How To - - -

National STEM Day – Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects

November 8, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for DIY stem projects, you’ll love these ideas for National Stem Day.

What is so great about STEM?

A STEM activity is one that incorporates one or more of its components.

Science,
technology,
engineering, and math in a learning activity.

Stem is hands-on which is always a great method for learning.

National STEM Day - Popsicle Sticks for Creative DIY STEM Projects

It teaches children about science and technology, problem solving, critical thinking, curiosity, accepting failure, initiative, flexibility, creativity, innovation, and so much more.

It has its place in your homeschool whether you are an unschooler, Charlotte Mason, classical, or eclectic family.

Careers in STEM

There are many fascinating careers in STEM that your child might be interested in-

Computer Sciences
Software Developer
Web Developer
Mechanical Engineer
Statistician
Mathematician
Actuary
Accountant
Cartographer
Aeronautics-aviation, aerospace, and astronautics
Biology
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Environmental Science

This isn’t even an exhaustive list just some that jumped out at me.

Popsicle sticks are an amazing homeschool tool.

And you have probably used them for art projects but have you ever considered their many uses as a STEM tool?

They open an amazing world of possibilities for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

In addition, they are inexpensive, very versatile and easy to get your hands on.

It’s a great idea to keep a bunch on hand in different sizes for all sorts of projects.

Jumbo ones are fun and oversized.

And Rainbow popsicle sticks add a little flair and color to your projects.

Too, standard popsicle sticks the backbone of most diy stem projects.

More STEM Resources

If you want to put together a STEM kit for your young scientists, mathematicians, or engineers to tinker with these are a few more great items you might want to add to your supplies.

First, look at these LED lights.

Next, add copper tape.

Too, rubber bands are important.

Binder clips, rulers, pipe cleaners and lithium batteries.

Finally, look at these STEM ideas.

13 Fantastic Popsicle Stick STEM Activities

Medieval Catapult. Try this Medieval catapult using the oversized jumbo craft sticks, catapults are a great lesson in force, mass, and acceleration.
100 Brilliant STEM Activities Using Everyday Items.
STEM: Build a Da Vinci Parachute Activity
Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction. Teach your child about potential energy turning into kinetic energy and chain reactions by giving them the tools they need to create an exploding chain reaction.
Popsicle Stick Gears. These are a great way to learn about mechanical concepts, simple machines, motion and force. This is a great basic project to use as a springboard for more advanced activities.
Craft Stick Crossbow. Not only is this tiny crossbow fun but it teaches physics lessons in force, energy, motion, trajectory and projectiles.
Rubber Band Powered Boat. Launch this lesson on potential energy on the water. Popsicle sticks and rubber bands are all you need.
STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
Rubber Band Powered Car. Same concept but on firm ground rather than the water. Use the stored potential energy in the tightly round rubber band to launch a car
LED Flashlight. Explore circuits, positive and negative charges,
Newton’s Cradle. What a fun way to learn about kinetic energy with Newton’s Third Law of Motion. “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Kids love that clickety clack perpetual motion
Truss Bridge With Craft Sticks, The STEM activity of building bridges gives your child a hands-on opportunity to learn about engineering through weight distribution, gravity, changing loads, and tension.
STEM Ferris Wheel. Enjoy a turn on a popsicle stick ferris wheel that introduces axles, problem solving, creating symmetrical sides, and engineering with a fun activity.

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

November 6, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m showing you how to easily match the homeschool classical approach with homeschool learning styles.

And knowing that a classical approach is where families put emphasis on learning from ancient minds of the past allows you make the right choice for your family.

Further, here are some characteristics of the classical approach.

How to Easily Match the Homeschool Classical Approach With Learning Style

Look at four characteristic of the classical approach are

There is a heavy emphasis on learning ancient languages like Greek and Latin.
Language arts is a main subject.
History is learned chronologically.
Too, education focused on history of the Western Civilization.

What is a Classical Approach

I’ve read and used many definitions of what is a classical education through the years.

However, simple definitions are best.

