Class Dismissed Movie and Entrepreneurs’ Day

On 18 July the Overberg Homeschoolers were privileged to have a screening of the new documentary on homeschooling Class Dismissed.

Before and after the screening a number of young entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to sell their wares, ranging from homemade puddings, muffins, brownies, popcorn and drinks to handmade crafts and even socks!

 

About Class Dismissed

The movie follows the story of an American family in their quest to educate their children. They carefully selected the city and suburb in which they would live in order to give their children access to the best schools in the state, but when their eldest daughter asked to be homeschooling, they investigated this unconventional option and decided to give it a try.

From home study around the dining table and in the car, to days at work with their dad, the movie documents the family discovering sometimes by trial and error, which path is the best for their unique needs, incidentally revealing some of the common errors made by new homeschooling families.

It also contains pertinent commentary from experts from within the homeschooling movement and not only highlights problems of the traditional school system which many regard as now outdated, but it also focuses on alternative, highly successful models of learning which are revolutionary and could change the way education looks in the 21st century!

Watch the trailer of Class Dismissed on You Tube

Stargazing with the Hermanus Astronomy Club

A group of about 60 homeschoolers were delighted to spend a fresh autumn evening under the stars with members of the Hermanus Astronomy Club.

Before the sun went down, we enjoyed a picnic in a farm field and some wild swinging on the rope swing in the blue gum trees!

Danie and Sonja kindly hosted the event on their farm in the Hemel and Aarde valley, away from light pollution of the town and we were blessed with ‘heavenly’ weather and clear skies.

The astronomers set up a number of telescopes which we could take turns using to see the various planets, stars and constellations which they told us about.

They also told us about various apps, websites and books that we can use to learn more about astronomy. They helped us identify some of the constellations and skillfully answered a number of questions that had been baffling some of the adults!

This was another awesome event which everyone agreed should be repeated!

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Ball Skills

On Friday 24 April our young children aged 4-10 enjoyed a balls skills activity morning, hosted by Pat Diedrichs on the grass at Amana Conference Centre.

 

While the children enjoyed both individual and group activities to develop their skill at throwing, kicking, catching, sorting and even blind-fold activities, the moms and dads enjoyed sunning themselves on the spectator’s benches.

 

For a full hour Pat kept all the children enthusiastically engaged in a huge variety of activities. Since the day was such as success the parents whose children attended requested that this activity be repeated on a regular basis.

Homeschoolers Have Talent 2015

On Friday 19 June 2015, the Overberg Homeschool Support group showed us again that indeed Homeschoolers Have Talent.

The first event of this kind was held in 2013 and was a great success as was this year’s show, planned, organised and hosted by talented Tertia!

A full presentation evening, brimming with musical items, song, dance, magic tricks, comedy and more was enjoyed by a friendly audience of fellow homeschoolers, their families, grandparents and close friends.

   
After the show, a bring and share supper was enjoyed by all.

Science Week – Solar Power in Space

On Wednesday 5 August 2015, during National Science Week, the Hermanus Astronomy Club gave a presentation to the Overberg Homeschool Support group.

 

The theme was the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies.

 

International Space Station

A powertalk slide show was presented by Johan Retief focusing focusing on sunlight and its vital role in providing energy and life to the International Space Station (ISS). He explained how huge solar panels are used for this purpose. 

The electrical system of the International Space Station is a critical resource for the international Space Station because it allows the crew to live comfortably, to safely operate the station, and to perform scientific experiments.

The ISS electrical system uses solar cells to directly convert sunlight to electricity by means of a process knowns as photovoltaics.

 

US Astronaut Sunita Williams

After the slide show, a short video clip was shown in which American astronaut, astronaut Sunita Williams, conducted a tour of the various modules of the space station, depicting life and its challenges on the ISS.

She explained how astronauts deal with daily functions such as eating, exercising and using the toilet, which are easy to perform on earth, where there is gravity, but which are challenging in a gravity-free environment.

The children were entertained by her drifting hair and her swimming and floating motions as she moved through the cluttered environment in the space station, explaining the functions of the different modules.

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