I recently had an article published in our local newspaper and my husband was so proud he asked almost everyone he came in contact with if they had read my article.  We were both surprised at how many people do not read the local newspaper- or any newspaper at all.  This peaked my interest in how many people, especially young people, know what is going on in the world.  Having three young children myself, I also started thinking of ways that we can incorporate current events into our everyday learning and life.

 

Obviously, there are many events happening in the world that our children are too young to comprehend (or events that we do not want them to know about yet), but there are lots of activities that we can do to make them aware of the world and what is happening.  In addition, reading the newspaper can turn into a lesson not only about current events, it can incorporate math, reading, language, and geography skills as well!

 

Some example of activities to help you and your students make sense of current events include:

 

• Preserve the Headlines!  A couple years ago, my mom was cleaning out her closets and gave me a huge box full of newspaper articles from major events in history.  There were headlines about the death of JFK right up to September 11, 2001- she had kept them all.  Now that we have the advantage of technology, we no longer need to keep boxes full of newspapers, however there may be some newspaper articles we want to preserve.  For example, my niece gave me a precious gift this summer.  It was a story that I had written in the 4^th grade (long before she was even born) that was published in the newspaper.  Her dad had saved it and she found it and had it framed for me.

 

To preserve newspaper, dissolve one tablet of milk of magnesia in a quart of water and let stand overnight.  Pour into a flat baking pan large enough for the newspaper clipping(s).  Place the clipping(s) in the solution until they are completely covered with the liquid.  Let soak for one hour.  Remove from solution and pat dry.  They will remain crisp and like new for a very long time!  This is also a science experiment: why does the solution preserve the newspaper?  Acid is what makes newspapers turn yellow.  The magnesium carbide in the mixture neutralizes the acid in the paper preventing it from yellowing.

 

• Map the Headlines!  Keep a map of your community, state, country, or the world in a prominent place.  Read about current events in that area and pin the story to the location it took place.

 

• Hunt for Headlines!  Have a scavenger hunt and give your student(s) a list of things to find on the front page of the newspaper.  For example, ask him or her to look for as many adjectives, nouns, numbers, etc. as he or she can find.  Or have your student(s) search for particular stories throughout the entire newspaper. 

 

• Graph the Headlines!  Have your student create a bar graph, line graph, or other type of graph to record facts they learn from a news article or story.

 

• Match the Headlines!  Cut out 5-6 news articles and their headlines.  Separate the headline from the news article and have your student match the correct headline to the article.

 

• Collect the Headlines!  One summer, our family started an animal scrapbook using photos from the newspaper only.  It was a challenge, but each day our girls were excited to scan through the newspaper to try and find a new animal for their collection.  This activity is great for very young children.

 

• Divide the Headlines!  Create a folder or bulletin board divided into three categories: local, national, and international.  Have your student read articles and then place them in the category they belong.

 

• Rewrite the Headlines!  Have your student read a news article and write his or her own headline for the article.

 

• Weather the Headlines!  Follow and chart the daily weather for your own area or another region of the world for a set period of time.  If charting a different region, compare the weather to home.

 

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.  Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in Ebook, Printed Book, and CD formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

 

©2008 Katie Kubesh

Physical Science can be intimidating to parents and students alike.  Parents sometimes feel they have to have a strong background in science to even begin teaching it to their children.  Don't let that happen to you!  Science is fun and science is everywhere!  Watching the weather together, watching a pot of water boil, even watching an ice cube melt.  It's all science and we see and experience it everyday.  You don't have to rush to the nearest college to brush up on your chemistry or spend hours pouring over books from the library trying to figure out the four different states of matter, the three different parts of an atom, or how to read the Periodic table! 

All you need is a cup of water to conduct a simple experiment about matter with your child.  Have your child pour the water into the cup and explain that the water is in the liquid state of matter.  next, have your child place the cup of water into the freezer and wait for it to freeze.  When you have ice, take it out of the freezer and touch it...this is water in the solid state of matter.  Leave the ice out and wait for it to melt.  When it is back to the liquid form, place a couple drops out on the counter and leave it there to evaporate.  When the drops have evaporated, the water has turned into a vapor or gas state of matter. 

The amazing thing about matter is that it can change from one state or phase to another simply by adding or taking away energy!  Talk to your child about hwat made the water turn to ice and what made it melt again and eventually evaporate.  Your first science experiment...fun, easy, and it didn't take a master's degree in science to teach! 

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.  Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in Ebook, Printed Book, and CD formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

©2008 Katie Kubesh

What supplies do I need to start lapbooking with my students?  The great thing about lapbooks is that you do not have to run out and purchase special supplies.  Most people have the supplies they need right around the house.  Basic supplies needed to lapbook include:

ü     File folders

ü     Paper in variety of colors and weights (cardstock, 24#)

ü     Crayons, pencils, markers, paints

ü     Adhesive- double stick tape, glue, glue sticks (for a complete list of favorite adhesives used by lapbookers, visit the Files section at handsofachildtalk)

ü     Stapler and staples

ü     Paper punch

ü     Optional items like stickers, magazine clippings, and other embellishments.

 

I have all my supplies together, what is next?  The best way to begin is to organize the materials and supplies your student will need to complete his or her lapbook. To prepare a lapbook project for your student that uses 10 key concepts, follow these steps:

ü     Choose a topic to study

ü     Write down 10 key concepts you want your student to learn about this particular topic (you may have to do your research first in order to find 10 concepts)

ü     Do your research!  It is important for the parent/teacher to find out the correct information related to the concepts you want your student to learn.  Write down brief information about each of the 10 concepts. 

