18.6.20 PSA A-OK

Good afternoon everybody and what a busy day it's been here in the School of Daddy. We've just about managed to squeeze an activity in, in between gathering up materials for tomorrow's Summer Solstice lesson. Inspired by those lovable and deeply scarring Public Information Films from the 70's and 80's, the children have been designing their own public health campaigns to promote the wearing of face masks in public. Using popular films and movies that we all have no doubt enjoyed at tea time with our families, they have created an effective and relatable set of posters that surely can't fail to gently nudge the masses to be that little bit more hygienic. For those of you not familiar with the research material we have used, you can sample a variety of examples from this playlist - https://www.youtube.com/watch…

11.6.20 Stay Alert, Protect and Survive

Good morning one and all. Today in the School of Daddy we are diving in to some living History as part of our mini-topic on successful Government responses to national emergencies. In the spotlight is the superbly reassuring "Protect and Survive" booklet (published in 1976) that was issued to all households in response to the growing danger and likelihood of an all out nuclear attack from our old Cold War enemies. The children have recreated the suggested inner refuge that was designed to protect you and your family from nuclear fallout in the first few days after an attack - should you have lived through the initial blast of course. As recommended by the booklet, we have used a variety of dense materials that are well known for their shielding effects against radiation - suitcases packed with earth and sand, books and even clothes, among various other things. Toilet facilities have been organised, along with all the other necessities in the guidance and for extra realism, Harry has been bandaged to simulate the critical damage his retinas would have suffered whilst he looked up at the searing detonation as a one megaton weapon airburst at about 3000ft. The children will be staying in role until the water supply in the bath has run out or they succumb to the psychological effects of being the only humans to have potentially but temporarily survived a nuclear holocaust - whichever comes first. For some light relief this afternoon, we will be watching the educational film, Threads. The original booklet can be found here for any of you wishing to join in! 

9.6.20 Keep it Secret. Keep it Safe...

Good morning everybody and today we are tackling a very important subject in today's online world - internet safety. The children were very excited to try out the old experiment of posting a picture on social media and tracking how far and wide it is shared and liked. They were also extremely keen to write their out their own sign rather than using the one I had prepared - always nice to see them taking ownership of their learning! Please like and share their picture to help them with their little experiment - we look forward to seeing how far it gets!

1.06.20 We All Had a Lovely Summer Half Term Holiday Vicariously

Well good morning everybody and welcome back to the School of Daddy - we do hope you've had a restful and stress free half term holiday and are raring to go! Congratulations to all those Primary schools who have reopened their doors to Reception, Y1 and Y6 completely risk free - but remember, always keep those windows open and always stay alert! Harry and Katie are luckily and understandably overjoyed to be able to continue their wonderful home schooling journey with me as they are too young, too old, too young but not too old.... erm, not in the right year groups to go back. 

As always, we like to start the new half term with a nice ice-breaker activity but again lockdown precluded us from enjoying our favourite activity of sharing what we did over the holidays. Instead we thought we'd look at what other people who were allowed out have done in their holidays and my, my - they have been busy! So busy in fact that we have been able to include the following cross-curricular links: History and Norman castle design; Maths and the various formulae to work out speed, distance and time - fuel consumption as an extension activity; PHSCE - Government and Planning Laws and finally Biology and the structure of the eye. The children just so happen to be due their next eye test too.

12.5.20 Putting a Brave Face Mask On

Good morning once again everybody! Here at the School of Daddy we pride ourselves in preparing today's youth for the Day After Tomorrow so they won't repeat the mistakes of yesteryear. To that effect we have embarked on a Design Technology project with cross-curricular links to Biology. With new advice on wearing masks in public enclosed spaces where social distancing is not possible, the children have been preparing for this brave new world by designing a range of new and attractive face masks! Some attention has been paid to how they might they be marketed and the children hope the catchy names they have come up with will appeal to those who can (but should not) be working as normal and those who need to (but should not) use public transport. We are proud to present the following collection - descriptions under each photo. Full gas mask drills will be conducted with all the designs once I have made the shed air tight and secured enough bleach and ammonia to ensure the tests are as rigorous as possible.

“Human Cranial Upgrade Serial No. 13409872” - comes with targeting system, emotion inhibitor, iron lung and is 5G and Bluetooth compatible.

The “Doctor’s Orders” - A very flexible and adaptable face covering that can be made as thick or as thin as the levels of virus in your local environment demand - remember stay alert and control that virus! Hat sold separately.

The “Res-beer-ator” - Combines the anti-viral and anti-sobriety properties of large amounts of alcohol. Be protected from both the virus and the dismal reality that surrounds you.

The “Mask-apone” - A cheese cloth and cheese basket based mask. Solid dairy products have never been so good for your health!

The “Pan-demic” - Simple but effective. The addition of boiling water can have a sterilising effect to the facial area as well as providing soothing steam for the lungs. Caution contents may be hot.

The “Bra-vo” - Do your bit to control the virus with this stylish and beautiful mask. No frills? No thanks!

The “Henry-Inhaler” - Ever felt your lungs need a spring clean? Well look no further with this attractive device designed for home use. The powerful vacuum generated by this machine prevents 100% of foreign particles, viruses and airborne gases from reaching your respiratory system!

16.4.20 Incarceration Education

Today we thought we'd recreate a small social psychology experiment inspired by the current lockdown. Katie was keen to take on the role of guard and 842 (as he is to be referred to from now on) was made the prisoner. The children have made their predictions as to when guard aggression will peak and when psychosis is likely to manifest itself in prisoner behaviour. Here at School of Daddy we really do pride ourselves in giving the children as immersive and interactive a learning experience as we can!

25.3.20 There and Back Again

This morning the children will be studying the art and science of cartography. As the country is fast transforming in to a sparsely populated and barbaric wilderness haunted by trolls and worse, we will be drawing a map of our surrounding area in the stile of J. R. R. Tolkien and taking inspiration from his accounts of Middle Earth. Aspects of PSHE and Citizenship will also be covered by noting the whereabouts of such important community facilities such as super markets, food warehouses, sources of good drinking water, natural defensive points and potential locations where a system of warning beacons might be built. My thanks to Mathew Street for the inspiration for today's lesson and I cordially extend the offer of Chair of School Governors to him in thanks.

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