The Happy Housewife™ :: Home Schooling

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6 Activities for Math Outside of Class

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The following is a post from contributing writer Stef.

Math is one of those subjects that if a child does not continually practice they will forget basic rules, become slow, and eventually become discouraged when the subject is even mentioned.

I do not encourage a complete break from math during summers or long holidays, but rather suggest as moms we try to find unique ways to keep math practice alive over those non-school breaks.  A lot of creative math happens during discussions.

Six Activities for Math Outside of Class | The Happy Housewife

Six Activities for Math Outside of the Classroom:

1. Count money

Open those piggy banks and start counting coins or rolling coins.  It makes it easy for you to deposit and is great for those tactile learners.

Ask questions:  What can we buy with that? How much more do we need to buy another Wii game?

2. Grocery shopping

So much math happens at the grocery store.  If it’s using a calculator to add up items, counting percentages off, weighing fruit, counting serving sizes, or adding up total savings — get math done at the grocery store.

Ask questions:  How much more does an apple weigh than a banana?  If I buy 3 more how much will I save?  It will take longer, but isn’t it worth it?

3. Manipulating time

An old clock is perfect for tactile learners!

Ask questions: What time will it be in an hour?  If Young Justice comes on at 6:00 pm how long do we have to wait?

4. Cooking measurements

The kitchen is another great place for math.  If you’re making an afternoon snack or following a dinner recipe, include the kids (boys or girls).

Ask questions:  The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons, how many teaspoons would that be? If we need to double the recipe how much more would we need?  Let’s check it!  Again, this takes time so I do not encourage you doing this last minute.

5.  Compare measurements

Get out the tape measure.  

Ask questions:  How much longer is your tub than you?  Find three things that are 4 inches.  How many centimeters would that be?

6.  Get physical

Take a walk.  Can you measure the distance on Google earth?

Ask questions:  If you walked that same route every day for a month, how far would that be?  How long would it take to walk to Disney Land?

Simple ways to keep math skills strong require very little curriculum, but rather a lot of intentional time and discussion.

How are you keeping math skills strong during non-school times?

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4th of July Worksheets

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The following is a post from contributing writer Lauren. 

This month’s free printable worksheets are patriotic themed and perfect for learning about the 4th of July or to supplement any patriotic unit study.   Download this red, white, and blue-themed worksheet set to use with your preschooler – second grader.

In this 4th of July worksheet set you’ll receive:

  • ABC Writing Practice – Choose the beginning sound of each picture and then practice writing it on the lines
  • Red, White, & Blue Pattern Practice – Determine which star comes next in this cut & paste activity
  • Commutative Squares – Also known as Magic Squares, this is a unique way to practice simple addition
  • Red, White, & Blue Scissor Skills – Practice scissor skills by helping the patriotic object find its match
June Patriotic Themed Printables
June Patriotic Themed Printables
June Patriotic Themed Printables.pdf
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The Child Who Won’t Do His Schoolwork

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The following is a post from contributing writer Tabitha.

The Problem

Over the past few months we’ve had a plain and simple uncooperative child.  We’ve given him opportunities to learn, to do coursework to show he’s learning, to prove himself academically, and to complete his homeschooling tasks for the school year.

Did he do it?  No.  Second chances?  Yes.  Did he do it?  No.  Threats?  Sure.  Did they work?  No.

Between his father threatening to send him to public school and both of us taking away extras until he at least attempted to get with the program and work with us on making sure he’s done his homeschool learning for the year, nothing worked.  We had some major temper tantrums, some serious problem behaviors, and overall, no cooperation on the part of this child.

Stepping Back

While his behavior was unacceptable, neither was our response. It made both of us look at the situation again and see what we could do to:

  1. Not completely turn off this son from learning.
  2. Not have him completely give up on his parents as being on his side and in his corner.
  3. Not alienate him from being involved with his family.

So, I tried to look at the whole situation differently.  What was this son doing with his time?  We corrected the problems with acting out, but after that, I watched.  This son takes care of his siblings, and when I say that, I mean he looks out for the youngest of our family.  He comforts.  He finds what’s wrong and rights it.  He helps with whatever he sees needs doing around the house, including dishes, changing diapers, reading to younger kids.

