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19 Delight Directed Interest-Led Homeschool Blogs To Follow

January 14, 2018 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

While pregnant with my first child, Mr. Senior 2013, I was inspired by an article that encouraged homeschoolers to avoid a bookish routine in favor of real-life learning. However, out of fear, public popularity, and because I thought delight directed interest-led homeschooling meant wild abandon of any worthwhile learning, I followed with strict allegiance a bookish routine.

Then, as my sons grew and our lack of real-life learning lagged, I made a scary leap to interest-led learning.

It was scary because I was comfortable in my Nazi teacher approach.

19 Delight Directed Interest-Led Homeschool Blogs To Follow. Interest-led learning is the fuel the sparks lifelong learning. Getting started can be intimidating.Understanding delight directed is imperative. Click here to follow these 19 delight directed interest-led homeschool blogs!

I never felt like a nature loving or craft loving mother which was my impression of interest-led homeschooling. Lame, I know.As my love for teaching grew and realizing that my sons were in an apprenticeship for life, my day to day teaching lacked real-life application.

Soon after, I switched to a unit study approach which is based on mastery of interest-led topics.

Interest-led learning is the fuel that sparks lifelong learning.

Let me back up first and try to capture a simple meaning of interest-led and delight directed learning.

Interest-led and delight directed for our family means using a child’s natural love of learning to pursue subjects that spark his love of learning. Not the other way around. Academic subjects are centered around a child’s passion and then they take on life.

Although public school touts mastery, the truth of it is just the opposite.

A child never explores any passion in depth but is expected to be a jack of all trades or skills. He ends up master of none.

My switch to an interest-led unit study approach reminds me of the quote from Greg Harris which is indelibly imprinted in my memory.

A delight directed study is like a wonderful fire in the mind of a student. It starts small, but as it grows, it begins to consume vast amounts of information until it bursts into a roaring blaze of insight, understanding and creativity. It takes on a life of its own.

It doesn’t mean that there is no discipline or schedule which I thrive in, but it means guidance by the parent. It’s not indulgent, but reactive.

After I switched to interest-led homeschooling using lapbooks as our projects, it has been one choice I’ve never regretted for a moment.

I do regret lingering around the bookish approach for the first 5 years of my journey. Hopefully, you won’t make my same mistake.

To help you make the leap to interest-led and delight directed homeschooling, I’ve rounded up 19 blogs that I follow and you should too which emphasize this approach.

I’ll let each one introduce herself and tell you a bit about her blog.

Delight Directed Homeschooling

►I’m Rachel, and I blog at You’ve Got This Math.

I believe that math should be fun and hands -on. You’ve Got This Math focuses on ways to build number and fraction sense with free printables.

►I’m Susan Evans, and I blog at Susan Evans I love unit studies, themed cakes and parties, skits, re-enactments, and anything hands-on!

►I celebrate the homeschool lifestyle and frequently talk about learning through travel and adventures at This Crazy Homeschool Life.

►Hello! Hola! 你好！My name is Eva. My blog, Eva Varga focus centers around middle school science, specifically hands-on activities, service learning experiences, and project based learning – Minecraft and philatelic exhibits.

Additionally, we strive to expand our understanding of the world through our own cultural heritage and the exploration of diverse cultures (language studies and global travel).

►Hey hey! My name is Amy & I blog at Rock Your Homeschool.

My unique slant is to use Dr. Seuss to teach a love of reading. Also, I use Life of Fred for math learning fun. My five boys & I use brain breaks to keep our homeschool moving.

►Hi! My name is Joan and I write at Unschool Rules.

My unique slant it that we have used movies, video games and life learning as the basis for our entire high-school curriculum for my now 17-year-old daughter, and have a college-accepted transcript to show for it!

►Hey, hey! I’m Tiffany and I blog at Homeschool Hideout.

We are lazy homeschoolers so we like to binge-watch educational shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu. We can cover everything from science and history to problem solving, without ever leaving the couch!

►Hi! My name is Colleen. I write all about raising kids to be lifelong learners through interest-led, hands-on homeschooling and parenting with a heavy focus on science, the needs of gifted and twice-exceptional kiddos, and cultivating creativity in all kids.

