Start a Blog!

 Today, the kids started work on individual blogs.  Here is a basic guide to start your blog (vlog, or podcast).  Okay, the kids were also finishing a film vs book essay, a lab report for Biology, and revising their arguments about tattoos.  Each kid made a list of subtopics under their main interest: car racing, art, rugby, fishing, and games.  I used Chik-Fil-A as a starting point.  All of us love the restaurant!   Posts or topics might include, toys, funny ads, cow memes, new restaurants, media articles—even favorite food.  We’re going to work on a list of specific posts next.  So far, all of the kids are interested.

Debate Essays

 Do you want your teens to write volumes?  I do!  Pick debate topics.  The key is to find a topic of interest.  Right now, the government is debating eliminating pennies.  My favorite topic is  Tattoos.  Thinking about Tattoos and What Chemicals are in Your Tattoos? are both useful for this discussion.  Below is the format for writing a debate essay.

1.  What is the issue?  Should the government eliminate pennies?  Should you get a tattoo?

2.  Next, write the pros and cons.

3.  Do the pros outweigh the cons or vice versa?

Below are the notes we did in class. 

Let’s Do Projects!

 I just assigned a project for my Co-op Biology class to complete.  We’re in the middle of a winter storm and missing class.  Please consider projects.  The best sort of project is authentic.  One home-school family built a shed.  The kids helped research the type of shed, designed it, and helped build it.  Another family friend finished chicken coop.  His son is managing the flock enthusiastically.  The ideal project is based on a child or a family’s interests.  If you like birding, plan bird boxes, build feeders, or  experiment with different types of feed.  Maintain a  of birds observed.  Download a bird life list.  Consider a bird feeder camera.  Is your family interested in service?  Many families collect and sort food regularly for the local Food Pantry.  What about a neighborhood clean-up?  Another family friend repairs and donates used bikes for kids.  Perhaps your family could make blankets or knit caps for a Crisis Pregnancy center.  Family projects should be part of your digital portfolio.  Take loads of photos and tag them as service outreach, STEM, or engineering, according to the project.  Projects will enrich your family’s academics and your local community.

Let’s go back to basics!

 Wow!  Virtual schools have been a fixture in public education for awhile.  However have you read about Teacher-less Charter Schools?  Many homeschool families use remote learning for class through agencies such as the Homeschool Learning Center or Kolbe Academy.  I know families who have enrolled in Virginia Virtual Academy—one successfully, another a disaster.  My recommendation is to stick with what you know.  Take part in a local Co-op or enroll in established homeschool programs for specific classes, such as Spanish.  Go old school and teach the core classes from textbooks.  You can always use Khan Academy when you get stuck or have a question.  Hey!  The textbook works when the internet is down, the Wi-Fi is glitzy, or mom is under the weather.  Keep rocking it old school!