He reads.  He is a fast reader like his parents and goes through every book we have and then reads them again.  He spends time outside, getting to know our neighbors, many of them elderly, and finding out if they need anything.   He is involved with his church duties, and through all this, mostly maintains a positive attitude that makes those around him smile.

Did we object to any of this?  No.  This is part of who our son is, what makes him tick.  What we did object to was the lack of balance between our learning goals for him and his own choices for how he spends his time.

So my challenge lately, since we figured some of this out, has been to include him in his learning and find out how to get him to choose his goals and reach them.  How to keep him more balanced in his daily activities.  How to keep him focused on his future and not what he wants to do right now.

What We Have Learned

  1. Make sure your child is getting your time and your attention.  Know who your child is.
  2. Look for the positive in what they ARE doing, and not for the negative or what they are NOT doing.
  3. Involve them in their goal setting, especially in the teen years.  Where do they want to go?
  4. Ease up… one style of learning doesn’t always work for the next child.  Learning isn’t one size fits all.
  5. Take a HUGE deep breath and take each day as a new opportunity to reach this child that has been trusted to your care.

More posts from Tabitha

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Preschool Math Activities

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The following is a post from contributing writer Stef.

I have never liked math. Numbers in equations make me nervous. I hope by introducing numbers to my boys early and in fun ways my children will be comfortable around them when it’s time to really work out math problems.

A few fun ways to introduce math to little ones …

Table Chart (matching numbers to correct items) = visual/tactile

 

Dice & tracing on laminated printable = visual/tactile

 


Any type of number floor math games (washable crayola paint) =  visual/kinetic/auditory
Also consider incorporating physical activity such as 4 jumping jacks, 6 push ups, etc.

 


Rolling dice & matching to flash cards  or adding two dice / beginning addition= visual/tactile

 


Number sorting (we sorted bugs by color and then found matching number flash cards for each pile) = visual / tactile

 

Around the house count coins.  Children do not have to know the value, just get in the habit of counting.   Also count fruit at the grocery store, and count how many pieces are left on a plate.

For auditory learners try singing songs with subtraction involved (Monkeys Jumping On the Bed) and use your fingers to show where you are in the song as you count down or up.

Kids can like math – especially when it’s presented early and in fun ways.

More posts from Stef

What can you learn from a baby?

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The following is a post from Tabitha

A few weeks ago my husband saw a mother holding her daughter’s baby. No, not her granddaughter, but a computerized ‘baby’ for learning about human development and taking care of a new baby. Something that apparently, many American teenagers don’t learn about unless they are in a class similar to the one this mother’s daughter was taking.

Our children saw one of these ‘babies’ at church a few weeks ago as well. They were, at first, wondering why a teenager had a baby doll. I tried, and I think failed, to explain what the baby was for and why it was important. I tried to explain that this girl was taking a class about babies and needed the doll to show she knew how to take care of a baby.

My teens were slightly incredulous. Now, I know not every teenager has the opportunity to learn about small children and babies in their own home or even at church or friends’ homes. Babysitting classes and courses such as this one are probably great resources.

I grew up in a home where I was called upon to babysit, both my own siblings and families from church, or even friends of my parents who had small children. I learned every day how children learn, grow, and develop. My parents taught me all about such things and helped me know how to help these small children learn and grow as well as take care of their physical needs. It never occurred to me that there might be a more formal need for learning.

My own children are also skipping that ‘formal’ learning about taking care of babies and small children. My 13 year old changes diapers almost as well as his parents, who have been changing diapers for 15 years now (longer if we’re talking about other kids as well as our own).

My 15 year old knows how to keep order in the home when parents aren’t home, and even if we are, can sometimes be found mediating a disagreement between some of the younger siblings. My 12 year old know how to sooth a baby even if she’s not very experienced at it.

My 2 year old was holding a baby doll just yesterday, slightly rocking and bouncing as she made small, gentle noises and held the baby close. The 4 and 5 year olds run to comfort the newest baby in our home, just 1 month old, when she is upset.

baby girl

There's nothing like a real baby.

