Home Ed Matters Podcast: Recent Episodes
Luke Strickland
This time round Asher is discussing natural disasters from his Environmental Management course and Mirabelle is discussing cholera and famine in the Victorian era. More positively Mirabelle is doing tasty experiments studying genes and dna, and Eden is auditioning for roles in a forthcoming play. Plus the kids are enthusing about a climbing trip and making recommendations of books, games, films and shows they're currently enjoying!
In this episode we're discussing book adaptations, visiting Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the Back to Backs. Plus Asher is talking about the board game design course he's doing, Mirabelle's talking about some books she's working through in her Victorians topic, and Eden's reflecting on two weeks back at college and various groups. Plus the kids are making recommendations again at the end of the show.
We're back with a new season as we start our 12th year of Home Education! As Eden goes into Year 11, Asher into Year 9 and Mirabelle into Year 5 we share some of the topics and approaches we're using this year. We're also sharing about what we're looking forward to this term, plus recommendations from the kids on things they are enjoying at the moment!
In this episode we're camping in the Lake District and attending the 150th Keswick Convention, plus making a quick trip to Scotland! Plus we're excited about our three new chickens, and staying busy over the summer.
We're enjoying our summer holidays, but Eden and Asher are pushing on with some of their GCSE studies regardless. Mirabelle's sharing about the paw print badge projects we're doing, we share about a fun trip to Southport and Blackpool, and we look ahead to a trip to the Lake District.
We've finished another academic year! Eden's discussing how her last GCSE exam (this year) went and what she's studying over the summer. Mirabelle gives an update on her summer reading challenge, and we head for a wonderful break in Devon including a (windy) recording on the amazing Lundy Island!
As we're approaching the end of our academic year, Mirabelle and Asher are sharing some of the year-long book studies they've recently finished. Plus we're visiting a farm for Open Farm day to tie into our Environmental Management studies, and looking ahead to an exciting holiday to north Devon.
This time round Mirabelle has been out birdwatching, and we have visitors to our nest box. Asher is sharing about the Explore Arts Award he has recently achieved. Eden is reflecting on her latest exam and discussing new subjects she's starting, and both Eden and Asher are sharing the volume of toast and weetabix they get through (as part of a balanced diet!).
In this episode we're enthusing about our trip to the Tower of London. Plus Eden's looking ahead to A-level options and planning on starting a new religious studies course over the summer. Asher is talking about his Arts Award progress plus his current greenhouse duties, and Mirabelle is sharing about a recent book and her study of a mango!
This time round we're reflecting on a fun trip to Liverpool and our Easter highlights. Eden's comparing exam technique for her upcoming Chemistry GCSE against her previous exams. Asher's starting a new PSHE course and Mirabelle's got an exciting experiment on the kitchen window involving nitrogen. Plus we recorded the entire episode in the garden!
This time round Mirabelle is studying the Georgians, reading a book about yellow fever and visiting Hanbury Hall. Asher has sown seed in his garden, is talking about climbing and studying renewable power sources for Environmental Management GCSE. Eden's close to her chemistry GCSE and is also discussing a change of approach for biology. Plus we're talking about our current artist study on William Morris, and what we're all looking forward to over Easter.
In this episode we're visiting a cotton mill to bring our Industrial Revolution studies to life, Mirabelle's learning about Captain Cook, we're doing experiments to learn about oil spills to tie into Asher's Environmental Management studies, and Eden's deep in her chemistry studies from South West Science and getting ready to start exam prep.
In this episode Mirabelle's enthusing about her trip to Crufts, plus we have some exciting developments in the pond. Asher and I are visiting London to celebrate his birthday, and Eden's sharing about a new favourite book series, using her scientific calculator and a church youth weekend away.
This episode we're sharing our highlights of our recent adventures in Florida, Mexico and Honduras! We had an amazing few weeks, visiting the "pirate island" of Roatan, enjoying the rides at Disney, meeting dolphins, and a memorable trip to Gatorland!