ü     Now it is time to begin creating the mini books and projects.  Create one activity for each of the 10 concepts you have chosen.  Activities you might design include mini file folders, mini books, pockets, puppets, etc.  It is a good idea to write down an idea for a mini book as you read it in your research.

 

There are many online resources that can help you create mini books and graphics for your student’ lapbooks including:

 

www.handsofachild.com

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html

http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/index.htm

http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/teachers/minibooks.html

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabetp5.htm

 

How do we fold the file folder to make a lapbook?  That’s easy!  Just open the folder up and lay flat.  Next, fold each side into the middle fold so it looks like two shutters.  Mini books and projects will be attached to the sides and inside to complete the lapbook. 

 

How do my students complete the lapbooks?  After you have prepared everything needed to complete the lapbook, it is up to your students to work on the activities and put them in their lapbooks.  As a student completes his or her research, have him record it in the correct mini book.  Students can either put their mini books into their lapbooks as they go or save everything and put it on all together.

 

What if all the mini books we have made do not fit into one file folder?  Simply fold two file folders and attach them together to make a double-folder.  Or you can add extensions to file folders by placing a sheet of cardstock in the middle that can lift up.

 

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.  Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in printed book or ebook formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

As a co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child, the Premier Supplier of Ready-to-Assemble Lapbooks, I am asked a lot of questions about lapbooking.   Many people have heard the term “lapbooking” but have no idea what it is or are overwhelmed by the entire concept of hands-on activities and unit studies.  Lapbooks are great ways to include hands-on activities to your student’s curriculum, especially unit studies! 

 

1. What is a lapbook?  A lapbook is a hands-on tool that you can use with your children in place of worksheets or other monotonous learning tools.  It can be used for ages preschool through high school and can be used with any subject matter!

 

As a homeschool parent or teacher you may hear this type of comment  “Student learning improves when lessons incorporate hands-on projects or crafts.”  It is true!  Student learning does improve when you include hands-on activities!  Think about yourself, as a learner- is it more fun to read a recipe on paper or actually dig your hands in and make that recipe? 

 

Lapbooks become portfolios that your student has created about a particular topic.  They are easy to store and fit into a file cabinet, file box, or magazine holder with ease.  In addition, lapbooks are an instant review tool!  What better way to go back over the things your student learned about the Moon than pulling out a lapbook and reminiscing about all the great projects he or she completed!

 

2. How are lapbooks made?  Lapbooks are made from file folders, cardstock, poster board, foam core, pocket folders; notebooks…feel free to use your imagination! 

 

A lapbook is a created using a collection of mini books and activities that can be put inside a folder or a small book.  Each mini book or project addresses a key point or concept relating to the unit study. For example, your student is studying the Moon.  A lapbook on the study of the Moon may include: 

ü     A mini fan-book that the student has written Moon vocabulary words in. 

ü     A scale graphic that the student has created to compare the mass of the Moon to the Earth.

ü     A mini book for the student to describe the different phases of the Moon.

 

Mini books included in a lapbook can be any sizes or shapes and made from cardstock, copy paper, scrapbooking paper, or even fabric.  They can be created from computer graphics or hand-made.  Projects can include crafts, recipes, and experiments as well!  Why not make a model of the moon while completing the Moon lapbook?  Or find a recipe for “moon pies.”  The possibilities are endless.

 

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.  Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in eBook, Printed Book or CD formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

The art of giving is something we should all focus on teaching our children (and ourselves) throughout the entire year, but this lesson always seems a little easier to teach around the holiday season.  I am always trying to think of ways to show my daughters how it can be rewarding and fun to help others; whether we are picking up an extra pair of mittens to place on the “mitten tree” at the library, or helping each other out right here at home.   To some, it may seem overwhelming to try and include this important lesson in with all of the other day-to-day things that take up our lives.  Why not incorporate the “art of giving” into everyday curriculum or unit studies? 

 

At In the Hands of a Child, we are continually stressing the importance of “hands-on” activities in our children’s education.  Giving brings peace of mind and a connection to other people’s needs.  Giving teaches empathy, sympathy, kindness, responsibility, and many other strong character traits.  When children are taught how to serve others, they are learning firsthand how to make a difference in someone else’s life and in the world.

 

So what are some hands-on activities that we can use to incorporate giving into our everyday lessons and unit studies?   Here are just a few ideas.

 

·        Study some of the symbols of Christmas and have your child research the history and importance of those symbols.  For example, learn about ornaments, Christmas cards, or the Christmas tree.   Then, have your child make Christmas cards and donate to a local retirement or nursing home for residents to send, help someone address and stamp their cards, or help someone decorate their tree.  Volunteer to help wrap gifts!

·        Food donations are needed year round, and especially around the holidays.  Donate to a can drive or have students host a can drive of their own!

·        Start a holiday tradition by donating a toy, book, clothing each year!

·        How about making a batch of cookies or other snack and taking it to a local military organization when studying about the military, wars, or Memorial Day?

·        If you are studying animals, talk about an endangered species and research what can be done to help that species.  Perhaps you and your child can have lemonade stand and give the proceeds to the favorite animal of his or her choice.  This will also help your student practice math skills, fundraising, money management, organization, and philanthropy.

