Posted on 03/16/2020 8:21:15 AM PDT by P.O.E.
Just thinking about schools being closed, and how to keep the kids/grandkids on track.
I've used Enchanted Learning (requires a somewhat reasonable subscription for most stuff). Lots of printables to color, make booklets, etc. Mostly for grade schoolers.
Dr. Binocs has odd but informative videos for the young ones.
Kahn academy has a slew of informative videos, mostly jr. high / high school stuff (science, math, history) with practice problem demos and the like.
Crash Course series has lively video lessons for all grades (science, history)
Anybody else have ideas for resources to share?
Disclaimer: I have no financial or other interest in any of these, just stuff I've used over the years, and have recommended to friends and family.
I use BBC Bitesize lessons a lot - https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Our schools are closed, so I am keeping kindergarten age granddarlin’. Instructions from his teacher was to design and build a “Leprechaun Trap”. It is a S.T.E.M. activity (with a St Patrick’s Day theme). Upper grade kids will involve pulley systems, trap doors, levers, ladders, etc and the younger kids will have a simple design. Of course there has to be bait (leprechauns are attracted to shiny things, gold). We found a bunch of stuff around the house to use and had a fun time all morning. There are a ton of good ideas for them on Pinterest and google.
This link has a page of lots of links. My conservative teacher in Washington posted it on Facebook. I think they’re out of school for four weeks.
We were told that our son would never go to college or be able to read by his senior year in highschool. In one year, she brought him up to his grade level in reading - tested. He still struggled in math, so we had him go through a learning center. In high school he liked ROTC.
Through ROTC, he went to Valley Forge Military college on a 2.0 high school rating and he looked like a million bucks in his Air-force outfit. He graduated college which the teachers and school administrators in Maryland said he never would.
Today, he is a Police Officer in Marietta, has a wonderful wife (by many of our prayers) and is smarter than a whip. He is on the SWAT Team and trains new police candidates.
Yeah, Homeschooling can lead to some very good things and it sounds like it's going to be very good for the kid(s).
I get their newsletter but up til now hadn't been able to find the time for their courses. Worth a look, for sure.
Totally agree.
Schools used to teach useful skills, even if those skills were sort of reserved for ‘boy’ or ‘girl’ skills.
Instead of making a class of skills everyone needed to learn (condoms on bananas or cucumbers doesn’t really count as a life skill.) they stopped teaching skills altogether.
Balancing your checking account, cooking 2 or 3 simple meals, 2 or 3 more complex meals, changing a tire, checking your oil/etc, those should be taught. Sadly 2 parents work and don’t have the time for that.
As a former home-schooing mom (and now grand-mom), all I can say is use your imagination and reinforce the 3 R’s. Read harder books together but encourage reading on their own. Older kids can do a book report or presentation. Keep up with math basics, but don’t force them to sit at a table doing problems for hours.
I agree with the advice up-thread about cooking (teaches fractions, chemical reactions, following instructions, etc.) and teaching life skills (balancing accounts, budgeting, household upkeep).
There can be valuable learning in many “non-formal” ways, if you just look at things from a relaxed point of view or different perspective. Minecraft, Sims, Lego, playing “store”, caring for pets, board games & other games (20 Questions is one of my grandson’s favorite these days), puzzles, logic problems, even silly things like Madlibs ...
You don’t have to create a formal school at home, make it fun and even let the children direct some of their learning (it’s okay to read nothing but books about dinosaurs for days, if they want to, just figure out ways to incorporate that into other lessons) And let them play outside a LOT if the weather co-operates.
I recently read “Thunderbolt Kid” a funny, bittersweet trip back to those days - recommended reading :)
LOL!!!
Have them read classic literature.
That’s a great find, thanks!!
Great idea - I'm sure there are lists out there to pick through
IIRC, William Bennet assembled several such compendiums, such as The Book of Virtues.
In a similar vein:
Thanks :)
A huge list of free online resources with links compiled here:
https://hip2save.com/tips/free-educational-games-for-kids/
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education FIRE’s High School Curriculum
https://www.thefire.org/resources/high-school-network/high-school-curriculum/
Prager University free online videos by topic.
https://www.prageru.com/playlist/mythbusting-history/
https://www.prageru.com/playlist/what-you-need-to-know-about-taxes/
https://www.prageru.com/playlist/ideas-for-a-better-you/
https://www.prageru.com/playlist/the-ten-commandments/
Dr. Suess.
I think that is all of them.
If they like sci-fi watch a movie like Dune or I Robot, Farenheit 401, 20,0000 Leagues, etc.
Then read the book.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.