It's our first episode of 2025! Eden's sharing her latest GCSE result in Environmental Management, Asher's just starting it, Miraballe's giving the lowdown on some of her recent books, and we're all looking forward to our exciting trip to Florida, Mexico and Honduras!
It's our last episode of 2024 and we're looking back on some of our favourite parts of the year, as well as our fave bits of Christmas. We're also looking forward to 2025 and share some of the activities we're already anticipating.
Thanks for all your support in 2024 and wishing you and your loved ones a happy and blessed 2025!
It's starting to feel Christmassy in our household, and Asher and Mirabelle are sharing the carols they've been studying in our "Caroling Noel" curriculum during December. Mirabelle's also finished a good book about the Tower of London, and they're sharing their best bits from a mini trip to London. Meanwhile Eden's giving the lowdown on how her Christmas show went, how it's going juggling biology at college with chemistry at home, and how she's getting on with a new approach to guitar and piano. Plus we all have breakfast with Santa at Ikea - Merry Christmas!
We're making Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings this time round, for "stir-up Sunday". Plus Asher and Mirabelle take a memorable trip to prison (just for a tour), we're making the most of this year's Into Film festival, and we're enjoying ACTUAL snow!
It's half term! And for the first time we're in sync with the schools. Mirabelle's enjoyed Civil-War related trips out, Asher's working on his piano skills, and Eden's getting used to wearing glasses, as well as practicing hard for a guitar performance at an upcoming Christmas show.
This time round Asher's been reading the Book of Marvels and the History of Medicine, Mirabelle's still enjoying her microscope studies, and Eden's thinking ahead to sixth form options as well as designing computer games.
In this episode Eden's reflecting on her recent sitting of her Environmental Management GCSE, Mirabelle's been looking through the microscope and conducting experiments on water, and Asher's been designing electricity pylons.
It's been a big week as Eden's had her first week at college, plus we're thinking already about options beyond GCSE. Mirabelle and I do some gardening in a thunderstorm, Asher beats me at chess and we discuss politics and Farenheit 451.
We're back! We've had a great summer, and in this episode Eden's sharing her first GCSE results and the plan for the next ones she's sitting. Mirabelle's excited about her new pet fish, and Asher's talking about his new chemistry course. Plus we fill you in on our summer adventures and what we're looking forward to this term.
It's our last episode of this season! We're still in summer holiday mode before starting our next academic year next month, but Eden's started a new chemistry course already and all three have been receiving end of season sports awards. Plus we're sharing what we're each looking forward to camping in the Lake District soon.
This time round we're camping in Cornwall, with some fascinating mine trips which tie into the Environmental Management GCSE. Eden's also sharing how she's done on her various online courses and groups this year.
We've reached the end of another academic year! Eden's reflecting on sitting her first few GCSEs, and what she's learnt about "deep practice" on the guitar. Asher and Mirabelle are picking their favourite books and topics, and we're all discussing what we're looking forward to over the summer (starting with a camping trip in Cornwall).
As Eden's first GCSE looms she's deep in past papers to practice, meanwhile Mirabelle's doing stop-motion animation, Asher and I are planning a Japanese garden, and Eden's performing in a production of "The Monstrum".
This time, Eden's sharing how she's getting on with GCSE mocks and past papers, Mirabelle's performing on stage as a famous character, and we're taking a mini-break in Blackpool.
It's nearly Easter and Eden's talking about how she's preparing for some mock GCSEs. Mirabelle's discussing anatomy experiments, swimming badges and seed planting. Asher's doing an interesting astronomy experiment with fizzy cola, and we're discussing art movements, the end of our middle east topic and a film festival we took part in.
In this episode, Eden's joined a newspaper writing team, Mirabelle's enthusing about her trip to Crufts, we're feeling sad at finishing a beloved book series, and we're having fantastic adventures on various day trips.
This time we're getting excited by what's appeared in our garden pond, Mirabelle's been learning about the sense of smell, we've finished more read-alouds in our Middle-Eastern topic and we're enjoying some classic movies.
