When we meet people on the road the first question they ask is "how long are you travelling for?" the second question is "do you have any kids?" and the third is "what about the kids schooling?". I am amazed at the amount of people who are really interested in what we do with the kids in the way of schooling.
One of the hardest things I had to plan for was the kids, especially Jack’s, schoolwork. The last thing I wanted was to travel around for a year or 2 and then return home and have the kids return to school and be behind their year level.
DISTANCE EDUCATION
I was actually quite surprised at how hard it was to find out about the best method of schooling them. After quite a bit of research and speaking to their current teachers, I found the Brisbane School of Distance Education (BSDE).
The Brisbane School of Distance Education caters for school age students in prep to year 12. Students are located in suburban homes, caravans, tents, farms and yachts, state-wide, interstate and internationally and also mainstream secondary schools throughout Queensland. The actual setting of the school, then, extends from the teaching and administrative hub at Brisbane to all areas of the world. Student who access distance education are:
- Geographically isolated students
- Overseas: children of Queensland families travelling or temporarily residing overseas
- Travelling: children of families travelling in Australia or Australian waters
- Medical: students unable to attend the local school for medical reasons
- Home Select: children of families who choose to home school using distance education
- School Based: students in Government and non-Government schools who access subjects not available to them in their own school
Although there are no regular on site classes, regular scheduled telephone lessons are provided to eligible students . In addition to the correspondence component, learning technology incorporates lessons using Tele-learning, Netmeeting, E-mail and Web-Site based help sheets. There is a wide range of additional activities to support the learners. These include activity days, tutorials, camps, home visits, phone lessons, facilities, audio tape material, video taped material and fax material
Distance education has worked out really well for us, as I was a bit concerned about what to teach and and how to teach Jack. The BSDE sends out all the necessary work for a term in one go – 4/5 packs – which includes language, maths, SOSE and music. Each language pack contains reading books, handwriting book, activity book and a home tutor guide. The home tutor guide is like the bible – it tells me everything I need to know – how to explain things, examples to use etc.
The hardest thing about the schoolwork is finding the time to do it – especially if you are travelling most days. We find it takes approx 4 hours to complete the school work for the day – and I usually find Jack is best in the mornings, he seems to lose focus alot in the afternoon, so we tend to school in the morning and then sightsee in the afternoon.
The hardest thing about the schoolwork is finding the time to do it – especially if you are travelling most days. We find it takes approx 4 hours to complete the school work for the day – and I usually find Jack is best in the mornings, he seems to lose focus alot in the afternoon, so we tend to school in the morning and then sightsee in the afternoon.
READING EGGS
As Logan is only in Prep this year, I haven’t been as concerned with his schooling, however we did, by accident, stumble across a great computer based program for both Logan and Lexie. Prior to leaving home, I bought some Reading Eggs books from the local post office and thought they would be good for Logan and Lexie, because they taught them all the letters, the sounds and words that start with that letter. Little did I know the books link with a computer based program, that is even better than the books.
ABC Reading Eggs as a unique online world where children learn to read. It supports each child’s learning by offering individual, one-on-one lessons that allow children to progress at their own rate. The program has been developed by a highly experienced team of educational teachers, writers and developers. The ABC Reading Eggs program focuses on a core reading curriculum of phonics and sight words using skills and strategies essential for sustained reading success. It completely supports what children learn at school and will help to improve your child’s results at school.
With interactive animations, fun games, great songs and lots of rewards, ABC Reading Eggs is a great place to learn to read. Children are highly motivated to return again and again. At ABC Reading Eggs, learning to read is enjoyable as well as very rewarding. Every lesson ends with a new book and a new critter to add to your growing collection.
Logan and Lexie just love it – Logan is constantly asking “can I do my schoolwork?” - and how can you say no when they are asking to learn? There is a cost involved to join the computer program, however if you buy the books you get a 2 week free trail of the program.
If you are contemplating travelling, or are already travelling, and would like to know more about Distance Education or Reading Eggs, please email me at nicole@travellingoakeys.com.
Links
THE TRAVELLING OAKEY'S
Chris, Nicole,
Jack, Logan and Lexie