·        Volunteer at a local animal shelter or donate pet food, toys, and other supplies.

·        There are some organizations out there that you can donate money to and the money goes to providing a needy family with an animal.  For a small donation, your family could provide another family with a cow.  A cow?  That’s right- cows, sheep, and llamas.  They supply farm animals to families so they can have fresh milk, meat, etc.  What a great geography lesson to learn about the region of the world where your family purchased a cow!

·        What better way to learn about the effects of extreme weather conditions than to research a weather disaster like a hurricane or tornado and then helping with the relief effort?  Not every family can pick up and go to the disaster area, but it is easy to find out what supplies are needed and send a donation.  In 2006, children all over the U.S. had lemonade stands to raise funds for Hurricane Katrina relief.  There are also organizations like Teddy for Tragedies that accept teddy bears and other toys to send to children who are in disaster areas and in need of something to hug.

 

There are so many ideas for giving and it’s easy to incorporate into everyday learning with just a little planning.  Give your students some choices to decide what they want to do- they will be empowered to keep on giving! 

 

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.  Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in Ebook, Printed Book, and CD formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

 

©2007 Katie Kubesh

Arts and crafts can be so much more than a macaroni necklace or a clothespin refrigerator magnet!  Arts and crafts are not just educational and entertaining, they provide a chance for you and your students to spend time together and to create lasting memories and keepsakes!

 

I can’t even begin to count how many times I hear other moms say, “Your kids are so lucky to have a ‘crafty’ mom!  I don’t even know where to start with my kids.”  A person does not have to be an art teacher or a “crafty” person to do arts and crafts with kids.  Hand your kids a shoebox filled with old socks, scissors, glue, wiggly eyes, and buttons.  Then just sit back and watch the magic happen!  You will be amazed at what they create.  The key is to have a collection of supplies on hand, and to be organized.  The rest if up to their imagination!

 

It is always a good idea to have some materials on hand just for arts and crafts.  Make sure the materials are safe and easy for your children to use.  If a child gets frustrated with a pair of scissors that will not cut, the project could be over before you even begin. 

 

Some basic supplies to have on hand include:

 

Ø      Crayons, colored pencils, markers, paint

Ø      Drawing paper, construction paper, craft paper, butcher paper

Ø      Paintbrushes and sponges

Ø      Glue, tape, staples and stapler

Ø      Scissors, ruler, hole punch

Ø      Recyclables including empty boxes, milk jugs, paper towel rolls, magazines, empty tissue boxes, etc.

 

Some basic steps in starting a craft project include planning your project, setting up a workspace, gathering materials before you begin, protecting the workspace and clothing, creating, and cleaning up.  There are several questions to ask for each step:

 

Step 1:  Planning the Project

Ø      Is the project age appropriate?

Ø      Does your child have the motor skills needed to work on the project?

Ø      Do you have enough time to complete the project?  (Remember, the younger the child, the fewer steps a project should have).  If you do not have enough time in one day, set aside time each day for a week to complete it.

 

Step 2:  Setting Up a Workspace

Ø      Is it in an area that is easy to clean up?

Ø      Is the area well ventilated? (Especially if you are using spray paints)

Ø      Is it in an area where the project can be left if not completed in one sitting?

Ø      Is it close to where the materials are stored?

 

Step 3:  Gathering Materials

Ø      Do you have all the required materials for the project?

Ø      Do you have all the required tools for the project?

 

Step 4:  Protecting Workspace and Clothing

Ø      Do you have a tablecloth or other protective covering?

Ø      Do you have old smocks or shirts to protect clothing?

 

Step 5:  Creating the Project

Ø      Does your child have a clear understanding of the finished product?

Ø      Have you given your child room to be creative?

 

Step 6:  Cleaning Up

Ø      Do you have the proper materials to clean up?

Ø      Have you made cleanup part of the project?  (To make cleanup easier for kids, make sure all of the supplies have a place to go- even if your storage is a shoebox)

 

Incorporate craft projects into your studies.  Are you currently studying Africa?  Work on some African arts and crafts projects to gain an even better understanding of the African culture.  Many people want to know how to make unit studies more age appropriate for their child- arts and crafts are a great way to do that!  Do you want to study Volcanoes with your 5-year old?  Take some basic concepts about Volcanoes and explain them to your child as you build a clay volcano and watch it erupt together!  The more organized and prepared you are, and the more crafts you do, the easier it will become.  Then other moms will be telling you, “You are such a ‘crafty’ mom!”

 

Did you know In the Hands of a Child carries craft projects?  Each kit contains 5 different crafts or craft items complete with supplies and instructions to enhance your Project pack and make it even more unique.  Visit us at http://www.handsofachild.com/shop/index.cfm?action=ViewDetails&ItemID=328&Category=45

 

For other fun arts and crafts projects visit these links:

 

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/

 

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/crafts-by-age/

 

http://www.dltk-kids.com/

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.  Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in eBook, Printed, and CD formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

What type of habitat do you live in?  A habitat is the natural environment that a plant or animal lives in.  Habitats include forests, rainforests, deserts, grasslands, and many others.  There are many different habitats on Earth and they vary in temperature, humidity, light, and region.  Habitats can be as small as a drop of water to as large as the Sahara Desert.  Since the earth is always changing, certain habitats are changing too. 

