Homeschool Spark - Math

Is math your child's favorite subject?  Well if it is not there are all kinds of great ways to have fun w/ math.  Here are a few ideas for helping your child have more fun learning math.

There are a few websites to play math flash cards on.

There are fun books like these

There are websites where you can play math games (free). 

Baking or Cooking is a wonderful hands on way to teach math.

There are sites out there that you can print some free Math worksheets.

Use your kids toys to show hands on examples.  Matchbox cars and lego's work great.

Playing cards = Uno, go fish, spades, hearts all are great.

Play board games like Monopoly or Life to practice money skills.  There are now all kinds of other board games out there that deal w/ money.

Rummikub is great for strategies w/ numbers, so many possible out comes.

The list can go on and on but I want to know what you do to give math a spark. Share by leaving a comment below.




Lil' Momma

Homeschool Spark - New Homeschooler

What are some of the things you would tell a NEW homeschooler?

First I would say YES you can HOMESCHOOL!

Then I would share a few things I have learned over the years.

• Finding a good homeschooling guide will help you get started. 
• Remember every child learns differently.  
• Find your child's learning style.  Don't be surprised if it is different for different subjects or different for each child you are homeschooling.  
• There are LOTS of homeschool curriculum out there and NON are the magic answer. 
• Just because one type of curriculum works for one subject does not mean it will work for all your subjects.
• Just because one type of curriculum works for one CHILD does not mean it will work for ALL of your children.  
• School does NOT have to be done at the kitchen table or at a desk.  Some of our best school days happen on a bed, couch or even outside on a blanket. 

What would you share with a new homeschooler that would help put spark in their new adventure?


If I get enough comments I might start a LINKY for Homeschool Spark. 


Lil' Momma

Homeschool Spark - Social Studies

 

Social Studies lost its spark?  How about some online games? There are games on all kinds of subject like Ben Franklin, US Presidents even Women in history.

Have a themed dinner.  Make food from the time you are learning about.  Example: Medieval Times - set the table the way a king or knight might set his table.  Eat food that would have been served at that time. Eat w/ your fingers! (kids love that) Drink from goblet (wine glasses) the list goes on.

Play games the kids from that time played. Example: If you were learning about the Vikings you could play dice games or board games.

Go to a Museum that has a display about what you are learning on. But make it even more interesting let your child take pictures at the museum.  Then create a scrapbook out of the pictures he/she took.  With details on what the pictures where.  

Here was my son's first attempt at taking pictures at a museum. It was a little fuzzy but he took pictures about a new age printing system. 

Watch for more ideas on how to keep the "SPARK" in your homeschool day.  

Lil' Momma

Homeschool Spark

Are you STILL trying to figure out what to do this year?  Looking for some back to school ideas? From online lesson plans to creative way to keep your school year full of "SPARK".  Here are a few ideas for you and your other homeschool friends, too.

Every kid needs new clothes,right? Just because homeschoolers don't HAVE to have new clothes for the new school year like public/private school kids usually get. Our kids deserve some "new" to them items too.  How about have a "SWAPtember" with other homeschoolers.  Have everyone bring items they have out grown and for ever item you bring you get to take another item.  Any thing left over can be donated. After all don't your kids need a break from their school uniform (pajamas)


PAJAMAS ARE MY SCHOOL UNIFORM by StrouseAcademy

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How about letting your child pick and choose what to do next.  Example of this.  Say you plan on covering space, animals, and plants this year in science. Let your child choose when they want to cover each. 

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If your school is already in a slump change it up!  Get out of the house.  Go to the park to do school, do school at the library, do school in the back yard or the driveway. Lots of places to do school.

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Field trips are always a great way to keep the spark going in your school.  They do not have to be elaborate field trips either. They can be very spur of the moment.  Just a trip to the grocery store with a kid friendly shopping list, maybe the items needed to make a cake or even lunch for that day.  This is a field trip that will get you out of the house, cover math, reading, logic (following directions) and so much more.

Oh I can go on and on with ideas.  Maybe I will try to post more ideas on another day. Watch for more ideas on how to keep the "SPARK" in your homeschool day. 

Lil' Momma