When it comes to homeschooling, it can feel very alone and overwhelming. Luckily, there are many homeschooling resources that can really bring education to life. Museums, zoos, and private individuals stream a wide array of topics. Educational sites allow students to engage in the world around them. They provide videos, podcasts, webinars, and programs that are informative and engaging reference sources.
A live video feed of birds, mammals, and other creatures offers personal experiences for the student. They can use these streaming services to focus on a variety of subjects. Step-by-step videos teach math lessons in different ways to ensure there is a method your student understands. Many of these resources are free sources of course material for both parents and students.
Museums Go Online
Schedule a virtual “field trip” to an online local or international museum. Ask your child to choose a collection or display that goes along with your curriculum. Combine similar subject matter to create a lesson that is engaging and informative. Don’t be afraid to focus on a timeline that is particularly interesting to the student. It may disrupt that day’s lesson, but it reinforces the importance of our history and future goals as a population, and that’s the amazing benefit of homeschooling.
Citizen Based Sciences
NASA and other citizen-aided science centers offer free resources to the public. Add them to your science lessons to engage your children in “labs” that support a current lesson. Scistarter, PBS Kids, and the National Geographic Society have child-oriented citizen science projects. You can pair these projects up with daily science lessons. Let the student choose the project that has the most interest for them. It’s okay if they change their mind halfway through the venture. Explain the importance of the work they are helping with and if they still want to change projects, don’t take it personally.
Tackling Math with Help
Math is a hard subject to master for many parents. Teaching their children a subject they find difficult adds a whole new layer of stress. Khan Academy, Math TV, and IXL are examples of the many online support programs available. They offer videos, tutorials, and homeschooling tips to reduce the stress of the lessons. Ask teachers and school professionals to recommend sites and programs for your child. Include them in your curriculum, but be flexible in your approach. You can add or delete any math lessons as you see fit. The goal is to teach your child numeracy skills, not stress yourself out. For little kids, I highly recommend SagoMini World. It’s a simple app that allows children to explore and interact with different worlds on an iPad.
You Are Not Alone
Join a few online homeschooling sites and discuss your concerns with other parents. They have already endured the same anxieties and tension-filled days as you. Their tips and tricks can help get you through the rough patches. Talk with teachers and school officials about the online resources they prefer. Use them but feel free to include other sites if they are engaging for your child.
Each day of homeschooling will be different and need a new approach to problem-solving. Take advantage of online resources to locate alternate solutions to the teaching process. Each student learns at a different rate and in a different way. Consider his or her strengths and challenges when planning daily lessons. Be flexible and innovative when planning your day. It will rally the troops and keep everyone moving forward with confidence.
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