 

Each habitat is a community of plants and animals that are all dependent on each other for survival.  A complex community of the plants and animals that live in a particular region is called a biome. 

 

Habitats are easy to study.  Just look out your window and you will see habitats.  Have your student identify what habitat he or she lives in, what other habitats are around them, and what plants and animals live in those particular habitats.  A fun craft project to include in any habitat study is to make a Habitat bulletin board or poster.  Label three sections with Water, Land, and Air.  Next, have your student cut different animals out of magazines, draw pictures, or use stickers and attach the pictures to the appropriate habitat on the bulletin board or poster. 

 

Another great way to study habitats is to visit a wildlife refuge.  There is at least one wildlife refuge in each state of the United States. The National Wildlife Refuge System has some of the wildest classrooms in the nation!  Florida’s Pelican Island was named the first national wildlife refuge in 1903.  There are now 540 refuges and about 3,000 small waterfowl nesting and breeding areas.  There are more than 95 million acres in the National Wildlife Refuge System and they are protected habitats.

 

Begin studying habitats today!  There are so many fun projects and activities that you can do along with your study.  Visit a wildlife refuge or a natural habitat near you.  Big cities are habitats too!  Visit a nearby city and have your student record what it is like there or compare a large city to a small one.  How about creating a habitat?  Create a pond, an imaginary forest, or even a fish bowl or aquarium. 

 

In the Hands of a Child has five Project Packs in the Habitat Series, including Desert Habitats, Forest Habitats, Grassland Habitats, Polar Habitats, and Rainforest Habitats.  For information on building you own backyard habitat:

http://www.nwf.org/backyard/

 

Certain animals can only survive in one type of habitat.  For example, koalas eat a certain kind of plant that only grows in Australia.  The aardvark only lives in Africa.  For a list of animals that only live in one region of the world, visit:

 

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0768522.html

 

For other fun activities or links about habitats go to:

http://www.hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk/habitats/index.htm

 

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/biomes/

 

http://library.thinkquest.org/11922/habitats/habitats.htm

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.

She has been a guest speaker at workshops and conventions throughout the Midwest and her articles are featured in numerous publications. 

 

Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in Ebook, Printed Book, and CD formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

 

©2007 Katie Kubesh

“Brush your teeth, make your bed, don’t throw your dirty clothes on the floor.”  Do these words sound familiar?  These phrases, in addition to many others, are probably part of your everyday vocabulary if you are a parent.  Pick up any copy of a parenting magazine and you are likely to find tips for motivating your child to complete everyday tasks and chores.  So what about the parent who homeschools?  Homeschooling parents have the challenge of playing two motivational roles.  First, they have to play the role of parent motivator, “Comb your hair, put away your toys, and leave your sister alone.”  Next, homeschooling parents have the job to motivate as a teacher, “Finish your reading assignment, complete that math worksheet, and clean up your work station.” 

 

Motivation is the key to everyday life in the home and in the classroom.  So how do homeschooling parents motivate their students?  What can homeschooling parents do to motivate their children in the classroom and what can they do to continue to motivate?  Here are some tips to help you motivate your students.

 

Plan your unit studies to encourage your students to think.  For example if you are studying Thanksgiving or the Pilgrims, do not just require your student to write a “book report” about a well-known Pilgrim.  Encourage your students to write a story about the First Thanksgiving or their favorite Pilgrim.  If you are teaching more than one student, encourage them to act out a scene from the First Thanksgiving.  Incorporate hands-on activities and craft projects that relate to that particular unit study or topic.  Kids are motivated by hands-on activities and lessons. 

 

To motivate students who are special needs or struggling with a certain skill, you may need to adapt the unit studies in order to motivate them to complete it.  Get to know your student’s strengths and weaknesses so you are prepared to adapt your curriculum to fit their needs.  For students who do have special needs, remember the importance of effort and not just results.  Make the learning environment for your special needs student one that he or she can succeed in, take pride in, and learn in.

 

Give your students ownership of their unit studies.  Sure, many of you might already encourage your students to give you input about what they study.  But how about giving them ownership in organizing and preparing their unit studies?  Give students a sense of purpose by including them in the development of their curriculum.  For example, sit down with your students and a Project Pack of their choice from In the Hands of a Child.  Plan how many days you will allow for the completion of the lapbook, which activities they are going to complete on each day, make a list of supplies that are needed, and cut out the graphics needed to complete the activities.

 

Keep a positive attitude!  Attitudes are contagious!  If you dislike history, do not let your students know.  Try to find hands-on activities or resources that can help you portray a positive attitude even when you don’t necessarily have one!  For help with subjects or unit studies you are not familiar or comfortable with, purchase products from In the Hands of a Child that include Research Guides.  These guides are helpful to both the student and the parents!

 

Set clear and reasonable goals for you and your students.  If you set a goal of completing 5 lapbooks in one month, you could be setting your students and yourself up for failure. Not only is this a big goal to set for yourself as far as organizing and preparing, but it is also a big goal for your students.  If students are unable to achieve goals that have been set too high, their motivation immediately lessens.  

 

Make sure your kids live an active lifestyle.  Are you making time for them to play?  Encourage movement and games, outside play, or extracurricular activities like sports or dance.  Best of all, give praise to your students!  Reward them for a job well done! 