You’ll find monthly themed book and game lists, Minecraft challenge calendars, and loads of hands-on experiments on Raising Lifelong Learners and conversations with parents on our podcast — launching January 15th.

►Hello! My name is Jenny and I blog at Faith and Good Works. Our homeschool uses free internet resources for unit studies.

►Hi, I’m Ginny, and I offer authentic, hands-on writing experiences to help parents create a culture of writers (and thinkers) at home.
I blog at Not So Formulaic.

►Hello, my name is Sheila, publisher of Brain Power Boys.

My unique slant is that our site has a lot of hands-on learning projects geared specifically toward boys. We focus on things they like, such as LEGO, Minecraft, Star Wars and topics which include pirates, robots, dinosaurs, knights and more to help them learn reading, science, history, math and other subjects a fun and natural way.

►I’m Ashley, and I love creating thematic unit studies.

We use a variety of resources from fun hands-on activities and great literature to movies and media. My goal is to inspire a love of learning and enrich our studies in every subject from math and science to history and grammar! Please join me in The Homeschool Resource Room!

►Hi, I’m Erin and I blog over at The Usual Mayhem.

We focus on learning using nature on our cornerstone but occasionally head off into rabbit trails for months at a time (like my son’s year long obsession with King Arthur).

You can find all sort of nature themed posts and other fun on my blog.

►Hi, I’m Sara and I blog at Embracing Destiny. We focus on delight directed, literature-rich (living books) studies in our homeschool.

I’ve created some free Interest Inventory printables to encourage others to follow their child’s interests to foster a lifelong love of learning. We enjoy hands-on creative projects like lapbooking, notebooking, and unit studies. You can find my Ultimate Guide to Delight Directed Homeschooling cornerstone post here.

How to Make Your Homeschool Specialized

►Hi I’m Tricia Hodges at Chalk Pastel. We are a multi-generational homeschooling family.

My mother, Nana, my children and I are passionate about helping all ages lose insecurities and realize that yes, indeed, you ARE an artist. We JUST use chalk pastels and paper. No long, intimidating art supply list. Build confidence, choose favorite subjects and have FUN. We show you how with video art lessons, Facebook Live lessons and so much more to choose from. It’s not just one more thing to do, it’s a great way to make what you are already doing MORE fun while growing a LOVE of art! Art really does complement and help all other subjects.

►This is Ticia here, and over at Adventures in Mommydom I have three unique learners that keep me on my toes.

To stay ahead we cook our way around the world (with mixed results), read book and see how horribly the movie messed up the book, and use LEGOs to recreate history lessons (as well as a few other things). It’s learning adventures at the speed of fun.

►Hi, I’m Cindy West from Our Journey Westward. Teaching creatively is a top priority to meet the needs of my unique children and that’s exactly what I write about on the blog.

Active children excel through nature-based science activities . Reluctant writers blossom with picture book lessons. Struggling learners and those with attention issues make giant leaps through brain training games. And those are just a few examples of the creative learning ideas you’ll find at Our Journey Westward!

►Hi! My name is Pat Fenner and I blog at Breakthrough Homeschooling where I encourage and equip homeschooling parents of teens to homeschool through high school.

I believe in using life-learning and interest-led studies as a basis for a high school curriculum, and am convinced that college isn’t the only path to a successful future!

Then of course, I would love for you to follow my blog! Click below!

Take your homeschool from mediocre to true mastery by following an interest-led approach.

You’ll never teach your child everything he needs to know before he graduates, but you’ll teach him how to find out anything he wants to.

I know you’ll love these other super helpful tips!

Hugs and love ya,

Hands-On History: Helen Keller Braille and ASL Activity

January 13, 2018 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have a fun hands-on history Helen Keller braille activity.

My eleven year old read about Helen Keller as part of his history curriculum this past fall.

He was amazed that being blind and deaf was even possible, much less that she was able to learn to communicate, read and eventually, become a motivational speaker for our nation.

Last week, he brought it up again.