In this episode Mirabelle and Luke are finding the first signs of spring in the garden, Eden's giving an update on her GCSE preparation and time management, Asher's making a DNA model out of sweets, and we're also talking about our recent Middle Eastern feast and trip to the West Midlands Police Museum.
As we approach the end of January we're participating in the Big Garden Birdwatch. Asher gives an update on his astronomy study and an experiment about twinkling stars, Mirabelle's studying bones, and we're talking about Islamic art and our current Ambleside free reads.
It's our first episode of 2024, Eden's sharing her interesting resolution for the year, we're doing some stargazing, and we're talking about the new topics we're starting which include Astronomy, Anatomy and a new Middle East topic.
It's our last episode of 2023 and we're sharing highlights of our Christmas and of the year as a whole - plenty to share! Hope you have a great New Year and see you in 2024...
We're deep in December and are immersing ourselves in our Christmas study of the Inklings, focusing on Tolkien's Letters to Father Christmas. Meanwhile we have fun at Warwick Castle and Mirabelle meets a special someone. Plus we're talking about various seasonal activities, baking and craft.
This time we're visiting The Rep's amazing production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. We're celebrating our India topic with a feast, having a great time at the Comic-Con and getting ready for our Christmas topics.
In this episode we're reviewing the RSC's production of the Box of Delights, as well as discussing our India topic and how we've been using brick models to supplement our Asia studies. We're also filling you in on trips to Bear Grylls Adventure and Cadbury World and discussing our next module topic for Environmental Management GCSE.
This time round Eden's discussing college visits for elective home ed GCSE and vocational courses, as well as her trip to London. Mirabelle's talking about her trip to the zoo and links with her Sassafras studies. And Asher is talking about making Lego Christmas decorations and a trip to Sudbury Hall and it's children's museum and collections.
In a bumper episode we're filling you in on the highlights from our transatlantic crossing and stops in Spain, Portugal, Bermuda and New York! Plus we're sharing what we're doing in some of the groups we're part of, and Eden and Mirabelle have exciting film premieres of the movies they've been making with their drama groups.
This time, Eden's discussing a day's filming and her new sociology GCSE course. Mirabelle's talking zoology from the Sassafras Science book we're following. Asher's discussing the Bermuda triangle and a cholera outbreak, and we're all getting excited for our next adventure. Plus we're raving about the new game we're enjoying.
In this episode we're looking after extra dogs, Mirabelle reads a related poem, we're doing a Doodle Maths challenge, earning running medals and talking about the Life of Fred approach to maths and a recent book about the Titanic we enjoyed.
We're back with a fresh season as we enter our 10th year of home education. In this episode we're talking about some of the new subjects and books we're studying as the family enter years 2, 7 and 9. We also look back on some of the fun we've had over the summer, and share what we're looking forward to this coming year.
While schools are sitting SATs we 'sat' HATs - hear all about them in this episode! Plus as we come to the end of our bookwork for this academic year we're discussing what we'll miss from our daily routine, and what our exciting plans are for the summer. We're also sharing about our theatre trips to The Rep and Hippodrome in Birmingham, participating in a running race and enjoying the coronation!
This episode we're reflecting Easter and our time at Spring Harvest (visiting Dunster Castle on the way). We're also sharing some sad news about some of our chickens, and planting seeds in our greenhouse.
As we near the end of our academic year, we're reflecting on our current read-alouds and free reads. Plus we're commenting on a recent theatre trip to see The Penelopiad, and its links to our classical studies.
This time round we're enjoying a day trip to London including the British Museum, we're celebrating a birthday with a cooked breakfast, we're talking about our Animal Farm study and an experiment linked to our Environmental Management GCSE. Also Mirabelle gives the lowdown on the frogspawn in her pond.
Amazingly, we're over two thirds of the way through our academic year! In this episode we're talking about renewable energy generation from the iGCSE Environmental Management. We're also giving the lowdown on some of the practical elements we added to our Japan study, plus a preview of what we'll be studying in our Russia topic.