 

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child.  Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in printed book, on cd, or ebook formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

 

©Katie Kubesh 2007

You have purchased the latest Project Pack from In the Hands of a Child. It is titled “Mollusks” and you are wondering what other activities or “things” you can incorporate into the unit to make it fun and exciting for your child! How do you make snails and slugs exciting to your child? Well, if that child is a 6-year old boy, you probably won’t have a problem…. but, not all kids like snails and slugs. Before you decide not to teach that particular subject to your students, look around and see what you can do to catch their interest!

We all know how easy it is to find fun things to tie into units like Curious George. I was amazed this summer when we did the Curious George Literature Pack and I found so many great things to accompany our study! For example, we bought the Curious George movie soundtrack and took time out from our reading and writing for a little Phys. Ed as we danced to the tunes! The girls had lunch at a fast food restaurant with Grandma and came home with Curious George toys. When I did a workshop at our local library, I went with Curious George stuffed animals, books, cds, you name it! Obviously, Curious George is a fun topic by itself, so that was an easy one.

How do you take a topic or unit study that might not be as exciting as others and make it interesting? Well, it’s all about the odds n’ ends! Look around your house or community and see what objects you find that will tie into the current topics you are studying. Take a more difficult topic like World War II… Why not visit a flea market or antique store and try to find some postcards sent from that time period. Or ask “Grandma” or “Aunt Gertrude” if they have any postcards or letters that were sent during the war that they could share! Who knows, “Aunt Gertrude” may have more than postcards or letters! What better way to learn about an event in history than to talk to someone who actually lived it!

If Great–Grandpa was in the military during World War II, ask if he has a sample menu from his time in the service (I recently found a Christmas Eve dinner menu from when my Dad was in the Navy in 1954. I made a copy of it and that will be sure to go in our Navy Project Pack some day!). Visit a military museum or memorial and include the brochure in the project pack. Pearl Harbor is a big one, but not many of us can just fly our family to Hawaii so check in your community or state to see if there are any memorials near you. We visited the zoo this summer and took pictures of the signs that had information about the animals. After we developed the pictures, we put them in our lapbooks- one picture of the animal and another telling about it! The same thing can be done when visiting a memorial or historical site. What were the dates of the event you are researching? Try to find pennies or other currency around your house from that time period.

There are many things that can be incorporated into unit studies for all topics! Even “Mollusks” can be made interesting…you might have to rent a “Sponge Bob Video” and have your student try to spot how many mollusk characters he or she can find, but it at least it will add a little fun! Some other examples of “odds n’ ends” that you can use in your unit study include:

• Flashcards
• Postcards
• Stickers
• Brochures
• Stamps
• Currency
• Newspaper articles
• Old letters
• Recipes
• Menus
• Maps

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child. 

She has been a guest speaker at workshops and conventions throughout the Midwest and her articles are featured in numerous publications. 

 

Recognizing that hands-on projects are essential to the learning experience, In the Hands of a Child has created Project Packs that go beyond the hands-on aspect.   They have taken the preparation time out of the parent/teacher job description with Complete Ready to Assemble Lapbook-style units that are available in Ebook, Printed Book, and CD formats.    Please visit their website at www.handsofachild.com.

 

©2007 Katie Kubesh

Science was never a strong subject for me.  Now that I am an adult I find some science topics quite amazing, but when I think about teaching any type of science to my children, it scares me!  Science for me as a child was so different than it is today.  Children today have the challenge of our increasingly technological society and need much more advanced science preparation than any past generations of students.  Not only do children need to learn the basic science concepts that students of the past learned, but today they need to learn about science and technology just to carry on with everyday activities. 

 

The key steps to learning science are about observation- learning to observe the things around us.  There are lots of things you can do with your child that incorporate observations in science. These are great things to incorporate into your science unit studies.   For example:

 

1. Bake a cake.
2. Look for constellations in the night sky.
3. Track the phases of the moon.
4. Watch an ice cube melt.
5. Go for a walk and observe the plants or animals you see.
6. Go for a walk in a city and determine what materials the buildings are made of.
7. Take apart an old appliance and see what the pieces are like.

 

The most important thing to remember is that you cannot make your child like science, but you can encourage him or her to.  Who says all science lessons have to be about dissecting frogs or memorizing the periodical table?  There are several steps you can take to encourage your child to learn more about science and make it a positive experience for you both! 

 

1. Encourage your child to ask questions. 
2. Ask your child questions. 
3. Incorporate hands-on activities.
4. Introduce 1-2 topics at one time, any more than that can overwhelm your child.
5. Find the right activity for your child.  Encourage activities that relate to the topics that interest him or her. 
6. Find seasonal activities that relate to seasons or holidays (see experiment below).

 

Want to show your kids how to make an egg bounce without breaking it?  You just need 1 raw egg (in the shell) and a drinking glass, and some vinegar.

 

1. Set the egg carefully in the bottom of the drinking glass.
2. Fill the glass with vinegar and leave it for at least 15 hours.
3. Remove the egg, and drop it.  I recommend you drop it in the sink or tub…. just in case!

 

The shell of the egg should feel rubbery.  I will not break because the acid in the vinegar breaks down the calcium carbonate.  Calcium carbonate is what makes eggshells hard!

 

Whether you and your students are completing a unit study on science or another topic, it’s easy to incorporate quick and fun experiments and science projects.  Put some easy, fun, and AMAZING Science into your next unit study!