Hands-On History: Helen Keller Braille and ASL Activity. If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to incorporate a hands- on idea for language arts and history while studying about Helen Keller, your kids will love this Braille & ASL activity. Click here to make it!

Helen Keller’s diligence and perseverance is what impressed him. “She just never gave up,” he said, shaking his head a bit.

You see, my son is profoundly dyslexic and still struggles with basic reading. Although he has made a ton of progress, reading continues to be a constant struggle for my little guy.

It occurred to me that this connection he felt to the historic story of Helen Keller was influencing his perception of his own abilities.

He felt so inspired witnessing the endless possibilities associated with Helen Keller’s grit and desire to learn.

Wanting to jump on this history and life lesson, I decided to layer in some additional learning by created this challenging, but fun hands-on activity.

Helen Keller Braille and ASL Activity

What You Need For This Activity:

Printables (included for your reference) – The Braille alphabet and the American Sign Language alphabet
Card Stock or Index Cards
Thumb Tacks or Push Pins

Step 1: After printing up the alphabet references, I asked my son to take a look at the patterns in the braille letter formations.

He studied them for a bit, and then I created a secret message for him in “braille” using an index card and a push pin.

Step 2: At first, he tried to run his fingers over the letters, but was not able to identify the letters, even when he used the reference sheet.

We talked about how difficult it would be to have to learn it all by touch, with no access to a cheat sheet.

Step 3: Then, he took the sheet itself and visually matched the dots to the reference. He was able to decode his message, and then created one for me to decode as well.

Easy Hands-on History Kid’s Activity

Step 4: After finishing our “braille lesson,” I grabbed a few coins.

As he closed his eyes, I placed each one in his hand and asked him to identify what coin it was, and any other writing or engravings on it.

Step 5: Now it was time to move on to the sign language alphabet.

He and I both spelled different words, using the sign language letters, back and forth to one another. We remarked how much easier it was than interpreting the braille lettering.

Step 6: Finally, we stepped into the world of Helen Keller.

He closed his eyes while I placed his hands on mine and finger spelled basic words. He did the same for me.

Step 7: The most impactful part of this activity was our recap. We discussed how it felt to have one sense removed, how difficult not being understood must be, and the amazing the story of Helen Keller.

This was a wonderful way for my son to actually experience what had fascinated him in his reading and I was so encouraged to have this level of conversation with him.

We were able to deeply discuss empathy and the power of perseverance – something not always easy to do with a middle school boy.

Best of all, we had fun!

How to Get the Free Braille & ASL Printables

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

That means when you sign up to follow me, you get my emails in your inbox and you get this freebie.

1) Sign up on my email list.

2) Grab the freebie

.3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Make history fun for your kids with these activities!

Written by Shawna at Not the Former Things.

Easy Hands-on Science: Animal Camouflage Activity Hunt

January 10, 2018 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

As we’ve been using the Coping With the Cold unit study from NaturExplorers, we’ve been learning so much about how animals adapt to colder temperatures. And, boy, have we had some cold temperatures around here lately!

While animals may choose to migrate (leave a cold climate for a warmer one) or hibernate (sleep during the cold weather), many of them also take advantage of camouflage to keep themselves safe from predators during winter. After all, many predators need to fatten up for winter too!

So when the NaturExplorers unit suggested an outdoor animal camouflage activity hunt, we were excited to try it in our own backyard!

Of course, the best thing in getting out of doors would be to actually find camouflaged animals. But, if your kids can’t, this is a fun animal hunt to do in your backyard.

We've been learning so much about how animals adapt to colder temperatures. But if you don’t spot any animals, this easy activity works too in your backyard. Click here for a fun nature activity on animal camouflage.

Animal Camouflage Activity Hunt

To do this activity, you’ll need the following:

Colored construction paper (We used the closest natural colors we had: green and brown)
Child-safe scissors

You can use an online template to make your animals, but I just drew a few freehanded.

We went with a snake, a bird, and a bear – all animals that make use of camouflage. Birds that live in the Arctic, in particular, tend to be white or light grey to blend in with snowy surroundings. Since we don’t get snow during the winter, we used colors that would fit in with our area.

