Search Results for: blog the learning environment at school

Why Some Parents are Unschooling Their Kids

Unschooling is a form of homeschooling that involves less structure and more child-centered learning. Parents who are unhappy with the way that learning is presented at schools have been turning to the unschooling movement as their solution for what their child’s education should be like. Unschooling has some similarities with homeschooling. In both cases, a child stays home and receives his or her education there (instead of in a classroom at a school). Each educational style allows parents to be very involved in what their child is taught. Parents can set the speed that information is presented in order to … Continue reading →

Prepping for Preschool

The countdown to the new school year is on. Most kids head back to class right after Labor Day; however, the back-to-school prep is already well underway in most households, especially in families that have first time students. The transition from home to school can be a huge challenge for preschoolers. One solution to reduce the anxiety associated with a new environment and schedule is to cover some basic lessons at home. For example, you might introduce a “letter of the day” lesson leading up to the start of school. Repetition plays a big role in a preschooler’s world, so … Continue reading →

Learning from Forest School: The Environment is the Learning

When you think about homeschooling for preschool, what comes to mind? A brightly-colored room full of toys? A room stacked with books or workbooks? Baskets of blocks and building supplies? Like all of us, preschoolers respond to their environment. I help run a forest learning program for young children. In that forest learning environment, we have a few books brought by the facilitator, and a few craft materials that accompany her as well. For the most part, however, our learning environment is the forest. The forest environment is a great teacher. It has so many options for open-ended play materials. … Continue reading →

Another Reason to Fear the School Lunch

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In general, whenever someone uses the phrase “school lunch”, it causes people to shudder. These meals often taste horrible, and are less than nutritious. It has been revealed that the infamous pink slime is actually being added to the ground beef served at schools. No one knows which schools have it. Parents who choose to homeschool have many valid reasons for doing so. Maybe you want your kids to be raised in a culture that matches your faith. You can probably provide a better learning environment for your children that what is offered at many public schools. Homeschooling means that … Continue reading →

Time Engineers: Math and Science CD-ROM for Middle and High School Students

At a Glance: Product: Time Engineers Cost: $19.95 Individual, $49.95 School District/University Use: Homeschool, Classroom, Home Grades: Middle School-High School (5th-9th) Lessons Taught: Math, Science, History, Physics Skills: Problem Solving, Reasoning, Critical Thinking Rating: 5 out of 5 Gold Stars Today I am sharing with you one of my new favorite tools to teach math concepts to middle and high school age students. For many homeschoolers these years are difficult in terms of teaching math. I agree. It is for this reason I want to present you with a tool that you and your students will enjoy. What is Time … Continue reading →

Getting Weighed at School

Well as I mentioned before my kids are doing the weight loss journey with me. We had an issue come up this week. Did you know that kids from 3rd – 12th grade are weighed at school now and their Body Mass Index is calculated? Well last year when they did it they sent a letter home with our kids saying if they were obese or not. When I got the letter home last year I called the school and asked them not to do it anymore. When my now 10 year old son did it last year he saw … Continue reading →

From Public to Home School

Many families are making the decision to remove their children from the public school system to homeschool. The reasons vary among these families but the challenges they face are similar. The transition is often a reaction to something that occurred in the system like bullying or an issue with a teacher or the school wanting to put a child on medication. For some the decision was not dramatic but something the parents kicked around for awhile and decided would be best for their family. Sometimes the reasons bring about challenges within homeschooling but more often than not it is a … Continue reading →

Preschool Jitters

Summer is almost over and it’s time to begin a new school year. For many this will be the start of a brand new world. Some children who never entered a classroom will walk into preschool for the first time. It will be the first time some children are away from their parents for any length of time. The first time a child may be expected to sit and listen. The first time a child will be introduced to lessons and classmates on a regular basis. It is a very exciting world yet it can be overwhelming and intimidating for … Continue reading →

Study Reveals Kids With Special Needs Struggle in School

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At first glance, this study seems to reveal information that parents who have children with special needs probably already knew. Children who have special needs that relate to medical, emotional, or behavioral issues typically have difficulties at school. The interesting part of the study shows more about how those issues cause problems, and where these problems appear. A study was lead by Dr. Christopher B. Forrest, who is a professor of pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. His team of researchers tracked the progress of over 1,450 students who were in the fourth through sixth grades. These children were from … Continue reading →

Learning through Osmosis

I have four children, ages 14, 12, 9, and 6. Of course they are the world’s most beautiful children, and they are smart, and talented, and funny. You might think I’m saying this because I’m their mom, but I’m serious – they really are. Okay, now that I’m done bragging, I’ll move on. We were playing a game the other day (Blurt, in case you’re interested) and I couldn’t help but notice how well my six-year-old was playing. We were using the rules from the junior version of the game, where you write down the spelling of the word as … Continue reading →