This time we're celebrating lunar/Chinese new year, doing a study on Japan and enjoying sushi while watching Studio Ghibli. Eden's also won a poetry competition and gives an update on progress with her first novel. We're also looking at mining and energy generation in Environmental Management GSCE, which fits with some exciting news about our house!
This time we're sharing the good news that we reached our goal of 1000 hours outside in 2022, plus our favourite things over Christmas. We're also looking back at our highlights from 2022 and looking forward to 2023.
As we're nearing Christmas we're reflecting on our Dickens study of A Christmas Carol. We're also doing a last push on 1000 hour outside (we're so close!), and we've got an early Christmas present in the form of a labradoodle puppy!
This time we're running at Parkrun and around Alton Towers, making progress on our 1000 hours outside (the end is in sight). We're also planting blueberry seeds, talking about our Korea study (and feast), discussing our favourite films from the recent Into Film festival and how we're looking forward to Advent!
In this episode we're searching for fungi in the garden, doing pumpkin activities, watching fireworks, talking about our Korea study and our recent boardgame tournament!
In this episode Eden's talking about her first two GCSE courses she's starting, as well as her visit to a performing arts college. Miraballe's reading an extract from a favourite current book, we discuss forensics at a recent group, and we give an update on our new chickens!
In this bumper episode we're filling you in on all the excitement of September, which whizzed by with overseas guests, new chickens, a bumper harvest and all the fun of many groups (re)starting. Hope you enjoy it!
This episode Mirabelle's reading some classic poems, Eden's talking about choosing her first GSCE, we're all talking about what we're looking forward to this month as well as sharing highlights from recent trips to Moseley Old Hall, Warwick Castle and an RSPB bird hide!
We're back! As we start our 9th year of Home Education, we're sharing how we were inspired by the Women's Euros and the Commonwealth Games, what we did on a recent trip to London, and some of the books and topics we're studying at the moment.
We've had a fab time in Cornwall and share all about it in this episode, as well as how we did during "30 Days Wild" in June, our progress on 1000 hours outside, and how we're enjoying Beat The Street in July.
As we're enjoying our summer break we've down on the south coast as well as up in Southport and Blackpool. We also got to see some live athletics before the Commonwealth Games, and have been enjoying the Queen's Jubilee!
We've reached the end of another academic year (our eighth!). We're marking the moment with our annual 'Celebration Friday', a fun time at Spring Harvest and Alton Towers, and sharing some highlights from the books we've read and activities we've done this year.
In this episode we're taking part in an African drumming workshop, foraging for wild garlic, reflecting on stage performances, trying an experiment with iron in breakfast cereal, and discussing the books we're reading at the moment.
This time Eden's making her radio debut on Black Country Radio and doing dress rehearsals for her big show. Plus we get the opportunity to visit Drakelow Tunnels, a former nuclear bunker. We've also been busy getting growing areas ready for planing in the garden.
We've been recording while we've been out and about for a few days, visiting the British Museum, Madam Tussauds, the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Blenheim Palace, Bear Grylls Adventure, and staying at the Legoland hotel. Plus we've made a bug hotel in the garden.
This time we're sharing how we're getting on with our RHS School Gardening Awards, going for a windy walk in the woods, getting excited about chemical reactions and reviewing the coding activity book we were gifted. Eden's also sharing about her backstage trip to the Wolverhampton Grand theatre, and our family trip to the National Memorial Arboretum.
This time we're doing the big garden birdwatch, trying new food for Chinese new year, learning about the periodic table, doing cloud activities and doing garden planning for the year ahead.
We're finally clear of Omicron, so in this episode we're talking about trips to the Barber Institute, Lapworth Museum and Coventry Cathedral. Belle's also talking about the badge she's earning, we're identifying trees in the garden, and finishing our topic on anatomy.
Happy New Year! We're reflecting on the festive period, coping with Covid cases, talking about what we're looking forward to in 2022, searching for WW2 structures, and making a good start in clocking up hours outside.