They know about babies. They know that each is special and is a small person with wants and needs just like them. They are learning about what those needs are and they want to help. They know what isn’t good for her, and know what they can do to make her happy. All in age appropriate terms from the 2 year old to the 15 year old. They know…

  • Babies are special
  • Babies take special care
  • Babies need gentle handling
  • Babies can’t talk
  • Babies can’t tell you what they need
  • Babies cry sometimes
  • Sometimes babies cry when they don’t need anything
  • Babies cry when they do need something
  • Babies sleep a lot
  • Babies eat a lot.
  • Babies can’t eat what big kids eat
  • Babies need different food, mostly milk, whether breastmilk or formula.
  • Babies take a lot of mom’s time.

There are many, many more things that a family can learn from a baby. However, we’re still learning ourselves, as well as teaching our children, so alongside the AP test preparation, 7th grade logic, pre-reading activities, life science, and math at all levels from Geometry to counting, we are also learning about babies.

Bug Unit Study Worksheets and Printables

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This month’s homeschooling theme is: Bugs!  Kids love bugs, even if parents don’t! A bug unit study is so much fun, your kids won’t even know they’re doing school! Plus they are EVERYWHERE. Especially in the spring and summer months.

Did you know that insects are super important to the health and well-being of our environment? It’s true! Take gardening for instance. While there are many insects that can damage vegetables and flowers, some can be really good for your garden.

Ladybug Habitat

One of our favorite activities to do each summer is to raise ladybugs and release them into our garden to help protect our tomato plants from aphids. Ladybugs are amazing. These little beetles prey on tiny plant-eating pests like aphids. In fact, ladybugs can eat as many as 5,000 aphids in a year! 

Can you imagine eating that many cheeseburgers in one year? Whew!

Do you have a garden at home? If you’re interested in raising ladybugs, I highly recommend the Ladybug Land kit from Insectlore. It comes with a habitat, food, and a certificate to order larvae so you and your kids can watch them go through the process of metamorphosis.

Ladybug Land is reasonably priced and you can get it on Amazon or elsewhere. You send off a card for the ladybug larvae or they can be ordered online. Insect Lore was easy to deal with, and even when our ladybug larvae arrived in less than the best shape, we were able to get replacements in a hurry. (This was through no fault of the company. Our weather was unseasonably warm the week they arrived.)

The ladybug larvae were easy to take care of and fascinating to all my children. While my oldest sons were the ones taking care of the ladybugs, everyone got to share in the experience as we watched the ladybugs change from larvae to adult beetles.  It was something they’d read about but hadn’t seen before.  The process does take a few weeks but was fast enough to keep even my preschoolers interested.  The larvae tube has all the food the little insects need, and you just add a little water.

Ladybugs in habitat

Fully grown ladybugs, ready to be freed into the backyard.

Ladybug Land was budget friendly compared to other options.  I loved that the habitat was reusable, and we’ve even repeated the experience since and enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

If you’d rather attract ladybugs to your garden naturally, try making a simple ladybug lair using this activity from my book, Hands-On Ecology: Real-Life Activities for Kids.

Attracting Ladybugs for Summer Learning Fun at The Happy Housewife

How to Make a Ladybug Lair

Supplies Needed

  • Oatmeal container or another round container with a lid
  • Acrylic paint
  • Polyurethane or spray sealer
  • Craft knife
  • Wire

Instructions

1. Decorate the container with acrylic paints and let dry.

2. Seal the container with polyurethane or an acrylic sealer.

3. Cut a small, thin window at the top of the container and a door at the bottom.

4. Hang the house from a tree using the wire.

If creating your own ladybug lair is not something you want to mess with but you still want to encourage ladybugs to eat pests in your garden, you can try a pre-made house instead. You can even order a big bag of ladybugs to populate the ladybug house instead of waiting around for new occupants to just show up.

Whatever you decide to do with your kids, introducing ladybugs to your garden is a great way to extend learning into the summer months. Be sure to talk about the insect’s life cycle using models or a simple nonfiction book, and then enjoy these friendly insects with your kids.

Favorite Bug Books

The library is filled with amazing books about bugs! Download this free library list and visit your local library to learn more about creepy crawly bugs.

These bug worksheets are perfect for the younger students. Use them along with your experiments and crafts.

Bug Themed Worksheets

In this bug-themed worksheet set you’ll find:

  • Practice the Letter B – Choose the other animals with the same /b/ sound; identify B and b from the letter jumble; practice writing B and b
  • Bug Patterns – In this cut & paste activity, determine which bug comes next in the pattern.
  • Scissor Skills – Practice scissor skills by helping the bug find his buggy friend.
  • Bug Math – Identify (with bugs of course) if the addition/subtraction equation is correct.
Bug Unit Study
Bug Unit Study
May Bugs Themed Printables(2).pdf
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More creepy, crawly activities!

