| Has your homeschooling routine become dull and | | | | their computer skills to create a blog or website. |
| uninspiring? Do your children groan, complain and | | | | Creating a newsletter is a great family writing |
| beg you for frequent breaks? Here are some | | | | project. Assign different tasks to each child, or |
| simple homeschool ideas that will put the fun back | | | | have children work as a team. This newsletter will |
| into your homeschool curriculum! | | | | serve as a record of events and activities your |
| - Reading and language arts are essential | | | | family has enjoyed. |
| components of every homeschool program. You | | | | - Head outdoors to give your children a break |
| don't have to assign workbook exercises to help | | | | from their regular routine. Sit under a tree and |
| your child build valuable reading skills. Play | | | | read your favorite read aloud, complete |
| crossword puzzles, read joke books, have a | | | | assignments on an outdoor picnic table. Take a |
| family book club or poetry night. Post a word you | | | | walk or roller blade between lessons, or eat lunch |
| want your children to learn on your refrigerator | | | | on a blanket in the backyard. This will not only |
| every week. Keep track of how often the word | | | | give your children a boost of fresh air, it gives |
| is used in context and give a prize to the person | | | | them a chance to observe nature - that's science! |
| who uses it the most frequently. | | | | - Divide your family into teams and choose a |
| - Teaching math is fun and easy when you | | | | subject for debate. Help your children research |
| reinforce its value in everyday life. Show your | | | | the topic and prepare convincing arguments. Your |
| children ways you use math when budgeting, | | | | children will learn about current events and history, |
| shopping, playing sports or traveling. Building is a | | | | and develop valuable public speaking skills. Instead |
| great way to teach math and geometry. Help | | | | of choosing a winner, reward both teams for a |
| your children build a toy box or clubhouse, or | | | | job well done! |
| work together on household repairs. Younger | | | | Don't forget to play homeschool games like |
| children can build with Legos, blocks or K'nex. | | | | Chess, card games and board games with your |
| - Journaling, letter writing and scrap booking are | | | | children. Adding a game night to your weekly |
| great activities for budding writers. Reluctant | | | | routine will provide your family with valuable |
| writers may want to practice writing jokes or use | | | | opportunities for learning and bonding. |