ginugul mag aral ng algebra at geometry, physics at iba pa, at hanggang ngaun di ko pa rin maintindihan. tapos pag sasabak ka na in real world and in real life, di ko maaply yang mga algebra na yan. basta alam ko lng mg division subtraction multiplication at addition, I am sooo fine. hahaha.
Helo lovely @divinekids
Seriously, @sherylneil that is one of the advantages of homeschooling. You can get to train your child for the actual ways of life- practical knowledge application. Since our learning is one on one, he gets answers to his questions that may never be tackled in a classroom setting.
@arrliinn wow great article & nice photography
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##Upvote/Resteem###
Thanks @steem2000
Nice, saya mag fieldtrip. Enjoy. :)
Thanks @zararina! Lubusin na habang di pa mainit sa disyerto. Haha
ganda naman dyan...enjoy and happy bonding po...:)
Thanks @luzclaritareyes. Super na enjoy ng kids
wow! I want too! Do the science festival still there?
They finished here in Abu Dhabi yesterday. I think they are now in Fujairah. :D
Field trips are fun! They give us knowledge and the relaxation we needed.
Really true @mashiliyanage
Wow homeschooling na din kayo?!
All kids? How do you do it, mommy?
Yup we are! I give him tasks/exercises to do during the day while we're at work then we review it in the evening. New lessons, sa gabi rin. Night shift homeschooling. Hehe
Effort. I work nights so we have time in the morning. Go go go mommy power!