Katie Kubesh is co-owner and writer/researcher for In the Hands of a Child, a leading provider of Ready-to-Assemble Lapbook Style Units.   Her Beginning Lapbooking Series has been featured at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine’s Experimental Zone Homeschool Blog, Cindy Rushton’s Virtual Seminar, Talk-A-Latte, and the Ultimate Homeschool Expo 2007.  She has been a guest speaker at workshops and conventions throughout the Midwest and her articles are featured in numerous publications.  Please visit her website at www.handsofachild.com.

 

©2007 Katie Kubesh

If you have the luxury of having snow on the ground, send everyone out with a magnifying glass to study the snowflakes as they fall. They can sketch their favorite flakes, and cut them out to hang in the window. For those of you that don't live in snow country, use the opportunity to study some of William Bentley's photographs of individual flakes and then draw them and cut them out of white paper. The variety in shapes and structures is fascinating, and fun to try to capture on paper.

Of course, when the opportunity presents, the art of snow sculpture has a definite attraction. We've had snow dogs, snow men, snow women, snow bears, and all kinds of fun sculptures! Don't forget to keep the camera handy for these ventures -- the memories are priceless.

So, we've begun our gardening study, covered up the hall walls with sketches of snowflakes, gone outside with a magnifying glass to look at our own snowflakes, and have a whole tray of seedlings started on the kitchen counter what now? As my son reminds me Spring Training begins in mid-February! If there is an interest in baseball or softball in your house, use the time to explore the Internet baseball sites to find out Spring Training plans, trading of players, etc.

There are sites for all of the major league teams, as well as many of the minor league teams. The Major League Baseball Association has a very informative web site, as well as the usual sport sites like ESPN.com, etc. Don't forget have your baseball fans write to the major league teams, and ask for team information, along with a spring and summer game schedule. Several of the teams send bumper stickers, posters, and plenty of fun information. If you want to encourage their interest and learn while in the process, order the Baseball Unit Study (either on CDROM or in downloadable format), and get ready for a fascinating adventure into the history and science of baseball. What a way to liven up learning during dreary winter days, poring over baseball cards, learning how American history and baseball history intertwine, and more!

For those students interested in playing baseball this spring, the winter can provide some opportunities to begin to get in shape for the season. The books at the library on Little League, baseball training, sports fitness and other topics for children are usually VERY available in the wintertime don't forget to include them in your next library search.

The wintertime also brings everyone closer to home, and plenty of time for cooking, games, and other "together" activities. At our house, we keep the Pioneer Lady's Hearty Winter Cookbook handy, written by Jane Watson Hopping. This book is written like a journal, with some wonderfully simple recipes for delicious home cooked meals. We've dusted off the old Monopoly game, as well as Scrabble, Yahtzee, and a few other classics. Oh, and before I forget, we have recently been using our membership with Netflix and thoroughly enjoyed the huge variety of films. Perfect for the winter doldrums, they carry many of the great classics and family movies, and help get through some of the sloppy indoor-weather weeks.  And the best part – it is all done through the mail with postage-paid envelopes! No more trips to the video store or late fees – whew!

I hope that these ideas help brighten your family's winter. These are special times, that can't be relived and will pass all too quickly. The runny noses, midnight cough sessions and rocking a feverish child will be endured, in love and of course, much patience. Use this season to look ahead, and anticipate the next season of growth and learning, and many smiles. These ARE the special times!

Blessings,
Amanda B.
www.unitstudy.com

Related Tags: unit studies, homeschooling, winter, baseball

Happy Winter! Can you believe we are about to begin winter in just a few days?! I can't keep track of where the time goes, but I know that the kids are growing taller and it is cold outside so we must not be standing still in time. As we move into winter, the winter doldrums begin and symptoms of cabin fever appear. Like many families, we tend to read more, work on home and craft projects, and of course, our learning continues full speed ahead. I thought you might enjoy a few suggestions to help you with your family's studies, as well as enjoying the season.

First, remember the saying "bloom where you are planted" -- perfect for being cooped up inside and looking forward to the coming of spring. The seed catalogs will begin arriving next month, and I hope you are going to be receiving some of them. They are wonderful planning tools, bringing a reminder that the bad weather will end soon, and that a whole new season of fun and growing is about to begin. Start preparing for a fun study of gardening. Let each family member choose a vegetable and flower that they would like to grow, and have the children start listing the choices.

Bundle everyone up and send them out with a tape measure to choose a site and size for their future garden. As they choose their site, remind them that the amount of sun that the garden location receives is important, as well as close location to a water resource (or a good long hose!). Once the site and size are determined, have the children draw a plan for the garden, using graph paper to keep the sketch simple and accurate. Don't forget to order the new Garden Unit Study (on CDROM or in downloadable format) to get ready for spring, learning and having fun while it snows outside!

After sketching the outline of the garden, use seed and garden sites on the Internet to order seed catalogs, read articles about planning the garden, and ask questions of gardening experts. If you don't have or want an outside in-the-ground garden, consider doing this same kind of effort with above-ground garden containers, like barrel halves or large buckets that have drain holes. It’s also fun to have an indoor kitchen window-sill garden – that’s where I have grown herbs in the past.

When the seed selection process begins, either online or through the seed catalogs, have the children note the days to produce fruit, as well as the best time to plant that seed for your geographical area. Then, if you have time, plan on starting the seeds inside, in a sunny spot in your house. This can be a great learning experience, even with snow on the ground. We've learned so much just through starting seeds in plastic bags with damp paper towels, watching the roots grow and the seedling develop.

