I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe Halloween. Don’t eat too much candy NOW! And don’t forget to brush your teeth before you go to bed tonight! My children were both vampires tonight and came home with loads of some good candy. I just got done eating a Snicker Bar, an Almond Joy and some M&M Peanuts. Pretty yummy!
An aquarium is a good project for homeschooling. Buy a small one with some inexpensive fish and let your children take care of it themselves. Let them learn about the various fish and what they eat, and the best way to take care of them.Any type of small animal such as a hamster or lizard is an excellent way for your child to become reponsible for the care of another. Be sure to check up on your child to ensure that the pets are being cared for properly.
We have a Robo Dwarf Hamster and a Bearded Dragon. Sometimes it is difficult for a child to have to take care of an animal every day, but they do learn quite a bit. My daughter has learned about crickets, meal worms and darkling beetles as well as the perfect climate for her Bearded Dragon.
Today give your teacher an apple. Or make her an apple pie, or applesauce. Apples are in season, so give apples today.
Be sure to allow your children plenty of playtime, fresh air and exercise. As well as your daily physical fitness, set a day aside weekly to enjoy a park day. You may even bring a book for your children to read, or even some school work. There’s nothing like reading a good book while at the park. There are many outdoor games that can incorporate spelling and math skills, depending on what skills your child needs to practice.We used to play a basketball game called “Horse”. The first one to spell h-o-r-s-e by making 5 baskets wins. Why not use other words? Jumping rope is fun and is a very good exercise. Make up funny rhymes using your spelling words, and spelling out the words by jumping to the letters in each word. If you use your imagination, you can come up with plenty of ways to “teach” while still having fun outdoors!
Spend the whole day there if possible. Bring a picnic lunch or things to pop on the grill. Most parks have tables, picnic areas and barbecue grills. These are the days your children will remember forever. Childhood is fleeting, and you will be glad to have made so many wonderful memories with your children, before they are grown and out on their own.
Get your children involved in planning the park day. Don’t forget to invite all your other homeschooled friends. Be sure to invite children of all ages. It is wonderful to see teens helping out with the younger children, by pushing them on the swings, or playing tag. Let the older children help with the cooking and telling stories to the younger children. Most of all let the day be free and fun and something to look forward to.
Finding the correct curriculum for your child is very important. Think about how your child learns best, and make learning fun and interesting.Here are some interesting sites about Homeschooling Curriculum:
How Important Is The Homeschool Curriculum
Free Homeschool Curriculum Homeschooling Curriculum Is Foundation For Success
Today was a wonderful day! Helping out an elderly couple while getting some fresh air, sunshine and hearing a symphony of wild birds sing to us all day was truly rewarding. Just to see the happiness on their faces when they saw how nice their yard looked was worth it all!I believe all children should help out elderly people. Volunteering to clean up yards, or visiting them to drop off some homemade cookies is a great experience for both the giver and the receiver!
Take time at least once a month to let your child donate their time for good causes. Listen to your children and see what type of volunteer work they would like to do. I recommend trying all types of volunteer work at least once. Working all day in the yard may not sound like fun to you, but possibly the fun of it, is in the gratitude expressed to you, when you are finished with your work. Giving of ourselves is something we must all do to feel good emotionally. So start your children young, and they will grow up into loving, giving children who will want to volunteer to help more and more all the time! It is it’s own reward!
I am thankful I am able to homeschool my children. My children only have one chance to grow up and learn good family values. Once your children reach an age of reckoning, they are pretty much done being taught personal values. After that time they start testing the waters with their newly recognized values. We as parents, and teachers need to be there to supervise this transitional time in a teens life. You would never leave a baby alone, or a toddler or even an older child. Why do parents leave their teens home alone? This is a time in their life where they need guidance. Yes, teens need their privacy, but they also need supervision!
This is a sad post to me. Yes, there are some great teachers out there, thank God!
Once you have decided to homeschool, be sure to have a place TO homeschool. I know a lot of people just keep their kids books in the kid’s bedroom, or on a shelf. But I sincerely believe you should have a special place for your “Homeschool”.Your homeschool should be a special place with a desk, computer, educational posters, etc. It should be a place of excitement and learning. When my children were still not in school, I prepared them for homeschool by getting them each an awesome kiddie desk. I know we got it at a toy store, but the kids used those desks for years. It had two lights. One was a desklamp, and the other was a light underneath the desktop, so that you could trace things. This desk had little cubbies, and little turntables for the crayons, and some for pencils. I remember the excitement on their faces. They were so eager to sit at their desks and start learning.
No matter what age your child is, make sure they have a learning corner, or if possible a whole room dedicated to learning. Stop by a thrift store, you will find beautiful desks, pictures and many educational books, etc and even bookcases! It doesn’t have to be expensive, but whatever you invest ” money wise” in your child’s learning room will give you many returns in the future!
It is October and I hope you all are getting ready for Halloween. Even if you don’t celebrate, learn about the holiday and where it came from. Give your children valid reasons for not celebrating. On the other hand, for those who do celebrate here are some crazy recipes for you to try. Also, most kids will be getting too many treats, so when you do make something, try making something healthy. Deviled Egg Eyeball are high in protein.
There are many variations to the Witches Fingers. I like this one, because it sounded healthy.
It is a recipe that sounds HOT and delicious:
Here’s one the kids will love, and it will keep their energy up on their long journey to score some candy:
Another “finger” recipe. This one has carrots with dip and makes my mouth water:
I love homeschooling, because it can be so freeing. Life is so short, and childhood so fleeting. Why not make life a homeschool? Looking out your back door can be a whole adventure for you and your child. You see the seasons. Your child asks questions. Every question your child asks can become a whole lesson for your child and for YOU! Homeschooling can be taken to whatever level your child is ready for.
So listen to your children, they will tell you the next step in your journey. I have said this before and I will say it again. Every interest your child has can be turned into curriculum for every subject. Your child’s own mind can lead you to explore the whole world, if you let them. Be prepared for the ride! Buckle up and get ready to take off into the world of your childs own making!