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Homeschool Mix-Up




Every now and then we just need a little something to mix-up our days of homeschooling, and because I think that creativity and a love of learning is one of the most important things that I can teach my children, we tried something new today! I let them listen to a book on CD and draw the things that were described. Our book was called "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane", it's a beautiful story about a china rabbit and the descriptions were extra nice!




I love to read to them, lately it's always a Ramona Quimby book, she's our all time favorite! As you know it's not always easy to fit mama reading into our schedule, so today was such a treat for all of us. I think this will become a regular mix-up in our routine when we all need a break from the same-old-same-old. I like that it challenges them to take the descriptions and use their imagination to draw them out onto paper instead of just listening as a sort of entertainment. It stretches their imagination a bit more to really think about the colors and textures described in that way. What are some ways that you mix-up the homeschool routine when things start to feel too monotonous? Share your tips with us! Other homeschooling mamas are always looking for new ways to learn! Oh, and if you have any favorite downloadable audio books, please tell us about those too!

Comments

Jannette Presson said…
I found this link from another blog that I read. After I read to my girls at night I put a story on in their rooms after they are all tucked in bed. They love it!http://storynory.com/ I love reading your blog and I wish I had kept my girls home to homeschool them. This their first year and I have been a very frustrated mama. Keep up the good work with your little ones and you are in my prayers daily that your adoption will go smoothly.
Leslie said…
Sam, I think that's a fantastic idea! Sometimes our school day is nothing more than a long trip to the library. Other days we just do outdoor recreation (aka, "go play outside") for the day.
Anonymous said…
Right now my son (10 years old) is studying about the West, and we bought this computer game on amazon. It is called The Oregon Trail. He absolutely loves it. They play it as if they were themselves in the Wagon's heading west, they barter, trade, have to make choices on survival and it does teach them about life and death. The true story behind it is included in the game as well.
Jody said…
Love this idea. I'll have to try it soon.
Amanda said…
I will be posting a blog tomorrow about a simple and cheap craft, that I think would be great for homeschool. Definitely for one of those "switch it up" (and make it easy for mama) kinda days. Hope you can drop by for a quick read! Blessings!
Dawn said…
Hey Sam~ Thanks so much for the great review on this book. I just added it to our book wish list! Currently we are reading Stuart Little and the kids are all completely in love with little Stuart!
Kim (Confessions of a Sewciopath) sent me a link to this post, and I love it!

I write mostly about books on my blog, and I host a carnival/meme called Read Aloud Thursday every week in which bloggers are invited to share what they're reading aloud to/with their families. You're welcome to join us!
Here's a link--->

http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com/category/read-aloud-thursday/
mandi said…
what fun! i like the idea of a mix-up day.

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