This jump-start on your family's garden will help bring some bright and fun times into the slump of winter. Also, keep an eye out for the small bulb gardens available at your local discount department store this time of year for forcing bulbs in the midst of winter. This can provide some winter color and excitement as you all wait for the first signs of growth, and then for the flowers themselves.

I've also recently discovered a fascinating book about the man that really opened our eyes to the structure of snowflakes -- William Bentley. The book that I refer to is:

Snowflake Bentley, written by Jacqueline B. Martin, and illustrated by Mary Azarian. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998.

This book is a biography of his life and fascination with nature and snow, from childhood through adulthood. It is a picture book for all ages, to be enjoyed by all. The book is very interesting, laying out the interests of William Bentley, how his family supported his interests, along with the point that his mother was his teacher until he was fourteen years old. Imagine! When talking about this, the author includes the quote: "She had a set of encyclopedias," Willie said. "I read them all." Through his efforts, he discovered that most snowflakes have six branches, and that each one was a unique "masterpiece of design." This book, along with the book that he wrote and filled with his photographs of snowflakes, Snow Crystals, are all that you need to enjoy a study of snow, as well as perseverance.

Check back next week for Part 2 of this article – see you next week on the Company Porch!

Blessings,
Amanda B.
www.unitstudy.com

Related Tags: unit studies, homeschool, winter, garden

Christmas: A Study of Love

Part 2

Amanda Bennett

 

The warm feeling of love, the snug feeling of togetherness and family,

and the joy and excitement of celebration –

all to be found in many American homes this time of year.

 

 

We have tried to look back at the expectations we had before each baby was born -- the joy, the fear, the concerns and the love. As we talk about these feelings of expectations, we can connect them to the feelings of God's children as they heard for so many years about the coming of the Savior and their own feelings of expectation. Then, how Mary and Joseph must have felt with their own special knowledge about this baby and Who He was. You can celebrate Advent to take a close look at the prophecies, the Birth and what His coming means to you as Christians. We do things like learning some of the prophecies of the Old Testament, and having the older children look to find where each of these prophecies were fulfilled. God does keep His promises, doesn't He!

 

We also include some geography, following the path of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and try to understand what their trip was probably like. They had to travel just under one hundred miles over rough roads, using their feet and a donkey for transportation. It took them at least a week to make the journey -- contrast this for the children, using some other trip that they remember that was about that far, and how you covered the distance in under two hours.

 

We study what the area was like during that time of year -- quite a bit like where we lived in Florida several years ago -- no snow! It would have been a warmer climate, and citrus would have been getting ripe, with plenty of olive, date and palm trees. The children were so amazed to find out that the first Christmas weather was so much like that of Florida -- so then they asked, why do we associate so much snow with Christmas?

 

Another big question -- why exactly do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th, anyway? After hearing both sides of the argument over whether Christmas is a Christian or a pagan holiday, I decided to do some research of my own to include in the study and the findings were very interesting. Before the fourth century, Jesus' birth was celebrated on January 6th, along with the Epiphany. Then, as Christianity moved through Rome, Pope Liberius of Rome, in 353 A.D., researched historical records to try to establish the actual day of Christ's birth. Remember -- the whole journey to Bethlehem was to participate in a census and pay appropriate taxes -- record keeping! As a result of his work, the Pope decided to make December 25th the official day of celebrating Christ's birth.

 

Now, for the 12 days of Christmas. I was reading a beautifully written book recently, The Christmas Book by Alice Lawhead. The author has a whole section about slowing down the frenzy and focusing on the meaning of Christmas. She offers ideas like celebrating Christmas throughout the original 12 days of Christmas, which begin on Christmas Eve and continue until January 6th, which is the celebration of Epiphany, marking the Wise Men's visit to the Baby, the first visit of Gentiles to see the new King. Why not make cookies and have more of the festivities throughout those 12 days with family, instead of spending December in a flat-out rush to get it all ready for that one day, and be so eager to have it all out of the house! This way, we can avoid the let-down of December 26th and keep the focus of the celebration where it should be. We also use this study to learn more about the many Christmas traditions, those celebrated in this country as well as other countries. These might include the Yule Log, mumming, the days of posadas, and on and on. Have the children help with the research and then share their findings.

 

Use the season to read some classics aloud in the evenings while everyone is working on Christmas projects. Consider books like The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates by Mary Dodge, and, of course, we read the Gospels of the Bible.

 

As children get older, there are two books that they might enjoy, Two from Galilee, Love Story of Mary and Joseph and Three from Galilee, the Young Man from Nazareth both by Majorie Holmes. These books have made the people and the nativity so much more real to all of us, and added new depth and understanding to the event on a human level.

 

There are so many books about Christmas available now and most of my favorites can be found at local Christian bookstores. Some of them are One Wintry Night, by Ruth Bell Graham, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson, Before and After Christmas: Activities and Ideas for  Advent and Epiphany, by Debbie Trafton O'Neal, and The Scriptures Sing of Christmas: An Advent Study of Christmas, by J. Ellsworth Kalas.

 

It is my hope that you all relax and enjoy the holidays, learning and sharing as a family, and that the adventures will bring you many happy memories in the years to come. May God bless you and your family abundantly!

