Your ideas are my new ideas! Thanks for so many good ones. I hope lots of people share theirs because then we can jump more easily into such worthwhile experiences and projects.
I love your posts and have grandkids that are doing creative schooling as my daughter feels overwhelmed by homeschooling but is using a charter homeschool program where her kids get to go to a kid led school
But not enough academics in it and a farm school outdoor program. So I am always looking to fill in the gaps with other curriculums. Your posts are one of my favorite on substack. Thanks for this post I will be gathering what I can for their holiday presents.
I love these recommendations! My son is a toddler. I was definitely thinking about getting a globe! You have confirmed the need for that purchase. The Roadside Geology guide looks interesting too. Thank you as always Claire for the information. 🫶🏽
Thank you so much! I can tell already this will be super helpful 🥰 (I’m only six weeks into homeschooling my first grade son. We almost immediately bought a globe, 🌎 but I love the idea of a history timeline map!)
YES! We love books AND audiobooks. I would encourage anyone without a home library to go find your local bibliophiles (used book store, library, etc.) and ask where you can find resources. My experience has been that people who love books also love to share them. Any time my kids find a new series they adore, I get on our local Buy Nothing group and ask if anyone has extras. There are usually generous people whose kids just grew out of them. We also circulate treasures through local wee free libraries.
I wish more parents would take my advice to use khan academy! This is gold — “If you have a struggling math student, I highly recommend using it to shore up skills from past grades. “
I like the backpack. What other ready backpack ideas are there?
Explorer and foraging backpack. Pruning shears, binoculars, gloves, bags to collect samples, camera, snacks, attractive picnic napkin, crayons and paper for rubbings, any relevant topic book...
Travel art pack
Bring light to the world pack. My 8yo self created a social goal and activity when we are out of the house (or have visitors). She looks for things she likes about people and tells them so, on the spot. She seeks these interactions. I am much more shy. She wants to give gifts... A feather, a little heart of any material, maybe with a message, little candles we made,... I found a book in a church (we love going in churches everywhere we go, especially beautiful Catholic or Orthodox) : The Generosity Habit by Matthew Kelly. It is full of ideas that are so fun. But, my daughter is full of her own ideas that she's committed to.
We have a letter-writing spot on our bookshelf. There are attractive cards (from the thrift store), paper, stationary, envelopes, pens, stamps. We can write to anyone anytime, and this is big writing motivation. I am also getting inways into cursive this way because cursive letters are artistic, dance, and look great on paper in this perfect little format to put a message and send it along to someone.
Sorry to spam your comments. I love your substack. I actually have never subscribed and was thinking to subscribe to yours, but need to get on an actual computer to do so. I'm pretty excited. I would ask questions too, like: on Khan Academy, so you accompany the exploration and fill it out, or is it more self-contained? Just wondering whether it is more academic or what the engagement looks like...
I would like someone to recommend a professional capacity and yet affordable microscope with which we can explore just about anything. Anyone have a good microscope that let's you see all kinds of natural things and hopefully even stuff like blood cells?
We have a craft shelf and craft closet. Just like Claire showed a beautiful presentation that welcomes engagement, so the art materials can be right there in front of the eyes, the invitation always ready. I love the work table by the windows!
We didn't expect it, but we met another homeschooling family who has taken the Bushcraft books and begun to learn and create so many of the suggestions! We have Bushcraft Illustrated, and there is a more text heavy . If you are rural, you can make shelters, learn about using some local plants... There is so much!
A camera. My 8yo has a little digital that she uses for cats, animals, and everything. She is naturally motivated to notice the advantages of every lighting change and frame in consideration of clouds, trees,... She's developing a real eye and ability to talk about beauty.
Please everyone who looks at the comments, add your ideas!!!
Yes please! Great idea! I'd love new ideas ❤️❤️❤️
Your ideas are my new ideas! Thanks for so many good ones. I hope lots of people share theirs because then we can jump more easily into such worthwhile experiences and projects.
I love your posts and have grandkids that are doing creative schooling as my daughter feels overwhelmed by homeschooling but is using a charter homeschool program where her kids get to go to a kid led school
But not enough academics in it and a farm school outdoor program. So I am always looking to fill in the gaps with other curriculums. Your posts are one of my favorite on substack. Thanks for this post I will be gathering what I can for their holiday presents.
This is a great list!
I love these recommendations! My son is a toddler. I was definitely thinking about getting a globe! You have confirmed the need for that purchase. The Roadside Geology guide looks interesting too. Thank you as always Claire for the information. 🫶🏽
Thank you so much! I can tell already this will be super helpful 🥰 (I’m only six weeks into homeschooling my first grade son. We almost immediately bought a globe, 🌎 but I love the idea of a history timeline map!)
YES! We love books AND audiobooks. I would encourage anyone without a home library to go find your local bibliophiles (used book store, library, etc.) and ask where you can find resources. My experience has been that people who love books also love to share them. Any time my kids find a new series they adore, I get on our local Buy Nothing group and ask if anyone has extras. There are usually generous people whose kids just grew out of them. We also circulate treasures through local wee free libraries.
I think the only way to truly understand history is to see a map. Different maps at different times. Paper and globe
Where do you get a good price for a telescope? They seem like they would be expensive.
I wish more parents would take my advice to use khan academy! This is gold — “If you have a struggling math student, I highly recommend using it to shore up skills from past grades. “
I like the backpack. What other ready backpack ideas are there?
Explorer and foraging backpack. Pruning shears, binoculars, gloves, bags to collect samples, camera, snacks, attractive picnic napkin, crayons and paper for rubbings, any relevant topic book...
Travel art pack
Bring light to the world pack. My 8yo self created a social goal and activity when we are out of the house (or have visitors). She looks for things she likes about people and tells them so, on the spot. She seeks these interactions. I am much more shy. She wants to give gifts... A feather, a little heart of any material, maybe with a message, little candles we made,... I found a book in a church (we love going in churches everywhere we go, especially beautiful Catholic or Orthodox) : The Generosity Habit by Matthew Kelly. It is full of ideas that are so fun. But, my daughter is full of her own ideas that she's committed to.
We have a letter-writing spot on our bookshelf. There are attractive cards (from the thrift store), paper, stationary, envelopes, pens, stamps. We can write to anyone anytime, and this is big writing motivation. I am also getting inways into cursive this way because cursive letters are artistic, dance, and look great on paper in this perfect little format to put a message and send it along to someone.
Sorry to spam your comments. I love your substack. I actually have never subscribed and was thinking to subscribe to yours, but need to get on an actual computer to do so. I'm pretty excited. I would ask questions too, like: on Khan Academy, so you accompany the exploration and fill it out, or is it more self-contained? Just wondering whether it is more academic or what the engagement looks like...
I would like someone to recommend a professional capacity and yet affordable microscope with which we can explore just about anything. Anyone have a good microscope that let's you see all kinds of natural things and hopefully even stuff like blood cells?
We have a craft shelf and craft closet. Just like Claire showed a beautiful presentation that welcomes engagement, so the art materials can be right there in front of the eyes, the invitation always ready. I love the work table by the windows!
We didn't expect it, but we met another homeschooling family who has taken the Bushcraft books and begun to learn and create so many of the suggestions! We have Bushcraft Illustrated, and there is a more text heavy . If you are rural, you can make shelters, learn about using some local plants... There is so much!
A camera. My 8yo has a little digital that she uses for cats, animals, and everything. She is naturally motivated to notice the advantages of every lighting change and frame in consideration of clouds, trees,... She's developing a real eye and ability to talk about beauty.
Great list - and love that there are both products and ideas listed.