Logic and critical thinking easily meet science in this bean classification activity. Using a simple 16-bean soup mix, middle and high school students can develop their own systems of classification. It’s such a great way to practice classification and re-classification strategies based on debatable characteristics. Speaking of debate, the activity provides a great opportunity for…
If you have a cooperative extension service in your community, you’ve hit the homeschooling jackpot. A homeschool 4-H club through our cooperative extension service is one of the best groups we’ve ever joined. What’s a cooperative extension service? It’s a cooperation between communities and universities that provides training and services to the community on the…
Whether you currently enjoy nature study time with your children or not, being part of a nature club is a great motivator and provides hours of fun learning time! 1. What is a nature study club? Quite simply, it’s a small or large group of homeschoolers who meet together for the purpose of studying nature…
Why do homeschoolers hear socialization questions more than any others? I’ve met lots and lots of homeschoolers and very few of them seem unsocialized. Heck, very few of them are home long enough to be unsocialized! The S-Word: Socialization for Homeschoolers When I was writing the chapter on socialization for Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners,…
Many homeschool moms who teach co-op classes develop their own curriculum. Me, too, for the most part. However, I’ve found it a little more difficult to design a thorough, engaging curriculum for middle and high school co-op classes that doesn’t leave me studying and preparing for hours. As a curriculum reviewer, a lot of great…
At co-op this year, I have the privilege of teaching two logic and critical thinking classes – one for high school and one for middle school. We’re having a great time together! I promised a little look inside that class, so here goes. This post contains affiliate links. The Main Content I’m doing similar things…
School has been out since the end of April, meaning all the school-related posts that I’ll be publishing soon are way overdue. Oh well, better late than never. Our summer vacation has been nothing short of a whirlwind so far, but I wouldn’t trade the busyness with my sweet family for anything! I’ll try to…
Field Day at our co-op is always such a fun day! In their class rotations, the kids go around to seven different activities. Tug-of-war Long Jump Softball Throw 50 Yard Dash Three-legged Race Sack Race Obstacle Course The moms sign up to either work a station or escort classes from station to station. Those who…
I can’t tell you how excited I am about the Science Experiements in a Bag exchange we had at co-op this week! Remember the preschool bags? The same company that sells the preschool activity bag idea book now has a science experiment bag idea book! My big kids can’t wait to dive into these!…
This past weekend was time once again for our co-op’s talent expo. It’s such a fun time of sharing talents and competing for ribbons in the areas of art, music, drama, spelling, Bible memorization, cooking, woodworking, science fair and/or sewing. This year’s projects for Caleb included two art projects, a *huge* birdhouse and a derby…
(This post contains affiliate links.) Night at the Museum Movie: Watch and Learn Short and Sweet Version: Co-op Class Only Meets Twice First Meeting: Everyone watches the movie, Night at the Museum, together. This meeting is strictly for fun. At Home: Each child chooses either an historical character from the movie, another interesting person from…
As a fitting end to our Keepers At Home year, we had a little scrapbooking party. What great memories come from this group! (And, yes, even our boys have fun. But, ahem, shooting a foam deer with a bow and arrow in his Contenders of the Faith class at co-op was MUCH more manly! Thank…
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