All elementary school students are taught about their home state's history. Learning the state song, recognizing the state flag and knowing the state motto are all part of the fun. Teachers must have a myriad of creative ideas to get their student's to learn this information and now you can help your learner, whether they homeschool or not, how to remember all these things.
US 50 state games is a great online method for learning all about your state --whether it's Alaska, who's state tree is the spruce, or Florida, who's state bird is the mockingbird, or the Beaver State, also know as Oregon. When you make learning fun, you are opening your child's mind even more and instilling a love of learning and the discovery that learning doesn't have to be boring.
While your student is learning all about our country's amazing states one by one, why not get familiar with your state homeschool info if you haven't already. As homeschooling parents, we must always be up to date on our state's homeschool requirements. You certainly don't want the end of the school year to come along only to realize that everything was done in vain because you didn't go about it the right way.
You can find state homeschool info just about anywhere on the web, at your local library, and/or through your local school board/district. Be sure to find a curriculum that will be approved by your state and get specific details as to what your state requires of you as a 'teacher'.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Who says contractions aren't fun?
I have never been crazy about math. The subject makes me nervous and want to run, not walk in the other direction. I wish there would have been some fun math games to play when I was younger. I think that could have changed my feelings toward my most dreaded subject.
For those of you who have children that have the same phobia of words and all things grammar, not to worry. If you're starting to teach contractions to your elementary students, there is no need to fret about how you are going to get them to understand, even if you're one of those adults that still has trouble differentiating between your and you're and they're, their and there. It's not uncommon, I know a lot of people who have trouble with this. You are (you're) not alone!
Contraction games can help your child, and well, maybe even you, learn about the marriage of words and what rules should be applied and when. Keep in mind that a big part of the confusion has to do with where the apostrophe should go and determining if the word is in a possessive form.
There are many different ways to teach contractions and many different contraction games to choose from. All it takes is patience on your end and lots of practice on the student's end. Good luck and do not (don't) worry!
For those of you who have children that have the same phobia of words and all things grammar, not to worry. If you're starting to teach contractions to your elementary students, there is no need to fret about how you are going to get them to understand, even if you're one of those adults that still has trouble differentiating between your and you're and they're, their and there. It's not uncommon, I know a lot of people who have trouble with this. You are (you're) not alone!
Contraction games can help your child, and well, maybe even you, learn about the marriage of words and what rules should be applied and when. Keep in mind that a big part of the confusion has to do with where the apostrophe should go and determining if the word is in a possessive form.
There are many different ways to teach contractions and many different contraction games to choose from. All it takes is patience on your end and lots of practice on the student's end. Good luck and do not (don't) worry!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Building vocab and language arts
English, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, language arts, whatever you call it, it's important and lays the groundwork for a solid foundation in being able to speak and write properly.
Even from a very young age, usually 3, children begin to learn about phonics. The alphabet is introduced and from there, the sky's the limit. Learning the sounds of the letters, blending and segmenting all come into play sooner or later. Children soon understand how letters are combined to make certain sounds and words. My little one is beginning to recognize this and it's amazing how much she has learned. Not only does she ask me what letter certain words begin with, but she will also tell me herself what letter a particular word starts with. Her curiosity and that of all children's is a great tool for parents to use to teach and help them expand their vocabulary and language arts skills.
Around first and second grade, children begin to learn more advanced phonics skills that include recognizing prefixes, suffixes and roots. Compound words also begin to come into play.
Compound word games are a great way to help students practice their new-found skill. Many educational websites offer a number of learning games, including free ones. As with any other subject, the most effective way to be the best is to practice as much as possible.
Even from a very young age, usually 3, children begin to learn about phonics. The alphabet is introduced and from there, the sky's the limit. Learning the sounds of the letters, blending and segmenting all come into play sooner or later. Children soon understand how letters are combined to make certain sounds and words. My little one is beginning to recognize this and it's amazing how much she has learned. Not only does she ask me what letter certain words begin with, but she will also tell me herself what letter a particular word starts with. Her curiosity and that of all children's is a great tool for parents to use to teach and help them expand their vocabulary and language arts skills.
Around first and second grade, children begin to learn more advanced phonics skills that include recognizing prefixes, suffixes and roots. Compound words also begin to come into play.
