STEP #8:
Go Outside the Box


Don’t Just
"Do School"...
Go Outside the Box!

It's so easy to fall into the trap of "doing school" in just the same way we were schooled:

  • sitting at a desk
  • reading textbooks
  • filling in workbook blanks, etc.

We encourage you to "go outside the box" and to be creative and adventurous as you plan your homeschool journey.

Sometimes our fear of not teaching our children perfectly causes us to do school the way we we were instructed as children.

But homeschooling is a perfect opportunity to train your children in the way they should go, unlike anything we learned in public or private school.

Go Outside the Box When You Start Homeschooling!

What are some ways to "go outside the box" while you're homeschooling?
Consider these possibilities:

play
games

Play with games and toys that challenge the mind. Examples:

  • Duplos® and Legos®,
  • Puzzles
  • Educational board games

Learn
by doing

Work together on projects. Examples:

  • Plan a garden
  • Try a sewing project
  • Make family meals
  • Build a play fort
  • Rebuild an engine

teaching
co-ops

Team up with other parents who are homeschooling.

  • Each can teach a favorite subject to student groups
  • Consider hiring instructors

Group
learning

Plan group outings and activities.

  • Take nature hikes & field trips
  • Go to camps
  • Join homeschool  activities
  • Check our our website Events page

library
access

Use the public library (with the "open access" policy, you can use any library in Iowa)! Click here to find an Iowa public library near you.

role
models

Identify interesting people in your family, church, or  neighborhood and visit with them to learn about who they are or what they do.

apprentice-
ships

Inspire your children to consider apprenticeships with small business owners or to try  entrepreneurship when they are old enough.

ENGAGE
community

Share your talent and time.
  • Visit care centers 
  • Volunteer at church or for a  non-profit
  • Assist  political campaigns. 

© Homeschool Iowa & Julie Naberhaus adapted from "The ABC's of Homeschooling in Iowa" by Julie Naberhaus

CHECK THIS POST ON OUR BLOG:
"Gameschooling"

 

The possibilities are endless.

Be creative and have fun!



 
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