🚂 Ed Express [134]

Welcome to a new year of learning, homeschoolers! ✨ Ed here, ready to embark on another exciting journey of discovery with you.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

ENGLISH
New Year, New Words! ✏️📚

Let's expand our vocabulary and explore the fascinating world of words!

Your Mission:

1. Word of the Day: Choose a new word each day from a dictionary, thesaurus, or online resource.

2. Define and explore: Look up the word's meaning, pronunciation, and etymology (origin).

3. Use it in a sentence: Write a sentence using the word correctly in context.

4. Word Challenge: Challenge yourself to use the new word in your conversations throughout the day.

Bonus Challenges:

• Create flashcards with your new vocabulary words.

• Play word games or puzzles to practice your vocabulary.

• Research the history and evolution of language.

• Share your Word of the Day discoveries on social media using #EdExpress!

This activity encourages vocabulary building, language awareness, and effective communication. Let's make this year a year of expanding our word power!

Rydal Penrhos School
New Exam Centre Opening in 2025

For home-educated students and their families, finding an exam venue can be a daunting task. 

Even more difficult? Finding one that supports your child’s aspirations, while making the entire process easy, from registration to results. 

Thankfully, a brand-new external exam centre is opening its doors to private candidates. 

Rydal Penrhos is North Wales’ leading independent school, home to an exceptional education since 1880. 

The coeducational school, which educates pupils aged 2 to 18, maintains a remarkable track record of exam results success. In the summer of 2024, Rydal Penrhos pupils achieved top GCSE grades at more than four times the Welsh and UK national averages. 

From 2025, Rydal Penrhos will open its doors to private candidates, offering an extensive range of examination opportunities. These include GCSEs, IGCSEs, AS-Levels, A-Levels, and even university admissions tests, such as those required for Oxford, Cambridge, and medical courses. 

This development has been warmly welcomed by home-educated families across North Wales and the North West, where the task of finding an exam centre has always been particularly challenging. 

Conveniently located in the coastal town of Colwyn Bay, and easily accessible via the A55, Rydal Penrhos provides a welcoming, supportive environment for exam candidates, that is proven to deliver success. 

Apply Now, or Learn More About External Exam Provision: 

To apply, email [email protected]. For further details, including the full private candidate prospectus, visit bit.ly/externalexamsrps. 

More from Rydal Penrhos: 

Discover the school’s GCSE Revision Courses, which are open to home-educated candidates, or explore Admissions for more on joining Rydal Penrhos. To speak to a member of the Admissions team, contact [email protected] or call 01492 530155. 

SCIENCE
Winter Weather Wonders! ❄️🔬

Let's explore the science behind the winter season and its fascinating phenomena!

Your Mission:

1. Investigate the Science of Snow:

   • How do snowflakes form?

   • What makes their shapes unique?

   • Why is snow white?

   • (If it's snowing where you are) Catch a snowflake on a dark piece of paper and examine its structure with a magnifying glass.

2. Explore the Physics of Ice:

   • Why does ice float on water?

   • How does ice affect the environment?

   • Experiment with freezing and melting ice. Can you make ice melt faster or slower?

3. Discover the Science of Staying Warm:

   • How do different types of winter clothing keep us warm (wool, fleece, down)?

   • What are the best ways to stay warm in cold weather?

   • Research the science behind heat transfer and insulation.

Bonus Challenges:

• Conduct experiments to demonstrate the properties of snow or ice.

• Research the science behind other winter phenomena, like the Northern Lights or the winter solstice.

• Learn about the impact of winter weather on plants and animals.

• Share your science explorations and discoveries on social media using #EdExpress!

This activity encourages scientific inquiry, observation skills, and an appreciation for the science behind winter. Let's uncover the wonders of winter science!

JOKE
A giggle a day keeps the learning blues away!

Q: Why did the banana go to the doctor?

A: Because it wasn't peeling well!

Ed - Your UK Home Education Companion

Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep having fun!

Please send any feedback to [email protected]