Compound word games are a great way to help students practice their new-found skill. Many educational websites offer a number of learning games, including free ones. As with any other subject, the most effective way to be the best is to practice as much as possible.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Finding a homeschool program
Ok, so you know that you definitely want to homeschool, now what homeschool curriculum are you going to use?
That's a very tough question and a tough decision to make. There are so many homeschool programs out there to choose from. Do you use a homeschool online program, do you use books/worksbooks, videos, dvd's? Decide on what kind of homeschool curriculum you want to use and also which you think would most benefit your child and they would enjoy more. You DO NOT want your daily school work to become a fight and struggle with your child. You want it to be fun and you want them to look forward to it.
Another factor you have to take into consideration is how much you are willing to spend. How much is your budget? You can find programs ranging from less than one hundred per month all the way to several thousands per year.
When doing research on a certain homeschool program, always always read the fine print. A few things to look for:
Is there a contract?
** You do not want to get stuck with a program for a long period of time, especially not knowing if it will work for your child.
Is there a money back guarantee or trial period?
**This can tie in with any contract. Make sure the company has a money back guarantee or even a trial period so that you can try it and make sure it works for your student before committing to a long-term contract.
What kind of options/flexibility does the homeschool curriculum provide?
Can you switch between grade levels? Does your child have access to different levels at once in case they need to review material? Is there a record-keeping tracking system to assist you when tracking their progress?
Take your time when finding a homeschool program. Do research carefully and thoughtfully. Your child's education is a serious matter and it's in your hands.
That's a very tough question and a tough decision to make. There are so many homeschool programs out there to choose from. Do you use a homeschool online program, do you use books/worksbooks, videos, dvd's? Decide on what kind of homeschool curriculum you want to use and also which you think would most benefit your child and they would enjoy more. You DO NOT want your daily school work to become a fight and struggle with your child. You want it to be fun and you want them to look forward to it.
Another factor you have to take into consideration is how much you are willing to spend. How much is your budget? You can find programs ranging from less than one hundred per month all the way to several thousands per year.
When doing research on a certain homeschool program, always always read the fine print. A few things to look for:
Is there a contract?
** You do not want to get stuck with a program for a long period of time, especially not knowing if it will work for your child.
Is there a money back guarantee or trial period?
**This can tie in with any contract. Make sure the company has a money back guarantee or even a trial period so that you can try it and make sure it works for your student before committing to a long-term contract.
What kind of options/flexibility does the homeschool curriculum provide?
Can you switch between grade levels? Does your child have access to different levels at once in case they need to review material? Is there a record-keeping tracking system to assist you when tracking their progress?
Take your time when finding a homeschool program. Do research carefully and thoughtfully. Your child's education is a serious matter and it's in your hands.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Every student could use a little help
If your children go to school, chances are you've been in this position: they ask for help with their homework and you are stumped. More than likely it's been years since you've been in school and you've forgotten how to do what they are trying to understand. Or maybe your child hasn't been doing well in school, maybe a particular subject is giving them a hard time and you could certainly use some afterschool help.
Finding a tutor can be difficult, not only can it be costly, but it can also be a hassle if you have to drive far. THere are many online tutoring programs available to help. Not only is this something your child can do from the comforts of home, but it can also help eliminate some of the drudgery from using a book all the time. Online supplemental programs bring about a welcome change to using books, notebooks and workbooks.
Whether it's afterschool math help or afterschool language arts help, a simple search online can give you the answers and help you are looking for. Remember, never underestimate the power of the Internet. Sometimes trying something different is all it takes to make a big difference in your child's education.
Finding a tutor can be difficult, not only can it be costly, but it can also be a hassle if you have to drive far. THere are many online tutoring programs available to help. Not only is this something your child can do from the comforts of home, but it can also help eliminate some of the drudgery from using a book all the time. Online supplemental programs bring about a welcome change to using books, notebooks and workbooks.
Whether it's afterschool math help or afterschool language arts help, a simple search online can give you the answers and help you are looking for. Remember, never underestimate the power of the Internet. Sometimes trying something different is all it takes to make a big difference in your child's education.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
HS support and socialization
Many parents worry when going into homeschooling for the first time. Well, let's face it, many parents worry, period. When entering the homeschooling world, so many thoughts and concerns run through our heads: will this work? how am i going to do this? what if i have questions? how can i keep my child socialized if he's going to be home with me all day? It's normal to have these kinds of feelings. You're not alone. It's always important to remember that it's something new and it may or may not work. Another thing to always keep in mind is that it will get easier with time.