And one simple definition of classical education is that it’s not image focused but language focused.

Much time is spent on communication of words, both oral and written.

In addition learning is patterned after the way a child’s mind matures and is divided into 3 stages.

The first stage is the elementary stage which is called the grammar stage. Kids this age love learning rules and lists.

And the second stage which is middle school is called the logic stage. At this age, children start to think more analytically.

Last, the third stage which is high school is called the rhetoric stage where children learn to write with originality.

Additionally, one of the best books I’ve read about classical education is The Well-Trained Mind.

How to Match Learning Style with the Classical Approach

As you can see, if you want your kids to have intensive language arts focus then you want to follow the classical approach.

However, matching learning styles to classical approach is not as easy.

As the parents we may have goals, but the way our child learns may be different.

For example, if you child learn better by images, then you may only be able to incorporate certain parts of the classical approach.

In addition, children who have a learning style of learning through hands-on may not do well with classical education.

The classical education approach does not tout a hands-on learning style approach.

For example, a child who is very book-ish will flourish with classical education.

Children who love words and language arts focus on writing and reading as subjects without being prompted.

However, it’s important to know what is your child’s learning style.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

Free Easy Arctic and Inuit Science Lapbook & Unit Study

November 2, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

This easy Arctic and Inuit science lapbook for multiple ages is another one to add to your lineup of lapbooks for the winter season. Too, you’ll love the Arctic and Inuit unit study too.

Whether you’re looking for a unit study and science lapbook about the Arctic, the Inuit, or animals of the Arctic and even a blubber activity, you’ll find one on my page.

Free Easy Arctic and Inuit Science Lapbook & Unit Study

Like most of my unit studies and lapbook, this Arctic and Inuit lapbook is for multiple ages too.

Also, I’ve included ten notebooking pages in this download as well.

Arctic Inuit Science Lapbook

Too, look at these free minibooks in this download for the Artic and Inuit.

About the Inuit and Art 6 pages notebooking
Animals of the Tundra 5 pages notebooking
Meander Book about Arctic Animals – 4 pages
Circle Arctic Map – 2 pages
Flags for Salt Dough Map – 3 pages. The instructions for making these cute geography flags are on the page.
Vocabulary Words about the Arctic – 4 pages
The Land that Never Melts Cover 1 and Cover 2
People of the Arctic – 3 pages
Inuit Snow houses – 1 page
Food, Clothing, Transportation of the Inuit – 4 pages

Also, I have a winter unit study and lapbook to add to this unit study.

Winter Season Unit Study. Free Lapbook & Hands-On Ideas

Finally, add to this lapbook some of my hands-on ideas here too.

Other Winter Hands-on Activities

Hands-on ideas make any topic come alive.

Look at some of these ideas below.

And other homeschool lapbooks.

Besides, I have enough lapbooks you can create a science curriculum for a whole year with my lapbooks.

Other Homeschool Lapbooks

You’ll love my other lapbooks for multiple ages.

And I have many nature lapbooks too.

How to Get the Free Arctic and Inuit Lapbook

Finally, how to grab the free 34 page lapbook and notebooking pages. 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 list.
2) Grab the freebie.
3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Day 22 Homeschooling Preschoolers And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

November 1, 2022 | 47 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is day 22 homeschooling preschoolers of the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

You’re tough, you’re tough! You have hung in there with me on this series and this is the official 10 day countdown.

Before I started homeschooling I had read an article where it said that the major portion of an individual’s personality is well established before school.

Day 22 Homeschooling Preschoolers And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Suddenly, my ideas of homeschool preschool learning changed because I realized that those years would form the very attitudes and patterns that would be lasting. WHOA!

And I had thought preschool was all about coloring and ABC’s.

Certainly, homeschooling preschoolers is so important because it’s the very foundation of all future learning.

Homeschooling Preschoolers

I knew that if I didn’t find a balance between easy going and exacting that anxiety, doubt, worry and fear would drive me to the public school. Guess what? It did.

Doubt turned to fear, fear turned to feelings of failure and feeling he was already behind in kindergarten, I sent him to public school for part of that year.