Easy Nature Activity

Once I drew the animals, we cut them all out. And then it was time to head outside!

We placed our snake in the grass. Which was a good time to talk about the meaning of the phrase “a snake in the grass” – someone who lies in wait to take advantage of someone else.

Spotting Camouflaged Animals Nature Activity

After a few minutes of searching, our kids spotted the snake. At least he looks like a friendly one!

Take a good look at this picture. Our other two camouflaged animals are hiding among the leaves. These took the kids a while to find.

And, if I’m being totally honest, once I hid them, I had a hard time finding them again too!

Looking for Camouflaged Animals Nature Activity

They finally spotted the brown bird.

Spotting Camouflaged Animals Outdoor Activity

And there’s our friendly bear!

Bears typically find caves to hibernate, since they’re large enough for cubs and food supplies. But for this activity, we decided to have bears hide in the backyard!

More Animal Camouflage Activities

8 Animal Camouflage Activities and Resources & Fun Camouflage Art

This was such a fun activity for the kids! It gave them a chance to get outdoors, learn more about animals, and play a fun game of hide-and-seek! You could easily adapt this with other animals such as rabbits, raccoons, and insects.

Just be sure to change up the colors to match the colors in your area! So if you do have snow during the winter, use a white color for your animals. See which animals your kids can spot the quickest!

Share these other hands-on science activities with your family!

How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders With Kids

January 4, 2018 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making easy diy bird feeders today. Also, look at my post Free Bird Unit Study and Lapbook And Fun Edible Bird Nests.

We have been enjoying the Coping With the Cold unit study so much!

It’s such a fun and relaxed winter unit and it encourages us to get outside, even when the weather isn’t great.

Since I tend to stay indoors and under the covers during winter, this has been an excellent motivation to get up and outside during cold weather!

In the unit study, we learn more about how animals, including birds, adapt to cold weather.

And, of course, one of the primary adaptations birds make is to migrate to warmer climates.

How to Make Easy DIY Bird Feeders With Kids

As they travel, though, they are always searching for sources of food.

One of the suggested activities in NaturExplorers is to make a DIY bird feeder. So that’s what we did!

NaturExplorers: Making Easy DIY Bird Feeders

Since we like to include the scientific method in our nature study, we decided to make two different bird feeders and evaluate which one is the most popular with our local feathered friends.

We went with one sweet-tasting feeder and one with a more savory taste: a peanut butter birdseed feeder and a sweetened fruit cereal feeder.

I got the idea for the peanut butter birdseed bird feeder.

And I got an idea for a fruit cereal bird feeder.

Both are really, really easy, so they’re perfect for little ones to make!

You only need a few supplies to make the peanut butter birdseed feeder.

Constructing a Birdseed Feeder with Kids

Once you’ve finished constructing it, all you have to do is hang it up!

It doesn’t get unusually cold where we live, but we do see flocks of birds migrating in the skies from time to time.

So it’ll be interesting to see if the birds that are still here will like this food.

Easy Hanging Birdseed Feeder for Kids to Make

Ta-da!

The fruit cereal bird feeder is a wonderful fine motor skill strengthener for kids. Plus, they can always snack on a few as they work!

Once all the cereal pieces have been added, just twist the ends to close the circle.

Then you can hang that one up too!

It looks so lovely against the green leaves.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to watch to see which bird feeder is more popular with the birds in our area.

I think that the sweet cereal feeder is going to empty faster than the birdseed feeder, but we’ll see!

This was such a nice way to include hands-on activities in our nature study using NaturExplorers.

Making easy DIY Bird Feeders is a fun winter nature craft to do with the kids. Add this easy hands-on nature craft to your homeschool unit study. Click here to see how to make it!

Want to see more fun hands-on science ideas to try with the kids? Stop by to see these posts!

2018 to 2022 Holiday List on One Planner Page (5 Years)

January 1, 2018 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Each year, I update my very unique homeschool planner page. It is 5 years of holiday dates and daylight savings dates on one page for easy reference. It is a nifty hard-working tool because I use it for both short-term and long-term planning. Today, I have ready the 2018 to 2022 holiday list.