Bringing Student's Lessons To Life

It is sometimes difficult to get children to retain nformation, regarding subjects like History or Social Studies. I have worked tirelessly in trying to rely on books, reviewing materials and testing to some success. However the successes are not up to what I would expect from the time, we put into the education of our kids.

One day during a discussion, with a few parents, we found that there were enough resources locally, which would allow our kids to participate in live exercises. So, We decide to bring Lessons to life. Well it took some investigation, but After searching neighboring cities and museums, we could plann field trips, which surround a given era or subject.

By getting our kids to actively participate in activities. By not only reading and reviewing, they could experience some aspects of our lesson plans, which seems to have increased their ability to retain more information. Well, we brought their subjects to life and the kids seemed to have taken the lessons to heart and memory.

In an article, written by myself, Titled:  "Home Schooling and Making It Fit Your Schedule",  It was discussed that fitting schedules are difficult to do, but if done properly, you can enjoy some rewarding experiences with your kids. It is rewarding for several reasons, one of which is that you and the kids can take meaningful and fun field trips, on days you have off, away from work or other obligations.  We found out, that doing this has worked greatly, for teaching our kids.

A Little Imagination, Goes A Long Way With Educating Kids:

In another article, written by myself titled; " Home Schooling: Bring Parents Closer To Children",  we discuss that since parents are becoming involved with their child's education, both parent and child can learn.  I have found this to be so very true on adventures and working on research projects with our children.  I have learned alot from my children, as they have learned for themselves.  It is a "win-win" situation, which brings the family closer.

Now, with a little imagination bringing a student's lessons to life, with almost any subject.  This includes Math and Language Arts studies, as well.   We found that the Museum of Science and Industry, offers many displays and activities, which will fit into several subject matter lessons.  In most cases, fees are minimal and some experiences are free; aside of the cost of lunch for the family.

Since Schools have cut out most of these types of "field trips", public schooled children are missing out on a lot of benefits, in their entirity. However,even when schools were taking kids to such places, the teachers were so out numbered, students with questions were put off.  By participating with the kids, in a family setting, all age groups experience the adventures.  Each child was able to obtain equal time to ask questions and get answers they were seeking.

Now away from all the formalities, I caught our oldest child was embarrassed to ask a question, on one such trip.  So, she decided that to keep herself from appearing to be ignorant, she got her 9 year old sister to ask the question.  Seems she found out that the younger children can get away with asking, questions without viewing herself as being ignorant.   My wife caught her and told her that she needed to ask the questions as well.   In hind-sight, she was angry with us as well so she might not have wished to talk to us, allowing her to "sulk" a little.

Bringing the Student's Lessons To Life is a very functional way to increase retention and understanding of concepts.  If you live in the Southern California area, Knott's Berry Farm is a great place to teach them about the days of the "49er" and how small towns thrived during the 1800's.  Riding on stage coaches, and trains was fun, but they also got to see how loggers used waterways to move logs, and in mining activites.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of my Home Schooling Materials.  I have more, I will be sharing as well as sharing some places to obtain study materials and satallite programs, we are using or have used, in the past.  We hope that we can help make your choice between home schooling and publc schooling, an enjoyable  and rewarding decision.

Ho