Do projects!

I believe in hands-on activities—especially projects.   Have you tried foldable?  Here are ideas for teaching math with foldables.  I teach science; my kids make models.  For example, make animal and plant cell models.  My kids use clay.  Many families make Edible Cell Models.  Graph timelines on paper. Here is my blog post about atomic theory timelines.  This week, Paul, ten, is studying cell cycles and making a  Mitosis Wheel Foldable.  The Chemistry Co-op kids make 3D Periodic Trend models.  Another idea is to create Salt Dough Map of Israel—useful for Theology or Religion classes.  Why make models?  When a child creates a model, she has to study the diagrams closely.  The more opportunities she has to study and manipulate a concept, the more places in her brain she stores the information.  Paul, ten, is also studying animal and plant cells.  He made clay models.  He should have colored pages, too.  However, he loathes coloring.  Lacie is taking Biology; she will color animal and plant cells and make clay models with her younger brother, Lucas, seven.  Yes, Lacie will make comparison charts, too.  But all of these activities together make it easier for her to learn the differences between animal and plant cells.  Kids remember just about everything they do and forget just about everything I say.  I assign loads of activities.