How do you make day to day schooling fun??

[guest^]

Sometimes I hear dd say how boring school is. I *thought* I was a fun teacher!! :LOL I think I get into ruts as a result of back to back sickness or just life stuff getting in the way. I don't really feel *pressure* to make sure she in *on*schedule,as she is way ahead in reading and 1 grade ahead in math.

I haven't had a car all winter, as we have just one car, and my dh has had 2 surgeries in 6 mos that has prevented him from his usual bike ride to work. So that means less fieldtrips and playdates.

Here are a few things we've done to shake up our routine. :

~Schooled in her tent.

~Schooled in bed.(I was actually sick, but she loved it so much, we did it all week.)

~Throw schedule out and had all day reading days-anything goes!

~Throw schedule out, and *unschooled* for a few days.

~Have *backwards* days.....instead of starting with math, we've started it with ballet practice or art.

~Skip school, and watch the Food Channel and Animal Planet all day. Write or orally give reviews of each show.

~Have game days on Fridays(Friday is usually our easy / short day).

~Send dd to work with dh. He teaches at the local college. She does her schooling there, and then gets to work on graphic design(aka Illustrator).


Sounds real fun huh??

Please share your fun ways that are close to home, and inexpensive.


Peace,
mp

[Marsupialmom]

I dropped fun as a describing word in my children's education. I prefer engaging. All learning is not fun but it should be engaging. There has been so many things I could only teach (help my child learn) but engaging them.

Yes, I engage them various ways. Think I have done everything on that list.

But!!!!!!!!!!!! Spring has arrived!!!!!!!! GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND PLAY!! was the assignment last week. :LOL This time of year “This is boring,” IMO is due to spring fever and the only cure for spring fever is fresh air and play, play, play.

So I do recommend throw caution to the wind go get fresh air and some playing done.

And remember all that playing is Physical education.

[Ravin]

And if you're concerned about getting lessons done...do them outside!

[moominmamma]

Originally Posted by Ravin

And if you're concerned about getting lessons done...do them outside!

And if it's snowing outside, as it is here this morning?

Miranda

(in New Denver, BC, Canada, who unschools and therefore doesn't have to worry about 'making lessons fun' in any case)

[UUMom]

Sometimes when I work myself into a good panic and am feeling like there are things I want my kids to know, I read them something interesting. Myths, folktales, fictionalized, but accurate accounts etc. Storytime is not usually boring.

Right now, I am wanting my 12 (almost 13) yr old to understand the mechanics of writing and spelling better. I know, crazy, huh? That's a little harder to make 'fun', but then I go back to reading good literature aloud, or just start talking about what makes a good writer. As she gets older she is feeling more invested in wanting to understand as well. It's not like she is saying "Hey, Mom, i am ready to learn how to be a good writer! Let's get out that Spelling WorkOut E book you bought in a fit or worry". Uh, no. But she's asking questions and is doing some copy work on interesting topics she chooses. I figure it can't hurt.

I dunno who all these unschooled 12 and 13 yr old kids are who have no problems understanding math or the mechanics of good writing while playing Ninetendo most of the day. I can't get over feeling these are important skills to have.

I am stuck in the area of gray thoughts.

Sometimes I just tell my kid, "Hey, can you indulge me for a little while and discuss with me themes in The Illiad?" (not because I care so much about The Illiad, but more because I care that it's important to know how to mine literature or newspaper artciles for meaning) Sometimes we do this. Mostly in the car when we are driving somewhere.

[guest^]

Thanks for the replies Ladies!!

Marsupialmom-I think my dd is easily engaged in her geography,math,and history. I understand what you're saying. I am looking for *fun* ideas! Like in Grammar, I will be the noun,verb,etc...dd laughs at my natural *weirdness*, but she also remembers it well. I think we were outside playing in the winter more than now, due to dd's allergies. But yes! I agree! If possible, we should all be pushing our dc outside to play! Our family togetherness these days, is planting a garden in our 1st new(old) house.

Miranda-Do as I do! Make them shovel!! :LOL I am most sure that you unschoolers have more fun! My sis is an unschooler....she had her dd at Kindermusik...my nephews were waiting upstairs with the other Moms. One of them asked them if they had the day off from school. My nephew said no, everyday is a day off-we homeschool. She asked what they were going to learn about that day. He said nothing. She said that certainly their Mom has something planned. He said nope! WE aren't doing anything today. Actually he had just finished the Tolkien series that morning-again. I suppose that lady gave my sis some look when she came back down.

UUMom- I'm sure you are not alone! I think we all may struggle with the gray ideas/plans/thoughts!!

Anyone else????

mp