Let me tell you the rest of this story by telling what I did and did not do before I sent him to Kindergarten.

I did

teach him how to write and read by Kindergarten.
play, do crafts and learn music.
keep the roads hot and heavy by traveling to all kinds of field trips and museums.
sing nursery rhymes to him.
read from beautiful books and cuddle every day.

I did not

know, let alone worry about standards because I was blissfully ignorant about any kind of standard.
use a formal curriculum program. Brighter Vision Learning Adventures is a box that came each month to my home with a bright colored workbook, a craft, a book and music. Mr. Senior 2013 loved it and I loved it too. It no longer is in business.
worry about socialization because we had music classes and gymnastics.
stop worrying about what is coming up in the next grade and this led to me sending him back to public school.

Looking back now and after the first few days of public school Kindergarten, I realized that he was way advanced.

Tips for Homeschooling Preschoolers

It’s true that children are hardy, I just wished that I would have aimed for soaking up cherished moments.

I didn’t know Kindergarten was about learning to read and write. I put extreme pressure on Mr. Senior 2013 to perform.

What I have learned is that preschool is just that!! PRE- means BEFORE school.

That is the time to focus on “readiness” skills. That is NOT the time that our children learn to hold a pencil grip correctly, but that is the time to train them to hold it correctly.

This is NOT done by holding a pencil, but by playing games, being outside and doing crafts that help them learn fine motor skills.

Children are capable of so much more during these years than we sometimes give them credit for.

Burnout out looms in Kindergarten or first grade because “formal school” started way too earlier.

You have to let go of the feeling that your child will be behind because you spent the day doing crafts, playing and reading and that surely there should be something more “serious” that you should be doing.

It is not easy to combat the thinking of the education world that early teaching has to be formal. Children learn by play.

There is a reason we learned all those fun nursery rhymes and that is because memorization and hearing word patterns is a skill set need for reading.

How to Homeschool Preschoolers

Mustering up the courage to take my son back out of school during his Kindergarten year was not easy, but I had learned a VERY valuable lesson.

No longer would I question what I done even in my ignorance.

The struggle empowered me to put faith back into the naturalness of homeschooling. I know not everyone homeschools for faith based reasons and I respect that in my workshops.

For me though it is the very core of my homeschooling.

Parents have been given the responsibility of educating our children and viewing it as the next extension of parenting helps you to meet the challenge.

During their toddler years and preschool years I have rocked, talked and cuddled and read to my sons and it has given them an excellent start to their formal education. Homeschooling with preschoolers is not for the faint hearted, but home is for the brave.

Will you meet the challenge?

Have you missed any of the previous post on this series?

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

22- 28 Homeschool Preschoolers, Highschoolers, and Unique Learners

In addition look at these other resources for homeschooling preschoolers.

Other Homeschooling Preschoolers Resources

Finally, look at some of these curriculum resources.

Curriculum For Homeschooling Preschool

12 Homeschooling Preschoolers Resources, Activities, and Curriculum

There is no doubt play-based learning is hands down the best way for preschoolers to learn.

You'll love some of these resources which can help you both teach and schedule if you want to do a bit more formal teaching.

Mommy, Teach Me: Preparing Your Preschool Child for a Lifetime of Learning

n Mommy, Teach Me author Barbara Curtis, a mother of twelve, shares secrets on how to turn everyday experiences into learning opportunities for preschool children.

Before Five in a Row: Second Edition

Designed to be used with children ages 2 through 4, Before Five in a Row is a rich treasury of creative ideas that help you gently, consistently prepare your children for the lifelong adventure of learning.

Photo Credit: www.goodandbeautiful.com

Preschool Language Arts Course Set

Preschool Course Book, Preschool Folder Activities, Preschool Practice Sheets, Access to Learning Songs and Videos

Pathways for Preschool

Encourage a love for learning as you engage your child in active, hands-on learning with this BJU Press Homeschool Pathways for Preschool Activity Packet!

