| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
| The Homeschool Diner's Guide to Hands-on Learning for Homeschoolers by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006 Children who enjoy a hands-on approach to learning prefer to be active participants in their lessons. They are not passive learners who are content to listen to lectures, watch films, or read textbooks. The challenge for homeschooling parents is to find hands-on experiences that can actually take the place of textbooks, workbooks, and lectures. For example, hands-on learning needs to be more than just "doing" a lab experiment. The activity needs to be an engaging, in-depth investigation of the objects, materials, phenomena, and ideas where the child (with help from his parent) can draw meaning and understanding from the experience. In this way, a high-quality hands-on experience actually replaces "passive" classroom learning. Even with a pre-packaged kit, parents may need to supplement an activity or do some outside reading so that they can tie concepts together for their student. Hands-on learning leads to a better understanding of concepts and relationships, and provides the student with a knowledge base that helps give meaning to "facts". Questions that arise during hands-on activities can even lead to deeper exploration of a topic, or investigations into a new related topic. Science, math, and the arts are naturally very hands-on topics. Social studies can be made more hands-on by incorporating crafts, map exercises, puzzles, time-lines, field trips, dress-up and re-enactment, and cooking. Language arts can incorporate games, grammar manipulatives, dramatic readings, dress-up, plays, scrap-booking, and creative book-making. Hands-on Learning can be used to enrich any homeschooling method. It is a wonderful choice for homeschooling high-energy students, creative students, visual-spatial learners, students who struggle with reading, writing and/or attention, and reluctant learners (because hands-on activities often don't really "feel" like school). Listed below are some suggestions for resources for instructional approaches and kinesthetic learning techniques. There are also suppliers of manipulatives, experiments, activity kits, games, etc. Unit Studies often incorporate hands-on activities, so check out the "Unit Studies" section for more ideas. Montessori Method - an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1870, based on observations that children learn naturally when in a "properly prepared environment" that is designed to promote independent learning and exploration by the child, emphasizes hands-on activities, the extensive use of concept-specific manipulatives, and learning thru real-world "work", children are placed in small multi-age groups, children often work on activities of their own choosing and are allowed to work at their own pace, fosters self-discipline and co-operative learning. Maria Montessori's philosophy and methods are presnted in "The Clio Montessori Series", a collection of lectures and essays written by Maria Montessori and published by ABC-Clio, Ltd.. These books address the Montessori approach to education from birth thru adolescence The text of the English translation of "The Montessori Method" by Maria Montessori is available free online Montessori Homeschooling - information and support groups Montessori Educational Products - guidance from birth to age 12 Montessori Concepts - affordable Montessori products for homeschools Waldorf Philosophy - first formulated by Austrian Rudolf Steiner in 1907 in his short book, "The Education of the Child in the Light of Spiritual Science", learning is based on prescribed developmental stages, with formal education being delayed until age 7, lecture-based experiential learning, a subject is introduced through experiences, then children are guided to explore a subject, then the concept discussed. Emphasis on arts and crafts, music and movement, natural science, spirituality, and social skill. Children journal their experiences, thoughts, and conclusions, including daily drawing and painting. Waldorf in the Home - a website and annual conference Oak Meadow - PreK - 12 Waldorf inspired curriculum Live Education! - K - 8 Waldorf curriculum modified for home use - http://www.live-education.com/ Some online resources: Edventures Online - combines online tutorials with hands-on project-based learning for interdisciplinary problem solving and critical thinking, online subscription required Lap Books -- a crafty 3-D way to display facts and artwork about any subject a child has learned or to display an integrated unit study, some examples can be seen at Scrapbooking to Learn, Peakmore Academy, Chavez Creative Publishing, Templates by Donovan has directions for various envelopes and folding elements, instructional books and supplies can be found at Tobin's Lab, there is also a Lapbooking Yahoo Group, Enchanted Learning -- lots of free printables such as coloring sheets, map outlines, and printable books, subscription optional "All About..." Series by Evan-Moor - (preK - 1) a collection of thematic cross-curricular science units, includes lesson plan, a story with story board and pieces, and suggested activities Bright Ideas for the Gifted and Talented (a.w.peller & associates) - educational games, workbooks, and hands-on activity kits HandsOnLearning.com - a collection of kits and activities, mostly by LEGO and Pitsco, for hands-on teaching of math and science Kids Activities -- a Yahoo! group where parents share ideas for projects, crafts, and other educational hands-on activities MySummerCamp.com -- search for camps by type, location, and a wide variety of hands-on explorations in different subject areas Bare Books -- Treehouse Publishing offers blank books, puzzles, game boards, and comic books to make your own fun or educational materials Paper Plate Education -- illuminate your ideas on a paper plate ETA/Cuisenaire -- educational products for science, math, reading, and preschool Learning Resources -- K - 6 manipulatives, board games, and activity kits for reading, spelling, math, and science Discovery Channel Store -- check their "Toys and Games" section for hands-on kits and educational toys Oriental Trading Company -- source for inexpensive supplies for crafts and other activities Education Outside the Box -- a Yahoo! group to encourage teens and families to become entrepreneurs, share tips and strategies Hands-On Science and Technology - because none of the major homeschool approaches focus on science and technology - you will need to seek out hands-on educational opportunities that meet your child's interests. Check with your local science and technology museums - many offer homeschool classes and most offer Saturday and summer programs. Homeschool co-ops sometimes offer (or would be willing to organize) hands-on science and technology classes and even science fairs. State-sponsored 4-H clubs offer guidance and instruction for science and technology projects. Seek out local mentors, retired teachers, or other volunteers who can help you guide your child's projects and encourage their interests. Older children may be able to take vocational classes thru their local high school or a technical college (regulations vary by state and school district - check with your local schools). Some science and technology classes are available thru distance learning programs. Large book stores (such as Borders and Barnes and Nobel) have how-to books for science and technology. Some textbook and homeschool curriculum publishers have resources for computer programming, robotics, and lab sciences - do a Google search to find your options. Also, visit the "Homeschooling by Subject" section for more ideas. Hands-On Experiences in the Arts: Check with your local arts museum, orchestra, ballet, children's theater, and private arts schools to see if they offer homeschool classes, private and group instruction, Saturday programs, and summer camps. Homeschool co-ops usually offer (or would be willing to organize) art, music, dance, and drama classes. Many metropolitan areas have homeschool band, orchestra, and ensemble organizations. City parks and recreation departments, community centers, colleges, and the YMCA offer children's summer programs in the arts. Seek out private instruction, retired teachers, and local mentors (including older homeschooled children) who are willing to help you encourage and foster your child's interests. State sponsored 4-H clubs provide many opportunities for children to participate and compete in visual arts, music, drama, and dramatic reading. Public libraries and bookstores have a wide selection of books for visual art and craft projects (check both the arts section and the education section). There are many online resources for visual arts and crafts, too - do a Google search to find your options. Also, check the "Homeschooling by Subject" section for more ideas. |
| "Tell me....and I forget, teach me.....and I learn, but involve me..... and I remember." -- Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790) "Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; [when] the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results. -- John Dewey "We learn by example and by direct experience because there are real limits to the adequacy of verbal instruction." -- Malcolm Gladwell, "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking", 2005 |