It's beginning to look alot like... our latest episode! We're busy getting ready for Christmas, but we're also learning about the tragedy of the Holocaust and getting some fresh air in the Clent Hills.
What an episode! Asher and I are running a 5k Santa Jog, we're doing the Lap of Lights at Silverstone racetrack, and we're visiting Warner Brothers studios for the Harry Potter tour... plus we're talking about advent and some of our traditions and activities this year.
This time we're talking about Shakespeare's The Tempest, making a Christmas cake, enthusing about Jenny Nimmo's Charlie Bone series and laughing a lot. Also Belle and Luke are out on a dog walk.
We had fun recording this episode! We're talking about our WWI studies, following an arts trail, visiting Bear Grylls adventure (doing archery and an assault course), and doing jobs in the garden.
In this episode we're reflecting on trips to the Roman baths in Bath, Brick-or-Treat at Legoland Windsor and a fantastic art exhibition (also featuring Lego). We're also discussing a business plan and an experiment about heart rates.
We're back in our regular routine after the amazing adventures we shared in our last episode, and so in this episode we're learning about the brain using grapefruits, making our own paint, making soup and talking about our current books and topics.
Bumper episode this time out, with a magical time onboard the Disney Magic cruise ship, a wonderful evening watching the musical School of Rock and meeting the cast, foraging for sloes and new pets!
All the family are contributing in this week's episode, talking about our current composer, artist and poet studies focusing on the early 20th century. We're also sharing some of the read-alouds we're doing for WWI, anatomy and a new creative writing course Eden's starting. Belle and Asher also share about some of the new groups they're part of.
We're back! As we start our eighth year of home education, we're discussing what's new and what's different, where we're up to in world history and how we're studying anatomy. We're also finding our way through a maize maze and reviewing the History Heroes game which we were gifted.
It's the last episode of the season! We're excited about starting our new academic year, and we're also visiting Sherwood Forest and Alton Towers. Plus we've been doing some min projects on the Titanic and local history to get us back in the swing of learning after our summer break.
Lots of trips! We've finished our academic year and are catching up on visits to various places. In this episode we're talking about our visits to RAF Cosford, Legoland Windsor and a family break to North Devon.
This episode we're coming to the end of our academic year, and talking about our end of year traditions. Also we're spending some time in Southport and visiting attractions in Blackpool, as well as getting new "pet" Venus fly traps!
In this episode we're having a suprisingly good time at Warwick Castle despite heavy rain, cooking some interesting flatbread, Belle goes for a walk and we're closing in on the end of our academic year.
In this episode we're foraging for wild garlic for a yummy recipe, Eden's delighted to be back to "in person" events like drama (with a big reveal about the play she'll be performing). We're also talking about learning netball, different artists we've been looking at and some of the recent books in our curriculum.
In this episode we're talking about the Twinkl Artists from around the World challenge we're taking part in, what we did during Lent, how we're going to grow our potatoes this year, and how much we've enjoyed the Book of Marvels.
In this episode Eden's sharing about a media project she and Asher have created, a poetry competition they've entered, doing Michelangelo-inspired clay modelling, and learning about the Houses of Parliament.
In this episode we're dissecting an owl pellet, talking about how we celebrated World Book Day and throwing a surprise tropical-themed birthday party!
In which we're 'candling' eggs to see if we have baby chicks inside, celebrating Valentine's Day and Pancake Day, doing good deeds for Lent and following a "Diminishing Light" tradition, and having lots of fun on a Harry Potter quiz!
This episode Eden is talking about the baking she's been doing, the script she's written for a mono-polylogue ready to film for a drama project, we discuss the rainforest project we've been doing and we're asking for suggestions for classic family movies.
In which we're surprised by more snow, making bird feeders, discovering more woodland near us, litter picking, and learning about world history through The Story of The World.
We're enjoying some unexpected snow, seeing in the New Year with boardgames and international snacks, and reviewing our podcasting year in 2020.
We're getting excited for Christmas, we visit some covid-secure festive experiences, and we finish with an acoustic rendition of Silent Night. Happy Christmas!