Horizons Preschool Curriculum Set

With the fun, engaging Horizons Preschool Curriculum Set, preschoolers are introduced to social studies, language arts, math, phonics, and science.

Photo Credit: www.mothergoosetime.com

Toddler – Experience Early Learning

A bit more pricey but they provide themed kits each month.

Photo Credit: ivy-kids.com

Ivy Kids | Subscription Box STEM Kids Children Ivy Kids Kits

We have loved every subscription box we did in the preschool years.

The Montessori Toddler: A Parent's Guide to Raising a Curious and Responsible Human Being

It’s time to change the way we see toddlers. Using the principles developed by the educator Dr. Maria Montessori, Simone Davies shows how to turn life with a “terrible two” into a mutually rich and rewarding time of curiosity, learning, respect, and discovery.

Photo Credit: blossomandroot.com

Early Years Curriculum

Blossom & Root Early Years was designed to provide parents with a preschool (Vol. 1) or Pre-K (Vol. 2) curriculum that focuses on the development of the whole child. Each of the 36 weeks of lesson plans

The Giant Encyclopedia of Lesson Plans for Children 3 to 6

This newest addition to the best-selling GIANT Encyclopedia series expands the scope of the series by offering complete lesson plans. Written and created by teachers, The GIANT Encyclopedia of Lesson Plans has more than 250 complete lesson plans, covering topics from colors and numbers to seasons and nursery rhymes.

Slow And Steady Get Me Ready

Since children don't come with directions, a retired kindergarten teacher with over 25 years of experience wrote this how-to manual which bridges the gap between home & school. It is a money-saving preschool resource which informs parents & caregivers as to what they could & should be doing to teach basic readiness skills that are necessary for a child to achieve success in school.

Photo Credit: shop.busytoddler.com

Playing Preschool Year 1: Homeschool Preschool Program

Looking for a homeschool preschool curriculum for your child? Meet Playing Preschool Year 1: a new way to preschool at home. This is a 190 day program of hands-on, play-based learning. Themed units anchor the learning as children explore math, reading, science, art activities, and much more!

Save

Day 22: Homeschoolers with Preschoolers - Truth or Dare?

18 American History Board Games Which Brings History to Life

October 30, 2022 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I have 18 American history board games which breathe life into your history teaching. You’ll love the other history games I have too.

I am a big fan of gameschooling.

No matter what your homeschooling style is, gameschooling can add a fun element which helps kids retain more than just facts.

Playing American history games can help them gain an understanding of the why, how, where, when, and who of history through learning geography, trivia, strategy, and general information.

Today we are focusing on some American history board games to add to your homeschool day.

I have drawn deep from the Amazon well and found games to cover quite a few major periods of American history and they’re ones we’ve used too.

From the first people that set sail on the soil of the new world to revolutions, Civil War within America, westward expansion to a cover up at the Watergate hotel, your kids will love them.

American History Games

You can play them at home as a supplement to your history lessons or in place of a lesson some days for a fun break.

They are a great tool for co-op days as well.

And small card games can be great for waiting at restaurants or doctor’s offices.

Additionally, look at some of the topics your child can learn about.

Political History
Social History
Economic History
Religious History
Diplomatic History
Art History
Women’s History
Science/Medicine History
Food History
Environmental History

Then there are academic skills as well. Look at this list below.

reading fluency
comprehension
problem solving skills
critical thinking, reasoning
self regulation
verbal communication skills
increased vocabulary
social skills, patience, resilience, logic,
and a lot more skills that come with board game play whether its trivia, strategy, or role playing.

Did I also mention that a lot of these games below will also teach civics, geography, math and science? Yes! yes!

Other Fun History Games Resources

Too, look at these other fun history games resources:

You’re sure to find something here to go with your unit studies, unschooling, relaxed schooling, or gameschooling.

Let’s jump into finding your family the perfect American history board game.

18 American History Board Games to Bring History to Life

No matter what your homeschooling style is, gameschooling can add a fun element that really helps kids retain more than just facts.