Homeschooling Using the Television

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The following is a post from contributing writer Stef.

I used to get so mad when my boys woke up and asked to watch a television show before eating breakfast!  Any break in homeschool lessons and they were holding remotes asking to turn on a show.

It was amazing how my oldest son turned into the TV Guide on Saturdays and knew every television show that was on every hour.  Even the ones we never watched.

We didn’t watch that much television as a family.  For some reason because we had a television (and only one in our living room) the boys felt it should be on all.the.time.

I decided they could not watch “fun shows” until school was finished and chores were completed.  (fun shows having little educational value).

I even made “tv tickets” – that never lasted.  But then an unexpected phone call I had to make needed a bit of attention so the tv was turned on.  Or I forgot to print out lessons and grab books, so the tv was turned on.  Prepping for dinner needed my attention so the tv was turned on.

I realized they were only asking to watch television because I had been relying on it.

Rather than beat myself up I accepted the fact that “mommy moments”.  I purchased educational dvds: What’s In The Bible, Magic School Bus, National Geographic Really Wild Animals, and Nest Learning.  We also went to our library weekly for learning dvds like Squibs and Schlessinger. (be careful of library fines though – we learned they add up … quickly).

Wouldn’t you know my son is a visual learner, so the dvds have been a fantastic supplement!

We also invested in Netflix.  Now after dinner our family watches educational shows together – it’s the best reality tv!

Rather than fight the television monster I’m using it to enhance learning!

 

Five Things I Wish I Had Done Before Homeschooling

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The following is a post from contributing writer Angie.

In June, we’ll be wrapping up our fourth year of homeschooling.  When I reflect back on the time when we decided to homeschool but hadn’t yet begun (because it was during a school year), I realize that there are things that I wish I had done in that period of time before starting that I didn’t.

Since I know some families are gearing up to start homeschooling for the first time after this school year ends, here are some tips that might help you on your journey.

Things I Wish I Had Done Before Homeschooling

Attend a Homeschool Convention or Conference

One of my favorite things each year for preparing for the next school year is to go to a homeschool convention and look around at a vendor hall.  It makes all the difference in my decisions when I’m able to get my hands on items and really check them out beyond just online descriptions.  It’s a wonderful way to see what I think will actually work for my family and what won’t.

In our first few months of homeschooling, we decided to abandon almost everything that we had originally ordered.  It would have made a huge difference if I had originally seen all of those items in person to make a better decision.

Wait Until The End of the Summer to Start

Like many people, we thought we should give it a trial run during the summer, so we started officially homeschooling on July 1st that first year.  Although this wasn’t the case for us, I think this gives people the opportunity to get too nervous about those first kinks and struggles of homeschooling, and then enroll their children back in school before the school year has even started.

For us, this was an issue because it was a transitional period for two of our children, since they were leaving public school.  By the time we had been at it for several weeks, they felt lonely.  I hadn’t taken into consideration that all of our extracurricular activities with other people wouldn’t begin until August (when the schools start here).  My kids needed to know in a very concrete way that they really were still going to be around other kids.

Join a Local Homeschool Support Group

I actually did do this one.  But, it was so important to me, that I didn’t want to overlook adding it to this list.  It can be easy to feel alone while homeschooling if you don’t have people in your life that understand and support your homeschooling.

I joined my local homeschooling support group approximately six months before we started homeschooling.  It was through that group that I have found many of my now closest friends, as well as where my children found many, many friendships and opportunities to be with others.

Be Open Minded to Changing Plans

As I shared earlier, I changed almost all of our curriculum in the first couple of months.  As quick as that sounds, I actually wanted to get rid of it all even more quickly.  However, I was so wrapped up in the idea of how much we had spent on it, that I made us miserably trudge through it until I decided that it was destroying our view of homeschooling.

I wish I had gone into homeschooling knowing that I would probably want to change things from my original plans and been okay with that.

Read About Many Homeschooling Styles

I will admit that I just didn’t really know very much about the different homeschooling styles when I began homeschooling.  As a matter-of-fact, I mostly thought of homeschooling as doing school at home.  I wish that I had read about many different styles of homeschooling in order to better zero in on what would work best for our family.