If you are new to hs'ing, homeschooling groups are a great way to learn more and stay active in the homeschooling community. Not only do you get to meet other like-minded families, you also get to share ideas, worries and receive support and a shoulder to lean on. Online parent groups can offer support through forums and message boards. Many of these are usually very active, so waiting a long time for a response to a question shouldn't be an issue.
A lot of homeschooling groups are broken down into states, you can also find them by city/town or county. If you live in Florida, finding a homeschool group in Florida is very simple thanks to the Internet and the countless search engines. Finding a local homeschooling group can be very beneficial since many of these will have meetings you and your child(ren) can attend on a regular basis. Many of these groups also take fun, educational field trips to local places of interest. You can also find some groups that offer physical education and fun sports. That way, your child can make friends and get exercise at the same time.
If you are new to hs'ing, homeschooling groups are a great way to learn more and stay active in the homeschooling community. Not only do you get to meet other like-minded families, you also get to share ideas, worries and receive support and a shoulder to lean on. Online parent groups can offer support through forums and message boards. Many of these are usually very active, so waiting a long time for a response to a question shouldn't be an issue.
A lot of homeschooling groups are broken down into states, you can also find them by city/town or county. If you live in Florida, finding a homeschool group in Florida is very simple thanks to the Internet and the countless search engines. Finding a local homeschooling group can be very beneficial since many of these will have meetings you and your child(ren) can attend on a regular basis. Many of these groups also take fun, educational field trips to local places of interest. You can also find some groups that offer physical education and fun sports. That way, your child can make friends and get exercise at the same time.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Read anywhere, anytime, anything
So many things that we didn't really enjoy doing when we were younger and in school, seem to be things that, as adults, we love to do. Case and point: reading.
For me, I didn't mind reading as much as I minded math...eew! I always looked forward to lit/English class. Now as an adult, I wish I had time to read, but with two little ones, it's hard enough reading a magazine article, much less an entire book.
Creating a love of reading early on is so important. I think it all starts with being read to. I remember my mom reading to me when I was little and I absolutely loved it. While pregnant with my first child, I remember buying books for her and reading them to her while she was in my belly. Now, she loves being to read to and I'm happy to read her books to her, even if it's over and over and over again. ;-)
Reading programs can be found anywhere nowadays. You can buy them at bookstores, from TV infomercials, even online. With so much information on the 'net these days, learning to read online is becoming more and more common, just like online curriculums.
Being able to read and understanding what you are reading are two different things, and that's an important thing to keep in mind. That's like listening to what someone is saying rather than just hearing what they're saying: sometimes you may not necessarily be paying attention. Just like you can learn to read online, there is also reading comprehension online. Sometimes you don't really need a fancy schmancy phonics or reading program, just about anything will do. Whether it's a newspaper or magazine article or a few paragraphs from a book -- the key is to practice with your child everyday on a wide array of subjects. This way, not only are they learning about the world around them, but they are also learning/practicing to read, comprehend and develop a love of reading.
For me, I didn't mind reading as much as I minded math...eew! I always looked forward to lit/English class. Now as an adult, I wish I had time to read, but with two little ones, it's hard enough reading a magazine article, much less an entire book.
Creating a love of reading early on is so important. I think it all starts with being read to. I remember my mom reading to me when I was little and I absolutely loved it. While pregnant with my first child, I remember buying books for her and reading them to her while she was in my belly. Now, she loves being to read to and I'm happy to read her books to her, even if it's over and over and over again. ;-)
Reading programs can be found anywhere nowadays. You can buy them at bookstores, from TV infomercials, even online. With so much information on the 'net these days, learning to read online is becoming more and more common, just like online curriculums.
Being able to read and understanding what you are reading are two different things, and that's an important thing to keep in mind. That's like listening to what someone is saying rather than just hearing what they're saying: sometimes you may not necessarily be paying attention. Just like you can learn to read online, there is also reading comprehension online. Sometimes you don't really need a fancy schmancy phonics or reading program, just about anything will do. Whether it's a newspaper or magazine article or a few paragraphs from a book -- the key is to practice with your child everyday on a wide array of subjects. This way, not only are they learning about the world around them, but they are also learning/practicing to read, comprehend and develop a love of reading.
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