1775 Rebellion The American Revolution | Board Game |

A historical strategy boardgame that takes you into battle with a bright beautiful map and several historical scenarios to help with game play.

Professor Noggin's History of The United States Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: Get ready for a fun card game that teaches about famous discoveries, people of the Revolution, and African Americans in history! This kids card game makes learning history fun for all ages!

Professor Noggin's American Revolution Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: The American Revolution was a serious time in history when thirteen colonies joined together to break away from the British Empire. In this kids card game, adults and kids can have fun learning the history of our great North America! Topics include Life before the war, Heroes, and the Battle for the Sea.

Professor Noggin's Civil War Trivia Card Game

FUN FACTS: History can be a tough subject to make fun for some children. The Civil War card game takes fun facts beyond dates and timelines to make it an interesting and engaging subject to learn about. Famous Battles, Heroes, and 'Life As..' topics make this a fun kids card game.

American History Deck

A simple deck of cards for playing whatever card game you like but this one features American historical figures and comes with a book to tell about each. But you can use these for other things
too…Can’t decide who to learn about next? Draw a card to pick. Take out one of each figure and have your child line them up in timeline order. Call out a historical fact about one of the figures and have your child flash the matching
person.

Fifty-two portraits adorn these 55 cards of this stately deck. The four suits are periods of U.S. History-Colonial, Federal, Civil War and Frontier. These include a detailed biographical booklet and rules for various card games.

TUSA US Presidents Card Game

Entertaining, educational card game brings American history to life

Find out which year Jimmy Carter took office, whose presidency saw the first American in space, and how many pets Calvin Coolidge owned

American Trivia Game

FUN PARTY GAME: American Trivia features two-sided cards, with 1,000 questions that cover five categories: Geography, History, Pop Culture, Sports, and General trivia. Making this a great party game that can be played by a wide range of ages.

The Oregon Trail: Journey to Willamette Valley by Pressman

It's a race to Willamette Valley as you join the wagon train and seek your fortune in the West!

Place tiles to discover the trails, rivers, forts, and towns that lie ahead

Constitution Quest Game

Simple directions with added twists for fun, interesting, engaging game play

Play in less than an hour...the more you play, the more you learn!

Catan Histories: Settlers of America Board Game

Catan is a homeschooling favorite and there are many version and expansions.

This one is set in a young United States and explores the country by laying railroads to move and transport goods around the country.

Ticket to Ride Board Game |

STRATEGY GAME: Build your tracks across the United States in this fast-paced and strategic board game. Connect iconic North American cities across a map of the 20th-century USA and build your train routes to earn points

Freedom The Underground Railroad | Board Game

A very important part of history was the Underground Railroad, players of this cooperative game become abolitionists raising money and helping escaped slaves to freedom.

Watergate

Learn about the events, the people, and the politics of one of the biggest presidential scandals in history in this two player card game. One player is the Nixon Administration and the other is a
journalist gathering evidence.

Bold Made Card Games Features Portraits of Amazing Women in History

MADE FOR ALL AGES - This fun card game is designed for the whole family. It's perfect for bonding with kids, chlidren, teens, adults and grand parents. Bust it out during a reunion and watch everyone dive in! Perfect family games for kids 4 and up!

Historical Miniatures Battle Game

For the child that is wild about military history this is a great strategy game that you will want to add to your collection. Lead your little troupe of plastic army men to battle with accurate historical terrain and objectives.

Monopoly World War II

Is there anything they haven’t made into a Monopoly game? Properties are named after famous battles and there are WWII facts on the backs of the property cards as well.

The Colonists

The Colonists is a strategy game where you work to establish and develop a new colony. While it does not specifically teach about American Colonies it gives a good understanding of what was needed for one.

Deal or Duel Hamilton Game: An Alexander Hamilton Card Game

In the face of the political instability and financial turmoil of the American Revolution, only one individual always came out on top: Alexander Hamilton. Pit your survival instincts and spending savvy against all the founding fathers (and mothers) in this historic action card game whose simple objective is as old as Ameritocracy itself: get all the money or die trying.