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" just the way we were schooled:

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

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

Sometimes our fear of not teaching our children perfectly causes us to just do school the way we learned 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.

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  homeschooling parents

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

Plan group activities

  • Take hikes & field trips
  • Sign up for camps
  • Join homeschool  activities
  • Check our 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, neighborhood, or church and visit with them to learn about who they are or what they do.

apprenticeships
Inspire your children to enter into apprenticeships with small business owners, or become an entrepreneur, when your children are old enough.
community
  • Visit nursing homes
  • Share a talent 
  • Volunteer at church or for a non-profit organization
  • 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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