Homeschool Kids' Activities

These enriching homeschool kids' activities may be done as individual, fun projects or they may be used to round out elective courses. Either way, the results are unbelievable! All efforts invested reap rich, rich rewards.

• Fossil Collecting--Are you confused when your child enthusiastically picks up what you know must be a fossil and trustingly asks, "What kind is this?" Like I am, are you at a loss for words?

  www.fossils-facts-and-finds.com solves the problem. Here you'll discover background information and explanations that a layperson can actually understand. Plus, it has lesson plans and lots of great ideas about how your youngster can follow his interest in fossils.

• Music Masters CD's--This a truly a lovely way to study composers. Listening to the narratives is a great introduction to music, but they are so interesting and so engaging that our teens still enjoy them. The CD's are approximately one hour long. Each begins with about 30 minutes relating the composer's life; the second half plays snippets of his music. There are 18 CD's covering 21 composers. They are available on the internet at Emmanuel Books. (This is one of our favorite homeschool kids' activities.)

• Art Portfolio--The child can just use a decorated manila file or one can be bought at an art or craft store. Then he begins his own collection of the works of the Masters. This one of the homeschool kids' activities is designed to make him really aware of art, good and bad. Places to find prints or even postcards include the following: craft stores, calendars, museums and galleries. Another suggestion is to let people know of his collection and ask them to send or obtain postcards in their travels. (In this manner, we obtained several from Rome, Paris and London.)

• Creative Writing Notebook--Of all the homeschool kids' activities, this serves the most purposes. If creative writing is first on the morning's agenda, it is a great transition into school work. Additionally, this notebook is a nursery for interesting writing topics and gives the child writing practice on a regular basis. This short (10-15 minutes) session also offers a tremendous outlet for his thoughts and feelings.

  The notebook is private, and how he uses it is totally up to him. He could compose poetry, record goals, list the day's happenings or express his emotions. If he is upset or a little down, this might just be the outlet he needs.

• Poetry Notebook--The notebook has the potential to become a cherished keepsake. Regularly the student writes (or types) his favorite poems and his own original rhymes. He can copy the material one day, then illustrate the next. Time for his imagination to soar.

  One of our children used colored pencils to lightly sketch on top of the poems. The others drew their pictures on the adjacent pages. To reread these treasures is a joy.

• Timeline--Can anyone think of a better way to get an overview of history? Seeing all the events in chronological order adds to remembering and understanding them...and it's fascinating. We discovered that Michelangelo and Columbus were contemporaries and that during Shakespeare's life, Jamestown was settled and the first telescope was invented. "How to make a timeline" instructions are here.

All the homeschool kids'activities can be continued through high school. Several lend themselves particularly well to co-op projects.

For example, what fun to learn about and investigate fossils with a group of friends!

Consider another scenario. We all know that a timeline is critical to understanding the dynamics of history. But assembling one can be intimidating. So many Moms acknowledge that they would like to assemble a timeline, but really just don't have the time to figure out, then complete it.

Enter the support group. A Mom or older teen could offer a "class" for the interested families. This gets terrific activities actually done--a boon for all!

Use one or all of the homeschool kids' activities. Then watch the enriching benefits for you and your child.

Homeschool Party Games

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