When you think of school, do you think of the textbooks used in each subject? Textbooks are a great way for teaching a large number of students standard information. That is why they are so popular in regular schools. However they are not the only teaching tool that a homeschool teacher can use. The homeschool classroom is a place where textbooks can be easily substituted with other instructional tools.
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Science Kits
Instead of just teaching students the theory of a scientific principle, allow them to put it to use first. Application of science is important to understand and the lesson in the textbook will be more easily understood when students have figured out how the principle works in real life. Building a simple circuit to light a bulb, a short wave radio, or even a solar cooker can teach more about electronics, wavelengths, and solar power than a textbook ever could. Science kits help to ignite and instill a true appreciation of the real-life process behind the textbook.
Math Manipulatives
Math manipulatives are any small objects that can be used to explain concepts of addition and subtraction to children. These can be any number of similar items. You don’t have to buy anything special, just use things around the house like buttons, marbles, even cornflakes or chips. Teaching basic mathematics concepts is a blast this way, as your student learns math operations way before encountering them in a formal textbook. Then it will be old hat figuring out what needs to be done in the textbook.
Board Games
Playing Monopoly, Scrabble and Chess can be a great workout for the homeschool student’s brain. Monopoly helps them learn how to handle money and make the most of their assets, both valuable adult skills. Scrabble can help with learning spelling and picking up new vocabulary, which qualify as language arts. Chess can teach students how to plan and make use of strategy to best an opponent. There are other board games available that can also be highly educational in nature. Look out for them the next time you go shopping for toys.
Article Inspiration: About Homeschooling
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