If you’re already homeschooling, what is something that you didn’t do before homeschooling that you wish you would have done?

photo by jimmiehomeschoolmom

High School Wisdom from Debra Bell

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Last month I had the pleasure of attending the Apologia Live retreat in Atlanta, Georgia. One of my favorite homeschool authors and speakers, Deb Bell, spoke on high school planning. Even though our first child graduates in a few days, I was excited to learn more from this homeschool veteran.

Here are just a few of the things I learned from Deb during her session.

Helping kids learn how to plan/ prioritize is most important.

For many families high school is the end of the road in regards to their home education. While learning advanced math and science is important what is most important is that your child learns how to plan and prioritize their life.

Whether they go to college, into the workforce, or get married, if they don’t have the skills needed to plan they will probably fail. Make these skills a priority in your homeschool high school.

Teenagers need to sleep.

They are growing, changing, and hormones are going crazy. Teenagers need their sleep, and many of the don’t “wake up” until the afternoon. Get in tune with your child’s rhythm’s and let them schedule their days accordingly.

This is not to say that your child should be lazy  sleeping all day and staying up all night on the phone or playing xBox. Just allow them a little more flexibility with their school schedule than they had when they were ten.

Distribute the coursework.

Last week we discussed starting your high schooler’s homeschool curriculum plan in the eighth grade. Planning out the high school years before they start will help keep their senior schedule balanced. If you wait until they are a senior to start “making up” all the classes needed to transition to a career or college it will be very difficult on your child.

Plan for a lighter senior year so they can take advantage of opportunities available (like apprenticeship, dual enrollment, work opportunities, travel, etc).

Set up weekly meetings.

This is a great way to keep in touch with your high schooler and give them an opportunity to share their struggles, successes and goals with you. These meetings are less about academics and more about their hearts.

Be their parent and their friend.

Never forget that you are always in charge and just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean your child has to do it too. But… I’m always surprised at how many parents don’t even take the time to “hang out” with their teenagers.

Take them out to lunch, listen to a song they like, watch a movie of their choosing, attend their sporting events. Be present in their lives. If a friend told you about a song they were listening to all the time you’d probably listen to it too. Why not do the same for your kids?

For many teens it seems like the whole world is against them, remember you are on the same team. Together you can make the high school years some of the best years of their lives.

The 10 Days Series is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutually beneficial projects.

More Homeschooling Through High School

Homeschool and Extracurricular Activities

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Extracurricular activities are a great way to earn high school credits, round out their education, and improve their college application. Even if your child isn’t interested in going to college, extracurricular activities can teach life skills. (think babysitting training, sewing classes, etc…)

Homeschoolers have a huge advantage when it comes to extracurricular activities. They aren’t hampered by school schedules and since you can incorporate activities into the curriculum, kids that are serious about a sport or activity to have extra time to dedicate to their activities.

Just remember, most kids don’t become professional soccer players, musicians, or ice skaters… so everything in moderation, right?

Public School

Depending on your state, your child might be able to participate in sports and activities at the public school. Now if you homeschool because you want to avoid public school influences this is probably not the best option. But if your child has a chance at a college/professional career in a certain activity this might work for your family.

County Sponsored Activities

My kids have always played sports in city or county leagues. Not only do cities and counties have sports teams, often they have choir, art classes, and tech classes. Usually county leagues are inexpensive and a great way to you to connect with your community while your kids play soccer or sing.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are the most expensive option for many extracurricular activities but also provide the most flexibility. Instructors will sometimes give discounts for siblings or for scheduling lessons during off hours. Consider bartering for a discount or free lessons to help keep extracurricular activities from busting the budget.

For the homeschooler, extracurricular activities can easily be integrated into their curriculum. My daughter’s piano lessons earned her a fine art credit, and my son’s soccer has given him two PE credits in high school already.

Summer programs and camps are also a great way to round out their education and earn high school credits. Both of my high schoolers have participated in TeenPact and benefitted greatly from the experience.

Don’t overlook the importance of extracurricular activities to help balance your child’s education. Even if they don’t end up the next Tim Tebow, these activities can help teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and allow them to interact with people from all walks of life.

The 10 Days Series is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutually beneficial projects.

More Homeschooling Through High School

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