U-Build Monopoly, Snap Circuits, Playmobil and Magnetic Tiles have been taking over the floor of the living room. In all of these, the kids are involved in creative problem solving, negotiation, cooperation, and navigating social situations. I’m constantly amazed at how much the kids learn and stretch themselves in the context of play. To read more about how we play and what we prioritize, check out my post over at My Little Poppies.
Tag: elementary
The Lazy Mom’s Guide to an Indoor Snow Day
Instead of feeling guilty, I’ve learned some simple tricks to bring the outdoors in, which inspire lots of creativity and exploration.
Gifted Kids Need Biographies
When we connect with people, even through their biographies, they can inspire and challenge us. When we read about others with similar interests who go on to do great things, that makes us more willing to try hard things as well.
Nice Books for Nice Kids
We reach the “early chapter book” stage, and all of a sudden, we go from nice, friendly, stories about families supporting each other and getting along to this focus on everything annoying, mean-spirited, selfish, and disrespectful. Here’s a list of good, quality, enjoyable literature in that upper elementary level (grades 2-4, primarily) that does NOT celebrate mean, catty girls or rude, potty-humored boys… but are still fun to read.
Get Out of Those Desks! Learning Can Happen Anywhere!
Homeschool, although still called school, should NOT seek to emulate a classroom designed for challenges that home environments simply do not share.
A Lifestyle of Discovery: 3rd Grade Unschooling “Curriculum”
The problem is: boxed, do-the-next-page curricula don’t work for us. Based on our kids, their learning styles, and our family rhythms we have chosen an eclectic, unschool-y approach. So far, it’s working pretty well.