 

Blessed Christmas!

 

Amanda B.

www.unitstudy.com

 

Related Tags: unit studies, homeschool, Christmas, traditions, family

Christmas: A Study of Love

Part 1

Amanda Bennett

 

The warm feeling of love, the snug feeling of togetherness and family,

and the joy and excitement of celebration –

all to be found in many American homes this time of year.

 

From the preparation and celebration of harvest and Thanksgiving to the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas, there is a wonderful feeling of love everywhere, and as homeschooling families, we can take this time to learn, prepare our homes and our hearts, and share with others throughout the year.

 

At our house, we begin planning for the holiday season by preparing unit studies on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. This has become a regular tradition here, and one that is eagerly anticipated year after year. With each year of holidays comes a new slant or area of interest for our learning adventures, and we have never worked on any unit study in the same way twice! We use these holiday studies to help us grow in our knowledge as well as giving the children more time to thoroughly prepare for and understand the meaning of the holidays -- the history, literature, geography, science and music represented within the holiday theme.

 

In this article, I would like to focus on studying Christmas as a family unit. What does Christmas mean to you and your family? Ever take a close look with your family, asking them what they think? Write down their comments without criticism or discussion. Then, ask them what they like best about Christmas and then what their favorite holiday tradition is -- if they are old enough to understand. This is a great way to begin the Christmas season, and is usually a real eye-opener! What significance do you give to the true meaning of Christmas?

 

I first wrote the CHRISTMAS Unit Study to meet this need in our own home. We wanted to study this with the children, learning together and drawing us all closer in your own celebration. We were tired of the commercialism that had worked its way into Christmas and had to reflect very closely on what and how we had celebrated in the past, as well as finding ways to focus on the true meaning of Christmas -- the reason for the celebration -- His birth. We worked with the children to define what Christmas means to our family and what we would like to change. How could we celebrate Christmas with our family, our church, our neighbors and our community with the right emphasis? After all, this event we are celebrating was foretold in almost 400 different prophecies in the Old Testament - quite a fulfilling event when our Savior was born! Why shouldn't we celebrate it as least as much as we do the birth of one of our own babies?

 

Like me, you probably get overwhelmed with catalogs in the mail this time of year. But recently, one that we received really caught the attention of one of the children. It has a picture of Mary and Joseph and the Baby Jesus on the front cover, but it is somehow very different. My son looked at it and said, "Look, Mom -- they had a baby! Look at how happy they are!" Unlike so many other nativity scenes where Mary and Joseph have rather nondescript faces, this one shows them as parents getting a first good look at their new baby -- utmost joy and pride and awe and love. Their expressions also reflect what I imagine that God felt about then, too -- pride and love for His own Son.

 

Check back next week on the Front Porch to read Part 2

of this Christmas article!

 

Blessed Christmas,

 

Amanda B.

www.unitstudy.com

 

Related Tags: unit studies, Christmas, love

Mom, What is a Veteran?
Amanda Bennett

And so begins our search to answer the question of the day for November 11th - "Mom, what is a veteran?" This generation of children has had some exposure to war and soldiers and military importance, but in a different way than generations past. For many American children, the war against terror is still quite distant in their minds – not effecting their daily lives. Unless they have a parent, relative or family member who is serving our country, they might not even be aware that there is a conflict going on.

When they see or hear reference to the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, they don't understand the significance or relevance to their lives. Then the questions come up – “Mom, what is a Veteran?” We can use this holiday as the perfect springboard to learning more about our history, our blessings, and the brave men and women who have served to protect us, and all that we hold dear.

Veterans Day - what does it mean to you? The history of this holiday may be unknown to many of us, and yet it exists because of the strength and convictions of generations past that we should remember our veterans and their sacrifices for our peace and protection. There was a price paid for the freedom that we enjoy, and this freedom still needs our protection. While we enjoy peace, it is with an understanding that this peace has been bought with the efforts of our veterans, and this holiday can help us express our gratitude for their efforts and beliefs and sacrifices. On this holiday, we honor all of our veterans. Those in the military serve in all kinds of jobs - soldiers, doctors, nurses, pilots, engineers, astronauts, and so much more. They all work hard to protect and defend America, and we should be grateful to them all.

I heard recently that there is a shortage of military buglers to play "Taps" at military funerals - because so many of our military veterans are passing away, particularly those from the World Wars. Our children need to appreciate those who have bravely served or are serving our country right now. Use this holiday to become familiar with veterans - their sacrifice and their courage. Learn more about the American military system - how it protects us today and what is happening with our defense. Use this opportunity to learn more about the various organizations that help support out veterans - the Veterans Administration (VA), the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and others.

This holiday has special significance to many members of our family as well as our friends. Though often quiet about their service, these people have a wealth of information and experience that they might be willing to share with our students about their service, training, and ideas - if asked. By learning more about the people and their participation, we can carry on the tradition and remembrance with pride.

With this holiday, let's bring out the flag and applaud our veterans. Let us teach these things to our children, so that we never take our freedom and liberty for granted. All of our veterans deserve our appreciation and remembrance. It is now the next generation's responsibility to protect and defend our country, our God-given rights, and our freedoms.

Blessings,
Amanda B.
www.unitstudy.com

For a limited time, you can now download the one-week
Veterans Day Unit Study for only $3.95
at homeschoolestore.com Here's the link:

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