The term homeschool is a little deceptive. It gives people the idea that school is at home. The end!
But the effort that mom and dad put into its seems to be over or under looked.
Here is an example of a great idea that came up for our school at home. While I want to share it so other parents can be inspired and use it to teach their own kids, I want to also share how the idea came about.
It was the brain child of my super smart husband Suresh! (Yes he had been a good boy recently ... and so getting a lot of praise words in my blogs)
We have been teaching Isaac the names of countries and their location on the map. I got the idea from friend Veena who has taught her little one Dhruv all the countries in the world before the age of three (and their flags. Right Veena?). Now some kids are great at memorization. Isaac does not fall in that category. You need to get him to relate to what you are trying to teach him. Of course Isaac was not always interested. So I added an interest factor for him. Animals!
Every time I told him a country name I showed him the national bird and animal of that country. We started spot travelling around the globe and pointing out to big countries that were easily recognizable. India being a favourite with the peacock and tiger!
Brazil, flag, country, national animal, national bird and traditional costume
Suresh was watching this and decided to add his 'vishesh tippany' (translated: special pointers')
Suresh: Why don't you add more to this?
Me: Like what
Suresh: Show him what the people look like. What is their favourite sport? (because that soccer comes up a lot in South American countries). Tell him what clothes they wear there.
Me in my head ... yeah right that going to happen.
Another thing Suresh suggested. Stop spot travelling ... get organized.
Venezuela in progress
So this year we started with one continent. It gives me a chance to keep track of what I am teaching Isaac. It also helps to talk about sports and culture because they are normally common for one continent. We started with South America. Brazil, Argentina and Peru were covered in one week. Talking and looking at pictures of people form there. Coloring the flag with fingers and coloring the country on its own an then in the map of South America. Of course ... you got to have the national animal and birds. It was fun and Isaac wanted to do more.
We had a one week break after that due to a wedding but we are set to get back to Chile, Venezuela and Guatemala!
Its moments like this when I can get creative about teaching Isaac that I love homeschooling.
Peru, Flag, Vicuna, Rock of the cock and a little Peruvian girl dressed up. We learned the names of some new animals too!
I have one more creative idea that I will blog about that has gotten Isaac back on phonics and reading words
Some finger painting by Isaac ... in progress
.. but lets save that for another blog shall we?
But the effort that mom and dad put into its seems to be over or under looked.
Here is an example of a great idea that came up for our school at home. While I want to share it so other parents can be inspired and use it to teach their own kids, I want to also share how the idea came about.
South america ... with Brazil, Argentina and Peru colored
It was the brain child of my super smart husband Suresh! (Yes he had been a good boy recently ... and so getting a lot of praise words in my blogs)
We have been teaching Isaac the names of countries and their location on the map. I got the idea from friend Veena who has taught her little one Dhruv all the countries in the world before the age of three (and their flags. Right Veena?). Now some kids are great at memorization. Isaac does not fall in that category. You need to get him to relate to what you are trying to teach him. Of course Isaac was not always interested. So I added an interest factor for him. Animals!
Every time I told him a country name I showed him the national bird and animal of that country. We started spot travelling around the globe and pointing out to big countries that were easily recognizable. India being a favourite with the peacock and tiger!
Brazil, flag, country, national animal, national bird and traditional costume
Suresh was watching this and decided to add his 'vishesh tippany' (translated: special pointers')
Suresh: Why don't you add more to this?
Me: Like what
Suresh: Show him what the people look like. What is their favourite sport? (because that soccer comes up a lot in South American countries). Tell him what clothes they wear there.
Me in my head ... yeah right that going to happen.
Another thing Suresh suggested. Stop spot travelling ... get organized.
Venezuela in progress
So this year we started with one continent. It gives me a chance to keep track of what I am teaching Isaac. It also helps to talk about sports and culture because they are normally common for one continent. We started with South America. Brazil, Argentina and Peru were covered in one week. Talking and looking at pictures of people form there. Coloring the flag with fingers and coloring the country on its own an then in the map of South America. Of course ... you got to have the national animal and birds. It was fun and Isaac wanted to do more.
We had a one week break after that due to a wedding but we are set to get back to Chile, Venezuela and Guatemala!
Its moments like this when I can get creative about teaching Isaac that I love homeschooling.
Peru, Flag, Vicuna, Rock of the cock and a little Peruvian girl dressed up. We learned the names of some new animals too!
I have one more creative idea that I will blog about that has gotten Isaac back on phonics and reading words
.. but lets save that for another blog shall we?
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